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

Rare bird documentation form for Cape May Warbler at Cedar Rapids, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-12-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Cape May Warbler at Cedar Rapids in Linn County, IA on December 22, 1999.	Dooley, Michael C.	Cape May Warbler	Cedar Rapids	Feeder in Cedar Rapids, Linn County	Large six-foot high, covered platform feeder in open backyard. Perhaps two inches of snow cover on ground. Neighborhood of single-family homes with yards, in city but outside of inner city. Large park nearby.	The documentation form by Mike Dooley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill Scheible, John Havilcek, Joyce Havilcek, and Jim Durbin. \| Elimination of similar species: None eliminated on-site. Possible mis-identifications, given the premium conditions and extended period under which this bird was studied, might be as follows (consulting the National Geographic Society field guide): (1) fall adult Blackburnian Warbler: bird in question was strongly streaked on breast and sides, not just flanks; (2) female Townsend's Warbler: streaking on breast and sides of bird in question did not have semi-necklace effect of Townsend's; olive of head and back much grayer; (3) female Praire [sic] Warbler: bird in question had extended yellow post-occular stripe; streaked breast, not just sides and streaks bolder; had white belly; (4) fall Blackpoll Warbler: bird in question was much more boldly streaked on breast and sides; had extended post-occular yellow stripe, clearly defined cheek patch. All of above eliminated due to bird in question having wings similar to back color and not of a contrasting charcoal, as well as having a bold yellow-olive rump. All but Praire [sic] Warbler eliminated due to bird in question's virtual lack of wing bars. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:45:00/15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	24
Rare bird documentation form for Trumpeter Swan at Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-12-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Trumpeter Swans at Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on December 19, 1999.	Toll, Jerry	Trumpeter Swan	Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge	Boyer Chute NWR	open field	The documentation form by Jerry Toll is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. It was compiled into a document by Mindy Sheets later. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	30
Rare bird documentation form for Tundra Swan at Pool 13, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-12-16	2000-01-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for seventy or more Tundra Swans at Pool 13 in Clinton County, IA on December 16, 1999.	Lesher, Fred	Tundra Swan	Pool 13	Far NE portion of open pool, Pool 13. Illinois side?	Edge of shallow pool	The documentation form by Fred Lesher is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul Van Neiuwenhuyse. \| Elimination of similar species: Larger than CA geese. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	1
Iowa RBA, December 13-17, 1999	Correspondence Field notes	Bird feeders Bird watching Birds--Identification Anseriformes \| Ducks, Geese, and Swans Dial-a-message telephone calls	1999-12-13	1999-12-17	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Six emails of Iowa RBA updates for December 13-17, 1999. Highlights of the updates include sightings of a Yellow-billed Loon, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Thayer's Gull, Snowy Owl, White-winged Crossbill, Black Scoter, and a Long-tailed Duck.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Thayer's Gull Yellow-billed Loon Snow Bunting Bullock's Oriole White-winged Crossbill Snowy Owl Long-tailed Duck Black Scoter Lesser Black-backed Gull Greater Scaup	Little Wall Lake Elk Horn Jester Park Saylorville Lake Spirit Lake Fairmont Cemetery Fairfield Island View Park				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	44	4
Iowa RBA, December 6-12, 1999	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Identification Dial-a-message telephone calls	1999-12-06	1999-12-12	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Emails of Iowa RBA updates for December 6-11, 1999. Highlights of the updates include sightings of a Yellow-billed Loon, Prairie Falcon, Varied Thrush, Lesser Black-backed Gull, and White-winged Crossbills. Includes seven Iowa RBA update emails and an email from Francis L. Moore regarding the Yellow-billed Loon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Prairie Falcon Thayer's Gull Yellow-billed Loon Varied Thrush White-winged Crossbill Snowy Owl Black Scoter Northern Goshawk Lesser Black-backed Gull Sandhill Crane	Little Wall Lake Polk County Saylorville Lake Spirit Lake West Okoboji Lake Fairmont Cemetery Fairfield Badger Creek State Recreation Area Fenton Fort Des Moines Park				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	44	4
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Jester Park, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-12-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Jester Park in Polk County, IA on December 6, 1999.	Brees, Aaron	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Jester Park	Jester Park, Campground 4		The documentation form by Aaron Brees is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull was eliminated by structure, wing pattern, and tail pattern. California Gull was eliminated by bill coloration and tail pattern. Thayers Gull was eliminated by wing pattern, structure, and over all color.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Iowa RBA, December 3, 19-24, 1999	Correspondence Field notes	Bird feeders Bird watching Birds--Identification Dial-a-message telephone calls	1999-12-03	1999-12-24	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Six emails of Iowa RBA updates for December 3, 19-24, 1999. Highlights of the updates include sightings of a Yellow-billed Loon, Long-tailed Duck, Bullock's Oriole, Black Scoter, and a Thayer's Gull.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Thayer's Gull Yellow-billed Loon Bullock's Oriole Evening Grosbeak Long-tailed Duck Black Scoter Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet Greater White-fronted Goose Northern Shrike	Little Wall Lake Elk Horn Rathbun Lake Red Rock Dam Saylorville Lake Ada Hayden Heritage Park Wildlife Research Station				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	44	4
Iowa RBA, November 29-December 4, 1999	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Identification Dial-a-message telephone calls	1999-11-29	1999-12-04	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Emails of Iowa RBA updates for November 29 to December 4, 1999. Highlights of the updates include sightings of Pomarine Jaeger, White-winged Crossbill, Surf Scoter, Pacific Loon, and a Yellow-billed Loon. Includes seven Iowa RBA update emails and two emails to the IA-BIRD list regarding a Varied Thrush and a Pacific Loon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Ruffed Grouse Red-shouldered Hawk Pomarine Jaeger Yellow-billed Loon Varied Thrush White-winged Crossbill Common Redpoll Pacific Loon Common Yellowthroat Surf Scoter	Little Wall Lake Hitchcock Nature Area Iowa City Yellow River State Forest Fairmont Cemetery West Des Moines Pool 19 Silver Lake Fenton				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	44	4
Iowa RBA, November 22-25, 1999	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Identification Dial-a-message telephone calls	1999-11-22	1999-11-25	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Four emails of Iowa RBA updates for November 22-25, 1999. Highlights of the updates include sightings of two Black-billed Magpies, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Red Crossbill, Eurasian Collared Doves, and a Pomarine Jaeger.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Pomarine Jaeger Varied Thrush Eurasian Collared Dove Black-billed Magpie Lesser Black-backed Gull Common Yellowthroat Chipping Sparrow Red Crossbill Northern Shrike American Golden Plover	Cardinal Marsh State Wildlife Area Grinnell Hitchcock Nature Area West Okoboji Lake Westfield Little Clear Lake Park West Des Moines Spring Run Complex Wildlife Management Area Fenton				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	44	4
Email from Ric Zarwell to IA-BIRD list regarding a Blue-winged Teal, November 23, 1999	Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1999-11-21	1999-11-23	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Email from Ric Zarwell to IA-BIRD list dated November 23, 1999. Zarwell reports the sighting of a Blue-winged Teal at Pool #9 on the Mississippi River at Allamakee County, IA November 21, 1999.	Zarwell, Ric	Blue-winged Teal	Pool 9				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	5
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Manhattan Point at West Okoboji Lake, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-11-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Manhattan Point at West Okoboji Lake in Dickinson County, IA on November 21, 1999.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Manhattan Point	West Okoboji Lake, Dickinson Co., 21 Nov 1999		The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lee Schoenewe. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was standing on Manhattan Point with several Herring Gulls of various ages and many more Ring-billed Gulls, facing quarter-on towards Lee Schoenewe and I. It was a dark 1st year gull, similar to, but slightly smaller than, other 1st year Herring Gulls present. It had an all black bill that was smaller than the other Herrings. [...] Lee and I waited for about 10 minutes for the bird to turn to the side, showing us blackish wingtips and dark tertials, eliminating the Thayer's Gull possbility we had been considering. The wing tips extended farther beyond the body than on the Herring Gulls. [...] There was no pale 'window' in the inner primaries as in a Herring Gull. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the early afternoon for approximately 10 minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Iowa RBA, November 15-20, 1999	Correspondence Field notes	Bird feeders Bird watching Birds--Identification Anseriformes \| Ducks, Geese, and Swans Dial-a-message telephone calls	1999-11-15	1999-11-20	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Four emails of Iowa RBA updates for November 15-20, 1999. Highlights of the updates include sightings of two White-winged Crossbills, Red-throated Loon, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Pacific Loon, and a Surf Scoter.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Red-throated Loon White-winged Crossbill Common Redpoll Pacific Loon Merlin Lesser Black-backed Gull Surf Scoter Northern Parula Tundra Swan Black-headed Gull	Johnson County Lake Red Rock Lock and Dam Number 18 Spirit Lake Lock and Dam 9 Osceola Pool 9 Lakeview Recreation Area Gull Point Gowrie				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	44	4
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Parula at Saylorville Reservoir, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-11-13	1999-11-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Parula at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 13, 1999.	Dinsmore, James J.	Northern Parula	Saylorville Lake	visitor's center, Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County	opening in woodland	The documentation form by James Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of wing bars, eye crescents, and olive on back pretty much eliminate any other warbler. Eye crescents eliminate the remote possibility of a Tropical Parula. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:15:00/08:18:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	21
Mark Orsag email to Ann Johnson regarding Prairie Falcon sightings, November 11, 1999	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Identification	1999-11-11	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Printout of an email from Mark Orsag to Ann Johnson dated November 11, 1999. Orsag sends Johnson reports on three Prairie Falcon sightings at the Hitchcock Nature Area. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of fall 1999.	Orsag, Mark	Prairie Falcon	Hitchcock Nature Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	28	5
Rare bird documentation form for Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-11-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Red-throated Loons at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 7, 1999.	Dinsmore, James J.	Red-throated Loon	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Reservoir, off of west end of dam	freshwater lake	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bery Engebretsen and Dennis Thompson. \| Elimination of similar species: I spent a long time puzzling over these birds, both in the field and later when I had several references to consult. None of the guides I looked at showed a bird that looked like these. Common (a small one): removed on the basis of size (birds too small for Common Loon), the thinner and bicolored bill, and the color pattern on the neck. At this time of year, all of the Common Loons I have seen (and saw on Saylorville that day) were distinctly white on the front of the neck with some partial bands of brown extending back in to the white. Pacific Loon: Eliminated on behavior (head posture), lack of a distinct dark/white line along the side of the neck, lack of chin straps across neck, and presence of brown on front of neck. Also the gray/brown contrast between neck and back would point away from Pacific but not eliminate it. Red-throated Loon: This is what I first thought the birds were but as I viewed them, I convinced myself several times that they were Pacific Loons. However, the combination of characters listed above seem to eliminate the other two possible species and also are positive characters for the Red-throated Loon. One character that puzzled me was the size of the bill. At least some of the guides (Advanced Birding esp) show the Red-throated Loon as having a tiny bill, much smaller than on this bird but those illustrations do not match those in other guides which emphasize more the shape of the bill than the size. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/08:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	8
Iowa RBA, November 7-12, 1999	Correspondence Field notes	Bird feeders Bird watching Birds--Identification Laridae \| Gulls and Terns Charadriiformes \| Shore-birds, Gulls, and Auks Calcariidae \| Longspurs and snow bunting Dial-a-message telephone calls	1999-11-07	1999-11-12	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Four emails of Iowa RBA updates for November 7-12, 1999. Highlights of the updates include sightings of a Varied Thrush, Pacific Loon, Red-throated Loon, and a Surf Scoter.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Red-throated Loon Brewer's Blackbird Varied Thrush Brown Thrasher Great Horned Owl Common Redpoll Pacific Loon Lesser Black-backed Gull Surf Scoter Northern Shrike	Harrier Marsh Lock and Dam Number 18 Rathbun Lake Whitebreast Recreation Area Fairfield West Des Moines Babcock Access Fenton Trickle Slough				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	44	4
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Trickle Slough at Spirit Lake, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-11-06	1999-11-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Trickle Slough at Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on November 6, 1999.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Trickle Slough	Trickle Slough, Spirit Lake, Dickinson County	Sandy point surrounded by open water	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Gary Grange. \| Elimination of similar species: Greater Black-backed - size relative to Herring Gulls; Herring/Thayers - flight pattern + long wings in flight + perched \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:40:00/15:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Pacific Loon at Red Rock Reservoir, 1999	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-11-06	1999-11-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pacific Loon at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on November 6, 1999.	Proescholdt, Mark	Pacific Loon	Whitebreast Recreation Area	Red Rock Reservoir - (Marion County) - Whitebreast Area	Large reservoir	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt and reported on the Birdline. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loons have massive bills, are much larger, and have a jagged look to their sides of the neck between dark and light colors. Red-throated Loons are paler in color and do not have that sharp dividing line on its neck but a more gradual merging of colors. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	9
Rare bird documentation form for Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Lake, 1999	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-11-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-throated Loon at Clear Lake in Polk County, IA on November 6, 1999.	Engebretsen, Bery	Red-throated Loon	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Lake	above dam	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dennis Thompson and Jim Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Small loon, small head slightly upturned beak and head. White visible on flanks. Faint fleck on dark back at tips of feathers. No chin strap, but from front had faint inverted V. Head, neck brownish/gray. Darker on back of neck, top of hood, much lighter chin, front of neck, sides of neck. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	8
Rare bird documentation form for Summer Tanager at Algona, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-11-05	1999-11-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Summer Tanager at Algona in Kossuth County, IA on November 5, 1999.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Summer Tanager	Algona	at birdbath in my backyard [...] 709 N. Phillips, Algona, Iowa 50511		The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include his family. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The thick, blunt bill shape and larger bill size eliminates warblers and vireos, and it was a larger bird than those by comparison with the Cardinal. Female Scarlet Tanager is eliminated by the lack of olive tones to the plumage, especially in the wing, which was the same color as the back and not darker. The reddish tinge to the yellow on parts of the bird is consistent with some female Summer Tanagers, but not Scarlet Tanager. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:05:00/17:06:00 on November 5, 1999 and around 07:50:00 on November 7, 1999.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	44
Rare bird documentation form for Red-throated Loon at Red Rock Reservoir, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-11-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-throated Loon at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on November 3, 1999.	Fuller, James L	Red-throated Loon	Whitebreast Recreation Area	Red Rock Reservoir (Marion County) Off Whitebreast Point.		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observer includes Tom Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Pacific Loon is generally darker, shows less white on the side of the neck and face, and usually exhibits a chin strap. Winter adult Pacific does not show light flecking on the back. Common Loon is larger with a larger bill, and shows an angular head outline. The dark-white line on the side of the neck is irregular and indistinct, compared to the Red-throated. Both other loons hold their bills horizonatally [sic]. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	8
Rare bird documentation form for Pacific Loon at Red Rock Reservoir, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-11-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pacific Loon at Red Rock Reservoir Off Whitebreast Boat Ramp in Marion County, IA on November 3, 1999.	Fuller, James L	Pacific Loon	Whitebreast Recreation Area	Red Rock Reservoir (Marion County) Off Whitebreast Boat Ramp		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon is larger with a much larger bill, lacks a chin strap, has some flatness on the top of the head, and an uneven dark-white line on the side of the neck. The crown and hindneck are also darker than the back. The Red-throated Loon has a smaller bill that is usually keeps tipped up from the horizontal. It shows much more white than dark on the neck, lacks a chin strap, and normally shows light flecking on the back. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	9
Iowa RBA, November 1-3, 1999	Correspondence Field notes	Bird feeders Bird watching Birds--Identification Gaviiformes \| Loons Calcariidae \| Longspurs and snow bunting Dial-a-message telephone calls	1999-11-01	1999-11-03	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Three emails of Iowa RBA updates for November 1-3, 1999. Highlights of the updates include sightings of a Black-headed Gull, a Surf Scoter, Pacific Loon, and a Black Scoter.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Red-throated Loon Varied Thrush Lapland Longspur Smith's Longspur Mute Swan Common Redpoll Pacific Loon Black Scoter Surf Scoter Golden Eagle Black-headed Gull	Big Sioux River Wildlife Area Lake Red Rock Little River Recreation Area Spirit Lake Whitebreast Recreation Area Lake Easter Maynard Reese Area Meadow Lake Fenton				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	44	4
Mike Dooley email to Iowa Bird List regarding sightings of a Mute Swan, 1999	Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1999-10-26	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Email from Mike Dooley to the Iowa Bird List reporting two sightings of a Mute Swan, one at Diamond Lake in Poweshiek County, IA and the other sighting at a home east of Montezuma, IA in 1999.	Dooley, Michael C.	Killdeer Mute Swan Pectoral Sandpiper	Diamond Lake Montezuma				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	29
Iowa RBA, October 25-30, 1999	Correspondence Field notes	Bird feeders Bird watching Birds--Identification Calcariidae \| Longspurs and snow bunting Dial-a-message telephone calls	1999-10-25	1999-10-30	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Three emails of Iowa RBA updates for October 25, 27, and 30, 1999. Highlights of the updates include sightings of an American Tree Sparrow, Common Goldeneye, Common Redpoll, and a Black-headed Gull.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Thayer's Gull Smith's Longspur Snow Bunting Goldeneye Common Redpoll Black Scoter Black-bellied Plover American Tree Sparrow Black-headed Gull Northern Shrike	Du Marsh Area Mason City Spirit Lake Thorpe Park Trumbull Lake Whitebreast Recreation Area Swan Pinchey Bottoms				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	44	4