RBA
*Alabama
*Statewide
*INTERNET ONLY
*December 19, 2008
*ALST0812.19
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--- Species added since last report ---
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Red-throated Loon
Pacific Loon
Rough-legged Hawk
Glaucous Gull
Western Tanager
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--- Species previously reported ---
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Eared Grebe
Great Cormorant (???)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (+ 2 new locations)
Western Kingbird
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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 A
tlas
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: December 19, 2008
Phone number to leave messages about rare birds: 256/773-8560
Compiler: Steve W. McConnell
Email: swmavocet@aol.
Alabama Rare Bird Report – Friday, December 19, 2008.
A dark, juvenile ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was discovered 12/19 in Lawrence County.
From its intersection with AL 20, follow AL 101 north for 1.4 miles to a
high-tension powerline crossing. The hawk was seen hunting in this area close
to the road around noon and then at the back of the field to the southeast later
in the afternoon. [DeAL 17-D9]
A juvenile RED-THROATED LOON was found 12/16-17 just east of the US72/US31
causeway north of Decatur. This area is just southwest of White Springs Dike.
[DeAL 18-F4][BGtA p. 244][NABT #20]
At Guntersville, the adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL continues off and on on the
pilings at the south end of the US 431 bridge. An EARED GREBE was seen again
12/10 & 12/13 swimming in Browns Creek south of the AL 69 causeway. On 12/13 a
PACIFIC LOON was also found here. [DeAL 26-A1; 25-A&B10][BGtA p. 258-259][NABT
#35]
I’ve seen no recent r
eports (positive or negative) about the adult GREAT CORMORANT discovered last
month at the W.F. George Dam in Henry County. The bird successfully fished in
the river below the dam just across the stateline in Georgia but also at times
flew 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
be found at:
http://www.birdingo
[DeAL 54-G5][BGtA p. 95]
A female WESTERN TANAGER was a surprise visitor 12/13-15 at Shell Mound Park on
Dauphin Island. The bird fed on hackberries and sometimes was found at the
“Little” Mounds near the shoreline north of the main park. A WESTERN KINGBIRD
were seen again 12/13 behind Ft. Gaines at the east end and an adult LESSER
BLACK-BACKED GULL was found south of the pier on Pelican “peninsula.” [DeAL
64-B3&B4][BGtA p. 6-12][ACBT #43]
Just north of Dauphin Island, a first winter GLAUCOUS GULL was discovered 12/13
at Bayfront Park. It was not seen on a return visit 12/18. [DeAL 62-H3]
An adult LESSER BLACK-BA
CKED GULL was seen 12/16 at the Magnolia Springs landfill in Baldwin County.
The landfill hours are 7 am – 3 pm, Mon-Fri and 7 am-12:30 Sat. To bird inside
the landfill, park near the Coastal Birding Trail sign near 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 continue straight ahead at
the T-intersection past the scale house, up the hill, to the viewing area on
top. Pull your vehicle well out of the way to the left since trucks use this
road also. The observation platform should be obvious at this location.
Confine your birding to this location – do not explore. DO NOT approach the
workers or equipment and if they approach you, move and DO NOT block the way.
[DeAL 63-G7][BGtA p. 37][ACBT #19]
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.