RBA
*Alabama
*Statewide
*INTERNET ONLY
*February 23, 2009
*ALST0902.23
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--- Species added since last report ---
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Surf Scoter
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--- Species previously reported ---
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Great Cormorant (AL-GA line)
Golden Eagle
BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD
HOODED ORIOLE
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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: February 23, 2009
Phone number to leave messages about rare birds: 256/773-8560
Compiler: Steve W. McConnell
Email: swmavocet@aol.
Alabama Rare Bird Report – Monday, February 23, 2009.
The adult male HOODED ORIOLE continued through 2/23 at the Hicks home east of
Barnwell (Baldwin County) near Week's Bay Preserve. The arrangements are to
first call Kathy Hicks at 251-751-9195
AL 181 turns/curves left (east) here and then in a short distance right (south)
again.
The street straight ahead will be Sherwood, but continue south on AL 181.
Just past this second tur
n you want to stop at the 3rd house on the left (13906 County 27, Fairhope, AL
36532). The house is dark brown brick with a chain link fenced yard.
If you reach Pecan Drive, you passed it. Park out-of-the-
Parking on very busy County 27 would be a bad idea. Enter the front yard through
the open gate and walk left and then right following the fence toward the
backyard.
In the neighbor's backyard you will see several satsuma (orange) bushes where
the oriole feeds. It also has visited the kumquat bushes on the south side of
the Hicks’ house.
It sometimes perches in the trees in the Hicks' backyard before flying in to
feed. There have also been Baltimore Orioles in the yard. PLEASE be on your
best birding behavior as this is a residential neighborhood. There is no need
to disturb those inside the house during your visit.
Also, PLEASE do not push this bird by approaching too close. [DeAL 63-G6]
The Baldwin County male BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD continued through at least
2/20. It is at the Friend home in Montrose (call 251-928-4437 for latest
information and directions) [DeAL 62-E5]
The adult GREAT CORMORANT discovered last November at the W.F. George Dam in
Henry County continued to be seen through 2/22. The bird successfully fishes in
the river below the dam just across the stateline in Georgia but also may at
times fly north over the dam into Alabama territory. To reach the best vantage
point below the dam from the Alabama bank, turn at the first access road east of
the Henry County 46 & 97 intersection and travel east along the dam to a right
turn downhill to the fishing parking area. An aerial view of this location (and
the AL-GA boundary situation) may be seen at:
http://www.mapquest
Since this cormorant spends much of its time in Georgia, updates on it there may
also be found at:
http://www.birdingo
[DeAL 54-G5][BGtA p. 95]
A return to the Wates Cemetary area in western Lauderdale County 2/22 was
successful in relocating an adult GOLDEN EAGLE (presumably the same bird seen
2/6). It was observed this trip from 12:10 to around 1:15 pm upriver
(southeast) toward the mouth of Panther Creek. On 2/6 it was seen around 12:05
pm in this same general location. Also found 2/22 was a female SURF SCOTER with
a small group of goldeneye just southeast of the road’s end. This location (the
end of the cemetery road) is 14.8 miles from Waterloo. From town follow County
45 (Pea Ridge Road) north to County 3 (State Line Road). Turn left (west) and
continue for some distance along the frequently clear cut ridgeline and then
lower elevation thick forest (and 3-4 stream crossings, cars o.k.) to the
T-intersection with “McKelvy Hollow Road” in a thick pine stand. Turn left
(south) and follow this road to the cemetery on the left and the gorgeous river
view at the end.
Caution: this is a remote area with little traffic this time of year and no
facilities. Bring provisions! Surprisingly, however, at least some cell phones
work! A detailed WMA map of this area is at:
http://www.outdoora
[DeAL 16-A&B2, B3]
I’ve seen no positive reports of the SNOWY OWL found last month at Spring Hill,
Tennessee, in a week or so but the bird might still be present. For the latest
information and directions check:
http://www.birdingo
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