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 Mute Swan at Northwestern States Portland Cement Co. (Lehigh Cement Co. now) in Mason City, 1988	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-12-17	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for Mute Swan at Northwestern State Portland Cement Co. (Lehigh Cement Co. now) in Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on December 17, 1988.	Walter, Janice L.	Mute Swan	Mason City	Northwestern States Portland Cement Co., Mason City, Ia.	Open water pond on cement plant grounds	The documentation form by Jan L. Walter is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Walter, Curt Nelson, and plant workers. \| Elimination of similar species: Size, color, and shape eliminate all but Tundra and Trumpeter Swans. Neck curve and bill coloration eliminate them. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:25:00/13:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	29
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Mason City, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-04-26	1997-06-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on April 26, 1997.	Fischer, Carolyn J.	Pine Warbler	Mason City	yard, Mason City Cerro Gordo Co.	Trees, open area along creek -	The documentation form by Carolyn Fischer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: thought possible a yellow-throated vireo, but didn't have a hooked bill - had a line through eye - Didn't have a gray rump - \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/10:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Grammer Grove County Park, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-09-29	1996-11-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Grammer Grove County Park in Marshall County, IA on September 29, 1996.	Proescholdt, Mark	Pine Warbler	Grammer Grove County Wildlife Area	Grammer Grove Co. Park - (Marshall Co.)	Woods and open areas	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No other warbler quite like this one. Yellow-throated Viewo is larger and has yellow spectacles which this warbler did not. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the morning.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Liscomb, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-09-28	1996-11-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Liscomb in Marshall County, IA on September 28, 1996.	Proescholdt, Mark	Pine Warbler	Liscomb	Liscomb yard - (Marshall County)	in a nice large locust tree	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Magnolia Warbler doesn't quite look like this warbler. Yellow-throated Vireo is larger and has a different look and has yellow spectacles which this warbler did not. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:50:00/07:50:40.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Pine Lake State Park, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1996-05-11	1996-05-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for one to three Pine Warblers at Pine Lake State Park in Hardin County, IA on May 11, 1996.	Proescholdt, Mark	Pine Warbler	Pine Lake State Park	Pine Lake S.P. - (Hardin County)	Wooded area with some big white pines around and other pines, too	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt and Russ Widner. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-throated Vireo has yellow spectacles, a gray rump, and an entirely different song. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-04-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area in Johnson County, IA on April 24, 1994.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Pine Warbler	Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area	DuPont bridge road, Johnson County, Iowa		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Observed with Yellow-rumped and Palm Warblers. Really there was nothing else it could be. I considered an immature Palm Warbler but by late April the diagnostic marks should be apparent. The lack of a superciliary line and brownish cap, coupled with feeding behavior higher in the canopy and lack of tail-wagging, rule out Palm Warbler. Extensive white in the outer rectrix supports Pine Warbler.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Wilson's Phalarope at Coralville Reservoir, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-10-17	1997-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Wilson's Phalarope at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on October 17, 1997.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Wilson's Phalarope	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir (Greencastle Ave.), Johnson Co., IA	old backwater now without trees, narrow mud flats	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rita Goranson, Al Goranson, Jim Fuller, and John Rutenbeck. \| Elimination of similar species: At first I thought the bird was a Wilson's, but the date seemed odd. However, the size, lack of back streaks, lack of dark auricular patch, and long thin bill eliminate Red-necked and Red phalaropes, both of which would be more likely at this date. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/15:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	29
Rare bird documentation form for Wilson's Phalarope at Hawkeye Wildlife Area, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-10-17	1997-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a WIlson's Phalarope at Hawkeye Wildlife Area in Johnson County, IA on October 17, 1997.	Goranson, Rita	Wilson's Phalarope	Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area	Greencastle ave no. of F28 Johnson Co. Hawkeye Wildlife Area		The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Red necked Phalarope has a very distinctive black + gray + white coloring in winter Red Phalarope has a different bill \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:20:00/16:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	29
Rare bird documentation form for Wilson's Phalarope at Riverton Wildlife Area, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-03-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Wilson's Phalarope at Riverton Wildlife Area in Fremont County, IA on March 28, 1991.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Wilson's Phalarope	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton W.A., Fremont Co., IA		The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tanya Bray. \| Elimination of similar species: The body shape, bahavior, [sic] and plumage identify the bird as a phalarope. Bill shape eliminates other phalaropes, which would be even more unlikely on this date. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	29
Rare bird documentation form for Wilson's Phalarope at Riverton Game Management Area, unknown year	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	N/A	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Wilson's Phalaropes at Riverton Game Management Area in Fremont County, IA on July 15, unknown year.	Silcock, W. Ross	Wilson's Phalarope	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton GMA, Fremont County	It was feeding near the shoreline in dead weeds, mostly on foot, but occasionally in deeper water.	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers and Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: Other species we considered (albeit briefly) were: Ruff: eliminated by bill size and shape (thin and straight, rather than fairly heavy and thick-based with a slight droop); also eliminated by phalarope feeding actions. Some far out of range Tringa (eg Wood Sandpiper or juv Redshank): legs relatively short; also phalarope feeding actions.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	29
Rare bird documentation form for Red-tailed Hawk near Fraser, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-01-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-tailed Hawk on the Big Eddy portion of Des Moines River east of Fraser in Boone County, IA on January 1, 1999.	Healy, Kevin	Red-tailed Hawk	Fraser	Big Eddy portion of Des Moines River about 1 mile east of Fraser IA.		The documentation form by Kevin Healy is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rosanne Healy, Amy Yoakum, and Molly Havlik. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	29
Rare bird documentation form for Red-tailed Hawk at Willow Slough Public Hunting Area in 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-03-13	1982-04-10	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-tailed Hawk at Willow Slough Public Hunting Area in Mills County, IA on March 13, 25, 27, and April 10, 1982.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Red-tailed Hawk	Willow Slough State Game Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	29
Rare bird documentation form for Red-tailed Hawk at Hickory Hill Park, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-11-16	1981-12-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-tailed Hawk at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on November 16, 1981.	Newlon, Michael C.	Red-tailed Hawk	Hickory Hill Park	N side Hickory Hill Park, Iowa City, Johnson Co IA	pastures/hedgerows/woods	The documentation form by Mike Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Lack of immaculate primaries, rusty on tail tend to eliminate rough-leg. Tail pattern suggests Harlan's r.t. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/08:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Three-toed Woodpecker north of Iowa City, 1998	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-01-13	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Three-toed Woodpecker north of Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on January 13, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thompson, Joan	Three-toed Woodpecker	Iowa City	14 Woodland Heights North of Iowa City IA, off N Dubuque St, off Stewart Road	suet feeder in heavily wooded lot with much woodpecker activity of all common Iowa species.	The documentation form by Joan Thompson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I have not seen any similar species. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	29
Rare bird documentation form for Mute Swan at Mississippi River in Scott County, 1986	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-12-21	1986-12-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Mute Swan at Mississippi River downriver from Alcoa pumping house in Scott County, IA on December 21, 1986.	Petersen, Peter C.	Mute Swan	Scott County	Mississippi River just downstream from Alcoa pumping house Scott Co.	River shoreline - mid-river	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mary Lou Petersen and Tim Brush. \| Elimination of similar species: Tundra and Trumpeter Swans have almost entirely black bills. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:45:00 on December 21, 1986 and 14:07:00/14:10:00 on December 24, 1986.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	29
Rare bird documentation form for Mute Swan at Mud Lake, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-03-15	1984-03-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Mute Swan at Mud Lake in Smith Slough in Clay County, IA on March 15, 1984.	Dinsmore, James J.	Mute Swan	Mud Lake	outlet of Mud Lake into Smith Slough, Clay County,	small channel leading into pond; in open water but most of surrounding ponds still frozen	The documentation form by James Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mike Brown and Fred Heinz. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose much too large, by comparison with Canada Geese. Tundra Swan/Trumpeter Swan by combination of bill color, knob on head, wing posture. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 18:00:00 on March 15th 07:30:00 on March 16th.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	29
Rare bird documentation form for Mute Swan at Mason City, 1982	Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-04-01	1983-03-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Mute Swan at Lake Cona Toma in Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on April 1982. It also includes an article "Sign of spring" in the Mason City Globe Gazette on March 22, 1983 about the bird sighting.	Powell, John M., 1913-1995	Mute Swan	Lake Cona Toma	Mason City, Iowa - Lake Conatoma [sic]	Man made lake -13 acres-	The documentation form by John M. Powell is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include wife, daughter, grandson, and 47 residents. \| Elimination of similar species: Whistling Swan - Black straight bill - Pictures for proof. Orange bill with black knob at base is Mute Swan. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the morning and evening.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	29
Rare bird documentation form for Mute Swan at the Mississippi River near Le Claire, 1982	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-02-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Mute Swan at the Mississippi River near Le Claire in Scott County, IA on February 21, 1982.	Hollis, Richard Jule	Mute Swan	Le Claire	Miss. River between I80 & Le Clair [sic]		The documentation form by Rick Hollis is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent and Carl Bendorf. \| Elimination of similar species: The points about (#2-4) eliminate both the Whistling & Trumpeter Swans. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:20:00/08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	29
Rare bird documentation form for Mute Swan at St. Mary's in Warren County, 1979	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-04-10	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-tailed Hawk at St. Mary's in Warren County, IA on April 10, 1979.	Brown, Woodward H.	Mute Swan	Saint Marys	3 miles south of St Mary's. Warren Co., IA in farm pond	pastures/hedgerows/woods	The documentation form by Woodward H. Brown is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Richard Mooney, Margaret Brooke, Jeannette Eyerly, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Whistling Swan - smooth bill, neck less curved. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Sabula, 1984	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-05-15	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Sabula in Jackson County, IA on May 15, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Lee G.	Western Tanager	Sabula	near Sabula, Iowa along Mississippi River		The documentation form by Lee G. Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: There is no other bird that this bird could be confused with. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:20:00/07:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Des Moines, 1971	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1971-11-04	1999-04-02	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Des Moines in Polk County, IA on November 4, 1971. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brown, Woodward H.	Western Tanager	Des Moines	Des Moines, IA	Well-kept back yard of apartment in the heart of Des Moines	The documentation form by Woodward H. Brown is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Mary Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: Too large for goldfinch, wing bars eliminate Summer or Scarlet Tanagers which would not be here at this time. Bill obviously not oriole or finch. \| The original documentation form event lasted briefly, mid-afternnon [sic].	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at De Soto Bend National Wildlife Refuge, 1969	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1969-06-22	1993-08-19	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at De Soto Bend National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on June 22, 1969. Includes a record review document with votes and an article reviewed by the committee.	Bramel, Grover C.	Western Tanager	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	De Soto Bend National Wildlife Refuge		The article by Grover C. Bramel forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] It was identified as a male Western Tanager in full breeding plumage, by the following: Size; comparable to more common Scarlet Tanager or Baltimore Oriole; [...] At about the same time and location a bird of similar appearance except for the red face, was seen flying between trees, and may have been the female Western Tanager. \| The original documentation form event lasted around a minute.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Frank Starr Park, 1969	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1969-05-08	1993-08-19	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Frank Starr Park in Buena Vista County, IA on May 8, 1969. Includes one record review document with votes and a documentation article submitted to the committee.	Crocker, Virginia R.	Western Tanager	Frank Starr Park	[...] West Park is a state-owned 13 acre strip of land between Storm Lake and Little Storm Lake on the west side of Iowa 110.		The article by Virginia Crocker is the only one reviewed and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ruth Thornton. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Many insects were flying, and we were watching the large number of Myrtle Warblers feeding on the insects when Ruth exclaimed, "What is that bird with the bright red head?--I've never seen one like it before." Then the bird came into full view. The brilliant colors were breath-taking, and we had little trouble identifying it as a male Western Tanager. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Hope Martin Memorial Park, 1981	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-10-08	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Hope Martin Memorial Park in Black Hawk County, IA on October 8, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, a letter from Bruce Peterjohn to Tom Kent, a letter from Bob Myers to Tom Kent, a letter from Francis Moore to Tom Kent, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Myers, Robert K.	Western Tanager	Hope Martin Memorial Park	Hope Martin Park, Waterloo, Ia. (Part of Waterloo Greenbelt)	Riverbottom Timber on edge of park - brushy area First seen in top of willow thicket, then flew to top of oak in the park.	The documentation form by Robert Myers is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Francis L. Moore was submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Fall scarlet tanager is possible - see attached page. My first thought was that this was late for a scarlet Tanager and when I looked closer I saw the wing bars. My second thought was that someone told me that one of a hunderd [sic] ♀ scarlets have wing bars. I also knew the Peterson Guide says some scarlets have two wing bars. When I went home that night I was anything but convinced the bird was a western tanager even though most literature states wing bars = western tanager. When I got home I phoned Fancis Moore and he went to the park and was able to relocate the bird. Even though he had never seen western tanagers before, Francis thought this was one. His enthusiasm prompted me to research further. I am now also convinced that this bird was indeed a western tanager no matter how unlikely it seems. Ironically, my first western tanager, a male seen April 26, 1980 at Forney Lake, was also with a mixed flock of yellow-rump + palm warblers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Forney Lake, 1980	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-04-26	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Forney Lake in Fremont County, IA on April 26, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Silcock, W. Ross	Western Tanager	Forneys Lake	Forney lake, Fremont Co., Iowa	Cottonwood Belt near Forney Lake - Riparian Island in Missouri River Bottom Farmland	The documentation form by W. Ross Silcock is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Robert Myers was submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellowthroated Vireo - Red Head, bill not 'hooked', more active. Northern Oriole (1st Yr Male) - Yellow coloration contrasting with red head [rather distinctive species]. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29