The Night the Lights Went out on Dauphin Island

By Colonel Bob Reed

 

            The Fall 2001 meeting of the AOS was a mixed bag of tricks and treats.  The winds were 25 miles an hour, gusting to 40, which kept us from seeing many passerines. The total numbers of warblers and thrushes were down, even for the normally slow fall meeting.  However, the winds were out of the south, which pushed a large number of Magnificent Frigatebirds close to shore.  One field trip group saw over 20!  Another group saw a stationary flock riding the wind at about power pole level, directly over head!

            Another group saw an unusual Redhead (duck) serenely swimming at the airport. At least three Scissor-tailed Flycatchers were spotted, two near the west end of the four lane and one at Ft. Gaines.  Four White-winged Doves kept the western pair of flycatchers company. 

            The dead tree near the north end of Grant Street was an exceptionally productive spot.  One group saw a probable Mourning Warbler in the goldenrod below the tree on Friday.  Another group, looking for the warbler, saw a dark phase Merlin perch directly overhead, only to leave in haste.  A few moments later, a Sharp-shinned Hawk perched in the same tree.  It was mobbed by a gang of Blue Jays and took to the wing, but he didn’t take his harassment quietly.  He circled, trying to lose his tormentors.  When that failed, he fought back, turning on the jays and teaching them a little respect.  An Ash-throated Flycatcher showed up at the fort, and was later relocated near the tree.  A group of us who headed to the tree to see the flycatcher didn’t find it, but instead we found a Grove-billed Ani, which pleased me greatly.  It was a life bird for most of us who saw it.

            The weather hounded us all weekend.  Most of the rain was, thankfully, during the dark hours, but one very black cloud which passed over shortly after noon on Saturday reportedly had a funnel cloud in it ten minutes later.  A storm struck during the last of dinner Saturday, and just as Ron Rohrbaugh, the speaker for the meeting, stood up to entertain and teach us with his slides and presentation, the power went out, and stayed out.  He tried valiantly to continue, speaking without lights, slides, or notes, to an audience of strangers whom he could not see, a truly daunting task.  He discussed the efforts to identify Alabama birds in trouble, and what was being done to save them.  He emphasized the contributions of nonscientists like you and I to the body of ornithological knowledge.  (Parts of the island didn’t get power back until 5:00 a.m. Sunday.)

            Sara Whitfield’s son, Jesse, took several boatloads over to Little Dauphin Island.  The group, led by an extremely experienced birder, Paul Militios who was visiting from Texas, didn’t add any extraordinary birds, but all had a good time.  Some were even lucky enough to bring back several fire ant bites as souvenirs.  All had excellent looks at two very cooperative American Oystercatchers.  Most folks got brief glimpses of a Salt Marsh Skipper, a small butterfly which has apparently been extirpated from most of its range.

            John Stowes and Jesse boated another group over to Sand Island, just opposite the golf clubhouse.  They had a fantastic trip, getting good looks at a Peregrine Falcon perched on a post, and comparing Caspian and Royal Terns as they lounged on the beach.  Just as the group began looking at a Sandwich Tern, a Long-billed Curlew, and some Marbled Godwits, the sun made a rare appearance and allowed them to see the tern’s yellow-tipped bill and the finer parts of all three’s plumage.  Several Reddish Egrets danced and entertained the group.

            Larry Gardella wound up his presidency, and Allen Tubbs became the President Sunday.  The new Vice President is your writer and the new Treasurer is Karen Wilson.  It’s almost a sin to put those names in this article and omit the many people that work tirelessly -- although they do get very tired -- to keep AOS going and to make the meetings successful. Many of them give up birding during most of the weekend so that others can enjoy programs, food, field trips and entertainment. AOS is truly a team effort of many players.  If you aren’t involved in this team, you’re missing the privilege of working with some wonderful people.

            I am richer because of my AOS friends.