RBA
*Alabama
*Statewide
*INTERNET ONLY
*January 18, 2009
*ALST0901.18
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--- Species added since last report ---
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CACKLING GOOSE
Eared Grebe
Short-eared Owl
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--- Species previously reported ---
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Pacific Loon (new location)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (+ new location)
Glaucous Gull (+2 new locations)
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--- Farther afield ---
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Snowy Owl, Spring Hill, Tennessee
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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@
Fax: 205/987-5167
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Alabama Ornithological Society website:
http://www.bham.
Alabama RBA archives:
http://www.tvas.
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.northala
ACBT = Alabama Coastal Birding Trail (http://www.alabamac
- Transcript
Hotline: Alabama Ornithological Society Rare Bird Alert
Date: January 18, 2009
Phone number to leave messages about rare birds: 256/773-8560
Compiler: Steve W. McConnell
Email: swmavocet@aol.
Alabama Rare Bird Report – Sunday, January 18, 2009.
Recent visitors to the Magnolia Springs landfill in Baldwin County have reported
the continuing presence of several LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS and at least two
“white-winged” gulls one of which is almost certainly a GLAUCOUS. The identity
of a second gull appearing all-white in photos remains somewhat of a mystery.
The landfill hours have been changed recently so check at the office for latest
information. The current hours are believed to be 7 am – 3 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 b
asic 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. [DeAL 63-G7][BGtA p. 37][ACBT
#19]
A 1st winter GLAUCOUS GULL was found 1/14 on a post in the southern edge of Lake
Shelby in Gulf SP. The location is best viewed from the nature center and
picnic parking lot. [DeAL 64-F3][BGtA p. 34][ACBT #7]
At Guntersville, the adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL continued 1/10 on the
pilings at the south end of the US 431 bridge. It was joined that day by a 1st
winter GLAUCOUS GULL. An EARED GREBE was seen again 1/10 swimming in Browns
Creek south of the AL 69 causeway. The PACIFIC LOON was also seen again there
1/17. [DeAL 26-A1; 25-A&B10][BGtA p. 258-259][NABT #35]
A SHORT-EARED OWL was seen 1/11 about 20 minutes after sunset over the field
just east of the observation platform at Key Cave NWR in Lauderdale County. [DeAL
17-D6][BGtA p. 229][NABT #9]
Two CACKLING GEESE were seen 1/16 with Canada and Greater White-fronted Geese in
the field west of the Wheeler NWR observation building. [DeAL 18-G4][BGtA p.
240][NABT #16]
Farther afield a SNOWY OWL was found in Spring Hill, Tennessee, late last week.
Turns out the bird has been present in the area since early December. It
continued to cooperate for excellent views and photographs through 1/18. For
the latest information and directions check:
http://www.birdingo
The next meeting of the Alabama Ornithological Society will be January 23-25 in
Spanish Fort at the brand new 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center located on US 90/98
east of Mobile.
http://www.outdoora
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 regular email transcripts, can be
submitted by email to:
swmavocet@aol.
Thank you.
-End Transcript