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 of Thayer's Gull at Coralville Dam, 1981	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-12-06	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Coralville Dam in Johnson County, IA on December 6, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence and commentary about the sighting, field notes, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Thayer's Gull	Coralville Dam	Coralville Res. Dam, Johnson Co., Iowa	Reservoir just above dam on ice	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent as dictated to Carl Bendorf is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Carl Bendorf. \| Elimination of similar species: imm. Herring Gull. The second year Herring has a light bill with black tip and more contrasting black and white pattern to wings and tail. The first year Herring is much darker, has a more bulbous, hooked bill, and lacks the definitewhite [sic] window in flight. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-legged Kittiwake at Lock and Dam 11 in Dubuque, 1981	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-12-06	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-legged Kittiwake in Lock and Dam 11 in Dubuque in Dubuque County, IA on December 6, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a summary of the review, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Moore, Francis L.	Black-legged Kittiwake	Lock and Dam 11	Lock and Dam No. 11; N.E. part of Dubuque along Mississippi River	Mostly flying below Lock and Dam No. 11 on the Mississippi R.	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Robert K. Myers and Thomas H. Kent were submitted. Another observer was Russell Hays. \| Elimination of similar species: Bonaparte's does not have a dark stripe across the nape, its tail is not forked and it has a black trailing edge to the wing, not white as as this bird did. Bonaparte's would have shown more white in the primaries also. Coloration was not the same as a Red-legged Kittiwake or Sabine's Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:05:00/13:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	10
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Saylorville Dam, 1981	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-12-10	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on December 10, 1981 recorded incorrectly as 1982 on the documentation form. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence and commentary about the sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Thayer's Gull	Saylorville Dam	Above and below Saylorville Dam	Open water, rocky shore and ice covered pond.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Nearly the same size as an immature Herring Gull, but neck seemed thinner, head smaller. Bill was same length as a Herring Gull's but was blunter, not as strongly hooked. [...] The primaries were not nearly as dark as immature (1st year) or 2nd year Herring Gulls and was of a much different color than the black color of that species. Primaries and tail were nearly the same color. [...] In flight this bird could be easily picked out from the immature Herring Gulls at considerable distances. Using 7x35 binoculars the beige color of the upper surface of wings and translucent underwing could be detected as far as three-quarters of a mile. There were also three other birds that resembled this particular bird though they appeared darker on the upperparts. However I was unable to get close observations of these birds. The bird I observed closely and documented had one primary feather missing and aided in tracking the bird from day to day.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-legged Kittiwake at Saylorville Dam, 1981	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-12-12	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on December 12, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Black-legged Kittiwake	Saylorville Dam	Above Saylorville Dam, Polk County, Iowa	Mostly open water and grassy shore on north side of dam.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pauline Mooney, Dick Mooney, and Margaret Brooke. \| Elimination of similar species: Too large for a Little gull. Neck bar separated it from a Bonaparte's and Sabine's. Notched tail also was useful in distinguishing it from Bonaparte's. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/16:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	10
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Volga River Recreation Area, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-12	1981-12-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Volga River Recreation Area in Fayette County, IA on December 12, 1981.	Myers, Robert K.	Northern Goshawk	Volga River State Recreation Area	Volga River Recreation Area (Fayette County)	Mixed deciduous Timber	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Russell Hays and Joe Schaufenbuel. \| Elimination of similar species: An imm. Coopers hawk could be similar in size and coloring but would not show the very obvious white stripe above the eye. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:50:00/10:52:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Barn Owl near Fort Atkinson in 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Zoological specimens	1981-12-16	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Barn Owl near Fort Atkinson in Winneshiek County, IA on November 28, 1981.	Jenison, Art	Barn Owl	Fort Atkinson				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	48
Richard Jule Hollis letter to Hank Zaletel regarding the Iowa Birdline, December 17, 1981	Correspondence	Bird watching Birds--Counting Ornithology--Methodology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-12-17	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Richard Jule Hollis letter to Hank Zaletel announcing that the Iowa Birdline is now in operation. The letter includes directions on how to use the Iowa Birdline. This letter was sent to Hank Zaletel in advance of sending a letter to all members of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Hollis, Richard Jule		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	4	18
Record Committee review for rare bird sighting of Prairie Falcon east of Sioux City, 1981	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-12-19	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Prairie Falcon east of Sioux City in Woodbury County, IA on December 19, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee. The documentation form is related to field notes detailing other sightings https://avian.lib.iastate.edu/documents/8756/view	Duecker, Steve	Prairie Falcon	Sioux City	Aprox [sic] 6 miles east of Sioux City, HY. 141	Bluffs on North Flat Land on South of HY.	The documentation form by Steve Duecker is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Documentation form was completed by Robert Nicholson. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 07:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	6
Rare bird documentation form for Dark-eyed Junco near Ottumwa, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-19	1981-12-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Dark-eyed Junco near Ottumwa in Wapello County, IA on December 19, 1981.	Heusinkveld, Marjorie	Dark-eyed Junco	Ottumwa	South and west of RockBluff Road near Ottumwa, Iowa	Gravel road with many weeds and old pasture nearby.	The documentation form by Marjorie Heusinkveld is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill Heusinkveld. \| Elimination of similar species: Similar to N. Junco, but the dark brown hood, rusty brown back and rusty sides declared him to be different \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	65
Rare bird documentation form for Savannah Sparrow north of Lucas, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-19	1982-01-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Savannah Sparrow north of Lucas in Lucas County, IA on December 19, 1981.	Gilbert, Bill H. Gilbert, Mary Ann	Savannah Sparrow	Lucas	Two to three miles north of Lucas, Iowa, on roadside		The documentation form by Bill Gilbert and Mary Ann Gilbert is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Distinctive yellow stripe running to back of head eliminated other species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	55
Rare bird documentation form for Vesper Sparrow south of Tripoli, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-19	1982-01-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow south of Tripoli in Bremer County, IA on December 19, 1981.	Hays, Russell	Vesper Sparrow	Tripoli	South of Tripoli, Ia. (Bremer County)	edge of ditch along gravel road along open field	The documentation form by Russell Hays is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eleanor Corwin and Antoinette Camarata. \| Elimination of similar species: The song sparrow usually shows the breast stick-pin and would not have the white eye ring. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52
Rare bird documentation form for Field Sparrow at Nyatt Girls Scout Camp in Nebraska, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for five Field Sparrows at Nyatt Girls Scout Camp in Sarpy County, NE on December 19, 1981.	Graf, Marge	Field Sparrow	Camp Maha	Nyatt Girls Scout Camp	dike at lake with open water	The documentation form by Marge Graf is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Diane Jones. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	51
Rare bird documentation form for Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Lake MacBride, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-19	1981-12-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Lake MacBride in Johnson County, IA on December 19, 1981.	Sandrock, James P., 1929-	Ruby-crowned Kinglet	Lake MacBride	North wing of Lake Macbride, Johnson County (approx. 1 mi. west of Solon in Iowa Conservation Commission Wildlife Refuge.)	Small grove of deciduous saplings in frozen marshy area.	The documentation form by James P. Sandrock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Fall Chestnut-sided Warbler about same size with eye ring, but has longer bill, is a much brighter green, and has yellow wing bars. Fall Pine Warbler is more drab, has duller wing bars, longer bill. Obviously not Golden-crowned Kinglet. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:16:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	4
1981 Decorah, Iowa CBC	Administrative reports Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-19	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Field notes documenting the sighting of a Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Whistling Swan, Golden Eagle, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and seven White-winged Crossbills seen during the Decorah Christmas Bird Count.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union	Yellow-bellied Sapsucker White-winged Crossbill Golden Eagle Ruby-crowned Kinglet Tundra Swan	Decorah Winneshiek County				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	4
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Lucas, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-19	1982-01-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Lucas in Lucas County, IA on December 19, 1981.	Gilbert, Bill H.	Peregrine Falcon	Lucas	Four miles north of Lucas, Iowa	open field	The documentation form by Bill Gilbert is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Distinctive size, didn't see black underarm patches and could detect definate [sic] color markings on breast to separate from prairie falcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Red-shouldered Hawk at Sweet Marsh, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-19	1981-12-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-shouldered Hawk at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on December 19, 1981.	Myers, Robert K.	Red-shouldered Hawk	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh (south side), Bremer County	River bottom timber along Wapsipinicon River	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill Watson. \| Elimination of similar species: Broad-winged Hawk has banded tail but sizes wing pattern and date eliminated it. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:45:00/13:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	26
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Sweet Marsh, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-19	1982-01-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on December 19, 1981.	Hays, Russell	Northern Goshawk	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh (south side), Bremer County, Ia.	River bottom timber	The documentation form by Russell Hays is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eleanor Corvin, Antoinette Camarata, and Bob Myers. \| Elimination of similar species: Imm. Cooper's would not show eye stripe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:20:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Sweet Marsh, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-19	1981-12-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on December 19, 1981.	Myers, Robert K.	Northern Goshawk	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh (Bremer County)	River bottom Timber at south edge of marsh	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Russell Hays, Eleanor Corvin, and Antoinette Camarata. \| Elimination of similar species: The shape + size made the choice either goshawk or coopers hawk and the white crescent over the eye made the choice goshawk. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:30:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Riverton Game Management Area, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-19	1982-01-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ross' Goose at Riverton Game Management Area in Fremont County, IA on December 19, 1981.	Silcock, W. Ross	Ross' Goose	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton G.M.A. Fremont Co. Iowa	Swamp, surrounded by farmland	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Barb Wilson. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose eliminated by 1 size comparison 2 wing beat speed 3 possibly by reduced black in underwings tips - juvenile? \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on December 20, 1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Prairie Falcon	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	DeSoto	Farmyard in cropland	The documentation form by Barb Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rick Wright and Dave Menke. \| Elimination of similar species: Pigeon size or bigger. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:10:00/08:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Bullock's Oriole at Cedar Falls, 1981	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-12-20	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Bullock's Oriole at Cedar Falls in Black Hawk County, IA on December 20, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, photographs, e-mail correspondence between Jon Dunn, Jim Fuller, James Rising, David Sibley, and Paul Lehman, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Myers, Robert K.	Bullock's Oriole	Cedar Falls	Cedar Falls, Iowa - Black Hawk County	coming to feeder in residential area	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers includes Don Irwin and Paulina Irwin. \| Elimination of similar species: The 'Baltimore' subspecies has the yellow-orange on breast going down the breast thru belly and has a more yellowish back. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Prairie Falcon at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge, 1981	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-12-20	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Prairie Falcon at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on December 20, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Prairie Falcon	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	DeSoto	Farming and in cropland	The documentation form by Barb Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rick Wright and Dave Menke. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:10:00/08:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	6
Rare bird documentation form for Lark Sparrow south of Mystic, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lark Sparrow south of Mystic in Appanoose County, IA on December 22, 1981.	Cummings, William G.	Lark Sparrow	Mystic	Appanoose County - South of Mystic	Shrub - Fence row Brush	The documentation form by William G. Cummings is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Tree & Song Sparrow also English Sparrow because of size & markings \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	53
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Lakin's Slough, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-23	1981-12-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Lakin's Slough at Guthrie County, IA on December 23, 1981.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Northern Goshawk	Lakin Slough State Game Management Area	1 mile north + 1/2 mile east of the north end of Lakin's Slough	Marsh	The documentation form by Raymond L. Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dennis Henrickson. \| Elimination of similar species: The eyebrow strip and grayish white under sided eliminates other accipiters. Behavior - lack of white rump patch - heavy body eliminate male Harrier. Short none pointed wing and lack of facial mark eliminate Peregrine Falcon + gray phase Gyrfalcon properly did not claim a positive ID. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Vesper Sparrow northwest of Hastings, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow northwest of Hastings in Mills County, IA on December 23, 1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Vesper Sparrow	Hastings	5 miles North, 1 1/2 miles west of Hasings, [sic] Iowa Mills County		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: White outer tail feathers on a streaked Sparrow suggests strongly Vesper Sparrow. Lapland Longsurs have white over tail feathers, but lack the white eye ring, are streaked on the sides but not, or only faintly, across the breast. Longspurs do not typically sit in trees. Longspurs have short tails, too. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:33:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52