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 Peregrine Falcon at Ames, 1984	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-01-31	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Peregrine Falcon at Ames in Story County, IA on January 31, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Bostian, Kelly	Peregrine Falcon	Ames	East side of Iowa State University Campus	Tree top approximately 40-45 ft. east of Heady Hall (East Hall)	The documentation form by Kelly Bostian is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Prairie Falcon: Absence of dark terminal band on tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:10:00/17:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Peregrine Falcon at Ames, 1984	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-06-23	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Peregrine Falcon at Ames in Story County, IA on June 23, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the bird sighting, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Martsching, Paul	Peregrine Falcon	Ames	Ames, Story County, Iowa	General: I once saw a Prairie Falcon flying the same way in S. Dakota. Specific: in town (southwest of intersection of 13th & Grand)	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Prairie Falcon, not overall tannish. Marsh Hawk, no white rump, wings too dark below, wings too pointy \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:20:00/18:21:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	5
Records committee review for rare bird sighting of Prairie Falcon at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge, 1980	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-03-15	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Prairie Falcon at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on March 15, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Prairie Falcon	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	1 mile east of De Sota [sic] NWR, Missouri Valley, Iowa	General: Missouri River bottom land 1 mile east of Desota [sic] Bends NWR Specific: Flat open farm land - except for road ditches + occasional narrow fence rows.	The documentation form by Raymond L. Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Wally Jardine and Thaine Hopkins. \| Elimination of similar species: The sparrow hawk and pigeon hawk are eliminated by the large size. The Peregrine Falcon by the light brown top side. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:22:00/08:27:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	6
Record Committee review for rare bird sighting of Prairie Falcon east of Sioux City, 1981	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-12-19	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Prairie Falcon east of Sioux City in Woodbury County, IA on December 19, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee. The documentation form is related to field notes detailing other sightings https://avian.lib.iastate.edu/documents/8756/view	Duecker, Steve	Prairie Falcon	Sioux City	Aprox [sic] 6 miles east of Sioux City, HY. 141	Bluffs on North Flat Land on South of HY.	The documentation form by Steve Duecker is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Documentation form was completed by Robert Nicholson. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 07:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	6
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Prairie Falcon at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge, 1981	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-12-20	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Prairie Falcon at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on December 20, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Prairie Falcon	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	DeSoto	Farming and in cropland	The documentation form by Barb Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rick Wright and Dave Menke. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:10:00/08:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	6
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Prairie Falcon north of Luther, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-07-30	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Prairie Falcon north of Luther in Boone County, IA on July 30, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, summary of review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Ehresman, Bruce	Prairie Falcon	Luther	Along Hwy 17, 1/2 mi. N of jct. with county rd. E (2 1/2 me. N of Luther)	Harvested oat-field surrounded by cornfields	The documentation form by Bruce Ehresman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Marlene Ehresman. \| Elimination of similar species: The white patch on the lower back made me think "Harrier," but the black patches on the axillars of the underside of the wing and the pointed wings are falcon characteristics. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:50:00/10:51:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	6
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Prairie Falcon at Linn Township in Dallas County, 1983	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-12-28	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Prairie Falcon at Linn Township in Dallas County, IA on December 28, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, letter from Thomas Kent to Ken Herring about the bird sighting on January 20, 1984, a summary of review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Herring, Ken	Prairie Falcon	Linn Township	Section 27, T-79N, R-29 W Dallas Co. Iowa	Brushy cover along mosquito Creek valley	The documentation form by Ken Herring is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine falcon, absence of black mustach [sic], NO barring on the belly. But the blackish patches near body was very evident. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:30:00/12:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	6
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Prairie Falcon southwest of Calumet, 1985	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-03-08	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Prairie Falcon southwest of Calumet in O'Brien County, IA on March 8, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Bierman, Dick	Prairie Falcon	Calumet	1 mile southwest of Calumet in O'Brien County	open, agricultural land	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine Falcon - Band on head not wide enough. Merlin, this bird was bigger. I guessed about a 30" wingspan. An immature Peregrine's back is much darker. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	6
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Prairie Falcon north of Alleman, 1985	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-09-21	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Prairie Falcon north of Alleman in Polk County, IA on September 21, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the sighting from Bruce Peterjohn to Tom Kent about the documentation forms, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Munson, Erik	Prairie Falcon	Alleman	4 mi. north of Alleman, IA	cropland	The documentation form by Erik Munson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Steve Dinsmore were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Merlin by size, habitat, paleness, tail; kestrel by size, back color, imm. peregrine by lack of black head, paleness, tail , etc. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	6
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Prairie Falcon southeast of Larrabee, 1987	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-07-28	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of two Prairie Falcon southeast of Larrabee in Cherokee County, IA on July 28, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brewer, Marion M.	Prairie Falcon	Larrabee	# 3 east, 1 south of Larabee [sic], Iowa	Rough rolling pastureland (bluff of the Little Sioux River)	The documentation form by Marion M. Brewer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Merlin & Peregrine (see above) [...] It was too large to be a merlin. It didn't have the wide wisker of a Peregrine falcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	6
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Prairie Falcon north of Marshalltown, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-11-06	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Prairie Falcon north of Marshalltown in Marshall County, IA on November 6, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Beth	Prairie Falcon	Marshalltown	one-half mile north of Marshalltown	open farmland, approaching Iowa River	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Mark Proescholdt were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel & Merlin - this bird much too large for that. Peregrine - this bird was too light colored to be a Peregrine & it had no helmet \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:05:00/10:06:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	6
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Prairie Falcon northwest of Spencer, 1992	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-11-29	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Prairie Falcon northwest of Spencer in Clay County, IA on November 29, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Prairie Falcon	Spencer	NW of Spencer, Clay Co., IA	open farmland near little Sioux River	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Immature peregrine- lacked dark head and heavy moustache \| The original documentation form event occurred around 12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	6
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Chukar at Davenport, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Introduced birds Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-12-18	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for seven Chukars at Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 18, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Decker, Jacqueline Ruth	Chukar	Davenport	Division & Cheyenne Aves. N.W. Davenport, Scott Co., IA	urban, near edge of city and ag land.	The documentation form by Jacqueline Ruth Decker is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Peter C. Petersen and Leonard Decker. \| Elimination of similar species: Gray Partridge- bill & legs not red, no white & black pattern on head, throat and sides. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	7
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Greater Prairie-Chicken at Cherokee, 1994	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-01-06	1999-10-15	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Greater Prairie-Chicken at Cherokee in Cherokee County, IA on January 6, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, three photos of the bird, an article in Iowa Bird Life, an article in Field Notes, and six documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Bierman, Dick	Greater Prairie-Chicken	Cherokee Municipal Airport	Cherokee Airport	open, grassy, few weed patches	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Marion Brewer, Dennis Henrickson, Don Poggensee, Jim Fuller, and Thomas H. Kent were submitted later. Other observers include Dick Tetrault, Jeff Brown, and Jerry Fifield. \| Elimination of similar species: Hen Pheasant, sharptailed grouse. They have longer pointed tails. Gray partridge has a redish [sic] tail and is smaller. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Greater Prairie-Chicken at Five Ridges Prairie, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-09-06	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of six Greater Prairie-Chickens at Five Ridges Prairie in Plymouth County, IA on September 6, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Bangma, Jim Johnson, Ann	Greater Prairie-Chicken	Five Ridge Prairie State Preserve	Five Ridges Prairie, Plymouth County, IA	Rolling western Iowa prairie with some agriculture	The documentation form by Ann Johnson and Jim Bangma is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The lack of a pointed tail eliminated even a young Ring-necked Pheasant (confirmed later in the week with observations). Sharp-tailed Grouse have been released in the Loess Hills, but they show a more pointed tail with white at the edges and their flanks are more spotted than barred. Ruffed Grouse has a fan-shaped tail which matches the body color and has a dark subterminal band. We had no doubt that these birds were Prairie Chickens. Lesser Prairie Chicken cannot be eliminated by our sighting but is dismissed based on location and habitat (tall grass vs. short grass prairie). The question of origin then arises. The closest releases of grouse have been Sharp-tailed in the Loess Hills south of Sioux City, but our observations eliminated Sharp-tailed. Greater Prairie Chickens have most recently been released in Ringgold County, some 150-200 miles to the southeast. I discussed possible releases with some birders in the area and no one had any knowledge of released birds. On the other hand, Greater Prairie Chicken nests in South Dakota fairly close to the Iowa border. This map shows the relative abundance of the bird in the plains states based on Breeding Bird Surveys. We therefore feel that it is most likely that these birds come from a native population nearby and might possibly have been a family group. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:20:00/07:22:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Greater Prairie-Chicken at Little Spirit Lake, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-08-27	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of around six Greater Prairie-Chickens at Little Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on August 27, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Baker, Warren L.	Greater Prairie-Chicken	Little Spirit Lake Wildlife Management Area	South end - west side Little Spirit Lake, Iowa	- cut field, next to lake	The documentation form by Warren L. Baker is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Karen Baker were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Sharpe [sic] Tailed grouse \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Yellow Rail at Coralville Reservoir, 1980	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-04-28	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Yellow Rail near Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on April 28, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Glasson, Marilyn Smith	Yellow Rail	Coralville Lake	Marshy area about 1/2 mi. NE Swan Lake. Not Swan Lake Road S of Pine Stool	General: marsh Specific: noted no plant species - First flushed from drier grassy area (I didn't see) 2nd time flushed from water edge to dry grass area	The documentation form by Marilyn Smith Glasson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Thomas Staudt was submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: The sora is the only other bird that is similar. It has no white on its wings. I've never noticed back striping to be so evident. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 06:30:00/08:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Yellow Rail at Sweet Marsh, 1980	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-05-11	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Yellow Rail at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on May 11, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Myers, Robert K.	Yellow Rail	Sweet Marsh	East side of Sweet Marsh - Bremer Co. Iowa	The bird flushed in exactly the same place as one did May 26, 1979 for Francis Moore and me. The area has short grass (less than a foot high) and the water under the grass is about 4" or 5" deep. Francis flushed the bird again May 18, 1980.	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Yellow Rail at Sweet Marsh, 1980	Administrative records Field notes Maps (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-05-18	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Yellow Rail at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on May 18, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes, a map of the sighting area, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Moore, Francis L.	Yellow Rail	Sweet Marsh	Bird was located on East side of Sweet Marsh, which is outside of Tripoli to the East. Observation was on a dike that comes off of and South of parking lot on second road going to the marsh as you proceed North from the Southern part of the Marsh. See map for location, at asterisk.	Habitat bird was found in was a grassy area about 2' to 2 1/2' tall about 2' from dike and extending approximately 50' from dike. All around this particular area was large concentrations of cattails and sedges. Water was approximately 2" to 4" deep in area of sighting with deeper water on 3 sides of the area and the dike on the fourth side.	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Robert Myers and Joe Schaufenbuel. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Yellow Rail at Big Marsh Wildlife Area, 1980	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-09-21	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Yellow Rail at Big Marsh Wildlife Area in Butler County, IA on September 21, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Hansen, James L.	Yellow Rail	Big Marsh Wildlife Area	Big Marsh Wildlife Area, 6 mi. N of Parkersburg, Butler County, Iowa	General: flooded moist soil plants, primarily grasses and smartweed Specific: I don't know; the bird was in a box in a car when I first saw it.	The documentation form by James L. Hansen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Priebe. \| Elimination of similar species: None. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Yellow Rail at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-07-13	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Yellow Rail at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge in Kossuth County, IA on July 13, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and two versions (typed and handwritten) of a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thompson, Carol A.	Yellow Rail	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge	Union Slough	Marsh	The documentation form by Carol Thompson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. A typed version of the other documentation form was compiled by Thomas H. Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Immature Sora - I would not expect the Sora to be as small or as yellow. The bill should have been more yellow. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black Rail at Cone Marsh, 1981	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-08-29	1993-08-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black Rail at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on August 29, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Black Rail	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh, Louisa Co., Iowa	General: Marsh Specific: 50 paces from the W end of the dike and the same distance s. along a small water area	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: By shape and behavior the bird was a rail. The date is wrong for downy young of other species and the bird did not appear downy. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:10:00/09:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black Rail at Hendrickson Marsh, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-04-24	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black Rail at Hendrickson Marsh in Story County, IA on April 24, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Martsching, Paul	Black Rail	Hendrickson Marsh Lake	Hendrickson's Marsh, Story County, Iowa	General: marsh along shore of large shallow lake Specific: area with much old grass more or less bent down with new growth less than six inches. Was a little water under the grass where it flew up	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Paul Martsching (later time, but same bird) were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Sora - bigger,lighter, yellow beak. Virginia - bigger, lighter, long thin beak. Rail chick - too early in year - and was flying \| The original documentation form event occurred around 15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black Rail near Dixon, 1987	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-05-11	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black Rail near Dixon in Scott County, IA on May 11, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Black Rail	Dixon	1/2 mi. S. High Rock Bridge near Dixon, Scott Co.	grassy ditch along county road	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Don Moeller and Walter Zuurdeeg. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow Rail-no white wing patch. Sora & Virginia Rail-bird much too small, flight weaker than either. I had seen Soras several times in the preceeding [sic] two days. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 20:40:00/20:41:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black Rail at Zirbel Slough, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-05-15	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black Rail at Zirbel Slough in Cerro Gordo County, IA on May 15, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Walter, Janice L.	Black Rail	Zirbel Slough	East-west dike n. side of Zirbel Slough, Cerro Gordo Co., Ia	Open pool of water between dike and dense marsh	The documentation form by Jan L. Walter is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim B. Walter and Edna E. Peters. \| Elimination of similar species: Size; Rail shape, flight, and behavior eliminated near-by Blackbirds. It was too early in the year for a downy Rail chick in North Iowa. Also downy chicks would not be able to fly. Very small size and all black color eliminated other Rail species. Even though we did not see the reddish wash on the back, white speckling on the wings, or barring on the flanks; the black, not reddish, underparts eliminated the possibility of a small Virginia Rail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:13:00/19:13:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	12