Tennessee Valley Audubon Society

The Alabama RBA

December 2003

Brought to you courtesy of Greg Jackson and Steve McConnell:

Previous RBA Page : Alabama RBA for November, 2003

Next RBA Page: Alabama RBA for January, 2004

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 30, 2003 *ALST0312.30

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

RED-NECKED GREBE Eared Grebe American White Pelican Lapland Longspur (2 locations)

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

Pacific Loon (+ new location) LITTLE GULL Glaucous Gull BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD

***Following birds are reported from Florida Panhandle*** Brewer's Sparrow (probable) Clay-colored Sparrow Lark Sparrow Black-headed Grosbeak

-------------------------- 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: December 30, 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, December 30, 2003.

The adult LITTLE GULL, discovered 12/28 at Mallard-Fox Creek Recreation Area in northeast Lawrence County, was seen again 12/30 from 3:30-4:15 pm. Searches earlier today from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm and on 12/29 were unsuccessful. From AL 20 in Hillsboro, go north on County 400 for around 4.0 miles to the signed right turn for the park. In 0.2 mile veer right towards the campground and boat ramp. This afternoon the gull was actively feeding with a few dozen Bonaparte's Gulls out from the campground peninsula. Also observed 12/30 from the campground shoreline were a PACIFIC LOON and a flyover LAPLAND LONGSPUR. [DeAL 18-E2][BGtA p. 237]

A RED-NECKED GREBE was found late this afternoon southeast of Guntersville in the Big Spring Creek embayment between AL 227 and US 431. The grebe was last seen around 0.75 miles south of AL 227 moving south adjacent to the walking trail levee. [DeAL 26-A1][BGtA p. 258]

An immature GLAUCOUS GULL was found 12/28 below Wheeler Dam but was not relocated today. The bird was seen from the fishing access area located at the dam's south end, below the power towers. [DeAL 17-C10][BGtA p. 209]

An EARED GREBE was seen 12/30 at Town Creek Marsh just south of Wheeler Dam. The bird was in deeper water on the south side of the creek just east of the marsh itself. [DeAL 17-D9][BGtA p. 209]

71 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS were tallied 12/29 on Limestone Bay at Wheeler NWR. Also, 1-2 LAPLAND LONGSPURS were heard from the "goose" tower observation platform on Beaverdam Peninsula east of the bay. [DeAL 18-F5][BGtA p. 244]

A PACIFIC LOON was found 12/28 in Perdido Bay at the west end of the US98 bridge near Lillian. [DeAL 63-G/H10]

An adult female BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD was banded 12/20 at the Byrd home in Frisco City (Monroe County). Visitors are welcome to call 251/267-3528 and make arrangements to see this rare beauty. The address is 2486 County Road 10. [DeAL 57-A6]

An unusual spizella-type sparrow has been present at Ft. Pickens, Escambia County, Florida, since late September and observed intermittently since then without a definitive i.d. being made. On 12/26 the bird was seen well from close range with the conclusion made it is probably a BREWER'S SPARROW. On that day the bird was seen in bushes just west of the last houses near the end of Ft. Pickens. It has also been seen on the north side of the last live oak copse (locally known as the 'jetty oaks') feeding on grass seed by a gravel path and also on the west end of the wall that runs east-to-west, south of Battery Swearingen. This bird has almost always been found alone although there has been a large flock of other spizella sparrows at the fort. On 12/28 both LARK and CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS were seen again inside the old fort.

A BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK has been coming to a feeder in north Pensacola, Florida, since 12/20. The bird is frequenting a private feeder at 8867 Shoal Creek Court. Birders are welcome to come and try for the bird. The directions from Pensacola are to go north on Davis Highway past University Mall and just north of West Florida Hospital. Turn left into the Shoal Creek subdivision and take the first left which is a cul-de-sac. The home is the middle unit of the three-unit condo at the middle end of the cul-de-sac. The unit on the right (as you face the home) is vacant and you can go in that back yard. The small backyard is adjacent to a small wooded patch. Visitors are asked to close any gates and be respectful of neighbors. Feedback on this bird would be appreciated.

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 *December 29, 2003 *ALST0312.29

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

Pacific Loon LITTLE GULL Glaucous Gull

***Following birds are reported from Florida Panhandle*** Brewer's Sparrow (probable) Clay-colored Sparrow Lark Sparrow Black-headed Grosbeak

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

BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD

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: December 29, 2003 Number: 256/751-4788 Compiler: Steve W. McConnell Email: swmavocet@aol.com

Alabama Rare Bird Report - Monday, December 29, 2003.

An adult LITTLE GULL was discovered 12/28 at Mallard-Fox Creek Recreation Area in northeast Lawrence County. From AL 20 in Hillsboro, go north on County 400 for around 4.0 miles to the signed right turn for the park. In 0.2 mile veer right towards the campground and boat ramp. The gull was feeding and resting with a few 100 Bonaparte's Gulls out from the campground peninsula. . [DeAL 18-E2][BGtA p. 237]

An immature GLAUCOUS GULL was found 12/28 below Wheeler Dam. The bird was best seen from the fishing access area located at the dam's south end, below the power towers. [DeAL 17-C10][BGtA p. 209]

A PACIFIC LOON was found 12/28 in Perdido Bay at the west end of the US98 bridge near Lillian. [DeAL 63-G/H10]

Thank you.

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RBA

*Alabama *Statewide *December 22, 2003 *ALST0312.22

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

American White Pelican Surf Scoter Long-tailed Duck Lesser Black-backed Gull BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD Rufous Hummingbird LeConte's Sparrow

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

Greater White-fronted Goose Ross's Goose Sandhill Crane

-------------------- 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: December 22, 2003 Number: 256/751-4788 Compiler: Steve W. McConnell Email: swmavocet@aol.com

Alabama Rare Bird Report - Monday, December 22, 2003.

An adult female BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD was banded 12/20 at the Byrd home in Frisco City (Monroe County). Visitors are welcome to call 251/267-3528 and make arrangements to this rare beauty. The address is 2486 County Road 10. A return adult female RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD (marked with pink) is also present. [DeAL 57-A6]

The Wheeler NWR CBC compiled a record 122 species 12/20. Interesting finds included over 300 SANDHILL CRANES, 16 ROSS'S GEESE, and 130 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE at Limestone Bay. [DeAL 18-F5][BGtA p. 244] Another 100 or so SANDHILL CRANES were found near the visitor center observation building. [DeAL 18-G4][BGtA p. 240] Over 50 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS were totaled at several locations around the refuge. At least four LECONTE'S SPARROWS were flushed from the grassy area north of White Springs Dike a mile or so east of the ALT72/US31 highway. [DeAL 18-F4][BGtA p. 244]

Counters on the Dauphin Island CBC 12/20 totaled 140 species including LONG-TAILED DUCK and SURF SCOTER. For information on these and other count birds contact John Porter at 251/861-2120 [DeAL 64]

A 1st winter LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was found 12/13 above Wilson Dam near Florence. [DeAL 17-C7][BGtA p. 213]

Thank you.

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RBA

*Alabama *Statewide *December 9, 2003 *ALST0312.09

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

FLAMMULATED OWL (1st state record, p.a. - in rehab.) BUFF-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD Lapland Longspur (3 locations)

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

Greater White-fronted Goose (+ new location) Ross's Goose (+ new location) Sandhill Crane

--------------- 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: December 9, 2003 Number: 256/751-4788 Compiler: Steve W. McConnell Email: swmavocet@aol.com

Alabama Rare Bird Report - Tuesday, December 9, 2003.

Word of Alabama's first FLAMMULATED OWL recently reached the state birding community. The owl was found in Mobile at the end of October with an injured wing and brought into the county Public School System Environmental Studies Center for rehabilitation. Visitors are welcome to stop by and see the bird before it is moved. The center is located at 6101 Girby Rd. - please call (251)221-5000 before making a visit. There is no entrance fee but an appropriate donation would be much appreciated.

A BUFF-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD has been present since late November at the Dortch's yard in Fairhope. Call 251/928-7433 for directions and to arrange a visit.

Recent visits to Limestone Bay on Wheeler NWR have produced sightings of 65 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE and up to four ROSS'S GEESE. 257 SANDHILL CRANES were a delightful sight 12/8 in the fields on Beaverdam Peninsula just east of the bay. [DeAL 18-F5][BGtA p. 244]

Several LAPLAND LONGSPURS were present near the Calhoun College ball field in Limestone County in late November. [DeAL 18-E4][BGtA p. 246]

At least 10 LAPLAND LONGSPURS were found 12/7 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 do not drive on slick, muddy roads at this site. [DeAL 44-E4]

Three GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were discovered in late November northeast of Loxley in Baldwin County. The birds were in the Styx River as seen from the County Road 68 crossing (aka Brady Road). [DeAL 63-D8]

Four LAPLAND LONGSPURS were found 12/1 at Key Cave NWR in Lauderdale County. To reach the refuge follow AL 20 west from Florence and turn left on County 2. In 4.0 miles turn left on County 223 and go 1.5 miles south to County 204. Look for the longspurs with larks and pipits in this area. [DeAL 17-D6][BGtA p. 229]

A ROSS'S GOOSE was found 12/9 in a flock with Canada Geese on Second Creek just east of Waterloo in Lauderdale County. [DeAL 16-A&B3][BGtA p. 227]

Thank you.

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