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 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 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 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 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
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Ross's Gull at Lake Manawa, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-27	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Ross's Gull at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on December 27, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Ross's Gull	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, Pottawattamie County, Iowa	The documentation form by Babs and Loren Padelford forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Ross Silcock, Duane E. Bright, Stephen J. Dinsmore, and Jerry Probst and Bill Huser were submitted. Other observers include Gordon Brown, Sandra Kovanda, Jim Kovanda, R. Craig Hensley, and other unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Since it was the only gull on the lake, the only birds to compare it with were Ruddy Ducks which appeared smaller and a drake Common Merganser which was larger than the gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/11:00:00 and 15:15:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	11
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 Ibis species at Tomahawk Marsh, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-10-12	1994-10-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Ibis species at Tomahawk Marsh in Sac County, IA on October 12, 1994.	Fuller, James L	Glossy Ibises	Tomahawk Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Tomahawk Marsh (Sac County)	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Peter Ernzen. \| Elimination of similar species: Shorebird possibilities with long decurved bills are Whimbrel, which is generally much smaller with a relatively longer and thinner bill. Long-billed Curlew also has a much longer and thinner bill, and is generally lighter in color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/08:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	24
Rare bird documentation form for Glossy Ibis at Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-06-11	1984-07-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Glossy Ibises at Louisa National Wildlife Refuge in Louisa County, IA on June 11, 1984.	Hovell, Leroy E. Stanley, A. Wayne	Glossy Ibis	Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge - Louisa Division	northeast corner of Moist Soil Unit number one, Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, Louisa County, Iowa	The documentation form by Wayne Stanley & Leroy Hovell is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Chuck H. Bartenhagen, Philip R. Earnest, Sarah M. Cross, Ramona R. Haight, Ginger A. Malcolm, Chris Weyrick, and Bill Knapp. \| Elimination of similar species: All characteristics matched Glossy Ibis including the blue skin at the base of the curved bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	24
Rare bird documentation form for Ibis species at Otter Creek Marsh, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-04-30	1992-05-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Ibis species at Otter Creek Marsh in Tama County, IA on April 30, 1992.	Fuller, James L	Glossy Ibises	Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge	South of south dike at Otter Creek Marsh, Tama County	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No other large marsh bird has such a thick downcurved bill and a reddish-brown color. Long-billed Curlew has a long downcurved bill, but the bill is quite thin, and its coloration is generally brown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	24
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 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 American White Pelican at Bettendorf, 1997	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-21	1998-01-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a American White Pelican at Bettendorf in Scott County, IA on December 21, 1997.	McKay, Kelly	American White Pelican	Bettendorf	Bettendorf, IA. shoreline of Missisippi River, Scott County	The documentation form by Kelly J. McKay is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Kingman, Chris Kingman, Keith Blunt, Donna Blair, and Mary Foulk. \| Elimination of similar species: All swans - dark torsi and they all lack the lark dark punched bill and black primaries and secondaries. Snow Goose - much smaller and lacks the large pale punched bill and black secondaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:45:00/12:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	16
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Pleasant Creek Lake State Park, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-04-01	1991-05-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Pleasant Creek Lake State Park in Linn County, IA on April 1, 1991.	Fuller, James L	Red-necked Grebe	Pleasant Creek State Park	Pleasant Creek Lake State Park, Linn County	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Keith Carris. \| Elimination of similar species: The red neck and white face patch eliminate any of the other larger or smaller grebes. The ruddy duck has a white face patch (of different shape) but has a much rounder head and very different shaped ducklike bill, and is smaller in general size. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:43:00/18:22:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge, 1990	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-08-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge in Kossuth County, IA on August 28, 1990.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Red-necked Grebe	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge	Union Slough Nat. Wild. Refuge middle of the largest pool	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Not highly contrasted black & white like Western. Smaller bird with thicker neck. Head wasn't pointed or peaked like Western. Bigger than Pied-billed with longer neck, different beak. Shorter-bodied than loon, longer necked, different facial markings. Bigger bird than Horned Grebe. longer lighter color bill (later, after looking at field guide). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/07:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Lake Manawa, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-04-14	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on April 14, 1988.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Red-necked Grebe	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, Pottawattamie County, Iowa	The documentation form by Barb Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark Hartman, Joe Cassidy, Mary Johnson, Don McDonnel, Babs Padelford, and Bruce Wetteroth. \| Elimination of similar species: Good size grebe, much larger than neon(?) by Pied-billed. Swimming, the body was a little shorter than that of a Common Merganser. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/08:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13