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 Surf Scoter at Big Spirit Lake, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1995-10-06	1995-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Surf Scoters at Big Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on October 6, 1995.	Thelen, Ed	Surf Scoter	Spirit Lake	West side of Big Spirit Lake in Dickinson County	Glacial Lake	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: White-winged Scoter - how white-wing patch. Surf Scoter - white on side of head - these birds has 2 patches. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Elkhart, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1984-01-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Elkhart in Polk County, IA on January 29, 1984.	Mosman, Dean	Northern Goshawk	Elkhart	2 M.E. of Elkhart, IA	Timber Area	The documentation form by Darwin (Dean) Mosman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Diane Mosman and Mike Mosman. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's is too small also no eye line. No barring on breast of Goshawk. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:20:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Big Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1984-01-28	1984-01-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Big Marsh in Butler County, IA on January 28, 1984.	Moore, Francis L.	Northern Goshawk	Big Marsh Wildlife Area	N.W. side of Big Marsh, Butler Co.	Open marsh with some tree and shrub wildlife plantings	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers and Dan Perkins. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's Hawk does not have white eyestripe or long fluffy undertail coverts. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:18:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Sweet Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1984-01-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on January 22, 1984.	Moore, Francis L.	Northern Goshawk	Sweet Marsh	3 mi. S. of Sweet Marsh, Bremer Co.	Open field edge along Wapsipinicon River	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's Hawk does not have wide, bold, white eyestripe or fluffy undertail coverts. Sharp-shinned Hawk is a lot smaller than this bird was. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/08:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Cherokee, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1984-01-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Cherokee in Cherokee County, IA on January 15, 1984.	Bierman, Dick	Northern Goshawk	Cherokee	3 miles northwest of the town of Cherokee	Red Cedar and oak timber	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Coopers and Sharpshinned hawks, this was an adult bird and it did not have the rust colored barring on the chest that they do. Falcons have narrow pointed wings. Male Northern Harriers are lighter and have a white rump patch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:45:00/14:47:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at MacBride Field Campus, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1984-01-06	1984-01-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at MacBride Field Campus in Johnson County, IA on January 6, 1984.	Staudt, Thomas J.	Northern Goshawk	Macbride Nature Recreation Area	Macbride Field Campus Johnson Co.	mixed conifer and deciduous forest. hilly with open areas	The documentation form by Thomas J. Staudt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol Newlon and a Christmas Bird Count group. \| Elimination of similar species: large size and eyebrow strip eliminate other accipiters. Buteo's are generally browner, shorter tail, and also lack an eyebrow strip. Osprey is also browner and has more extensive white on the head. Osprey also would have noticeably long wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:10:00/09:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Lake Rathbun, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1983-12-19	1984-01-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Lake Rathbun in Lucas County, IA on December 19, 1983.	Brown, Mike	Northern Goshawk	Rathbun Lake	Lucas Co., Iowa approx. 3.5 miles southeast of Russell, Lake Rathbun area	upland mixture of corn stubble, woodland and planted prairie grasses	The documentation form by Mike Brown is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Brian Winter and Bill Rybarczyk. \| Elimination of similar species: Larger and grayer undersides than other Accipiters. Shorter wings, no rump patch, and different flight pattern than N. Harrier. Wings not pointed like a falcon's. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Saylorville Dam, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1982-11-15	1982-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two White-winged Scoters at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on November 15, 1982.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	White-winged Scoter	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Dam, Polk Co., Iowa	Larger Reservoir, surrounded by wooded hills.	The documentation form by Joseph P. Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The uniform dark brown, with white eye and orange bill separates the birds from other two scoters. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/13:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Saylorville Reservoir Dam, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1982-04-08	1982-04-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-winged Scoter at Saylorville Reservoir Dam in Polk County, IA on April 8, 1982.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	White-winged Scoter	Saylorville Dam	By Saylorville Reservoir Dam, Polk Co., Iowa	Open Reservoir above dam.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No other large species of Duck female is so uniformly brown with a white speculum. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Lake Anita State Park in 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1981-11-06	1981-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four White-winged Scoters at Lake Anita State Park in Cass County, IA on November 6, 1981.	Hensley, R. Craig	White-winged Scoter	Lake Anita State Park	Lake Anita State Park, one mile south of Anita, Iowa	Large, open lake	The documentation form by R. Craig Hensley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The surf scoter and black scoter are similar. However, the specimans [sic] that I observed had the white wing patch that these two species do not have. In addition, two of the birds seen had white about their eyes, as neither of the other two have. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:20:00/08:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Little Wall Lake, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1979-11-10	1979-11-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three White-winged Scoters at Little Wall lake in Hamilton County, IA on November 10, 1979.	Dinsmore, James J.	White-winged Scoter	Little Wall Lake	Little Wall Lake, Hamilton Co., IA	open water of freshwater lake	The documentation form by James Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark and Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Black Scoter- these birds had white wing patches Surf Scoter- no evidence of white patch on back of head, also wing patches Double-crested Cormorant-wing patches, didn't hold bill up like cormorants do, coloration on head not like cormorant. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Winterfeld Park, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1998-12-02	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Winterfeld Park in Sioux County, IA on December 2, 1998.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Surf Scoter	Winterfeld Boat and Fish Area	Winterfeld Park along the north side of Rock Valley in Sioux County		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I rule out any possible confusions, as follows: - White-winged Scoter has white in the wing and lacks sharp contrast between crown and face - Black Scoter has rounded forehead and lacks pale head patches - Ruddy Duck is smaller, has differently shaped bill and dark line across cheek - Female Scaups have white in the wing, differently shaped white patch at base of bill, and little contrast between crown and face. \| The original documentation form event occurred for around 20 minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Green Island Wildlife Area, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1996-05-13	1996-05-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Green Island Wildlife Area in Jackson County, IA on May 13, 1996.	Petersen, Peter C.	Surf Scoter	Green Island Wildlife Management Area	Green Island W.A. - Jackson Co.	Marsh- pond area diked from river	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Brian Blevins and Don Moeller. \| Elimination of similar species: No whit [sic] on wing, eliminating wh-wg. Scoter. White much to limited for Black Scoter, also wings uniformly dark. Too large for Harlequin Duck. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:15:00/06:16:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Bruce G. Peterjohn letter to James J. Dinsmore requesting additional field note data, August 15, 1988	Correspondence Field notes	Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-08-15	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Bruce G. Peterjohn letter to James J. Dinsmore requesting additional field note information including a Bald Eagle nest location. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of summer 1988. This letter relates to https://avian.lib.iastate.edu/documents/4241/view.	Peterjohn, Bruce G.	Bald Eagle	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	23	6
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Davenport, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1992-12-20	1993-01-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 20, 1992.	Sowl, LeRoy W.	Surf Scoter	Davenport	I-280 Bridge, Davenport, IA	Miss. River	The documentation form by LeRoy W. Sowl is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Bryant and Dan Dorrance. \| Elimination of similar species: other scoters No white wing patch, front white facial patch had a vertical orientation and more bare bill was showing than on a white-wing. It did not have the facial pattern of a Black Scoter. Bill did not have the bump. Head not round like Black Scoter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Jester Park, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1990-11-10	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Jester Park in Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 10, 1990.	Johnson, Ann	Surf Scoter	Jester Park	Jester Park, Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co., IA	Open water	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bery Engrebretsen, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Pam Allen, Reid Allen, and others from the Des Moines Audubon. \| Elimination of similar species: Most ducks were eliminated by the angle/slope of the head and bill and the size of the bill. Although there was a similarity of head profile to the Common Eider, the facial spots eliminated any eider. Black Scoter would have a more rounded head with a uniform lighter cheek area as opposed to the spots on this bird. White-winged Scoter should have shown more rounded angle form the top of the head to the bill, generally would have less distinct facial spots, and definitely would have had white wing patches when the bird raised its wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:50:00/10:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Princeton, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1979-03-10	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for twenty Greater Scaups at Princeton in Scott County, IA on March 10, 1979.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Greater Scaup	Princeton	Mississippi River from I 80 north to Princeton	Mississippi River - partly ice covered lot - mostly open	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include T.K. Shires. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser scaup - There were about 40 of these for direct comparison, in the same field of view at times. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Little Wall Lake in 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1984-05-17	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Little Wall Lake in Hamilton County, IA on April 14, 1984.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Red-necked Grebe	Little Wall Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
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
Iowa Ornithologists' Union, Quarterly field report, fall 1991	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research Ornithology--Societies, etc Weather	1991-08-01	1991-11-30	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Quarterly field report for the fall of 1991 titled "Field Reports - fall 1991."	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934- Iowa Ornithologists' Union Bendorf, Carl J. Fuller, James L	Mississippi Kite Thayer's Gull Common Ground-Dove Pacific Loon Red Phalarope Lesser Black-backed Gull Sabine's Gull Western Wood-Pewee Eurasian Tree Sparrow Laughing Gull	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	24	7
Bruce Ehresman letter to James J. Dinsmore regarding U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports, December 14, 1988	Correspondence	Birds--Nests Birds--Research Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-12-14	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Bruce Ehresman letter to James J. Dinsmore regarding U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports on bird species of management concern. Copies of the reports are not included. The letter also requests information on nesting Northern Harriers and Short-eared Owls. This item was submitted past the deadline for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly Report of summer 1988. This letter is related to https://avian.lib.iastate.edu/documents/4317/view	Ehresman, Bruce	Short-eared Owl Northern Harrier	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	23	6
Neil Bernstein letter to James J. Dinsmore regarding personal papers, summer 1988	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-06-01	1988-07-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Neil Bernstein is interested in Jim's personal papers regarding photography measurement studies and species population wetland studies. The letter also includes bird sightings. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of summer 1988.	Bernstein, Neil	American White Pelican Black-crowned Night Heron American Coot	Dan Green Slough Wildlife Management Area Jemmerson Slough Wildlife Management Area Rush Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	23	6
Neil Bernstein letter to James J. Dinsmore regarding aerial photographs, June 12, 1988	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-06-12	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Neil Bernstein letter to James J. Dinsmore requesting aerial photographs of Rush Lake and Dan Green Slough Wildlife Management Area. The letter includes two bird sightings. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of summer 1988.	Bernstein, Neil	Common Moorhen White-throated Sparrow	Jemmerson Slough Wildlife Management Area Iowa Lakeside Laboratory				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	23	6
Opal Uher letter to James J. Dinsmore regarding a request to purchase a Peter C. Petersen publication, August 9, 1988	Correspondence Field notes	Bird feeders Bird watching Birds--Nests Birds--Research Ornithology--Societies, etc Birds--Infancy	1988-08-09	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Opal Uher letter to James J. Dinsmore regarding a request to purchase a copy of a publication by Peter C. Petersen. The letter includes field notes on House Finch nesting. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of summer 1988.	Uher, Opal	House Finch	Waterloo				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	23	6
Mark D. Bro letter to James J. Dinsmore regarding photographs of a Short-eared Owl and an unusual Northern Cardinal, August 1, 1988	Correspondence	Ornithology--Societies, etc Photography of birds	1988-08-01	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Mark D. Bro letter to James J. Dinsmore regarding photographs of a Short-eared Owl and a white-headed Northern Cardinal. The photographs are not included with the letter. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of summer 1988.	Bro, Mark D.	Northern Cardinal Short-eared Owl	Tama County Montour				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	23	6