The Alabama RBA

March 2007

Brought to you courtesy of Greg Jackson and Steve McConnell:

Previous RBA Page :  Alabama RBA for February, 2007

Next RBA Page: Alabama RBA for April, 2007

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 11, 2007
*ALST0703.11

=====================================
--- Species added since last report ---
=====================================

Pacific Loon
Red-cockaded Woodpecker
Red Crossbill

=====================================
--- Species previously reported ---

White-winged Scoter
Lesser Black-backed Gull
White-winged Dove
Western Kingbird (new location)
NORTHERN WHEATEAR
Clay-colored Sparrow

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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 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: March 11, 2007
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, March 11, 2007.

The Baldwin County NORTHERN WHEATEAR continued for a 35th day 3/10. The location is south of Foley off County 8 between AL 59 and the Foley Beach Expressway. From the expressway, turn west onto County 8 and then left (south) onto Royal Troon about half way down towards AL 59. Royal Troon is a semi-circular entrance road with a pond in the middle and actually connects to County 8 at both ends. The wheatear may still be favoring the western half Royal Troon down to the intersection at Augusta. The wheatear does spend enough time on the ground to be overlooked and tends to blend in if not sitting up or flying. It habitually perches on the stakes, cable boxes, conduit, and other low perches in the area. It has at times perched on and in short trees. Please note this is an active construction site and there can be significant traffic during weekdays. Park as near the curb as possible. [DeAL 64-E3]

A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW continues to be a regular visitor to a private feeder near Fairhope in Baldwin County. Several dozen WHITE-WINGED DOVES also come for dinner here. For information call Bill Summerour at 251/945-3188.

A PACIFIC LOON was seen 3/5 off Mobile Point at Ft. Morgan. [DeAL 64-B4][BGtA p. 23]

RED CROSSBILLS were observed 3/5 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. On 3/5 the crossbills were in loblolly pines about 0.25 miles before the parking are. RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER was also seen. [DeAL 33-A8][BGtA p. 184]

A 1st winter LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was seen 3/2 at Mallard-Fox Creek WMA west of Decatur. From AL 20, travel north on paved/gravel County 579 for around 2.0 miles to several pullouts and the kiosk on the left that overlook the backwater mudflat. [DeAL 18-E2][BGtA p. 237][NABT stop #1]

A WESTERN KINGBIRD was seen 3/5 on a fence and power lines at the Tuscaloosa Airport near the Bama Air FBO. [DeAL 35-A9][BGtA p. 125]

At least one WHITE-WINGED SCOTER continued through 3/4 on Lake Hutto in Guthrie Smith Park in Fayette County. To reach the lake, go about two miles north of downtown Fayette on U.S. 43. Look for the brown sign to Guthrie Smith Park, or turn right just past Mike Freeman Buick. Turn right again in a block and follow the park road as it curves left. Lake Hutto is on the east side of the park. [DeAL 28-B5]

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.

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RBA

*Alabama
*Statewide
*March 1, 2007
*ALST0703.01

=====================================
--- Species added since last report ---
=====================================

Long-tailed Duck
Great Black-backed Gull
White-winged Dove
Western Kingbird
Clay-colored Sparrow

=====================================
--- Species previously reported ---


White-winged Scoter
ICELAND GULL (gone?)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (3 new locations)
NORTHERN WHEATEAR

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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: March 1, 2007
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 – Thursday, March 1, 2007.

The Baldwin County NORTHERN WHEATEAR found 2/3, continued through at least 2/26 south of Foley near County 8 between AL 59 and the Foley Beach Expressway. From the expressway, turn west onto County 8 and then left (south) onto Royal Troon about half way down towards AL 59. Royal Troon is a semi-circular entrance road with a pond in the middle and actually connects to County 8 at both ends. The wheatear may still be favoring the western half Royal Troon down to the intersection at Augusta. The wheatear does spend enough time on the ground to be overlooked and tends to blend in if not sitting up or flying. It habitually perches on the stakes, cable boxes, conduit, and other low perches in the area. It has at times perched on and in short trees. Please note this is an active construction site and there can be significant traffic during weekdays. Park as near the curb as possible. [DeAL 64-E3]

A LONG-TAILED DUCK continued through at least 2/25 near the parking lot on the southern edge of Lake Shelby in Gulf SP. [DeAL 64-F3][BGtA p.34]

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS of several ages have been present this winter at the Magnolia Springs landfill in Baldwin County. A 3rd winter was found 2/22. To enter the landfill, park at the office on the left and walk right 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 is on top of the embankment straight ahead – a wooden platform should be visible. There is currently a gravel road to the top you are welcome to drive up. Be sure to park out of the road near the viewing platform. IMPORTANT: once you have arrived on top, BIRD ONLY FROM INSIDE THE VIEWING PLATFORM – DO NOT WANDER AROUND! The landfill is usually closed on Sundays. [DeAL 63-G7][BGtA p. 37]

A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW continues to be a regular visitor to a private feeder near Fairhope in Baldwin County. Several dozen WHITE-WINGED DOVES also come for dinner here. For information call Bill Summerour at 251/945-3188.

A WESTERN KINGBIRD was seen 2/24 around the large sewage pond at Jacinto Port near Saraland. [DeAL 62-B4]

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS were seen again 2/17-18 on Dauphin Island. An adult was near the dredging work taking place at the West End past the end of Bienville Blvd. A first winter bird was also seen on the rocks opposite the ferry landing. [DeAL 64-B3&4][BGtA p. 6-12]

The 1st winter ICELAND GULL in northeastern Lawrence County recently has not been relocated since 2/19. However, an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was seen again 2/24. From AL 20, travel north on paved/gravel County 579 for around 2.0 miles into Mallard-Fox Creek WMA to several pullouts and the kiosk on the left that overlook the backwater mudflat. [DeAL 18-E2][BGtA p. 237][NABT stop #1]

A 2nd winter LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was seen again at Wilson Dam 2/24. [DeAL 17-C7][BGtA p. 213]

At least one WHITE-WINGED SCOTER continued through 2/27 on Lake Hutto in Guthrie Smith Park in Fayette County. To reach the lake, go about two miles north of downtown Fayette on U.S. 43. Look for the brown sign to Guthrie Smith Park, or turn right just past Mike Freeman Buick. Turn right again in a block and follow the park road as it curves left. Lake Hutto is on the east side of the park. [DeAL 28-B5]

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.

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