The Alabama RBA

November 2006

Brought to you courtesy of Greg Jackson and Steve McConnell:

Previous RBA Page :  Alabama RBA for October, 2006

Next RBA Page: Alabama RBA for December, 2006

RBA

*Alabama

*Statewide

*November 14, 2006

*ALST0611.14

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

--- Species added since last report ---

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

Trumpeter Swan (released)

Anhinga (possible)

Plegadis (dark) ibis sp.

Roseate Spoonbill

Baird’s Sandpiper

Myiarchus flycatcher sp.

Western Kingbird

Clay-colored Sparrow (2 locations)

LeConte’s Sparrow

Lincoln’s Sparrow

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

--- Species previously reported ---

Swainson’s Hawk (new location)

Franklin’s Gull (3 new locations)

Great Black-backed Gull

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

Please note: Species CAPITALIZED above are on the Alabama Bird Records Committee review list. Check the AOS website (address below - look in ABRC section) for forms and suggestions on how to submit your sightings of these species to the state database.

Written details, photos, recordings, etc. are highly desired for ABRC Review List species and should be sent 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: November 14, 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 – Tuesday, November 14, 2006.

Late last month two adult TRUMPETER SWANS with clipped wings were released onto Swan Lake in Hoover. If you want to study these beautiful birds the directions are: follow US 31 south from I-65 for around 1.1 miles to Deo Dara Drive at the Shell station. Turn right and in a short distance right again onto Star Lake Drive. Follow the curve left a short distance to the lake on the right. [DeAL 30-F5]

3-4 SWAINSON’S HAWKS were seen 11/5 near the Foley Beach Express just north of the County 8 intersection. [DeAL 64-E3]

An adult GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL was seen on Pelican Island (south of Dauphin Island) 11/10. [DeAL 64-B3&4][BGtA p. 6-12]

A nice movement of FRANKLIN’S GULLS evidently took place statewide earlier this month with two found 11/3 at the Magnolia Springs landfill in Baldwin County [DeAL 63-G7][BGtA p. 37], one seen 11/6 in Speigner on the small pond across from Draper Prison [DeAL 45-B7], and at least 40 seen last week in Guntersville south of the AL 69 causeway on Browns Creek [DeAL 25-A&B10][BGtA p. 258].

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 viewing location last season was 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. Please inquire at the office for the latest instructions. IMPORTANT: once you have arrived on top, BIRD ONLY FROM INSIDE THE VIEWING PLATFORM – DO NOT WANDER AROUND!

The Draper Prison location is adjacent to AL 143 southeast of Speigner. 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!

A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was found 11/11 near the “stable area” at Ft. Morgan. About a mile east of the fort entrance a WESTERN KINGBIRD was noted. [DeAL 64-B4][BGtA p. 23]

Birding has been active recently at Eufaula NWR in Barbour County. The most interesting reports 11/6-9 were of a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, dark “PLEGADIS-type” IBIS, and a “MYIARCHUS-type” FLYCATCHER that flew before a positive i.d. could be made. Both LINCOLN’S and LECONTE’S SPARROWS were also found among a large number of newly arrived sparrows. The general location for most of these birds is reached by taking the second left off the summer car route (first turn after road to the Upland Waterfowl platform) and checking the wet ditches. [DeAL 54-B5][BGtA p. 84]

An immature ROSEATE SPOONBILL was reported to be seen on the west bank of the Apalachee River just west of Spanish Fort 10/29. The location was north of the US90/98 causeway. [DeAL 62-C5]

A possible ANHINGA was reported 11/12-13 just east of US 280 in Birmingham at the AL 119 bridge over the southern edge of Lake Purdy. [DeAL 31-F7]

Four BAIRD’S SANDPIPERS were discovered 11/9 on the mudflats at Beulah Bay on Swan Creek WMA north of Decatur. [DeAL 18-E4][BGtA p. 248]

The following may be called for information:

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

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

-top-