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
*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