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 Northern Shrike at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-11-06	1976-12-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Shrike at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on November 6, 1976.	DeCoster, R. J. (Richard Joseph)	Northern Shrike	Hickory Hill Park	Hickory Hill park, Iowa City, Iowa	General: grassy-bushy hillside at edge of Iowa City, in city park. Specific: perched in small tree. Bushes on hillside mostly Hawthorns of some type, with several locust trees higher up the slope.	The documentation form by Richard J. DeCoster II is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mike Newlon and Roger Milkman. \| Elimination of similar species: Loggerhead shrike lacks breast scaling, light base of lower mandible, is a smaller bird, darker above, with mask spreading out in front of the eye so as to meet above the bill. On this bird the mask tapered from the eye so as not to meet over the bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	75
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Coralville Reservoir, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-10-28	1976-10-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on October 28, 1976.	DeCoster, R. J. (Richard Joseph)	Black-legged Kittiwake	Coralville Lake	Coralville Docks, Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co., Iowa	Large open water area of Coralville Reservoir. There was a flock of adult Bonaparte's gulls about a mile south on the same area of the reservoir.	The documentation form by Richard J. DeCoster is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lillian Serbousek, Nicholas Halmi, and Michael Newlon. \| Elimination of similar species: Immature Bonaparte's gull lacks transverse mark across nape and has lighter wing coverts. The immature little gull is shown by Robbins et al. to have a dark hood and scaly back. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:45:00/12:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Coralville Reservoir, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-10-27	1976-10-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on October 27, 1976.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Black-legged Kittiwake	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co. Iowa	Over water. in a small inlet formed by the scalloped SW shore of the reservoir	The documentation form by Nicholas S. Halmi is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mike Newlon, Carol Newlon, Rich DeCoster, Allan Mueller, Lillian Serbousek, and Weir Nelson. \| Elimination of similar species: Bonaparte's has no nuchal crescent, more white on wings, square on rounded tail; Black-headed - ditto, with even more white on wings; Sabine's: no nuchal spot, wing pattern of black-gray-white triangles, head gray in back; Ross's - no nuchal crescent, wedge-shaped tail, no spot behind eye; Little - much smaller, nuchal crescent (if present) merely an extension of the dark gray back, not demarcated in white, black cap. Of these only the imm. Bonaparte's is more common than the Kittiwake in Iowa. This is the third record for the state (last seen in Davenport Dec. 1967). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:20:00/16:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Sand Point in Coralville Reservoir, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-09-26	1976-09-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Sand Point in Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on September 26, 1976.	Newlon, Michael C.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Sand Point	Sand Point on Coralville Resevoir [sic], n. of Iowa City IA	extensive weedy flats - waist to head-high on shore of resevoir. [sic]	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, Cal Knight, and Bernie Knight. \| Elimination of similar species: Crown-pattern rules out Henslows (lacks grey crown stripe) LeContes (has narrow white stripe), Grasshopper, Baird's. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:20:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for LeConte's Sparrow at Sand Point in Coralville Reservoir, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-09-26	1976-09-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for ten to twenty minimum LeConte's Sparrows at Sand Point in Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on September 26, 1976.	Newlon, Michael C.	Le Conte's Sparrow	Sand Point	Sand Point, on Coralville Resevoir [sic] n. of Iowa City IA.	V. extensive weedy flats (waist to head-high) on shore of resevoir [sic]	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, and Carol Newlon. \| Elimination of similar species: grey face patch on yellow face, yellow-orange breast, narrow white crown stripe rule out Henslow's, sharp-tail, grasshopper, Baird's sparrows. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	58
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Sand Point at Coralville Reservoir, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-09-26	1976-09-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Sand Point at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on September 26, 1976.	Newlon, Michael C.	Peregrine Falcon	Sand Point	Sand Point, on Coralville Reservoir N. of Iowa City, IA	Reservoir & many dead trees emerging from water - bordered by wide weedy flats. Surrounded by cropland to S, a wooded ridge to N.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, and Carol S. Newlon. \| Elimination of similar species: Build rules out all raptors except falcons. Large size, prominent 'side burn' transverse barring on lower parts rule out Prairie Falcon (not expected in IA), Kestrel, Merlin. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Swan Lake, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-09-16	1976-09-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Swan Lake in Johnson County, IA on September 16, 1976.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Merlin	Swan Lake	Swan Lake, Johnson Co., Iowa	Swan L. is 1 mile south from the Coralville Reservoir. The bird was flying over the lake, the bordering mudflats and disappeared within seconds over an adjoining cornfield, continuing its rectilinear, unswerving flight.	The documentation form by Nicholas Halmi is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: In spite of the first subconscious "gestalt" impression of a Mourning Dove approaching, the square tail, lacking white, falcon wings and greater size rule this one out. The bird seen was definitely too small to be a Peregrine, and had no mustache. It did not have the distinctive facial pattern of the familiar Kestrel either, nor the rufous back and/or wings and tail; it was a dusky bird, not the way Kestrels look to me; nor have I ever seen a Kestrel flying with such blinding speed and so "purposefully". \| The original documentation form event occurred around 15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Hooded Warbler near Coralville Reservoir, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1976-05-27	1976-05-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hooded Warbler near Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on May 27, 1976.	Newlon, Michael C.	Hooded Warbler	Coralville Lake	wooded hillside n. of Co. Rd 'F', just w of highway 218	Specific: a wooded hillside, with mature oaks + shagbark hickories and a dense understory of 6'-10'- high shrubs, and forbs. General: above is part of a large tract of woodland that borders the n. shore of the Coralville Reservoir, separated from the resevoir [sic] by a road and a belt of second-growth woods. to the w. is an old farm, brushy grown-up pastures; to the n. is farmland.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Song, black 'hood' eliminate Kentucky, Canada Warblers - Canada has necklace of streaks, not solid black on throat; Kentucky has no black on throat \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 08:00:00/08:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	41
Rare bird documentation form for White-faced Ibis at Lake View, 1975	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1975-05-09	1976-04-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two White-faced Ibises at Lake View in Sac County, IA on May 9, 1975.	Jones, Glenn E.	White-faced Ibis	Lake View	3 mi. S of west edge of Lake View, Sac Co. Iowa	marshy, a grazed out pasture -wel at this time - usually grazed in June & July	The documentation form by Glenn E. Jones is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark Bohemayer and Ed Weiner. \| Elimination of similar species: Little green heron. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	24
Rare bird documentation form for Dark-eyed Junco at Iowa City, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-03-30	1976-04-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for six Dark-eyed Juncos at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on March 30, 1976.	Newlon, Michael C.	Dark-eyed Junco	Iowa City	Iowa City IA	feeding on lawn in flock of slate-colored's. , in residential neighborhood.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] head + 'bib' lighter grey than slate-colored's \| The original documentation form event lasted for around a half an hour.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	65
Rare bird documentation form for Harris' Sparrow at Coralville Reservoir, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1976-04-10	1976-04-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Harris' Sparrows at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on April 10, 1976.	Newlon, Michael C.	Harris' Sparrow	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir Iowa City, Iowa 52240	woodlot with tall trees, weed patches, brush pile, in an area of fields and second-growth woods.	The documentation form by Michael C Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers are unidentified in the documentation form. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] large sparrow, built like a white-crown but larger, longer-tailed, posture less erect.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	64
Rare bird documentation form for Bohemian Waxwing at MacLean Hall at University of Iowa, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-02-01	1976-02-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bohemian Waxwing at MacLean Hall at University of Iowa in Johnson County, IA on February 1, 1976.	DeCoster, R. J. (Richard Joseph)	Bohemian Waxwing	MacLean Hall	near the southwest corner of the Physics Building on the University of Iowa Campus.		The documentation form by Richard DeCoster is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Its large size and large crest made the bird stand out. \| The original documentation form event lasted around three minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	16
Rare bird documentation form for Brown Thrasher at Kent Park in Johnson County, 1975	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1975-12-20	1976-01-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Brown Thrasher at Kent Park in Johnson County, IA on December 20, 1975.	Newlon, Michael C.	Brown Thrasher	F W Kent County Park	Kent Park, Johnson Co. IA, ~ 7 mi. west of Iowa City	General: Kent Park contains old fields, some growing up to brush, second-growth woods. It is situated in farming country. Specific: Bird was in an area of dense thickets of small, dense, scrubby trees interspersed with weedy clearings	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Roger Milkman, Marianne Milkman, Paul Milkman, and Carol Newlon. \| Elimination of similar species: Brown Thrushes eliminated by large size, bold streaking rather than spotting on breast. Finches (siskin, Female r-b. grosbeak) elim. by bill shape, size, rufous color. Sage, long-billed thrashers eliminated by rufous color, range. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 11:00:00/11:02:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	14
Rare bird documentation form for Tundra Swan at Sand Point at Coralville Reservoir, 1975	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1975-12-13	1975-12-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Tundra Swan at Sand Point at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on December 13, 1975.	Newlon, Michael C.	Tundra Swan	Sand Point	Sand Pt, Coralville Reservoir, nw of Iowa City IA	edge of reservoir: grassy flats now submerged by an increase in water level. area has large 'marshy' areas of flooded grass, extensive areas of open water, some harvested corn fields, some fields of winter rye (Planted for geese), some seasonal-growth woods.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include: Nick Halmi. \| Elimination of similar species: mute swan: eliminated by all-dark bill, vertical posture of neck. Trumpeter Swan: eliminated by range. Snow Goose: eliminated by large size, lack of black in wingtips. White pelican: eliminated by proportions of neck & bill, lack of black in wingtips. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	1
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Kent Park, 1975	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1975-12-06	1975-12-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Kent Park in Johnson County, IA on December 6, 1975.	Newlon, Michael C.	Golden Eagle	F W Kent County Park	Kent Park, ~10 miles west of Iowa City IA	soaring over area of stubble fields, old fields growing up to brush, farms	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: 'ringed' tail, proportion of head, neck, bill; lack of any white in wing-lining on body plumage: all eliminate imm. bald eagle. great size, lack of white in primaries eliminate black rough-leg. \| The original documentation form event occurred between 13:30:00/14:35:00 (seen twice) (total ~ 20 minutes).	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Black Duck at Forneys Lake, 1975	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1975-11-16	1975-12-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Duck at Forneys Lake in Fremont County, IA on November 16, 1975.	Silcock, W. Ross	American Black Duck	Forneys Lake	Forney Lake, Fremont Co., Iowa	Forney Lake is a wetland area and small lake of about 5 acres which attracts numerous waterfowl in spring and fall.	The documentation form by W. Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The only similarly - appearing species remotely possible here would be the Mottled Duck, which I have seen in Louisiana. The Mottled Duck has a much cleaner) cut appearance than the Black Duck and if at all to be expected, would be more likely in the spring. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	4
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Coralville Reservoir, 1975	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1975-09-12	1975-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on September 12, 1975.	Newlon, Michael C.	Merlin	Coralville Lake	Coralville Res.	reservoir, bordered by wide grassy flats	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: dark tail, lack of face pattern elim. sparrow hawk. Small size + falcon build (long pointed wings, long squared-off tail) rule out other hawks. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Coralville Reservoir, 1975	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1975-10-28	1975-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on October 28, 1975.	Newlon, Michael C.	Golden Eagle	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir, NW of Iowa City, IA	Coralville Res. - wooded ridge to N., extensive water and bare grassy flats in Res. area, then farmland to S.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: imm. Bald Eagle; proportions of head, neck and tail, no white in wing-linings black r-l hawk: lack of any white in primaries and secondaries, large size. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Common Flicker hybrid at Iowa City, 1975	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1975-11-01	1975-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Common Flicker hybrid at Iowa CIty in Johnson County, IA on November 1, 1975.	Newlon, Michael C.	Northern Flicker	Iowa City	Iowa City IA	lawn with many large hickory trees, in Hickory Hill Park, Iowa City - park contains second growth woods, pastures, brush old fields surrounded on 3 sides by residential areas, farmland on the other side.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: local 'yellow-shafted' has (1) yellow linings to wing + tail, (2) yellow shafts to primaries -> rectrices, (3) black mustache-mark, (4) brown face + grey crown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:00:00/10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	61
Rare bird documentation form for Carolina Wren at Hickory Hill Park, 1975	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1975-11-01	1975-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Carolina Wrens at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on November 1, 1975.	Newlon, Michael C.	Carolina Wren	Hickory Hill Park	Hickory Hill Park, Iowa City IA	brushy ravines on gullies in Hickory Hill Park - park contains woods, open pastures, brushy grown-up old fields	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Nicholas Halmi and Marilyn Smith Glasson. \| Elimination of similar species: eye stripes, rusty color, large size, voice elim. House, winter wrens voice, lack of white in tail, short tail rule out Bewick's (v. rare if not extinct in Iowa City area)<-(fide FW Kent). \| The original documentation form event occurred in the morning.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	88
Iowa 1975 spring migration, Red Rock Refuge and Lake	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Migration Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology Rare birds	1975-03-01	1975-05-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Birds sighted during the 1975 spring migration at Red Rock Refuge and Lake in Iowa were reported by Gladys Black. At the end, Black noted three rare bird species reported in other locations: a Purple Gallinule in Ottumwa, two White-faced Ibis at Black Hawk Lake, Sac County, and a Swainson's Hawk banded in Ankeny. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of spring 1975.	Black, Gladys	Swainson's Hawk White-faced Ibis Purple Gallinule	Ankeny Lake Red Rock Ottumwa Black Hawk Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	14
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Iowa City in 1975	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1975-05-09	1975-05-20	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on May 9 and May 17, 1975.	Newlon, Michael C.	Surf Scoter	Iowa City				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation for American Magpie at Tyson Bend, 1974	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1974-10-14	1974-11-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for an American Magpie at Tyson Bend in Harrison County, IA on October 14, 1974.	Loth, Edward W.	Black-billed Magpie	Tyson Bend Wildlife Area	Tyson Bend, 4 mi. west of Modale, Harrison County, Iowa	General: Wooded area of Missouri River flood plain. Specific: A series of cattail marshes interspersed with willows and cottonwoods.	The documentation form by Edward W. Loth is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: None - the only bird I am familiar with that is black and white and has a long tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/17:31:00 and 18:20:00/18:21:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	83
Rare bird documentation form for Cattle Egret near Interchange 35 of I-29, 1974	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1974-08-22	1974-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Cattle Egret near Interchange 35 of I-29 in Mills County, IA on August 22, 1974.	Anderson, Rose	Cattle Egret	Keg Lake Wildlife Management Area	Lake by I-29 right after Plattsmouth exit	small marshy lake - a lake along I-29 beside a corn field - some mud flats & marshy areas along the edge	The documentation form by Rose Anderson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ruth Green. \| Elimination of similar species: Snowy Egret would be larger & have black bill & black legs. Common Egret would be larger with longer, thinner neck & have black legs. Immature Little Blue Heron would be larger, thinner & longer neck, dark-tipped bill which would look dark even if light was wrong for it to be bluish & legs would be more greenish - not bright yellow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	21
Nicholas S. Halmi letters to Vernon M. Kleen regarding birds observed during summer and fall 1973.	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Identification Feathers Habitat (Ecology) Rare birds	1973-06-01	1973-11-30	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letters from Nicholas S. Halmi to Vernon M. Kleen regarding birds he observed in the fall and summer of 1973. One letter was about birds observed during summer 1973 near Iowa City. The other letter, dated November 20, 1973, was about birds observed during the fall of 1973 at Coralville Reservoir. This letter noted the following birds that the author regarded as rare: Willets, Stilt Sandpipers, Sanderlings, and Western Sandpipers. These items were used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of fall 1973.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Western Sandpiper Willet Sanderling Stilt Sandpiper	Coralville Lake Iowa City				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	12