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 Great-tailed Grackle at Forney's Lake, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-07-13	1985-07-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great-tailed Grackle at Forney's Lake in Fremont County, IA on July 13, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Great-tailed Grackle	Forneys Lake	Forney's Lake, Fremont Co.	on mudflat area in middle of marsh	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt and Mark Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: Eliminated from Common Grackle by larger size (twice the size of other nearby grackles), longer tail and flatter crown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:00:00/20:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	77
Rare bird documentation form for Cattle Egret at Forney's Lake, 1982	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-11-20	1982-11-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Cattle Egrets at Forney's Lake at Fremont County, IA on November 20, 1982.	Downs, Kraig	Cattle Egret	Forneys Lake	Forney's Lake	Lake and Marsh Area	The documentation form by Kraig Downs is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Gary Downs. \| Elimination of similar species: Great egret and snowy egret. The size and that there had been 125-150 Cattle Egret on Forney's earlier that season. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:20:00/16:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	21
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Forneys Lake, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-03-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ross' Goose at Forneys Lake in Fremont County, IA on March 25, 1984.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Ross's Gull	Forneys Lake	Forney's Lake	Large open lake, packed with migrating waterfowl especially snow geese.	The documentation form by Carl J. Bendorf is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent, Tom Staudt, and Ross Silcock. \| Elimination of similar species: This bird was about 2/3 size of the Snows. Noticeably shorter relative neck length. Bill much smaller and relatively much stubbier. Forehead was very rounded, not angled in line with the bill like the Snow Geese. Bill color suggested slight darkening at base. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Forneys Lake, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-03-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Ross' Geese at Forneys Lake in Fremont County, IA on March 25, 1984.	Petersen, Peter C.	Ross' Goose	Forneys Lake	Forney's Lake	Forneys Lake, W. end of lake, away from s. shore	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul Johnsgard, Lewis Blevins, Corey Blevins, Brian Blevins, Joe Schaufenbuel, and Stephen Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Bird 1 much smaller size separates from Snow Geese flying with it. Bird 2 & 3 - small size, bill entirely pink and blue area at base separates from accompanying Snow Geese. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 13:00:00 for first bird and 13:15:00/13:20:00 for 2nd and 3rd birds.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
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
Rare bird documentation form for Black Duck at Forneys Lake, 1975	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1975-11-16	1975-12-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Duck at Forneys Lake in Fremont County, IA on November 16, 1975.	Silcock, W. Ross	American Black Duck	Forneys Lake	Forney Lake, Fremont Co., Iowa	Forney Lake is a wetland area and small lake of about 5 acres which attracts numerous waterfowl in spring and fall.	The documentation form by W. Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The only similarly - appearing species remotely possible here would be the Mottled Duck, which I have seen in Louisiana. The Mottled Duck has a much cleaner) cut appearance than the Black Duck and if at all to be expected, would be more likely in the spring. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	4
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Forney Lake, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-03-28	1986-04-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Forney Lake in Fremont County, IA on March 28, 1986.	Cecil, Robert I.	Golden Eagle	Forneys Lake	Forney Lake, Fremont Co., Iowa	Cattail marsh next to lake. Sat on muskrat house	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: Imm. Bald Eagle has splotchy undersides, dark (not golden) head. Too massive for melanistic buteos. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:10:00/10:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Great-tailed Grackle at Forney's Lake, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-07-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two to three Great-tailed Grackles at Forney's Lake in Fremont County, IA on July 22, 1985.	Myers, Robert K.	Great-tailed Grackle	Forneys Lake	Forney Lake - Freemont [sic] County	Grassey [sic] islands in lake and bushes at lake's edge.	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ross Silcock and Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Much larger + longer biled [sic] than common grackle Range would probably rule out Boat-tailed Grackle. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 08:05:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	77
Rare bird documentation form for White-faced Ibis at Forneys Lake, 1982	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-13	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two White-faced Ibises at Forneys Lake in Fremont County, IA on May 13, 1982.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	White-faced Ibis	Forneys Lake	Forney L., Fremont Co., Iowa	Marsh	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ross Silcock and Tom Staudt. \| Elimination of similar species: Glossy Ibis - white on face, red eye, and red legs eliminate this species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:10:00/16:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	25
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Golden-Plover at Forney Lake, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-23	1988-11-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Golden-Plover at Forney Lake in Fremont County, IA on November 23, 1988.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	American Golden Plover	Forneys Lake	Forney L., Fremont Co.	with Killdeer on large mudflat	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The dark rump and white underwing eliminates Black-bellied Plover. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:15:00/14:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	3
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Forneys Lake, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-03-25	1984-03-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ross' Goose at Forneys Lake in Fremont County, IA on March 25, 1984	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Ross' Goose	Forneys Lake	Forney L. Fremont Co.	shallow lake	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf, Tom Staudt, Ross Silcock, and others. \| Elimination of similar species: Size and bill eliminate Snow Goose. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Warbler at the Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1992-05-15	1992-05-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for a Prairie Warbler at the Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest in Lee County, IA on May 15, 1992.	Fuller, James L	Prairie Warbler	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	Forest edge of a semi-open area at the Croton Unit of Shimek State Forest, Lee County.		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers, Tom Kent, and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: No other warbler which has yellow underparts with black streaking has a face pattern anything like this bird did. Nobody disagreed with the ID. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:35:00/06:40:00 on May 15, 1992 and around 06:15:00 on May 19, 1992.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	30
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at Folsom Lake, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three King Rail at Folsom Lake in Mills County, IA on September 15, 1984.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	King Rail	Folsom Lake	Folsom Lake (Mills Co.)		The documentation form by Babs Padelford and Loren Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include W. Ross Silcock. \| Elimination of similar species: There were also 2 juvenile king rails which appeared to be slightly smaller in size, but still much larger than a va. rail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Saylorville Dam, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-09-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on September 21, 1985.	Moore, Francis L.	Peregrine Falcon	Saylorville Dam	Flying over Saylorville Dam, Polk Co., IA	Flying down river after going over the dam	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Robert Myers. \| Elimination of similar species: No other bird has the dark helmeted look that this bird showed. Merlin is smaller. This bird was probably a fairly large female. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Ibis species at Cedar River at Nashua, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Ibis species at Cedar River at Nashua in Chickasaw County, IA on September 29, 1984.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Glossy Ibises	Nashua	flying down Cedar River, Nashua, Chickasaw County	River channel with lots of mudflats and marshy areas nearby	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt and Mark Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: Separated from other herons by the uniformly dark colored body and the long dark decurved bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:50:00/15:52:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	24
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Shrike north of Waukon, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-03-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Shrike north of Waukon in Allamakee County, IA on March 25, 1978.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Northern Shrike	Waukon	Five miles North of Waukon, Allamakee County, Iowa	Hilly wooded areas, surrounded by cultivated lands. Some scattered brushy spots. Road was a loose crushed gravel type, with weed filled ditches.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Darwin Koenig. \| Elimination of similar species: Loggerheaded Shrike; my bird seemed large and big billed. The small mask, light colored distal area. In flight the white rump(which is dark in the loggerhead), and the bird's lethargic behavior proves it was a Nortern [sic] Shrike. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	75
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Rathbun Lake, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-03-20	1986-04-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Rathbun Lake in Appanoose County, IA on March 20, 1986.	Heusinkveld, Marjorie	Golden Eagle	Rathbun Lake	First bridge in Bridgeview area - Rathbun Lake - N. from Plano on County Rd 142	Open water with some ice - shoreline treed.	The documentation form by Marjorie Heuskinsveld is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Johnson. \| Elimination of similar species: Immature Bald Eagle. There were 3 immature Bald Eagles 'playing' in area at same time. They were more mottled with white through wings - no white bands on tails, one was beginning to show white on neck. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:10:00/09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Great-tailed Grackle at Finn Pond in Greene County, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birds--Nests Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-31	1984-06-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for six Great-tailed Grackles at Finn Pond in Greene County, IA on May 31, 1984.	Dinsmore, James J.	Great-tailed Grackle	Finn Pond Wildlife Area	Finn Pond (2 miles west of Jefferson, Greene Co)	freshwater marsh	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mike Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Grackle-size Boat-tailed Grackle- range and eye color \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	77
Rare bird documentation form for Bewster's Warbler at the Croton Unit of Shimek State Forest, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-05-02	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Brewster's Warbler at the Croton Unit of Shimek State Forest in Lee County, IA on May 2, 1991.	Fuller, James L	Vermivoras	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	Field with scattered saplings at Croton Unit of Shimek State Forest, Lee County.		The documentation form by James Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Golden Winged: Gray upperparts White underparts Yellow cap of male Blue Winged: Black eyeline Thin light yellow wing bars \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/07:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	17
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Cone Marsh, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-05-04	1983-05-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on May 4, 1983.	White, Gerald	Yellow Rail	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Field on East and end of North dike at Cone Marsh	Wet, grassy field (10" grass)	The documentation form by Gerald White is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tim Dwyer. \| Elimination of similar species: No other rail has white on the wing. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:00:00/19:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
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 Yellow-headed Blackbird at Council Bluffs, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-02-26	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-headed Blackbird at Council Bluffs in Pottawattamie County, IA on February 26, 1978.	Greer, Janet	Yellow-headed Blackbird	Council Bluffs	Feeder at 341 Steven Circle, Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501		The documentation form by Janet Greer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include the Greer family. \| Elimination of similar species: There are none. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/13:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	75
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Sioux Center, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-01-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on January 1, 1989.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Merlin	Sioux Center	farmyard just a little bit east of our home in Sioux Center		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tina Van Dyke and Wendy Van Dyk. \| Elimination of similar species: I saw at once that the bird was not a Kestrel but a Merlin. The bird was about the size of a Kestrel, but lacked the bold facial markings, exhibited no rufous on back or tail, showed vertically streaked underparts, and its tail was barred. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the afternoon with two sightings with one for an unknown length of time and the other for three to four minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Red Crossbill northeast of Iowa City, 1996	Field notes	Bird feeders Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-07-13	1996-07-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for ten Red Crossbills northeast of Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on July 13, 1996.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Red Crossbill	Iowa City	farmstead northeast of Iowa City at feeders	Open farm land, multiple feeders, no conifers seen in area.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dave Conrads and Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: None. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:40:00/17:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	83
Rare bird documentation form for Bald Eagle at Cass County, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bald Eagle at Cass County, IA on December 30, 1981.	Hensley, R. Craig	Bald Eagle	Cass County	Farmland-Southeast corner of Cass County, Iowa	Cropland with scattered trees	The documentation form by Craig Hensley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dennis Sierck and Ed Ritter. \| Elimination of similar species: Only the Golden Eagle is similar, that being when the bald eagle is immature. The mature bald eagle stands alone. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	21