Documents • Iowa State University • Avian Archives of Iowa Online

Title	Genres	Topics	Date (Start)	Date (End)	Type	Description	Creator/Author	Birds	Locations	Locality	Remarks

Rare bird documentation form for Common Tern at Willow Slough, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-08-06	1979-08-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Common Terns at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on August 6, 1979.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Common Tern	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, NE Mills Co., Iowa	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: All the terns I've managed to identify at the Slough before have been Forsters. There was a Forsters at the slough that evening, in fact, with white primaries. It tried to land on a piling by the other two, but then left. The Commons differed from Forster's terns by having dark primaries (adult) and on eye patch that circled the back of the head (other bird).	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	42
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Shrike north of Decorah, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-03-31	1979-04-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Shrike north of Decorah in Winneshiek County, IA on March 31, 1979.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Northern Shrike	Decorah	Six miles no. of Decorah, Winneshiek County, Iowa	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The Loggerhead Shrike has a stubbier less strongly hooked bill, and has less white in facial pattern and black mask meeting over bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/07:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	75
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Shrike at Babcock Access, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-12-16	1978-12-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Shrike at Babcock Access in Johnson County, IA on December 16, 1978.	Newlon, Carol S.	Northern Shrike	Swan Lake	West of Swan Lake and east of Babcock Lake rd on Swan lake road at intersection with county road to the south.	The documentation form by Carol S. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Staudt, Ruth Williams, Mona Brown, and Noel Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: too clingy on the breast and to be a loggerhead shrike - also, the mask stopped at the bill too chunky to be mockingbird - also heavy hooked bill rather than slender one. \| The original documentation form event lasted from around 09:00:00/09:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	75
Rare bird documentation form for Scissor-tailed Flycatcher north of St. Anthony, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-04-29	1987-11-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher north of St. Anthony in Marshall County, IA on April 29, 1987.	Bryan, Georgia	Scissor-tailed Flycatcher	Saint Anthony	1 mile north of St. Anthony, Marshall Co.	The documentation form by Georgia Bryan is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. The person who transcribed the report was James Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Certainly the two field characteristics (long tail, wing linings) that she immediately recalled will identify the bird.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	73
Rare bird documentation form for Say's Phoebe west and north of St. Anthony, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-12-22	1980-02-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Say's Phoebe west and north of St. Anthony in Marshall County, IA on December 22, 1979.	Kurtz, Carl	Say's Phoebe	Saint Anthony	1 mile west, 1/4 mile north St. Anthony, Iowa	The documentation form by Carl Kurtz is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from around 11:30:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	70
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-bellied Flycatcher at Croton Unit of Shimek State Forest, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-02-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-throated (i.e. Yellow-bellied) Flycatcher at Croton Unit of Shimek State Forest in Lee County, IA on September 2, 1985.	Cecil, Robert I.	Yellow-bellied Flycatcher	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	Croton Unit of Shimek State Forest, Lee County, Iowa	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Although the yellow was dull, it was unmistakably yellow, in what I felt was obvious contrast to the faint hint of yellow wash of the Acadians in the area. Most of the empidonax sp. I have seen this fall have shown no yellow at all. Also conspicuous about this bird was the yellowish eye ring. Again, this contrasts with the whitish or eggshell color of the eyerings of other empids in the area. The bird remained within the canopy of the thicket, occasionally darting out, then returning. This behavior is different that other empids I have observed, which seem to utilize a more exposed perch.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	65
Rare bird documentation form for Saw-whet Owl near Swan Lake in Johnson County, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-12-16	1978-12-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Saw-whet Owl near Swan Lake in Johnson County, IA on December 16, 1978.	Newlon, Carol S.	Northern Saw-whet Owl	Swan Lake	under bridge on swan lake rd between swan lake + babcock lake rd	The documentation form by Carol S. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas Staudt, Ruth Williams, Mona Brown, and Noel Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: a screech owl would have had ear tufts, a boreal would certainly not have been expected here and would have had black rims around the facial discs. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:15:00/12:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	55
Rare bird documentation form for Burrowing Owl at Coralville Reservoir, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-04-08	1991-04-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Burrowing Owl at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on April 8, 1991.	Fuller, James L	Burrowing Owl	Coralville Lake	Johnson County along Dupont Bridge Road one-quarter mile north of Counry Raod F-28.	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Cal and Bernie Knight. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern screech owl is grey or red streaked, not brown, and has ear tufts. It is not a long legged owl either. Boreal owl is not known in Iowa, does not have long legs, has a much greyer face and relatively larger head. Northern saw whet owl does not have long legs, has vertical breast streaking, and a relatively larger head. Any of these other owls would be very much out of habitat at the location of the sighting in daylight. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:02:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	51
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Owl in North Marshall County, 1984	Field notes	Bird banding Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-11-28	1984-11-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Owl in North Marshall County, IA on November 28 - 29, 1984.	Proescholdt, Beth	Snowy Owl	Marshall County	n. Marshall County	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Garry Brandenburg, Jon Stravers, and Carl Kurtz.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	50
Rare bird documentation form for Least Tern at Willow Slough, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-08-02	1979-08-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Least Tern at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on August 2, 1979.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Least Tern	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, NE Mills Co., Iowa	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: There aren't any other birds this small, white with narrow wings + swooping tern - like flight, I think. Too small for Black Tern + differs from even winter - plumage ones in head pattern, wing pattern, rump + tail color, + behavior. Too small + wrong pattern for Forster's Tern + relatives. Not acting or patterned like a gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from around 11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	44
Rare bird documentation form for Common Tern at Lily Pond at the Amana Colonies, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-05-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Common Terns at Lily Pond at the Amana Colonies in Iowa County, IA on May 30, 1993.	Dankert, David L. Dankert, Jeffrey B.	Common Tern	Lily Pond	Lily Pond, Middle Amana, Iowa County	The documentation form by Dave Dankert and Jeff Dankert is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] They lacked the flashy white upperwing of Forster's. The notch of the tail was not as deep, and the tail was not as long, as that of Forster's.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	42
Rare bird documentation form for Common Tern at Willow Slough, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-05-19	1980-05-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Common Terns at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on May 19, 1980.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Common Tern	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, 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: The more common Forster's Tern has wings all one color or paler on the primaries. One was present at the slough this day. However, young Forsters, I've been told, can have dark primaries. If this is so + they return those feathers in the spring, the possibility of Forster's Tern is not entirely eliminated.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	42
Rare bird documentation form for Common Tern at Willow Slough, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-05-24	1980-05-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for ten Common Terns at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on May 24, 1980.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Common Tern	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, 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: See other documentation \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:20:00/19:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	42
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-02-05	1995-02-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15 in Scott County, IA on February 5, 1995 and February 12, 1995.	Fuller, James L	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Lock and Dam 15	Mississippi River above Lock & Dam #15 (Scott County)	The documentation form by James Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Scheib, Thomas Kent, Dan Dorrance, Barker, Peter C. Petersen, Eloise Armstrong, and Eugene Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: The only other dark mantled gull with yellow legs is the Yellow-footed Gull. That bird has never been seen away from the extreme southwest portion of the country, and it should be much larger. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/09:00:00 on February 5, 1995 and 11:40:00/11:55:00 on February 12, 1995.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Saylorville Reservoir, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-11-10	1990-12-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Black-legged Kittiwakes at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 10, 1990 to December 20, 1990.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Black-legged Kittiwake	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The gull was larger than the Bonaparte's, but slightly smaller than a nearby Ring-billed Gull.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Carter Lake, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-11-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Carter Lake in Pottawattamie County, IA on November 4, 1990.	Bray, Tanya	Black-legged Kittiwake	Carter Lake	Carter Lake, Pottawattamie County, Iowa and Douglas County, Nebraska	The documentation form by Tanya Bray is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include B.J. Rose, Rusty Cortelyou, Alice Rushton, Loren Padelford and Babs Padelford. \| Elimination of similar species: Bonapartes Gull eliminated by black nape mark, black outer primaries and larger size. Sabine's Gull (1st winter) eliminated by lack of scaled appearance on back, black nape mark. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Carter Lake, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-11-04	1990-11-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Carter Lake in Pottawattamie County, IA on November 4, 1990.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Black-legged Kittiwake	Carter Lake	Carter Lake, Iowa and Nebraska	The documentation form by Babs and Loren Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rushton G. Cortelyou, Alice Rushton, Tanya Bray, and B.J. Rose. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was approximately the same size or possibly slightly smaller than Ring-billed Gull. [...] Not as large as the bill of the Ring-billed Gulls. [...] The mantle was a darker gray than the Ring-billed Gulls. It was dark enough to distinguish easily by the darker mantle from the Ring-billed Gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:45:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Red Rock Reservoir, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-30	1988-12-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on November 30, 1988.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Black-legged Kittiwake	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Reservoir tailwater area in Marion Co.	The documentation form by Carl J. Bendorf is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: I put my scope on the bird and saw it was noticeably smaller than the Ring-bills next to it in body bulk. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Lake Manawa, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-10-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on October 24, 1988.	Padelford, Babs	Black-legged Kittiwake	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, Pottawattamie County	The documentation form by Babs Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Alan Grenon, Betty Grenon, Sandy Kovanda, and Jim Kovanda. \| Elimination of similar species: Larger size and black bar on nape of neck separate this species from Sabine's Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/18:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Saylorville Reservoir, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-10-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 25, 1987.	Martsching, Paul	Black-legged Kittiwake	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co, Iowa	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Was much larger than immature Little Gull. Sabine's doesn't have black bar on inner half of wings \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Great Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-01-02	1995-02-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15 in Scott County, IA on January 2, 1995.	Fuller, James L	Great Black-backed Gull	Lock and Dam 15	Mississippi River above Lock & Dam #15 (Scott County)	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: No other first-winter gull has the large size, the large all-black bill, and in particular the black and white checkered pattern of the mantle. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/09:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	38
Rare bird documentation form for Great Black-backed Gull at Mississippi River between Moline, IL and Bettendorf, IA, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-02-01	1992-02-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great Black-backed Gull at Mississippi River between Moline in Rock Island County, IL and Bettendorf in Scott County, IA on February 1, 1992.	Fuller, James L	Great Black-backed Gull	Bettendorf Moline	Mississippi River between Moline, Illinois and Bettendorf, Iowa.	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Charles Fuller, Jane Fuller, Jim Scheib, Randy Pinkston, John Daniel, and Ann Johnson. \| Elimination of similar species: Size alone should eliminate all other dark mantled gulls. In addition, all of the other adult dark grey mantled gulls have a wing tip that is black, and darker than the rest of the upperwing and back, while this bird had a uniformly black upperwing and back. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	38
Rare bird documentation form for Glaucous Gull at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-22	1986-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Glaucous Gull at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 22, 1986.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Glaucous Gull	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	The documentation form by Babs and Loren Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include B.J. Rose and Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Much larger than Ring-billed gulls. Bill was also much larger than the bills of the Ring-billed gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:35:00/14:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	37
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Jester Park, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-12-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Jester Park in Polk County, IA on December 6, 1999.	Brees, Aaron	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Jester Park	Jester Park, Campground 4	The documentation form by Aaron Brees is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull was eliminated by structure, wing pattern, and tail pattern. California Gull was eliminated by bill coloration and tail pattern. Thayers Gull was eliminated by wing pattern, structure, and over all color.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Manhattan Point at West Okoboji Lake, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-11-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Manhattan Point at West Okoboji Lake in Dickinson County, IA on November 21, 1999.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Manhattan Point	West Okoboji Lake, Dickinson Co., 21 Nov 1999	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lee Schoenewe. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was standing on Manhattan Point with several Herring Gulls of various ages and many more Ring-billed Gulls, facing quarter-on towards Lee Schoenewe and I. It was a dark 1st year gull, similar to, but slightly smaller than, other 1st year Herring Gulls present. It had an all black bill that was smaller than the other Herrings. [...] Lee and I waited for about 10 minutes for the bird to turn to the side, showing us blackish wingtips and dark tertials, eliminating the Thayer's Gull possbility we had been considering. The wing tips extended farther beyond the body than on the Herring Gulls. [...] There was no pale 'window' in the inner primaries as in a Herring Gull. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the early afternoon for approximately 10 minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36