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 Varied Thrush at Wellman, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-01-15	1984-01-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Varied Thrush at Wellman in Washington County, IA on January 15, 1984.	Hollis, Richard Jule	Varied Thrush	Wellman	816 13th St Wellman Iowa	Urban Feeder	The documentation form by Rick Hollis is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Janet Hollis, Jenny Hollis, Eury Henderson, Barbara Henderson, and Ruth Eash. \| Elimination of similar species: Robin is the only vaguely similar species. The description above clearly eliminates robins \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for House Finch at Perry, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-07-27	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a House Finch at Perry in Dallas County, IA on July 27, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes and seven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Armstrong, Eugene	House Finch	Perry	Perry, Iowa	urban dwelling, niger feeder	The documentation form by Eugene Armstrong is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent, W. Ross Silcock, Raymond Cummins, Peter C. Petersen, Francis L. Moore, and Joe Schaufenbuel were submitted later. Other observers include Mary Lou Petersen, Larry Linder, Wallace Jardine, Eloise Armstrong, Dick Mooney, and Paley Mooney. \| Elimination of similar species: purple finch - smaller bodied, less coloring; house sparrow - no pinkish coloring. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	15
Rare bird documentation form for Magnolia Warbler at Sioux City, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1995-07-04	1995-07-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Magnolia Warbler at Sioux City in Woodbury County, IA on July 4, 1995.	Livermore, Wayne	Magnolia Warbler	Sioux City	4713 Tyler St Sioux City Ia 51108	Urban back yard	The documentation form by Wayne Livermore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Eliminated yellow-rumped because of white breast. Wrong facial coloring for Cape May. All similar species have very disimilar [sic] song. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	23
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Summer Tanager at Iowa City, 1998	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-01-11	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Summer Tanager at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on January 11, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, an article in Field Notes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, an e-mail from Mary E. Noble to Jim Fuller, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Summer Tanager	Iowa City	315 S. 7th Ave. Iowa City, Iowa	Urban area, small back yard with several feeders and brush cover.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Jim Fuller was submitted later. Other observers include Mary Noble and Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: The overall coloration and plainness indicate a female or immature bird. The lack of prominent gray in the auriculars and light bill color argue against Hepatic Tanager. The bill length, head shape, and relative paleness of the wings favor Summer Tanager over Scarlet Tanager. The lack of prominent wing bars appears to exclude Western Tanager. The apparent lack of orange tint suggest a bird from the West or perhaps an immature. The Summer Tanager photographed at Pleasant Valley in Scott County on 2 December 1990 was more orange-yellow than the Iowa City bird. The latest Midwest record for Scarlet Tanager in books of these states was 26 Nov in Minnesota. There are a few winter records of Summer Tanager: in Tennessee (4) 5, 18, 21 Dec and 2 Feb-15 Mar; in Michigan 1 Dec; in Missouri 3-10 Jan 1987. There are also winter records from Florida and the Texas Coast. This does not constitute an exhaustive search for winter records. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:10:00/08:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	28
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-throated Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1980-05-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-throated Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park in Muscatine County, IA on May 9, 1980.	Thornburg, Robert E.	Yellow-throated Warbler	Wildcat Den State Park	Wildcat Den State Park	uppermost pine branches, often to the very tips of the branches	The documentation form by Robert E. Thornburg is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-throated Vireo, Northern Parula Warbler Magnolia Warbler. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/07:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	28
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Yellow-throated Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park, 1980	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-05-09	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Yellow-throated Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park in Muscatine County, IA on May 9, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thornburg, Robert E.	Yellow-throated Warbler	Wildcat Den State Park	Wildcat Den State Park	uppermost pine branches often to the very tips of the branches	The documentation form by Robert Thornburg is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-throated Vireo, Northern Parula Warbler Magnolia Warbler. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/07:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	19
Rare bird documentation form for Lark Bunting in Garfield Township in Sioux County, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-06-14	1984-09-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Lark Buntings in Garfield Township in Sioux County, IA on June 14, 1984.	Thompson, Carol A.	Lark Bunting	Garfield Township	Fairview QUad T96N R47W Sec 17/20 Sioux Cnty [sic]	Upper terrace between Big Sioux and Rock River, unplanted semi-plowed field at time, high water conditions	The documentation form by Carol Thompson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Bobolink - did not have light patch on back of head nor any white in body or rump. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:30:00/15:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	54
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Coralville Reservoir, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-12-18	1993-12-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on December 18, 1993.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir, Johnson County, Iowa	upper reaches of the Coralville Reservoir	The documentation form by Carl Bendorf is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lanny Haldy, Randy Graesser, Dan Ray, Angela Ray, Kathleen Kuenstling, Randall Pinkston, Thomas Kent, Jim Fuller, and others. \| Elimination of similar species: Of about 500 gulls total, nearly 90% were adult Ring-Billed Gulls and the rest were mostly winter adult and a few subadult Herring Gulls. [...] An adult gull in between the size of adjacent Ring-billed and Herring Gulls. It was noticeable larger than the Ring-bills; not too much smaller than the Herrings. It differed from the Herrings in being a little less barrel chested and a little slimmer, more horizontal in posture. \| The original documentation form event occurred for 45 minutes during two sessions.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Brown Pelican at Lake Rathbun, 1992	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-03-21	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for four Brown Pelicans at Lake Rathbun in Appanoose County, IA on March 21, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes and one documentation form submitted to the committee.	Exline, Nancy	Brown Pelican	Rathbun Lake	Just west of mile marker 16 on Highway 142 on north side of Rathbun Reservoir, Appanoose County.	Upper reaches of one arm of the Reservoir with shallow water and flood prone vegetation on S. side of highway, shallow captive water ponds and pasture on north side.	The documentation form by Nancy Exline is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Roy Downing. \| Elimination of similar species: None except whites-cormorants mentioned as possible by Darrell Howell and Dinsmore; however, I am very familiar with this species also and know it was not cormorants. \| The original documentation form event occurred at 10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	11
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter near Keokuk, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-11	1985-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for eight White-winged Scoters on the Mississippi River near Keokuk in Lee County, IA on November 11, 1985.	Cecil, Robert I.	White-winged Scoter	Keokuk	Mississippi River, Lee County, Iowa (near Keokuk)	Upper pool of Miss. River Lock and Dam 19	The documentation form by Robert I. Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Am. Coots have thin white band of white on trailing edge of wing, not conspicuous flashing patches. Am. Black Ducks have whitish underneath wings, but not confined to speculum, not visible on wing upper surface, as was on birds I observed. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Sabine's Gull at Babcock Access at Coralville Reservoir, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-08-18	1999-08-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sabine's Gull at Babcock Access at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on August 18, 1999.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Sabine's Gull	Babcock Access	Babcock Access, Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co., IA	upper parts of reservoir with shallow pools and mud flats.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller and James Huntington. \| Elimination of similar species: Immature Black-legged Kittiwake and Little Gull may present a W pattern, but not a dark back. The lighter color of the interior triangle on the upper wing was the only field mark that did not seem to fit. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/17:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	39
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Lock and Dam 9, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-11-21	1983-11-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Greater Scaups at Lock and Dam 9 in Allamakee County, IA on November 21, 1983.	Myers, Robert K.	Greater Scaup	Lock and Dam 9	Just north of Lock + Dam #9 on Mississippi River north of Harper's Ferry, Iowa.	Upper Mississippi Wildlife Refuge	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Large size (bigger than lesser) - about size of the ring-necked ducks. Rounded heads - not peaked as in lessers. In good sunlight (for a change) showed green gloss on head (not purple). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Coralville Reservoir, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-03-26	1988-03-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on March 26, 1988.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Golden Eagle	Coralville Lake	Coralville Res., near DuPont Bridge, Johnson Co., IA	Upper area of reservoir - open areas	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The pattern of white was too restricted for a dark phase Rough-legged Hawk and too specific for other dark phase buteos. An immature Bald Eagle would have patchy white on wing coverts, axillars, and tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:02:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Ventura Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-09	1984-05-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Ventura Marsh in Hancock County, IA on May 9, 1984.	Hansen, James L.	Yellow Rail	Ventura Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Ventura Marsh, north side, 1 mile W of Ventura, Hancock County	uplands with a mixture of switchgrass and brome, ~ 80' from marsh	The documentation form by James L. Hansen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Sora, Virginia rail - Both are darker and lack white wing patches \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Varied Thrush at Camp Dodge, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-10-04	1995-10-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Varied Thrush at Camp Dodge in Polk County, IA on October 4, 1995.	Herzberg, Ruth	Varied Thrush	Camp Dodge	Camp Dodge, IA (Johnston, Iowa)	Upland Woods -	The documentation form by Ruth Herzberg is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill Norris. \| Elimination of similar species: Robin - asked Bill about white eye line He said it was a Varied Thrush \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	11
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Worth Township in Boone County, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-02-18	1983-02-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Worth Township in Boone County, IA on February 18, 1983.	Martin, Kevin	Northern Goshawk	Worth Township	Boone County, Worth Township Sec. 8	Upland woods	The documentation form by Kevin Martin is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol Brown. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 13:42:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle on the Little Sioux River south of Cherokee, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-10-05	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle on the Little Sioux River south of Cherokee in Cherokee County, IA on October 5, 1985.	Bierman, Dick	Golden Eagle	Cherokee	Along the Little Sioux River 7 miles south of Cherokee in Cherokee County	upland timber, pasture, river bottoms	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Marion Brewer and Vernon Bierman. \| Elimination of similar species: Bald Eagle, Red Tail, Rough-legged Hawk. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:40:00/13:00:00	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
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
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Sharp-shinned Hawk at Jackson Township, 1989	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-07-19	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Sharp-shinned Hawk at Jackson Township in Hardin County on July 19, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the bird sighting by David Conrads to Carl Bendorf, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Conrads, David J.	Sharp-shinned Hawk	Jackson Township	NE 1/4 of NE 1/4 SEC 13 T-88N R-20W Jackson Twp Hardin Co.	Upland forest, steep ravine	The documentation form by David J. Conrads is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Keith Franzen and Nixon Wilson. \| Elimination of similar species: Due to its significantly smaller size than a Cooper's Hawk, we concluded that it was a HY male Sharp-shinned Hawk. We also listened to "A Field Guide to Bird Songs" and although the Sharp-shinned recording was that of 175 "kek-kek-kek" warning/alarm call, the Cooper's Hawk recording was that of a food begging call which was very similar but of a significantly lower pitch than that of the bird we observed. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	27
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at McIntosh Wildlife Area, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-06-10	1986-06-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a King Rail at McIntosh Wildlife Area in Cerro Gordo County, IA on June 10, 1986.	Hellickson, Mickey	King Rail	McIntosh Woods State Park	McIntosh Wildlife Area, Cerro Gordo Co., IA	Upland - prairie	The documentation form by Mickey Hellickson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Clapper Rail is similar but very uncommon in this area \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Willow Slough, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-03-26	1981-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two or more Ross' Goose at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on March 26, 1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Ross's Gull	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Park Farm, NE Mills County, near Willow Slough	unplowed cornfield	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose is larger, with a longer bill (not lavender), and head not rounded. Snow Geese have a black 'grin' on bill, which I could see in the telescope on the larger geese as I looked at Ross's. \| The original documentation form event occurred around a half an hour near sunset.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon west of New Albin, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-22	1986-11-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon west of New Albin at Allamakee County, IA on November 22, 1986.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Peregrine Falcon	New Albin	Upper Iowa River Valley ~ 3 mi west of New Albin, Allamakee Co, IA	Unglaciated hilly river valley	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore and Bob Cecil. \| Elimination of similar species: Too large and light for Merlin or Kestrel. Light axillaries exclude Prairie Falcon. Two toned effect exclude Gyrfalcon. There was only a mild breeze, so we were not looking at a buteo or accipiter distorted by the wind. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 12:30:00/12:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Varied Thrush at Long Grove, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-01-02	1978-02-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Varied Thrush at the Laglin addition of Long Grove in Scott County, IA on approximately January 2, 1978.	Ferleman, Paul	Varied Thrush	Long Grove	Laglin Addition - Long Grove Iowa	undetermined (his yard - grass + scattered oaks)	The documentation form by Paul Ferleman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jo Ann Ferleman and Marge Hansen. \| Elimination of similar species: Similar to thrushes but with dark breast band and lines over eyes. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:15:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	11
Rare bird documentation form for Hooded Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-04-26	1981-05-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hooded Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on April 26, 1981.	Martsching, Paul	Hooded Warbler	Brookside Park	Brookside Park Ames - Story County	undergrowth in bottomland forest	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include George Brown and Gordon Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: Mourning Warbler - yellow face Connecticut Warbler - yellow face. \| The original documentation form event lasted for about ten minutes in the late morning.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	41
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon in Delaware County, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-06	1984-05-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon in east-central Delaware County, IA on April 6, 1984.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Peregrine Falcon	Delaware County	EC Delaware Co., along hgwy 20	Typical Iowa countryside-cultivated fields with scattered small woodlots and stream bottoms.	The documentation form by Carl Bendorf is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: First impression of size of Red-tail seems to rule out Merlin. Falcon shape of wings rules out accipiters. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34