The Alabama RBA

September 2005

Brought to you courtesy of Greg Jackson and Steve McConnell:

Previous RBA Page :  Alabama RBA for August, 2005

Next RBA Page: Alabama RBA for October, 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 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 20, 2005

*ALST0509.20

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--- Species added since last report ---

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American Golden-Plover (2 locations)

Olive-sided Flycatcher

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--- Species previously reported ---

none

---Farther Afield---

Lesser Sandplover (St. Marks NWR, Florida)

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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: September 20, 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 – Tuesday, September 20, 2005.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: Heavy Katrina damage on Dauphin Island has once again forced the cancellation of the Fall AOS meeting which had been scheduled for October 14-16. Access onto the island is likely to remain limited for some time. The majority of west end houses were heavily damaged or destroyed. The famous Seafood Galley was also heavily damaged and may not be rebuilt.

Nearby at Ft. Morgan, the Hummer/Bird Study Group banding session October 8-22 is currently scheduled to go ahead as planned.

An OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER was found 9/13 at Ft. Morgan. [DeAL 64-B4][BGtA p. 23]

An AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER was seen 9/18 at Church Pond in Lauderdale County. This location is just down the road from the well-known Walker Pond. From County 2 in front of Walker Pond turn left at the sign for a church and the pond is on the right. [DeAL 17-C6][BGtA p. 228]

Another AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER was found 9/15 at the Sunbelt Sod 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. DO NOT drive on wet, muddy roads at this site. Remember there are now gates on all entrance roads and these are only be open during farm working hours – typically weekdays. Birders are still welcome to enter through open gates and bird but must leave prior to gate closure in late afternoon to avoid being locked-in! DO NOT TRESPASS ONTO THIS PRIVATE PROPERTY WHEN THE GATES ARE CLOSED! In addition, birding group size must be limited to three cars! Please follow these guidelines to the letter to avoid all of us losing access to this good birding site. [DeAL 31-H9][BGtA p. 164]

Just down the road south, a Lesser Sandplover (formerly Mongolian Plover) was found 9/17 at St. Marks NWR near Tallahassee, Florida. The bird continued to be seen through 9/20. There are only three previous Lower 48 records for this shorebird away from the west coast. For the latest information check the Florida listserv: http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/FLAB.html

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: (205-621-3333)

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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