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

Ottumwa Bird Club membership list and meeting minutes, January 6, 1944	Administrative records	Birds--Counting Tyrannidae \| Flycatchers Ornithology--Societies, etc Hirundinidae \| Swallows Meetings	1943-01-01	1944-01-06	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	List of members of the Ottumwa Bird Club, dated 1943, and minutes from the meeting of the group, January 6, 1944. The minutes report a talk given by Wilbur Dole, the results of a local bird count, and the names of recently elected committee officers.	Walker, Leota Ottumwa Bird Club		Lake Wapello Ottumwa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	6	16
Ottumwa Bird Club constitution	Administrative records Bylaws (administrative records)	Ornithology--Societies, etc	1942-01-01	1946-12-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The Constitution of the Ottumwa Bird Club, circa 1944, stating the objective of the organization, and including by-laws and basic administrative information for the Club.	Ottumwa Bird Club		Ottumwa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	6	16
A planning guide for meetings of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union	Administrative records	Congresses and conventions Ornithology--Societies, etc Meetings	1984-05-02	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	A guide prepared by Carl J. Bendorf. This was intended for local chapters to be used in planning to host annual meetings of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union. Item includes recommendations for all parts of the process.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Bendorf, Carl J.		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	6	17
Rare bird records reviewed by the records committee of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union	Administrative records	Birds--Identification Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	2002-06-16	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The document includes a history of the committee and explains the process of peer review to determine an accepted rare bird sighting in Iowa.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934- Iowa Ornithologists' Union		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	1
Birds in Iowa	Administrative records	Birds--Identification Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1996-01-01	1996-12-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Birds in Iowa describes the history of the state list of accepted rare birds species. Also included is the "Official checklist of Iowa birds" with 397 rare bird species sighted in Iowa through 1995.	Dinsmore, James J. Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934- Iowa Ornithologists' Union		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	1
Alphabetical list of species, records committee files through 1999	Administrative records	Birds--Identification Birds--Research Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	2000-11-26	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Alphabetical list of peer reviewed accepted rare bird species observed in Iowa through 1999.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	2
Iowa Ornithologists' Union records committee, records reviewed 1980-1999 by species	Administrative records	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	2000-11-27	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The document lists rare bird sightings reviewed between 1980-1999. It includes the dates and locations of sightings with observer names and the results of the review process.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934- Iowa Ornithologists' Union		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	2
Iowa Ornithologists' Union records committee, records reviewed 1980-1999 by record number	Administrative records	Birds--Identification Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	2000-11-27	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The document includes a list of reviewed species to determine whether rare bird identifications were accepted. It also includes the dates and locations of sightings.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934- Iowa Ornithologists' Union		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting on Red-throated Loon at Cedar Lake, 1984	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-04-03	1999-10-15	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Cedar Lake, IA on April 3, 1984. Includes a record review document, two articles in American Birds, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a summary of the review of the committee, and six documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Staudt, Thomas J.	Red-throated Loon	Cedar Lake	Cedar Lake, Cedar Rapids, IA		The documentation form by Thomas J. Staudt is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Carl J. Bendorf, Robert K. Myers, Francis L. Moore, Thomas H. Kent, and Peter C. Petersen were submitted later. Other observers include Jim Fuller and Jim Sandrock. \| Elimination of similar species: Horned grebes in winter plumage were present, they are about 1/2 the size of this loon, have a much shorter straight bill and the head shape is flatter. Common loon is much larger with a correspondingly large straight black bill, head held straight. Arctic loon in winter plumage would have less white in the facial area, a straight dark bill, less contrast from the facial area to cup/nape. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:15:00/06:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of a Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-11-30	1996-08-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 30, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-throated Loon	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	open patch of water on large, frozen reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation form by Robert K. "Bob" Myers were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon eliminated by overall size, bill shape and size, and white spots on back. Arctic Loon eliminated by bill shape and black of crown not reaching eye. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/13:00:00 and 13:45:00/14:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-12-01	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on December 1, 1986. Includes a record review document, a summary of the review of the committee, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-throated Loon	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co. (Cherry Glen Recreation Area)	swimming in open water off rock jetty	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon eliminated by smaller size, head posture, shorter, upturned bill, speckling on back, more rounded forehead, and sharp contrast between throat and back of neck. Pacific Loon eliminated by bill shape, head posture, speckling on back, two-toned (not three-toned) neck pattern, lack of chinstrap (not definitive, but helpful), and crown color not including the eye (should include the eye on Pacific Loon). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:26:00/15:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-11-16	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 16, 1988. Includes a record review document and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-throated Loon	Jester Park	Jester Park area of Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	swimming and diving on large reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and Mark Proescholdt were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: The body shape, posture, and black-and-white coloration identified the bird as loon. Although some Common Loons may be quite small. I think this bird was too small for even a very small Common Loon. Otherwise, the slender, upturned bill, the head posture, the contrast between the back and the neck, and the gray neck and white throat eliminated Pacific and Common Loons. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:46:00/15:43:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Lake Manawa, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-04-27	1993-07-21	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Red-throated Loons at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on April 27, 1989. Includes a record review document and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Bray, Tanya	Red-throated Loon	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, Pottawattamie County		The documentation form by Tanya E. Bray is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, Marc Lund, and Bob Myers were submitted later. Other observers include B.J. Rose, Doug Rose, Roger Rose, Dave Starr, and Jerry Toll. \| Elimination of similar species: Pacific Loon, eliminated by red color of throat patch and shape of bill. This bird's bill was more like that of a Eared Grebe; that is, very slender and not as loon-like as that of Pacific Loon. Pacific Loon's bill looks like a small Common Loon. Pacific Loon's bill looks like a small Common Loon. Common Loon: eliminated by size of bird, shape of bill, and red throated patch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-11-08	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 8, 1989. Includes a record review document and a documentation form submitted to the committee. IOU record review document has incorrect date of November 8, 1990 instead of correct date of November 8, 1989.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-throated Loon	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-off Cherry Glen Rec. Area	large reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The small size, head posture, small head, and short, thin, upturned bill eliminates other loons. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:02:00/16:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Coralville Reservoir, 1990	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-11-04	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on November 4, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Red-throated Loon	Coralville Lake	deep part of reservoir at West Overlook (just above dam) and at Mehaffy Bridge. Coralville Reservoir, Johnson County, Iowa	deep part of reservoir at West Overlook (just above dam) and at Mehaffy Bridge	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller, Ann Johnson, and Carol Thompson. Other observers include Ken Lowder, Jim Scheib, Bud Goode, Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, and Beth Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: The head posture resembled a cormorant, but the bill, overall coloration, and behavior quickly excluded that possibility. The size and bill led me to an immediate identification. I was puzzled about the plumage. I expected to see a juvenile or basic-plumaged bird, but the distribution of dark coloration was that of alternate plumage. I assume that the red/black throat, lines of neck, and gray tones had faded to give one rather uniform color. The drab light may have contributed some to the failure to see color differences, but the last observation was relatively close and the texture of the feathers could be seen. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00-08:30:00 and 12:20:00-12:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Lake Manawa State Park, 1990	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-11-12	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Lake Manawa State Park in Pottawattamie County, IA on November 12, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Red-throated Loon	Lake Manawa State Park	Lake Manawa State Park, Pottawattamie County, Iowa	Open water	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Tanya E. Bray was submitted later. Other observers include Babs Padelford, BJ Rose, Ross Silcock, and Tim Schantz. \| Elimination of similar species: Cormorants could be eliminated by bill shape, among other characteristics. The bird had some similarities to a Western Grebe, but the grebe would hold its head parallel to the water, has a longer neck, and does not show the contrast between head/nape and back. Common Loon was eliminated by posture, size and shape of bill, contrast of lighter head and darker back, and more diffuse separation of upper and underparts. Pacific Loon was eliminated by the grayer underparts, diffuse separation of upper and underparts, posture, and sharp upward angle on lower mandible. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:50:00/12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Red Rock Reservoir, 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-11-07	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Red Rock Reservoir, Marion County, IA on November 7, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	Red-throated Loon	Roberts Creek Park	Red Rock Reservoir - Roberts Creek area - (Marion Co.)	Large water area	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Diane Porter, Thomas H. Kent, Ray Cummins, and Jim Fuller. Other observers include Ann Barker, Ann Johnson, Matt Keene, Jim Sinclair, Tim Schantz, Harold White, Hank Zalatel, Beth Proescholdt, Loren Padelford, Diane Porter, David Youngblut, Tom Klein, Francis Moore, and Ray Cummins. \| Elimination of similar species: The bill size and small size of the loon helps eliminate a Common Loon. A Pacific Loon would have a sharp contrast on the side of the neck between light and dark colors. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:45:00 and 16:30:00/16:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Silver Lake, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-05-07	1996-04-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Silver Lake in Worth County, IA on May 7, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Walter, Janice L.	Red-throated Loon	Silver Lake Wildlife Management Area	Silver Lake, Worth Co., Ia [sic]	Shallow lake	The documentation form by Jan L. Walter is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Curt Nelson, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon - above comparisons. Pacific Loon - has straight, unangled bill which is not uptilted, doesn't have the white area above and in front of the eye, has sharp division between white and dark of neck. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of a Red-throated Loon at Lake Manawa, 1994	Administrative reports Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-11-25	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on November 25, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Red-throated Loon	Lake Manawa State Park	Lake Manawa State Park, Pottawattamie		The documentation form by Babs and Loren Padelford is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Roland Barth. \| Elimination of similar species: Smaller with a more slender neck and bill than Common Loon. There was no tri-color line on sides of neck (white, dark gray & light gray) that would indicate a Pacific Loon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of three Red-throated Loons at Little Wall Lake, 1995.	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-04-22	2000-11-19	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Little Wall Lake in Hamilton County, IA on April 22, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	Red-throated Loon	Little Wall Lake	Little Wall Lake - (Hamilton County)	small lake with trees along edges	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Beth Proescholdt, John Paulin, and Thomas Kent were submitted later. Other observers include Russ Widner, Caryn Hurd, Chris Paulin, Andy Hurd, Stacy Smithson, and Dawn Schwebach. \| Elimination of similar species: A Basic-Plumaged Pacific Loon has no white or pale area above or in front of the eye. It also has a sharp vertical division between dark and light on its neck. A Common Loon is bulkier and bigger and has a large thick bill whose mandibles are straight. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-11-29	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 29, 1995. Includes a record review document and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-throated Loon	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Res., Polk Co.	large lake	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dennis "Denny" Thompson. \| Elimination of similar species: The smaller size, slimmer appearances, and bill size and shape eliminate other loon species, especially Pacific and Common. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:55:00/16:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Pleasant Creek Lake, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-11-11	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Pleasant Creek Lake in Linn County, IA on November 11, 1995. Includes a record review document and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Red-throated Loon	Pleasant Creek State Park	Pleasant Creek L.	artificial, deep-water lake	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The size of the bird, shape of the bill, and contrast between light and dark argued against Common Loon. Pacific Loon would have a straight bill and darker top of head and back of neck. I did not see any chin strap, but this would have been difficult to see. The fact that I saw the eye in the white area appears to exclude Pacific Loon. The upper parts were lighter than in the two Pacific Loons that I saw this fall. The relatively white fore-neck and face suggests an adult. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:05:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-11-16	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 16-17, 1995. Includes a record review document and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-throated Loon	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Res., Polk Co.	large lake	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The smaller size, neck pattern, and bill shape and size eliminated other species of loons. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:48:00/16:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Sioux Center, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-04-19	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on April 19, 1996. Includes a record review document, an Iowa Bird Life article, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Red-throated Loon	Sioux Center	in a large gravel pit/quarry five miles south of Sioux Center, Sioux County, Iowa.		The documentation form by James Van Dyk is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The small size, upturned bill, slender build, and white-spotted back distinguished this bird from the other Loons. The grayish bill and loon profile eliminated any possible confusion with a Grebe (e.g., Western or Clark's Grebe). \| The original documentation form event did not list a time other than in the afternoon for about 35 minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Red Rock Reservoir, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-11-27	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on November 27, 1996. Includes a record review document and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-throated Loon	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA	large lake	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The size and shape were clearly those of a loon. The combination of small size, thin, upturned bill, paler head, and speckled mantle eliminates other species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:23:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5