The Alabama RBA

October 2004

Brought to you courtesy of Greg Jackson and Steve McConnell:

Previous RBA Page :  Alabama RBA for September, 2004

Next RBA Page: Alabama RBA for November, 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

*October 31, 2004

*ALST0410.31

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--- Species added since last report ---

=====================================

BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK (origin unknown)

Eared Grebe

Brown Pelican (inland)

LONG-TAILED JAEGER (probable, gone?)

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--- Species previously reported ---

=====================================

Long-billed Curlew

Marbled Godwit

“GRAY-BACKED” GODWIT SP.

Franklin ’s Gull

Vermilion Flycatcher (new location)

Western Kingbird

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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:

http://www.tvas.org/rba.htm

- Transcript

Hotline: Alabama Ornithological Society Rare Bird Alert

Date: October 31, 2004

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, October 31, 2004.

A probable LONG-TAILED JAEGER was discovered 10/28 on Lake Eufaula above Walter F. George Dam south of Eufaula.  This bird was described as “white-headed”  and was seen flying near the Alabama state line at the dam and also chasing Laughing Gulls just to the north in Georgia waters offshore from Bagby State Park .  A search for the bird the following day was unsuccessful.  [DeAL 54-F&G5][BGtA p. 95]

The “GRAY-BACKED” GODWIT was reported again 10/29 with two MARBLED GODWITS on the flats at low tide just east of the USS Alabama battleship in Mobile.  A search on 10/30 could only manage four MARBLEDS.  The “bent wing” LONG-BILLED CURLEW was seen again 10/30 on the lawn near the pier.  [DeAL 62-D4][BGtA p. 41]

Up to four BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS have evidently spent the summer in Montgomery in area around the Alabama River Parkway intersection with the Northern Bypass (AL 152).  The birds may prefer the Chase Park Apartments storm water retention pond about a 0.25 mile north of the intersection.  They have also been seen in a field near the Vista View subdivision entrance.  The last sighting I am aware of was 10/9.  Be advised the Montgomery Zoo is nearby so the appearance and persistence of these ducks is suspicious.  [DeAL 45-D8]

Two WESTERN KINGBIRDS were on the power lines in front of the Gulf Breeze motel on Dauphin Island 10/27.  [DeAL 64-B3][BGtA p. 5] 

An immature female VERMILION FLYCATCHER was seen 10/24  at the Glenlakes Country Club & Golf Course southeast of Foley in Baldwin County . From AL 59 travel east on County Road 20 around 3.0 miles to the Glenlakes entrance at Clubhouse Road . Turn right and follow the road to Bunker Lane . Turn left on Bunker and follow it to the intersection of Lakeview Drive . The lake should be visible straight ahead. Turn left on Lakeview and park in the small pull off area.  The bird was in the small trees bordering the lake near the concrete drainage ditch.  [DeAL 63-H8][BGtA p. 36]

Three FRANKLIN ’S GULLS continued through 10/27 in Guntersville this time on the pilings at the foot of the US 431 bridge.  Be aware that Laughing Gulls were also present that day.  A flyby BROWN PELICAN was certainly notable.  Nearby an EARED GREBE was north of the AL 69 causeway west of town.  [DeAL 26-A1 & 25-A10][BGtA p. 258-262]

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.

-End Transcript

RBA

* Alabama

*Statewide

*October 20, 2004

*ALST0410.20

=====================================

--- Species added since last report ---

=====================================

Mottled Duck (inland)

Long-billed Curlew

Marbled Godwit

“GRAY-BACKED” GODWIT SP.

Red Knot

Franklin ’s Gull (4 locations)

Great Black-backed Gull

Black-billed Cuckoo

Olive-sided Flycatcher

ALDER FLYCATCHER

Vermilion Flycatcher

Western Kingbird (2 locations)

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Clay-colored Sparrow

=====================================

--- 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:

http://www.tvas.org/rba.htm

- Transcript

Hotline: Alabama Ornithological Society Rare Bird Alert

Date: October 20, 2004

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 – Wednesday, October 20, 2004.

A nice push of FRANKLIN ’S GULLS apparently entered the state during the last week.  A single bird was found at Guntersville 10/16 and five were discovered 10/20 in Brown’s Creek south of the AL 69 causeway adjacent to Sunset Drive. [DeAL 25-A10][BGtA p. 260]  On 10/16 eight FRANKLIN ’S were seen from White Springs Dike on Wheeler NWR. [DeAL 18-F4][BGtA p. 244]  In addition two FRANKLIN ’S were found 10/16 on Pelican Island just south of Dauphin Island .  An adult GREAT-BLACK-BACKED GULL and two RED KNOTS were observed 10/19 on Pelican Island as seen from the Dauphin Island pier huts.  [DeAL 64-B3]

On 10/17 a single FRANKLIN ’S GULL was in pond #5 at the Mud Lakes disposal area on Blakeley Island .  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.  Pond #5 is the first on the left.  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]

A WESTERN KINGBIRD and VERMILION FLYCATCHER were found 10/15 at the USS Alabama Battleship park in Mobile .   Two MARBLED GODWITS and a LONG-BILLED CURLEW were feeding 10/18 on the exposed mud flats just east of the battleship south of AL 90/98.  Also seen with the Marbleds was a “GRAY-BACKED” GODWIT that may have been a Hudsonian, however, other possibilities were not ruled-out.  Further observations of this bird are highly desired!  [DeAL 62-D4][BGtA p. 41]

A BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO was a nice find 10/15 in the Audubon Sanctuary on Dauphin Island .  Four SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHERS and a WESTERN KINGBIRD were found 10/16 near  the dunes adjacent to Ft. Gaines at the eastern end of Dauphin Island .  You must walk around the fort to reach this site as the road around is still washed-out.  Two CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS were found 10/19 near the fort itself.  [DeAL 64-B4][BGtA p. 6-8] 

An ALDER FLYCATCHER was heard and seen 10/12 near the powder magazine at Fort Toulouse park just north of Montgomery .  A “Trail’s” Flycatcher was noted here 10/15. [DeAL 45-C8][BGtA p. 100]

The flycatcher parade continued 10/16 with the appearance of an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER at Oak Park in Montgomery .  If traveling south on I-85 into town take the Mulberry exit and go north on Forest Avenue past a few lights to the park entrance (if going north away from town on I-85 take the Forest Avenue exit and turn left (north) to reach the park).  [DeAL 45-E8][BGtA p. 99]

A probable MOTTLED DUCK was discovered 10/13 with Mallards at Town Creek Marsh southwest of Wheeler Dam in Colbert County .  [DeAL 17-D9][BGtA p. 209]

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.

-End Transcript

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