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.
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 14, 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 – 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
*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.
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 14, 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 – 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