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 Snowy Egret at Sweet Marsh, 1980	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-08-30	1980-09-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on August 30, 1980.	Myers, Robert K.	Snowy Egret	Sweet Marsh	approx. 3 mi. south of Sweet Marsh, Iowa	cow pasture with marshy areas, water for marsh comes from natural artesian wells.	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Russell Hays, Tom Stone, and Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: An immature little blue was also present & next day a cattle egret was with the snowy and separating all three was easy \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/14:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Sweet Marsh, 1980	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-08-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on August 30, 1980	Moore, Francis L.	Snowy Egret	Sweet Marsh	2 mi East of South entrance to Sweet Marsh then 2 1/2 mi South, across road.	grassy-marshy field, grassy-marshy field with cattle	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Stone, Bob Myers, and Russell Hays. \| Elimination of similar species: See question above for notation that all three small white heron's were seen together; Snowy Egret, Cattle Egret and immature Little Blue Heron. What a sight. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/17:00:00.	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 New Albin, 1982	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-30	1982-05-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at New Albin in Allamakee County, IA on May 30, 1982.	Moore, Francis L.	Snowy Egret	Pool Slough	Along road going to wildlife area and boat ramp near (E of) New Albin, Allamakee Co.	Flooded river bottom	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Cattle Egret has yellow legs and feet and is squattier looking. Great Egret is larger and lacks the yellow feet and has a yellow bill. Immature Little Blue Heron lacks the yellow feet. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:25:00/13:40:00.	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 Lake Manawa, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-04-23	1978-04-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form with handwritten annotations for a Snowy Egret at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on April 23, 1978.	Brown, Larry D.	Snowy Egret	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, southeast quarter of lake	Standing along shore of lake in shallow water near a muskrat den. Lake shore environment with some reeds and cattails along shore plus other vegetation growing in shallow water where bird was observed.	The documentation form by Larry D. Brown is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include his wife and two other birders. \| Elimination of similar species: Approximately 10-15 feet to the west of the Snowy stood an American Egret which was identified by its yellow bill and much larger size. By comparing the field marks and size of both, they could both be identified. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Hendrickson Marsh, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-03-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at Hendrickson Marsh at Story County, IA on March 27, 1985.	Zaletel, Hank	Snowy Egret	Hendrickson Marsh Lake	Hendrickson Marsh	Marsh - mudflat with snags	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Cattle Egret - Short thick yellow bill, yellow legs. American Egret - Long slender yellow bill, much larger size. Little Blue - Long blueish gray bill, olive legs. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:15:00/18:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Hendrickson Marsh, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-03-28	1985-04-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at Hendrickson Marsh in Story County, IA on March 28, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Snowy Egret	Hendrickson Marsh Lake	NW corner of Hendrickson Marsh, Story County	shallow mudflat area near grassy marsh	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Hank Zaletel. \| Elimination of similar species: Told from other egrets and Little Blue Heron by slender black bill and black legs, and size. \| The original documentation form event lasted around 16:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Fremont County, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-08-12	1984-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for eight Snowy Egrets at Fremont County, IA on August 12, 1984.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Snowy Egret	Fremont County	Missouri River floodplain just south of the Bridge to Nebraska City; Fremont County		The documentation form by Barb Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The black bill eliminates Great Egret & Cattle Egret. Immature Little Blue Herons have uniformly colored legs. Both Great Egrets & Little Blues were present & they were not feeding actively like the Snowys - not running around, that is.	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
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Elk Rock State Park, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-04-21	1985-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at Elk Rock State Park in Marion County, IA on April 21, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Snowy Egret	Elk Rock State Park	Elk Rock State Park, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion County	mudflat area on reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Richards and Carl Bendorf. \| Elimination of similar species: Other egrets by size combined with dark bill and black legs with yellow feet. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Diamond Lake, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-04-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at Diamond Lake in Poweshiek County, IA on April 23, 1981.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Snowy Egret	Diamond Lake	Diamond L., Montezuma, Poweshiek Co IA	antipied lake, water level low, N. Cove at Diamond L.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Darwin Koenig. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Egret - size, bill + feet color wrong. Immature Little Blue heron - season, bill and feet color, plumes wrong. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:40:00/18:10:00 estimated.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Albion, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-27	1984-04-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Snowy Egrets at Albion in Marshall County, IA on April 27, 1984.	Dinsmore, James J.	Snowy Egret	Albion	on southwest edge of Albion, Marshall County	in flooded field/small marsh	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore, Eric Munson, Hank Zaletel, Joe Schaufenbuel, "et al". \| Elimination of similar species: leg/foot color eliminates Little Blue, Cattle and Great Egret. Also the size was much smaller than a Great Egret. \| The original documentation form event lasted occurred around 18:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Albion, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-27	1984-05-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Snowy Egrets at Albion in Marshall County, IA on April 27, 1984.	Zaletel, Hank	Snowy Egret	Albion	South of viaduct Albion, Marshall County Section 7 R18W-T48N	Floodplain Grassy meadow - 2-3" of water	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joe Schaufenbuel and Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: American Egrets have yellow bills and legs -- much larger in size. Cattle Egret was also present -- it had yellow bill -- yellow on head -- tail feathers had yellow edgings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspurs at Maynard Reese Waterfowl Production Area, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1999-04-19	1999-04-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for eleven Smith's Longspurs at Maynard Reese Waterfowl Production Area in Kossuth County, IA on April 19, 1999.	Goranson, Rita	Smith's Longspur	Maynard Reese Area	Maynard Reece [sic] Wettlands [sic], Koss Co, Iowa near Union Slough	wettlands [sic] + old bean stubble	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jan Walter and Matthew Kenne. \| Elimination of similar species: No other birds in immediate area, other than ducks, I had seen two Savannah Sparrows at beginning of area and knew these were larger than Savannah's and different coloring and marks. I have seen Laplands but they don't have this rich buffy color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur west of Hendrickson Marsh, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1985-03-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Smith's Longspurs west of Hendrickson Marsh in Story County, IA on March 30, 1985.	Martsching, Paul	Smith's Longspur	Hendrickson Marsh Wildlife Management Area	3 1/2 miles West of Hendricksons Marsh, Story County, Iowa	General: agricultural area Specific: soybean stubble field	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Vesper Sparrow - has longer tail (There were two of these by the road) Pipit - has longer tail (these birds (Smith's) were easy to distinguish from Laplands because of so much more white on the sides of the tail) \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur west of Almont, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Smith's Longspur west of Almont in Clinton County, IA on December 29, 1990. Attached to the documentation is a note from the IOU about its review status by the records committee.	Blevins, Brian L.	Smith's Longspur	Almont	About 2 miles west of Almont, IA. Clinton, Co.	Harvested fields with new spread manure	The documentation form by Brian Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Corey Blevins and Lewis Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was quickly picked out of the group of about 150 of Lapland Longspurs which were in various plumages. When this species is in 3/4 breeding plumage it is easily distinguished. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:05:00/15:17:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur west of Almont, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Smith's Longspur west of Almont in Clinton County, IA on December 29, 1990.	Blevins, Brian L.	Smith's Longspur	Almont	About 2 miles west of Almont, IA. Clinton, Co.	Harvested fields with new spread manure	The documentation form by Brian Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Corey Blevins and Lewis Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was quickly picked out of the group of about 150 of Lapland Longpsurs which were in various plumages. When this species is in 3/4 breeding plumage it is easily distinguished. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:05:00/15:17:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur south of the IA 17 bridge near Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1985-03-23	1985-04-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for one hundred twenty Smith's Longspurs south of the IA 17 bridge near Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on March 23, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Smith's Longspur	High Bridge	1 mile south of the HWY 17 Bridge across Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County	on grassy road shoulder and gravel along road	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Erik Munson. \| Elimination of similar species: Eliminated from other longspurs and Vesper Sparrow by combination of buffy underparts, white shoulder patch on males, white on outer tail feathers and distinctive black markings on males head.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur south of Iowa City, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1986-04-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Smith's Longspur south of Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on April 7, 1986.	Staudt, Thomas J.	Smith's Longspur	Iowa City	Eden Farm S. of Iowa City in Johnson Co. same location as previous years	open fields - bean stuble [sic] to full plowed	The documentation form by Thomas J. Staudt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Vesper Sparrow has a chestnut colored shouldered patch and eye ring. Other possible Longspurs have whitish underparts, not buffy. The bill on this bird was thinner and longer than on other longspurs. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:10:00/09:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur northeast of Larrabee, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-03-04	1992-03-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Smith's Longspur northeast of Larrabee in Cherokee County, IA on March 4, 1992.	Brewer, Marion M.	Smith's Longspur	Larrabee	3 Miles E, 1 mile N, 3/4 E of Larrabee	short grass	The documentation form by Marion Brewer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Lapland longspur, white wing patch & white edged tail, buffy belly \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:35:00/15:38:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur at Union Slough NWR, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1997-04-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for five Smith's Longspurs at Union Slough NWR in Kossuth County, IA on April 27, 1997.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Smith's Longspur	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge	Union Slough NWR, Kossuth Co. main crossdike between B pool + C pool	marsh with open farm fields on both sides	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: These birds didn't have white on the belly or black spilling from the face onto the chest or "bib" like Lapland Longspurs. There were no "tew" notes thrown in with the rattle calls, a possible point of separation between Smith's + Laps. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:10:00 and 09:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur at Oakland Township in Louisa County, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1987-04-15	1987-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for six to ten Smith's Longspurs at Oakland Township in Louisa County, IA on April 15, 1987.	Proescholdt, Mark	Smith's Longspur	Oakland Township	Louisa Co. - NW Corner of section 24 of Oakland Township	short grassy hay field just east of Cone Marsh	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt, Carl Bendorf, and unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Vesper Sparrows are not buffy like this and have a very different color pattern. Other longspurs are not buffy like this and have different tail patterns. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 12:30:00/15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur at Maynard Reese Waterfowl Production Area, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1998-10-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two to three Smith's Longspurs at Maynard Reese Waterfowl Production Area in Kossuth County, IA on October 7, 1998.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Smith's Longspur	Maynard Reese Area	Maynard Reese WPA, Kossuth Co. SW of north side parking	Open area sparsely covered with grass (1 season restored prairie and mowed Pigweed) surrounding wetland potholes	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: American Pipits were eliminated by their totally different voice, the pattern of the underparts, and bill & tail proportions. Lapland Longspurs have obvious white (not buff) underneath which would have been especially visible on several close flybys and passes overhead. Male Laplands should show some black streaking on the upper chest in sharp contrast with the white below. There wasn't any chestnut visible on the nape or upper wing. Although I don't have enough experience with Smith's to say I heard any difference in the sound of the "tics", I didn't hear any of the "tew" notes that Laplands (but not Smith's) mix in with their tic-tic-tics. Any regular sparrow that is not eliminated by white outer tail feathers is eliminated by the unique longspur calls. The buffy/tan color underneath and the calls also rule out Horned Lark. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 08:00:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur at Cone Marsh in 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1988-04-06	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for one hundred fifty Smith's Longspurs at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on April 6, 1988.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Smith's Longspur	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67