Tennessee Valley Audubon Society

The Alabama RBA

October 2003

Brought to you courtesy of Greg Jackson and Steve McConnell:

10/4

10/14

10/21

Previous RBA Page : Alabama RBA for September, 2003

Next RBA Page: Alabama RBA for November, 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 *October 21, 2003 *ALST0310.21

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

dark morph hawk sp. Whimbrel Long-billed Curlew Franklin's Gull (two locations) Ash-throated Flycatcher

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

Eared Grebe CALIFORNIA GULL Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (2 new locations)

------------------- 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: October 21, 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 - Tuesday, October 21, 2003.

A dark morph hawk seen last week at Fort Morgan left many scratching their heads considering the possibilities. Current theories include ZONE-TAILED, SWAINSON'S, or "HARLAN'S" RED-TAILED HAWK. An ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER was seen in the area on 10/15. [DeAL 64-B4][BGtA p. 24]

The probable immature CALIFORNIA GULL was seen again the morning of 10/17 at Wilson Dam in Lauderdale County but could not be found 10/18 or during frequent checks of the area during the past week. On 10/21, 17 FRANKLIN'S GULLS were an exciting find at the dam. Check both above and below the dam for these and other birds. [DeAL 17-C7][BGtA p. 213]

Another FRANKLIN'S GULL was found 10/15 on the rock jetties just west of Ft. Gaines on Dauphin Island. Four SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHERS were seen on the island 10/14 with two at the airport and two near the pond adjacent to Shell Mound Park. A WHIMBREL was present 10/13 on Pelican Island just south of the fishing pier. [DeAL 64-B3&4][BGtA p. 5]

A LONG-BILLED CURLEW was seen 10/13 & 14 at the USS Alabama battleship park in Mobile. Check the mudflat east of the battleship at low tide and the large grass lawn in the park itself. [DeAL 62-D4&5][BGtA p. 40]

An EARED GREBE continued 10/13 at the Bayou La Batre pond in Mobile County. [DeAL 62-H2][BGtA p. 18]

The following may be called for information: Birding in Alabama: Greg Jackson (205/987-2855) Alabama Ornithological Society: Bob Reed (334/283-5886) 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 *October 14, 2003 *ALST0310.14

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

Eared Grebe ROSEATE SPOONBILL Pomarine Jaeger CALIFORNIA GULL dark-backed tern sp. (pelagic) White-winged Dove Red Knot SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER Rufous Hummingbird "WESTERN" FLYCATCHER Vermilion Flycatcher Western Kingbird Bell's Vireo YELLOW-GREEN VIREO (1st state record, p.a.) Clay-colored Sparrow

Groove-billed Ani (Florida panhandle) Say's Phoebe (Florida panhandle)

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

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (new location) Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (2 new locations)

----------------- 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: October 14, 2003 Number: 256/751-4788 Compiler: Steve W. McConnell Email: swmavocet@aol.com

Alabama Rare Bird Report - Tuesday, October 14, 2003.

A PACIFIC-SLOPE/CORDILLERAN FLYCATCHER (a.k.a. "Western" Flycatcher) was banded 10/13 by the Hummer/Bird Study Group at Fort Morgan. There is only one previous Alabama report for this species complex. This bird was captured at the middle ground banding station. On 10/10 Alabama's first YELLOW-GREEN VIREO was also banded at this station. Pictures of this beauty may be viewed at: http://bkpass.tripod.com/YELLOW-GREEN_VIREO.htm This rarity was captured and released near the scrubby western border of the middle ground. Intensive searching by many birders all weekend failed to relocate the vireo, however, a BELL'S VIREO was a nice discovery 10/11. A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was seen 10/8 on the west side of the fort near the path. After several slow days last week, the banding work increased significantly over the weekend with around 1200 individuals of 62 species ringed since 10/4. The HBSG nets will be open through 10/18 - visitors are welcome. Just east of the fort, a SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was found 10/13 on the power lines near the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail stop for St. Andrews Bay. [DeAL 64-B4][BGtA p. 24]

A POMARINE JAEGER was seen and photographed 10/14 resting on Pelican Island (just south of Dauphin Island). [DeAL 64-B3]

A juvenile SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER was reported 10/10 at the "sinks" pond in Colbert County adjacent to the intersection of County 69 (Fennel Road) and County 24 (6th Street). The bird could not be relocated over the weekend. [DeAL 17-D9][BGtA p. 210]

A probable immature CALIFORNIA GULL was seen 10/8 on the lake above Wilson Dam in Florence. The bird has not been seen since despite many attempts to relocate it. [DeAL 17-C7][BGtA p. 213]

A male VERMILION FLYCATCHER was seen 10/10-11 at the USS Alabama battleship park in Mobile but was not found 10/13. A SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was seen at the park 10/13. [DeAL 62-D4&5][BGtA p. 40]

Another SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was found 10/13 on Coden Belt Road (just east of Bayou La Batre) on phone wires about 100 yards from ACBT stop #49. [DeAL 62-H2]

A group pelagic trip 10/9 to 78 statute miles south of Orange Beach did not result in sightings of any rare pelagic species other than a single, distant flock of six DARK-BACKED (BRIDLED/SOOTY) TERNS.

Around 187 species were reported at compilation following the fall AOS meeting on Dauphin Island (DI) this past weekend. Besides those mentioned above, other reports of note included:

EARED GREBE and ROSEATE SPOONBILL, Bayou La Batre pond, 10/11-12; RED KNOT (x3), Pelican Island just south of DI fishing pier, 10/11; WHITE-WINGED DOVE, feeders at house on Omega Street near DI airport, 10/10-12; RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD (x2), one each at Shell Mound and Goat Tree parks (DI), 10/11; YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (several), Ft. Morgan and Shell Mound Park (DI), 10/10-12; WESTERN KINGBIRD, Bayou Heron Park (DI), 10/11-12.

---References for these locations--- Dauphin Island: [DeAL 64-A3/B3&4][BGtA p. 5] Bayou La Batre pond: [DeAL 62-H2][BGtA p. 18]

A SAY'S PHOEBE was seen 10/13 and relocated today at Ft. Pickens, Florida, west of Gulf Breeze. Today the bird was west of the concrete wall that separates the "parade ground" from the open dunes going westward to the end of the island. Look near the small pine tree across the road from the wall adjacnet to some concrete rubble. The GROOVE-BILLED ANI seen during the previous week was not seen today. The ani had been on the south side of the road adjacent to where the marsh is on both sides just before you get to the brick entranceway to the old fort. For further information on these birds you may call the Duncans at 850/932-4792 before 9:00 pm.

Thank you.

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RBA

*Alabama *Statewide *October 4, 2003 *ALST0310.04

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

WHITE-FACED IBIS American Golden-Plover Buff-breasted Sandpiper Black-billed Cuckoo Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

==========--- 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

- Transcript

Hotline: Alabama Ornithological Society Rare Bird Alert Date: October 4, 2003 Number: 256/751-4788 Compiler: Steve W. McConnell Email: swmavocet@aol.com

Alabama Rare Bird Report - Saturday, October 4, 2003.

Despite intensive searches at Ft. Morgan this past week, neither the Virginia's Warbler or the Yellow Wagtail could be relocated following their single-day appearances 9/29. On 10/2 a WHITE-FACED IBIS was seen flying near the dunes and shoreline overlooking Mobile Bay. A SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was noted 9/30 and a YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER was seen and banded in the stable area 10/4. [DeAL 64-B4][BGtA p. 24]

Participants on a morning bird walk 10/3 down the wetlands trail on TVA reservation in Florence found an immature BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO feeding on caterpillars. To reach the trail follow Reservation Road to the entrance to complex F at a traffic signal. Turn in and park near the back of the lot on the right near some greenhouses and plant experiments. The trail is the gated, abandoned road on the right. The cuckoo was in a privet/sumac thicket adjacent to a large water oak. [DeAL 17-D7]

A trip to the Sunbelt Turf Farm in Shelby County 9/27 yielded two BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS and an AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER. 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]

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 through 10/18. 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)

Thank you.

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