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 Lark Bunting east of Sweet Marsh, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-13	1981-05-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lark Bunting east of Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on May 13, 1981.	Myers, Robert K.	Lark Bunting	Sweet Marsh	1 mile east of Sweet Marsh	General: gravel road on east edge of Sweet Marsh Specific: roadside ditch area	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: Bobolink has white back + rump + gold back of neck + not as much white on wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	54
Rare bird documentation form for Sandhill Crane north of Amana, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-02-10	1987-02-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sandhill Crane north of Amana in Iowa County, IA on February 10, 1987.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Sandhill Crane	Amana	1 Mile N. of Amana	Large corn stubble field in open country	The documentation form by Carl J. Bendorf is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lanny Haldy and A. Lockridge. \| Elimination of similar species: Whooping Crane eliminate [sic] by gray overall color and lack of noticeable black in wings. Great Blue Heron elimiated [sic] by red patch on forehead and bustle-like tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lark Sparrow north of Newell, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-12-20	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lark Sparrow north of Newell in Buena Vista County, IA on December 20, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, field notes, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Ed	Lark Sparrow	Newell	1 mile N. of Newell along black top road	Roadside - open fields - only cover in ditch	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Linda Thelen and the Thelen children. \| Elimination of similar species: unmistakable - clear breast, dark spot - white tipped tail - strong facial pattern \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:00:00/15:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	32
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle near Silver Creek in Cherokee County, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-10-03	1985-10-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle near Silver Creek, 1 mile north & 1 mile West of the intersection of highways 59 and 31 in Cherokee County, IA on October 3, 1985.	Brewer, Marion M.	Golden Eagle	Silver Creek	1 mile north & 1 mile West of hwy. 59 & 31	Rolling hills pasture, with some pine trees.	The documentation form by Marion M. Brewer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Vernon Bierman. \| Elimination of similar species: Bald eagle, white wing patches. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:25:00	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Lakin's Slough, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-23	1981-12-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Lakin's Slough at Guthrie County, IA on December 23, 1981.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Northern Goshawk	Lakin Slough State Game Management Area	1 mile north + 1/2 mile east of the north end of Lakin's Slough	Marsh	The documentation form by Raymond L. Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dennis Henrickson. \| Elimination of similar species: The eyebrow strip and grayish white under sided eliminates other accipiters. Behavior - lack of white rump patch - heavy body eliminate male Harrier. Short none pointed wing and lack of facial mark eliminate Peregrine Falcon + gray phase Gyrfalcon properly did not claim a positive ID. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle north of Cherokee, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-10-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle one mile north of Cherokee in Cherokee County, IA on October 28, 1989.	Bierman, Dick	Golden Eagle	Cherokee	1 mile north of Cherokee, Cherokee County	Little Sioux River Valley. Hilly, woods, pastures	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Quinn. \| Elimination of similar species: Bald Eagle - an immature bald eagle has some white feathers on the body & wings. This bird was all dark except for the above mentioned places. Dark Phase Rough Leg: This bird was much larger and chunkier. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:45:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Osprey at Ingham Lake, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-03-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Osprey at Ingham Lake in Emmet County, IA on March 25, 1984.	White, Harold W.	Osprey	Ingham Lake	1 mile North of Ingham Lake, Emmet County	Open farmland north of Ingham Lake	The documentation form by Harold White is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joan Greene and Brad Bergeson. \| Elimination of similar species: Immature bald eagle would be larger without crock in wings, white wing lining would not be as large an area. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	19
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
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Swainson's Hawk at Stone Park, 1991	Administrative reports Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-12-14	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Swainson's Hawk at Stone Park in Plymouth County, IA on December 14, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Williams, Randall D.	Swainson's Hawk	Stone State Park	1 mile north of west entrance to Stone State Park on highway 12	hovering above loess bluff; overlooking Big Sioux River Floodplain	The documentation form by Randall D. Williams is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mike Franken. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-tailed Hawk: wings held flat when soaring; presence of red tail patagial patches present, no bib. Rough-legged Hawk: dark belly-band or girdle. carpal wing patches present. Dark band on trailing edge of wing (immature). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	32
Rare bird documentation form for Scissor-tailed Flycatcher north and east of Superior, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-10-16	1995-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher north and east of Superior in Dickinson County, IA on October 16, 1995.	Thelen, Ed	Scissor-tailed Flycatcher	Superior	1 mile north, 1 mile East, 1.5 miles North of Superior in Dickinson County	Gravel Roadside - on telephone wire between glacial knob and wetland	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Benedict and Dan Lempianen. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	73
Rare bird documentation form for White-faced Ibis at Churdan, 1978	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-04-21	1978-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four White-faced Ibises at Churdan in Greene County, IA on April 21, 1978.	Dinsmore, James J.	White-faced Ibis	Churdan	1 mile North, 2 1/4 miles East of Churdan, Iowa	Creek pasture, non-timbered, no trees for 1/4 mile, creek bayou (old bed); some vegetation along edges	The documentation form by James Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Stephen Dinsmore and Dan Towers. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Blue Heron; this Great Blue Heron is the only other bird I've ever seen around here that even comes close to resemblance, and it's not even close. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	24
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ibis species at Churdan, 1978	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-04-21	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of an Ibis (species unknown) at Churdan in Greene County, IA on April 21, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Towan, Dan	Glossy Ibises	Churdan	1 mile North, 2 1/4 miles past of Churdan, Iowa	creek pasture, non-timbered, no trees for 1/4 mile. Creek bayou (old bed), some vegetation [... illegible]	The documentation form by Dan Towan is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Blue Heron ; the Great Blue Heron is the only [... illegible] it's not even close. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	21
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Ames, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Ames in Story County, IA on November 9, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Northern Goshawk	Ames	1 mile s. of Ames, Story Co.	flew across road and landed in a tree	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The large size (larger than a crow which landed nearby), gray underparts, and white eyebrow eliminates Cooper's and Sharp-shinned hawks. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:18:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Piping Plover south of Alden, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-05-03	1989-05-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Piping Plover south of Alden in Hardin County, IA on May 3, 1989.	Bierman, Dick	Piping Plover	Alden	1 mile south of Alden in Hardin Co.	sewage lagoon	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jeff Brown and Jerry Fifield. \| Elimination of similar species: Semipalmated Plove [sic] is too dark. Snowy Plover doesn't have a chest band. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:10:00/19:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lark Sparrow south of Riverton, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-01-04	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lark Sparrow south of Riverton in Fremont County, IA on January 4, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Harms, Jacqueline M.	Lark Sparrow	Riverton	1 mile south of Riverton, IA	deciduous edge woods adjacent to corn field	The documentation form by Jacqueline M. Harms is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jarrett Harms, Joe Worthington, Marla Worthington, Larry Falk, and Derry Wolford. \| Elimination of similar species: Vesper Sparrow - no face pattern Juncos - wrong color Amer. tree Sparrow - no white outer tail feathers \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	32
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
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Prairie Falcon southwest of Calumet, 1985	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-03-08	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Prairie Falcon southwest of Calumet in O'Brien County, IA on March 8, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Bierman, Dick	Prairie Falcon	Calumet	1 mile southwest of Calumet in O'Brien County	open, agricultural land	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine Falcon - Band on head not wide enough. Merlin, this bird was bigger. I guessed about a 30" wingspan. An immature Peregrine's back is much darker. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	6
Rare bird documentation form for Bohemian Waxwing at Iowa City, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-11-11	1984-11-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bohemian Waxwing at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on November 11, 1984.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Bohemian Waxwing	Iowa City	1 mile w. of #218 on county F20 County: Johnson	Along roadside lined with medium trees and a hillside with lots of bushes and shrubs. Many Cedar Waxwings feeding in same area.	The documentation form by Carl J. Bendorf is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas Kent, Thomas Staudt, and Richard Hollis. \| Elimination of similar species: The size, wing markings, chestnut undertail, and call note were considered in direct comparison to nearby Cedar Waxwings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:35:00/10:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	16
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at St. Johns Township in Harrison County, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-10-10	1981-10-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at St. Johns Township in Harrison County, IA on October 10, 1981.	Robinson, John C., 1959-	Prairie Falcon	Township of Saint John	1 mile west of Missouri Valley, Iowa; Harrison Co., St. Johns Twsp., Sect. 17.	Open agricultural land; few trees; Winter wheat field (growth of winter what less than 4 inches tall).	The documentation form by John C. Robinson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joe Schaufenbuel. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine Falcon: this species lacks black axillars and white superciliary stripe; moustache is thicker on this species. Merlin: this species is much smaller and lacks moustache and black facial pattern. Gyrfalcon: this species is larger and lacks superciliary stripe and black axillars. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:50:00/16:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Common Barn Owl west of Red Rock Reservoir, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-05	1984-05-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Common Barn Owl west of Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on May 5, 1984.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Barn Owl	Lake Red Rock	1 mile west of Red Rock Reservoir, Marion County, Ia.	a grove of deciduous trees with some old buildings adjacent to the floodwaters of the RR Reservoir.	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mike Nolan, Mark Dixon, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and Hank Zalatel. \| Elimination of similar species: Separated from other hawks and owls by the cinnamon-colored back contrasting with pure white underparts and a heart shaped white face with dark borders. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:45:00/15:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	48
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Shrike west of Spirit Lake, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-11-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Shrike west of Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on November 29, 1978.	Bierman, Dick	Northern Shrike	Spirit Lake	1 mile west of Spirit Lake	Open country 100 yds from farm grove	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Mockingbird, Gray Jay. I am very familiar with both of these. Loggerheaded Shrike. This bird was much lighter, on the back than Loggrehead [sic]. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	75
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-rumped Warbler northwest of Cherokee, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-01-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-rumped Warbler northwest of Cherokee in Cherokee County, IA on January 28, 1983.	Brewer, Marion M.	Yellow-rumped Warbler	Cherokee	1 W 3 N of Cherokee	Hilly pasture - Heavy forested with pine with 10% hardwoods	The documentation form by Marion Brewer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Kinglets, \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:15:00/15:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	26
Rare bird documentation form for Rough-legged Hawk east of Mount Vernon, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-11	1982-06-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Rough-legged Hawk east of Mount Vernon in Linn County, IA on May 11, 1982.	Sandrock, James P., 1929-	Rough-legged Hawk	Mount Vernon	1-2 miles east of Mt. Vernon, IA (Linn County) on Highway 30.	N/A	The documentation form by James P. Sandrock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Huntington. \| Elimination of similar species: Did not have the red tail of Red-tailed Hawk; a Northern Harrier would be slimmer with longer, narrower tail and wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:32:00/15:35:00 estimated.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	30
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Chestnut-collared Longspur north of Hendrickson Marsh, 1985	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-03-20	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Chestnut-collared Longspurs north of Hendrickson Marsh in Story County, IA on March 20, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Chestnut-collared Longspur	Hendrickson Marsh Wildlife Management Area	1.5 miles north of Hendrickson Marsh, Story Co.	low area in a soybean stubble field	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Gordon Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: Distinguished from Smith's and McCown's Longspurs by reddish neck band and extensive black on belly. Distinguished from Lapland Longspur by extensive black on belly, black earmark contrasting with white cheek, yellow on throat and lack of streaking on sides. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:15:00/17:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	43