RBA

 

*Alabama

*Statewide

*INTERNET ONLY

*December 8, 2008

*ALST0812.08

 

=====================================

--- Species added since last report ---

=====================================

 

Eared Grebe

Golden Eagle

Buff-bellied Hummingbird

Broad-tailed Hummingbird

Western Kingbird

Clay-colored Sparrow

 

=====================================

--- Species previously reported ---

=====================================

 

Barnacle Goose (escaped?)

Great Cormorant

ICELAND GULL (probable)

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Northern Saw-whet Owl

 

----------------------------------------------------------

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

----------------------------------------------------------

 

Alabama Ornithological Society website:

http://www.bham.net/aos/

 

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: December 8, 2008

Phone number to leave messages about rare birds:  256/773-8560

Compiler: Steve W. McConnell

Email: swmavocet@aol.com
 

Alabama Rare Bird Report – Monday, December 8, 2008.

An immature GOLDEN EAGLE was discovered 12/6 near Hampton Cove southeast of Huntsville.  Photos of the bird soaring with a Turkey Vulture may be viewed at:
http://natureshots.smugmug.com/gallery/6769104_2LfdX#432264457_mnoC7

Directions:  Follow US 431 east and then southeast from Huntsville.  At around 5.0 miles past the crest of Monte Sano, turn left on County 28 (Old US 431).  I believe there is a Publix at this intersection.  Follow the road as it curves right.  In about 2.7 miles you will reach two narrow bridges over the Flint River.  Pull off where there is room on the left.  The eagle was seen soaring over this area.  Since this is deer hunting season there may be a chance it stayed in the general area to feast on discarded remains.  Results of searches for this bird would be appreciated. [DeAL 19-E9]

A distant, immature, white-winged gull was20seen 12/6 out in the river channel northwest from the Lurleen Wallace Dr. cliff parking lot in Guntersville.  Presumably this was the ICELAND GULL again last reported for sure on 11/26. Also on that day the adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was again on the US 431 pilings at the south end of the bridge and an EARED GREBE was found swimming in Browns Creek south of the AL 69 causeway.  [DeAL 26-A1; 25-A&B10][BGtA p. 258-259][NABT #35]

Through 12/5, three more NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS were banded at a private yard in Clay northeast of Birmingham.  This makes 13 so far for this season! 

The adult GREAT CORMORANT discovered last month at the W.F. George Dam in Henry County, continued to be seen through 12/7.  The bird has successfully fished in the river below the dam just across the stateline in Georgia but has also at times flown 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.com/mq/9-32oC1zm*9NCrUcdnAXNP

Since this cormorant spends much of its time in Georgia, updates on it there may be found at:  http://www.birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/GABO.html

[DeAL 54-G5][BGtA p. 95] 

 Some bird detective work recently located a Eufaula collector who is missing an unbanded BARNACLE GOOSE.  This calls into question even more the origin of the bird seen during recent weeks on Lake Eufaula and Lakepoint SP. [DeAL 54-B4][BGtA p. 86]

An immature, male BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD was banded 12/1 at the Dortch home in Fairhope.  A BUFF-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD has also been present recently.  Visitors are welcome.  Please email downbythebay@bellsouth.net for directions.  Once you are there please be sure to park in the driveway and avoid the neighbor’s “no parking” signs.

 A WESTERN KINGBIRD and CLAY-COLORED SPARROW were seen 12/7 behind Ft. Gaines at the east end of Dauphin Island.   [DeAL 64-B3&B4][BGtA p. 6-12][ACBT #43]

 

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.com

 

Thank you.

-End Transcript