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 Osprey at Goose Pond at Louisa National Wildlife Refuge in 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-12-08	1987-01-20	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for two Ospreys at Goose Pond at Louisa National Wildlife Refuge in Louisa County, IA on December 8, 1986 and one Osprey on December 15, 1986.	McCarty, Chet	Osprey	Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge - Louisa Division				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	19
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of California Gull at Cherry Glen Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-12-07	1996-01-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a California Gull at Cherry Glen Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on December 7, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the bird sighting and a request for re-evaluation of sighting, summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	California Gull	Cherry Glen Recreation Area	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co. (Cherry Glen Recreation Area)	sitting on ice with other gulls	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull eliminated by larger size, lighter mantle color, lack of black and red spots on bill, and wrong leg color (pink, although a very few Herring Gull show yellowish legs). Ring-billed Gull eliminated by smaller size, lighter mantle color, lack of a black ring on bill, and by yellower leg color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:13:00/14:08:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	1
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
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Cottonwood Recreation Area near Saylorville Dam, 1986	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-12-03	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Thayer's Gull at Cottonwood Recreation Area near Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on December 3, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Thayer's Gull	Cottonwood Recreation Area	Cottonwood Rec. Area below Saylorville Dam. Polk Co		The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt, Mark Proescholdt, Steve Dinsmore, Gil Sandvick, and unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Birds call not distinguishable from Ring-billed Gulls feeding with it. [...] Herring Gull eliminated by lack of sharp contrast between primaries + remainder of mantle + back and whitish undersides of primaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:02:00/10:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Reservoir, 1986	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-12-03	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of two Thayer's Gulls at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 3, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Thayer's Gull	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Reservoir	reservoir with ice and open water.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, and Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull --see above. [...] The bird is not any larger than some of the ring-bills--some of the ring-bills are smaller. The larger ring-bills are almost as big as this bird, and it is distinctly smaller than a number of Herring Gulls in the same field. The bill is much smaller and thinner; the head is small. [...] The striking thing about this bird is the size, bill shape and head shape compared to the nearby herrings and very distinct smudge through the eye." \| The original documentation form event lasted from around 09:10:00 for several minutes and 15:55:00 for many minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Gull at Elk Rock State Park, 1986	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-12-03	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Elk Rock State Park in Marion County, IA on December 3, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Elk Rock State Park	[...] resting on mud bar just w. of old Hwy 14 a long north edge of reservoir.		The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Gil Sandvick was another observer. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Bird slightly smaller than nearby adult Herring Gull, larger than Ring-billed Gulls surrounding it. head white with tan flecking back + mantle slaty grey, much darker than Herring Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:45:00/14:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Great Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Reservoir, 1986	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-12-03	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 3, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Great Black-backed Gull	Lake Red Rock	Seen from Hwy 14 bridge across Red Rock Res.		The documentation by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer includes Gil Sandvick. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Herring Gull eliminated by large size, small amount of dark brown on tail, light head + rump. Also lacked light area on inner primaries noted in the nearby Herring Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:35:00/14:35:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Rare bird documentation form for Dunlin at Big Creek State Park, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-12-02	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Dunlin at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on December 2, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Dunlin	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek SP-north end	feeding on mudflat	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The dark legs and bill eliminate Purple Sandpiper, one of only a few sandpipers likely to be around this late. All other sandpipers eliminated by the size, dark legs, long, drooping bill, dark breast, and dark, unmarked back and wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	24
Christmas bird count data table, 1986	Tables (documents)	Birds--Counting Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology Weather	1986-12-01	1987-02-28	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	A table that contains the compiled data from the 1986 Iowa Christmas bird count. The table lists various locations statewide and total number of species counted at each site as well as the total number of birds overall. The table also includes the weather conditions at each location at the time the count was done. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of winter 1986-1987.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	22	6
Bluestem Flyer, Volume 21, Number 4, December 1986	Newsletters	Bird surveys Bird watching Birding sites Birds--Counting Ornithology--Societies, etc Strigiformes \| Owls	1986-12-01	1986-12-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa), Volume 21, Number 4, December 1986. Highlights of the newsletter include details on upcoming Christmas Bird Counts in Story and Boone Counties, a list of the society's 1987 programs with topics and speakers, an article on the best locations to find Owls in central Iowa by Stephen J. Dinsmore, and birder's notes on the winter birds returning to the state.	Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa) van der Linden, Judy	Pine Siskin	Ames Big Creek State Park Bob Pyle Marsh Wildlife Management Area Lost Lake				Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	3	3
Ross Silcock memo to Thomas Kent regarding Eastern Phoebe sighting, Winter 1986-87	Correspondence	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Photography of birds Rare birds	1986-12-01	1987-02-28	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Memo from Ross Silcock to Thomas Kent. Silcock thanks Kent for slides for an upcoming presentation, updates Kent about the correct location of an Eastern Phoebe sighting and progress on the Winter 1986-1987 winter report, and mentions the sighting of five Western Grebes.	Silcock, W. Ross	Western Grebe Eastern Phoebe	Glenwood Lake Manawa State Park				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	69
Iowa bird observers name and location list	Checklists	Bird watchers Ornithology--Methodology	1986-12-01	1987-02-28	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	An annotated list of names, abbreviations, and locations of Iowa bird observers. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of winter 1986-1987.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	22	6
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-12-01	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on December 1, 1986. Includes a record review document, a summary of the review of the committee, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-throated Loon	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co. (Cherry Glen Recreation Area)	swimming in open water off rock jetty	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon eliminated by smaller size, head posture, shorter, upturned bill, speckling on back, more rounded forehead, and sharp contrast between throat and back of neck. Pacific Loon eliminated by bill shape, head posture, speckling on back, two-toned (not three-toned) neck pattern, lack of chinstrap (not definitive, but helpful), and crown color not including the eye (should include the eye on Pacific Loon). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:26:00/15:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Christmas bird count data tables, 1986	Tables (documents)	Birds--Counting Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology Weather	1986-12-01	1987-02-28	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Two tables that contain the compiled data from the 1986 Iowa Christmas bird count. The tables list various locations statewide and many species of birds. The tables also include the total count of birds found at each location and a total species count as well as weather conditions at the time the count was done. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of winter 1986-1987.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	22	6
Iowa Ornithologists' Union, Quarterly field report, winter 1986-1987	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Research Laridae \| Gulls and Terns Ornithology--Methodology Water birds Weather	1986-12-01	1987-02-28	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Quarterly field report for the winter 1986-1987 titled "Field reports--winter 1986-1987" contributed by W. Ross Silcock. The report is heavily annotated. A total of 150 species were detected during the winter reporting period.	Silcock, W. Ross Iowa Ornithologists' Union	Thayer's Gull Great Black-backed Gull Red-throated Loon Black-billed Magpie Gyrfalcon Pacific Loon California Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Rock Wren Painted Bunting	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	22	6
Rare bird documentation form for Great Black-backed Gull at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-30	1986-12-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great Black-backed Gull at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 30, 1986 and December 1, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Great Black-backed Gull	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co. (near visitors center)	large reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul Martsching. \| Elimination of similar species: Second winter Herring Gull eliminated by size, bill size, lack of a gray mantle, lack of streaking on the head and underparts, lack of a window on the upperwing, by the all white tail with a dark band at the tip, and by the very dark underside of the primaries. Second winter Lesser Black-backed Gull eliminated by smaller size, browner uppertail, and heavily streaked head and underparts. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:15:00 on November 30, 1986 and 15:55:00/16:08:00 on December 1, 1986.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	38
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Great Black-backed Gull at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-11-30	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed Gull at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 30, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Great Black-backed Gull	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co. (near visitors center)	large reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Paul Martsching was submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Second winter Herring Gull eliminated by size, bill size, lack of a gray mantle, lack of streaking on the head and underparts, lack of a window on the upperwing, by the all white tail with a dark band at the tip, and by the very dark underside of the primaries. Second winter Lesser Black-backed Gull eliminated by smaller size, browner uppertail, and heavily streaked head and underparts. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 16:00:00/16:15:00 on November 30, 1986 and 15:55:00/16:08:00 on December 1, 1986.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	21
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
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Gull at Saylorville Dam, 1986	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-11-29	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on November 29, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of review, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	sitting on ice above dam	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Tanya Bray and Barbara Wilson were submitted. Other observers include Peter Wickham, Mark Brogie, and Bery Engebretsen. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Black-backed Gull was eliminated by the smaller size, contrast between the wingtips and the rest of the wing, and by the heavy streaking on the head(head should be mostly white on a Great Black-backed Gull). California Gull was eliminated by the darker mantle, darker underwing and dark carpal bar, lack of a dark spot on the bill, and by the dark smudge at the base of the bill(this is characteristic of 3rd summer Lesser Black-backed Gulls and is never present on California Gulls). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:08:00/12:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 29, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	sitting on ice above dam	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Peter Wickham, Mark Brogie, Barb Wilson, Tanya Bray, and Bery Engebretsen. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Black-backed Gull was eliminated by the smaller size, contrast between the wingtips and the rest of the wing, and by the heavy streaking on the head (head should be mostly white on a Great Black-backed Gull). California Gull was eliminated by the darker mantle, darker underwing and dark carpal bar, lack of a dark spot on the bill, and by the dark smudge at the base of the bill (this is characteristic of 3rd summer Lesser Black-backed Gulls and is never present on California Gulls). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:08:00/12:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Long-tailed Duck at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Long-tailed Duck at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 28, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Long-tailed Duck	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co. (near Jester Park)	large lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No other duck shows so much white color and a stubby, dark bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:50:00/16:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	14
Rare bird documentation form for Bohemian Waxwing north of Ledges State Park, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Boehmian Waxwing north of Ledges State Park in Boone County, IA on November 28, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Bohemian Waxwing	Ledges State Park	3 miles n. of Ledges State Park, Boone Co.	feeding in large cedar grove	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: see above [...] As the bird perched with four Cedar Waxwings, I saw that it was larger, grayer, had a longer crest, had more rufous color on the face, had rusty undertail coverts, and had red, yellow, and white on the wing. The bird called several times and sounded like a loud, hoarse Cedar Waxwing. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	16
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-27	1986-12-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 27, 1986.	Martsching, Paul	Merlin	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Reservoir - Polk Co., Iowa (at the dam)		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: Kestrel - this bird had no rust or rufous on back, wings, or tail; or blue in wings like a male Kestrel. And did not have strong face pattern of Kestrel. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the AM.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Glaucous Gull at Saylorville Dam, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-26	1986-11-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Glaucous Gull at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on November 26, 1986.	Moore, Francis L.	Glaucous Gull	Saylorville Dam	Along Des Moines River below Saylorville dam, Polk Co.	Above open flowing river	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent, Robert Cecil, Steve Dinsmore, Jim Fuller, and many other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: This bird too large for Iceland and Thayer's Gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	37
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-24	1986-11-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 24, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-necked Grebe	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	large lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Western Grebe eliminated by its longer neck, thinner bill, and lack of a white crescent on the cheek. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:35:00/14:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13