Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from Alabama Birds > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Thursday, March 18 at 07:49 PM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Gyrfalcon,©Barry Kent Mackay

18 Mar FOS Purple Martins in Madison [Neill Cowles ] 17 Mar Re: Barn Owl Nest Cam ["Gregory J. Harber" ] 17 Mar Barn Owl Nest Cam ["Gregory J. Harber" ] 17 Mar They're coming! [] 17 Mar Great Blue Heron [] 17 Mar Waiting for Spring Birds ["overdrive369" ] 17 Mar Re: Hummingbird feeders [] 17 Mar Hummingbird feeders [] 17 Mar Re: Fort Morgan Weather [] 17 Mar Baldwin County - OOPS ["kchiasson74" ] 17 Mar Fort Morgan Weather [] 16 Mar Fw: [BRDBRAIN] Goldfinch ["Patsy" ] 16 Mar Baldwin County ["kchiasson74" ] 16 Mar Wood Ducks and Blue-headed Vireo [] 16 Mar Re: Bird feeder problem ["orm091101" ] 15 Mar Absent Minded ["rick_remy" ] 15 Mar Lunchtime Walk Surprise ["rick_remy" ] 15 Mar Monday morning surprise migrant ["jbsiegwald" ] 15 Mar Bird feeder problem [Harold Peterson ] 15 Mar Dauphin Island migrants and a BARN OWL ["Howard" ] 14 Mar Ninety-three Species and Counting! ["Debbie" ] 13 Mar Winter records due ["Greg D. Jackson" ] 12 Mar DI Shell Mounds [EUGENIA CAREY ] 12 Mar Correction---Correction Fort Morgan bird banding dates [] 12 Mar Camp Talon (Youth birding opportunity in Georgia) ["steve_holzman" ] 12 Mar Long-Tailed Duck - Bon Secour ["kchiasson74" ] 12 Mar Bald Eagle at Langan Park Mobile ["sszion AT juno.com" ] 12 Mar Spring Migration [] 12 Mar Coastal Birding Association Field Trip Sat, 3/13 [Chazz Hesselein ] 10 Mar Re: Help please ["Gregory J. Harber" ] 10 Mar Help please [Gail Young ] 10 Mar RE: National Geo book on Bird Coloration ["Reed, Robert" ] 9 Mar National Geo book on Bird Coloration ["Gregory J. Harber" ] 9 Mar First Parula ["Lucy and Bob Duncan" ] 9 Mar Ruby-throated Hummer ! [EUGENIA CAREY ] 09 Mar Baldwin County ["kchiasson74" ] 8 Mar Wheeler NWR Saturday [Harold Peterson ] 07 Mar March 20th Work day at Goat Trees on Dauphin Island ["Gregory J. Harber" ] 07 Mar March 20th Work day at Goat Trees on Dauphin Island ["Gregory J. Harber" ] 07 Mar Gulf Coast Birding RFI ["goldstorktom" ] 06 Mar [Fwd: [MISSBIRD] Hooded Oriole seen again today] [Chazz Hesselein ] 05 Mar Banded Piping and Snowy Plovers on Dauphin Island [Chazz Hesselein ] 05 Mar Sandhill Cranes Dauphin Island... ["Howard" ] 04 Mar Long Tailed Duck in Bon Secour [Chazz Hesselein ] 3 Mar Attalla Rufous Hummingbird [] 02 Mar Mixed blackbirds in Tuscaloosa-Rusty ["Dr. David Campbell" ] 2 Mar First inbound Ruby-throated of 2010? [] 02 Mar Dauphin Island storm ["carrieanddaviddownbythebay" ] 1 Mar Re: Purple Martin gourds ["Gregory J. Harber" ] 01 Mar A word of caution ["tsiegwald" ] 01 Mar Purple Martin gourds ["carrieanddaviddownbythebay" ] 1 Mar Re: Migration [] 28 Feb Migration ["biotoxprof" ] 27 Feb mile marker 190, Rte 78 east, Alabama. Pileated woodpecker [Dan Furbish ] 27 Feb Re: Great Cormorant@Walter F George Dam right now- 2/27 ["eagleeyed56" ] 26 Feb Re: need some help [Neill Cowles ] 26 Feb Re: need some help ["Jon Yoder" ] 25 Feb CBA Gulf Shores field trip [Chazz Hesselein ] 25 Feb need some help ["Jon Yoder" ] 23 Feb Re: SWALLOW-TAILED KITES... ["Greg D. Jackson" ] 23 Feb Re: SWALLOW-TAILED KITES... ["Gregory J. Harber" ] 23 Feb SWALLOW-TAILED KITES... ["Howard" ] 23 Feb [Private Photo Share] Cali Girl- Has sent you private photos. ["carlispofriends" ] 22 Feb BAS trip report to Coleman Lake, Talladega NF ["Gregory J. Harber" ] 21 Feb Burrowing Owl still present... ["Howard" ] 19 Feb Yard Birds in Clay, Alabama [] 19 Feb Fwd: website for reporting all banded shorebirds ["Howard" ] 15 Feb Crossbill in Clay, Alabama-NOT [] 14 Feb Forgot to list two species ["Debbie" ] 14 Feb Anniston Update ["Debbie" ] 13 Feb White-winged Scoters in Guntersville [Harry Dean ] 13 Feb Predawn report [] 12 Feb RBA Alabama Statewide: February 12, 2010 [] 12 Feb RBA Alabama Statewide: February 12, 2010 [] 11 Feb A Reminder -- Spirits of the Air: Birds & American Indians in the South, 7PM, February 11 [Chazz Hesselein ] 10 Feb Rusty Blackbirds in Montgomery and Elmore counties ["eric_soehren" ] Subject: FOS Purple Martins in Madison From: Neill Cowles <neill.cowles AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:49:03 -0500 On my way home from work today, I had 3, maybe 4, Purple Martins circling in Madison. Spring is coming! Neill Cowles Madison, AL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Barn Owl Nest Cam From: "Gregory J. Harber" <gharber AT mindspring.com> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:39:08 -0500 Apparently the Mrs. sitting on the nest is named Molly, and her mate is McGee. McGee just brought her a mouse, and while he was at home decided to ³get a little tail,² if you know what I mean ;-) Molly had been dozing but right before McGee flew in she started clicking her mandibles together, which was audible on the web cast, so turn your sound up. On 3/17/10 10:30 PM, Gregory J. Harber at gharber AT mindspring.com wrote: > > > > > > Click the link to view a live streaming video of a Barn Owl in its nest box. > It is equipped with night vision capabilities too, so take a look. The eggs > have not hatched at this point. > > Here¹s the link: http://www.ustream.tv/theowlbox -- Greg Harber Birmingham, AL ³It¹s never too late to have a happy childhood.² Tom Robbins [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Barn Owl Nest Cam From: "Gregory J. Harber" <gharber AT mindspring.com> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:30:15 -0500 Click the link to view a live streaming video of a Barn Owl in its nest box. It is equipped with night vision capabilities too, so take a look. The eggs have not hatched at this point. Here¹s the link: http://www.ustream.tv/theowlbox -- Greg Harber Birmingham, AL ³It¹s never too late to have a happy childhood.² Tom Robbins [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: They're coming! From: Swmavocet AT aol.com Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:23:49 -0400 On the way home from work I observed at least 3 (maybe 4) OSPREY checking out last year's nest sight on the 'Hickory Hill' power tower south of AL 67 just east of the Wheeler NWR visitor center entrance. No need to fight over it guys, there are plenty more towers out there! Welcome back! It's been a long winter without you. Steve McConnell Hartselle, AL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Great Blue Heron From: chawkswrth AT aol.com Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:33:56 -0400 Spotted this evening at 6:42, fishing in the Cahaba, by the bridge on Happy Hollow Road. Ok. Its Spring. All I need now are the usual Grosbeaks and the Indigo Buntings. ;-) Carol [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Waiting for Spring Birds From: "overdrive369" <overdrive369 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:03:22 -0000 In Tuscaloosa, Northwood Lake, I saw a harrier performing an aerial ballet trying to catch bats. I also saw 3 ruddy ducks; 2 males were in full breeding plumage with bright blue bills. Edie Heine Subject: Re: Hummingbird feeders From: RubyThroat AT aol.com Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:53:58 EDT Carol ( and Albirders ) This is Bob Sargent, your neighbor in nearby Clay, Alabama. As someone who runs over 50 hummer feeders in my yard between July 4th and the end of the season, here are my recommendations: Mix a solution of 1/4 cup of bleach in a gallon of water. This will give you a very diluted chlorine solution. I usually mix mine right in the kitchen sink. Dismantle your feeder parts as best you can, and submerge the parts and the bottle in this weak solution for about 25 to 30 minutes. Spin the bottle so the solution touches all sides of the interior of the bottle (plastic or glass, I prefer glass). After soaking, remove the bottle and parts and rinse in hot or warm water, Then reassemble the feeders. You can then pour your 4 to 1 water to sugar mix directly into the clean bottle and hang it out again. Since common table sugar is a carbon compound, any remnants of the dilute chlorine solution will be harmlessly altered chemically and will not harm the hummers. That slick feeling on your hands is soap that was created by the presence of skin oils and the very diluted chlorine solution. Sugar water is not the best medium, in my opinion, for rapid bacterial growth. It is however a wonderful place for fungus. Keep the feeder clean by flushing it out each time you fill the feeder. At least once a month use the beach solution to throughly clean your feeders. If you see dark spots or swirling gray matter in the fluid, it is time to clean the feeder NOW. If you tend to your feeders REGULARLY, you do not have to boil the water before mixing the 4 to 1 mixture. If you intend to keep it in the '"fridge" for an extended period, feel free to boil the water and then mix the solution. Please, no food coloring and no bought additives. Please, mix the solution no more concentrated than 4 to 1. STRONGER IS NOT BETTER. Contact me privately by email or phone me at 205-681-2888 if you have any additional questions. If you would like free information on hummers and on our banding research, drop me a note with any postal mailing address. Have much fun today guys. Bob and Martha Sargent The Hummer/Bird Study Group, Inc. PO Box 250 Clay, Alabama, 35048-0250 In a message dated 3/17/2010 2:14:35 P.M. Central Daylight Time, chawkswrth AT aol.com writes: Good afternoon! The Spring Nesting/Feeding Season is upon us! The Woodpeckers are drumming on the trees, The Gold Finches are becoming more golden every day and the Bluebirds are gifting with Mealworms. Even pairs of Mockingbirds seem to be getting along! So, in the interest of feeding the avian world (I have about 11 different feeding stations in the backyard) I realize it is time to put up the rest of the Hummingbird feeders...I'So, in the interest of feeding t Each year, I have the same quandry-cleaning the things after Winter Storage and Use. The one I left up became a favorite perch for all of the small birds that wintered over. It is...rather nasty. The ones I took down seem to have become covered in dust and black stuff. I think after such a damp winter, it is mold. It is everywhere on our back porch, too. (one of the projects for this next year is to treat the porch and possibly replace the roof) I usually clean them with just really hot water and a brush, but I would like to *know* they are clean and mold free when I put them up. I just don't want to poison the lovely tempermental flying jewels! BTW, I am new to the List, but I have been something of a birder for over 20 years. I reside in Trussville, on the Cahaba, where it is still small enough to span with a fallen tree (a hickory fell across during one of the monsoons). Thank you! Carol [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Hummingbird feeders From: chawkswrth AT aol.com Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:13:03 -0400 Good afternoon! The Spring Nesting/Feeding Season is upon us! The Woodpeckers are drumming on the trees, The Gold Finches are becoming more golden every day and the Bluebirds are gifting with Mealworms. Even pairs of Mockingbirds seem to be getting along! So, in the interest of feeding the avian world (I have about 11 different feeding stations in the backyard) I realize it is time to put up the rest of the Hummingbird feeders...I'll be putting up 4-5 this year. Each year, I have the same quandry-cleaning the things after Winter Storage and Use. The one I left up became a favorite perch for all of the small birds that wintered over. It is...rather nasty. The ones I took down seem to have become covered in dust and black stuff. I think after such a damp winter, it is mold. It is everywhere on our back porch, too. (one of the projects for this next year is to treat the porch and possibly replace the roof) I usually clean them with just really hot water and a brush, but I would like to *know* they are clean and mold free when I put them up. I just don't want to poison the lovely tempermental flying jewels! BTW, I am new to the List, but I have been something of a birder for over 20 years. I reside in Trussville, on the Cahaba, where it is still small enough to span with a fallen tree (a hickory fell across during one of the monsoons). Thank you! Carol [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Fort Morgan Weather From: RubyThroat AT aol.com Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:57:20 EDT Albirders I meant to say NETS and not NOTES in my earlier hastily and poorly written note to Albirds. Fat fingers still plague my messages. Have fun guys. By the way, the Solitary Vireo is neither solitary of silent again this cold and cloudy morning. Make that Blue-headed Vireo and not Solitary please. Bob Sargent Clay, Alabama In a message dated 3/17/2010 6:19:57 A.M. Central Daylight Time, RubyThroat AT aol.com writes: Albirders The current weather pattern is one that brought us tons of birds at Fort Morgan last spring. We witnessed waves of birds coming ashore under very similar conditions. So many birds in fact that we were constantly operating with less than a dozen notes open at one time and spent much of each day with all our nets closed because of the numbers of birds could not be safely handled. In these episodes, the birds we netted were very fat for the most part and perfectly healthy. We banded over 3400 birds at Fort Morgan last spring in our two week session. I would probably be in the wooded areas today doing some wet weather birding if I were near enough. Take care guys. I hope Mr. Bob Duncan will share is expert opinion with us this morning if he can. Bob Sargent Clay, Alabama [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Baldwin County - OOPS From: "kchiasson74" <kchiasson74 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:49:53 -0000 That was a Carolina Chickadee and not a Black-Capped Chickadee. Have just gotten back from a birding trip to Ecuador and there were lots of "Black-Capped" birds... Karen Chiasson Silverhill, AL Subject: Fort Morgan Weather From: RubyThroat AT aol.com Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 07:19:35 EDT Albirders The current weather pattern is one that brought us tons of birds at Fort Morgan last spring. We witnessed waves of birds coming ashore under very similar conditions. So many birds in fact that we were constantly operating with less than a dozen notes open at one time and spent much of each day with all our nets closed because of the numbers of birds could not be safely handled. In these episodes, the birds we netted were very fat for the most part and perfectly healthy. We banded over 3400 birds at Fort Morgan last spring in our two week session. I would probably be in the wooded areas today doing some wet weather birding if I were near enough. Take care guys. I hope Mr. Bob Duncan will share is expert opinion with us this morning if he can. Bob Sargent Clay, Alabama [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Fw: [BRDBRAIN] Goldfinch From: "Patsy" <flabirder AT cox.net> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:18:10 -0500 Please Michelle share your thistle seed with me! I have had dozens of Goldfinch at my feeders for weeks now. I have three thistle feeders with 8 feeding stations on each and they stay full, so I filled a regular feeder and they fill that one too. The beautiful golden males are appearing now. I think this is the most I've had a on a day after day basis. I'll let you know when they leave. Also I am so happy to report my first male and female Rubythroats, they appeared on the 14th of March. Pat Baker Niceville, Fl. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michelle Machovina" To: Sent: Sunday, March 14, 2010 8:18 AM Subject: [BRDBRAIN] Goldfinch We had ONE Goldfinch in the feeder this morning. Never thought we would get so excited about having just one, but it's a real treat after having none this year! Maybe more are on the way, I need to use up my stockpile of Thistle seed. Michelle Machovina Sanford, FL Seminole County To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------ IMPORTANT ADDRESSES: Post message: albirds AT yahoogroups.com Subscribe: albirds-subscribe AT yahoogroups.com List owner: albirds-owner AT yahoogroups.com AOS website: http://www.aosbirds.org/ This list is sponsored by the Alabama Ornithological Society (AOS) and is provided as a service to the birding community. AOS does not endorse the views or opinions expressed by the members of this discussion group. Nor does AOS support or endorse the advertising provided by the Yahoo Groups list service.Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/albirds/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/albirds/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: albirds-digest AT yahoogroups.com albirds-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: albirds-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Baldwin County From: "kchiasson74" <kchiasson74 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 22:22:58 -0000 Went birding today and took the grandson along. Actually he was pretty interested and was also good at spotting the birds. From Silverhill to Ft Morgan We had such species as: Red-Tailed Hawk Sharp-Shinned Hawk Northern Harrier Osprey Greater & Lesser Yellowlegs Solitary Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper Black-Bellied Plover Killdeer Wilson's Snipe Common Loon Red-Breasted Merganser Bufflehead Ring-Necked Duck Blue-Winged Teal Pied-Billed Grebe American Coot Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron - Perched in a Pine at Ft Morgan Great Egret Cattle Egret Great Blue Heron Common Yellowthroat Pine Warbler Palm Warber Yellow-Throated Warbler Eastern Bluebird Eastern Phoebe Barn & Tree Swallow White-Throated Sparrow Field Sparrow Savannah Sparrow Black-Capped Chickadee American Goldfinch Eastern Towhee Brown-Headed Cowbird Red-Winged Blackbird House Finch European Starling Karen Chiasson Silverhill, AL Subject: Wood Ducks and Blue-headed Vireo From: RubyThroat AT aol.com Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:54:33 EDT Morning Albirders Yesterday Martha and I and Duane Berger spent much of the day trimming a large Oak in our yard. While Duane was 30 feet up in the leafless oak, we were treated to a flyby male and female Wood Ducks within fifty feet of all the chain saw noise and commotion. Ten minutes later, the pair of ducks flew in very close, moving to tree to tree as though we were disturbing their nesting activities. It is truly weird to see these lovely little ducks perching like songbirds on tree limbs. We do have a couple of cavity trees very near by where Pileated usually nest each summer. Neat stuff. Also seen and heard yesterday was a singing Blue-headed Vireo. We usually have two of these vireos traveling together and foraging on our place in March. I believe Dr. Bill Summerour mentioned to me once that they may construct nest VERY early. I believe that this species nests very close to our home on nearby Butler Mountain just to our northwest. No new migrants were seen or heard in our yard yesterday, or down on the creek near where the old hermit residence was located many years ago. Soon...very soon, the nearby woods will be filled with these neotropical migrant birds as they reestablish old breeding territories. I am hoping to see an influx of Worm-eating Warblers in some recovering habitat that was timbered off a few years ago. Mother Nature does this job if the timbered off areas are not developed. Hang your hummer feeders now if you don't have them up already. The adult male Ruby-throated are due in the central part of Alabama NOW. Good luck guys. Bob and Martha Sargent Clay, Alabama [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Bird feeder problem From: "orm091101" <justadude80 AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:58:19 -0000 Put the feeder somewhere else. After a month it should be covered with birds. Is it close to a road? Is it too close to the house? I use mixed wildbird seed and in my backyard (and I am near Athens) I can feed a coffee can full almost every day this time of year. Rocky Athens, Alabama --- In albirds AT yahoogroups.com, Harold Peterson wrote: > > Since many of you run bird feeders, I have a question about mine. It's been up for over a month, yet I've only seen a single House Finch twice, and the feeder is still nearly full. I tried starting over with new seed (sunflower), to no avail. The feeder is in a short tree next to several bushes, and provides plenty of cover. Any thoughts on what else I should try? > > Not much in the way of migrants since the warm spell ended, though I did have a flyover Rusty Blackbird yesterday afternoon. > > -Harold Peterson > Huntsville, AL > Subject: Absent Minded From: "rick_remy" <rickremy AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:19:51 -0000 I forgot to put my location in my post about the Bluebird. This was in Birmingham. Rick Irondale, Al Subject: Lunchtime Walk Surprise From: "rick_remy" <rickremy AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:35:30 -0000 I usually take a two mile walk at lunch every work day. My walk started out today on a sour note by passing a grease-trap pump service truck working at one of the Southside restaurants. That's a smell that lingers! Anyway, as I was walking by Caldwell Park, I saw a brightly colored male Bluebird. He was about twenty feet away and then flew to a limb that was about ten feet away. My walk suddenly had a different air about it. I've been walking this same route for 30 years or so and this is the first Bluebird that I can remember seeing on my walks. Subject: Monday morning surprise migrant From: "jbsiegwald" <siegwald AT shc.edu> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:58:17 -0000 As I pulled into a parking space at work (Spring Hill College) this morning, I glanced up at the Laughing Gulls soaring overhead and briefly scanned them. One bird caught my attention – it was not a Laughing Gull but a Swallow-tailed Kite!!! It was in view only a few seconds, but it made my day -- what a great way to start the week! Joan Siegwald Mobile, Alabama Subject: Bird feeder problem From: Harold Peterson <pinkfloyd137 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 08:02:49 -0700 (PDT) Since many of you run bird feeders, I have a question about mine. It's been up for over a month, yet I've only seen a single House Finch twice, and the feeder is still nearly full. I tried starting over with new seed (sunflower), to no avail. The feeder is in a short tree next to several bushes, and provides plenty of cover. Any thoughts on what else I should try? Not much in the way of migrants since the warm spell ended, though I did have a flyover Rusty Blackbird yesterday afternoon. -Harold Peterson Huntsville, AL Subject: Dauphin Island migrants and a BARN OWL From: "Howard" <hhorne AT earthlink.net> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 01:37:08 -0000 Hi all, Spring migration is slowly starting up. It seems late this year(?). A visit to Shell Mound Park with the Siegwalds yielded our first of the season Louisiana Waterthrush, Hooded Warbler, and Black-and-White Warblers (2). Also reported by others but missed by us were Northern Parula, Yellow-throated Warbler and Prothonotary Warbler. A Summer Tanager was seen at Cadillac Park -this may have possibly been the same individual we found on February 28th directly across the street at the Catholic cemetery. At the west end beach (apparently open for free parking on weekends but perhaps for not much longer as spring break approaches) we found 2 GREATER SCAUP up close in a small flock of Lessers. We spent approximately 45 minutes studying in great detail the two species in direct comparison. A very good learning opportunity. Adding another FOTS Joan Siegwald found two Cattle Egrets in the lawn at the island's BBQ shed while we were leaving the island. The best bird of the day however was a lone BARN OWL perched in the dense foliage of the large live oak located just directly left (west) of the entrance to the mounds at the front parking lot. This sleeping individual was found around 11 AM by a visiting birder who just happened to look up at the hanging Spanish Moss to be greeted with the hidden image of an owl looking back. The bird was still there asleep when we arrived late in the afternoon where Mike Rogers was photographing the owl and kindly pointed it out to us. Numerous other birders were fortunate to see the owl as well. This was my first Barn Owl on the island. What a treat! Life is good my friends. Get out there and bird! Cheers, Howard Horne Mobile, AL Subject: Ninety-three Species and Counting! From: "Debbie" <DMCKEN9341 AT AOL.COM> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 02:03:41 -0000 Hello Al-birders, I just posted a picture of an Orange-crowned Warbler that has been visiting my backyard this Friday and today. This makes the 93 bird species that I have had in my backyard since I have been keeping a record. Debbie (BirdLady) PS: The Orange-crowned Warbler was eating homemade suet. Subject: Winter records due From: "Greg D. Jackson" <g_d_jackson AT bellsouth.net> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 19:00:16 -0600 AL Birders: If you have any interesting Alabama winter records not already posted to AL Birds or on the CBC's, please send them soon to me. I must send the annotated records to "North American Birds" by the first of April, and need time to evaluate/process them first. As usual, any rarity reports should be accompanied by written documentation (and photos if available). Thanks! Greg Greg D. Jackson Birmingham, AL g_d_jackson AT bellsouth.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: DI Shell Mounds From: EUGENIA CAREY <eugeniacarey AT prodigy.net> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:33:20 -0800 (PST) This afternoon Mary and John Porter joined me for a brief walk about the Shell Mounds.  Things appear to be growing and turning green before your eyes! The special finds were FOTS Parula Warbler in the Mock Orange and a Solitary Sandpiper showing off his fine plumage in a mud-hole!  Strong winds tomorrow just might bring so more Spring wonders. Cheers, Eugenia  eugeniacarey AT prodigy.net Eugenia Carey Dauphin Island, Al [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Correction---Correction Fort Morgan bird banding dates From: RubyThroat AT aol.com Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:51:05 EST Fellow Albirders Earlier today I posted a note on Albirds with the incorrect date for our opening day of banding. The correct date that we open the Stable site to the public is March 27th and not March 17th, 2010. Again, I am sorry for the error. Again...we officially open our spring banding session at Fort Morgan State Historical Park on March 27, 2010. Getting old has it moments, not all of them are good. Bob Sargent and the HBSG crew of volunteers. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Camp Talon (Youth birding opportunity in Georgia) From: "steve_holzman" <steve_holzman AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:17:58 -0000 Hi, Folks: Do you know a teenager who is into birding? Do you know one whom you'd like to introduce to birding? If so, then you'll want to know all about Camp TALON (Teen Adventures Learning Ornithology and Nature). It's a week-long (June 5-11) camp for teens who are interested in birds and nature. Sponsored by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Georgia Ornithological Society, and Atlanta Audubon Society, this year's Camp TALON will kick off with a Saturday night get-together at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center in Mansfield before spending the week based at Epworth by the Sea on St. Simons Island. We'll be birding at Harris Neck NWR, Altamaha WMA, Little St. Simons Island, Ft. Stewart, Sapelo Island, and Jekyll Island. Besides becoming a better birder, camp participants will learn about bird migration, conservation, census techniques, photography, journaling, and more. For additional details, including registration and scholarship application forms, see the announcement at: http://www.gos.org/conservation/2010CampTALON.html Bob Sargent GA Ornithological Society Macon, Bibb County Subject: Long-Tailed Duck - Bon Secour From: "kchiasson74" <kchiasson74 AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:02:07 -0000 It was a longshot considering the timeframe since last reported and the temperature warming up quite a bit. But the Long-Tailed Duck is still at the end of Hwy 10 at Billy's Seafood. I saw it around noon today. It was so close to shore, you didn't need binoculars. There were also Buffleheads, Red-Breasted Mergansers, and a Horned Grebe. Karen Chiasson Silverhill, AL Subject: Bald Eagle at Langan Park Mobile From: "sszion AT juno.com" <sszion@juno.com> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:16:30 GMT The following is an excerpt from an email I received from the Mobile Art Museum cafe: "It’s a beautiful day to sit in the atrium and watch the ducks, geese, seagulls and bald eagles fish on the lake. Yes! We’ve seen a bald eagle three times in the past six weeks! We hope to see him again today…". I am not surprised, but have not seen any reports on the listserve. Stephen Bru Mobile ____________________________________________________________ Weight Loss Program Best Weight Loss Program - Click Here! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/c?cp=FxueyDp-QQ37NaTLcgY3rgAAJ1C4In9DopydIf9IAbk3fBTwAAYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEUgAAAAA= [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ IMPORTANT ADDRESSES: Post message: albirds AT yahoogroups.com Subscribe: albirds-subscribe AT yahoogroups.com List owner: albirds-owner AT yahoogroups.com AOS website: http://www.aosbirds.org/ This list is sponsored by the Alabama Ornithological Society (AOS) and is provided as a service to the birding community. AOS does not endorse the views or opinions expressed by the members of this discussion group. Nor does AOS support or endorse the advertising provided by the Yahoo Groups list service.Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/albirds/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/albirds/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: albirds-digest AT yahoogroups.com albirds-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: albirds-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Spring Migration From: RubyThroat AT aol.com Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:25:37 EST Fellow Albirders Reports from the Fort Morgan peninsula today indicated several sightings of Yellow-throated Warbler, Northern Parula, Louisiana Waterthrush, Prothonotary Warbler and several adult male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. Good numbers of Hooded Warblers and White-eyed Vireos are just days away. God how I love this time of year!! You are all invited to come visit our PUBLIC banding station at Fort Morgan when we open to the public on March 17th. We open our nets before dawn daily and usually close the nets each afternoon between 3:00 and 5:00 PM depending on the flow of inbound migrants. Families are always welcome if the children are well behaved. Bring your best camera and insect repellent just in case. If you wish to spend the day with us, please bring a folding chair for each in your party. If you have folks in wheel chairs or that have problems walking from the main road into the tent area, we can assist with that as well. Come see me at the banding tent if you need assistance. Please, please do not block the brick road that leads to the old gate area as you approach the banding tent. The Hummer/Bird Study Group will once again have portable toilets in place for your comfort and convenience during the banding session. North bound hummingbird reports today have been few and far between away from the coast. The most prominent report today was an adult male at a feeder near Verbena. I usually get the first reports from the south Birmingham area about the 15th-17th of March. At my home north of the city, our first hummer is usually sighted between March 17th-23rd. I do have a "pair" of Mallard Ducks that are constantly being seen on our not-so-tiny pond now, and walking around in the pasture and woods near the pond. I suspect that the female is either nesting or looking for a place to build her nest. A Mallard nest would be a first for little place. I cannot get to my duck box to see if the very secretive Wood Ducks are nesting again this year. I would like to thank our friend Steve McConnell for his earlier posting on Albirds regarding our bird banding efforts. See you soon. Good luck and good birding. Bob and Martha Sargent Clay, Alabama [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Coastal Birding Association Field Trip Sat, 3/13 From: Chazz Hesselein <chazz AT hesselein.com> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 05:57:28 -0600 Tomorrow, Saturday, March 13, the Coastal Birding Association will be heading a bit north of the coast in search of wildflowers, salamanders and, of course, birds. Our fearless field trip leader, Howard Horne, a botanist by education, avocation and profession, will be sharing his extensive expertise. For you naturalists, this is a must-attend field trip. All are welcome. Here are the details: For our March outing we will try a much farther afield trip to visit some new areas to our north. Claiborne Landing in Monroe County is located on the Alabama River approximately 90 miles (or 2 hours driving) north of Mobile. The location contains numerous uncommon spring wildflowers that reach their southern limit of distribution in Alabama. If time allows we may also visit the Army Corps of Engineering Haines Island Park located a short distant to the north of Claiborne, whose rich bluff woods and ravines have the rare Red Hills Salamander. Since this is a long-distance trip we will meet at the early hour of *7 AM* at the Kangaroo Gas Station (formerly Shell) on the east side of *Highway 225* directly north of Interstate 65 at *Exit 31* in Baldwin County. Any questions contact Howard at **(251) 605-9043 or hhorne AT earthlink.net.* * Hope to see you tomorrow. Chazz Hesselein President, CBA Mobile, AL Subject: Re: Help please From: "Gregory J. Harber" <gharber AT mindspring.com> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:38:54 -0600 (GMT-06:00) Hi Gail- All of the Dauphin Island hotspots are sites on the Coastal Birding Trail. Visit this site to read about each site on the Dauphin Island - Bayou LaBatre Loop: http://www.alabamacoastalbirdingtrail.com/trails/dauphin_island_loop.asp Enjoy your visit to the island! -----Original Message----- From: Gail Young Sent: Mar 10, 2010 11:53 AM To: albirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [ALBIRDS] Help please a friend and I are going to Dauphin Island on Saturday to do some birding. We are coming from Mississippi. I read all the nice birds that are being seen, but not sure how to find the locations once getting to DI. Could you please help with instructions to the locations best for birding. Thank you, Amelia Gail [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Gregory J. Harber Birmingham, AL gharber AT mindspring.com "It's never too late to have a happy childhood." Tom Robbins Subject: Help please From: Gail Young <ggyoung2003 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:53:57 -0800 (PST) a friend and I are going to Dauphin Island on Saturday to do some birding.  We are coming from Mississippi.  I read all the nice birds that are being seen, but not sure how to find the locations once getting to DI.    Could you please help with instructions to the locations best for birding.    Thank you,   Amelia Gail   [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: National Geo book on Bird Coloration From: "Reed, Robert" <robert.reed AT psc.alabama.gov> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:04:06 -0600 Geoff Hill will be our speaker for spring AOS, discussion the topic of coloration. I'm sure he'll have copies of his book. Bob Robert E. (Bob) Reed Colonel, Field Artillery, Retired Past President Editor, The Yellowhammer Alabama Ornithological Society 88838 Tallassee Highway Tallassee, Alabama 36078 334-283-5886 Home 334-242-2698 Work 334-242-0717 Fax robert.reed AT psc.alabama.gov ________________________________ From: albirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:albirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Gregory J. Harber Sent: Tuesday, March 09, 2010 8:29 PM To: albirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [ALBIRDS] National Geo book on Bird Coloration Good evening all- While perusing my e-copy of the Birding Community e-Bulletin I happened upon the happy pronouncement of a new book that hits the market soon. The book is a National Geographic publication entitled "Bird Coloration," written by none other than Geoff Hill, of Auburn University. Kudos to Geoff! Read more about it on the National Geographic web site: http://shop.nationalgeographic.com/ngs/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=6200571&code=MR20380 Gregory J. Harber Birmingham, AL gharber AT mindspring.com "It's never too late to have a happy childhood." Tom Robbins [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: National Geo book on Bird Coloration From: "Gregory J. Harber" <gharber AT mindspring.com> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 21:29:10 -0500 (EST) Good evening all- While perusing my e-copy of the Birding Community e-Bulletin I happened upon the happy pronouncement of a new book that hits the market soon. The book is a National Geographic publication entitled "Bird Coloration," written by none other than Geoff Hill, of Auburn University. Kudos to Geoff! Read more about it on the National Geographic web site: http://shop.nationalgeographic.com/ngs/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=6200571&code=MR20380 Gregory J. Harber Birmingham, AL gharber AT mindspring.com "It's never too late to have a happy childhood." Tom Robbins Subject: First Parula From: "Lucy and Bob Duncan" <town_point AT bellsouth.net> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 17:24:03 -0600 Hi, After dipping out at Ft. Pickens this morning in a search for the first Parula, lo and behold, right in our yard around 4 pm one turns up! It's going to get better! Bob Duncan [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Ruby-throated Hummer ! From: EUGENIA CAREY <eugeniacarey AT prodigy.net> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 15:17:59 -0800 (PST) The first hummer seen  at my feeders on Dauphin Island!  The weather is windy and raining.   The Yucatan Express could not be more welcomed. This winter has not been kind to the Shell Mounds and the Island. Cheers, Eugenai eugeniacarey AT prodigy.net Eugenia Carey Dauphin Island, Al [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Baldwin County From: "kchiasson74" <kchiasson74 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:29:45 -0000 Just returned to the area after spending the winter months further south. Not many birds in my neck of the woods yet. However, I have seen the following: Bufflehead - 2 Males, 1 Female Ring-Necked Duck - 2 Males, 1 Female Red-Breasted Mergansers - Approx 25 Bonaparte's Gull - 1 Swallow-Tailed Kite - 1 on Mar 4th, 4 today Mississippi Kite - 1 Great Horned Owl - 1 perched near Hwy 48 Ruby-Crowned Kinglet - 1 Female Common Loon - Approx 50 At Ft Morgan yesterday there were more House Finch than I've seen in that area before. There were also Brown-Headed Cowbirds, Palm Warblers, Pine Warblers, Savannah Sparrows, & good numbers of Yellow-Rumped Warblers and Chipping Sparrows. Karen Chiasson Silverhill Subject: Wheeler NWR Saturday From: Harold Peterson <pinkfloyd137 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 06:18:15 -0800 (PST) Hello all, this is Harold. Stopped at Wheeler's visitor center on the way back from a 5k in Muscle Shoals. Spring is here with three warbler species: Yellow-rumped, two Pine Warblers, and one Orange-crowned. Also a decent number of ducks near the observation building: Ring-necked, Shoveler, Hooded Merganser, Gadwall, Common Goldeneye, and several coots. The lady there said there was a Bufflehead earlier, but I missed it. Spring Park in Tuscumbia didn't have any unusual species, but at least 100 Cedar Waxwings were making use of the waterfall and nearby berry bushes. Also had a Pine Warbler on the southeast side of the UAH Duck Pond on Sunday afternoon during the UAH 10k race. (Tip: not a good idea to do two races on back to back days.) -Harold Peterson Huntsville, AL Subject: March 20th Work day at Goat Trees on Dauphin Island From: "Gregory J. Harber" <gharber AT mindspring.com> Date: Sun, 07 Mar 2010 23:04:40 -0600 Sorry for the misfire on the previous e-mail. I hit the send button before I was done composing the e-mail. Here is the full text of the Goat Trees Reserve workday announcement: Good evening all- Although it¹s not official yet, it seems as though spring is finally about to emerge here in the Birmingham area. The Carolina Wrens and Cardinals were in full song today and there is ever the faintest hint of green on the long dormant vegetation. Purple Martins and Swallow-tailed Kites have already put in an appearance down at the coast and it won¹t be long before legions of other neotropical migrants will join them at Fort Morgan and Dauphin Island. Therefore, it is entirely appropriate that we should do a little bit of spring cleaning before they arrive! So, to this end, Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuaries is soliciting your help as we organize a workday at the Goat Trees Reserve on Grant Street. The plan is to meet at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 20th and spend a few hours working before breaking for lunch, and some birding, of course! The trails are in need of clearing and some brush thinning is in order too, especially in the vicinity of the water drip. If you have them, bring yard tools like rakes, clippers, garden gloves and mosquito spray. Long handled clippers will be helpful too. The phragmites has gotten a bit out of hand and our goal is to open the area above and surrounding the drip to improve visibility and hopefully make it more enticing to the birds! An ice chest of cold bottled water will be provided. Mark your calendars now and plan to join us as we welcome back our spring migrants! -- Greg Harber Birmingham, AL ³It¹s never too late to have a happy childhood.² Tom Robbins [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: March 20th Work day at Goat Trees on Dauphin Island From: "Gregory J. Harber" <gharber AT mindspring.com> Date: Sun, 07 Mar 2010 22:03:29 -0600 Good evening all- Although it¹s not official yet, it seems as though spring is finally about to emerge here in the Birmingham area. The Carolina Wrens and Cardinals were in full song today and there is ever the faintest hint of green on the long dormant vegetation. -- Greg Harber Birmingham, AL ³It¹s never too late to have a happy childhood.² Tom Robbins [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Gulf Coast Birding RFI From: "goldstorktom" <goldstorktom AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 07 Mar 2010 22:31:13 -0000 Hello. My wife and I are taking our first birding trip to the AL/MS/LA gulf coast from April 10-15 and would appreciate any tips that would help us plan our trip. We're flying in and out of Mobile and are thinking we would visit Dauphin Island, AL and Grand Isle, LA, but other than that (or instead of that?) we would love some suggestions. We're not looking for any target species. Just hoping to visit a variety of habitats and experience fantastic spring migration. We would appreciate any input on great places to bird , special natural areas to visit, and references to web and available book resources. Thanks so much. Please reply off list. Tom Rohrer Renton, WA goldstorktom AT yahoo.com Subject: [Fwd: [MISSBIRD] Hooded Oriole seen again today] From: Chazz Hesselein <chazz AT hesselein.com> Date: Sat, 06 Mar 2010 09:45:26 -0600 Thought this might be of interest to any of you who may be passing along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. I believe the Hooded Oriole is still being seen. I have heard from at least one AL birding that is going over there today. In any case, you can call and find out the bird's status before making the trek. Here is some more information from another e-mail: The bird is using a hummingbird feeder at the residence of Patti and Mike Ryan in Pass Christian. They are both birders and quite willing to share their find. However if you are considering a visit my personal thoughts are that their drive could accommodate only one or two vehicles at best, and parking on their very narrow street quite unacceptable. It would be be better to park near-by and walk. e-mail: mapryan109 AT hotmail.com Phone 228-452-9752 Address 109 Donlin, Pass Christian Chazz Hesselein Mobile, AL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Banded Piping and Snowy Plovers on Dauphin Island From: Chazz Hesselein <chazz AT hesselein.com> Date: Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:59:12 -0600 A couple of weeks ago Howard Horne posted a message regarding a place to report banded birds. The following weekend I found six Snowy and seven Piping Plovers on Dauphin Island's Pelican Peninsula. Two of the Piping and one of the Snowy Plovers were banded. I reported all of the banded birds and today I got a response from the Virginia Tech banders of the Piping Plovers: Dear Chazz- Thank you for your report of the two banded piping plovers. Different colored flags are used as regional markers to aid in plover identification. The green flag is used by Virginia Polytechnic Institute researchers to identify piping plovers banded on the Missouri River below Gavins Point Dam. Gavins Point Dam is located on the northeast Nebraska southeast South Dakota border about five miles west of Yankton, SD. The VPI researchers are studying piping plover use of sandbars constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide habitat for least terns and piping plovers on the Missouri. The first bird that you spotted was banded near Vermillion, SD this past summer. The second bird you spotted was banded in 2006 near Yankton, SD. It is most likely that the second bird had that upper left Green flag with a dark green over orange on the lower left. I don't believe you did see that silver band on the upper right, we don't use and silver or metal bands in that position by themselves. Thanks again for your help. Cheers- Ben -- Ben Simpson Wildlife Biologist Virginia Tech University Thanks Howard for the tip. As a refresher, the web page for reporting banded birds is: http://www.flshorebirdalliance.org/resources-pages/bands.html Chazz Hesselein Mobile, AL Subject: Sandhill Cranes Dauphin Island... From: "Howard" <hhorne AT earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:36:37 -0000 Hi all, I received word today that were apparently two SANDHILL CRANES on the west end of Dauphin Island, seen yesterday by several students of the sea lab program and their instructors. That's all the information I have for now. I'll provide updates as they become available. Cheers, Howard Horne Mobile, AL. Subject: Long Tailed Duck in Bon Secour From: Chazz Hesselein <chazz AT hesselein.com> Date: Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:23:47 -0600 Frank Farrell phoned me about a half hour ago to report that he had found a Long-tailed Duck at the end of County Road 10 in Bon Secour. Chazz Hesselein Mobile, AL Subject: Attalla Rufous Hummingbird From: RubyThroat AT aol.com Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 17:00:52 EST Fellow Albirders This afternoon shortly after lunch Martha and I banded an adult female Rufous hummingbird in rural Attalla, Alabama. This robust female was undergoing a lot of body molt, but the flight feathers were almost all new. I think that this lovely little vixen will soon be headed outbound to the far northwest. I fail to see how anything so beautiful could be so danged hateful! It is the nature of Rufous hummingbirds. This is a fairly late date for us to be banding Rufous here in Alabama. Bob Sargent Clay, AL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Mixed blackbirds in Tuscaloosa-Rusty From: "Dr. David Campbell" <amblema AT bama.ua.edu> Date: Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:17:12 -0600 The band practice field and grassy area opposite it on the north side of University Blvd on the east end of the UA campus had a large blackbird flock. Given the cold wet conditions, I thought I should check for Rustys. Grackles, Starlings, Red-winged, and Rusty are all present, plus some scattered robins and killdeer. -- Dr. David Campbell 425 Scientific Collections Building Department of Biological Sciences Biodiversity and Systematics University of Alabama, Box 870345 Tuscaloosa AL 35487-0345 USA Subject: First inbound Ruby-throated of 2010? From: RubyThroat AT aol.com Date: Tue, 2 Mar 2010 10:01:01 EST Albirders This morning I had a report of a very dark hummingbird with a white ring around the neck seen at a feeder on the Fort Morgan Peninsula. This is a typical description of an adult male Ruby-throated in stunning, fresh breeding plumage. This report is pretty much right on time. I need to caution that with the increasing number of wintering Ruby-throated being seen over he past few winters, there is an outside chance that this bird could be something other than in northbound transgulf migrant. I personally don't think that these is a wintering bird. Bob Sargent Clay, Alabama [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Dauphin Island storm From: "carrieanddaviddownbythebay" <downbythebay AT bellsouth.net> Date: Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:35:13 -0000 Last night on DI was the worst storm we have experienced. The wind was forecast to be 50mph with gusts to 60mph but a lot of people on the island think it blew even more fiercely. Power was out for hours and when it came back on, it surged in our area, popping breakers in our panel. The ground in our front yard is littered with Camelia flower petals, blown one at a time from the pink flowers which were blooming. The most remarkable thing is that this morning we have 6 Purple Martins clinging to our house on the dock. I don't know if they are our regular residents or just hapless travelers. I find it difficult to believe that anything arrived here safely from the Yucatan overnight, but these birds are tough! David Dortch Dauphin Island PS The gourds we put out by the sign are still up! Some blew out on the ends of their stems but that's an ez fix. Talk about baptism by fire! Subject: Re: Purple Martin gourds From: "Gregory J. Harber" <gharber AT mindspring.com> Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2010 18:42:57 -0600 (GMT-06:00) Thanks for your efforts, Don and David. The gourds will compliment the language on the sign! Speaking of the sign, once again DIBS will be hosting the America's Birdiest City/County competition this year. I'll post to this list the details a bit later, but for now just know that we'll need everyone's help to defend our title as America's Birdiest Small Coastal City. Take care all, and thanks again to Don and David. Greg -----Original Message----- From: carrieanddaviddownbythebay Sent: Mar 1, 2010 4:03 PM To: albirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [ALBIRDS] Purple Martin gourds Don McKee and I have placed 2 Purple Martin poles with gourds behind the sign that says, "Dauphin Island the Birdiest small community in the Nation" or something like that. It's on the right as you come on to the island. The city gave their permission but we had to dig our anchor holes in spots where there were no buried utilities. As a result we are concerned that the gourds themselves are now too close to the top of the sign. For some reason this was not apparent until we placed the poles. Now, in hindsight, we wonder why we didn't anticipate this possible problem. At any rate, we are going to give it a little time to see what happens, but we are also interested in any opinions that anyone would like to share! David Dortch Gregory J. Harber Birmingham, AL gharber AT mindspring.com "It's never too late to have a happy childhood." Tom Robbins Gregory J. Harber Birmingham, AL gharber AT mindspring.com "It's never too late to have a happy childhood." Tom Robbins Subject: A word of caution From: "tsiegwald" <siegwald AT ceebic.org> Date: Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:06:16 -0000 While birding Dauphin Island Sunday I happened to notice that the area behind the federal Seafood Lab, between the fence and the seawall, which most of us call "the little Shell Mounds" has now been posted with a Federal "No Trespassing" sign. Apparently birders, with state of the art optics are now viewed as a threat of some sort and, not being one who wishes to challenge the resolve of...whomever...I stayed off the said property. With the AOS Spring meeting just around the corner, I thought I'd pass this tidbit along. Subject: Purple Martin gourds From: "carrieanddaviddownbythebay" <downbythebay AT bellsouth.net> Date: Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:03:21 -0000 Don McKee and I have placed 2 Purple Martin poles with gourds behind the sign that says, "Dauphin Island the Birdiest small community in the Nation" or something like that. It's on the right as you come on to the island. The city gave their permission but we had to dig our anchor holes in spots where there were no buried utilities. As a result we are concerned that the gourds themselves are now too close to the top of the sign. For some reason this was not apparent until we placed the poles. Now, in hindsight, we wonder why we didn't anticipate this possible problem. At any rate, we are going to give it a little time to see what happens, but we are also interested in any opinions that anyone would like to share! David Dortch Subject: Re: Migration From: RubyThroat AT aol.com Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2010 12:20:02 EST Karen ??? This is Bob Sargent. Our banding station and the surrounding area at Fort Morgan can be pretty awesome. Our banding station there opens to the public on March 27 and closes on about April 7 or 8, 2010. We should band some 1500 plus neotropical migrants down at Fort Morgan State Historical Park during this time frame. The first of the migrants are almost certainly arriving from Central America now!! Those species now should include Ruby-throated Hummingbird (our speciality), Louisiana Waterthrush, Yellow-throated Warbler, Northern Parula, Hooded Warbler and others. During our spring session we will handle as many as 75-90 species of birds in our nets. We open before dawn daily and close between 3 and 5 PM as a general rule. Come visit if you can. It is free and open to the public. There is generally a small fee for coming onto the Fort property. In a message dated 2/28/2010 11:01:27 A.M. Central Standard Time, karenestine AT gmail.com writes: Hi folks, I'm new to Alabama, having just moved down last summer from Ohio. I've always seen spring migration from the vantage point of Magee Marsh up on Lake Erie, and although I've got a pretty good idea of the timing for sightings up there, I have no idea what to expect here. So I'd like to ask first of all, when the main wave of migrants comes through Alabama, and second, where are the best spots in the state for observing? [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Migration From: "biotoxprof" <karenestine AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 28 Feb 2010 16:44:22 -0000 Hi folks, I'm new to Alabama, having just moved down last summer from Ohio. I've always seen spring migration from the vantage point of Magee Marsh up on Lake Erie, and although I've got a pretty good idea of the timing for sightings up there, I have no idea what to expect here. So I'd like to ask first of all, when the main wave of migrants comes through Alabama, and second, where are the best spots in the state for observing? Subject: mile marker 190, Rte 78 east, Alabama. Pileated woodpecker From: Dan Furbish <peterbilt.birder AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 27 Feb 2010 21:42:27 -0800 (PST) This morning a nice PILEATED WP flew just over my big rig ! FOS for me. I had 'great' looks at it..... Dan Furbish Truckin' thru 5 southern states in a big rig. peterbilt.birder AT yahoo.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Great Cormorant@Walter F George Dam right now- 2/27 From: "eagleeyed56" <eagleeyed56 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 27 Feb 2010 15:45:58 -0000 Hi All, Walt Chambers, finder of the recent Ivory Gull at West Point Lake, found a Great Cormorant this morning below the Lake Walter F. George Dam! The bird was seen from the Alabama side of the river. Good Birding All! Mark Mark McShane Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, Georgia http://neargareport.blogspot.com Georgia Birders Online posts from this morning: http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind1002&L=gabo-l&O=A&P=43574 http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind1002&L=gabo-l&O=A&P=43722 Transcripts: Date: Sat, 27 Feb 2010 08:59:16 -0500 Reply-To: Walt Chambers Sender: Georgia Birders Online From: Walt Chambers Subject: Great Cormorant AT Walter F George Dam right now- 2/27 Content-type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 I'm leaving the dam now (8:45) The GRCO was feeding near the sandbar by the dam... Nothing much else but the 2 B. Pelicans...Off to the Bradley. Walt Chambers Columbus Date: Sat, 27 Feb 2010 09:15:25 -0500 Reply-To: Walt Chambers Sender: Georgia Birders Online From: Walt Chambers Subject: clarification on cormorant location Content-type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Just realized...I meant to include that the bird was BELOW the dam near the sandbar seen from AL side... Walt Chambers Columbus Subject: Re: need some help From: Neill Cowles <neill.cowles AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:37:57 -0600 I wouldn't sweat it Jon. I doubt there's anyone on this list that hasn't been stumped by a common bird at some point. My personal nemesis seems to be Robins. I've tried to turn them into more than you could imagine. Neill Cowles Huntsville On Fri, Feb 26, 2010 at 4:18 PM, Jon Yoder wrote: > > > Sorry, I was embarrassed that I discovered that it was a coot that I > couldn't confess! Lowly bird that I thought was a lot smaller....I guess the > difference is that I was seeing one in a small pond, instead of thousands in > a large lake, like Guntersville.... Jon > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ IMPORTANT ADDRESSES: Post message: albirds AT yahoogroups.com Subscribe: albirds-subscribe AT yahoogroups.com List owner: albirds-owner AT yahoogroups.com AOS website: http://www.aosbirds.org/ This list is sponsored by the Alabama Ornithological Society (AOS) and is provided as a service to the birding community. AOS does not endorse the views or opinions expressed by the members of this discussion group. Nor does AOS support or endorse the advertising provided by the Yahoo Groups list service.Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/albirds/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/albirds/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: albirds-digest AT yahoogroups.com albirds-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: albirds-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Re: need some help From: "Jon Yoder" <jeyoder AT frontiernet.net> Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:18:53 -0600 Sorry, I was embarrassed that I discovered that it was a coot that I couldn't confess! Lowly bird that I thought was a lot smaller....I guess the difference is that I was seeing one in a small pond, instead of thousands in a large lake, like Guntersville.... Jon [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: CBA Gulf Shores field trip From: Chazz Hesselein <chazz AT hesselein.com> Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2010 21:06:13 -0600 Dear All, This Saturday, February 27, the Gulf Shores area will be the Coastal Birding Association's field trip destination. We will meet at 8:00 am at the Hardee's on Hwy 59 in Foley and will carpool from there. Bring a couple of extra bucks to bird from the Gulf Shores State Park Pier. All birders are welcome. For more details go to the CBA website: http://www.coastalbirdingassoc.org/ or contact Howard Horne, 251-605-9043 or myself, 251-666-3118. Hope to see you Saturday. Chazz Hesselein President, Coastal Birding Association Mobile, AL Subject: need some help From: "Jon Yoder" <jeyoder AT frontiernet.net> Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:06:18 -0600 Hi everyone, I have a solitary diving duck, a little smaller than a mallard that has been on my pond the last couple of weeks. I can't find anything in the books to identify it....it has an all black head and the rest of the body seems to be gray without any other discernible features....When it flies, there is some white in the wings, but I haven't seen it flying much.....so any ideas?--I could probably get a picture of it, but it probably wouldn't show any more than I just told you... Jon Yoder Escambia County, AL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: SWALLOW-TAILED KITES... From: "Greg D. Jackson" <g_d_jackson AT bellsouth.net> Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:09:13 -0600 Howard, Thanks for passing this along. It is indeed an early state migration record (disregarding a late Jan specimen, which oddly may have wintered). In 2004, three early Swallow-taileds were noted at widely separate coastal sites, two on 24 Feb and another 26 Feb. So a 23 Feb date wins the prize! Greg ----- Original Message ----- From: "Howard" To: Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2010 9:55 AM Subject: [ALBIRDS] SWALLOW-TAILED KITES... > Hi all, > > I just received a phone call this morning (February 23) from a co-worker > who is in South Mobile County. He reports TWO SWALLOW-TAILED KITES flying > overhead. One was so close you could see its toenails. > > I think this may be our earliest arrival date for this species(?). > > Cheers, > > Howard Horne > Mobile, AL > > > > ------------------------------------ > > IMPORTANT ADDRESSES: > Post message: albirds AT yahoogroups.com > Subscribe: albirds-subscribe AT yahoogroups.com > List owner: albirds-owner AT yahoogroups.com > AOS website: http://www.aosbirds.org/ > > This list is sponsored by the Alabama > Ornithological Society (AOS) and is provided > as a service to the birding community. AOS > does not endorse the views or opinions expressed > by the members of this discussion group. Nor > does AOS support or endorse the advertising > provided by the Yahoo Groups list service.Yahoo! Groups Links > > > Subject: Re: SWALLOW-TAILED KITES... From: "Gregory J. Harber" <gharber AT mindspring.com> Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 11:00:52 -0600 (GMT-06:00) Whoo-hooo! YES!! -----Original Message----- From: Howard Sent: Feb 23, 2010 9:55 AM To: albirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [ALBIRDS] SWALLOW-TAILED KITES... Hi all, I just received a phone call this morning (February 23) from a co-worker who is in South Mobile County. He reports TWO SWALLOW-TAILED KITES flying overhead. One was so close you could see its toenails. I think this may be our earliest arrival date for this species(?). Cheers, Howard Horne Mobile, AL Gregory J. Harber Birmingham, AL gharber AT mindspring.com "It's never too late to have a happy childhood." Tom Robbins Subject: SWALLOW-TAILED KITES... From: "Howard" <hhorne AT earthlink.net> Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:55:13 -0000 Hi all, I just received a phone call this morning (February 23) from a co-worker who is in South Mobile County. He reports TWO SWALLOW-TAILED KITES flying overhead. One was so close you could see its toenails. I think this may be our earliest arrival date for this species(?). Cheers, Howard Horne Mobile, AL Subject: [Private Photo Share] Cali Girl- Has sent you private photos. From: "carlispofriends" <carlispofriends AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 04:46:47 -0000 I do not want the entire group seeing these photos.Because some may recognize me. Here's the link: http://www.ourlivespace.com/hotgirl/photos.htm Enjoy babe :) Subject: BAS trip report to Coleman Lake, Talladega NF From: "Gregory J. Harber" <gharber AT mindspring.com> Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 20:16:31 -0600 Hi All- Here is a brief report of the birds we encountered this past Saturday during the Birmingham Audubon Society field trip to the Coleman Lake area of the Talladega National Forest: We arrived at the Pinhoti Trail parking lot near the entrance to Coleman Lake about 9:00 a.m. The North Alabama Birdwatcher¹s Society had also planned a trip to this location and they had arrived before our group. Dick Reynolds greeted us and reported that Red Crossbills had already been heard in the area but none sighted. Thus, we knew that one of our target birds for the trip was a distinct possibility! We bid adieu to Dick and headed down the trail to where the rest of the NABS group was gathered. We caught up to them in short order and within a matter of minutes Bachman¹s Sparrows appeared in response to a taped call. The entire group enjoyed close views of the sparrows for many minutes. The NABS members returned to the parking area while we continued on the trail in hopes of spotting either the crossbills or Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. Our search was not fruitful and we were approaching the edge of the suitable habitat these birds prefer. So, we also returned to the parking area, whereupon, of course, we heard some red crossbills calling in the opposite direction! Rather than head to the Coleman Lake entrance in our cars we started down the trail toward the lake. Soon the habitat changed from open stands of pines to a bottomland deciduous forest. I knew this would greatly decrease our chances of seeing either the crossbills or the woodpeckers so I suggested we turn around yet again. This time, however, the maneuver paid dividends when Jessica Germany heard a crossbill as it flew overhead. It landed in the top of a pine tree approximately 20 yards from where we stood. Turns out our bird was a female and we watched her for several minutes as she worked to extract seeds from the cones. Sweet! We had also been hearing the soft tapping tones of what I presume was a woodpecker but I am not familiar enough with RCWs to know their tapping patterns. Had we not been standing in the midst of all this excellent RCW habitat I would have guessed this was a Downy we were hearing, but who knows? Speaking of ³sweet² - the many Pine Warblers that inhabit these woods were in full-throated song! Their sweet trill provided the music accompaniment to what was surely the finest weather day we¹ve had in all of 2010 thus far! The lunch hour was upon us so we returned to our cars and drove to Pine Glen Campground, south of our location about 5 miles. This picturesque spot on Shoal Creek was a welcome sight. The clear waters of the creek babbled as they tumbled over the low dams children had constructed in summer¹s past. The wind had raised slightly so finding a picnic table in the sun was imperative. Following lunch the group walked a short segment of the trail leading to Sweetwater Lake. Several of us had engagements back in Birmingham so we turned back while John Swan lead a group of 4 onward. They were rewarded for their efforts when John located a Red-breasted Nuthatch. All in all, it was a beautiful day and a very rewarding outing. Ours was not the highest of species totals, but the birds we did see and the restorative powers of such a beautiful day in the woods left us all yearning for more. Take care all, Greg -- Greg Harber Birmingham, AL ³It¹s never too late to have a happy childhood.² Tom Robbins [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Burrowing Owl still present... From: "Howard" <hhorne AT earthlink.net> Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2010 23:15:24 -0000 Hi all, I received a message from a birder that Dauphin Island's Burrowing Owl was relocated and seen yesterday (February 20th) at its usual location within the large dune field west of the island's golf course and the Isle Dauphine Club House building. Several birders have tried for the owl multiple times since it was last seen on January 22nd with no success, so this sighting represents nearly a month gap where its whereabouts were unknown. It is unclear whether the owl was present within the general area of the dune field at the time of those previous searches and simply missed (it is a very large area to cover), or if the bird has expanded its territory and moved into adjacent nearby areas(?). This individual is very secretive and difficult to find. Good Birding, Howard Horne Mobile, AL Subject: Yard Birds in Clay, Alabama From: RubyThroat AT aol.com Date: Fri, 19 Feb 2010 20:05:07 EST Fellow Albirders Not much happening here at our place...unless you call feeding 500 plus hungry Goldfinches and Purple Finches "not much". The feeder traffic is holding steady, with even the mixed sparrow flocks still here in great numbers (especially early in the mornings). I have extra 'possums here in my yard if anyone needs any. We do have an adult male and female Coopers Hawk working our place. The only kill we have witnessed recently is the male Coopers catching a hesitant Mourning Dove and promptly flying off for lunch that appeared to be all he could tote. We witnessed and unusual incident yesterday involving an American Crow. We have been feeding a murder of seven crows over the winter season. Yesterday we once again were monitoring the day to day struggle of an sickly American Goldfinch. In an instant, one of the crow chased the hapless Goldfinch until he snatched it up in his bill. He flew, with his prey to a nearby dogwood and promptly plucked it clean and devoured it with great haste. Not much goes to waste in the natural world. We apparently have the same paired Red-shouldered Hawks spending time together at last years nests with periodic aerial displays and lots of steep, high speed dives by the female at the nest tree. No new owls, but we continue to hope. That operation will continue until the end of February. Bob and Martha Sargent Clay, Alabama [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Fwd: website for reporting all banded shorebirds From: "Howard" <hhorne AT earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:02:17 -0000 Hi all, I saw this on the Florida Birds Listserver and thought it might be of interest and use to birders here in Alabama. The link to the banded birds page below has information on the various shorebird banding projects and also contains contact e-mail addresses and links to report sightings of banded shorebirds. Cheers, Howard Horne Mobile, AL =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has a new website up that includes a page for reporting all species of banded shore/seabirds. It's a great one-stop site that links you to the appropriate reporting organization/website for each species. Thanks to Chris Burney for this site! The website is http://www.flshorebirdalliance.org/index.html The banded birds page is http://www.flshorebirdalliance.org/resources-pages/bands.html Subject: Crossbill in Clay, Alabama-NOT From: RubyThroat AT aol.com Date: Mon, 15 Feb 2010 09:48:37 EST Alrbirders The bird that I improperly identified as a male with bright white wingbars as a White-winged Crossbill has not been seen again since the brief sighting a few days ago. This bird was more reddish than pinkish in my opinion, but the wide, bright-white wingbars were very distinctive. The bills were crossed in the fashion of Crossbills that I have banded in Montana. I have since learned that without a GOOD photograph that such sightings are difficult if not impossible to prove since there are so many variations in plumage among Red and White-winged Crossbills. This will be the second Crossbill at our feeders over the years that must remain officially unidentified here in Alabama. I am on the fence now as to whether I can count the Red Crossbills that I saw briefly on two occasions at nesting areas in the mountains of east Alabama. Since both species can and do occur in winter here, and since Red Crossbills actually are winter nesters in Alabama...l am as lost as a ball in high weeds. I am now severely questioning my birding skills. Does anyone on Albirds have any good photos of their Crossbills taken in eastern Alabama that they can share with me? Perhaps the ones that have previously been approved by our ABRC would be best and very useful for me. I am in a learning phase on this hard to identify species. I have decided to keep both of my sightings on my state and ABA list. However, I do wonder about the validity of sightings over in eastern Alabama in winter. We still have lots of feeder birds here at our home, but nothing that I consider rare or unexpected. Bob Sargent Clay, Alabama [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Forgot to list two species From: "Debbie" <DMCKEN9341 AT AOL.COM> Date: Sun, 14 Feb 2010 07:11:23 -0000 Here are two that I forgot to mention: Chipping Sparrow (3) American Robin (2) Debbie (BirdLady) Subject: Anniston Update From: "Debbie" <DMCKEN9341 AT AOL.COM> Date: Sun, 14 Feb 2010 06:36:49 -0000 Hello Albirders, Here is a list of birds from my backyard. Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1 female) Winter Wren (1) American Goldfinch (30 to 60) Yellow-rumped "Myrtle" Warbler (3) Pine Warbler (2 males) Red-tailed Hawk (2) Cooper Hawk (1) Sharp-shinned Hawk (1) White-throated Sparrows (30 to 45) Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Woodpecker (2 males) Dark-eyed Junco (I had one Saturday) House Finch (4 to 8) Pileated Woodpecker (2) Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted form)(2 to 4) Downy Woodpecker (4) Red-bellied Woodpecker (2) Blue Jay (12) Carolina Chickadee (4) Tufted Titmouse (4) Carolina Wren (2) Northern Cardinal (65 plus) White-breasted Nuthatch (4) Brown-headed Nuthatch (2) European Starling (12) Cedar Waxwing (30) Mourning Dove (12 plus) House Sparrow (30) Song Sparrow (1) Eurasian Collared Dove (30)Common Grackle (100 plus) Norther Mockingbird (3) Brown Thrasher (2) Eastern Towhee (6) Eastern Bluebird (4, 2 females and 2 males) Subject: White-winged Scoters in Guntersville From: Harry Dean <hdean AT hiwaay.net> Date: Sat, 13 Feb 2010 19:44:54 -0600 NABS had 3 White-winged Scoters at the "Harbor House" pilings around 1:00pm today. Harry Dean Madison, AL Subject: Predawn report From: RubyThroat AT aol.com Date: Sat, 13 Feb 2010 07:10:12 EST Morning Albirders I can't wait for first light to search through the many hundreds of birds feeding at our feeders and on the frozen grounds. Yesterday, just before dark, we estimated 750 to 1000 birds enjoying the free food. Nothing rare, but one visiting flock of Red-winged Blackbirds must have totaled nearly a thousand birds at one time. Tons of Goldfinches, Purple Finches and mixed sparrows make up the daily visitors. Have fun today and stay safe. Bob Sargent Clay, Alabama [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RBA Alabama Statewide: February 12, 2010 From: Swmavocet AT aol.com Date: Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:52:13 -0500 RBA *Alabama *Statewide *INTERNET ONLY *February 12, 2010 *ALST1002.12 ===================================== --- Species added since last report --- ===================================== White-winged Scoter Red-throated Loon Eared Grebe Pacific Loon Western Tanager LAZULI BUNTING (1st AL record, p.a.) WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL ===================================== --- Species previously reported --- ===================================== IVORY GULL (deceased) (1st AL record, p.a.) Glaucous Gull (+ 2 new locations) BURROWING OWL -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 AT bellsouth.net Fax: 205/987-5167 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Alabama Ornithological Society website: http://www.aosbirds.org/ Alabama RBA archives: http://www.tvas.org/rba.htm DeAL = DeLorme Alabama Atlas BGtA = Birder’s Guide to Alabama (John F. Porter editor, University of Alabama Press, 2001) 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: February 12, 2010 Phone number to leave messages about rare birds: 256/773-8560 Compiler: Steve W. McConnell Email: swmavocet AT aol.com Alabama Rare Bird Report – Friday, February 12, 2010. After delighting many star-struck birders for three days at the West Pond Dam area at the GA-AL line the adult IVORY GULL became much more lethargic 1/28 and was frequently seen resting on the lake shoreline west of the dam. On 1/29 the gull took a obvious turn for the worse and appeared to be fighting for survival most of the day. That evening it expired. The carcass was collected for study and mounting. Autopsy results came in this week and indicate the gull died of acute aspergillosis (fungus in the lungs). During its final day the gull was observed on the shore of the West Overlook area. Later study indicates at least part of the time it was actually over the stateline and in Alabama. The BURROWING OWL discovered 12/12 on Dauphin Island near the golf course club house complex continued to be seen through at least 1/22. I’ve heard of one unsuccessful try 1/30 but the bird could certainly still be present. One area the owl seems to be found in repeatedly is 100-200 yards southwest of the building in the general vicinity of a USGS marker, a washed-up telephone phone (rusty attachments), pieces of dock or decking, and a small pine tree with a nearby bug trap. Updates on results of searches is desired. [DeAL 64-B3][BGtA p. 6-12] A GLAUCOUS GULL was seen again 1/25 at the Magnolia Springs landfill in Baldwin County. The landfill hours are currently 7 am – 4 pm, Mon-Fri and 7 am-12:00 Sat. To bird inside the landfill, park near the Coastal Birding Trail sign on the right side of the scale house (not on the scale!) and go inside to ask permission to bird and receive latest directions. The basic directions this season are to drive straight ahead past the scale and continue straight at the T-intersection up the hill to the viewing area on top of the berm. Pull your vehicle well out of the way of the truck road to the left on the graveled parking area. The observation platform is a short distance to the east across a gravel path. Confine your birding to this location – do not explore. DO NOT approach the workers or equipment and if heavy equipment approaches you, move and DO NOT block the way. Another (sometimes better) view may be obtained from the south border road by turning right at the T-intersection after leaving the scale house and then left at the corner. Around mid way down this road section is where the active dumping is taking place and a good view of the bathing pond is found. Park on the shoulder out-of-the-way of traffic but be sure not to get stuck in wet mud which can be present. [DeAL 63-G7][BGtA p. 37][ACBT #19] An apparent molting, male LAZULI BUNTING was seen and photographed 1/31 at a private residence on the Ft. Morgan peninsula about 3.0 miles east of the fort property. During its brief appearance the bird fed at scattered seed. No further observations have been made. Any buntings seen in the area deserve a 2nd or 3rd look! [DeAL 64-B5] A male WESTERN TANAGER is being seen in Auburn at the Hicks home. Call (334) 412-2859 during reasonable hours to arrange a visit and receive directions. [DeAL 47-A6?] An apparent WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL was seen 2/9 at the Sargent’s feeders in Clay. There have been no more sightings so far. Call (205) 681-2888 for latest information. [DeAL 31-B8] An immature male WHITE-WINGED SCOTER was found 2/6 at Spring Creek in northeast Lawrence County north of Courtland. [DeAL 18-D1] Also that day a 1st cycle GLAUCOUS GULL was lounging with many other gulls in the fields north of AL 20/Alt 72 across from the Morgan County landfill. This is near the entrance road to the Mallard-Fox Creek WMA [DeAL 18-E2] A trip to Guntersville 1/31 found both RED-THROATED and PACIFIC LOONS, an EARED GREBE, and a 1st cycle GLAUCOUS GULL. [DeAL 26-A1; 25-A&B10][BGtA p. 258-259][NABT #35] The following may be called for information: Alabama Ornithological Society: Eric Soehren (334/353-7996) or eric.soehren AT dcnr.alabama.gov Alabama Wildlife Rehabilitation Center hotline: (205/621-3333) Sighting information, and requests for regular email transcripts, can be submitted by email to: swmavocet AT aol.com Thank you. -End Transcript [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RBA Alabama Statewide: February 12, 2010 From: Swmavocet AT aol.com Date: Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:52:13 -0500 RBA *Alabama *Statewide *INTERNET ONLY *February 12, 2010 *ALST1002.12 ===================================== --- Species added since last report --- ===================================== White-winged Scoter Red-throated Loon Eared Grebe Pacific Loon Western Tanager LAZULI BUNTING (1st AL record, p.a.) WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL ===================================== --- Species previously reported --- ===================================== IVORY GULL (deceased) (1st AL record, p.a.) Glaucous Gull (+ 2 new locations) BURROWING OWL -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 AT bellsouth.net Fax: 205/987-5167 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Alabama Ornithological Society website: http://www.aosbirds.org/ Alabama RBA archives: http://www.tvas.org/rba.htm DeAL = DeLorme Alabama Atlas BGtA = Birder’s Guide to Alabama (John F. Porter editor, University of Alabama Press, 2001) 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: February 12, 2010 Phone number to leave messages about rare birds: 256/773-8560 Compiler: Steve W. McConnell Email: swmavocet AT aol.com Alabama Rare Bird Report – Friday, February 12, 2010. After delighting many star-struck birders for three days at the West Pond Dam area at the GA-AL line the adult IVORY GULL became much more lethargic 1/28 and was frequently seen resting on the lake shoreline west of the dam. On 1/29 the gull took a obvious turn for the worse and appeared to be fighting for survival most of the day. That evening it expired. The carcass was collected for study and mounting. Autopsy results came in this week and indicate the gull died of acute aspergillosis (fungus in the lungs). During its final day the gull was observed on the shore of the West Overlook area. Later study indicates at least part of the time it was actually over the stateline and in Alabama. The BURROWING OWL discovered 12/12 on Dauphin Island near the golf course club house complex continued to be seen through at least 1/22. I’ve heard of one unsuccessful try 1/30 but the bird could certainly still be present. One area the owl seems to be found in repeatedly is 100-200 yards southwest of the building in the general vicinity of a USGS marker, a washed-up telephone phone (rusty attachments), pieces of dock or decking, and a small pine tree with a nearby bug trap. Updates on results of searches is desired. [DeAL 64-B3][BGtA p. 6-12] A GLAUCOUS GULL was seen again 1/25 at the Magnolia Springs landfill in Baldwin County. The landfill hours are currently 7 am – 4 pm, Mon-Fri and 7 am-12:00 Sat. To bird inside the landfill, park near the Coastal Birding Trail sign on the right side of the scale house (not on the scale!) and go inside to ask permission to bird and receive latest directions. The basic directions this season are to drive straight ahead past the scale and continue straight at the T-intersection up the hill to the viewing area on top of the berm. Pull your vehicle well out of the way of the truck road to the left on the graveled parking area. The observation platform is a short distance to the east across a gravel path. Confine your birding to this location – do not explore. DO NOT approach the workers or equipment and if heavy equipment approaches you, move and DO NOT block the way. Another (sometimes better) view may be obtained from the south border road by turning right at the T-intersection after leaving the scale house and then left at the corner. Around mid way down this road section is where the active dumping is taking place and a good view of the bathing pond is found. Park on the shoulder out-of-the-way of traffic but be sure not to get stuck in wet mud which can be present. [DeAL 63-G7][BGtA p. 37][ACBT #19] An apparent molting, male LAZULI BUNTING was seen and photographed 1/31 at a private residence on the Ft. Morgan peninsula about 3.0 miles east of the fort property. During its brief appearance the bird fed at scattered seed. No further observations have been made. Any buntings seen in the area deserve a 2nd or 3rd look! [DeAL 64-B5] A male WESTERN TANAGER is being seen in Auburn at the Hicks home. Call (334) 412-2859 during reasonable hours to arrange a visit and receive directions. [DeAL 47-A6?] An apparent WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL was seen 2/9 at the Sargent’s feeders in Clay. There have been no more sightings so far. Call (205) 681-2888 for latest information. [DeAL 31-B8] An immature male WHITE-WINGED SCOTER was found 2/6 at Spring Creek in northeast Lawrence County north of Courtland. [DeAL 18-D1] Also that day a 1st cycle GLAUCOUS GULL was lounging with many other gulls in the fields north of AL 20/Alt 72 across from the Morgan County landfill. This is near the entrance road to the Mallard-Fox Creek WMA [DeAL 18-E2] A trip to Guntersville 1/31 found both RED-THROATED and PACIFIC LOONS, an EARED GREBE, and a 1st cycle GLAUCOUS GULL. [DeAL 26-A1; 25-A&B10][BGtA p. 258-259][NABT #35] The following may be called for information: Alabama Ornithological Society: Eric Soehren (334/353-7996) or eric.soehren AT dcnr.alabama.gov Alabama Wildlife Rehabilitation Center hotline: (205/621-3333) Sighting information, and requests for regular email transcripts, can be submitted by email to: swmavocet AT aol.com Thank you. -End Transcript [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: A Reminder -- Spirits of the Air: Birds & American Indians in the South, 7PM, February 11 From: Chazz Hesselein <chazz AT hesselein.com> Date: Thu, 11 Feb 2010 09:56:52 -0600 I've gotten a couple of reminders about this program in the past couple of days so I thought I should pass this along. Enjoy the snow! Chazz Hesselein Mobile, AL This looks like a program some local birders might want to know about, but I can't forward the message from my work e-mail to the group. Holly H Hobart, PhD, FACMG ABMG Clinical Cytogenetics, Laboratory Director, Clinical Cytogenetics Laboratory Dept of Med Genetics Univ of South Alabama, Coll of Medicine Mobile, AL 36688 (251) 460-7500 hhobart AT usouthal.edu ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Subject: A Reminder -- Spirits of the Air: Birds & American Indians in the South, 7PM, February 11 From: Greg Waselkov Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2010 19:01:11 -0600 (CST) Shepard Krech-a distinguished ecological ethnohistorian, professor of anthropology at Brown University, and an accomplished birder-will present images and thoughts from his new book, Spirits of the Air: Birds & American Indians in the South (University of Georgia Press, 2009) at 7:00 PM Thursday, February 11, in Laidlaw Performing Arts Center Recital Hall. Copies of Professor Krech's book will be available for purchase and signing after his talk. Reviews of Spirits of the Air describe this beautiful book as "a splendidly illustrated tour of Southeastern Indian ethno-ornithology" . "clear and engaging" . "Krech's research into historical sources and his deep understanding of birds combine to entrance the reader with scientific insights, Native knowledge, and marvelous descriptions of the American South." Professor Krech "explores the deep connections between American Indians of the South and the rich bird life that was (and is) so much a part of their environment and lives." This public lecture will appeal to everyone who has an interest in the birds, Native peoples, or natural history of the Southeast. This free event is the 2010 Mardi Gras lecture hosted by the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work (with support from the USA Foundation). For more information, call Greg Waselkov at 460-6911. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The above message was approved by the Office of Public Relations for sending to all University employees. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Rusty Blackbirds in Montgomery and Elmore counties From: "eric_soehren" <esoehren AT netzero.com> Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 23:50:59 -0000 Dear AL Birders, John Trent and I spent a better half of the day searching for Rusty Blackbirds in the River Region today (2/10/10). And we were certainly rewarded for our efforts. We started at Lake Jackson at mid-morning where we previously found a flock of 100 or so during a the Montgomery CBC, but we didn't find any. So we then headed over to a very large tract of private property (with permission) near Milbrook and covered many of the flooded bottomland hardwood areas. We found Rusties at 3 locations on the property totaling 102 individuals. The largest flock was at the property entrance along AL Hwy 143 (at the Elmore/Montgomery County Line). We estimated the flock at 95 individuals with a male/female sex ratio of 4:1. A good number of males were singing while the rest of the flock were feeding in young regenerating forested wetlands. This property harbored over 200 individuals during the 2008/2009 CBC, making this a reliable site! We then headed to the Fort Toulouse Forever Wild Tract. But before we got there, we found a sizeable flock of 200 individuals foraging on both sides of Fort Toulouse Road in a very nice stand of mature bottomland hardwoods (about 3/4 mile from US Hwy 231 intersection). Rusties were scattered out in a big area and made estimation a bit difficult, so we were conservative with our count. We then headed to the Fort Toulouse Forever Wild Tract, which has been harboring one of the largest flocks in Alabama this season (>700 less than 2 weeks ago). However today numbers were lower than normal at around 100 birds. Again, the sex ratio was heavily skewed toward the males. Not only are the bottomland hardwoods on the tract ideal, this site has been a slam dunk for Rusties for the past 3 seasons now! So all told we counted over 400 Rusties today, not to shabby for the River Region. We're now in the home stretch with the Rusty Blackbird Blitz and if you haven't participated yet, please consider doing so. The more participation the better. And please try not to let the threat of weekend snow interfere with your birding plans... Good Birding, Eric Soehren Shorter, AL