Documents • Iowa State University • Avian Archives of Iowa Online

Title	Genres	Topics	Date (Start)	Date (End)	Type	Description	Creator/Author	Birds	Locations	Locality	Habitat	Remarks

Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Great Gray Owl at Big Marsh, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-02-11	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Gray Owl at Big Marsh in Butler County, IA on February 11, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, two photographs, an article in Field Notes, and seven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Great Gray Owl	Big Marsh Wildlife Area	Big Marsh, Butler Co., Iowa	At north edge of large man-made marshy area near the Cedar River.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller, Stephen J. Dinsmore, Jim Dinsmore, Mary Lou and Peter Petersen, Chris Edwards, and Mark Proescholdt were submitted. Other observers include Francis Moore, Beth Proescholdt, Carl Kurtz, Linda Kurtz, Carolyn Fischer, Pat Hansen, Alan Martin, Rita Pedelty, Rita Goranson, Jan Walter, Tim Gedler, Dennis Henrickson, Bruce DeLong, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Tom Stone, James Scheib, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Only Barred Owl is remotely similar. The most impressive marks were the yellow eyes, bow tie mark, and large gray facial disks. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:59:00/17:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	18
Rare bird documentation form for Western Sandpiper at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-10-22	1997-10-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Sandpiper at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge in Kossuth County, IA on October 22, 1997.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Western Sandpiper	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge	Union Slough NWR, Kossuth Co., south side of B14	mudflats in marsh	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carolyn Fischer and Jan Walter. \| Elimination of similar species: Semipalmated only true possibilitys [sic] bill difference - long, dropped, tapered call difference rufous scapular edges gray basic plumage in place \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:25:00/11:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	18
Rare bird documentation form for Western Sandpiper at Amana Lake, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-10-28	1994-11-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Sandpiper at Amana Lake in Iowa County, IA on October 28, 1994.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Western Sandpiper	Lily Pond	Amana L., Iowa Co., IA.	large shallow lake with low water and extensive mud flats.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: Separation from Semipalmated Sandpiper rests on the bill. The behavior is a bit supportive. Based on records for Iowa, we do not yet know which species is more likely. Having to travel to South America, it would seem that semipalmateds would pass through Iowa earlier, but pectorals go just as far south and some are late migrants. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	18
Details on unusual bird sighting by Jim Fuller, July 8	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	N/A	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Field notes for a Western Sandpiper by Jim Fuller. The Sandpiper was seen at Babcock Access in Johnson County, IA on July 8, unknown year.	Fuller, James L	Western Sandpiper	Babcock Access				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	18
Rare bird documentation form for Western Sandpiper at Coralville Reservoir, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-07-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Sandpiper at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on July 20, 1991.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Western Sandpiper	Coralville Lake	Coralville Res., Johnson Co., IA	mud pools	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Bill and marks on sides unlike Least or Semipalmated sandpipers. Lack of white rump eliminated White-rumped. Rufous feathers supports identification. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	18
Rare bird documentation form for Western Sandpiper at Coralville Reservoir, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-08-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Western Sandpipers at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on August 22, 1992.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Western Sandpiper	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co., Iowa	mud flat along waterway at upper part of reservoir.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The overall color made me think of Least Sandpiper first, but the legs were definitely black and the bill was more decurved than any Least Sandpiper I have seen. I have seen rather rufous appearing Semipalmated Sandpipers, but they looked much more uniform on the upper parts than this bird did. Also the bill was too curved for a semi. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	18
Rare bird documentation form for Ruddy Duck at Willow Slough, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-04-12	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ruddy Duck at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on April 12, 1980.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Ruddy Duck	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills County, Iowa		The documentation form by Barb Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Resembles a ruddy in size, shape, color of sides, + color of belly. However, it lacked any light color on the cheeks. I don't know a duck that normally has this pattern. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 17:07:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	18
Rare bird documentation form for Great Blue Heron at Saylorville Dam, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-07-27	1984-08-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Great Blue Herons at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on July 27, 1984 with an addendum on August 1, 1984.	Engebretsen, Bery	Great Blue Heron	Saylorville Dam	about 2 mi S. of Saylorville Dam 0.5 mi S of 66th, east side of DSM Ranch	Heavy, mature river bottom. Very thick canopy. Nests in locust. [illegible] nearby silver maple.	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Eurasian Tree Sparrow at Oxford, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-01-09	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Eurasian Tree Sparrow at Oxford in Johnson County, IA on January 9, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Scheib, James	Eurasian Tree Sparrow	Oxford	4296 Black Hawk Ave SW, Oxford, Johnson Co., 5 mi. S. of Oxford I-80 exit	Feeder on cedar tree outside farm house	The documentation form by James Scheib is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers were Pat Schnack and Grace Geyer. \| Elimination of similar species: Easily distinguished from accompanying house sparrows as described above. No other sparrow has a rounded blackear mark completely surrounded by white. Closest might be Lark Sparrow which has a white crown strip, brown ear mark, white around the eye, and white on the tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Eurasian Tree Sparrow at Burlington, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-12-16	1993-08-06	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for ten Eurasian Tree Sparrows at Burlington in Des Moines County, IA on December 16, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Eurasian Tree Sparrow	Burlington	23 miles north of Burlington (Des Moines County)	open country, but birds in rural residence front yard	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Charles and Jane Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: House Sparrow - as compared above. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Eurasian Tree Sparrow at West Branch, 1987	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-03-14	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Eurasian Tree Sparrows at West Branch in Cedar County, IA on March 14, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a summary of the review, and eight documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Veal, Sally	Eurasian Tree Sparrow	West Branch	in my backyard in West Branch		The documentation form by Sally Veal is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by James Sandrock, Carl Bendorf, Thomas Kent, James Fuller, Peter Petersen, Thomas Staudt, and Francis Moore were submitted later. Other observers include Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Walter Zuurdeeg, Ann Barker, Mary Lou Petersen, and Gerry White. \| Elimination of similar species: As I was filling my bird feeders I noticed two birds in the silver maple behind the house that at first glance appeared to be house sparrows. I was struck by the neat appearance and greater activity of these particular birds and by the fact that they were not associating with the flock of house sparrows near the bird feeders. Even without binoculars I was able to see the black spots on the birds faces. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00 through the afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Townsend's Warbler at Stone State Park, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-11	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Townsend's Warbler at Stone State Park in Woodbury County, IA on May 11, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form with field notes submitted to the committee.	Garthright, William C.	Townsend's Warbler	Stone State Park	"Bunny Hill" Trail, behind Loess Lodge, in Stone State Park, Sioux City, Iowa	wooded ravines	The documentation form by Bill Garthright is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Black-throated Green Warbler doesn't have black face and crown, or yellow breast. Blackburnian Warbler doesn't have black throat and chin or solid black crown; is more orange or orange-yellow rather than bright lemon yellow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Townsend's Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-05-12	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Townsend's Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park in Muscatine County, IA on May 12, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	White, Gerald	Townsend's Warbler	Wildcat Den State Park	[...] At Wild Cat Den State Park in a small area of bottom land of deciduous woods on May 12, 1988 at 7:20 AM, for aproximatly [sic] 45 seconds.		The documentation form by Gerald White is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] When the first look at the head I thought of a possible Blackburnian but when I saw the neck I knew I had a new bird for myself. The most striking features being the head and throat markings. [...] I then checked the rest of the birds listed and made the summation that I had seen the Townsend's. That evening when I returned from work I checked my Golden, Peterson, N.G.S. and Audubon Master Guide for their accounts of the Townsend's and similar species. I eliminated the following; Hermit Warbler - no cheek patch: Blackburnian - dosn't [sic] have a black throat: Black-throated Green - has solid back color and cheek patch not as bold, no black cap. Of the references mentioned, the N.G.S. has the most accurate illustration of the birds head but I can't verify that the bird I saw did or didn't have yellow under the eye. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 07:20:00/07:20:45.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Townsend's Warbler at Fejervary Park, 1950	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1950-05-07	1993-08-19	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Townsend's Warbler at Fejervary Park in Davenport in Scott County, IA on May 7, 1950. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation article reviewed by the committee .	Feeney, Thomas J.	Townsend's Warbler	Fejervary Park	[...] in a ravine at Fejuvary [sic] Park, Davenport.		The documentation article by Thomas J. Feeney is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer includes Thomas Morrissey. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] the distinctive face pattern, the combination of black crown and striped sides made identification certain. \| Observation lasted for ten minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Great Gray Owl at Claybanks Forest, 1997	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-02-08	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Gray Owl at Claybanks Forest in Cerro Gordo County, IA on February 8, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, a photocopy of a photograph, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Allen, Pam Allen, Reid I.	Great Gray Owl	Claybanks Forest	Cerro Gordo County, 1/4 mile west of the intersection of Wren and 225th Street; on 225th St.		The documentation form by Pam and Reid Allen forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Carolyn Fischer, Jim Fuller, and Stephen J. Dinsmore were submitted. Other observers include Mark Proescholdt, Beth Proescholdt, James J. Dinsmore, Dick Tetrault, Chris Caster, Dale Fye, Diane Porter, Ron Muilenberg, Gerald White, Jan Walter, Rita Pedelty, Tom Fischer, and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: There really is no other owl except a Barred Owl which could be confused with this bird. The yellow eyes of the Great Gray Owl eliminated the possibility of a Barred Owl which has dark eyes. Also, size would eliminate the Barred Owl. The Great Gray Owl looked almost twice as large as a Barred Owl. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:52:00/16:09:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Great Gray Owl at Colfax Township in Grundy County, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-02-17	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Gray Owl at Colfax Township in Grundy County, IA on February 17, 1996. Includes two record review documents with votes, an article from the Grundy Register, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, James J.	Great Gray Owl	Colfax Township	section 17, Colfax Township, Grundy Co. (ca 3 miles east of Wellsburg)	roadside, open farmland	The documentation form by James Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Barred Owl-size, relative length of tail, gray rather than brownish gray as predominant color.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Great Gray Owl near Quarry, 1959	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1959-05-12	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Gray Owl near Quarry in Marshall County, IA on May 12, 1959. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation article submitted to the committee.	Mitchem, Lucile	Great Gray Owl	Quarry	[...] gravel road that follows the Iowa River near the small town of Quarry.		The documentation article by Lucile E. Mitchem forms the basis of this record. Other observer includes her daughter. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] I was well acquainted with the Barred Owl, the only other owl an amateur might confuse with the larger Great Gray Owl. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 05:30:00/05:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	18
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Diamond Lake, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-04-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at Diamond Lake in Poweshiek County, IA on April 23, 1981.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Snowy Egret	Diamond Lake	Diamond L., Montezuma, Poweshiek Co IA	antipied lake, water level low, N. Cove at Diamond L.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Darwin Koenig. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Egret - size, bill + feet color wrong. Immature Little Blue heron - season, bill and feet color, plumes wrong. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:40:00/18:10:00 estimated.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at New Albin, 1982	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-30	1982-05-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at New Albin in Allamakee County, IA on May 30, 1982.	Moore, Francis L.	Snowy Egret	Pool Slough	Along road going to wildlife area and boat ramp near (E of) New Albin, Allamakee Co.	Flooded river bottom	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Cattle Egret has yellow legs and feet and is squattier looking. Great Egret is larger and lacks the yellow feet and has a yellow bill. Immature Little Blue Heron lacks the yellow feet. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:25:00/13:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Albion, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-27	1984-05-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Snowy Egrets at Albion in Marshall County, IA on April 27, 1984.	Zaletel, Hank	Snowy Egret	Albion	South of viaduct Albion, Marshall County Section 7 R18W-T48N	Floodplain Grassy meadow - 2-3" of water	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joe Schaufenbuel and Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: American Egrets have yellow bills and legs -- much larger in size. Cattle Egret was also present -- it had yellow bill -- yellow on head -- tail feathers had yellow edgings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at Mill Creek State Park, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-12	1984-05-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at Mill Creek State Park in O'Brien County, IA on May 12, 1984.	Huber, James E.	Snowy Egret	Mill Creek State Park	OBrien County, Mill Creek State Park 1 mile East of Paullina	Marsh	The documentation form by James E. Huber is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: American Egret, Cattle Egret \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:20:00/10:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Fremont County, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-08-12	1984-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for eight Snowy Egrets at Fremont County, IA on August 12, 1984.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Snowy Egret	Fremont County	Missouri River floodplain just south of the Bridge to Nebraska City; Fremont County		The documentation form by Barb Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The black bill eliminates Great Egret & Cattle Egret. Immature Little Blue Herons have uniformly colored legs. Both Great Egrets & Little Blues were present & they were not feeding actively like the Snowys - not running around, that is.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Hendrickson Marsh, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-03-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at Hendrickson Marsh at Story County, IA on March 27, 1985.	Zaletel, Hank	Snowy Egret	Hendrickson Marsh Lake	Hendrickson Marsh	Marsh - mudflat with snags	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Cattle Egret - Short thick yellow bill, yellow legs. American Egret - Long slender yellow bill, much larger size. Little Blue - Long blueish gray bill, olive legs. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:15:00/18:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Hendrickson Marsh, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-03-28	1985-04-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at Hendrickson Marsh in Story County, IA on March 28, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Snowy Egret	Hendrickson Marsh Lake	NW corner of Hendrickson Marsh, Story County	shallow mudflat area near grassy marsh	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Hank Zaletel. \| Elimination of similar species: Told from other egrets and Little Blue Heron by slender black bill and black legs, and size. \| The original documentation form event lasted around 16:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Elk Rock State Park, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-04-21	1985-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at Elk Rock State Park in Marion County, IA on April 21, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Snowy Egret	Elk Rock State Park	Elk Rock State Park, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion County	mudflat area on reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Richards and Carl Bendorf. \| Elimination of similar species: Other egrets by size combined with dark bill and black legs with yellow feet. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19