Tennessee Valley Audubon Society

The Alabama RBA

September 2003

Brought to you courtesy of Greg Jackson and Steve McConnell:

9/4

9/24

9/29

Previous RBA Page : Alabama RBA for August, 2003

Next RBA Page: Alabama RBA for October, 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 *September 29, 2003 *ALST0309.29

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

YELLOW WAGTAIL (1st state record, p.a.) VIRGINIA'S WARBLER (1st state record, p.a.)

============--- 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 g_d_jackson@bellsouth.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 29, 2003 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 - Monday, September 29, 2003.

Ft. Morgan was certainly the place to be birding today with not one but TWO potential first state records seen back-to-back!!!

First, a bird described as a VIRGINIA'S WARBLER was briefly seen in the stable area at around 9:00 a.m. perched in a pine tree. After the bird flew it could not be relocated.

Then at around 11:30 a.m. an apparent 1st winter YELLOW WAGTAIL was discovered in the scrubby sand dune area between the seawall and Mobile Point. After more observers assembled the bird was relocated at 2:00 p.m. by listening for its distinctive call and was then seen more or less continuously until 5:15 p.m. when the last birder left the area. During the day the bird was well observed and at times posed for extended scope views in bush tops and leafless shrubs. The wagtail appears to consistently associate with Palm Warblers and gives a call during its undulating flight described to be "somewhat like an Eastern Kingbird or American Pipit, quite unlike the Palm Warbler's chip."

This reporter is aware of no accepted U.S. records for this species in the Lower 48 east of Nevada so wagtail searchers are encouraged to utilize cameras, video recorders, etc., in documenting this ultra-rarity.

Needless to say results of searches for either of these birds (positive or negative) are highly desired! Please note that Ft. Morgan park officially opens at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 5:00 p.m. Be sure to pay your $3 entrance fee so birders won't get a bad name. Birders are welcome to walk from the parking lot around the fort to the south to reach the seawall and beyond, however, please avoid walking or driving through the residential area south of the fort and disturbing residents there. [DeAL 64-B4][BGtA p. 24]

The fall meeting of the Alabama Ornithological Society will be 10/10-12 on Dauphin Island. The Hummer/Bird Study Group will be banding at Ft. Morgan 10/4-18. Visitors are welcome!

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 24, 2003 *ALST0309.24

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

ROSEATE SPOONBILL Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

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

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 g_d_jackson@bellsouth.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 24, 2003 Number: 256/751-4788 Compiler: Steve W. McConnell Email: swmavocet@aol.com

Alabama Rare Bird Report - Wednesday, September 24, 2003.

A ROSEATE SPOONBILL was seen at least twice earlier this month at the Bayou La Batre ponds in Mobile County. [DeAL 62-H2][BGtA p. 18]

Several BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS were noted recently at the Woerner Turf Farm in Baldwin County. From AL 59 south of Foley turn right (west) on County 12 and go around 4.0 miles to a dirt road on the right. Look around this area and along the dirt road for shorebirds. [DeAL 63-H7]

Five BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS were found 9/22 at the Sun Belt turf farm in Shelby County. 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. The birds were in a pond near the intersection of AL 25 and AL 76. 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]

A YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER was located 9/23 at the Birmingham Botanical Garden. The bird was in woods near the bog garden (northeast corner of garden). [DeAL 31-E6][BGtA p. 170]

The fall meeting of the Alabama Ornithological Society will be 10/10-12 on Dauphin Island. The Hummer/Bird Study Group will be banding at Ft. Morgan 10/4-18. Visitors are welcome!

Thank you.

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RBA

*Alabama *Statewide *September 4, 2003 *ALST0309.04

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

American Avocet Buff-breasted Sandpiper (two locations) Olive-sided Flycatcher Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

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

Upland Sandpiper Glossy Ibis American Golden-Plover (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 4, 2003 Number: 256/751-4788 Compiler: Steve W. McConnell Email: swmavocet@aol.com

Alabama Rare Bird Report - Thursday, September 4, 2003.

Two OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHERS were seen 9/4 just west of Russellville. The birds were perched in dead snags in a clear-cut near the Franklin County landfill on the west side of Cedar Creek. The location is at the end of old AL 24 (County 524). [DeAL 16-H5]

An adult SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was discovered 9/1 between Hazel Green and Meridianville in Madison County near where the species has nested in recent years. The bird was on power lines near the traffic signal at the intersection of Grimwood/Walker Lane and US 231/431. [DeAL 19-B8]

A tour of the Blakeley Island complex in Mobile 8/24 found 10 GLOSSY IBIS in pond #1. Many small shorebirds were seen in pond #4 just to the east. This location is reached by traveling north on AL90 and parking at the last gated entrance on the right before starting to cross Cochrane Bridge. Walk up the hill past a white CO2 tank and continue straight east along the south edge of pond #5. Ponds #1 and 4 are to the right for the next 0.5 mile or so, opposite the road from pond #5. Remember all trips onto the State Docks property at this and other locations must be preceeded by a signed release form and notification phone call. Walk only on diked roads and display your permit in your vehicle. Failure to follow these requirements may endanger future access for everyone. For details on these requirements call Steve McConnell (256/340-5378) or visit the AOS website at: http://www.bham.net/aos/ [DeAL 62-C4][BGtA p. 43] Around 30 plegadis ibis were also seen earlier the same morning flying south toward the Pinto Pass area near the USS Alabama battleship park.

Near Florence, an AMERICAN AVOCET has been present for about a week at the "Sinks" ponds adjacent to the intersection of Colbert County 69 (Fennell Road) and County 24 (6th Street). On 9/4 three BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS were also seen. [DeAL 17-D8&9][BGtA p. 210]

Up to 12 UPLAND SANDPIPERS were seen near the end of August at the Woerner Turf Farm in Lowndes County west of Montgomery. To reach the farm from US 80, follow Co. 29 north through Lowndesboro. At 4.8 miles from US 80 turn right onto County 40 at the sign for the farm just past a RR track. In 3.0 miles the paved road becomes dirt. In another 1.5 miles you reach the farm entrance on the left at a 90-degree right turn. Remember not to drive or walk on the grass at this or any sod farm and yield right-of-way to farm and irrigation equipment. Also avoid slick, muddy roads at this site. [DeAL 44-E4]

An AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER and two BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS were found 8/27 at the Sun Belt turf farm in Shelby County. 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]

Thank you.

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