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The Alabama RBA
August, 1998
Previous RBA Page : Alabama RBA for July, 1998
Next RBA Page: Alabama RBA for September, 1998
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
* August 25, 1998
* ALST988.25
- Birds mentioned
Wood Stork
American Avocet
Upland Sandpiper
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: August 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 Tuesday, August 25, 1998.
HIGHLIGHTS: Wood Stork, Am. Avocet, Upland Sandpiper, and Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.
REQUESTS: Information on sightings of OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER and GRAY KINGBIRD would be
appreciated.
Huge numbers of WOOD STORKS continue to be seen in the Black Belt. A total of 504 were
counted by one party 8/23 in Hale, Perry, and Greene counties. The largest
concentration, of 454 birds, was in a single pond on the east side of AL 25 about 1/2-mile
north of Hale Co. 10 W.
For the next month or so, please refrain from visiting the large catfish pond complex
southwest of the junction of Hale Co. 10 W and AL 25. The owner indicated too many
visitors have been present recently at this working farm. Please respect his wishes, so
access may be enjoyed in future seasons.
UPLAND SANDPIPERS and other shorebirds have been seen recently at the Woerner Turf Farm in
Lowdnes County west of Montgomery. To access this area from US 80 turn north onto Co. 29,
pass through Lowndesboro, and continue on Co. 40 to the sod farm entrance. Please do not
walk or drive on the grass at this or any sod farm.
An AM. AVOCET was spotted 8/17 in Guntersville. From US 431 in town, go east on AL 227 in
the direction of the state park. Just after the double railroad tracks, park and walk left
on the levee near the pumping station to the far pond on the right. Many other large
waders were seen as well.
The ponds near Leighton in eastern Colbert County were in poor condition 8/23.
A single SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was seen again 8/11 and 8/16 near Decatur. Go west from
Decatur on AL 20 and turn north at the light on Finley Island Road. Look along the road
beyond the railroad tracks where the road becomes two lane. Be careful of heavy traffic,
especially at shift changes.
A new pair of SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHERS has been discovered in Huntsville. From I-565
take the Wall-Triana exit, then take a right onto AL 20 (east). Turn right at the first
light at the railroad tracks, then left at the first intersection. Look for the birds in
the vicinity of the driving range. One bird was seen again here 8/16.
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.
- End Transcript
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RBA
* Alabama
* Statewide
* August 20, 1998
* ALST988.20
- Birds mentioned
Wood Stork
American Avocet
Upland Sandpiper
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
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: August 20, 1998
Number: 205/987-2730
Compiler: Greg D. Jackson
Internet: greg-debi.jackson@prodigy.net
Hello, this is the Alabama Rare Bird Report for Thursday, August 20, 1998.
HIGHLIGHTS: Wood Stork, Am. Avocet, Upland and Buff-breasted Sandpipers, and
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.
REQUESTS: Information on sightings of OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER and GRAY KINGBIRD would
be appreciated.
An AM. AVOCET was spotted 8/17 in Guntersville. From US 431 in town, go east on AL
227 in the direction of the state park. Just after the double railroad tracks, park
and walk left on the levee near the pumping station to the far pond on the right.
Many other large waders were seen as well.
Good numbers of WOOD STORKS continue to be seen in the Prairie Eden area south of
Greensboro. At the Hollingsworth catfish farm near the junction of AL 25 and Hale
Co. 10 south of Greensboro, 42 storks and many other large waders were seen 8/16.
Good numbers of shorebirds were seen 8/16 near Leighton in eastern Colbert County.
From Leighton, go west on Co. 22 about two miles to Marthaler Lane. Drive north to
the ponds on both sides of the road, where a BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER was seen.
Another Buff-breasted was spotted at The Sinks on Co. 69 east of Leighton and north of Co.
22. Gnat Pond on Colbert Co. 61 north of Co. 22, west of Marthaler Lane, had many
shorebirds as well 8/16.
A single SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was seen again 8/11 and 8/16 near Decatur. Go
west from Decatur on AL 20 and turn north at the light on Finley Island Road. Look
along the road beyond the railroad tracks where the road becomes two lane. Be
careful of heavy traffic, especially at shift changes.
A new pair of SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHERS has been discovered in Huntsville.
From I-565 take the Wall-Triana exit, then take a right onto AL 20 (east). Turn
right at the first light at the railroad tracks, then left at the first intersection. Look
for the birds in the vicinity of the driving range. One bird was seen again here
8/16.
Moderate numbers of shorebirds were seen 8/15 at the Harpersville sod farms, though less
were found 8/17.
Two UPLAND and seven BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS were seen 8/9 at the sod farms southeast of
Foley, between Baldwin Co. 12 and 20 just west of the Glenlakes subdivision. Please
do not walk or drive on the grass at this or any sod farm.
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.
- End Transcript
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RBA
* Alabama
* Statewide
* August 13, 1998
* ALST988.13
- Birds mentioned
Anhinga
White Ibis
Wood Stork
Swallow-tailed Kite
Mississippi Kite
Purple Gallinule
American Avocet
Upland Sandpiper
Long-billed Curlew
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
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: August 13, 1998
Number: 205/987-2730
Compiler: Greg D. Jackson
Internet: greg-debi.jackson@prodigy.net
Hello, this is the Alabama Rare Bird Report for Thursday, August 13, 1998.
HIGHLIGHTS: Wood Stork, Swallow-tailed Kite, Upland Sandpiper, Long-billed Curlew,
Buff-breasted Sandpiper, and Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.
REQUESTS: 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. Any reports of Olive-sided Flycatcher also are requested.
WOOD STORKS have arrived in record numbers in the Black Belt. At least 385 storks were
counted 7/29 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. These birds move
around a bit, and only four were seen in that area 8/1. Please be careful not to interfere
with work at catfish farms; particularly at the farms at the junction of AL 25 and Co. 10,
ask permission at the office at the west side of the complex.
Twelve SWALLOW-TAILED KITES and 10 MISSISSIPPI KITES were seen 7/29 in two groups along AL
25 north of Co. 16 and on Co. 16W.
A SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER continued through 8/1 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.
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.
Small numbers of shorebirds were seen today at the Marthaler Lane ponds in eastern Colbert
County. From Leighton, go west on Co. 22 about two miles to Marthaler Lane. Drive north to
the ponds on both sides of the road. More shorebirds, and an immature WHITE IBIS,
were at Natt Pond today. Natt Pond is on Colbert Co. 61 about two miles north of Co. 22;
this is just
west of Marthaler Lane.
A new pair of SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHERS has been discovered in Huntsville. From I-565
take the Wall-Triana exit, then take a right onto AL 20 (east). Turn right at the first
light at the railroad tracks, then left at the first intersection. There are two large oak
trees about halfway to the driving range on the left side of the road, and the pair is
nesting in the first tree.
The Solutia pond (formerly Monsanto pond) in Decatur had little mud exposed today, with no
shorebirds seen.
Two UPLAND and seven BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS were seen 8/9 at the sod farms southeast of
Foley, between Baldwin Co. 12 and 20 just west of the Glenlakes subdivision. Please do not
walk or drive on the grass at this or any sod farm.
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.
- End Transcript
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RBA
* Alabama
* Statewide
* August 7, 1998
* ALST988.7
- 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: August 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 Friday, August 7, 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 7/29 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. These birds move around a bit, and only four were seen in that
area 8/1. Please be careful not to interfere with work at catfish farms;
particularly at the farms at the junction of AL 25 and Co. 10, ask permission at the
office at the west side of the complex.
Twelve SWALLOW-TAILED KITES and 10 MISSISSIPPI KITES were seen 7/29 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 continued through 8/1 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.
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 recently in western Colbert County. The birds have
been 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.
- End Transcript
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