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

Gladys Black letter to Michael Newlon regarding bird sightings including a Pine Grosbeak, February 1, 1984	Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird feeders Bird watching Birds--Identification Rare birds	1984-02-01	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Gladys Black to Michael Newlon, sent on February 1, 1984, about bird sightings that winter. It features a photocopied photograph and description of a Pine Grosbeak sighting at Denver in Bremer County, IA, before February 1, 1984.	Black, Gladys Wylder, Robert	Pine Grosbeak Snowy Owl Glaucous Gull Orange-crowned Warbler	Pleasantville Red Rock Dam Denver				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	80
Photograph of a Chimney Swift observation tower	Photographs	Bird watching	1928-08-10	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	An observation tower built by Althea Sherman of National, used for observing the nesting of Chimney Swifts, August 10, 1928. Photograph originally titled "Chimney Swift observation tower near National, Iowa." Rosene provides details on back of photograph.	Rosene, Walter, 1880-1941	Chimney Swift	National				Walter M. Rosene, Sr. Papers \| MS 589	17	3
Photograph of a young Broad-winged Hawk	Photographs	Bird watching Birds--Infancy	2003-07-14	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	A young Broad-winged Hawk on the west side of Ames, July 14, 2003. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of summer 2003.	Dinsmore, James J.	Broad-winged Hawk	Ames				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	39	10
Photograph of a White-winged Dove perching on a tree branch	Photographs	Bird watching	2002-07-02	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	A White-winged Dove perching on a tree branch located in the yard of Raymond H. Cooper, Cerro Gordo County, July 2, 2002. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of summer 2002.	Hertzel, L. Paul	White-winged Dove	Cerro Gordo County				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	39	9
Field notes, photograph, and letter to James J. Dinsmore contributed by Ed Thelen, summer 2002	Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Identification Birds--Nests Birds--Infancy	2002-06-01	2002-07-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Summer report of birds found in northwest Iowa contributed by Ed Thelen. Also included is a brief letter to James J. Dinsmore from Thelen regarding the enclosed photograph of Cooper's Hawk fledglings in a nest and Dinsmore's retirement. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of summer 2002.	Thelen, Ed	Cooper's Hawk Eurasian Collared Dove Common Loon Osprey Pectoral Sandpiper Common Pheasant	Kettleson Hogsback Wildlife Management Area Spirit Lake Cayler Prairie State Preserve Spring Run Complex Wildlife Management Area Clear Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	39	9
Field notes contributed by Jacob T. Gilliam, summer 2002	Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Identification Birds--Nests Birds--Infancy	2002-06-01	2002-07-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Summer report of birds and locations contributed by Jacob T. Gilliam. Also included are two images of a Fulvous Whistling Duck standing by a Warren County wetland southeast of Cumming taken by Kent Nickell, June 1-10, 2002. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of summer 2002.	Gilliam, Jacob T. Nickell, Kent	Cooper's Hawk Little Blue Heron Semipalmated Sandpiper Willow Flycatcher Bell's Vireo Grasshopper Sparrow Yellow-billed Cuckoo Fulvous Whistling-Duck American White Pelican Orchard Oriole Lark Sparrow Black-crowned Night Heron Ruddy Duck Lesser Yellowlegs Spotted Sandpiper White-rumped Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper Black-billed Cuckoo Snow Goose Short-billed Dowitcher Great Egret Green Heron	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area Lock and Dam 11 Saylorville Dam Warren County Terra Lake Cumming				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	39	9
Walter Rosene personal reminiscences of nature study and bird work at Ledges State Park	Diaries Photographs Narratives (literary works)	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Nests Birds--Research Parks--Iowa Birds--Anecdotes	1918-01-01	1941-12-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	A typewritten journal compiled by Walter Rosene detailing his bird study at Ledges State Park as well as additional field work. The journal covers the years 1918-1941 and contains details from several of Rosene's bird watching interests, including the following: observations and photographs from Ledges State Park, multiple poems, bird observations in Boone County (1918-1929) and within 30 miles of Ogden, IA (1930-1939), a life list of birds, nesting records of Barred Owls and Great Horned Owls, Christmas bird census counts (1922-1936), a survey of Martin colonies in Ogden, a list of Rosene's publications, and timeline of his participation in the McGregor Wild Life School.	Rosene, Walter, 1880-1941	Great Horned Owl Barred Owl	Ledges State Park Ogden Boone County McGregor Heights				Walter M. Rosene, Sr. Papers \| MS 589	13	6
Wilson's Phalaropes nesting in Northwest Iowa	Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Birds--Identification Birds--Nests	1968-06-01	1968-06-30	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The field notes give a detailed description of two separate Wilson's Phalarope nests found approximately one mile apart in Northwest Iowa in June 1968. One nest hatched successfully while the other nest was accidentally destroyed. Also includes a photograph of a nest with four eggs.	Bergman, Robert D.	Wilson's Phalarope	Deweys Pasture State Game Management Area Oppedahl State Game Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	38	24
Lantern slide and photograph of a flock of White Pelicans swimming	Lantern slides Photographs	Bird watching	1924-06-24	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	A flock of White Pelicans swimming in Chase Lake, North Dakota, June 24, 1924. Slide originally titled "Pelicans on Lake." Rosene provides details on photograph. These items related to Rosene's journal: https://avian.lib.iastate.edu/documents/9319/view	Rosene, Walter, 1880-1941	American White Pelican	Chase Lake				Walter M. Rosene, Sr. Papers \| MS 589	4	42
Lantern slide and photograph of young and old Pelicans standing by a lake	Lantern slides Photographs	Bird watching	1924-06-24	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	A flock of young and old Pelicans standing close to the shore of a lake, June 24, 1924. Slide originally titled "Pelicans on Lake." The lantern slide is hand-colored. Rosene provides details on photograph. These items related to Rosene's journal: https://avian.lib.iastate.edu/documents/9319/view	Rosene, Walter, 1880-1941	American White Pelican	North Dakota				Walter M. Rosene, Sr. Papers \| MS 589	4	41
Lantern slide and photograph of a Snow Goose	Lantern slides Photographs	Bird watching	1934-05-17	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	A Snow Goose standing on bare ground, located in Ogden, May 17, 1934. Slide originally titled "Snow Goose." The lantern slide is hand-colored.	Rosene, Walter, 1880-1941	Snow Goose	Ogden				Walter M. Rosene, Sr. Papers \| MS 589	5	7
Photographs of an Eurasian Collard Dove, summer 2001	Photographs	Bird watching Birds--Nests Birds--Infancy	2001-07-30	2001-08-01	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Photograph of the Eurasian Collard Dove consists of two images taken by Thomas H. Kent. The top image is an adult Eurasian Collard Dove in Grinnell, July 30, 2001 and the bottom image is an Eurasian Collard Dove on a nest with young in Fenton, August 1, 2001. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of summer 2001.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Eurasian Collared Dove	Grinnell Fenton				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	28	7
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-crowned Night-Heron at Polk City, 1997	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-12-21	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-crowned Night-Heron at Polk City Wildlife Area in Polk County, IA on December 21, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Black-crowned Night Heron	Polk City Wildlife Area	Polk City Wildlife Area, Polk Co., IA		The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore was submitted later. Other observers include Aaron Brees and Phil Walsh. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was eliminated by the boldness of the markings on both the upper and underparts of the body and by the leg extension in flight. \| The documentation form event occurred at approximately 09:30:00	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	20
Record Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Pleasant Creek Lake, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-04-13	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Record Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Pleasant Creek Lake in Linn County, IA on April 13, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, a photo and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Red-throated Loon	Pleasant Creek State Park	Pleasant Creek Recreation Area (Linn County)		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Chris Edwards were submitted later. Other observers include John Daniel, Ken Lowder, and Dale Fye. \| Elimination of similar species: The other smaller loon, Pacific has darker gray upperparts and minimal white marks on the back, gray surrounding the eye, a straight bill, black eye, a more rounded top of the head, and often displays a chin strap, all features which differ from Red-throated Loon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:37:00/14:54:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Reddish Egret at Colfax, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-09-05	1996-08-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Reddish Egret at Colfax in Jasper County, IA on September 5, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and ten documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Reddish Egret	Colfax	1 mi. west of Colfax IA. Jasper Co.	Flood water pool of the Skunk River	The documentation form by Ray Cummins is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Tim Schantz, Peter C. Petersen, Ann Johnson, Gerald White, Ross Silcock, Thomas H. Kent, Pam Allen, Jim Fuller, Randy Pinkston, and Chris Edwards were submitted later. Other observers include Chuck Fuller, Jim Scheib, Kelly McKay, Dan Dorrance, Jim Sinclair, Hank Zaletel, Reid Allen, Dick Tetrault, D. Thompson, D. and V. Hendrickson, Ella Moeller and Jean Moeller, Kenneth R. Nelson, Rita Goranson, Carolyn Fisher, and Jan Walter. \| Elimination of similar species: Little Blue Heron adult would have darker body and neck with no brown tones. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/18:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	19
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Neotropic Cormorant at Little River Recreation Area, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-05-04	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Neotropic Cormorant at Little River Recreation Area in Decatur County, IA on May 4, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, two photos, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Neotropic Cormorant	Little River Recreation Area	Little River Rec. Area	large reservoir with numerous dead snags	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: My only concern was to adequately eliminate Double-crested Cormorant, many of which were available for direct comparisons. The size, tail length, and throat patch pattern all eliminate this species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:25:00/15:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	12
Records Committee review for bird sighting of Brown Pelican at Rathbun Reservoir, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-05-30	1999-10-15	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Brown Pelican at Lake Rathbun in Appanoose County, IA on May 30, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, two photographs, an American Birds article, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Brown Pelican	Rathbun Lake	Lake Rathbun Island West Boat Ramp	Open water	The documentation form by Raymond L. Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill Heusinkveld, Marj Heusinkveld, Tom Johnson, and Mary Montog. \| Elimination of similar species: Nothing I know of. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 20:00:00/20:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	11
Records committee review for rare bird sighting of Brown Pelican at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge, 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-05-06	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Brown Pelican at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on May 6, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in the Nebraska Bird Review about the sighting, two photographs, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Rose, B.J.	Brown Pelican	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA, and Washington County, NE. It was on the south end of the oxbow, just above the dam.	Missouri River oxbow lake	The documentation form by B.J. Rose is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, and Peter C. Petersen were submitted later. Other observers include Babs Padelford, Ross Silcock, Dick Tetrault, and Brian Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: White Pelican is white with black wing tips; some were present for comparison. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Clark's Grebe at Diamond Lake, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-12-13	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Clark's Grebe at Diamond Lake in Poweshiek County, IA on December 13, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, photos, an Iowa Bird Life article, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Allen, Pam Allen, Reid I.	Clark's Grebe	Diamond Lake	Poweshiek County, Diamond Lake Park		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 Mark Proescholdt, Thomas H. Kent, Phil Walsh, and Michael D. Overton were submitted later. Other observers include Jim Sinclair, Ann Johnson, Eugene Armstrong, Dixie Overton, Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: The Western Grebe (Aechmorphorus occidentalis) has a much duller, greyish-greenish yellow bill and the body and flanks are blacker. Plus, the black cap extends over the eyes and lores, and there is a more solid blackish cast on the bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:15:00/14:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Clark's Grebe at South Twin Lake, 1994	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-11-25	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Clark's Grebe at South Twin Lake in Calhoun County, IA on November 25, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, an Iowa Bird Life article, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Clark's Grebe	South Twin Lake	South Twin L., Calhoun Co., IA	shallow lake	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Susan B. Grove. \| Elimination of similar species: The short body, longer neck, and bright orange bill color eliminates all species of loons. The only other similar species is Western Grebe, which has a dulller yellowish bill and dark lores and dark color around the eyes. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:25:00/08:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at Spirit Lake, 1997	Administrative reports Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-08-02	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pacific Loon at Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on August 2, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Ed	Pacific Loon	Spirit Lake	West and South shore of Spirit Lake, Dickinson County	Large Natural Lake	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Lee Schoenewe was submitted later. Other observers include Nancy Schoenewe. \| Elimination of similar species: Straight horizontal bill and chinstrap eliminated red-throated Loon - smaller size eliminated common Loon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/08:30:00 on 08/02/1997 and from 07:30:00/07:40:00 on 08/05/1997.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at West Okoboji, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-04-15	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pacific Loon at West Okoboji in Dickinson County, IA on April 15, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, two photos, an article of Iowa Bird Life, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Ed	Pacific Loon	West Okoboji Lake	N. End of West Okoboji - Dickinson County	3800 Natural Lake with developed shoreline	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Lee Schonewe, and Douglas Harr were submitted later. Other observers included Tim Waltz. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loons were also nearby and were larger with a flatter head, no chin strap and also white above the eye. Saw Loon fly only once. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:45:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at Anderson Lake, 1994	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-07-13	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pacific Loon at Anderson Lake in Hamilton County, IA on July 13, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, an article from Iowa Bird Life, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Pacific Loon	Anderson Goose Lake	Anderson L., Hamilton Co., IA	shallow marsh	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Mark Proescholdt, James Dinsmore, Thomas Kent, and Beth Proescholdt were submitted later. Other observers include Hank Zaletel. \| Elimination of similar species: The size and shape of the bird were those of a loon. The lack of a dark auricular patch, contrasting neck pattern, dark back and upperwings, and dark bill color all ruled out Yellow-billed Loon. Red-throated Loon was eliminated by bill shape, neck pattern, the dark back and upperwings, and dark area around the eye. Common Loon was eliminated by the dark back and upperwings, shorter, thicker bill, dark area around the eye, evidence of a chinstrap, neck pattern, and contrast between the pale nape and dark back. The bird was clearly a Pacific or Arctic Loon, but which one? Unfortunately, exact identification was not possible, though it was likely a Pacific Loon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:25:00/20:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at Pleasant Creek State Park, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-11-09	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pacific Loon at Pleasant Creek State Park in Linn County, IA on November 9, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, pages from an issue of Iowa Bird Life, and six documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Pacific Loon	Pleasant Creek State Park	Pleasant Creek State Park, Linn Co., IA.	Deep artificial lake with many ducks.	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, David L. Dankert, Randall Pinkston, Carl J. Bendorf, and Mark Proescholdt were submitted later. Other observers include Pete Wickham, John Daniel, Jeffrey B. Dankert, Beth Proescholdt, Pam Allen and Reid Allen. \| Elimination of similar species: No Common Loons present for comparison, but several were seen earlier in day at Lake Macbride. Bill thinner and straighter than Common Loon. No white around eye. Very sharp demarcation down neck. Neck mark was very thin and faint to me. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1989	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-10-22	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pacific Loon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 22, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, a print with three photos and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Pacific Loon	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-off dam and Cherry Glen Rec. Area	large reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Bob Myers, Ann Johnson, and Ray Cummins were submitted later. Other observers include Becky Myers, Pam Allen, Reed Allen, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of smaller size, short, straight bill, neck pattern, and contrast between the head and rest of the upperparts eliminates other loons. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:46:00/11:56:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7