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

W. Ross Silcock letter to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding highlights of the Christmas bird count, January 30, 1977	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology Fringillidae \| Finches	N/A	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Report contributed by W. Ross Silcock in a letter to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding highlights of the Christmas bird count. The Spotted Sandpiper, Townsend's Solitaire, Northern Shrikes, Rough-legged Hawk, and Bald Eagle are among the species mentioned. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of winter 1976-1977.	Silcock, W. Ross	Bald Eagle Rough-legged Hawk Townsend's Solitaire Spotted Sandpiper Northern Shrike	Decorah Dubuque Omaha				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	19
Unusual bird report form for an Osprey at Shenandoah, December 29, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-29	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Christmas Bird Count form documenting the sighting of an Osprey at Shenandoah in Page County, IA on December 29, 1998.	Cunningham, Barbara	Osprey	Shenandoah				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	19
Rare bird documentation form for Osprey at Montrose, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-12-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Osprey at Montrose in Lee County, IA on December 27, 1992.	Roberts, Barb	Osprey	Montrose	Mississippi River - near Montrose, IA (south of Montrose)	near patch of open water - on ice near water	The documentation form by Barb Roberts is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Zelma Williams, Kathy Dehn, and Ruth Iutzi. \| Elimination of similar species: Im. bald eagles were in area, not adjacent. This bird's head marking were very distinctive. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	19
Rare bird documentation form for Osprey at the Mississippi River near Davenport, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-12-20	1992-12-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for Osprey at the Mississippi River near Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 20, 1992.	Sandvick, Doris	Osprey	Davenport	Iowa side of Mississippi River from Rock Island IL.	River edge - in a cottonwood	The documentation form by Doris Sandvick is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol Rogers. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-tailed Hawk - this bird too large, back entirely dark brown, top of head white. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:40:00/09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	19
Rare bird documentation form for Osprey at Goose Pond at Louisa National Wildlife Refuge in 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-12-08	1987-01-20	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for two Ospreys at Goose Pond at Louisa National Wildlife Refuge in Louisa County, IA on December 8, 1986 and one Osprey on December 15, 1986.	McCarty, Chet	Osprey	Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge - Louisa Division				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	19
Rare bird documentation form for Osprey at Ingham Lake, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-03-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Osprey at Ingham Lake in Emmet County, IA on March 25, 1984.	White, Harold W.	Osprey	Ingham Lake	1 mile North of Ingham Lake, Emmet County	Open farmland north of Ingham Lake	The documentation form by Harold White is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joan Greene and Brad Bergeson. \| Elimination of similar species: Immature bald eagle would be larger without crock in wings, white wing lining would not be as large an area. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	19
Rare bird documentation form for Osprey at Swan Lake, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-12-16	1978-12-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Osprey at Swan Lake in Johnson County, IA on December 16, 1978.	Newlon, Carol S.	Osprey	Swan Lake	Farm just west of Swan Lake, I.C. Christmas Count circle	Sitting close to swan lake which was frozen - open water in the reservoir ~ 1/2 mile away.	The documentation form by Carol S. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Staudt and R. Williams. \| Elimination of similar species: A marsh hawk would have shown a white rump when it flew and would not have had a white head w/ dark eye marks. An immature red tail would have had a belly band and no white on top of the head. A light phase rough leg would have had a belly band, no white on top of the head and a single dark terminal band on the tail. In addition the wings were longer & narrower in proportion to body size then a buteos. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	19
Rare bird documentation form for Osprey at Coralville Reservoir, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-12-16	1978-12-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Osprey at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on December 16, 1978.	Staudt, Thomas J.	Osprey	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir, Swan Lake	Frozen shallow lake within a mile of open water, perched in tree over frozen lake, marsh	The documentation form by Thomas J. Staudt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol Newlon as well as Mr. and Mrs. Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: it was too small for a bald eagle. The light banding on tail, white top of head and solid white underbelly eliminate the red-tailed hawk. no white rump seen in flight so not likely to be marsh hawk. Again, the wingshape, long pointed not rounded eliminates any Buteo. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	19
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret west of Boone on the Des Moines River, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-05-09	1993-05-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret west of Boone on the Des Moines River in Boone County, IA on May 9, 1993.	Jackson, Maridel	Snowy Egret	Boone	Found on Route 30, west of Boone, SW side of Des Moines River	It was in a flooded, flood plain field	The documentation form by Maridel Jackson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ann Johnson, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and Jane Clark. \| Elimination of similar species: I have seen lots of Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets (which were there also) and this bird was much smaller. A white phase Little Blue has a bluish bill and blue-greenish legs. A white phase Reddish is very unlikely but does not have a totally black bill. A Cattle Egret has a differ [sic] stance and I have seen lots of them also. \| The original documentation form event occurred approximately around 09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret ten miles north of Burlington, 1989	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-09-12	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret ten miles north of Burlington in Des Moines County, IA on September 12, 1989.	Fuller, James L	Snowy Egret	Burlington	10 miles north of Burlington (Des Moines Co.)	Mississippi River Sandbar	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Chuck Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Egret - Size - Bill Black & Golden feet differ. Immature Little Blue Heron has thicker 2 tone bill and gray or yellow green legs - not black with golden feet. Cattle Egret has yellow bill and no golden feet.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Settling Ponds south of Council Bluffs, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-05-31	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at Settling Ponds south of Council Bluffs in Pottawattamie County, IA on May 31, 1986.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Snowy Egret	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	Settling Ponds, S. of Council Bluffs, Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Egret + Cattle Egret have yellow bills. The Little Blue Heron's bill shouldn't look so black & thin, & in any case that species lacks yellow feet. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 20:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Lake Rathbun, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-09-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at Lake Rathbun in Appanoose County, IA on September 29, 1985.	Johnson, Thomas N.	Snowy Egret	Rathbun Lake	Lake Rathbun	Waters edge-sandy swimming beach and adjacent weeds	The documentation form by Thomas H. Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Cattle Egret - There was no yellow bill. Little Blue Heron - this bird did not have yellow legs or any yellow on the bill. There was no blue on the wings sitting or in flight. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:45:00/16:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Forney Lake, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-07-14	1985-07-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at Forney Lake in Fremont County, IA on July 14, 1985.	Cecil, Robert I.	Snowy Egret	Forneys Lake	Forney Lake, Fremont, County, Iowa	Marshy lake with cat-tails, other emergent vegetation	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include W. Ross SIlcock, Francis L. Moore, Steve Dinsmore, Mark Proescholdt, and Beth Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: Immature Little blue is similar. This bird, however, had dark/black bill, conspicuous yellow feet--features not shared by the Little blue. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:00:00/09:00:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Reddish Egret at Colfax, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-09-05	1996-08-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Reddish Egret at Colfax in Jasper County, IA on September 5, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and ten documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Reddish Egret	Colfax	1 mi. west of Colfax IA. Jasper Co.	Flood water pool of the Skunk River	The documentation form by Ray Cummins is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Tim Schantz, Peter C. Petersen, Ann Johnson, Gerald White, Ross Silcock, Thomas H. Kent, Pam Allen, Jim Fuller, Randy Pinkston, and Chris Edwards were submitted later. Other observers include Chuck Fuller, Jim Scheib, Kelly McKay, Dan Dorrance, Jim Sinclair, Hank Zaletel, Reid Allen, Dick Tetrault, D. Thompson, D. and V. Hendrickson, Ella Moeller and Jean Moeller, Kenneth R. Nelson, Rita Goranson, Carolyn Fisher, and Jan Walter. \| Elimination of similar species: Little Blue Heron adult would have darker body and neck with no brown tones. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/18:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	19
Winter Raptor survey, 1977	Field notes Maps (documents) Reports	Bird surveys Bird watching Birds of prey Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1977-12-01	1977-12-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Winter Raptor Survey for 1977, written by Dean M. Roosa and Paul Bartelt for the State Preserves Board. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of winter, 1976-1977.	Roosa, Dean M. Bartelt, Paul Iowa Preserves Board		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	19
Ione Getscher letter to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding bird sightings, February 15, 1977	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1977-02-15	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Bird sightings were contributed by Ione Getscher in a letter to Nicholas S. Halmi. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of winter, 1976-1977.	Getscher, Ione	Townsend's Solitaire	Hamburg				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	19
Marie Carlson letter to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding bird sightings, February 9, 1977	Correspondence Field notes	Bird declines Bird populations Bird watching Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1977-02-09	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Bird sightings were contributed by Marie Carlson in a letter to Nicholas S. Halmi. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of winter 1976-1977.	Carlson, Marie	Harris' Sparrow White-throated Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow American Tree Sparrow Hairy Woodpecker Dark-eyed Junco	Boone				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	19
Gladys Black letter to Vernon M. Kleen regarding bird sightings, January 10, 1977	Correspondence Field notes Maps (documents)	Bird declines Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1977-01-10	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Bird sightings were contributed by Gladys Black in a letter to Vernon M. Kleen. Her report on the Snowy Owls count includes a sighting map. The Red Rock Christmas count and the absence of Evening Grosbeaks are mentioned in the report. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of winter 1976-1977.	Black, Gladys	Bald Eagle Evening Grosbeak Snowy Owl Mallard	Lake Red Rock				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	19
Iowa Snowy Owls, 1976-1977 contributed by Gladys Black	Field notes Maps (documents)	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1976-12-01	1977-02-28	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Iowa Snowy Owls report and sighting map contributed by Gladys Black. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of winter, 1976-1977.	Black, Gladys	Snowy Owl	Iowa Pleasantville				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	19
Gladys Black letter to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding sightings of Snowy Owls and a Goshawk, February 25, 1977	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1977-02-25	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Sightings of Snowy Owls in Guthrie County, Poweshiek County, and Lake Red Rock and a Goshawk in Fayette County contributed by Gladys Black in a letter to Nicholas S. Halmi. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of winter 1976-1977.	Black, Gladys	Snowy Owl Northern Goshawk	Guthrie County Lake Red Rock Poweshiek County Fayette				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	19
Gladys Black letter to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding bird counts of Snowy Owl and Northern Shrike, February 28, 1977	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology Weather	1977-02-28	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Bird counts of Snowy Owls in Iowa counties and Northern Shrike in Kossuth County contributed by Gladys Black in a letter to Nicholas S. Halmi. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of winter 1976-1977.	Black, Gladys	Snowy Owl Northern Shrike	Algona Kossuth County Fayette				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	19
Gladys Black letter to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding bird sightings and Iowa Northern Shrikes checklist, February 8, 1977	Checklists Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1976-12-01	1977-02-28	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Bird sighting contributed by Gladys Black in a letter to Nicholas S. Halmi. Enclosed with the letter is a checklist for Iowa Northern Shrikes. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of winter, 1976-1977.	Black, Gladys	Gray Jay Northern Shrike	Cedar Falls Mason City Pleasantville				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	19
Gladys Black letter to Vernon M. Kleen regarding Snowy Owl counts, March 5, 1977	Correspondence Field notes Maps (documents)	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1977-03-05	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Bird sightings and an enclosed map showing a count of Snowy Owls contributed by Gladys Black in a letter to Vernon M. Kleen. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of winter 1976-1977.	Black, Gladys	Snowy Owl	Iowa Pleasantville				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	19
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Franklin's Gull at Lock and Dam 19 in Keokuk, 1987	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-01-16	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Franklin's Gull at Lock and Dam 19 in Keokuk in Lee County, IA on January 16, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kleen, Vernon M.	Franklin's Gull	Lock Number 19	Hamilton (Hancock Co), Il. + Keokuk, Iowa	The bird was flying over + around the pool of the Mississippi River just below the lock and dams at Keokuk. The water was open.	The documentation form by Vernon Kleen forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Robert Cecil was submitted. Other observers include Doug Reeves, Kathy Andrews, Mary Grapperhans, Joel Greenberg, and other unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: white windows in wing eliminated Laughing; lack of extensive white in wing eliminated Bonaparte's and Black-headed or Sabines \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	19
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mountain Plover at Colo Ponds, 1986	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-07-09	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mountain Plover at Colo Ponds in Story County, IA on July 9, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, numerous correspondence about the bird sighting, an outside review of the sighting from Don Roberson, a summary of the review, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and nine documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Zaletel, Hank	Mountain Plover	Colo Bogs Wildlife Management Area	3 miles east of Colo, County Road E-41, 1/2 mile north, section 1 T83N R21W, Story County.	General: Recently plowed field with several pothole ponds Specific: The bird stayed in the waterways that led to the ponds. These areas were wet and contained no vegetation.	The documentation form by Hank Zalatel is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Dinsmore, Mark Proescholdt, Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, Robert K. Myers, Francis L. Moore, Tom Staudt, and Paul Martsching were submitted later. Other observers include Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Steve Dinsmore, and unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Golden and Black-bellied plovershave [sic] gray-white and brown-gold scaly backs, this bird's back was brown and was unmarked. These two plovers have streaked throats which this bird did not have. These two plovers have streaked breasts which this bird did not have. The white above the eye of this bird was clear and contained no streaking as does the Black-bellied Plover. The bird associated with Golden Plovers in breeding plumage and one that was not so that comparison could be made on the spot for the two plumages. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:30:00/18:55:00 July 9, 1986 and 18:45:00 - 19:15:00 on July 10, 1986.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	19