The Alabama RBA

January 2006

Brought to you courtesy of Greg Jackson and Steve McConnell:

Previous RBA Page :  Alabama RBA for December, 2005

Next RBA Page: Alabama RBA for February, 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

*January 16, 2006

*ALST0601.16

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

--- Species added since last report ---

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

Golden Eagle

Franklin’s Gull

Calliope Hummingbird

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

--- Species previously reported ---

Red-necked Grebe

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Glaucous Gull (new location)

COSTA’S HUMMINGBIRD

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: January 16, 2006

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 – Monday, January 16, 2006.

Alabama’s 1st COSTA’S HUMMINGBIRD, banded 1/1 in Montgomery, continued to please through at least 1/14. Birders are welcome to come and view this bird but MUST NOT ENTER THE BACKYARD OR BOTHER THE HOSTS! The feeder can easily be seen from the alley behind the home. Directions: from I-85 in Montgomery, take exit #6 and turn south on East Blvd (aka US 80). In about 2.0 miles turn east (left) onto Calmar Drive. Igor's Restaurant is on that corner. In a short distance turn right onto Gas Light Curve at the Liberty service station. In a bit turn left onto Lazy Brook Lane and then take an immediate right into an unmarked alley. There is a large mail box at the entrance to the alley. Go the fifth backyard on the right. It is the only backyard that does not have a fence fronting the alley. The backyard also has a metal shed. The feeder is on the wooden fence on the right side of the yard. You can easily see the feeder from your vehicle. The bird seems to come to the feeder more frequently in late morning and afternoon although it has been seen in early morning as well. [DeAL 45-E8]

An adult female CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD was banded 1/12 at a home in East Birmingham. Birders are welcome to go look for this bird and you do not need to call beforehand. Park on the street or in the host’s driveway but be prepared to move if they need access. Directions: from the intersection of US 11 and Edwards Lake Road (near the I-59/459 interchange) follow Edwards Lake Road northwest past I-59 and the turn for Medical

Center East. In another 0.25 mile you will pass Pine Tree Road on the right. Turn right at the next street which is Littlebrook Lane and drive to the top of the hill. The home is #1216 on the left and has a martin house in the front yard. The main hummer feeder location is about 30 feet or so up their driveway on the left side. [DeAL 31-D7]

A RED-NECKED GREBE continued through at least 1/10 on Limestone Bay at Wheeler NWR. 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. If you have no luck here, continue another 0.5 mile or so on past the boat ramp and look over the very south end of the bay from where the road makes a sharp right turn in front of a metal refuge gate. [DeAL 18-F5][BGtA p. 244]

A male VERMILION FLYCATCHER continued through 1/10 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. The last reported sighting was about 0.25 mile east of the platform. [DeAL 18-F4][BGtA p. 244]

An immature GOLDEN EAGLE was seen 1/8 just north of the Gulf Breeze Motel on Dauphin Island. The bird was first seen in a dead pine out in the marsh but then flew into trees on the island before moving farther east along Cadillac Avenue. [DeAL 64-B3]

Two LESSER BLACK-BACKED and a FRANKLIN’S GULL were seen 1/9 among several thousand gulls at the Magnolia Springs landfill in Baldwin County. To enter the landfill, park at the office on the left and walk right over to the scale check-in building to ask permission and receive latest information. DO NOT PARK ON OR DRIVE OVER THE SCALES AND DO NOT BLOCK LANDFILL TRAFFIC IN ANY WAY! After checking-in, drive around the scales and straight ahead to the T-intersection. The new viewing location is located on top of the embankment – a wooden platform should be visible. There is currently a gravel road to the top you are welcome to drive up and a parking area is provided next to the platform. IMPORTANT: once you have arrived on top, BIRD ONLY FROM INSIDE THE VIEWING PLATFORM – DO NOT WANDER AROUND! [DeAL 63-G7][BGtA p. 37]

A GLAUCOUS GULL was found 1/7 at Town Creek Marsh southwest of Wheeler Dam. On 1/9 presumably the same bird was found on the rocks below Wilson Dam just downriver. A field trip 1/14 did not relocate this bird. [DeAL 17-D9][BGtA p. 209]

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

*January 1, 2006

*ALST0601.01

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

--- Species added since last report ---

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

Tundra Swan

Black Scoter

Red-throated Loon

Pacific Loon

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Glaucous Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

White-winged Dove

COSTA’S HUMMINGBIRD (1st state and eastern US record, p.a.)

Ash-throated Flycatcher

Lark Sparrow

LeConte’s Sparrow

SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROW (1st state record, p.a.)

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

--- Species previously reported ---

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Ross’s Goose (new locations)

RED-NECKED GREBE

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: January 1, 2006

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 – Sunday, January 1, 2006.

An immature male COSTA’S HUMMINGBIRD was banded 1/1 in Montgomery. This bird has been present since November and comes to a feeder in the host’s backyard. Birders are welcome to come and view this bird but MUST NOT ENTER THE BACKYARD OR BOTHER THE HOSTS! The feeder can easily be seen from the alley behind the home. Directions: from I-85 in Montgomery, take exit #6 and turn south on East Blvd (aka US 80). In about 2.0 miles turn east (left) onto Calmar Drive. Igor's Restaurant is on that corner. In a short distance turn right onto Gas Light Curve at the Liberty service station. In a bit turn left onto Lazy Brook Lane and then take an immediate right into an unmarked alley. There is a large mail box at the entrance to the alley. Go the fifth backyard on the right. It is the only backyard that does not have a fence fronting the alley. The backyard also has a metal shed. The feeder is on the wooden fence on the right side of the yard. You can easily see the feeder from your vehicle. This immature’s gorget and helmet are more than 50% complete. Please share the results of your visits. [DeAL 45-E8]

The Gulf Shores CBC was conducted 12/30 with around 150 species reported at compilation. Unusual among these were: SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROW (studied and photographed on private property along Bon Secour Bay), ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, ROSS’S GOOSE (two parties), LARK SPARROW, and WHITE-WINGED DOVE (three parties).

A RED-NECKED GREBE continued through at least 12/29 on Limestone Bay at Wheeler NWR. 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. If you have no luck here, continue another 0.5 mile or so on past the boat ramp and look over the very south end of the bay from where the road makes a sharp right turn in front of a metal refuge gate. [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 12/29 the flycatcher was about 0.25 mile past or east of the platform. [DeAL 18-F4][BGtA p. 244]

Both RED-THROATED and PACIFIC LOONS have been seen in recent days in Guntersville. The reported locations have been between the AL 69 causeway and the US 431 bridge. On 12/27 two female BLACK SCOTERS were found in this area as well. [DeAL 25-A10][BGtA p. 258]

An immature GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL was found 12/29 on the point at Fort Morgan. It was last seen flying across Mobile Bay toward Dauphin Island. [DeAL 64-B4][BGtA p. 23]

An immature LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was seen 12/29 among several thousand gulls at the Magnolia Springs landfill in Baldwin County. To enter the landfill, park at the office on the left and walk right over to the scale check-in building to ask permission and receive latest information. DO NOT PARK ON OR DRIVE OVER THE SCALES AND DO NOT BLOCK LANDFILL TRAFFIC IN ANY WAY! After checking-in, drive around the scales and straight ahead to the T-intersection. The new viewing location is located on top of the embankment – a wooden platform should be visible. There is currently a gravel road to the top you are welcome to drive up and a parking area is provided next to the platform. IMPORTANT: once you have arrived on top, BIRD ONLY FROM INSIDE THE VIEWING PLATFORM – DO NOT WANDER AROUND! [DeAL 63-G7][BGtA p. 37]

Two TUNDRA SWANS were found 12/30 near Liz Clairborne in the Montgomery Industrial Park located near I-65 off exit #164 (Hope Hull). They were in the back of the ponds on the far right side. On 12/31 the swans were seen south of I-65 near Rudder Road and also flying over Cottonwood golf course. [DeAL 45-F7]

A GLAUCOUS GULL continued through 12/27 on Neely Henry Lake south of Gadsden.

The location is east of the AL 77 causeway about 5.0 miles north of AL 144.

[DeAL 26-H3]

A SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER continued through 12/30 on power wires adjacent to Breman Road in Baldwin County east of Elberta. The general location is about 0.5 mile south of US 98. [DeAL 63-G9]

A LECONTE’S SPARROW was found 12/23 at Eufaula NWR in Barbour County. The spot was near the river boat ramp and new pump station at the gated entrance to the Houston Unit. [DeAL 54-B5][BGtA p. 84]

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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