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 for Smith's Longspur at Anderson Township in Mills County, 1983	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-02-19	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Smith's Longspur at Anderson Township in Mills County, IA on February 19, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Smith's Longspur	Anderson Township	Wilson farm, NE Mills County, Iowa	flying over open fields near woods.	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Lapland Longspurs should have white bellies rather than buffy ones. The voice makes me think it is an open - field bird + not a sparrow or something like that \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	42
Rare bird documentation form for Bay-breasted Warbler in Mills County, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-09-23	1980-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bay-breasted Warbler in Mills County, IA on September 23, 1980.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Bay-breasted Warbler	Mills County	Wilson Farm, NE Mills County, Iowa	General: edge of woods Specific: Oak dominant	The documentation form by Barbara Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Blackpoll Warbler eliminated by tan sides + under tail coverts. (I couldn't see leg color). Pine Warbler - eliminated by back streaks, sides \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 08:15:00/08:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	32
Rare bird documentation form for Lincoln's Sparrow northwest of Hastings, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-01-05	1983-02-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lincoln's Sparrow northwest of Hastings in Mills County, IA on January 5, 1983.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Lincoln's Sparrow	Hastings	Wilson Farm, N.E. 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: Distinguished from adult Song Sparrow by buffy breast + fine breast streaks, from young one by eye ring + general face pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:23:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	61
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Wilson farm in Northeast Mills County, 1982.	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-09-13	1982-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Wilson farm in Northeast Mills County, IA on September 13, 1982.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Merlin	Mills County	Wilson farm, N.E. Mills County		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: When it was parachuting, the bird farmed its wings enough it resembled an accipiter, but when it flew the wings were obviously pointed, + the bird's rowing wingbeats were like a falcon's. Size limits the question to: Kestrel or Merlin? The tail banding + uniformly gray upper parts (the latter seen only briefly) make it a Merlin. I've never seen anything behave like that. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Connecticut Warbler in Mills County, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-05-26	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Connecticut Warbler in Mills County, IA on May 26, 1983.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Connecticut Warbler	Mills County	Wilson farm, N.E. 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: Resembles the fall Mourning Warbler plumage. In fact, I must say this is either a female Connecticut Warbler in Spring plumage or a Mourning that retains fall plumage. I did not see if the eye ring is broken or not, nor the extent to which the under tail coverts cover the tail feathers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 09:00:00/09:01:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	39
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 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
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 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 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
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 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 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
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 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
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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