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

Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Baird's Sparrow northwest of Ida Grove, 1992	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-04-22	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Baird's Sparrow northwest of Ida Grove in Ida County, IA on April 22, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, two photographs, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Ernzen, Peter	Baird's Sparrow	Ida Grove	Ida County (see map attached)	See attached sheet [...] The first sighting birds flew west across the corn field - see map - [...]	The documentation form by Peter Ernzen forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Don Poggensee was submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: Savannah Sparrow, Henslow's Sparrow, Le Contes Sparrow Savannah Sparrow - Dirty yellow down top of crown Henslows wrong color, Le Contes dirty yellow initially thought this Sparrow (Yellow was first thing noticed) eliminated after further study for more detail on all see attached sheets. [...] Baird's Sparrow was the last of the sparrows in my decision making. I arrived at this conclusion primarily because of the head color/down the middle of the crown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	36
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Baird's Sparrow at Anderson Prairie State Preserve, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-05-13	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Baird's Sparrow at Anderson Prairie State Preserve at Emmet County, IA on May 13, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Harr, Douglas C.	Baird's Sparrow	Anderson Prairie State Preserve	Anderson Prairie State Preserve, Emmet Co., Iowa	General: Open Grassland Specific: Tall-Grass Prairie	The documentation form by Douglas C. Harr is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lee Schoenewe, Bob Moats, Bob Madson, Mrs. Madson, Ellen Heine, Russ Heine, Pearl Osher, Dave Kuel, and three unidentified others. \| Elimination of similar species: Savannah Sparrow - narrower median stripe, more of pale yellow-white. Heavier streaking on breast and down sides. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:42:00/08:48:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	36
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mute Swan at South Clay County, 1985	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-04-08	1994-01-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a a Mute Swan at South Clay County, IA on April 8, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, a page of copied photos, an article in Iowa Bird Life, internal correspondence, summary of review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brewer, Marion M.	Mute Swan	Clay County	5 East of 71 on 374	Large farm pond, rolling hills most of which were in cultavation [sic]	The documentation form by Marion M. Brewer is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Vernon Beirman. \| Elimination of similar species: Was from the mute swan because of the straight neck and the Tundra swan because of the dark base of the bill. The wings were not held high like on the Mute swan. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	11
Records Committee Review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at Pleasant Creek Lake, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-10-31	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee of a Pacific Loon at Pleasant Creek Lake in Linn County on October 31, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Pacific Loon	Pleasant Creek State Park	Pleasant Creek L., Linn Co., IA	deep-water, artificial lake	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Chuck Fuller, Jane Fuller, and Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: I studied the Common Loons seen earlier in the morning. They presented a wide spectrum of face patterns and size. I based the identification of Pacific Loon subjective evaluation of size, bill shape and size, sharp line of separation of black and white on the neck, and chin strap. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Sabine's Gull at Black Hawk Lake, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-10-06	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee for a Sabine's Gull at Black Hawk Lake in Sac County, IA on October 6, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a field report submitted to the committee.	Ernzen, Peter	Sabine's Gull	Black Hawk Lake	[...] Northeast corner of Black Hawk Lake in Sac Co.		The documentation field report by Peter Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted around 10 minutes in the afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 19 in Keokuk, 1986	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-10-20	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 19 in Keokuk in Lee County, IA on October 20, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, summary of the review, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Cecil, Robert I.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Lock Number 19	Behind dam, Lock and Dam 19, Keokuk, Iowa	River rapids	The documentation form by Robert Cecil forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Jim Fuller was submitted. Other observers include Chris Pilliod, Jim Sandrock, Cal Knight, Jane Fuller, Charles Fuller, and James Huntington. \| Elimination of similar species: The only species I could not eliminate on the basis of field marks observed was Yellow-footed, which according to Tom Kent (telephone conversation) is not a known vagrant. More objectively, the Yellow-footed is supposed to be larger than a Herring Gull. As stated above, this bird was about the size of a Herring Gull, or perhaps a little smaller. I don't feel it was larger than a Herring Gull. Seabirds (Harrison) warns of possible confusion with dark race Herring Gull. I have not heard of this race occuring [sic] in Iowa. In any event, the foot coloring was incorrect for Herring Gull, which has pink legs in contrast to this bird's yellow legs. \| The original documentation form event occurred at various times.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Gull at Coralville Reservoir, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-11-28	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on November 28, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co., IA.	Reservoir mostly ice-covered. Gulls around small patch of open water.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Jim Fuller was another observer. \| Elimination of similar species: The size, wing and mantle color and yellow legs exclude other species, except perhaps for the most unlikely Yellow-footed Gull, which should be larger. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Chestnut-collared Longspur at Floyd Township in Woodbury County, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-04-12	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee for a Chestnut-collared Longspur at Floyd Township in Woodbury County, IA on April 12, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Huser, Bill F.	Chestnut-collared Longspur	Floyd Township	220th St & K-42, Woodbury County, IA	flat, open ground with short stubble fields, gravel road, snow	The documentation form by Bill Huser is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: As described above, the white face and tail and extensive black ventrum eliminated Lapland Longspurs, which were present for direct comparison. The yellow chin, black ventrum and chestnut nape eliminated McCown's Longspur. Extensive white tail and black ventrum also eliminated the Smith's Longspur. No sparrows have white retrices to this extent. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	43
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Magnificent Frigatebird at Red Rock Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc Wildlife conservation	1988-10-02	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Record Committee review of a Magnificent Frigatebird at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County on October 2, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article from Iowa Bird Life, an introductory letter from Ann Johnson, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	DeVore, Dawn L.	Magnificent Frigatebird	Lake Red Rock	Behind Visitor Center at Lake Red Rock, Marion Co., IA	Freshwater lake shore	The documentation form by Dawn L. DeVore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: After getting the bird book, I took my knowledge of the birds in the area and my mental picture and went to work. I ruled out the turkey vulture because the bird was too streamlined like a tern. I looked at the terns, soon realizing that there were no almost completely black terns. Thus I turned to the gulls. I knew it had to be a water area type bird because of its body and bill shape. Remembering the bill I quickly ruled out the gulls. Thus I turned to the cormorants but the tail was wrong, the neck was too long and more so the cormorant was out of the picture. Thinking I recalled hearing about a sighting of a rare bird in Iowa, only the night before had I looked at an outline of its body shape. Bingo! That was it! The shapes matched but what was the name? I went through the bird section page by page. Then there it was - the Magnificent Frigatebird. This was it; almost all black, large yet streamlined, "forked" or V shaped "tail", and that unique bill. Then the fact that the bird I saw had no red and two side by side white breast areas confirmed that it was a female Magnificent Frigatebird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:45:00/12:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	15
Record Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk west of Conesville, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-04-29	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Record Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk west of Conesville on edge of Louisa and Muscatine County, IA on April 29, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Ferruginous Hawk	Conesville	1 mi. W. conesville edge of Muscatine and Louise Cos., IA	cultivated fields	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Brian, Corey, and Lewis Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: Rough-legged hawk - underwing would show more dark in the underwing coverts, well defined tail band. Kriders Red-tail - has a very light head. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:45:00/13:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Smith's Longspur north of Red Oak, 1983	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-03-18	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Record Committee review for approximately thirty Smith's Longspurs north of Red Oak in Montgomery County, IA on March 18, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Myers, Robert K.	Smith's Longspur	Red Oak	4 mi. north of Red Oak - Montgomery Co.	last years hay field - on hill top - very rolling country	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Barbara L. WIlson and Tanya Bray were submitted. Other observers include Ross Silcock, Betsy Myers, B.J. Rose, Melba Wigg, Babs Padelford, Jim Kovanda, John Upchurch, Ruth Green, Sandy Kovanda and many unidentified observers from Omaha. \| Elimination of similar species: I really can't think what looks similar to Smith's in adult breeding plumage. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:30:00 on March 18, 1983 and several other times on March 18 and 19, 1983.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	42
Record Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Pleasant Creek Lake, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-04-13	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Record Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Pleasant Creek Lake in Linn County, IA on April 13, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, a photo and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Red-throated Loon	Pleasant Creek State Park	Pleasant Creek Recreation Area (Linn County)		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Chris Edwards were submitted later. Other observers include John Daniel, Ken Lowder, and Dale Fye. \| Elimination of similar species: The other smaller loon, Pacific has darker gray upperparts and minimal white marks on the back, gray surrounding the eye, a straight bill, black eye, a more rounded top of the head, and often displays a chin strap, all features which differ from Red-throated Loon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:37:00/14:54:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-11-30	1994-02-05	Rare birds documentation form	Record Committee review for a Pacific Loon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA, on November 30, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, a request of the reconsideration of sight records, an Iowa Bird Life article, a summary of review, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Pacific Loon	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co. (Cherry Glen Recreation Area)	large reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation forms by Paul Martsching was submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon was eliminated by bill size, more rounded forehead, unspeckled back, and by the neck pattern. Red-throated Loon was eliminated by bill shape, lack of speckling on the back, and three-toned neck pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:43:00/08:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
Record Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-12-06	1994-02-05	Rare birds documentation form	Record Committee review for a Pacific Loon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on December 6, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, a request of the reconsideration of sight records, and a documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Moore, Francis L.	Pacific Loon	Saylorville Lake	Near Rock rip-rap off shore from Cherry Glen, Saylorville Res., Polk Co. Open water near cove.	Open water near cove	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-throated and Common Loon does not have tri-toned neck pattern as this bird had. Red-throated also has slightly upturned bill, this bird did not. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/12:05:00	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
Cedar Rapids Christmas bird count	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Identification Rare birds	1980-12-20	1981-01-04	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare or unusual species details from the Cedar Rapids Christmas bird count. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of winter 1980-1981.		Field Sparrow White-winged Crossbill Ringed Turtle-Dove Marsh Wren	Cedar Rapids Marion				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	19	6
Birds: verifying documentation of an extraordinary sight record for White-winged Scoter, October 1978	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Identification Rare birds Water birds	1978-10-24	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird sighting documentation submitted by Joseph P. Schaufenbuel, October 24, 1978. Consists of a detailed description of a October 24 sighting of a White-winged Scoter at Nashua. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of fall 1978.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	White-winged Scoter	Nashua				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	18	7
A documentation of rare species, and Iowa Ornithologists Union fall field notes, 1978	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Nests Rare birds	1978-12-03	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird sighting documentation for a Black Legged Kittiwake and field report titled "Iowa Ornithologists Union fall report", submitted by Tom Stone Jr., December 3, 1978. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of fall 1978.	Stone, Tom, Jr.	Swainson's Hawk Cooper's Hawk Varied Thrush Black-legged Kittiwake Northern Saw-whet Owl Worm-eating Warbler	George Wyth Memorial State Park Hartman Reserve Nature Center Waterloo				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	18	7
Rare bird sighting for American White Pelican at Glenwood Lake in 1991	Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watchers Bird watching Birds--Identification Rare birds	1991-06-01	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird sighting by Douglas Rose for two hundred or more American White Pelicans at Glenwood Lake in Mills County, IA on June 1, 1991. Document includes additional species sighting information.	Rose, Douglas L.	American White Pelican Cattle Egret Common Nighthawk Tree Swallow Chipping Sparrow Northern Shoveler	Fremont County Glenwood Glenwood Lake Park Mineola				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	16
Virginia Crocker letter to Gladys Black regarding the sighting of a Varied Thrush at Storm Lake, November 21, 1981	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Rare birds	1981-11-20	1981-11-21	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation letter for a Varied Thrush at Storm Lake in Buena Vista County, IA on November 20, 1981.	Crocker, Virginia R.	Varied Thrush	Storm Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	11
Rare bird documentation form for Varied Thrush at Lime Creek Township in Washington County in 1984	Field notes	Bird feeders Bird watching Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Rare birds	1984-01-10	1984-01-20	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Varied Thrush at Lime Creek Township in Washington County, IA on January 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18, 1984.	Henderson, Barbara	Varied Thrush	Lime Creek Township				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	11
Rare bird documentation form for Scissor-tailed Flycatcher northeast of East Amana, 1981	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-04-26	1981-05-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher northeast of East Amana in Iowa County, IA on April 26, 1981.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Scissor-tailed Flycatcher	East Amana	2miles [sic] NE of East Amana, IA. Iowa County	Along dry sandy road in open rolling pastureland with scattered small to large trees. Across road was large open grassy field.	The documentation form by Carl J. Bendorf is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lanny Haldy, Randy Graesser, Tom Kent, Tom Shires, and Rick Hollis. \| Elimination of similar species: Western Kingbird- would not have scarlet wing linings and distinct scissor type tail. This was an immature bird as an adult scissor-tail would have a tail twice as long as the body. There might also be more indication of red on the shoulder beside the folded wing. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	73
Rare bird documentation form for Hermit Thrush at Spring Park, 1995	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Identification Rare birds	1995-12-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hermit Thrush at Osage Spring Park in Mitchell County, IA on December 16, 1995.	Goranson, Rita	Hermit Thrush	Osage Spring Park	Spring Park	natural spring - wooded area	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Al Goranson. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 13:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	9
R. Craig Hensley field report, summer 1984, orally at Lawrence, KS, August 9, 1984	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Nests	1984-08-09	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	R. Craig Hensley field report, summer 1984, noted it was provided orally at Lawrence, KS, August 9, 1984. A Mute Swan was observed at Lake Anita State Park and a Burrowing Owl north of Elk Horn. Cedar Waxwing and Orchard Oriole nests were observed, and nest card for a Long-eared Owl was turned in. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of summer 1984.	Hensley, R. Craig	Cedar Waxwing Mute Swan Orchard Oriole Long-eared Owl Burrowing Owl	Elk Horn Lake Anita State Park				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	21	4
Iowa Ornithologists' Union, Quarterly field report, winter 1976-1977	Correspondence Field notes	Bird populations Bird watching Birds--Research Winter	1976-12-01	1977-02-28	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Quarterly field report for winter 1976-1977 titled "Field reports". It is published in Iowa Bird Life March 1977. The report is an annotated draft. Supporting documentation includes a Nicholas S. Halmi letter to Vernon M. Kleen regarding an update on sightings from Gladys Black, March 7, 1977. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of winter 1976-1977.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Halmi, Nicholas S.	Snowy Owl Gray Jay	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	19
Iowa Ornithologists' Union, Quarterly field report, winter 1966-1967	Field notes	Bird populations Bird watching Birds--Research Winter	1966-12-01	1967-02-28	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Quarterly field report for Winter 1966-1967 titled "Field reports". It is published in Iowa Bird Life 37:20-22, 1967. The report is a draft with numerous manual annotations. Supporting documentation includes Audubon field notes for winter 1966-1967.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Brown, Woodward H.		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	6