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

Field checklist of Iowa birds, revised 2010	Checklists	Bird watching Birds--Identification Ornithology--Methodology Ornithology--Societies, etc	2011-01-01	2011-12-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	A blank standardized Iowa Ornithologists' Union checklist of Iowa birds form for recording bird species sightings. The list was revised in 2010 and contains 424 total species of birds that are either regular or casual species in Iowa, with additional space to record accidental species.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	1	3
Big Bluestem Audubon Society brochure and membership application	Brochures	Bird watching Ornithology--Societies, etc Wildlife conservation	2007-08-01	2007-08-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	A brochure with a membership application to join the Big Bluestem Audubon Society. The brochure includes information on the local chapter of the Audubon as well as details on meetings, field trips, the Christmas Bird Count, and other activities.	Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa)		Ames				Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	1	10
List of contributors to the Iowa Ornithologists' Union quarterly field reports	Checklists	Bird watchers Ornithology--Methodology	2005-06-01	2005-07-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	A list of names of Iowa bird observers who contribute field reports for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union quarterly field report. Includes the number of records each person has submitted. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of summer 2005.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	39	12
List of contributors to the Iowa Ornithologists' Union quarterly field reports	Checklists	Bird watching Ornithology	2004-06-01	2004-07-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	A list of names of Iowa bird observers who contribute field reports for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union quarterly field report. Includes the number of records each person has submitted and other data. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of summer 2004.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	39	11
Iowa Ornithologists' Union brochure	Brochures Printed ephemera	Bird watching Ornithology--Societies, etc Wildlife conservation	2004-05-01	2004-05-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Iowa Ornithologists' Union promotional brochure printed May 2004.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	1	6
Big Bluestem Flyer, Volume 37, Number 5, May/June 2002	Newsletters	Bird watching Birds--Conservation Anseriformes \| Ducks, Geese, and Swans Ornithology--Societies, etc Charadriiformes \| Shore-birds, Gulls, and Auks Wildlife conservation Societies--History, organization, etc	2002-05-01	2002-06-30	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa), Volume 37, Number 5, May/June 2002. Highlights of the newsletter include details on the acquisition of proposed Harrier Marsh Shorebird Management and Observation Area for the purpose of managing and hosting migrating shorebirds, a column "From the Wolf's Den" by Wolf Oesterrich reporting observations of many species of waterfowl and new early extreme spring dates for Story County, information on an upcoming Iowa Wetlands Workshop, and details on Audubon membership for both national and chapter members. Also included is brochure, "Audubon Guide for a Healthy Yard and Beyond".	Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa) Shivvers, Rebecca A.		Ames Harrier Marsh Ada Hayden Heritage Park				Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	3	7
Documentations of Iowa Birds Submitted by Field Observers through 1999	Administrative records	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1945-01-01	2002-06-17	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	List of rare bird documentation forms and sightings submitted to the Iowa Ornithologists' Union not reviewed by the Record Committee through 1999 prepared by Thomas H. Kent.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	5
Big Bluestem Flyer, Volume 37, Number 4, March/April 2002	Newsletters	Bird watching Birds--Habitat Anseriformes \| Ducks, Geese, and Swans Ornithology--Societies, etc Important bird areas	2002-03-01	2002-04-30	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa), Volume 37, Number 4, March/April 2002. Highlights of the newsletter include details on the society's 2002 Birdathon event, a column "From the Wolf's Den" by Wolf Oesterrich recalling many record setting waterfowl observations at Ames Quarry (Ada Hayden Heritage Park), reports from January and February field trips, and a letter from Ric Zarwell regarding the start of Audubon Iowa's Important Bird Area (IBA) Program.	Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa) Zarwell, Ric Shivvers, Rebecca A.		Ames Ada Hayden Heritage Park				Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	3	7
Big Bluestem Flyer, Volume 37, Number 3, January/February 2002	Newsletters	Bird surveys Bird watching Birds--Counting Ornithology--Societies, etc Wildlife conservation Waterfowl	2002-01-01	2002-02-28	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa), Volume 37, Number 3, January/February 2002. Highlights of the newsletter include reports from October and November field trips, the results of the 2001 Ames, Saylorville Reservoir, and Boone County Christmas Bird Counts, and numerous bird sightings reported by society members including a Common Loon which set a new late fall extreme date for Story County. Also includes the Big Bluestem Audubon Society field trip and program calendar for spring 2002.	Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa) Shivvers, Rebecca A.	Common Loon	Ames Saylorville Lake Boone County Ada Hayden Heritage Park				Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	3	7
Big Bluestem Flyer, Volume 37, Number 2, November/December 2001	Newsletters	Bird watching Ornithology--Societies, etc Wildlife conservation Natural areas Societies--History, organization, etc	2001-11-01	2001-12-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa), Volume 37, Number 2, November/December 2001. Highlights of the newsletter include an article on the restoration of Hallett's Quarry (Ada Hayden Heritage Park) and what society members can do to help, a final farewell letter from Paul Zeph who is the state office director of Iowa Audubon, and a new column "The View From the Wolf's Den" by Wolf Oesterrich in which he describes bird sighted from his backyard overlooking Hallet's Quarry. Also included is the Big Bluestem Audubon Society 2001-2002 annual plan and long term goals, October 4, 2001.	Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa) Shivvers, Rebecca A.		Ames Ada Hayden Heritage Park				Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	3	7
Big Bluestem Flyer, Volume 37, Number 1, September/October 2001	Newsletters	Bird watching Local government and environmental policy Ornithology--Societies, etc Wildlife conservation	2001-09-01	2001-10-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa), Volume 37, Number 1, September/October 2001. Highlights of the newsletter include an article on the world's population and its effect on wildlife habitats, the results of the the society's 2001 Birdathon, and a report of numerous good bird sightings at Jester Park contributed by Ty Smedes. Also included is a Big Bluestem Audubon Society events calendar for fall 2001.	Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa) Shivvers, Rebecca A.	Turkey Vulture Cedar Waxwing American White Pelican Osprey Peregrine Falcon	Ames Jester Park Saylorville Lake				Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	3	7
Documentation form for extraordinary bird sightings in Iowa, Michael C. Dooley, June 18 to July 5, 2001	Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	2001-06-18	2001-07-05	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Documentation of a Pacific Loon sighting contributed by Michael C. Dooley, June 18, 2001. The bird was first sighted on June 18, 2001 and last sighted on July 5, 2001. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of summer 2001.	Dooley, Michael C.	Pacific Loon	Terry Trueblood Recreation Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	28	7
Big Bluestem Flyer, Volume 36, Number 5, May/June 2001	Newsletters	Bird watching Birds--Counting Habitat (Ecology) Ornithology--Societies, etc Wildlife conservation Prairie restoration	2001-05-01	2001-06-30	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa), Volume 36, Number 5, May/June 2001. Highlights of the newsletter include details and the program of the Wetland Discovery Workshop sponsored by Iowa Audubon and the National Audubon Society, an update on NatureMapping which will assist in monitoring wildlife habitats in need of more protection, reports from March and April field trips, and the proposed 2001-2002 budget of the society	Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa) Shivvers, Rebecca A.		Ames Harrier Marsh				Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	3	7
Big Bluestem Audubon Society Events Calendar, spring 2001	Fliers (printed matter) Maps (documents)	Ornithology--Societies, etc Charadriiformes \| Shore-birds, Gulls, and Auks Meetings Waterfowl	2001-01-18	2001-06-02	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The spring 2001 calendar of events for the Big Bluestem Audubon Society. The calendar provides details on several general meetings, speakers, and field trips of the society for mid-January though early June 2000, including outings to Ledges State Park, Lake Red Rock, and Cone Marsh Wildlife Management area as well as waterfowl and shorebird trips. Includes a map of the general meeting location and a map of the field trip meeting location.	Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa)	Red-headed Woodpecker Bald Eagle Eurasian Tree Sparrow Pileated Woodpecker	Ames Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area Lake Red Rock Ledges State Park				Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	3	7
Big Bluestem Flyer, Volume 36, Number 4, March/April 2001	Newsletters	Bird watching Ornithology--Societies, etc Wildlife conservation Wildlife rescue Prairie restoration	2001-03-01	2001-04-30	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa), Volume 36, Number 4, March/April 2001. Highlights of the newsletter include details on the society's 2001 Birdathon event, an appeal for members to join in a statewide Prairie Rescue event, reports from January and February field trips, and a note from Rick Hollis about the rescue of a Downy Woodpecker that was caught in plastic netting.	Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa) Shivvers, Rebecca A.	Downy Woodpecker	Ames North Liberty				Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	3	7
Big Bluestem Flyer, Volume 36, Number 3, January/February 2001	Newsletters	Bird surveys Bird watching Birds--Counting Ornithology--Societies, etc Wildlife conservation Wildlife conservationists	2001-01-01	2001-02-28	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa), Volume 36, Number 3, January/February 2001. Highlights of the newsletter include reports from several fall field trips, bird sightings from several society members including observations of Gyrfalcon and Northern Shrike, an article in memory of Jim Rod who passed away on July 4, 1998, and the results of the Ames, Saylorville Reservoir, and Boone County Christmas Bird Counts. Counts from	Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa) Shivvers, Rebecca A.	Gyrfalcon Northern Shrike	Ames Saylorville Lake Boone County				Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	3	7
Big Bluestem Flyer, Volume 36, Number 2, November/December 2000	Newsletters	Bird banding Bird watching Birds--Counting Environmental policy Ornithology--Societies, etc	2000-11-01	2000-12-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa), Volume 36, Number 2, November/December 2000. Highlights of the newsletter include details on the history of Christmas Bird Counts, a recap of the first Pelican Watch Festival held at Jester Park, a note to society members to watch for banded Pelicans as they migrate through the state, and reports for several September and October field trips.	Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa) Shivvers, Rebecca A.	American White Pelican	Ames Jester Park				Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	3	7
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of White-tailed Kite at Norwalk, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-13	2000-11-29	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a White-tailed Kite at Norwalk in Warren County, IA on May 13, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee. The original documentation reports the bird as a Black-shouldered Kite	Johnson, Ann	White-tailed Kite	Norwalk	My home in northern Warren County, Iowa	Agricultural area with some riparian edges	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Size, shape and flight pattern initially eliminated buteos and accipiters. I seriously considered both Northern Harrier and Peregrine Falcon. Until the bird got close enough to see the underparts, Peregrine was the most likely candidate based on the straight trailing edge of the wing, although I have never seen a Peregrine glide so effortlessly with few wing strokes taken. The flight pattern and white head made me aware that this was probably a kite. Of the other possibilities for this bird, all were eliminated by the white tail with no markings. Only a Ferruginous Hawk would share this characteristic. The black carpal spots on white wing linings were somewhat reminiscent of an Osprey, but other patterns, size, and flight pattern are not consistent. Although Northern Harrier males look very white from below, their heads are dark not white, and only the outer primary tips are dark as opposed to this bird's entire primary area. The tundra race of the Peregrine Falcon would appear light colored on the head, but would also show more dark markings underneath than this bird had. Mississippi Kite looks fairly white headed at a distance, but the underparts and tail are gray. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:05:00/18:07:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	25
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Yellow-billed Loon at Little Wall Lake, 1999	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-12-02	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Yellow-billed Loon at Little Wall Lake in Hamilton County, IA on December 2, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, a print of four photos, and six documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Yellow-billed Loon	Little Wall Lake	Little Wall Lake, Hamilton Co., IA	Natural lake in glaciated area. All open water.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller, Chris Edwards, Jim Dinsmore, Stephen J. Dinsmore, and Mark Proescholdt were submitted later. Other observers include Kevin Healy, Dick Tetrault, Reid Allen, Pam Allen, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene Armstrong, Beth Proescholdt, Kay Niyo, Eric Haley, and Hank Zaletel. \| Elimination of similar species: The size and thick bill exclude Red-throated and Pacific Loons. The features that favor Yellow-billed over Common Loon include the bill shape, dark line to mid culmen, small eye, auricular patch, and the pattern of the foreneck and face (little extension of white and mottled color). The back pattern (wavy white lines rather than fuzzy white lines with dark bars) and paleness of the auricular patch indicate a juvenile. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Clark's Grebe at Blue Lake, 1999	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-05-21	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Clark's Grebe at Blue Lake in Monona County, IA on May 21, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Allen, Pam Allen, Reid I.	Clark's Grebe	Blue Lake	Monona County, South Blue Lake		The documentation form by Pam and Reid Allen is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent and J. Fuller were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: The Western Grebes (Aechmorphorus occidentalis) had a much duller, greyish-greenish yellow bill and the body and flanks were blacker. Plus, the black cap extended over the eyes and lores. The Western Grebes seemed to be slightly smaller headed than the Clark's Grebe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/18:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	9
Records committee review for rare bird sighting of Brown Pelican at Saylorville Reservoir, 1999	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-09-22	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records committee review of a Brown Pelican at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on September 22, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Brown Pelican	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, off Campground #4 of Jester Park (Polk Co.)		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent, James Dinsmore, and Chris Edwards were submitted later. Other observers include Tom Staudt, James Huntington, Aaron Brees, Eloise Armstrong, Chris Caster, and Ann Johnson. \| Elimination of similar species: Only other North American pelican is White, and size, body color, and bill color alone eliminate it. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:15:00/12:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-bellied Whistling-Duck at Columbus Junction, 1999	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-04-25	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black-bellied Whistling-Duck at Columbus Junction in Louisa County, IA on April 25, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, an e-mail about the bird sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Black-bellied Whistling-Duck	Columbus Junction	2 miles north of Columbus Junction, Louisa Co., Iowa	A backwater slough adjacent to highway 70 and close to the Iowa River	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ted Allen, Bill Ohde, and Jim Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Fulvous Whistling-Duck lacks the gray face, orange bill, and white wing patch.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Northern Goshawk at Stephens State Forest, 1999	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-05-20	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Northern Goshawk at Stephens State Forest in Lucas County, IA on May 20, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Bangma, Jim Johnson, Ann	Northern Goshawk	Stephens State Forest - Lucas Unit	Stephen's State Forest, Lucas County		The documentation form by Ann Johnson and Jim Bangma is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The powerful direct flight, the longish tail, and the rounded broad wings identified this bird as an accipter. Bangma's first comment was that the width of the wings reminded him of Hook-billed Kites in So. Texas, a dramatic characteristic that allows experienced hawk watchers to identify Northern Goshawk from a distance - literally a stovepipe with broad wings. Buteos have a much shorter tail that gives them an entirely different look and feel. A gray adult male Northern Harrier would look white below and have longer wings proportionate to the body. Although we were unable to see the bird at an angle to see every characteristic of this species, other accipters would have been rufous or brown from below. Although this is certainly a late date for this species, Northern Goshawk has been seen in the winter in and near this location. In breeding areas it feeds on grouse. We speculated on the reintroduction of Ruffed Grouse in this area and what effect it might have on late migration and even potential breeding. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:45:00/13:46:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	28
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Barrow's Goldeneye at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge, 1999	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-02-28	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Barrow's Goldeneye at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on February 28, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Obrecht, Josh	Barrow's Goldeneye	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	De Soto Bend national WIldlife Refuge Missouri Valley, Iowa	Lake, Forest	The documentation form by Josh Obrecht is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dave Obrecht. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Goldeneye. I eliminated this species out because the bird I saw had only a little white on the speculum and a large yellow eye with a small pupil. The common Goldeneye has a lot of white on the speculum and a large pupil in the eye. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	21
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Yellow-billed Loon at Clear Lake, 1999	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-04-18	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Yellow-billed Loon at Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo County, IA on April 18, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Walter, Janice L.	Yellow-billed Loon	Clear Lake	North side of Clear Lake, Clear Lake, Iowa	Large open lake, no reeds or rushes in this area	The documentation form by Jan L. Walter is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Curt Nelson, and Carolyn Fischer. \| Elimination of similar species: Color, plumage, and bill shape eliminated Cormorants. Size eliminated Red-throated and Pacific Loons. Basic and immature plumage. Common Loon eliminated by straight, yellow aulmen, very pale tannish face, brown auricular patch, overall pale appearance of head and neck, and brown, not black, body. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	8