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

Walter Rosene letter to the United States Bureau of Biological Survey regarding Arkansas Kingbird and American Woodcock sightings, July 20, 1925	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Nests Rare birds	1925-07-20	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Walter Rosene to the United States Bureau of Biological Survey regarding Arkansas Kingbird and American Woodcock sightings, July 20, 1925. Rosene provides details on two unusual bird species observations, Arkansas Kingbirds and nesting American Woodcocks. Rosene requests any recent records of either of these species being found in Iowa. This document is related to a reply from Albert K. Fisher: https://avian.lib.iastate.edu/documents/9133/view	Rosene, Walter, 1880-1941	Western Kingbird American Woodcock	Ledges State Park Ogden				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	38	3
Iowa RBA, November 24, 1997	Field notes	Bird watching Exotic birds Rare birds Dial-a-message telephone calls	1997-11-24	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Iowa RBA update for November 24, 1997. Highlights of the update include sightings of a Bohemian Waxwing, White-winged Crossbills, Common Redpolls, Long-tailed Ducks, and a first year Glaucous Gull. Also of interest were reports of an exotic Eurasian Goldfinch and an unconfirmed report of Harlequin Ducks. Also included are handwritten notes for the next week's update with sightings of a Northern Shrike and an immature Mute Swan.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Ruffed Grouse Cedar Waxwing Eurasian Collared Dove Harlequin Duck Mute Swan White-winged Crossbill Red-breasted Merganser Common Redpoll Long-tailed Duck Trumpeter Swan Bohemian Waxwing Hooded Merganser Golden Eagle Glaucous Gull Red-breasted Nuthatch Tundra Swan Common Merganser Northern Shrike Eurasian Goldfinch	Cedar Lake Grinnell Hawarden Iowa City Lake Manawa Pleasant Creek State Park Yellow River State Forest DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge Black Hawk Lake Fort Madison Riverview Cemetery Upper Iowa River Paint Creek Lock and Dam 16 Pool 9 Marble Beach State Recreation Area Dallas Center Riverside Cemetery				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	43	6
Field Notes, Tom Morrissey, Davenport, 1956	Field notes	Birds--Identification Radio and television tower bird strikes Rare birds Zoological specimens	1954-10-06	1956-06-02	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Field report with drawings for recovered birds at the WOC radio tower at Davenport in Scott County, IA on October 6, 1954, May 12 and 18, 1956, and June 1, 1956. It features the sighting of a Henslow's Sparrow on October 6, 1954. It was part of a letter from Thomas Morrisey to Robert L. King on June 2, 1956 and is part of the F.W. Kent Archives.	Morrissey, Thomas	Henslow's Sparrow Ovenbird Blackpoll Warbler	WOC-AM (Davenport)				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	57
Field notes contributed by Frederick W. Kent for spring, 1965	Field notes	Bird populations Bird watching Birds--Migration Rare birds Parulidae \| Warblers	1965-03-01	1965-05-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Field notes for the Iowa City, Iowa area were contributed by Frederick W. Kent. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of spring, 1965.	Kent, Frederick W. (Frederick Wallace), 1894-1984	Horned Grebe Yellow-headed Blackbird Whimbrel Piping Plover Northern Saw-whet Owl	Conesville Iowa City				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	4
Woodward H. Brown letter to Fred Kent about birding sightings for the fall and winter of 1966 and a Christmas Bird Count, January 4, 1967	Correspondence Field notes	Bird feeders Bird watching Birds--Identification Rare birds Sturnidae \| Starlings Calcariidae \| Longspurs and snow bunting	1966-08-01	1967-01-04	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter sent on January 4, 1967 by Woodward H. Brown to Fred Kent discussing bird sightings during the fall and winter of 1966 and a Christmas Bird Count. It features a discussion of Savannah Sparrows.	Brown, Woodward H.	Savannah Sparrow Purple Finch Redhead American Tree Sparrow Red-breasted Nuthatch Dark-eyed Junco	Des Moines				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	55
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk near Coralville Dam in 1972	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1972-11-17	1973-02-19	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk near Coralville Dam in Johnson County, IA on November 17, 1972, January 14, 1973, and January 28, 1973.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Northern Goshawk	Coralville Dam				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Nicholas S. Halmi letter to Vernon M. Kleen regarding birds sighted during May-July 1973	Correspondence Field notes	Bird populations Bird watching Birds--Behavior Birds--Habitat Rare birds	1973-05-01	1973-07-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Field notes from Nicholas S. Halmi describing birds sighted during May-July, 1973. This item was used as supporting documentation for American birds, spring 1973 report. This item was also used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of spring 1973.	Halmi, Nicholas S.		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	12
Nicholas S. Halmi letters to Vernon M. Kleen regarding birds observed during summer and fall 1973.	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Identification Feathers Habitat (Ecology) Rare birds	1973-06-01	1973-11-30	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letters from Nicholas S. Halmi to Vernon M. Kleen regarding birds he observed in the fall and summer of 1973. One letter was about birds observed during summer 1973 near Iowa City. The other letter, dated November 20, 1973, was about birds observed during the fall of 1973 at Coralville Reservoir. This letter noted the following birds that the author regarded as rare: Willets, Stilt Sandpipers, Sanderlings, and Western Sandpipers. These items were used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of fall 1973.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Western Sandpiper Willet Sanderling Stilt Sandpiper	Coralville Lake Iowa City				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	12
Rare bird documentation form for Cattle Egret near Interchange 35 of I-29, 1974	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1974-08-22	1974-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Cattle Egret near Interchange 35 of I-29 in Mills County, IA on August 22, 1974.	Anderson, Rose	Cattle Egret	Keg Lake Wildlife Management Area	Lake by I-29 right after Plattsmouth exit	small marshy lake - a lake along I-29 beside a corn field - some mud flats & marshy areas along the edge	The documentation form by Rose Anderson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ruth Green. \| Elimination of similar species: Snowy Egret would be larger & have black bill & black legs. Common Egret would be larger with longer, thinner neck & have black legs. Immature Little Blue Heron would be larger, thinner & longer neck, dark-tipped bill which would look dark even if light was wrong for it to be bluish & legs would be more greenish - not bright yellow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	21
Rare bird documentation for American Magpie at Tyson Bend, 1974	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1974-10-14	1974-11-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for an American Magpie at Tyson Bend in Harrison County, IA on October 14, 1974.	Loth, Edward W.	Black-billed Magpie	Tyson Bend Wildlife Area	Tyson Bend, 4 mi. west of Modale, Harrison County, Iowa	General: Wooded area of Missouri River flood plain. Specific: A series of cattail marshes interspersed with willows and cottonwoods.	The documentation form by Edward W. Loth is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: None - the only bird I am familiar with that is black and white and has a long tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/17:31:00 and 18:20:00/18:21:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	83
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Iowa City in 1975	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1975-05-09	1975-05-20	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on May 9 and May 17, 1975.	Newlon, Michael C.	Surf Scoter	Iowa City				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Iowa 1975 spring migration, Red Rock Refuge and Lake	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Migration Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology Rare birds	1975-03-01	1975-05-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Birds sighted during the 1975 spring migration at Red Rock Refuge and Lake in Iowa were reported by Gladys Black. At the end, Black noted three rare bird species reported in other locations: a Purple Gallinule in Ottumwa, two White-faced Ibis at Black Hawk Lake, Sac County, and a Swainson's Hawk banded in Ankeny. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of spring 1975.	Black, Gladys	Swainson's Hawk White-faced Ibis Purple Gallinule	Ankeny Lake Red Rock Ottumwa Black Hawk Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	14
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Coralville Reservoir, 1975	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1975-09-12	1975-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on September 12, 1975.	Newlon, Michael C.	Merlin	Coralville Lake	Coralville Res.	reservoir, bordered by wide grassy flats	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: dark tail, lack of face pattern elim. sparrow hawk. Small size + falcon build (long pointed wings, long squared-off tail) rule out other hawks. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Common Flicker hybrid at Iowa City, 1975	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1975-11-01	1975-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Common Flicker hybrid at Iowa CIty in Johnson County, IA on November 1, 1975.	Newlon, Michael C.	Northern Flicker	Iowa City	Iowa City IA	lawn with many large hickory trees, in Hickory Hill Park, Iowa City - park contains second growth woods, pastures, brush old fields surrounded on 3 sides by residential areas, farmland on the other side.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: local 'yellow-shafted' has (1) yellow linings to wing + tail, (2) yellow shafts to primaries -> rectrices, (3) black mustache-mark, (4) brown face + grey crown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:00:00/10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	61
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Coralville Reservoir, 1975	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1975-10-28	1975-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on October 28, 1975.	Newlon, Michael C.	Golden Eagle	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir, NW of Iowa City, IA	Coralville Res. - wooded ridge to N., extensive water and bare grassy flats in Res. area, then farmland to S.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: imm. Bald Eagle; proportions of head, neck and tail, no white in wing-linings black r-l hawk: lack of any white in primaries and secondaries, large size. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Carolina Wren at Hickory Hill Park, 1975	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1975-11-01	1975-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Carolina Wrens at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on November 1, 1975.	Newlon, Michael C.	Carolina Wren	Hickory Hill Park	Hickory Hill Park, Iowa City IA	brushy ravines on gullies in Hickory Hill Park - park contains woods, open pastures, brushy grown-up old fields	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Nicholas Halmi and Marilyn Smith Glasson. \| Elimination of similar species: eye stripes, rusty color, large size, voice elim. House, winter wrens voice, lack of white in tail, short tail rule out Bewick's (v. rare if not extinct in Iowa City area)<-(fide FW Kent). \| The original documentation form event occurred in the morning.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	88
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 Kent Park, 1975	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1975-12-06	1975-12-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Kent Park in Johnson County, IA on December 6, 1975.	Newlon, Michael C.	Golden Eagle	F W Kent County Park	Kent Park, ~10 miles west of Iowa City IA	soaring over area of stubble fields, old fields growing up to brush, farms	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: 'ringed' tail, proportion of head, neck, bill; lack of any white in wing-lining on body plumage: all eliminate imm. bald eagle. great size, lack of white in primaries eliminate black rough-leg. \| The original documentation form event occurred between 13:30:00/14:35:00 (seen twice) (total ~ 20 minutes).	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Tundra Swan at Sand Point at Coralville Reservoir, 1975	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1975-12-13	1975-12-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Tundra Swan at Sand Point at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on December 13, 1975.	Newlon, Michael C.	Tundra Swan	Sand Point	Sand Pt, Coralville Reservoir, nw of Iowa City IA	edge of reservoir: grassy flats now submerged by an increase in water level. area has large 'marshy' areas of flooded grass, extensive areas of open water, some harvested corn fields, some fields of winter rye (Planted for geese), some seasonal-growth woods.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include: Nick Halmi. \| Elimination of similar species: mute swan: eliminated by all-dark bill, vertical posture of neck. Trumpeter Swan: eliminated by range. Snow Goose: eliminated by large size, lack of black in wingtips. White pelican: eliminated by proportions of neck & bill, lack of black in wingtips. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	1
Rare bird documentation form for Brown Thrasher at Kent Park in Johnson County, 1975	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1975-12-20	1976-01-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Brown Thrasher at Kent Park in Johnson County, IA on December 20, 1975.	Newlon, Michael C.	Brown Thrasher	F W Kent County Park	Kent Park, Johnson Co. IA, ~ 7 mi. west of Iowa City	General: Kent Park contains old fields, some growing up to brush, second-growth woods. It is situated in farming country. Specific: Bird was in an area of dense thickets of small, dense, scrubby trees interspersed with weedy clearings	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Roger Milkman, Marianne Milkman, Paul Milkman, and Carol Newlon. \| Elimination of similar species: Brown Thrushes eliminated by large size, bold streaking rather than spotting on breast. Finches (siskin, Female r-b. grosbeak) elim. by bill shape, size, rufous color. Sage, long-billed thrashers eliminated by rufous color, range. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 11:00:00/11:02:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	14
Rare bird documentation form for Bohemian Waxwing at MacLean Hall at University of Iowa, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-02-01	1976-02-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bohemian Waxwing at MacLean Hall at University of Iowa in Johnson County, IA on February 1, 1976.	DeCoster, R. J. (Richard Joseph)	Bohemian Waxwing	MacLean Hall	near the southwest corner of the Physics Building on the University of Iowa Campus.		The documentation form by Richard DeCoster is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Its large size and large crest made the bird stand out. \| The original documentation form event lasted around three minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	16
Rare bird documentation form for Harris' Sparrow at Coralville Reservoir, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1976-04-10	1976-04-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Harris' Sparrows at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on April 10, 1976.	Newlon, Michael C.	Harris' Sparrow	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir Iowa City, Iowa 52240	woodlot with tall trees, weed patches, brush pile, in an area of fields and second-growth woods.	The documentation form by Michael C Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers are unidentified in the documentation form. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] large sparrow, built like a white-crown but larger, longer-tailed, posture less erect.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	64
Rare bird documentation form for Dark-eyed Junco at Iowa City, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-03-30	1976-04-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for six Dark-eyed Juncos at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on March 30, 1976.	Newlon, Michael C.	Dark-eyed Junco	Iowa City	Iowa City IA	feeding on lawn in flock of slate-colored's. , in residential neighborhood.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] head + 'bib' lighter grey than slate-colored's \| The original documentation form event lasted for around a half an hour.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	65
Rare bird documentation form for White-faced Ibis at Lake View, 1975	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1975-05-09	1976-04-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two White-faced Ibises at Lake View in Sac County, IA on May 9, 1975.	Jones, Glenn E.	White-faced Ibis	Lake View	3 mi. S of west edge of Lake View, Sac Co. Iowa	marshy, a grazed out pasture -wel at this time - usually grazed in June & July	The documentation form by Glenn E. Jones is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark Bohemayer and Ed Weiner. \| Elimination of similar species: Little green heron. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	24
Rare bird documentation form for Hooded Warbler near Coralville Reservoir, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1976-05-27	1976-05-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hooded Warbler near Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on May 27, 1976.	Newlon, Michael C.	Hooded Warbler	Coralville Lake	wooded hillside n. of Co. Rd 'F', just w of highway 218	Specific: a wooded hillside, with mature oaks + shagbark hickories and a dense understory of 6'-10'- high shrubs, and forbs. General: above is part of a large tract of woodland that borders the n. shore of the Coralville Reservoir, separated from the resevoir [sic] by a road and a belt of second-growth woods. to the w. is an old farm, brushy grown-up pastures; to the n. is farmland.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Song, black 'hood' eliminate Kentucky, Canada Warblers - Canada has necklace of streaks, not solid black on throat; Kentucky has no black on throat \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 08:00:00/08:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	41