Tennessee Valley Audubon Society

The Alabama RBA

April 2002

Brought to you courtesy of Greg Jackson and Steve McConnell:

Previous RBA Page : Alabama RBA for March, 2002

Next RBA Page: Alabama RBA for May, 2002

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 *April 28, 2002 *ALST0204.28

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

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (two locations)

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

CLARK'S NUTCRACKER (1st State Record!)

-----------------------------

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/ Alabama RBA archives: rba.htm

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Hotline: Alabama Ornithological Society Rare Bird Alert Date: April 28, 2002 Number: 205/661-2220 Compiler: Steve W. McConnell Email: swmavocet@aol.com

NOTE: Where possible, DeLorme Alabama Atlas coordinates [DeAL xx-xx]are provided following each site description. Page references to the 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 bird finding guide.

Alabama Rare Bird Report -- Sunday, April 28, 2002.

Alabama's first CLARK'S NUTCRACKER continued throughout today at the summit of Mt. Cheaha south of Anniston. The bird is remaining faithful to the area where it was originally found last weekend and seen since Friday.

DIRECTIONS: From I-20 east of Oxford, take exit #191 onto US 431 south. Travel 3.7 miles to AL 281 and turn right at signs for Cheaha State Park. Follow AL 281 south for 13.1 miles to park entrance. At large brown entrance sign turn right and pay your fee ($1 per person). From the pay booth go straight ahead on the summit loop road for 0.6 miles to the first intersection. You will pass two "upper campground" signs on the way. At the intersection turn left following the rock sign directions to "picnic area and tower." You will pass a rock building and radio tower in 100 yards or so on the right. In about 0.2 miles you will pass two picnic pavilions on the right (one is labeled pavilion #1). From these pavilions go about 0.1 mile to a metal and wood picnic table on the right (most other tables in area are concrete). Look for orange surveyor tape on both sides of road marking spot. This is the location the nutcracker seems to favor and has repeatedly returned to. The bird sometimes sits quietly in nearby trees and blends in well when not moving. Given time it should fly down to feed. The bird has at times has disappeared for over an hour. There are other campgrounds in the area so it might be visiting other locations. However, so far, it has remained faithful to the primitive camp area. [DeAL 32-E5][BGtA p. 192]

A SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was seen this afternoon near the location in Priceville where the species has nested in recent years. To reach the site from I-65 take exit #334 and turn east onto AL 67 toward Priceville. In a mile or so turn left (north) onto Co. 45 (Bethel Road) at first traffic signal). Look for flycatchers on power poles and fences in 0.6 mile. [DeAL 18-G5]

Up to three SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHERS have also been seen in recent days north of Huntsville in another area that has seen nesting in recent years. >From Meridianville follow US 231 north for around 4.0 miles to Co. 100 (Grimwood Road). Turn left (west) and go around 3.0 miles to a house and large tree on the right side of the road. [DeAL 19-B7]

The following may be called for information: Birding in Alabama: Greg Jackson (205/987-2855) Alabama Ornithological Society: Allen Tubbs (251/345-1012) Alabama Breeding Bird Atlas project: Rick West (800/707-4382 or 334/324-6477) Alabama Wildlife Rehabilitation Center hotline: (205/320-6189)

Please leave messages about new birds and feedback on reported species after the tone. 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 *April 27, 2002 *ALST0204.27

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

WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL

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

CLARK'S NUTCRACKER (1st State Record!)

--------------------------------

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/ Alabama RBA archives: rba.htm

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Hotline: Alabama Ornithological Society Rare Bird Alert Date: April 27, 2002 Number: 205/661-2220 Compiler: Steve W. McConnell Email: swmavocet@aol.com

Alabama Rare Bird Report -- Saturday, April 27, 2002.

Alabama's first CLARK'S NUTCRACKER was seen frequently this morning between 06:50 and 10:30 a.m. The bird is remaining faithful to the area where it was originally found last weekend and seen Friday. The bird appeared to be quite content with its surroundings and fed actively on broken hickory nuts, pine seeds, and insects/grubs foraged from nearby dead trees.

REVISED DIRECTIONS: From I-20 east of Oxford, take exit #191 onto US 431 south. Travel 3.7 miles to AL 281 and turn right at signs for Cheaha State Park. Follow AL 281 south for 13.1 miles to park entrance. At large brown entrance sign turn right and pay your fee ($1 per person). From the pay booth go straight ahead on the summit loop road for 0.6 miles to the first intersection. You will pass two "upper campground" signs on the way. At the intersection turn left following the rock sign directions to "picnic area and tower." You will pass a rock building and radio tower in 100 yards or so on the right. In about 0.2 miles you will pass two picnic pavilions on the right (one is labeled pavilion #1). From these pavilions go about 0.1 mile to a metal and wood picnic table on the right (most other tables in area are concrete). Look for orange surveyor tape on both sides of road marking spot. This is the location the nutcracker seems to favor and has repeatedly returned to. The bird sometimes sits quietly in nearby trees and blends in well when not moving. Given time it should fly down to feed. Once this morning it flew a few hundred yards west over large rocks and was not seen again for over an hour. There are other campgrounds in the area so it might be visiting other locations. However, so far, it has remained faithful to the primitive camp area. [DeAL 32-E5][BGtA p. 192]

An immature WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL was briefly seen 4/26 at a home feeder in Killen but has not been observed since. Updates will be provided if the bird reappears.

Thank you.

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RBA

*Alabama *Statewide *April 26, 2002 *ALST0204.26

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

CLARK'S NUTCRACKER (1st State Record!)

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

Red-throated Loon Eared Grebe Glossy Ibis Surf Scoter Marbled Godwit Red Knot Baird's Sandpiper jaeger sp. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL Great Black-backed Gull White-winged Dove Gray Kingbird Black-whiskered Vireo CAVE SWALLOW

-----------------------------

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/ Alabama RBA archives: rba.htm

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Hotline: Alabama Ornithological Society Rare Bird Alert Date: April 26, 2002 Number: 205/661-2220 Compiler: Steve W. McConnell Email: swmavocet@aol.com

Alabama Rare Bird Report -- Friday, April 26, 2002.

In what must be considered one of the most exciting and incredible discoveries ever in Alabama birding history, a CLARK'S NUTCRACKER was relocated and the identification confirmed this afternoon in Mt. Cheaha State Park south of Anniston! This bird was discovered by a visiting birding couple from Wisconsin during their camping trip in the park last weekend.

To reach the location follow US431 south from I-20 (exit 191) east of Oxford. In a few miles turn right onto AL281 at signs for the mountain and park. Follow AL281 for 10-15 miles to the park entrance and turn right toward the lodge and restaurant. Continue ahead to and through the pay gate to access the summit loop road and campgrounds. At the first intersection follow signs left toward "Alabama's highest point." At the summit there is a stone building and tower on the right marking the highest point in the state. Continue just past this tower to around 0.1 mile past pavilion #1. The nutcracker was seen at around 3 p.m. today left of the road here near a red garbage can. The bird was very visible and flew around the area at close range. The bird was not seen earlier in the day despite intensive searching so it may be moving in and out of the area. Feedback on attempts to see this potential first state record is HIGHLY desired. Bring peanuts! [DeAL 32-E5][BGtA p. 192]

Around 195 species were reported at compilation following the spring AOS meeting on Dauphin Island (D.I.) 4/19-21. Reports of note included:

RED-THROATED LOON, gulf southwest of D.I. fishing pier, 4/20-21;

EARED GREBE, D.I. airport bays, 4/21;

GLOSSY IBIS (2+), Alabama battleship tidal flats (Mobile), 4/20;

SURF SCOTER, with scaup behind boat launch ~2 miles north of Cedar Point (east of AL 193), 4/18;

MARBLED GODWIT, north end of Sand Island (seen south of D.I. fishing pier) and D.I. airport, 4/18-21;

RED KNOT (4+), north end of Sand Island, 4/18-21;

BAIRD'S SANDPIPER, D.I. west end ~ 2 miles from end-of-road (PLEASE NOTE: the west end may only be accessed by using a public access ramp to the gulf (south) side beach and walking along the gulf beach to the west staying below the high tide line or hurricane fence - DO NOT cross the island to the sound (north) side beach - this is private property and walking north of the gulf beach is currently considered trespassing!!!);

unknown JAEGER SPECIES, flyby seen from Mobile Bay ferry, 4/19;

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, battleship mud flats, 4/19(?);

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, seen from ferry, 4/19;

WHITE-WINGED DOVE, pine trees near D.I. airport, 4/21;

GRAY KINGBIRD, pine trees along El Dorado St. across Le Moyne Street from D.I. marina, 4/19-20;

CAVE SWALLOW (1+), Fort Morgan, 4/19-20;

BLACK-WHISKERED VIREO, banded at Fort Morgan, 4/19.

---References for these locations--- Fort Morgan: [DeAL 64-B4][BGtA p. 23] Dauphin Island: [DeAL 64-A3/B3&4][BGtA p. 5] USS Alabama battleship park: [DeAL 62-D4][BGtA p. 41]

Thank you.

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RBA

*Alabama *Statewide *April 21, 2002 *ALST0204.21

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

Eared Grebe Glossy Ibis Surf Scoter Marbled Godwit Baird's Sandpiper jaeger sp. Great Black-backed Gull White-winged Dove Gray Kingbird Black-whiskered Vireo

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

Red-throated Loon (new location) LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL Red Knot CAVE SWALLOW

-------------------------

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/ Alabama RBA archives: rba.htm

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Hotline: Alabama Ornithological Society Rare Bird Alert Date: April 21, 2002 Number: 205/661-2220 Compiler: Steve W. McConnell Email: swmavocet@aol.com

Alabama Rare Bird Report -- Sunday, April 21, 2002.

Around 195 species were reported at compilation following the spring AOS meeting on Dauphin Island (D.I.) this weekend. Reports of note included:

RED-THROATED LOON, gulf southwest of D.I. fishing pier, 4/20-21;

EARED GREBE, D.I. airport bays, 4/21;

GLOSSY IBIS (2+), Alabama battleship tidal flats (Mobile), 4/20;

SURF SCOTER, with scaup behind boat launch ~2 miles north of Cedar Point (east of AL 193), 4/18;

MARBLED GODWIT, north end of Sand Island (seen south of D.I. fishing pier) and D.I. airport, 4/18-21;

RED KNOT (4+), north end of Sand Island, 4/18-21;

unknown JAEGER SPECIES, flyby seen from Mobile Bay ferry, 4/19;

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, battleship mud flats, 4/19(?);

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, seen from ferry, 4/19;

WHITE-WINGED DOVE, pine trees near D.I. airport, 4/21;

GRAY KINGBIRD, pine trees along El Dorado St. across from D.I. marina and just south of D.I. bridge south end, 4/19-20;

CAVE SWALLOW (1+), Fort Morgan, 4/19-20;

BLACK-WHISKERED VIREO, banded at Fort Morgan, 4/19.

---References for these locations--- Fort Morgan: [DeAL 64-B4][BGtA p. 23] Dauphin Island: [DeAL 64-A3/B3&4][BGtA p. 5] USS Alabama battleship park: [DeAL 62-D4][BGtA p. 41]

The following may be called for information: Birding in Alabama: Greg Jackson (205/987-2855) Alabama Ornithological Society: Allen Tubbs (251/345-1012) Alabama Wildlife Rehabilitation Center hotline: (205/320-6189)

Thank you.

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RBA

*Alabama *Statewide *April 16, 2002 *ALST0204.16

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

Red-throated Loon LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL Red Knot CAVE SWALLOW

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

White-faced Ibis (GA/AL stateline)

--------------------------------

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/ Alabama RBA archives: rba.htm

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Hotline: Alabama Ornithological Society Rare Bird Alert Date: April 16, 2002 Number: 205/661-2220 Compiler: Steve W. McConnell Email: swmavocet@aol.com

Alabama Rare Bird Report -- Tuesday, April 16, 2002.

A RED-THROATED LOON was seen 4/10-13 on Little Lagoon just west of Gulf Shores. Vantage points to scan the lagoon from the north shore may be accessed from the series of Brigadoon Trail roads intersecting AL 180 east of Ft. Morgan. [DeAL 64-F2][BGtA p. 29]

CAVE SWALLOWS have been seen several times during the last week at Fort Morgan with the last report 4/13. [DeAL 64-B4][BGtA p. 23]

An adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was seen 4/13 on the mud flats east of the USS Alabama battleship in Mobile. [DeAL 62-D4][BGtA p. 41]

Several RED KNOTS were noted 4/13-14 on the north end of Pelican Island just south of the Dauphin Island fishing pier. Many other shorebirds were also present there both days. [DeAL 64-B3]

Georgia's first WHITE-FACED IBIS continues at the Bradley Unit of Eufaula NWR (just across the Alabama stateline). The bird has sometimes associated with both Glossy and White Ibis and was seen at least once flying west toward refuge property in Alabama. The GA RBA number is 770-493-8862. [DeAL 54-B5][BGtA p. 80]

The next meeting of the Alabama Ornithological Society will be April 19-21 on Dauphin Island.

The world famous Hummer/Bird Study Group is banding at Ft. Morgan through April 20. Visitors are welcome!

Thank you.

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RBA

*Alabama *Statewide *April 6, 2002 *ALST0204.06

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

BROWN BOOBY Black Rail CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER COMMON REDPOLL (possible)

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

White-faced Ibis (GA/AL stateline)

-----------------------

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/ Alabama RBA archives: rba.htm

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Hotline: Alabama Ornithological Society Rare Bird Alert Date: April 6, 2002 Number: 205/661-2220 Compiler: Steve W. McConnell Email: swmavocet@aol.com

Alabama Rare Bird Report -- Saturday, April 6, 2002.

A BLACK RAIL was reported 4/2 from the airport on Dauphin Island. The bird was seen near the chain-link fence surrounding the small parking lot. [DeAL 64-B3][BGtA p. 11]

Both CALLIOPE and BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRDS continue near the coast at the Dickerson home (10537 County Road 99 South, Lillian; phone 251/961-3000). Multiple Rufous Hummingbirds also remain. [DeAL 63-H10] Please call prior to visiting this location.

Two immature BROWN BOOBIES were seen 3/31 feeding with gannets following a storm offshore from Mobile Point at Fort Morgan. [DeAL 64-B4][BgtA p. 24]

The female BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER, present since December in Montrose, was seen again 4/2. Call Venetia Friend at 251/928-4437 for directions and further information. [DeAL 62-E5]

Georgia's first WHITE-FACED IBIS continued through at least 4/4 at the Bradley Unit of Eufaula NWR (just across the Alabama stateline). The bird has sometimes associated with both Glossy and White Ibis and was seen at least once flying west toward refuge property in Alabama. The GA RBA number is 770-493-8862. [DeAL 54-B5][BGtA p. 80]

A possible COMMON REDPOLL was reportedly seen as recently as 4/2 at a feeder in Talladega. A search for the bird on 4/4 was unsuccessful. If you would like to try, call Jean Morrison at 256/326-4267 for directions and more information. Feedback on this report would be much appreciated.

The next meeting of the Alabama Ornithological Society will be April 19-21 on Dauphin Island.

A "Big Day" birding competition is planned for April 12-20 to celebrate the completion of the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail. For more information check the website www.coastalbirding.org or call the AOS number given below.

The world famous Hummer/Bird Study Group will be banding at Ft. Morgan April 6-20. Visitors are welcome!

Thank you.

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