Tennessee Valley Audubon Society

The Alabama RBA

December 2002

Brought to you courtesy of Greg Jackson and Steve McConnell:

12/5

12/16

12/29

Previous RBA Page : Alabama RBA for November, 2002

Next RBA Page: Alabama RBA for January, 2003

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 *December 29, 2002 *ALST0212.29

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

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE Short-eared Owl Ash-throated Flycatcher

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

Red-throated Loon (new location) Tundra/TRUMPETER SWAN Western Kingbird Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (new location) Lapland Longspur

------------------------- 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: December 29, 2002 Number: 256/751-4788 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, December 29, 2002.

A 2nd winter LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was seen 12/27 feeding below Wheeler Dam near the southernmost offshore power tower. The bird was best seen from the fishing access area southwest of the dam. [DeAL 17-C10][BGtA p. 207]

The Garth Slough swan was seen again 12/26 at a private hunt club pond in Morgan County. Despite review of many close range pictures, opinions remain evenly split over whether this bird is a TUNDRA or TRUMPETER. A distant view of the pond may be obtained by traveling north from the intersection of Bethel Road and AL 67 in Priceville (just east of exit #334 off I-65) for several miles to where Bethel crosses Upper River Road (stop sign). Cross Upper River and in 0.5 miles pull off to view the pond on the right (east) side of the road. Be careful of the narrow shoulders. Look for a large grove of trees left of the pond. On 12/18 two SHORT-EARED OWLS came out to hunt at dusk over the corn stubble and grassy fields adjacent to the pond and tree grove. [DeAL 18-G5]

Around 40 LAPLAND LONGSPURS were found 12/26 at the traditional "golf practice" site adjacent to Calhoun College in Limestone County. To reach the location go north from Decatur on US Alt 72/AL20 over the river bridge and causeway. Veer left with US 31 towards Athens and in 1.0 miles turn right on Airport Road at traffic signal. The lawn grass areas on the left in 0.3 miles are the spots to check. [DeAL 18-E4][BGtA p. 246]

The Dauphin Island CBC 12/21 tallied a record breaking 145 species. Unusual birds reported at compilation were a RED-THROATED LOON off the public beach near the pier, a BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE on 12/20 off the east end near Ft. Gaines, an ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER in the weedy field at the airport entrance, a total of 12 WESTERN KINGBIRDS (seven at the east end), and a SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER also at the east end. [DeAL 64-B3&4][BGtA p. 7]

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 *December 16, 2002 *ALST0212.16

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

Red-throated Loon (GA stateline) Tundra Swan (2 locations) Black Scoter Western Kingbird (3 locations) Eastern Kingbird Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

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

Ross's Goose (+ new location) Sandhill Crane (+ new location) Lapland Longspur (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: December 16, 2002 Number: 256/751-4788 Compiler: Steve W. McConnell Email: swmavocet@aol.com

Alabama Rare Bird Report - Monday, December 16, 2002.

A swan, believed to be the one seen in Garth Slough during the recent Wheeler NWR CBC, was relocated 12/15 on a private duck club pond north of Priceville. Although the swan displays one or two traits of a Trumpeter, the majority of evidence at this point indicates it is a TUNDRA. A distant view of the pond may be obtained from nearby Bethel Road. To reach the best viewpoint, go north from the intersection of Bethel Road and AL 67 in Priceville (just east of exit #334 off I-65) for several miles to where Bethel crosses Upper River Road (stop sign). Cross Upper River and in 0.5 miles pull off to view the pond on the right (east) side of the road. Be careful of the narrow shoulders. Look for a large grove of pines and other trees just left of the pond. [DeAL 18-G5]

Other species seen during the Wheeler CBC 12/14 included five ROSS'S GEESE (4 adult, 1 imm.) with the Snow Goose flock at Limestone Bay [18-F5][BGtA p. 244]; 218 SANDHILL CRANES also at Limestone Bay; 32 LAPLAND LONGSPURS around a flooded field near Co. 6 just north of Pryor Airfield in Limestone County [DeAL 18-E4]; and a female BLACK SCOTER in the water between the forked RR tracks west of "day park" north of Decatur [DeAL 18-F4]. This location is across US Alt 72/AL 20 from the gated entrance to White Springs Dike. Park in the back of the lot and walk toward the RR tracks for around 0.5 miles. Since this is a known spot for suspicious human activity, it may not be a good idea to visit this location alone.

On 12/11, two WESTERN KINGBIRDS were found near and on Dauphin Island: one was at Bayfront Park on the east side of AL 193 north of the island while a second was seen in the field near Ft. Gaines at the east end of the island. A very late EASTERN KINGBIRD was also seen that day at Shell Mound Park. [DeAL 64-B3&4][BGtA p. 7]

Two WESTERN KINGBIRDS and an immature SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER were seen as recently as 12/12 along the old airstrip east of the Ft. Morgan museum. [DeAL 64-B4][BGtA p. 24]

A ROSS'S GOOSE was seen again 12/3 near Eufaula. This time the goose was with Canadas out in the river east of the wildlife drive on Eufaula NWR. 17 SANDHILL CRANES were also seen that day in the area. [DeAL 54-B4][BGtA p. 86]

A RED-THROATED LOON and two flyover TUNDRA SWANS were discovered 12/8 from West Point Dam north of Lanett along the stateline with Georgia. [DeAL 40-E4]

Thank you.

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RBA

*Alabama *Statewide *December 5, 2002 *ALST0212.05

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

Greater White-fronted Goose Ross's Goose Golden Eagle (2 locations) CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD (2 locations) BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD

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

Sandhill Crane Franklin's Gull Lapland Longspur (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: December 5, 2002 Number: 256/751-4788 Compiler: Steve W. McConnell Email: swmavocet@aol.com

Alabama Rare Bird Report - Thursday, December 5, 2002.

The Alabama winter hummingbird season is underway with recent bandings of two adult female CALLIOPE'S and an even rarer BROAD-TAILED. One Calliope was in Anniston 11/27 at the home of Tom Morgan (256/240-2591)[DeAL 32-C5]. A second is in Cullman at the home of Rose Morgan (1737 Park Circle; phone 256/734-4024)[DeAL 24-D5]. Please call prior to visiting these two locations.

The adult female Broad-tailed was banded 12/2 in Morris at home of Andy Anderson home (7977 Country Creek Drive; 205/647-5554)[DeAL 30-B5]. A pre-visit call to this home is not required but might be appreciated. The Broad-tailed may prefer the feeders at the back of the home. At least 11 Rufous and one Black-chinned have also been banded across the north and central parts of the state in recent days. These results should be a reminder to keep at least one feeder up and fresh through the winter and report any hummingbirds seen during this season to the Hummer/Bird Study Group at 205/681-2888.

An immature GOLDEN EAGLE was reported 11/28 soaring over the observation building near the Wheeler NWR visitor center. [DeAL 18-G4][BGtA p. 240] Recently up to 84 SANDHILL CRANES and 16 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE have been seen at the north end of Limestone Bay. Another immature GOLDEN EAGLE was observed 11/29 in flight just east of Limestone Bay near corn fields. [DeAL 18-F5][BGtA p.244]

Two LAPLAND LONGSPURS were found 11/29 near the traditional "golf practice" site adjacent to Calhoun College in Limestone County. On that date the longspurs were on a parking lot next to the ballfield. To reach this spot go north from Decatur on US Alt 72/AL20 over the river bridge and causeway. Veer left with US 31 towards Athens and in 1.0 miles turn right on Airport Road at traffic signal. The lawn grass areas on the left in 0.3 miles are the spots to check. [DeAL 18-E4][BGtA p. 246]

A ROSS'S GOOSE was seen 11/27 with Canadas at the Lake Point SP beach north of Eufaula. The bird was not relocated the following morning but may still be in the area. [DeAL 54-B4][BGtA p. 86]

A FRANKLIN'S GULL continued 12/4 at West Point Dam north of Lanett just over the state line in Georgia. [DeAL 40-E4]

Thank you.

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