Tennessee Valley Audubon Society

The Alabama RBA

May 2001

Brought to you courtesy of Greg Jackson and Steve McConnell:

5/8

5/22

Previous RBA Page : Alabama RBA for April, 2001

Next RBA Page: Alabama RBA for June, 2001

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 334/382-2680; 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; about the Tennessee Valley Audubon Society in Huntsville, Ruby Norman at 256/773-4369; about the Coastal Birding Association, Venetia Friend at 334/928-4437.

RBA

*Alabama *Statewide *May 22, 2001 *ALST0105.22

======--- Species added since last report --- ======

Connecticut Warbler Mourning Warbler Painted Bunting

======--- Species reported previously --- ======

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (new location) Lark Sparrow (+ new location)

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Please note: Species CAPITALIZED above are on the Alabama Bird Records Committee review list. Check the AOS website (address below - look in Alabama Bird Record Committee section) for forms and suggestions on how to submit your sightings of these species to the state database. Please send observations with appropriate details to:

Greg D. Jackson 2220 Baneberry Drive, Birmingham, AL 35244 greg-debi.jackson@prodigy.net Fax: 205/987-5167

Alabama Ornithological Society website: http://www.bham.net/aos/

- Transcript

Hotline: Alabama Ornithological Society Rare Bird Alert Date: May 22, 2001 Number: 205/661-2220 Compiler: Steve W. McConnell Email: swmavocet@aol.com

Alabama Rare Bird Report -- Tuesday, May 22, 2001.

NOTE: Where possible, DeLorme Alabama Atlas coordinates [DeAL xx-xx]are provided following each site description. It would be helpful if reports were accompanied by these coordinates. Page references to the new AOS Birder's Guide to Alabama [BGtA- p. xx] will also be included for birding locations sites described therein. See the AOS website for information on how to obtain this new guide.

Last week, a rare male CONNECTICUT WARBLER was briefly seen 5/14 near the Indian Creek walkway in Madison. Near the same location on 5/16 a singing male MOURNING WARBLER was noted. To reach the walkway go north on Slaughter Road from its junction with Madison Boulevard (formerly AL 20). At Old Madison Pike turn right (east) and go 0.25 mile to a small parking lot for the walkway on the left adjacent to the Indian Creek bridge. Both birds were around 0.25 mile north of the lot near a thicket on the left and telephone cable crossing. Although migration has likely carried these birds northward, this appears to be an excellent location to search for these species during May. [DeAL 19-D6]

Unusual inland, singing male PAINTED BUNTINGS were seen 5/14 west of Montgomery. To check the area, follow Old Selma Road (Co. 54) west from US 31 to Well Road. Turn left and then left again onto Rabbit Road. Look between a sharp left turn and the road's end. [DeAL 45-E6] More PAINTED BUNTINGS were discovered the next day near Guin in water oaks at the edge of the 3M plant parking lot. [DeAL 22-G4]

Three LARK SPARROWS were seen on 5/14 northwest of Tanner. To reach the spot from US 31, turn west onto Moyers Road (Co. 30) and travel about 5.0 miles to a T-intersection with Huntsville-Brownsferry Road (Moyers changes to Malone Road prior to the intersection). Turn right and go 0.25 mile to Brownsferry Road and turn right again. Go 0.5 mile to an old homesite on the right near an oak tree grove and debris pile. Look for the sparrows in the grassy field between the oaks and woods. [DeAL 18-D3]

A pair of LARK SPARROWS, apparently preparing to nest, were recently noted at Swan Creek WMA. To reach the location go north on US 31 from Calhoun College (near Decatur) around 1.0 mile to a traffic signal and sign for Swan Creek. Turn left (west) and follow Harris Station Road over a RR track, through a sharp right curve, and a sweeping left curve, to a dirt road on the left located just before two small bridges. Follow the dirt road past the yellow metal gate at 0.5 mile and look for the birds between the gate and the sharp left curve in 0.25 mile. [DeAL 18-E4] [BGtA p. 248]

SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHERS have returned again to nest near Madison. To check the site follow Wall Triana Highway south under I-565 and turn left at the first intersection. Look near the first big tree on the left before reaching the golf driving range. [DeAL 19-E6]

The following may be called for information: Birding in Alabama: Greg Jackson (205/987-2855) Alabama Ornithological Society: Larry Gardella (334/613-0690) Birmingham Audubon Society: Ann Miller (205/879-7709) Shoals Audubon Society (n.w. Alabama): Bill Rogers (256/766-5738) Tennessee Valley Audubon Society (Huntsville): Ruby Norman (256/773-4369) Coastal Birding Association: Venetia Friend (334/928-4437) Raptors: Joe Shelnutt (334/844-6025) Alabama Wildlife Rehabilitation Center hotline: (205/320-6189)

Sighting information, and requests for regular email transcripts, can be submitted by email to swmavocet@aol.com .

Thank you.

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RBA

*Alabama *Statewide *May 8, 2001 *ALST0105.08

======--- Species added since last report --- ======

American White Pelican American Bittern Least Bittern (2 locations) Mississippi Kite King Rail Willet Laughing Gull Grasshopper Sparrow

======--- Species reported previously --- ======

Gray Kingbird Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (+ new location) SPOTTED TOWHEE Clay-colored Sparrow Lark Sparrow (new location)

---------

Greg D. Jackson 2220 Baneberry Drive, Birmingham, AL 35244 greg-debi.jackson@prodigy.net Fax: 205/987-5167

Alabama Ornithological Society website: http://www.bham.net/aos/

- Transcript

Hotline: Alabama Ornithological Society Rare Bird Alert Date: May 8, 2001 Number: 205/661-2220 Compiler: Steve W. McConnell Email: swmavocet@aol.com

Alabama Rare Bird Report -- Tuesday, May 8, 2001.

Several dozen GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS were noted 5/3 near Key Cave NWR southwest of Florence. In recent years, this area has also been productive for Dickcissel, Bobolink, and Lark Sparrow. To reach the refuge go west from Florence on AL 20 towards Savannah and turn left on Lauderdale Co. 2. In 4.0 miles turn left on Co. 223 and go 1.5 miles south to Co. 204. Turn right (west) on Co. 204 and a small gravel parking area will be ahead on the left marked with refuge signs. The fields and grasslands in this area, and on the opposite side of Co. 223, are excellent places to search for the these grassland species. [DeAL 17-D6] [BGtA p. 229]

A visit to Oakland Marsh 5/7 produced several interesting species including AMERICAN and LEAST BITTERNS and a KING RAIL. The marsh is located just east of Smithsonia north of Lauderdale Co. 2. [DeAL 16-C5] Another LEAST BITTERN was heard at Red Bank marsh before dawn on 5/7. This marsh is just west of the Big Nance Creek bridge adjacent to Co. 314. [DeAL 17-D10]

On 5/7 two MISSISSIPPI KITES were seen soaring over Colbert Ferry Park west of Florence at the south end of the Natchez Trace bridge. [DeAL 16-C4] [BGtA p. 222]

An alternate plumage LAUGHING GULL was found 5/7 on the dock at the Point Restaurant near Co. 40 east of Florence. [DeAL 17-C9] [BGtA p. 210]

A pair of LARK SPARROWS, apparently preparing to nest, were noted at Swan Creek WMA 5/5. To reach the location go north on US 31 from Calhoun College (near Decatur) around 1.0 mile to a traffic signal and sign for Swan Creek. Turn left (west) and follow Harris Station Road over a RR track, through a sharp right curve, and a sweeping left curve, to a dirt road on the left located just before two small bridges. Follow the dirt road past the yellow metal gate at 0.5 mile and look for the birds between the gate and the sharp left curve in 0.25 mile. [DeAL 18-E4] [BGtA p. 248]

On 4/30 eight (8) AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS were seen at Wilson Dam near Florence. On 4/28 a flock of up to 38 WILLETS was seen on the rocks below the dam but the group had drindled to three (3) by 5/7. [DeAL 17-C7] [BGtA p. 213]

The probable female SPOTTED TOWHEE, first seen 4/18 at the Birmingham Botanical Garden, and briefly seen again the evening of 4/23, has not been relocated since. Potential searches might best concentrate around the thick underbrush and wooded hills found on the north end of the garden. Feedback, either positive or negative, from searches for this potential first state record, is highly desired. [DeAL 31-E6] [BGtA p. 170]

On Dauphin Island, a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was discovered on 4/25 near Fort Gaines. [DeAL 64-B4] [BGtA p. 6]

SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHERS have returned again to likely nest at Alabama A&M University experimental farm near Huntsville. For information call Tom Brindley at 256/883-9288.

SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHERS have returned to nest again near Priceville. At the AL67 exit (#334) from I-65 travel east on AL67 to Co. 45 (Bethel Road - first traffic signal). Turn left (north) and look around power poles and fences in 0.6 mile. [DeAL 18-G5]

Another SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was seen 4/27 in Perry County northeast of Sprott. The bird was on a fence along AL183 near mile marker 29 (between Co. 2 and 29). [DeAL 36-G4&G5]

A GRAY KINGBIRD was observed again behind Fort Morgan near the seawall and small lagoon on 4/24. [DeAL 64-B4] [BGtA p. 22]

Sighting information, and requests for regular email transcripts, can be submitted by email to swmavocet@aol.com .

Thank you.

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