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

Neil Bernstein letter to James J. Dinsmore regarding personal papers, summer 1988	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-06-01	1988-07-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Neil Bernstein is interested in Jim's personal papers regarding photography measurement studies and species population wetland studies. The letter also includes bird sightings. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of summer 1988.	Bernstein, Neil	American White Pelican Black-crowned Night Heron American Coot	Dan Green Slough Wildlife Management Area Jemmerson Slough Wildlife Management Area Rush Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	23	6
Neil Bernstein letter to James J. Dinsmore regarding aerial photographs, June 12, 1988	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-06-12	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Neil Bernstein letter to James J. Dinsmore requesting aerial photographs of Rush Lake and Dan Green Slough Wildlife Management Area. The letter includes two bird sightings. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of summer 1988.	Bernstein, Neil	Common Moorhen White-throated Sparrow	Jemmerson Slough Wildlife Management Area Iowa Lakeside Laboratory				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	23	6
Iowa Birdline update, September 19, 1988	Field notes	Bird watching Accipitridae \| Hawks and Eagles Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds Parulidae \| Warblers Meetings Dial-a-message telephone calls	1988-09-19	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Notes for the Iowa Birdline update for September 19, 1988. Highlights of the update include a recap of sightings from the fall IOU meeting, including a flyover Black-billed Magpie, nine raptor species, and a variety of Warblers for a total of 106 species seen. Also of note from around the state were observations of two rarely seen birds, a Western Tanager and a Prairie Falcon. In addition, sightings of several hundred American White Pelicans, 62 Caspian Terns, and an immature Black-crowned Night Heron were also reported.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Swainson's Hawk Prairie Falcon Western Tanager Clay-colored Sparrow Carolina Wren American White Pelican Black-billed Magpie Forster's Tern Black-crowned Night Heron Caspian Tern Winter Wren Pine Warbler Sharp-shinned Hawk	Hendrickson Marsh Lake Iowa City Saylorville Lake Spencer Dolliver Memorial State Park Rush Lake Brushy Creek State Park Carlson Recreation Area Sugar Bottom Recreation Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	41	1
The Iowa Ornithologists' Union meeting notes, April 9, 1923	Administrative records	Ornithology--Methodology Ornithology--Societies, etc Meetings	1923-04-09	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Notes from the Iowa Ornithologists' Union meeting held on April 9, 1923. The notes document the decision to name the organization the 'Iowa Ornithologists' Union and outlines the purpose of the organization.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Bailey, Mary L.		Ames				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	4	15
Opal Uher letter to James J. Dinsmore regarding a request to purchase a Peter C. Petersen publication, August 9, 1988	Correspondence Field notes	Bird feeders Bird watching Birds--Nests Birds--Research Ornithology--Societies, etc Birds--Infancy	1988-08-09	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Opal Uher letter to James J. Dinsmore regarding a request to purchase a copy of a publication by Peter C. Petersen. The letter includes field notes on House Finch nesting. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of summer 1988.	Uher, Opal	House Finch	Waterloo				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	23	6
Meeting minutes from the Ottumwa Bird Club, April 5, 1945	Administrative records	Congresses and conventions Ornithology--Societies, etc Meetings	1945-04-05	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Ottumwa Bird Club meeting minutes, April 5, 1945. The minutes discuss the upcoming Iowa Ornithologists' Union's Convention to be held in Ottumwa. They also mention a presentation on the identification of spring birds by Charles C. Ayres.	Ottumwa Bird Club		Ottumwa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	6	16
Ames Audubon Society September Newsletter, 1973, page 2	Newsletters	Ornithology--Societies, etc Meetings	1973-09-01	1973-09-30	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Page 2 of the newsletter of the Ames Audubon Society, September 1973. This page of the newsletter contains a calendar of coming events of the society for October 1973 through June 1974, including field trips and programs with the topics and the presenters. Pages 1 and 3 are found at: https://avian.lib.iastate.edu/documents/10180/view.	Ames Audubon Society Brown, Nancy E.		Ames				Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	3	2
Ames Audubon Society September Newsletter, 1973, pages 1 and 3	Newsletters	Bird watchers Bird watching Ornithology--Societies, etc Wildlife conservation Important bird areas	1973-09-01	1973-09-30	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Pages 1 and 3 of the newsletter of the Ames Audubon Society, September 1973. Highlights of the newsletter include details of the next program, "Birds of the Southwest" presented by Dr. Barton Morgan and Margaret L. Morgan and several paragraphs of a letter written by Lotus Miller on behalf of the society to Colonel Walter H. Johnson to protest environmental changes anticipated in Ledges State Park as a result of a project at the Saylorville Reservoir. Page 2 is found at: https://avian.lib.iastate.edu/documents/10182/view.	Ames Audubon Society Brown, Nancy E.		Ames Ledges State Park Saylorville Lake				Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	3	2
A History of the Des Moines Audubon Bird Club	Essays	Bird watchers Ornithology--Societies, etc Societies--History, organization, etc	N/A	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Part 1 of the history of the Des Moines Audubon Society covers the period from its founding in 1923 to 1938 and describes the Society's members, meetings and conservation efforts.			Des Moines				Philip A. Dumont Papers \| MS 153	1	3
Photograph of Big Bluestem Audubon Society past presidents	Photographs	Bird watchers Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-05-01	1998-05-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Photo of past presidents of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society, May 1998. In the back row, from left right: James A. "Jim" Murdock (1984-1986), David C. Edwards (1986-1988), Mike Meetz (1988-1990), and Mark Widrlechner (1994-1996). In the front row, from left to right: Maridel Jackson (1992-1994), Lotus Miller, and Sherry Dragula (1990-1992).	Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa)						Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	2	7
Iowa Ornithologists' Union board of directors, 1986	Photographs	Bird watchers Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-01-01	1986-12-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Photograph of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union's board of directors, 1986. The photograph was taken by Thomas H. Kent at Grinnell, Iowa.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-		Grinnell				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	6	12
The Cedar Falls Audubon Society 25th Anniversary	Printed ephemera	Ornithology--Societies, etc	1962-01-01	1962-12-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Program for the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the Cedar Falls Audubon Society. Item includes information on the history of the organization.	Cedar Falls Audubon Society		Cedar Falls				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	6	15
A proposed Iowa Ornithologists' Union	Administrative records	Ornithology--Societies, etc Wildlife conservation	1923-02-12	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Proposal to create an Iowa Ornithologists' Union written in a letter type format. Includes information about an initial meeting to be held on February 28th, 1923. The proposal to create an Iowa Ornithologists' Union was submitted by three people, Charles R. Keyes, Dayton Stoner and T.C. Stephens.	Stephens, Thomas Calderwood, 1876-1948 Iowa Ornithologists' Union Stoner, Dayton Keyes, Charles R. (Charles Reuben), 1871-1951		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	4	15
Proposed Restated Articles of Incorporation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union, May 17, 1986	Administrative records	Ornithology--Methodology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-04-20	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Proposed Restated Articles of Incorporation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union. The text includes six articles for the Union to consider. Also includes a notice to all members with information on the nonprofit status of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union. The proposal is dated April 20, 1986 and signed by Carl J. Bendorf, President.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Bendorf, Carl J.		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	4	15
Iowa Ornithologists' Union, Quarterly field report, fall 1991	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research Ornithology--Societies, etc Weather	1991-08-01	1991-11-30	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Quarterly field report for the fall of 1991 titled "Field Reports - fall 1991."	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934- Iowa Ornithologists' Union Bendorf, Carl J. Fuller, James L	Mississippi Kite Thayer's Gull Common Ground-Dove Pacific Loon Red Phalarope Lesser Black-backed Gull Sabine's Gull Western Wood-Pewee Eurasian Tree Sparrow Laughing Gull	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	24	7
Iowa Ornithologists' Union, Quarterly field report, fall 1996	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research Ornithology--Societies, etc Weather	1996-08-01	1996-11-30	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Quarterly field report for the fall of 1996 compiled by Thomas H. Kent.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934- Iowa Ornithologists' Union	Rufous Hummingbird Pomarine Jaeger Great Cormorant Red-throated Loon Anhinga Brown Pelican Gyrfalcon Greater Prairie-Chicken Red Knot Red Phalarope Mew Gull California Gull Sabine's Gull Pinyon Jay Laughing Gull Black-headed Gull	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	27	3
Iowa Ornithologists' Union, Quarterly field report, spring 1997	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research Ornithology--Societies, etc Weather	1997-03-01	1997-05-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Quarterly field report for the spring of 1997 compiled by Thomas H. Kent.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934- Iowa Ornithologists' Union	Vermilion Flycatcher Western Tanager Chestnut-collared Longspur White-winged Dove Black-billed Magpie Lazuli Bunting Pacific Loon Barnacle Goose Black-necked Stilt Iceland Gull Great Gray Owl Black-throated Gray Warbler	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	27	4
Rare bird documentation for Merlin at Calamus, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1978-02-06	1978-03-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for a Merlin at Calamus in Clinton County, IA on February 6, 1978.	Bryant, Robert R.	Merlin	Calamus	1/3 mi. north of Calamus, Ia.	open country-cornfields, grass ditches, one wooded ditch. Sitting on wire over fence line between snowcovered road ditch and cornfield.	The documentation form by Bob Bryant is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel - eliminated because of size and lack of rufous coloring and black facial pattern. Sharp-shinned Hawk - eliminated because tail not long, not near any large wooded area. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 15:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Hermit Thrush at Sundown Ski Area near Asbury, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1981-12-26	1981-12-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hermit Thrush Sundown Ski Area near Asbury in Dubuque County, IA on December 26, 1981.	Miller, John Carl	Hermit Thrush	Asbury	Along the Heritage Trail across the crick from the longest ski run of Sundown Ski Area.	Streamside cover consisting of: understory (shrubs and bushes). Young tree growth and some mature trees (all deciduous). Cedars nearby.	The documentation form by John Carl Miller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Brian Larson. \| Elimination of similar species: smaller than a robin larger than a sparrow \| The original documentation form event occurred from 08:30:00/08:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	9
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Brookside Park, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1978-03-20	1978-04-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on March 20, 1978.	Johnson, Ellen J.	Merlin	Brookside Park	Brookside Park, Ames, Story County, Iowa	park near Iowa State University. Deciduous woods with many trails - flew over Squaw Creek	The documentation form by Ellen Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ornithology Class (Pam Keigley, Pam White, John Hemphill, and Robin Bruegman). \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel - too large for a kestrel. Sharp-shinned hawk - it had more pointed wings. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Co. Rd. W48 in Johnson County, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1979-03-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Co. Rd. W48 in Johnson County, IA on March 18, 1979.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Merlin	Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area	Co. Rd. W48, Johnson Co., Iowa	over flooded fields, tailwaters of Coralville Reservoir	The documentation form by Nicholas S. Halmi is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel - slimmer, flight less direct and powerful. Sharp-shin: Rounded wings, relatively longer tail, more flapping flights \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:00:15.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Dunbar Slough, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1980-09-21	1980-09-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Dunbar Slough in Greene County, IA on September 21, 1980.	Newlon, Michael C.	Merlin	Dunbar Slough	Dunbar Slough, Greene Co. IA	marshy slough surrounded by farmland	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol S. Newlon, Tom Shires, and Thomas Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Coloration, lack of strong facial marks, banded tail, eliminates Am. Kestrel; size eliminates larger falcons. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Riverside Township in Fremont County, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1978-03-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Riverside Township in Fremont County, IA on March 19, 1978.	Silcock, W. Ross	Merlin	Riverside Township	Riverside Twp Fremont Co, Iowa	Nishnabotna River Bottom, Corn stubble fields (frozen)	The documentation form by W. Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Accipiters- Wings were pointed, not rounded, and bird did not sail, but flew with rapid, continuous strokes. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:30:10.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Sugar Bottom Recreation Area, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1979-03-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Sugar Bottom Recreation Area at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on March 11, 1979.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Merlin	Sugar Bottom Campground	Sugar Bottom Recreation area on Coralville Reservoir	wooded valley with adjacent open fields. Small valley 1/4 - 1/2 mile from Coralville Reservoir	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Sparrow hawk - no red on tail, no facial marking, unlikely habitat. Sharp-shinned Hawk - wing shape and flight pattern different from Sharp-shinned. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Viking Lake State Park, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1978-09-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Viking Lake State Park in Red Oak in Montgomery County, IA on September 24, 1978.	Bray, Tanya	Merlin	Viking Lake State Park	Viking Lake State Park	Man-made lake surrounded by scrubby fields; some mature woodland	The documentation form by Tanya Bray is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32