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 Grasshopper Sparrow at Willow Slough, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-11-05	1980-12-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Grasshopper Sparrow at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on November 5, 1980.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Grasshopper Sparrow	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Iowa	weedy old field, brush nearby but it was in the weedy grass	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Le Conte's Sparrow - eliminated by lack of orange, + by lack of streaks on side of breast Henslow's - eliminated by nape streaks, but it's hard to be sure. Perhaps the difference in color between a Henslow's face + Grasshopper's face would be hard to tell in a backlit bird. Looked pale, though. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the afternoon for five minutes or more.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	56
Rare bird documentation form for Cattle Egret at Willow Slough, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-03-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Cattle Egret at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on March 27, 1988.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Cattle Egret	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills Co.	flying around marsh	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The small size eliminates Great Egret. The heavy, yellowish bill, dark legs, and short-necked appearance eliminates Snowy Egret and immature Little Blue Heron (not very likely at this date anyhow). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:45:00/14:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	21
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Willow Slough, 1982	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-03-28	1982-03-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form fro a Ross' Goose at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on March 28, 1982.	Moore, Francis L.	Ross's Gull	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills Co.	Marsh, flooded grassy portion	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose is larger and shows a definite 'grin' patch on the bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Willow Slough, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-03-24	1981-03-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form a Ross' Goose at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on March 24, 1981.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Ross's Gull	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills Co. Ia	Lake and marsh in Nishnabottna River bottoms. - Willow S.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas K. Shires and Peter C. Petersen. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:55:00/14:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Willow Slough, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-03-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ross' Goose at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on March 30, 1984.	Moore, Francis L.	Ross' Goose	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills Co., IA	At edge of open water along cattail edge.	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: Snow Goose is larger with a black "grin" patch on the bill and a longer looking neck. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Willow Slough, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-03-30	1985-04-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for five Greater Scaups at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on March 30, 1985.	Moore, Francis L.	Greater Scaup	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills Co., Iowa	Open part of lake	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Robert I. Cecil. \| Elimination of similar species: Female Lesser Scaup do not have white 'ear patch' as these females did. All five birds had a somewhat larger headed looks with the head looking 'fat' and rounded not pointed as Lesser Scaup would have appeared. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:25:00/15:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ross' Goose at Willow Slough, 1980	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-03-21	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Ross' Goose at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on March 21, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Ross' Goose	Willow Slough Dam	Willow Slough, Mills County, Iowa		The documentation form by Barb Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose! Seemed to differ in size, head shape, bill shape, color of bill (darker in Ross' goose) and lack of black grin mark. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 16:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	8
Rare bird documentation form for Common Tern at Willow Slough, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-05-19	1980-05-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Common Terns at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on May 19, 1980.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Common Tern	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills County, Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The more common Forster's Tern has wings all one color or paler on the primaries. One was present at the slough this day. However, young Forsters, I've been told, can have dark primaries. If this is so + they return those feathers in the spring, the possibility of Forster's Tern is not entirely eliminated.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	42
Rare bird documentation form for Tundra Swan at Willow Slough, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-03-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Tundra Swans at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on March 21, 1980.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Tundra Swan	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills County, Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Maureen Pace. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose: eliminated by size, relative length of neck, and bill color. Trumpeter Swan eliminated by yellow spots on bills.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	1
Rare bird documentation form for American Wigeon at Willow Slough, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-08-07	1982-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for American Wigeon at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on August 7, 1982.	Wilson, Barbara L.	American Wigeon	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills County, Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Uniformly brown head eliminates Wood Duck. Normal bill eliminates Shoveler. Size + rusty sides, lack of white in tail (not mentioned above) eliminates Mallard. Size + rusty sides eliminate Blue-winged Teal. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:55:00/20:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	3
Rare bird documentation form for Black Duck at Willow Slough, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-04-07	1980-05-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Duck at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on April 7, 1980.	Wilson, Barbara L.	American Black Duck	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills County, Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Darker than most dabbling duck females. Similar to Mallard. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:55:00/15:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	4
Rare bird documentation form for Common Tern at Willow Slough, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-05-24	1980-05-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for ten Common Terns at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on May 24, 1980.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Common Tern	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills County, Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: See other documentation \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:20:00/19:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	42
Rare bird documentation form for Long-tailed Duck at Willow Slough, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-16	1984-05-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Long-tailed Duck at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on April 16, 1984.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Long-tailed Duck	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills County, Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred late in the evening.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	14
Rare bird documentation form for Ruddy Duck at Willow Slough, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-04-12	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ruddy Duck at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on April 12, 1980.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Ruddy Duck	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills County, Iowa		The documentation form by Barb Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Resembles a ruddy in size, shape, color of sides, + color of belly. However, it lacked any light color on the cheeks. I don't know a duck that normally has this pattern. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 17:07:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	18
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Willow Slough, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-24	1984-05-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on April 24, 1984.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Peregrine Falcon	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills County, Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I believed this to be a buteo until it flew + I saw the pointed wings. Gray color + sharply contrasting face pattern would be very unusual in a buteo. Prairie Falcon would have dark in axillar area. I could easily have seen this dark pattern if the bird had had it, but it did not. Face pattern is also wrong for Prairie Falcon - too solid + too black-and-white. Face pattern eliminates Gyrfalcon. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 18:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Phalarope at Willow Slough, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-05-24	1980-05-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for seven Red-necked Phalaropes at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on May 24, 1980.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Red-necked Phalarope	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills County, Iowa.		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The more common Wilson's Phalarope is eliminated by hood pattern, wing stripe, + dark rump. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:20:00/19:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	30
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Willow Slough, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-09-18	1982-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on September 18, 1982.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Merlin	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, N.E. Mills County, Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel doesn't have a gray barred tail. Uniform grayish grown upper parts would resemble Merlin, not Kestrel. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:45:00/17:45:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Marbled Godwit at Willow Slough, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-19	1981-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Mabled Godwit at Willow Slough in northeast Mills County, IA on May 19, 1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Marbled Godwit	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, N.E. Mills County, Iowa	Standing in shallow water in drying slough.	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Hudsonian Godwit is similar, but has contrasting rump + wing stripe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:00:00/06:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	14
Rare bird documentation form for Whimbrel at Willow Slough, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-19	1981-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Whimbrel at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on May 19, 1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Whimbrel	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, N.E. Mills County, Iowa	Edge of water. Mudflat in drying slough	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Size + beak indicate a curlew. Long-billed eliminated by shorter bill + head pattern. Eskimo Curlew eliminated by wing linings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:05:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of White-faced Ibis at Willow Slough, 1981	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-05-19	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two White-faced Ibises at Willow Slough in Northeast Mills County, IA on May 19, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Wilson, Barbara L.	White-faced Ibis	Willow Slough Dam	Willow Slough, N.E. Mills County, Iowa	Wading in pool behind beaver dam in marshy slough. No large vegetation there; Eleochoris at edges.	The documentation form by Barbara L. WIison is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: That large, dark with decurved bill it must be a Glossy or White-faced Ibis. Complete, wide white stripe around the face indicates White-faced. Perhaps soft-parts color tells too but I don't know. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:30:00/07:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	24
Rare bird documentation form for Common Tern at Willow Slough, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-08-06	1979-08-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Common Terns at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on August 6, 1979.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Common Tern	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, NE Mills Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: All the terns I've managed to identify at the Slough before have been Forsters. There was a Forsters at the slough that evening, in fact, with white primaries. It tried to land on a piling by the other two, but then left. The Commons differed from Forster's terns by having dark primaries (adult) and on eye patch that circled the back of the head (other bird).	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	42
Rare bird documentation form for Least Tern at Willow Slough, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-08-02	1979-08-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Least Tern at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on August 2, 1979.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Least Tern	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, NE Mills Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: There aren't any other birds this small, white with narrow wings + swooping tern - like flight, I think. Too small for Black Tern + differs from even winter - plumage ones in head pattern, wing pattern, rump + tail color, + behavior. Too small + wrong pattern for Forster's Tern + relatives. Not acting or patterned like a gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from around 11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	44
Rare bird documentation form for White-faced Ibis at Willow Slough, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-19	1981-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two White-faced Ibises at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on May 19, 1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	White-faced Ibis	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, NE Mills County, Iowa	Wading in pool behind beaver dam in marshy slough, No large vegetation on there; Eleocharis at edges.	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: That large, dark with decurved bill it must be a Glossy or White-faced Ibis. Complete, wide white stripe around the face indicates White-faced. Perhaps soft-parts color tells too but I don't know. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:30:00/07:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	25
Rare bird documentation form for Little Blue Heron at Willow Slough, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-08-01	1979-08-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Little Blue Heron at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on August 1, 1979 and several other dates.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Little Blue Heron	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, NE Mills County, Iowa	Shallow lake + marsh that is Willow Slough	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: This heron resembles every other White Heron or egret. Albino Heron: this is what I thought it was at first, but it turned out to have color in bill & legs. "Great White Heron" can be eliminated by size and range. Snowy Egret: has black legs and bill. Great Egret: has yellow bill w/out black tip, & dark legs. Cattle Egret: has yellow to orange bill without black tip, has yellow to dark (not green legs) & is sociable, & wouldn't spend over a week in a marsh. Reddish egret: has a similar bill, but with base flesh-colored rather than gray. Has bluish, not green, legs, has a shaggy neck, and is unlikely to be found in Iowa. The white primaries eliminate other white large birds. The only thing left is immature Little Blue Heron.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	20
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-crowned Night Heron at Willow Slough, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-07-23	1979-07-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-crowned Night Heron at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on July 23, 1979.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Yellow-Crowned Night Heron	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, NE Mills County, Iowa	Twice I flushed the bird from the edge of the cattail patches. Flew away from me with slow, dignified wing beats.	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Bitterns have black, not gray flight feathers in wings. Immature Black-crowned Night heron has larger spots, a more streaked appearance. Note: both night herons were present at the slough last year. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	23