The Alabama RBA

March 2005

Brought to you courtesy of Greg Jackson and Steve McConnell:

Previous RBA Page :  Alabama RBA for February, 2005

Next RBA Page: Alabama RBA for April, 2005

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 inAlabama, 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

*March 4, 2005

*ALST0503.04

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--- Species added since last report ---

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Long-tailed Duck

BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (possible)

Red-cockaded Woodpecker

Vermilion Flycatcher

Red Crossbill

Bachman’s Sparrow

HARRIS’S SPARROW

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--- Species previously reported ---

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Lesser Black-backed Gull

Glaucous Gull (+ new location)

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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: March 4, 2005

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. 

Alabama Rare Bird Report – Friday, March 4, 2005.

A HARRIS’S SPARROW was found 3/3 at the Wayland home just east of Muscle Shoals.  The bird also made several appearances on 3/4.  Birders wanting to try for this rarity may call 256/757-2467 during reasonable hours to arrange a visit. 

A visit to the Magnolia Springs landfill in Baldwin County 2/28 produced sightings of four LESSER BLACK-BACKED and a 1^st winter GLAUCOUS GULL.     Please remember the new visitation procedure:  park at the main office on the left and walk over to the scale office for guidance to the new white-fenced viewing area and visit instructions. Do not drive over the scale or otherwise block traffic! [DeAL 63-G7][BGtA p. 37]

The 1^st winter GLAUCOUS GULL continued 3/1 at the large pond at Speigner in Elmore County north of Montgomery .  The pond is across the road from Draper Prison.  The location is on AL 143 just north of AL 14 at the town of Elmore .  [DeAL 45-B7]

A sub-adult GLAUCOUS GULL was seen again 2/28 below Wilson Dam in Lauderdale County .  [DeAL 17-C7][BGtA p. 213]

A possible male BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD was reportedly seen 3/2 at Ft. Morgan behind Battery Dearborn.  Be advised the ferry between the fort and Dauphin Island will likely remain out-of-service at least through April.  [DeAL 64-B4][BGtA p. 23]

A male VERMILION FLYCATCHER was seen again recently at Glenlakes subdivision in Baldwin County where at least one has been present since October.  From AL 59 south of Foley, 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 is visible straight ahead. Turn left on Lakeview and park in the small pull off area on left.  The bird has preferred the yards left of the small green pumphouse.  Walk along the concrete drainage ditch out to the lake for the best view.  [DeAL 63-H8][BGtA p. 36]

Around 15 RED CROSSBILLS, several RED-COCKADED WOODPECKERS, and BACHMAN’S SPARROWS were nice finds 2/19 at Talladega NF northeast of Anniston .  To reach the site take the Heflin exit (AL 9) from I-20 and travel north 1.5 miles to US 78.  Turn right and follow US 78 east for 8.5 miles to Co. 61. Turn left and follow Co. 61 for 7.5 miles to FS500 (the road becomes FS553 at the forest boundary).  Turn right and follow FS500 and signs for Lake Coleman to a fenced parking area on the right in 1.5 miles.  Check the trees at the parking area  and the nearby Pinhoti Trail for the crossbills.  Early morning is usually best.   [DeAL 33-A8][BGtA p. 184]

A LONG-TAILED DUCK was discovered with many waterfowl 2/23 on Marthaler Pond in Colbert County .  To reach the pond located northwest of Leighton, follow County 63 (aka Marthaler Lane) north from AL 20 past County 22 and the RR track to where the water on both side of the diked road.  [DeAL 17-D8][BGtA p. 211]

The next meeting of the Alabama Ornithological Society will be April 15-17 on Dauphin Island . 

The Hummer/Bird Study Group will be banding at Ft. Morgan April 2-15.  Visitors are welcome!  Be advised an entry fee will likely be collected by park personnel for those visiting the banding areas.  The lingering effects of Hurricane Ivan and the continued ferry outage have made these funds more important than ever to the sustained operation of the fort property in its current configuration.  Please do your duty – it is a small price to pay for what you are supporting!  Consider purchasing an annual pass.

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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