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 Henslow's Sparrow at Hayden Prairie State Preserve, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three or more Henslow's Sparrows at Hayden Prairie State Preserve in Howard County, IA on May 30, 1981.	Moore, Francis L.	Henslow's Sparrow	Hayden Prairie State Wildlife Area	Hayden Prairie (Howard County) State Preserve	General: low lying, wet, prairie Specific: along side of slope facing South east wet type of prairie with scattered shrubs, trees and weeds	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers. \| Elimination of similar species: Grasshopper Sparrow does not have streaked breast and olive-green on the hind neck. Olive-green hind neck also is good field mark as compared to Le Conte's and Sharp-tailed which do not have this colouration on their necks and they also have orange on face, this species does not. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	57
Request for more information regarding Lincoln's Sparrow sighting at Saylorville Reservoir in 1995	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1995-09-02	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Form filled out by Bery Engebretsen providing additional information about a Lincoln's Sparrow sighting at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on September 2, 1995.	Engebretsen, Bery	Lincoln's Sparrow	Saylorville Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	61
Rare bird documentation form for Fox Sparrow at Bays Branch Wildlife Management Area in 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1998-12-22	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Fox Sparrow at Bays Branch Wildlife Management Area in Guthrie County, IA on December 22, 1998.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Fox Sparrow	Bays Branch State Wildlife Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	60
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Snake Creek Marsh, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1985-09-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two or more Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Snake Creek Marsh in Greene County, IA on September 30, 1985.	Myers, Robert K.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Snake Creek State Game Management Area	Snake Creek Marsh - Greene County	General: Marsh Specific: open water surrounded by duck weed (waist high)	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Longer + darker than LeConte's and did not have light central crown stripe. LeConte's do not show the vivid white stripes on back. Several LeContes were also present and comparison was easy. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Hendrickson Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Ornithology--Technique Rare birds	1984-10-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Hendrickson Marsh in Story County, IA on October 3, 1984.	Martsching, Paul	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Hendrickson Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Hendricksons Marsh - Story County - Iowa	General: Marsh Specific: three on east side of Hendricksons Marsh in weeds abt 1 foot tall: One on west side in weeds 3-4 feet tall.	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joe Schaufenbuel. \| Elimination of similar species: LeConte's Sparrow has light stripe thru [sic] crown & doesn't have white stripes on a very dark back. \| The original documentation form event occurred between 13:00:00 and 14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Hendrickson Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Hendrickson Marsh in Story County, IA on September 22, 1984.	Zaletel, Hank	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Hendrickson Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Hendrickson Marsh, Story Co.	General: marsh edge Specific: broadleaf plants - chest high	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul Martsching, Joe Schaufenbuel, and Mark Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: LeConte's Sparrow has light streaked crown - it also has streaking in the gray nape of the neck - it has a light colored back with indistinct white streaking \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:00:00/15:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Muskrat Slough, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Muskrat Slough in Jones County, IA on May 23, 1982.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Muskrat Slough State Game Management Area	Muskrat Slough, Jones Co., Iowa	grassy marsh, catails [sic] - NW end of marsh	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf and Tom Staudt. \| Elimination of similar species: LeConte's Sparrow - has crown stripe and lacks white lines on back. Also late. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Prairie Rose State Park in 1975	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Rare birds	1975-05-31	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation for a Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Prairie Rose State Park in Shelby County, IA on May 31, 1975.	Bray, Tanya	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Prairie Rose State Park				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Henslow's Sparrow near Lacey-Keosauqua State Park, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1992-05-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Henslow's Sparrow near Lacey-Keosauqua State Park in Van Buren County, IA on May 9, 1992.	Fuller, James L	Henslow's Sparrow	Lacey-Keosauqua State Park	Grassy field near Lacey-Keosauqua SP, Van Buren County.		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:10:00/09:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	57
Rare bird documentation form for Henslow's Sparrow at Des Moines Township in Van Buren County, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1990-04-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Henslow's Sparrow at Des Moines Township in Van Buren County, IA on April 15, 1990.	Fuller, James L	Henslow's Sparrow	Des Moines Township	Section 8 - Des Moines Township - Van Buren County	Grassy field	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Scheib. \| Elimination of similar species: Grasshopper Sparrow has clear buffy breast + different song (there were numerous Grasshopper Sparrows there) Savannah does not have olive head + nape nor prominent head stripes + song is different Baird's Sparrow has orangish side of face + top of head, no red in wing and different song. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:30:00/06:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	57
Rare bird documentation form for Henslow's Sparrow near Lacey-Keosauqua State Park, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1988-07-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two or more Henslow's Sparrows near Lacey-Keosaqua State Park in Van Buren County, IA on July 11, 1988.	Fuller, James L	Henslow's Sparrow	Lacey-Keosauqua State Park	Van Buren County near Lacey-Keosauqua S.P.	Tall grass bordering alfalfa field	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jane Fuller, Pete Wickham, and Chuck Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Other Grassland Sparrows - eliminated by call and color of side of head \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:35:00/18:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	57
Rare bird documentation form for Henslow's Sparrow at Lime Creek Nature Center in 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Rare birds	1988-05-22	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Henslow's Sparrow at Lime Creek Nature Center north of Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on May 22, 1988.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Henslow's Sparrow	Lime Creek Nature Center				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	57
Rare bird documentation form for Henslow's Sparrow near Lacey-Keosauqua State Park, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1987-06-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Henslow's Sparrows near Lacey-Keosauqua State Park in Van Buren County, IA on June 11, 1987.	Fuller, James L	Henslow's Sparrow	Lacey-Keosauqua State Park	Weedy hayfield near Lacey-Keosauqua S.P. - Van Buren Co.	weedy hayfield	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark Proescholdt, Beth Proescholdt, Robert Cecil, James Sandrock, Charles Fuller, Jane Fuller, Bernie Knight, and Cal Knight. \| Elimination of similar species: Grasshopper - song, head + wing color + song Savannah - head + wing color, amount of breast striping + song \| The original documentation form event lasted from 05:45:00/06:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	57
Rare bird documentation form for Vesper Sparrow northwest of Hastings, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-01-05	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow northwest of Hastings in Mills County, IA on January 5, 1982.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Vesper Sparrow	Hastings	5 miles north + 1 1/2 miles west of Hastings, Mills County, Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: A good size brown sparrow with white outer tail feathers is likely to be a Vesper Sparrow except in winter. I probably wouldn't call this one if I hadn't seen it better before + after. \| The original documentation form event occurred around mid-morning.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52
Rare bird documentation form for Henslow's Sparrow at Hayden Prairie in 1981	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Rare birds	1981-05-30	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for three Henslow's Sparrows at Hayden Prairie in Howard County, IA on May 30, 1981.	Myers, Robert K.	Henslow's Sparrow	Hayden Prairie State Wildlife Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	57
Woodward H. Brown letter to Fred Kent regarding bird sightings for the summer of 1972, August 21, 1972	Correspondence Field notes	Bird banding Birds--Habitat Birds--Identification Birdsongs Rare birds Weather	1972-06-01	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Woody Brown to Fred Kent about bird sightings for the summer of 1972 and the potential of Polk City lake to attract birds. It features a Henslow's Sparrow banding at Lamoni in Decatur County, IA on August 19, 1972.	Brown, Woodward H.	Henslow's Sparrow Black-billed Magpie Ruby-crowned Kinglet Chestnut-sided Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Red Crossbill	Brenton Slough Indianola Lamoni Polk City Shenandoah Polk City Wildlife Area Jesup				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	57
Fred Lesher letter to Fred Kent regarding bird sightings, June 26, 1965	Correspondence Field notes	Bird banding Bird watching Birds--Identification Photography of birds Rare birds Camping	1965-06-26	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter by Fred Lesher regarding various bird sightings, personal matters, and banding Henslow's Sparrows near Decorah.	Lesher, Fred	Least Bittern Yellow-headed Blackbird Henslow's Sparrow Common Moorhen Savannah Sparrow Black-crowned Night Heron Cliff Swallow	Cardinal Marsh State Wildlife Area Decorah Hayden Prairie State Wildlife Area Bluffton Fir Stand State Preserve				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	57
Rare bird documentation form for Grasshopper Sparrow west of North Liberty, 1977	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1977-10-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Grasshopper Sparrow west of North Liberty in Johnson County, IA on October 29, 1977.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Grasshopper Sparrow	North Liberty	3 miles west of North Liberty IA between H and Swan Lake roads	General: open fields with small brushy area near roadside. Flock of savannah sparrows in brushy area. Specific: Bird on fence by combined corn field.	The documentation form by Thomas H Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Henslow's sparrow-this bird did not have color on wing. LaConte's sparrow-lacked face pattern and streaking. Vesper sparrow-seen in same area 1 week before-not similar to this bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 11:00:00/11:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	56
1-25-98 Savannah Sparrow Warren Co.	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Rare birds	1998-01-25	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Field report from Aaron Brees for a Savannah Sparrow in Warren County, IA on January 25, 1998.	Brees, Aaron	Savannah Sparrow	Warren County				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	55
Rare bird documentation form for Savannah Sparrow at Bays Branch Wildlife Management Area, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-01-08	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Savannah Sparrow at Bays Branch Wildlife Management Area in Guthrie County, IA on January 8, 1987.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Savannah Sparrow	Bays Branch State Wildlife Area	Bays Branch WMA, Guthrie Co. (NW parking lot)	walking around on parking lot and mowed grassy area next to the lot	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Grasshopper Sparrow (very unlikely in winter) was eliminated by the longer tail and lack of a flat crown. Vesper Sparrow eliminated by the yellow lores, streaking across the entire breast, and lack of white outer tail feathers. Song Sparrow eliminated by smaller size, yellow lores, and overall lighter coloration. All longspurs eliminated by the lack of any white on the tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:50:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	55
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 Vesper Sparrow west of McFarland Park in Story County, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow west of McFarland Park in Story County, IA on December 15, 1990.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Vesper Sparrow	McFarland Lake Park	1 mi. w. of McFarland Park, Story Co., IA		The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Gordon Brown, George Brown, and John Mayfield. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:04:00/15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52
Rare bird documentation form for Vesper Sparrow northeast of Ames, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-12-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow northeast of Ames in Story County, IA on December 16, 1989.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Vesper Sparrow	Ames	5 mi. east and 2 mi. north of Ames, Story Co., IA	sitting on gravel road in agricultural area	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Andy Fix. \| Elimination of similar species: The white eye ring, tail pattern, pattern of streaking on the breast, and habitat eliminates other sparrows, especially Savannah, Song, and Lincoln's. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:40:00/14:56:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52
Rare bird documentation form for Vesper Sparrow in Des Moines County, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-12-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow in Des Moines County, IA on December 16, 1989.	Fuller, James L	Vesper Sparrow	Des Moines County	7 miles north of Burlington (Des Moines County)	Agricultural land	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Charles Fuller and Jane Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Song Sparrow - no breast spot on this bird and Vesper has less breast streaking + also white outer tail feathers. Savannah Sparrow does not have as prominent eye ring and no white outer tail feathers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:05:00/15:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52
Rare bird documentation form for Vesper Sparrow northwest of Hastings, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-01-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow northwest of Hastings in Mills County, IA on January 7, 1982.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Vesper Sparrow	Hastings	5 miles North 1 1/2 miles west of Hastings, Iowa Mills Co.		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 + face pattern = Vesper sparrow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:33:00/10:36:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52