The Alabama RBA

July, 1998

Brought to you courtesy of Greg Jackson and Steve McConnell:

Previous RBA Page :  Alabama RBA for June, 1998

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Please send records with appropriate details to: Greg D. Jackson, 2220 Baneberry Drive, Birmingham, AL 35244.

The following may be called for information: on birding in Alabama, Greg Jackson at 205/987-2855; about the Alabama Ornithological Society, Charles Kennedy at 334/382-5737; about the Birmingham Audubon Society, Ann Miller at 205/879-7709; about the Shoals Audubon Society in n.w. Alabama, Bill Rogers at 205/766-5738.

RBA

* Alabama
* Statewide
* July 29, 1998
* ALST987.29

- Birds mentioned

Anhinga
White Ibis
Wood Stork
Swallow-tailed Kite
Mississippi Kite
Purple Gallinule
Black-necked Stilt
American Avocet
Upland Sandpiper
Long-billed Curlew
Barn Owl
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Note: Species capitalized above are on the Alabama Bird Records Committee Review List.

Please send records with appropriate details to: Greg D. Jackson, 2220 Baneberry Drive, Birmingham, AL 35244.

- Transcript

Hotline: Alabama Ornithological Society Rare Bird Alert
Date: July 29, 1998
Number: 205/987-2730
Compiler: Greg D. Jackson
Internet: greg-debi.jackson@prodigy.net

Hello, this is the Alabama Rare Bird Report for Wednesday, July 29, 1998.

HIGHLIGHTS: Wood Stork, Swallow-tailed Kite, Upland Sandpiper, Long-billed Curlew, and Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.

REQUEST: Information on sightings of Gray Kingbird would be appreciated; this usually "easy" species appears to be absent as a breeder this year on the Alabama outer coast.

WOOD STORKS have arrived in record numbers in the Black Belt. At least 385 storks were counted this afternoon along and near AL 25 south of Greensboro in the Prairie Eden area. A minimum of 300 were in one pond on the west side of AL 25 just north of the junction with Co. 12E. At least 85 storks were in a huge catfish pond complex southwest of the junction of Co. 10 and AL 25; most of these were in the far southwest part of the complex. Please be careful not to interfere with work at catfish farms. Twelve SWALLOW-TAILED KITES and 10 MISSISSIPPI KITES were seen in two groups along AL 25 north of Co. 16 and on Co. 16W. On 7/18, 12 Swallow-taileds and three Mississippis were seen along AL 25.

A SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was seen 7/18-19 north of Uniontown. From AL 183, take Perry Co. 23 north a couple of miles to the first paved road to the left. The bird was along the road 0.5 miles west of Co. 23. It was not seen in a storm during a brief visit this afternoon, but easily could still be present.

A large roost of egrets and other large waders is near Greenville. This spot recently had 17 ANHINGAS and 12 PURPLE GALLINULES as well. Also, several BARN OWLS have been easy to see lately near Greenville. Call Charles Kennedy at 334/382-2680 for details.

An UPLAND SANDPIPER was at the Harpersville sod farm at the junction of AL 25 and AL 76 on 7/23. Please do not walk or drive on the grass at this or any sod farm.

Four WHITE IBIS have been seen daily beginning 7/19 in western Colbert County. The birds are at a pond at the junction of Colbert Co. 10 and Co. 25, approximately 1.5 miles north of US 72 between Tuscumbia and Cherokee.

Small numbers of shorebirds are being seen at the Marthaler Lane ponds in eastern Colbert County, including adult and young BLACK-NECKED STILTS.  >From Leighton, go west on Co. 22 about two miles to Marthaler Lane. Drive north to the ponds on both sides of the road.

The SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHERS north of Huntsville have completed nesting and are more difficult to find. From Huntsville take US 231 north through Meridianville. Just south of Hazel Green, go west on Grimwood Road at a traffic light. The flycatcher pairs were 2.8 miles and 3.4 miles west of US 231; on 7/23, only one bird was seen, far off the road in the field to the north at 2.8 miles.

A SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was seen at the usual site near Decatur 7/22, though was not spotted 7/23. Drive west from Decatur on US Alt 72 a few miles to a right turn on Finley Island Road. Look along the road just past the railroad crossing; the birds have bred on the nearby property for the last few years. This is a high traffic area, especially at shift changes, so use caution.

The Solutia pond (formerly Monsanto pond) in Decatur had little mud 7/23 & 26, with only a few shorebirds seen.

A LONG-BILLED CURLEW had returned to the Battleship lawn on the Mobile Causeway 7/12.

Many AMERICAN AVOCETS were seen recently at the Bayou La Batre ponds in south Mobile County. Just north of the drawbridge in Bayou La Batre turn west from AL 188 on Little River Road. Drive to a sharp left turn where a dirt road continues straight; the ponds are visible on the right in the distance. Please do not drive on the dikes.

The following may be called for information: on birding in Alabama, Greg Jackson at 205/987-2855; about the Alabama Ornithological Society, Charles Kennedy at 334/382-2680; about the Birmingham Audubon Society, Ann Miller at (205) 879-7709; about the Shoals Audubon Society in n.w. Alabama, Bill Rogers at 256/766-5738.

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RBA

* Alabama
* Statewide
* July 25, 1998
* ALST987.25

- Birds mentioned

WILSON'S STORM-PETREL
BAND-RUMPED STORM-PETREL
Masked Booby
Wood Stork
American Avocet
Upland Sandpiper
Long-billed Curlew
BRIDLED TERN
Barn Owl
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
LARK BUNTING

Note: Species capitalized above are on the Alabama Bird Records Committee Review List.

Please send records with appropriate details to: Greg D. Jackson, 2220 Baneberry Drive, Birmingham, AL 35244.

- Transcript

Hotline: Alabama Ornithological Society Rare Bird Alert
Date: July 25, 1998
Number: 205/987-2730
Compiler: Greg D. Jackson
Internet: greg-debi.jackson@prodigy.net

Hello, this is the Alabama Rare Bird Report for Saturday, July 25, 1998.

HIGHLIGHTS:  Wilson's and Band-rumped storm-petrels, Masked Booby, Wood Stork, Upland Sandpiper, Long-billed Curlew, Bridled Tern, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, and Lark Bunting.

REQUEST:  Information on sightings of Gray Kingbird would be appreciated; this usually "easy" species appears to be absent as a breeder this year on the Alabama outer coast.

An alternate-plumaged male LARK BUNTING was seen 7/17-18 at Ft. Morgan around or in the fort.  I've had no further reports to know if this bird is still present.

An immature MASKED BOOBY was seen 7/17 from the Gulf SP Pavilion; this was the site where one was seen in late June.

A pelagic trip 7/11 to nearly 90 miles south of Baldwin County produced three WILSON'S and six BAND-RUMPED STORM-PETRELS, four BRIDLED TERNS, and a hawksbill turtle.

A LONG-BILLED CURLEW had returned to the Battleship lawn on the Mobile Causeway 7/12.

Many AMERICAN AVOCETS were seen recently at the Bayou La Batre ponds in south Mobile County.  Just north of the drawbridge in Bayou La Batre turn west from AL 188 on Little River Road.  Drive to a sharp left turn where a dirt road continues straight; the ponds are visible on the right in the distance.  Please do not drive on the dikes.

Several BARN OWLS have been easy to see lately near Greenville.  Call Charles Kennedy at 334/382-2680 for details.

Three WOOD STORKS were noted this morning south of Montgomery.  They were at the back of a pond on Sprague Junction Road (Co. # 065), 2.1 miles east of US 331, approximately 12 miles south of the Southern Bypass in Montgomery.

An UPLAND SANDPIPER was at the Harpersville sod farm at the junction of AL 25 and AL 76 on 7/23.  Please do not walk or drive on the grass at this or any sod farm.

The SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHERS north of Huntsville have completed nesting and are more difficult to find.  From Huntsville take US 231 north through Meridianville.   Just south of Hazel Green, go west on Grimwood Road at a traffic light.  The flycatcher pairs were 2.8 miles and 3.4 miles west of US 231; on 7/23, only one bird was seen, far off the road in the field to the north at 2.8 miles.

A SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was seen at the usual site near Decatur 7/22, though was not spotted 7/23.  Drive west from Decatur on US Alt 72 a few miles to a right turn on Finley Island Road.  Look along the road just past the railroad crossing; the birds have bred on the nearby property for the last few years.  This is a high traffic area, especially at shift changes, so use caution.

The Solutia pond (formerly Monsanto pond) in Decatur had little mud 7/23, with few shorebirds seen.

The following may be called for information: on birding in Alabama, Greg Jackson at 205/987-2855; about the Alabama Ornithological Society, Charles Kennedy at 334/382-2680; about the Birmingham Audubon Society, Ann Miller at (205) 879-7709; about the Shoals Audubon Society in n.w. Alabama, Bill Rogers at 256/766-5738.

Please leave messages about new birds, as well as feedback on reported species, after the tone.  Sighting information also can be transmitted by e-mail to <greg-debi.jackson@prodigy.net>. Thank you.

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RBA

* Alabama
* Statewide
* July 18, 1998
* ALST987.18

- Birds mentioned

WILSON'S STORM-PETREL
BAND-RUMPED STORM-PETREL
Masked Booby
American Avocet
Long-billed Curlew
BRIDLED TERN
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
LARK BUNTING

Note: Species capitalized above are on the Alabama Bird Records Committee Review List.

Please send records with appropriate details to: Greg D. Jackson, 2220 Baneberry Drive, Birmingham, AL 35244.

- Transcript

Hotline: Alabama Ornithological Society Rare Bird Alert
Date: July 18, 1998
Number: 205/987-2730
Compiler: Greg D. Jackson
Internet: greg-debi.jackson@prodigy.net

Hello, this is the Alabama Rare Bird Report for Saturday, July 18, 1998.

HIGHLIGHTS:  Wilson's and Band-rumped storm-petrels, Masked Booby, Long-billed Curlew, Bridled Tern, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, and Lark Bunting.

REQUEST:  Information on sightings of Gray Kingbird would be appreciated; this usually "easy" species appears to be absent as a breeder this year on the Alabama outer coast.

The alternate-plumaged male LARK BUNTING continued this morning at Ft. Morgan.  It usually is seen either on the south or east sides of the fort, often in or near oleander bushes.  If not present there, try inside the fort itself.

An immature MASKED BOOBY was seen 7/17 from the Gulf SP Pavilion; this was the site where one was seen in late June.

A pelagic trip 7/11 to nearly 90 miles south of Baldwin County produced three WILSON'S and six BAND-RUMPED STORM-PETRELS and four BRIDLED TERNS.

A LONG-BILLED CURLEW had returned to the Battleship lawn on the Mobile Causeway 7/12.

Many AMERICAN AVOCETS were seen this week at the Bayou La Batre ponds in south Mobile County.  Just north of the drawbridge in Bayou La Batre turn west from AL 188 on Little River Road.  Drive to a sharp left turn where a dirt road continues straight; the ponds are visible on the right in the distance.  Please do not drive on the dikes.

TWO pairs of SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHERS are nesting north of Huntsville. From Huntsville take US 231 north through Meridianville.  Just south of Hazel Green, go west on Grimwood Road at a yellow blinking  light.  The flycatcher pairs are 2.8 miles and 3.4 miles west of US 231.

The following may be called for information: on birding in Alabama, Greg Jackson at 205/987-2855; about the Alabama Ornithological Society, Charles Kennedy at 334/382-2680; about the Birmingham Audubon Society, Ann Miller at (205) 879-7709; about the Shoals Audubon Society in n.w. Alabama, Bill Rogers at 256/766-5738.

Please leave messages about new birds, as well as feedback on reported species, after the tone.  Sighting information also can be transmitted by e-mail to <greg-debi.jackson@prodigy.net>. Thank you.

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RBA
* Alabama
* Statewide
* July 17, 1998
* ALST987.17

- Birds mentioned

WILSON'S STORM-PETREL
BAND-RUMPED STORM-PETREL
Masked Booby
BRIDLED TERN
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
LARK BUNTING

Note: Species capitalized above are on the Alabama Bird Records Committee Review List.

Please send records with appropriate details to: Greg D. Jackson, 2220 Baneberry Drive, Birmingham, AL 35244.

- Transcript

Hotline: Alabama Ornithological Society Rare Bird Alert
Date: July 17, 1998
Number: 205/987-2730
Compiler: Greg D. Jackson
Internet: greg-debi.jackson@prodigy.net

Hello, this is the Alabama Rare Bird Report for Friday, July 17, 1998.

HIGHLIGHTS:  Wilson's and Band-rumped storm-petrels, Masked Booby, Bridled Tern, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, and Lark Bunting.

REQUEST:  Information on sightings of Gray Kingbird would be appreciated; this usually "easy" species appears to be absent as a breeder this year on the Alabama outer coast.

An alternate-plumaged male LARK BUNTING was seen this afternoon at Ft. Morgan.  It was near the old Coast Guard houses on the south side of the fort, then appeared to fly into the fort.

An immature MASKED BOOBY was seen this morning from the Gulf SP Pavilion; this was the site where one was seen in late June.

A pelagic trip 7/11 to nearly 90 miles south of Baldwin County produced three WILSON'S and six BAND-RUMPED STORM-PETRELS and four BRIDLED TERNS.

TWO pairs of SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHERS are nesting north of Huntsville. From Huntsville take US 231 north through Meridianville.  Just south of Hazel Green, go west on Grimwood Road at a yellow blinking  light.  The flycatcher pairs are 2.8 miles and 3.4 miles west of US 231.

The following may be called for information: on birding in Alabama, Greg Jackson at 205/987-2855; about the Alabama Ornithological Society, Charles Kennedy at 334/382-2680; about the Birmingham Audubon Society, Ann Miller at (205) 879-7709; about the Shoals Audubon Society in n.w. Alabama, Bill Rogers at 256/766-5738.

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RBA

* Alabama
* Statewide
* July 7, 1998
* ALST987.7

- Birds mentioned

Masked Booby
White Ibis
Black-necked Stilt
Red-cockaded Woodpecker
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Warbling Vireo
Swainson's Warbler
Bachman's Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
Red Crossbill (not present)

Note: Species capitalized above are on the Alabama Bird Records Committee Review List.

Please send records with appropriate details to: Greg D. Jackson, 2220 Baneberry Drive, Birmingham, AL 35244.

- Transcript

Hotline: Alabama Ornithological Society Rare Bird Alert
Date: July 7, 1998
Number: 205/987-2730
Compiler: Greg D. Jackson
Internet: greg-debi.jackson@prodigy.net

Hello, this is the Alabama Rare Bird Report for Tuesday, July 7, 1998.

HIGHLIGHTS:  Masked Booby, Black-necked Stilt, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, and Lark Sparrow.

REQUEST:  Information on sightings of Gray Kingbird would be appreciated; this usually "easy" species has been extremely "difficult" this year on the Alabama outer coast.

An immature MASKED BOOBY was spotted the last week of June from the Gulf SP Pavilion just east of Gulf Shores.

SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHERS are nesting in a new spot north of Huntsville.
>From Huntsville take US 231 north through Meridianville.  Just south of Hazel Green take Grimwood Road (yellow blinking light on US 231) west about 2.8 miles.  The birds will probably be seen on lines on the north side of the road.  The nest is on the transformer on a pole marked "CAP480." The shoulder on the south side of the road can be used to get out of the traffic. If you get to Murphy Hill Drive at a 4-way stop, you are beyond the site.  Feedback would be appreciated.

An immature WHITE IBIS was seen at Lake Purdy southeast of Birmingham 7/2.
>From US 280 drive east on AL 119 to the bridge at Cox's Creek.

The RED CROSSBILLS seen through much of June north of Heflin have not been seen since 6/21; please report if these birds are seen again.  Several pairs of BACHMAN'S SPARROWS are easy to find in this area, though.
>From I-20 take the Heflin exit and go north on AL 9.  Turn right on US 78 and drive east past Fruithurst.  Turn north on Co. 49 and drive 9.1 miles to a left turn on the dirt Co. 205. Go about 1.5 miles to the large clear-cut.

A pair of LARK SPARROWS has been in Perry County. 
Go south on AL 61 from Greensboro.  Before reaching Newberg, turn east on Co. 48. Travel 3.2 miles and turn south on an unmarked road a short distance past Reynold's Chapel Church. The birds are in the area with a fallow field on one side and a pasture on the other, 1.1 miles from the turn from Co. 48.

BACHMAN'S SPARROW has been reliable in Bibb County.  From US 82 turn south on Bibb Co. 1; this intersects US 82 at the Tuscaloosa-Bibb County line.  Travel approximately 1.5 miles to the top of a hill and take the first right on Forest Service Road 737.  There are two intersections on FS 737 after leaving Bibb Co. 1; keep to the left at both. The birds are 1.3 miles from the intersection of FS 737 and Bibb Co. 1, usually on the east side of the road on a south-facing slope.  This location is near active RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER nest trees.

Two singing SWAINSON'S WARBLERS have been on a dirt county road in Bibb County that runs between AL 25 and Bibb Co. 80.  This unmarked dirt road intersects AL 25 on the left about one mile before reaching Pondville traveling south on AL 25. The birds are about 0.2 miles before the intersection with Bibb Co. 80.

SWAINSON'S WARBLER has returned to Trussville in the woods behind the old First Presbyterian Church on US 11.

SWAINSON'S WARBLER also can be found in Blount County.  On AL 79 a few miles north of the junction with US 231 is a Tyson plant.  Just north of the plant is a road to the right leading to a creek; the woods in this area are reliable for Swainson's.

WARBLING VIREOS have returned to nest at Waterloo in western Lauderdale County.  The birds are on the north side of Co. 14 just after crossing the bridge over Second Creek (near the road into a parking area).  Last year a pair nested near the parking area.

A nesting pair of BLACK-NECKED STILTS continues at the Marthaler Lane ponds in eastern Colbert County; two young were seen recently. Go west on Co. 22 from Leighton and turn north on Marthaler Lane. Drive about a mile to the large ponds on both sides of the road.

A pair of LARK SPARROWS  has been at Belle Mina east of Decatur.  From the Mooresville exit on I-565 go north on Mooresville Road for about four miles and turn left onto Boseck Road.   Drive west to a T-intersection with the gravel Fenell Road in about one mile. Turn right and go north for 0.3 miles, looking for the birds in the cotton fields near the road.

LARK SPARROWS have returned to the Red Bank area of n.w. Lawrence County.  From Town Creek go north on AL 101 and turn east on Co. 270.  Turn left 0.3 miles past the junction with Co. 407 onto an unmarked paved road adjacent to a house with a wooden fence.   Go 0.7 miles and look for the birds near the brushpile on the right.

The following may be called for information: on birding in Alabama, Greg Jackson at 205/987-2855; about the Alabama Ornithological Society, Charles Kennedy at 334/382-2680; about the Birmingham Audubon Society, Ann Miller at (205) 879-7709; about the Shoals Audubon Society in n.w. Alabama, Bill Rogers at 256/766-5738.

Please leave messages about new birds, as well as feedback on reported species, after the tone.  Sighting information also can be transmitted by e-mail to <greg-debi.jackson@prodigy.net>. Thank you.

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