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 of Swainson's Hawk at Stone Park, 1991	Administrative reports Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-12-14	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Swainson's Hawk at Stone Park in Plymouth County, IA on December 14, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Williams, Randall D.	Swainson's Hawk	Stone State Park	1 mile north of west entrance to Stone State Park on highway 12	hovering above loess bluff; overlooking Big Sioux River Floodplain	The documentation form by Randall D. Williams is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mike Franken. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-tailed Hawk: wings held flat when soaring; presence of red tail patagial patches present, no bib. Rough-legged Hawk: dark belly-band or girdle. carpal wing patches present. Dark band on trailing edge of wing (immature). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	32
Rare bird documentation form for Bay-breasted Warbler north of Iowa City in Penn Township in Johnson County, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-08-10	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bay-breasted Warbler north of Iowa City in Penn Township in Johnson County, IA on August 10, 1991.	Fuller, James L	Bay-breasted Warbler	Penn Township	6 Longview Knoll, NE, Iowa City, Iowa, 52240		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The bird was an immature of the trio Blackpoll, Bay-breasted, and Pine. [...] (Pine is not streaked) [...] (Blackpoll has streaked breast, and Pine has some yellow to brown on the breast). [...] (Blackpoll has light colored legs) \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:05:00/19:08:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	32
Rare bird documentation form for Bay-breasted Warbler at Roberts Riverside Park in Van Buren County, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-04-18	1982-06-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bay-breasted Warbler at Roberts Riverside Park in Van Buren County, IA on April 18, 1982.	Sandrock, James P., 1929-	Bay-breasted Warbler	Keosauqua	Roberts Riverside Park, Van Buren County, IA	Oak/sycamores on riverbank	The documentation form by James P. Sandrock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No other bird has this combination of size, coloration, etc. \| The original documentation form event lasted from around 16:00:00/16:01:00 for about ten seconds.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	32
Rare bird documentation form for Bay-breasted Warbler in Mills County, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-09-23	1980-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bay-breasted Warbler in Mills County, IA on September 23, 1980.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Bay-breasted Warbler	Mills County	Wilson Farm, NE Mills County, Iowa	General: edge of woods Specific: Oak dominant	The documentation form by Barbara Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Blackpoll Warbler eliminated by tan sides + under tail coverts. (I couldn't see leg color). Pine Warbler - eliminated by back streaks, sides \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 08:15:00/08:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	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 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 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
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 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 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
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lark Sparrow south of Riverton, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-01-04	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lark Sparrow south of Riverton in Fremont County, IA on January 4, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Harms, Jacqueline M.	Lark Sparrow	Riverton	1 mile south of Riverton, IA	deciduous edge woods adjacent to corn field	The documentation form by Jacqueline M. Harms is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jarrett Harms, Joe Worthington, Marla Worthington, Larry Falk, and Derry Wolford. \| Elimination of similar species: Vesper Sparrow - no face pattern Juncos - wrong color Amer. tree Sparrow - no white outer tail feathers \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	32
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lark Sparrow north of Newell, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-12-20	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lark Sparrow north of Newell in Buena Vista County, IA on December 20, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, field notes, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Ed	Lark Sparrow	Newell	1 mile N. of Newell along black top road	Roadside - open fields - only cover in ditch	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Linda Thelen and the Thelen children. \| Elimination of similar species: unmistakable - clear breast, dark spot - white tipped tail - strong facial pattern \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:00:00/15:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	32
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Eastern Wood-Pewee at Waubonsie State Park, 1983	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-04-24	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Eastern Wood-Pewee at Waubonsie State Park in Fremont County, IA on April 25, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, correspondence relevant to bird sighting and review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Scott, Charlotte	Eastern Wood-Pewee	Waubonsie State Park	Waubonsie State Park	near a trail in a wooded section of fairly tall trees	The documentation form by Charlotte Scott is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Dick Scott. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] I ruled out Empidonax flycatchers immediately because of his lack of an eyering and what I considered--smaller size. I ruled out Eastern Phoebe because of the distinct wing bars, the yellow lower mandible and the fact that he did not flick his tail. Also I considered this to be better habitat for a Pewee. 90% of the Phoebes I see are near a bridge and stream or deserted buildings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:33:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	32
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Rock Township in Cherokee County, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-02-27	1985-02-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Rock Township in Cherokee County, IA on February 27, 1985.	Brewer, Marion M.	Golden Eagle	Rock Township	Rock township sec 36, Cherokee County	Rolling hills with both pasture and crop land	The documentation form by Marion M. Brewer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Vernon Bierman. \| Elimination of similar species: Bald Eagle, white banded tail and white wing linings, dark head. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:45:00/13:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Hawkeye Wildlife Area, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-03-10	1985-03-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Hawkeye Wildlife Area in Johnson County, IA on March 10, 1985.	Hollis, Richard Jule	Golden Eagle	Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area	Hawkeye Wildlife Area, Johnson Co	sky	The documentation form by Richard Hollis is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The above description eliminates Bald Eagle imm & Turkey Vul. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Ames, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-03-17	1985-03-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Ames in Story County, IA on March 17, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Golden Eagle	Ames	Ames, Story County - flying over	migrating over town	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Other hawks eliminated by size and dark color, white tail with dark terminal band. Immature Bald Eagle eliminated by all dark color contrasting with white tail that was sharply cut off by a dark terminal band.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle near Washta on the Little Sioux River, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-02-17	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle near Washta on the Little Sioux River in Cherokee County, IA on February 17, 1985.	Bierman, Dick	Golden Eagle	Washta	T90N R41W section 21 Cherokee County 2 miles northeast of Washta along the Little Sioux River	River bottomland woods mixed with pasture.	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Huber, Marion Brewer, and Vernon Bierman. \| Elimination of similar species: Immature Bald Eagle. Dark phase Redtail or Roughleg. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle northeast of Washta in 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-02-06	1985-02-12	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle northeast of Washta in Cherokee County, IA on February 6 and 12, 1985.	Brewer, Marion M.	Golden Eagle	Washta				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Willow Slough, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-11-23	1984-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on November 23, 1984.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Golden Eagle	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Mills County, Iowa, near Willow Slough		The documentation form by Barb Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Young Bald Eagles are similar but usually mottled with light feathers. They have white on the under wing coverts, not the bases of the flight feathers, & they do not have the neat tail pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Wood-Pewee near Des Moines, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-09-08	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for one to two Western Wood-Pewees near Des Moines in Polk County, IA on September 8, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Engebretsen, Bery	Western Wood-Pewee	Des Moines	Backyard of our home	General: Oak hickory. upland. Mature, 1 mile outside of Des Moines. Specific: Flying from tree to tree - hickory, oak, dead limbs	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: From the moment I heard the call, it was clearly different. The bird was a PeeWee. It called frequently to several types of calls; only one of which seemed similar to our Eastern. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:00:00/11:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	31
Rare bird documentation form for Palm Warbler in Greenfield Township in Warren County, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-08-17	1991-08-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Palm Warbler in Greenfield Township in Warren County, IA on August 17, 1991.	Johnson, Ann	Palm Warbler	Greenfield Township	My yard in northern Warren County, Iowa	Open riparian edge	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Other yellow rumped warblers were eliminated by the bright yellow undertail coverts contrasting with the buffy breast and belly. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:20:00/11:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	31
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Wood-Pewee at Huron Island, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-08-10	1993-08-06	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Wood-Pewee at Huron Island in Des Moines County, IA on August 10, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Western Wood-Pewee	Huron Island	Huron Island, Des Moines Co. IA	Bottomland Forest Clearing	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern Wood-Pewee looks almost exactly like the Western, but the Western seemed a bit darker on the sides. The call of the Eastern is a clear whistle, totally different from this call. I spent an extra five minutes in an attempt to hear a second call from the Western but it flew away and did not call again. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:55:00/08:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	31
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Wood-Pewee at Elm Lake, 1979	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1979-06-21	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Wood-Pewee at Elm Lake in Wright County, IA on June 21, 1979. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life, an excerpt from Birds of Iowa by Rudolph Martin Anderson, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Western Wood-Pewee	Elm Lake	Elm Lake, near Belmond, Wright County	The bird was found in a narrow grove of mature Cottonwood surrounding Elm Lake, the lake is in the mist of farmland with a small pasture on the north.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern Phoebe is larger and wags its tail. Empidonaxes are smaller with shorter wings and tail. Confusion with the Eastern Pewee is certain if plumage is used. Subtle differences in plumage were noted in my observation of the Western Pewee, when compared to my experience with the Eastern Pewee. The throat appeared whiter and contrasted more with the breast and head than a Eastern, also, as mentioned before, the color of the upper-parts appeared more grayish and not as green. Since the call was heard at close range, and having seen the vocalizing bird as well as my familiarity with the Western Pewee's call I believe the identification totally on voice is a valid one. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:12:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	31
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Broad-winged Hawk at Dubuque, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-01-02	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Broad-winged Hawk at Dubuque in Dubuque County, IA on January 2, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Miller, John Carl	Broad-winged Hawk	Dubuque	Dubuque, IA along the Heritage Trail near Sundown Ski area	Woodland with fields	The documentation form by John Carl Miller is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Leta Miller. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:07:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	31