Tennessee Valley Audubon Society

The Alabama RBA

December 2005

Brought to you courtesy of Greg Jackson and Steve McConnell:

December 20

Previous RBA Page : Alabama RBA for November, 2005

Next RBA Page: Alabama RBA for January, 2006

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 20, 2005

*ALST0512.20

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

--- Species added since last report ---

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

LITTLE GULL

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

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

--- Species previously reported ---

Ross’s Goose (new location)

RED-NECKED GREBE

Pomarine Jaeger (new location)

Vermilion Flycatcher

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

NABT = North Alabama Birding Trail (http://www.northalabamabirdingtrail.com/)

ACBT = Alabama Coastal Birding Trail (http://www.alabamacoastalbirdingtrail.com/)

- Transcript

Hotline: Alabama Ornithological Society Rare Bird Alert

Date: December 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, December 20, 2005.

A first winter LITTLE GULL was discovered 12/16 with Bonaparte’s Gulls on a sewage treatment pond in front of Draper Prison in Elmore County. The location is adjacent to AL 143 southeast of Speigner. A search 12/17 did not relocate the gull, however, the Bonies had returned so the Little may still be in the area. Nearby Speigner and Bouldin Dam Lakes might be worth a check. NOTE: This is a sensitive area and you may be approached by prison guards if you act suspiciously or point your optics toward the prison. Bottomline: Please be on your best birding behavior so we don’t lose access to this interesting area. View the ponds from the roadside ONLY! [DeAL 45-B7]

A dark POMARINE JAEGER was seen the afternoon of 12/16 and early in the morning on 12/17 on Limestone Bay at Wheeler NWR. Searches for this rarity since have been unsuccessful. However, the RED-NECKED GREBE continued through at least 12/18 on the bay. To reach a good viewing location follow the gravel Arrowhead Landing road to the boat ramp and scan the bay. This is NABT stop #23. Also look over the very south end of the bay from the shore near a metal refuge gate where the road makes a sharp right turn. On 12/16 the jaeger was feeding on dead fish on the opposite shore near a rip-rap dike. Also the grebe seems to return to this corner to roost and sleep during the day. Six ROSS’S GEESE were counted in the large Snow Goose flock on the bay 12/17. [DeAL 18-F5][BGtA p. 244]

A male VERMILION FLYCATCHER continues to be seen on White Springs Dike road at Wheeler NWR. The location has been in the general area of an osprey platform about 1.0-1.5 mile southeast of the gate on US Alt 72 just past its split from US 31. The entrance gate is signed North Alabama Birding Trail stop #20. On 12/20 the flycatcher was around 100 yards north of the dike road feeding from a dead swamp mallow. This bird has evidently become more sporadic as it was not seen during the recent Wheeler CBC. [DeAL 18-F4][BGtA p. 244]

A SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER continues to be seen on a regular basis on power wires adjacent to Breman Road in Baldwin County. The location was south of US 98 a mile or so east of Elberta. Breman is the next paved road east of County 87. [DeAL 63-G9]

The following may be called for information:

Birding in Alabama: Greg Jackson (205/987-2855)

Alabama Ornithological Society: Stan Hamilton (205/951-5630)

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.

-End Transcript

RBA

*Alabama

*Statewide

*December 14, 2005

*ALST0512.14

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

--- Species added since last report ---

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

Pomarine Jaeger

Glaucous Gull (probable)

Ash-throated Flycatcher

LeConte’s Sparrow

Lincoln’s Sparrow

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

--- Species previously reported ---

Greater White-fronted Goose (new location)

Ross’s Goose (new location)

RED-NECKED GREBE

Sandhill Crane (+ new location)

Vermilion Flycatcher

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please note: Species CAPITALIZED above are on the Alabama Bird Records Committee review list.

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

NABT = North Alabama Birding Trail (http://www.northalabamabirdingtrail.com/)

ACBT = Alabama Coastal Birding Trail (http://www.alabamacoastalbirdingtrail.com/)

- Transcript

Hotline: Alabama Ornithological Society Rare Bird Alert

Date: December 14, 2005

Number: 256/751-4788

Compiler: Steve W. McConnell

Email: swmavocet@aol.com

Alabama Rare Bird Report – Wednesday, December 14, 2005.

A RED-NECKED GREBE continued through at least 12/10 on Limestone Bay at Wheeler NWR. To reach a good viewing location follow the gravel Arrowhead Landing road to the boat ramp scan the bay. This is NABT stop #23. An aerial refuge survey 12/12 counted around 500 SANDHILL CRANES in the bay area and another 500 or so near the refuge observation building south of AL 67. [DeAL 18-F5&G4][BGtA p. 240-244]

A male VERMILION FLYCATCHER continues to be seen on White Springs Dike road at Wheeler NWR. The location is near an osprey platform about 1.0-1.5 mile southeast of the gate on US Alt 72 just past its split from US 31. The entrance gate is signed North Alabama Birding Trail stop #20. On 12/13 the flycatcher was around 250 yards east of the platform, much farther down the road than it has been seen before. [DeAL 18-F4][BGtA p. 244]

An ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER was a surprising find 12/12 at Eufaula NWR in Barbour County. From the main wildlife drive road turn left at the sign for the “observation tower.” This is the next turn past the Dusi (or waterfowl) Tower road. In about 100 feet you will reach a wet ditch crossing with a topless pine tree on the right and lots of weeds and brambles. The flycatcher was around the pine tree and was associating with a LINCOLN’S SPARROW and other typical winter passerines. A walk behind the Houston Unit river gate that same day produced views of eight ROSS’S and around 15 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE both flying over Alabama and loafing in Georgia waters. [DeAL 54-B5][BGtA p. 84]

A dark-morph jaeger was found 12/10 chasing and attacking gulls in Alabama waters above Walter F. George Dam south of Eufaula. The bird was relocated 12/12 and positively identified as a juvenile POMARINE JAEGER. When last seen that day it was soaring south along the Chattahoochee River below the dam spillway. A fine view of Lake Eufaula above the dam can now be obtained from County 202 along the west dam dike. County 202 is the first road east of the County 97 and County 46 intersection. [DeAL 54-G5][BGtA p. 95]

A LECONTE’S SPARROW was seen well 12/3 at Key Cave NWR west of Florence. From Lauderdale County 2 turn left on County 223 and then right on County 204. In about 0.2 mile you reach a parking area. The sparrow was located about 30 feet down the trail heading north from the observation tower. [DeAL 17-D6][BGtA p. 229]

27 SANDHILL CRANES were seen again 12/8 at Lake Jackson on the Alabama-Florida line near Florala. [DeAL 59-G7]

A large white gull with black-tipped pink bill was seen 12/11 on Neely Henry Lake south of Gadsden. This probable GLAUCOUS GULL was located near a causeway crossing along AL 77. [DeAL 26-H3]

The following may be called for information:

Birding in Alabama: Greg Jackson (205/987-2855)

Alabama Ornithological Society: Stan Hamilton (205/951-5630)

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.

-End Transcript

RBA

*Alabama

*Statewide

*December 2, 2005

*ALST0512.02

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

--- Species added since last report ---

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

Greater White-fronted Goose

Ross’s Goose

Black Scoter

King Rail

Sandhill Crane

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Red Crossbill

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

--- Species previously reported ---

RED-NECKED GREBE

Vermilion Flycatcher

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please note: Species CAPITALIZED above are on the Alabama Bird Records Committee review list.

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

NABT = North Alabama Birding Trail

ACBT = Alabama Coastal Birding Trail

- Transcript

Hotline: Alabama Ornithological Society Rare Bird Alert

Date: December 2, 2005

Number: 256/751-4788

Compiler: Steve W. McConnell

Email: swmavocet@aol.com

Alabama Rare Bird Report – Friday, December 2, 2005.

A RED-NECKED GREBE continued through at least 11/26 on Limestone Bay at Wheeler NWR. To reach a good viewing location follow the gravel Arrowhead Landing road to the boat ramp scan the bay. This is NABT stop #23. At least three ROSS’S and several GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE along with many SANDHILL CRANES have now returned to winter on the bay. [DeAL 18-F5][BGtA p. 244]

A male VERMILION FLYCATCHER continued through at least 11/30 on White Springs Dike road at Wheeler NWR. The location is near an osprey platform about 1.0-1.5 mile southeast of the gate on US Alt 72 just past its split from US 31. There is a North Alabama Birding Trail stop at this gate. The flycatcher may be more dependable in late morning based on recent reports. Also just east of the osprey platform 11/19 was a KING RAIL in a small stream running parallel to the river. [DeAL 18-F4][BGtA p. 244]

A female BLACK SCOTER was found 12/1 off Signal Point Road in Guntersville. To reach this location follow AL 227 east from US 431 past the grain silos and turn left on Signal Point Road. Follow the road north until you leave the industrial area until you reach spots to scan the water. The scoter was near a large flock of gulls when found. [DeAL 26-A1][BGtA p. 258]

1-2 RED CROSSBILLS were found 11/26 at Talladega NF northeast of Anniston where the species has been a regular treat for several years now. 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 in the parking area and the nearby Pinhoti Trail. [DeAL 33-A8][BGtA p. 184]

On 11/19 a SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was noted on power wires adjacent to Breman Road in Baldwin County. The location was south of US 98 a mile or so east of Elberta. Breman is the next paved road east of County 87. [DeAL 63-G9]

The following may be called for information:

Birding in Alabama: Greg Jackson (205/987-2855)

Alabama Ornithological Society: Stan Hamilton (205/951-5630)

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.

-End Transcript

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