Tennessee Valley Audubon Society

The Alabama RBA

September 2002

Brought to you courtesy of Greg Jackson and Steve McConnell:

Previous RBA Page : Alabama RBA for August, 2002

Next RBA Page: Alabama RBA for October, 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 *September 28, 2002 *ALST0209.28

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

Red-footed Booby (FL panhandle) BROWN NODDY Baird's Sandpiper ALDER FLYCATCHER Western Kingbird Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

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

Sooty Tern (new inland location) Least Flycatcher "WESTERN" FLYCATCHER (gone?)

-------------------- 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: September 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 - Saturday, September 28, 2002.

The birding saga apparently resulting from the passage of tropical storm Isidore continues to be written. On 9/26 a bedraggled BROWN NODDY was observed for a short time at a location in Bon Secour NWR on the Ft. Morgan peninsula. The bird has not been seen since. Not to be outdone, on 9/27, five SOOTY TERNS (4 immature - 1 adult) made an unprecedented inland appearance below Wheeler Dam in north Alabama. The terns were last seen working along the north shore of the river as seen from the south bank fishing area. [DeAL 17-C10][BGtA p. 207] And to top off the parade, an exhausted, dark-morph adult RED-FOOTED BOOBY was picked up today from a Gulf Breeze, Florida, yard and taken to a rehabilitator along with a SOOTY TERN. Bring on Lili!

The last known observation I have received of Alabama's first "WESTERN" FLYCATCHER was from 5-6 pm on 9/27. Despite intensive searching and waiting all day today, the bird did not reappear at its previously favored location at the Dauphin Island Shell Mound Park. The flycatcher had been consistently present at and around an isolated tree clump next to the red post on top of the open hill at the entrance to the park beyond the new sign. Look for the yellow-and-black flagging tape. Flycatchers at this spot on 9/28 included a calling ALDER, several LEAST, and a WESTERN KINGBIRD associating with Easterns. Information on further sightings of the "Western" Flycatcher would be much appreciated. A possible second "WESTERN" FLYCATCHER was briefly seen 9/27 (but not today) southwest of Ft. Gaines near the large dune with pine trees on top. A SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was found today at the Dauphin Island airport. [DeAL 64-B3][BGtA p. 10]

A BAIRD'S SANDPIPER was relocated 9/28 with a few other shorebirds in puddles along the middle ground and old landing strip at Ft. Morgan. [DeAL 64-B4][BGtA p. 24]

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 *September 26, 2002 *ALST0209.26

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

Red Knot White-winged Dove Olive-sided Flycatcher "Trail's" Flycatcher Least Flycatcher "WESTERN" FLYCATCHER (1st state record!)

Brown Booby (FL panhandle) Bridled Tern (FL panhandle) Sooty Tern (FL panhandle)

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

none

--------------------------- 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: September 26, 2002 Number: 205/661-2220 Compiler: Steve W. McConnell Email: swmavocet@aol.com

Alabama Rare Bird Report - Thursday, September 26, 2002.

The passage of tropical storm Isidore has certainly livened-up Alabama coastal birding during the last 48 hours. As of late today, AL193 to Dauphin Island was apparently open to traffic again but expect significant water accumulation on this and other roads in the area if you get out to check for storm birds. Today from Gulf Breeze, Florida, the Duncans reported both BRIDLED and SOOTY terns offshore from their property in addition to a cooperative BROWN BOOBY and numerous passerine migrants.

Alabama's first "WESTERN" FLYCATCHER was discovered 9/25 and seen again today around the treeless mound at the entrance to Shell Mound Park on Dauphin Island. The bird may favor the hackberry tree located at around the 1 o'clock position from a red, wooden pole on the hill. Look for the yellow-and-black flagging tape. If accepted, this sighting would be added to only a handful of records from east of the Mississippi River. Since separation to the species level (Cordilleran vs. Pacific-slope) is next to impossible without geographical and specific voice clues, this will likely go down in the, nevertheless very exciting, "western" category. Please note that Acadian, "TRAIL'S", and LEAST FLYCATCHERS have been found at this same location during the past week so some empidonax i.d. preparation might serve you well before attempting to pick out the "western." Information on further sightings of this bird would be much appreciated. [DeAL 64-B3][BGtA p. 10]

A RED KNOT was located today on Mobile Point at Ft. Morgan. [DeAL 64-B4][BGtA p. 24]

An OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER was found 9/23 feeding from open treetops at the north end of the Birmingham Botanical Garden. [DeAL 31-E6][BGtA p. 170]

Two WHITE-WINGED DOVES were noted 9/21 on the east end of Dauphin Island at the entrance to the Coast Guard Recreational Area (intersection of Agassiz and Bienville). [DeAL 64-B4]

Thank you.

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RBA

*Alabama *Statewide *September 20, 2002 *ALST0209.20

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

Red-billed Tropicbird (Florida panhandle) Golden Eagle jaeger sp. Sooty Tern (two locations) Scissor-tailed Flycatcher BRONZED COWBIRD (possible)

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

American Golden-Plover (new location) Buff-breasted Sandpiper (+ new location)

------------------------- 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: September 20, 2002 Number: 205/661-2220 Compiler: Steve W. McConnell Email: swmavocet@aol.com

Alabama Rare Bird Report - Friday, September 20, 2002.

An adult SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was noted 9/17 and 9/20 early in the morning on power lines behind the Days Inn in Priceville. The hotel is at I-65 exit #334 near where the species apparently bred again this past season. [DeAL 18-G4]

During the 9/14 passage of tropical storm Hanna, a SOOTY TERN was reported from Mobile Point at Fort Morgan. [DeAL 64-B4] A RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD (see photos at: http://www.javaswift.com/floridabirds/Red-billed%20Tropicbird.html) and a SOOTY TERN were found on the Florida panhandle near Destin following Hanna. The birds were taken to a local rehab. center.

An injured JAEGER (probably PARASITIC) was found 9/14 near South Sauty Refuge in Jackson County and turned into a rehab. center.

On 9/14 one BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER remained on the lawn at the USS Alabama battleship park in Mobile. [DeAL 62-D4][BGtA p. 41]

Three BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS and a AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER were seen again 9/15 at the Shelby Sod Farm in Shelby county just south of Harpersville. The turn for the farm is off AL25 at 3.0 miles from town. A possible immature BRONZED COWBIRD was reported from this location 9/14 but was not relocated the next day. [DeAL 31-H9]

A bird described as a GOLDEN EAGLE has been seen several times in recent weeks at a Birmingham private residence near AL119 around 1-2 miles south of US280. [DeAL 31-F7]

Thank you.

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RBA

*Alabama *Statewide *September 9, 2002 *ALST0209.09

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

Great Black-backed Gull American Golden-Plover Long-billed Curlew Buff-breasted Sandpiper

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

ROSEATE SPOONBILL (new locations) Wood Stork (new locations) Upland Sandpiper (new location)

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

- Transcript

Hotline: Alabama Ornithological Society Rare Bird Alert Date: September 9, 2002 Number: 205/661-2220 Compiler: Steve W. McConnell Email: swmavocet@aol.com

Alabama Rare Bird Report - Monday, September 9, 2002.

An adult GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL was seen 9/8 on Sand Island located south and offshore from the Dauphin Island fishing pier. [DeAL 64-B3]

On 9/7 three BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS and a LONG-BILLED CURLEW were present on the lawn at the USS Alabama battleship park in Mobile. [DeAL 62-D4][BGtA p. 41]

A ROSEATE SPOONBILL was briefly seen again 9/1 west of the Woerner turf farm in Lowndes County. From Lowndesboro west of Montgomery, follow Co. 29 north to a RR track just before the right turn for the farm. From this intersection, continue straight and follow Co. 40 west for several miles through the small town of White Hall. Continue west on Jones Bluff Road and in another few miles you will pass river backwater areas near the road. Just before the right (north) turn to Prairie Creek campground, you will see a large, marshy field on the left with a narrow ditch close to the road. This is the general area where the spoonbill was seen in mid-August and again earlier this month. [DeAL 44-E3]

An immature ROSEATE SPOONBILL was seen with 49 WOOD STORKS 9/2 southeast of Montgomery. The pond is just south of the American Sportfish Hatchery on the east side of US 231 near Carters Hill. [DeAL 45-G9]

Visits to the Sunbelt turf farm in Shelby County early this month produced repeated sightings of three AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS along with up to three UPLAND SANDPIPERS. To reach the farm from US 280 in Harpersville, turn south on AL 25 and travel 4.7 miles to the farm on the left. Remember not to drive or walk on the grass at this or any sod farm and avoid driving on wet, muddy roads at this site. [DeAL 31-H9][BGtA p. 164] Up to seven WOOD STORKS were also seen adjacent to AL 25 at 1.7 miles from US280 in trees above a swampy plot across the road from the Last Trumpet Ministry.

Unusually far north, a WOOD STORK was seen 9/2 soaring over Wilson Dam near Florence. Access rules are changing for the visitor's center at the south end of the dam. Birders are welcome to park in the designated area (not the employee's lot) and walk to the observation area overlooking the rocks below the dam. Be sure and thank any TVA personnel you encounter for working with the birding community so that continued access to this important birding site was granted. [DeAL 17-C7]

Thank you.

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