Alabama (Statewide) RBA
May 6, 2009
Date: Wed, 6 May 2009 22:35:15 -0400
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Subject: RBA Alabama Statewide: May 6, 2009
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RBA
*Alabama
*Statewide
*INTERNET ONLY
*May 6, 2009
*ALST0905.06
=====================================
--- Species added since last report ---
=====================================
Pacific Loon
Least Bittern
Wilson’s Phalarope
Willow Flycatcher
Warbling Vireo
=====================================
--- Species previously reported ---
=====================================
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK
Glossy Ibis (gone?)
Marbled Godwit (new location)
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Please note: Species CAPITALIZED above are on the Alabama Bird Records Committee
review list. Check the AOS website (address below - look in ABRC section) for
forms and suggestions on how to submit your sightings of these species to the
state database.
Written details, photos, recordings, etc. are highly desired for ABRC Review
List species and should be sent to:
Greg D. Jackson
2220 Baneberry Drive, Birmingham, AL 35244
g_d_jackson@bellsouth.net
Fax: 205/987-5167
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Alabama Ornithological Society website:
http://www.bham.net/aos/
Alabama RBA archives:
http://www.tvas.org/rba.htm
DeAL = DeLorme Alabama Atlas
BGtA = Birde
r’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: May 6, 2009
Phone number to leave messages about rare birds: 256/773-8560
Compiler: Steve W. McConnell
Email: swmavocet@aol.com
Alabama Rare Bird Report – Wednesday, May 6, 2009.
Participants on the Wheeler NWR spring count 5/2 compiled 153 species in between
dodging rain and lightning. The most active area seemed to be Swan Creek WMA,
especially sites #1, 2, and 4, marked on this web map:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=113138002985249942540.000469485e85655f0d46b&t=h&ll=34.65891,-86.968417&spn=0.011984,0.027809&z=16
Site #1 is a grassy island of sorts surrounded by the currently flooded
dewatering area. The best view is from the opening through the trees southwest
of the maintenance sheds. On 5/2 a MARBLED GODWIT and two Black-necked Stilts
were seen here in the morning. Later in the day a Tricolored Heron was also
found here. On 5/3, the heron was still present but the godwit and stilts had
departed. In their place were a Ruddy Turnstone and Willet! A return visit
5/5 following the change in weather found no rarities.
Site #2 is a wet ditch and flooded field across the road from a
n industrial warehouse. On 5/2 four Black-necked Stilts were found here.
Site #4 is a cattail and cordgrass marsh located just west of the RR track. On
5/2 a LEAST BITTERN was heard responded to a tape coax.
On 5/5, site #3 was visited and it also had shorebirds of several species
including a female WILSON’S PHALAROPE. [DeAL 18-E4][BGtA p. 248]
The GLOSSY IBIS seen last week through 5/1 at the observation building pond on
Wheeler NWR near Decatur has apparently departed. If you still want to try,
the visitor center and observation building are open Tues-Sat, 9 am-4 pm.
[DeAL 18-G4][BGtA p. 240][NABT #16]
A northwest Alabama May Big Day effort 5/4 was very successful totaling 164
species in only Lauderdale and Colbert Counties! The notable finds were:
two PACIFIC LOONS (one in alternate plumage!) with many Common Loons seen in the
Tennessee River east of Waterloo from the Brush Creek Park boat ramp [DeAL
16-B3]; a cooperative WILLOW FLYCATCHER that responded with song/calls to a
tape coax, located in scrub just west of Church Pond [DeAL 17-C6]; and a
WARBLING VIREO at Lauderdale WMA north of Waterloo [DeAL 16-A3].
A WARBLING VIREO was also found 5/2 in Waterloo near the community center and
tennis courts. This is very near where the species nested for several
consecutive season a few years ago. Have they returned again? [DeAL
16-B3] These sites may be viewed on this web map: http://maps.goog
le.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&ll=34.786933,-87.748833&spn=0.011966,0.027809&t=h&z=16&msid=113138002985249942540.0004694938be7731651e8
Four BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS continued 5/2 at Blakeley Island – this
time at pond #3 south of pond #4 where they were last week. Look for the
elevated shack and porta-john near some cattails south of the current work area.
The location is perhaps best reached from US 90 at the last entrance on the
right before starting to drive up the Cochrane Bridge. Park outside the gate
and walk up the hill past the large white CO2 tank and continue east between
ponds 5S and 1. Pond 4 is the next on the right east of pond 1 (see map at web
site below). REMEMBER: this is an access-restricted area and an annual,
signed hold harmless permit is required to be in the possession of State Docks
security personnel prior to making your visit. A pre-visit notification phone
call to security personnel is also required. These rules have been established
in order to maintain access to this productive birding area and must be
followed to the letter. For full details, a map of the area, and copies of the
required permit visit the AOS web site at:
http://www.bham.net/aos/blakeley/. [DeAL 62-C4][BGtA p. 41][ACBT #32]
The following may be called for information:
Alabama Ornithological Society: Linda Reynolds (256/582-2970)
Alabama Wildlife Rehabilitation Center hotline: (205/621-3333)
Sighting information, and requests for regula
r email transcripts, can be submitted by email to:
swmavocet@aol.com
Thank you.
-End Transcript