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 Greater Prairie Chicken south of Pisgah, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-02-07	1979-03-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Greater Prairie Chicken south of Pisgah in Harrison County, IA on February 7, 1979.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Greater Prairie-Chicken	Pisgah	Three miles south of Pisgah, Harrison County, Iowa.		The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Darwin Koenig. \| Elimination of similar species: The close reative [sic] the Lesser Prairie Chicken is smaller, paler and lacks distinct markings. It is also rare, and has never occurred in Iowa. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:20:00/15:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	38
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Guttenberg in 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-03-23	1979-03-24	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for ten or more Greater Scaups at Guttenberg in Clayton County, IA on March 23, 1979.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Greater Scaup	Guttenberg				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation for Black Scoter at Cone Marsh, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-03-31	1979-04-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for a Black Scoter at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on March 31, 1979.	Newlon, Michael C.	Black Scoter	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh, Louisa Co, IA	large area of ponds, flooded fields + timber, bottomland. pond bordered by woods + flooded fields	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include CS Newlon, Tom Kent, Noel Brown, and Mona Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: Female Bufflehead has much smaller white patch on face. Other female scoters, harlequin duck have more than 1 patch + patches are smaller. Female Ruddy duck is smaller + white does not extend onto throat or neck, also differs in properties (stockier, with heavier head + neck for size). Male hooded merganser has white sides, chest, side stripes, more slender bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:15:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Conesville Marsh, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-03-31	1979-04-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at Conesville Marsh in Louisa County, IA on March 31, 1979.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Black Scoter	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Conesville Marsh, Louisa County Iowa	marshy lake west arm of conesville marsh	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Noel Brown, Mona Brown, and Mike Newlon. \| Elimination of similar species: White-winged Scoter - no white in wing, wrong face pattern. Surf Scoter - wrong head shape and face pattern. Ruddy duck - much larger, wrong shape, short tail, all dark body. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:45:00/15:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
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 Surf Scoter at Polk County, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-05-05	1979-05-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter in Polk County, IA on May 5, 1979.	Mooney, Richard D., 1905-1997	Surf Scoter	Polk County	Farm pond SE corner of SW. 62nd Ave. and Orilla Rd. in Polk County.	Medium sized farm pond with a few other ducks on pond - not close to farm house and no domestic fowl on pond.	The documentation form by Dick Mooney is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Woodward H. Brown, Mary Brown, and Stuart Burns. \| Elimination of similar species: White-winged Scoter eliminated by lack of white wing patches. Common Scoter eliminated by two white cheek spots. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Summer Tanager at Ames, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-05-02	1979-05-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Summer Tanager at Ames in Story County, IA on May 2, 1979.	Braband, Lynn	Summer Tanager	Ames	Ames, Iowa Wooded park near stream	General: Woodland (open) Specific: Large trees, no understory, short grass	The documentation form by Lynn Braband is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pat McCrow and 5 or 6 undergraduate ornithology students. \| Elimination of similar species: Cardinal - no crest nor black face Scarlet Tanager - no black wings nor tail \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	44
Rare bird documentation form for Red-shouldered Hawk at Union Slough Refuge, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-04-30	1979-05-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-shouldered Hawk at Union Slough Refuge in Kossuth County, IA on April 30, 1979.	Klaas, Erwin E	Red-shouldered Hawk	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge	South end of Union Slough Refuge about 1/8 m. W of Deer Meadow Picnic Area	Refuge is large marshy wetland area surrounded by intensive farming area. South end of refuge has extensive wooded area along Buffalo Creek. Trees mostly box elder, Maple and Cottonwood.	The documentation form by Erwin E. Klaas is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Kline and Glenn Welp. \| Elimination of similar species: Diagnostic characteristics were seen up close with binoculars. Definitely not a red-tail or broad-wing. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	26
Rare bird documentation form for Summer Tanager at Brookside Park in Ames, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-05-03	1979-05-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Summer Tanager at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on May 3, 1979.	McCrow, Vernon Pat	Summer Tanager	Brookside Park	Brookside Park, Ames, Iowa. (N.W. 1/4, Sec. 3, T83N, R24W, Story Co., Iowa)	General: Riparian hardwoods Specific: Mixed hardwoods with brushy understory in the Squaw Creek floodplain.	The documentation form by Vernon Pat McCrow is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ted LaGrange, Warren Case, Donna Chickering, and Lynn Braband. \| Elimination of similar species: Scarlet Tanager: This bird did not have black wings or tail. Hepatic Tanager: This bird did not have a dark bill or dark cheek. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 07:30:00/07:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	44
Rare bird documentation form for Worm-eating Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1979-05-10	1979-05-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Worm-eating Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park in Muscatine County, IA on May 10, 1979.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Worm-eating Warbler	Wildcat Den State Park	Wildcat Den State Park	General: Deep wooded ravine Specific: main ravine leading to 'Den' at Wildcat Den State Park	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas K. Shires and Peter C. Petersen. \| Elimination of similar species: Other warblers \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:45:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	36
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Sweet Marsh, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-05-26	1979-05-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on May 26, 1979.	Myers, Robert K.	Yellow Rail	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh		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: We have similarly flushed many soras this spring and at first glance the very buffy (yellowish) undersides made me think of a immature sora. However, this rail was smaller than a sora and had a very dark (almost black) back. Along the trailing edge of each wing out from the body about 2" and about 1/2" wide (maybe wider) was a white bar. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Sweet Marsh in 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-04-22	1979-05-28	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on April 22, 1979.	Myers, Robert K.	Merlin	Sweet Marsh				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Field notes for Pileated Woodpecker at Willow Slough, Spring 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-03-01	1979-05-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Field notes submitted as a fide report by Barb Wilson to the Iowa Ornithologists' Union for Spring 1979. It discusses a Pileated Woodpecker sighting by Ed Greenwood at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Pileated Woodpecker	Willow Slough State Game Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	62
Field notes contributed by James J. Dinsmore, spring 1979	Field notes Reports	Bird watching Icteridae \| Blackbirds, Orioles, Meadowlarks, and allies Tyrannidae \| Flycatchers Laridae \| Gulls and Terns Accipitridae \| Hawks and Eagles Ciconiiformes \| Herons, Bitterns, Egrets, Ibises, and Storks Ornithology--Study and teaching Charadriiformes \| Shore-birds, Gulls, and Auks Fringillidae \| Finches Hirundinidae \| Swallows Parulidae \| Warblers Water birds	1979-03-01	1979-05-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Spring report of birds contributed by James J. Dinsmore. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of spring 1979.	Dinsmore, James J.	Red-shouldered Hawk American Kestrel Marbled Godwit Double-crested Cormorant Eared Grebe Summer Tanager Loggerhead Shrike Yellow-billed Cuckoo Common Moorhen American White Pelican Willet Hudsonian Godwit Long-eared Owl Golden-crowned Kinglet Common Tern	Little Wall Lake Ames Boone Hendrickson Marsh Lake Ledges State Park Saylorville Lake Story County Boone County Harmon Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	18	9
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Cedar Hills Sand Prairie, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-04-29	1979-06-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Cedar Hills Sand Prairie in Black Hawk County, IA on April 29, 1979.	Stone, Tom, Jr. Stone, Tom	Yellow Rail	Cedar Hills Sand Prairie	Mark sandprairie near Cedar Falls	20 by 50 ft. marsh with alot of marshy grasses and broken down old cattails.	The documentation form by Tom Stone, Jr. and Tom Stone is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: no other rail has a white bar along the edge of the wing. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 13:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Western Grebe at Ruthven, 1979	Field notes Forms (documents)	Ornithology Rare birds	1979-06-15	1979-06-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for a Western Grebe at Ruthven at Palo Alto County, IA on June 15, 1979.	Dinsmore, James J.	Western Grebe	Mud Lake	Mud Lake, 4 mi. N of Ruthven, Iowa	fresh water lake in open water	The documentation form by James Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve and Mark Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon. This bird was no big enough, neck was too long and bill too thin for winter plumage loon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	15
Rare bird documentation memo for Blackheaded Grosbeak and Rose-breasted Grosbeak hybrid at Ingham Township in Franklin County, 1979	Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-07-10	1979-07-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation memo for a Blackheaded Grosbeak and Rose-breasted Grosbeak hybrid at Ingham Township in Franklin County, IA on July 10, 1979.	Priebe, Carl	Cardinal-Grosbeaks	Ingham Township	The bird was sighted in the NW 1/4 Sec. 12 T-92N R-19W in Franklin County.	[...] The bird was sighting in a timbered area of approximately 20 acres on a hill overlooking the West Fork of the Cedar River.	The documentation form by Carl Priebe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Curt Nelson, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The bird was definately [sic] a grosbeak as it had the thick, heavy bill. [...] What makes me think it is a hybrid is that the orange-yellow of ghe [sic] breast was only in the upper part, identical to the rose bib of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	69
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-crowned Night Heron at Willow Slough, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-07-23	1979-07-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-crowned Night Heron at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on July 23, 1979.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Yellow-Crowned Night Heron	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, NE Mills County, Iowa	Twice I flushed the bird from the edge of the cattail patches. Flew away from me with slow, dignified wing beats.	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Bitterns have black, not gray flight feathers in wings. Immature Black-crowned Night heron has larger spots, a more streaked appearance. Note: both night herons were present at the slough last year. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	23
Rare bird documentation form for a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher south of Ames, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-07-30	1979-07-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher south of Ames in Story County, IA on July 30, 1979.	Dinsmore, James J.	Scissor-tailed Flycatcher	Ames	2 miles south of Ames on State Avenue	on wire across road, adjacent to farmyard, rest open farmland with a good hedgerow along one side of raod [sic]	The documentation form by James Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include David Graham and Mark Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Fork-tailed Flycatcher-the bird seen had no evidence of black crown as in Fork-tailed bird leaned over so I could see top of head \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	73
Rare bird documentation form for Bald Eagle at Hawkeye Wildlife Area, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-08-04	1979-08-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bald Eagle at Hawkeye Wildlife Area near Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on August 4, 1979.	Shires, Thomas K.	Bald Eagle	Coralville Lake Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area	Coralville Reservoir (Hawkeye Wildlife Area)	Large flooded area (reservoir) filled with dead trees	The documentation form by Thomas K. Shires is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent and Nicholas Halmi. \| Elimination of similar species: Habitat, absence of strong white patch at base of upper primaries make it unlikely for it to be a Golden Eagle. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:30:00/06:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	21
Rare bird documentation form for Western Kingbird near Croton, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-06-09	1979-08-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Kingbird near Croton in Lee County, IA on June 9, 1979.	Newlon, Michael C.	Western Kingbird	Croton	nr Croton, IA; Lee Co.	General: wire fence at edge of pasture. Specific: area of mixed woods, pasture, cropland	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas Kent and James Huntington. \| Elimination of similar species: white outer tail feathers and lack of notch in tail eliminate other yellow-breasted kingbirds; heavy build and lack of rufous in tail eliminate myarchius flycatchers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from circa 09:30:00/09:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	72
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 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 Little Blue Heron at Willow Slough, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-08-01	1979-08-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Little Blue Heron at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on August 1, 1979 and several other dates.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Little Blue Heron	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, NE Mills County, Iowa	Shallow lake + marsh that is Willow Slough	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: This heron resembles every other White Heron or egret. Albino Heron: this is what I thought it was at first, but it turned out to have color in bill & legs. "Great White Heron" can be eliminated by size and range. Snowy Egret: has black legs and bill. Great Egret: has yellow bill w/out black tip, & dark legs. Cattle Egret: has yellow to orange bill without black tip, has yellow to dark (not green legs) & is sociable, & wouldn't spend over a week in a marsh. Reddish egret: has a similar bill, but with base flesh-colored rather than gray. Has bluish, not green, legs, has a shaggy neck, and is unlikely to be found in Iowa. The white primaries eliminate other white large birds. The only thing left is immature Little Blue Heron.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	20
Rare bird documentation form for Common Loon at Cardinal Marsh, 1979	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-06-23	1979-08-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Common Loon at Cardinal Marsh in Winneshiek County, IA on June 23, 1979.	Koenig, Darwin	Common Loon	Cardinal Marsh State Wildlife Area	Cardinal Marsh, Winneshiek County, Iowa	Flat to gently rolling farmland with wooded stream valley. 200 acre marsh; good interspersion of cattails and open water.	The documentation form by Darwin Koenig is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-billed Loon: bill was black not yellow. Other loons: observed bird was larger, big straight bill, green head and checkered back. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:10:00/12:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	10