Alabama (Statewide) RBA
February 12, 2010
Date: Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:52:13 -0500
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Subject: RBA Alabama Statewide: February 12, 2010
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o1D3s1R7073132
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
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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.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@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@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@aol.com
Thank you.
-End Transcript