Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from Alabama Birds > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Friday, November 20 at 02:00 PM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Cuckoo Shrike,©Jan Wilczur

20 Nov Wilson Dam closure Saturday [] 19 Nov November Dickcissel (Mobile County) ["eric_soehren" ] 18 Nov Backyard Surprise [Chazz Hesselein ] 18 Nov Correction ["hhorne AT earthlink.net" ] 17 Nov CBA Field Trip this weekend: MEETING TIME AND LOCATION ["hhorne AT earthlink.net" ] 16 Nov Nighthawk Transformation ["carrieanddaviddownbythebay" ] 15 Nov Buffs and ochres in the long wet grass ["Greg D. Jackson" ] 15 Nov More Saw-whets In Clay, Alabama [] 14 Nov Western Meadowlark ["Lucy and Bob Duncan" ] 14 Nov Warblers [] 13 Nov RE: Survey Data Needed [] 12 Nov Duncan Birding Report from the field... ["hehorne" ] 12 Nov Anniston Update For Nov. 12, 2009 ["Debbie" ] 12 Nov Re: owls and the moon [] 12 Nov owls and the moon [Bert Harris ] 12 Nov Report From The Local Owl Farm [] 11 Nov Re: eBirding in Alabama and w. Florida ["Gregory J. Harber" ] 12 Nov Lesser Nighthawk: NO ["hehorne" ] 11 Nov eBirding in Alabama and w. Florida ["Lucy and Bob Duncan" ] 11 Nov Re: Survey Data Needed ["Gregory J. Harber" ] 11 Nov Ft Morgan - Common Nighthawk ["kchiasson74" ] 11 Nov Both Lesser and Common Nighthawk present at Dauphin Island ["hehorne" ] 11 Nov Survey Data Needed [] 11 Nov Re: Lesser Nighthawk photos: identification points [David And Carrie Dortch ] 11 Nov Lesser Nighthawk photos: identification points ["hehorne" ] 11 Nov Lesser Nighthawk photo ["carrieanddaviddownbythebay" ] 11 Nov Flooding, but . . . ["Larry Gardella" ] 11 Nov Lesser Nighthawk Yes ["downbythebay AT bellsouth.net" ] 11 Nov Lesser Nighthawk photos posted... ["hehorne" ] 11 Nov New In our yard [] 10 Nov LESSER NIGHTHAWK still present (4:15 pm) [] 10 Nov definitely a LESSER NIGHTHAWK at Ft. Gaines ["Lucy and Bob Duncan" ] 10 Nov Anniston Update ["Debbie" ] 10 Nov Lesser Nighthawk - NOW ["Lucy and Bob Duncan" ] 10 Nov Silverhill ["kchiasson74" ] 09 Nov White Pelicans at Swan Creek ["orm091101" ] 8 Nov Green-tailed Towhee - yes! for Sunday ["Lucy and Bob Duncan" ] 08 Nov Fort Morgan: NUTMEG MANNIKINS ["hehorne" ] 08 Nov Yellow-headed Blackbird ["tsiegwald" ] 7 Nov Powder Magazine - Lingerers ["Larry Gardella" ] 6 Nov Rick Remy's male Rufous [] 06 Nov CBA Field Trip this Weekend: Fort Morgan ["hehorne" ] 6 Nov Re: Yellow-headed Blackbird on DI [David And Carrie Dortch ] 6 Nov Yellow-headed Blackbird on DI [David And Carrie Dortch ] 6 Nov Saw-whet Owl #2 [] 5 Nov Green-tailed Towhee - yes! ["Lucy and Bob Duncan" ] 5 Nov Another Area Rufous Banded [] 5 Nov overnight surge ["Lucy and Bob Duncan" ] 4 Nov Ft. Pickens this season ["Lucy and Bob Duncan" ] 4 Nov Dauphin Island [David And Carrie Dortch ] 04 Nov Ft Morgan Scissor-Tailed Flycatchers ["kchiasson74" ] 04 Nov Rufous Hummingbird--Irondale ["rick_remy" ] 04 Nov Whoops ["Eve" ] 04 Nov A Few Arrivals ["Eve" ] 3 Nov Hummer Program Reminder [] 03 Nov AL and FL Panhandle CBC dates [Chazz Hesselein ] 2 Nov Rusty Blackbird Blitz Jan 30- Feb 15 Volunteers Needed [Brian Rolek ] 2 Nov Auburn sparrows ["James Holmes Jr" ] 02 Nov YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD: Fort Morgan ["hehorne" ] 2 Nov Re: Saw-whet Owl in Clay, Alabama [] 2 Nov Saw-whet Owl in Clay, Alabama [] 1 Nov Skulking in the long grass ["Greg D. Jackson" ] 1 Nov Cause and effect? ["Lucy and Bob Duncan" ] 01 Nov Ft Morgan ["kchiasson74" ] 01 Nov Anniston November 1, 2009 ["Debbie" ] 1 Nov Green-tailed Towhee & Ash-throated Flycatcher at Ft. Pickens ["Lucy and Bob Duncan" ] 1 Nov GREEN TAILED TOWHEE [] 1 Nov Green-tailed tohee Ft pickens Sun A.M. [] 31 Oct Anniston Update ["Debbie" ] 30 Oct Buff-bellied Hummingbird - gone? [David And Carrie Dortch ] 30 Oct Weekend outlook ["Lucy and Bob Duncan" ] 30 Oct Calliope in Cullman, Alabama [] 29 Oct Re: BUFF-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD: Dauphin Island (10/29/09) [David And Carrie Dortch ] 29 Oct Re: BUFF-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD: Dauphin Island (10/29/09) [David And Carrie Dortch ] 29 Oct BUFF-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD: Dauphin Island (10/29/09) ["hehorne" ] 29 Oct Wintering Hummers [] Subject: Wilson Dam closure Saturday From: TNbarredowl AT aol.com Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:59:06 -0500 In case anyone is planning a run to nw Alabama this weekend: The Tennessee River Athletic Club is sponsoring a 10K Dam-Bridge Run Saturday morning. Wilson Dam will be closed to ALL traffic Saturday morning until 8:30 a.m.. Reservation Road will also be closed from the Hwy. 133 access road to Wilson Dam. If you want to watch gulls around here Saturday, start your day at Wheeler Dam. Damien Simbeck Killen, AL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: November Dickcissel (Mobile County) From: "eric_soehren" <esoehren AT netzero.com> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:51:38 -0000 ALBirders: Today (18 Nov) while performing surveys for Henslow's Sparrows on the Forever Wild Grand Bay Savanna Gidden's Tract (located just southwest of Bayou La Batre), John Trent and I flushed up a first winter Dickcissel from a dense mat of Panicum grasses. It was associating with a small group of Swamp Sparrows. Our surveys focused in areas where we recently performed a large-scale warm-season fire this past June as part of a management perscription for our ongoing efforts of restoring the area's coastal pine savanna ecosystem. This observation was quite unexpected given the time of year and is worth noting. For those interested in seeing pictures, I attached two photos of this individual (entitled HY Dickcissel) in the Photos Section in my folder. As for the results of our Henslow's Sparrow survey, we only detected them in the large pitcher plant bog located north of Marine Lab Road. We tallied 4 individuals within a 25 minute search effort, which was the first time we noted them in that particular bog in over 2 years... Good Birding, Eric Soehren Shorter, AL Subject: Backyard Surprise From: Chazz Hesselein <chazz AT hesselein.com> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:49:45 -0600 This evening while sitting in my dining room I heard a Great Horned Owl calling. I walked outside to hear two owls serenading each other. I got my wife and visiting mother-in-law to go outside and told them I would try to call the owls in with my mp3 player. Unfortunately, I didn't have Great Horned Owl on my mp3 player (but I am prepared for the occasional Great Gray Owl), so I thought I would try to get the owls to respond to my poor call imitation. The owls seemed to respond, or at least they were calling so that all could hear. What happened next, I couldn't have predicted, as out of the dark one of the owls swooped in at me veering about 10 feet from my head and landing in an overhead tree branch. That scared the bejesus out of me and I remembered Howard Horne tell of wearing a helmet while he called Great Horned Owls in for his Boy Scout troupe- I wasn't wearing a helmet. Guess my owl call wasn't so bad after all. We all got quite a show as the other owl came flying into the yard. My daughter then joined us and as I pointed my flashlight at the birds we got to see them swoop from tree to tree. I can still hear them calling as I type this note. Quite a treat and tale to tell! Good night and good birding! Chazz Hesselein Mobile, AL Subject: Correction From: "hhorne AT earthlink.net" <hhorne@earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:41:36 -0500 Hi again, It was late last night when I composed my e-mail message and I was trying to multi-task while typing (something I should learn to stop doing). I accidently forgot the word "NOT" in my explanation for why we will be birding the landfill instead of the sod farm areas: "...Our original plan was to visit sod farm areas in South Baldwin County for Swainson’s Hawk, Sprague’s Pipit, Longspurs, and Sparrows. Bill Summerour has investigated sites we have birded in the past and suitable habitat does "NOT" currently exist for these species in the traditional areas. Therefore we will change our plans somewhat: Right now the plan is to bird the landfill for gulls (and maybe a snow bunting or two) and then head over to the new Graham Creek Preserve near Foley. We may be able to try for sparrows in the pitcher plant bogs in this new park. We will still meet at the parking lot entrance to the MAGNOLIA LANDFILL located on Baldwin County Road 49 north of Highway 98 (15140 CR49) at 8 AM I apologize for any confusion this may have caused. Good Birding, Howard Horne Mobile, AL -------------------------------------------------------------------- mail2web.com – What can On Demand Business Solutions do for you? http://link.mail2web.com/Business/SharePoint Subject: CBA Field Trip this weekend: MEETING TIME AND LOCATION From: "hhorne AT earthlink.net" <hhorne@earthlink.net> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:38:54 -0500 Hi all, Due to an oversight the meeting time and location for the Nov. 21 South Baldwin County CBA birding trip was inadvertently omitted from the newsletter and our website. We will meet at the parking lot entrance to the MAGNOLIA LANDFILL located on Baldwin County Road 49 north of Highway 98 (15140 CR49) at 8 AM. Our original plan was to visit sod farm areas in South Baldwin County for Swainson’s Hawk, Sprague’s Pipit, Longspurs, and Sparrows. Bill Summerour has investigated sites we have birded in the past and suitable habitat does currently exist for these species in the traditional areas. Therefore we will change our plans somewhat: Right now the plan is to bird the landfill for gulls (and maybe a snow bunting or two) and then head over to the new Graham Creek Preserve near Foley. We may be able to try for sparrows in the pitcher plant bogs in this new park. Please feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions regarding the trip: hhorne AT earthlink.net Thanks, Howard Horne Mobile, AL -------------------------------------------------------------------- mail2web.com – What can On Demand Business Solutions do for you? http://link.mail2web.com/Business/SharePoint Subject: Nighthawk Transformation From: "carrieanddaviddownbythebay" <downbythebay AT bellsouth.net> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:32:53 -0000 I have changed the title of the Goatsucker photo in my album to Common Nighthawk. Alas, so many cautionary tails in my bird book. I guess it wasn't such an incredible coincidence to have the Common Nighthawk sitting behind the Fort where the Lesser Nighthawk had been the afternoon before, but it sure crossed me up. I guess its time to start mis-identifying Sparrows... David Dortch Fairhope AL Subject: Buffs and ochres in the long wet grass From: "Greg D. Jackson" <g_d_jackson AT bellsouth.net> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 09:08:13 -0600 AL Birders: Yesterday morning (14 Nov) I enjoyed one of my favorite activities, stalking grassland birds. Continuing my recent trend of birding close to home, I worked some tall grass fields I had noticed this fall on Tanyard Road near Harpersville. Dawn broke foggy and with a nip in the air, but winds were calm and the sun eventually broke through the gloom. The grass was dripping, and standing water was present in many areas -- despite my Wellies I spent the morning soaked to the skin from hips to toes. As I expected from the habitat, large numbers of sparrows were present, with hordes of Savannahs, Songs, and Swamps, and a smattering of other species including Vesper. A GRASSHOPPER SPARROW was fun, though was a challenge to photograph through the fog; Grasshoppers breed in this area, but this bird was quite late in departing (rare in winter in the Mountain Region). Also late were two House Wrens, two Palm Warblers, and three Com. Yellowthroats. Finding "marsh" wrens in the Mountain Region is always a treat, but I had no idea I'd find a thundering herd of these birds in Shelby County. Two MARSH WRENS were nice, but paled beside a count of FIFTEEN SEDGE WRENS (visual on 14)! The Sedge tally is by far a maximum for north Alabama, and if I'd had time, and had been willing to cross a fence into another good field, I likely could have logged even more. Best bird of the morning appeared behind me as I was fussing; I turned to find it sitting quietly at a distance in a tuft of grass. This LE CONTE'S SPARROW was unfortunately backlit by the sun, and when I repositioned to get better light it vanished, not to be found again; I made a few poor "record shots" of the bird. Le Conte's is only occasionally seen in the Mountain Region, and this is the first recorded in November. I've had three species of Ammodramus sparrows in Shelby County in the last couple of weeks, a surprise in the Birmingham area. A quick run through the sod farms didn't turn up much, but it didn't matter, as I was in heaven after spending my morning with these lovely grass birds! I've posted a few photos starting at http://www.pbase.com/gdjackson/image/119393454 . Greg Greg D. Jackson Birmingham, AL g_d_jackson AT bellsouth.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: More Saw-whets In Clay, Alabama From: RubyThroat AT aol.com Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 08:58:56 EST Albirders For those that are still interested in such things, Martha and I banded two more owls in the wee small hours this morning. Both were adult females, one of which had a real attitude problem when handled. The last owl of the morning was netted between 4:15AM and first light. With sore fingers in rural Clay, Alabama Bob and Martha Sargent [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Western Meadowlark From: "Lucy and Bob Duncan" <town_point AT bellsouth.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:54:44 -0600 Hi all, A Western Meadowlark made a brief appearance in my neighborhood in Gulf Breeze in the extreme western Panhandle about a half hour ago. I spotted this lone Meadowlark in the top of a bare hickory tree near the tip of the Santa Rosa Peninsula. This is inside a gated community. The bird was yellowish in the malar area on a rather featureless face. I was able to get Ron Davis to also look at the bird and while he was looking at it, it began calling. I returned to the house to get Lucy and her camera and played the call which matched Western Meadowlark. When we returned, it was gone and probably left the area as there is no suitable habitat in the area for it to linger long. There is a Western Meadowlark somewhere in the western Panhandle! Bob Duncan Gulf Breeze [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Warblers From: jjoa AT mindspring.com Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:44:07 +0000 Along with Yellow rumps we had a Bay-breasted warbler today in the yard. Seems rather late!Good birding.Lorna West,OpeliKa,Al Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T Subject: RE: Survey Data Needed From: anthony.zemba AT b-e-c.com Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:03:07 -0500 Dear Gregory: Yes, there is desire for migratory stopover and wintering site data as well. Thank you for picking up on this very important aspect of avian ecology and conservation that I had inadvertently left out of my e-mail requesting survey data. The migration number and wintering/non breeding population thresholds for each species listed previously is generally the same as the “breeding individuals” number with the following exceptions: For Northern Bobwhite it is 240 individuals, and 90 individuals for Rusty Blackbird. Additionally, any migratory stopover site that reliably hosts 60 or more Buff-breasted Sandpipers, 90 or more Olive-sided Flycatchers, 15 or more Bicknell’s Thrush would also qualify as a Global IBA site in your state. The sites listed below that are “data-deficient” may not be recognized for Global IBA status without the supporting population data, but are likely to be recognized as State or even Continental Status IBAs so their value to avian ecology will not be disregarded. For this effort, Fort Morgan is actually part of the larger Bon Secour NWR/ Peninsula site. The AL state Global IBA committee has already identified Dauphin Island as meeting Audubon’s Global IBA status (with supporting data) and so this site will be reviewed by Audubon’s National Science Office Global IBA Program staff for possible official recognition. Regards, Anthony Anthony J. Zemba CHMM Senior Project Manager/Ecologist Professional Soil Scientist Baystate Environmental Consultants, Inc. a GZA company 296 North Main Street East Longmeadow, MA 01028 Office Phone: 413-525-3822 Direct: 413-523-0227 Office Fax: 413-525-8348 From: albirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:albirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Gregory J. Harber Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 4:37 PM To: anthony.zemba AT b-e-c.com; albirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [ALBIRDS] Survey Data Needed Anthony- Is there any desire for data from migratory stopover sites, or is NAS only concerned about breeding birds? It will look mighty awkward for the National Audubon Society to ignore nationally-renowned stopover sites like Fort Morgan and Dauphin Island. Also, please clarify for me, are you saying that areas with smaller numbers than what are listed here need not apply for IBA status? It would seem to me that ANY location that hosts some of these species ought to be on NAS' radar. -----Original Message----- From: anthony.zemba AT b-e-c.com Sent: Nov 11, 2009 2:04 PM To: albirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [ALBIRDS] Survey Data Needed Dear Alabama Birders: As a contractor for the National Audubon Society's Important Bird Areas Program, I have been working with Alabama representatives of the avian conservation community (local, state, and federal personnel) for the past year or so to identify sites that may potentially meet Audubon's criteria for recognition as a Globally Important Bird Area. To qualify as a Globally Important Bird Area in Alabama, a site must be able to support one or more of the following species above the respective population threshold: Northern Bobwhite - 40 breeding pairs /120 breeding individuals Black Rail - 10 breeding pairs /30 breeding individuals Whooping Crane - 1 breeding pair or breeding individual Piping Plover - 10 breeding pairs /30 breeding individuals Red-headed Woodpecker - 30 breeding pairs /90 breeding individuals Red-Cockaded Woodpecker - 10 breeding pairs /30 breeding individuals Cerulean Warbler - 15 breeding pairs /45 breeding individuals Golden-winged Warbler - 20 breeding pairs /60 breeding individuals Bachman's Sparrow - 20 breeding pairs /60 breeding individuals Henslow's Sparrow - 20 breeding pairs /60 breeding individuals Rusty Blackbird - 15 breeding pairs /45 breeding individuals or 90 non-breeding individuals Painted Bunting - 30 breeding pairs /90 breeding individuals If you have survey data (either published or raw data collected using sound science protocols) that can prove that one or more of the following data-deficient sites (listed at the end of this message) meets or exceeds this criteria, and would like to share that data to inform the process, please contact me at the information provided below. Thank You Anthony J. Zemba CHMM Senior Project Manager/Ecologist Professional Soil Scientist Baystate Environmental Consultants, Inc. a GZA company 296 North Main Street East Longmeadow, MA 01028 Office Phone: 413-525-3822 Direct: 413-523-0227 Office Fax: 413-525-8348 Data-deficient Sites: . Bon Secour NWR and Peninsula . Conecuh National Forest . Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge . Key Cave NWR . Mobile/Tensaw Delta . Perdido Long Leaf Hills . Splinter Hill Bog . State Cattle Ranch . Talladega - Shoal Creek/Talladega District . Tuskegee NF . Whele-Barbour WMA . Walls of Jericho [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Gregory J. Harber Birmingham, AL gharber AT mindspring.com "It's never too late to have a happy childhood." Tom Robbins [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Duncan Birding Report from the field... From: "hehorne" <hhorne AT earthlink.net> Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:59:40 -0000 Hi all, I just received a phone call from Lucy Duncan who reports a female-type SURF SCOTER from Gulf Shores State Park at the Lake Shelby Picnic Area located at Hwy 182 and 135 (the road leading into the park). I believe the bird is in the small pond directly south of Lake Shelby between the lake and Hwy 182 (?). The bird is apparently close in offering terrific photo opportunties. Also seen today by the Duncans were a Western Kingbird and Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at Fort Morgan, and a Bald Eagle there as well. Good Birding, Howard Horne Mobile, AL Subject: Anniston Update For Nov. 12, 2009 From: "Debbie" <DMCKEN9341 AT AOL.COM> Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:31:26 -0000 Hello Albirders, Today I saw a male Yellow-rumped "Myrtle" Warbler in my yard. I told my husband that I thought I had heard one off and on for about a week and a half. I posted an older picture of one on Pbase.com yesterday in hope that it would bring me luck in finding one in my yard. It must have worked as I seen him today. I have two male Pine Warblers. One is definitely the one that was in my yard last year. I know this because he came down to the meal and wax worms tray that was 4 feet from me. I believe this is the son of my regular male Pine Warbler. The male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, one lonely Winter Wren and several White-throated Sparrows are still here. Also, the resident Red-tailed Hawks are here again this year. They have been nesting not in my yard but close to it for at lest seven or eight years now. I am still waiting to see if I get a Brown Creeper. If so then I will have all the normally fall/winter birds that I have every year in my yard. No Pine Siskins yet, but I hope if they come that only a few show up. If Thistle seed wasn't so expensive then I would not care how many drop by. Last year I know at certain time I had at least 500. I was used to at least 300 American Goldfinches showing up every year but not the Pine Siskins. A couple of Ruby-crowned Kinglet are here also. Debbie (BirdLady) Subject: Re: owls and the moon From: RubyThroat AT aol.com Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:42:09 EST Bert and Albirders It appears to me that still dark nights in Alabama produce the most owls in the nets and the most vocalizations heard. However, regarding these Saw-whets, they are in my opinion mostly stone cold quiet here in winter. From Alabama to Singapore in an instant. The world is a small place nowadays. Nice to hear from Bert Harris. Bob Sargent Clay, Alabama In a message dated 11/12/2009 8:28:46 A.M. Central Standard Time, helmitherosharris AT yahoo.com writes: Hi Al birders, Bob's post made me wonder what everyone's experiences have been with owl activity and the moon phase. I am trying to plan some owl surveys in a very different part of the world (Sulawesi, Indonesia) but I bet that the general patterns are the same. When do you think owls call the most: full moon or new moon? Have you seen any published articles about this? It's great to hear the AL bird news and I look forward to seeing the Guntersville Xmas count people next month. Thanks! Bert Harris (currently in Singapore) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: owls and the moon From: Bert Harris <helmitherosharris AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:28:18 -0800 (PST) Hi Al birders, Bob's post made me wonder what everyone's experiences have been with owl activity and the moon phase. I am trying to plan some owl surveys in a very different part of the world (Sulawesi, Indonesia) but I bet that the general patterns are the same. When do you think owls call the most: full moon or new moon? Have you seen any published articles about this? It's great to hear the AL bird news and I look forward to seeing the Guntersville Xmas count people next month. Thanks! Bert Harris (currently in Singapore) ________________________________ From: "RubyThroat AT aol.com" To: albirds AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Fri, November 13, 2009 12:46:36 AM Subject: [ALBIRDS] Report From The Local Owl Farm   Albirders I still get emails from many fine folks who think that Martha and I are raising rare Northern Saw-whet Owls here at our place, specifically to release them here as part of a repopulation experiment. Going into last night's attempts, our "farming" efforts had been pretty short on results. However, last night, Martha and I managed to capture and band our 3rd and 4th Saw-whet of this young winter season! It was a fun here, since we saw at least one other owl in the vicinity of the nets that was not captured and had a possible unbanded owl just before dawn this morning. Additional sleep would be nice on some of these cooler nights. We had suspected (not predicted), that last night COULD be good for banding another owl or two. It was another cold, clear and very dark night. That thin sliver of a moon did not appear until early this morning. Yeow! The nights are alive with wildlife! Last night while running the nets we were entertained by a duet of some local coyotes. I know that the occurrence of these owls in Alabama is no longer considered rare, but thanks for allowing us to share our fun with you guys. Just think for minute, it appears the presence of these owls is very much like the documentation of all the hummer species that lived in Alabama all these years and went undetected. Luckier than we deserve in rural Clay, Alabama. Bless All. Bob and Martha Sargent [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Report From The Local Owl Farm From: RubyThroat AT aol.com Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:16:36 EST Albirders I still get emails from many fine folks who think that Martha and I are raising rare Northern Saw-whet Owls here at our place, specifically to release them here as part of a repopulation experiment. Going into last night's attempts, our "farming" efforts had been pretty short on results. However, last night, Martha and I managed to capture and band our 3rd and 4th Saw-whet of this young winter season! It was a fun here, since we saw at least one other owl in the vicinity of the nets that was not captured and had a possible unbanded owl just before dawn this morning. Additional sleep would be nice on some of these cooler nights. We had suspected (not predicted), that last night COULD be good for banding another owl or two. It was another cold, clear and very dark night. That thin sliver of a moon did not appear until early this morning. Yeow! The nights are alive with wildlife! Last night while running the nets we were entertained by a duet of some local coyotes. I know that the occurrence of these owls in Alabama is no longer considered rare, but thanks for allowing us to share our fun with you guys. Just think for minute, it appears the presence of these owls is very much like the documentation of all the hummer species that lived in Alabama all these years and went undetected. Luckier than we deserve in rural Clay, Alabama. Bless All. Bob and Martha Sargent [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: eBirding in Alabama and w. Florida From: "Gregory J. Harber" <gharber AT mindspring.com> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:18:52 -0600 Hey Lucy et al- Thanks for forwarding this note. Iąll second Bobąs opinion that eBird is easy to use. I have been entering the data from my BBG counts into eBird for years. Bob Reid first introduced me to the BBG surveys some years ago and we each took turns counting on alternate weeks during migration. Ty Keith took over for Bob when he passed away and we continue to submit the data into the eBird site. Now that we have many years worth of data for the BBG it is becoming much easier to note trends in migrants, resident birds, etc. One can generate lists for birding sites that are listed on eBird, such that if we all start to submit data for our favorite local birding site and someone else wants to visit the site they can query eBird to generate a list of birds documented there. Smart use of the technology, I think. I encourage all of the AL-birders to give it a try. One last note, in follow up to Bob Sargentąs comment about the pre-dawn crescent moon ­ thanks! I may not have been awake to see it, but I could surely visualize it! We have a visiting scientist from China in our lab at UAB and I commented to him today that I really love bright sunny days this time of the year, because when the sun fades in a blaze of glory as it did today I can see the sunset so readily from my 7th floor window. In the summer the sun is too far łnorth˛ and an adjacent building blocks my view. On 11/11/09 4:47 PM, Lucy and Bob Duncan at town_point AT bellsouth.net wrote: > > > > > > Birders, > I am forwarding below a message from Marshall Iliff who is the eBird project > manager. Apparently eBird has few postings from Alabama as well as NW Florida. > He encourages each of us to enter sightings on eBird. Bob says it's easy. > Lucy Duncan > Gulf Breeze, FL > > I'm sure you've heard some of eBird and I'm wondering if you've ever tried > entering your observations (www.ebird.org)? Although eBird has been growing > steadily across the country, we still have relatively little data from > Alabama, which is why your sightings would be so helpful. > > > eBird is a great tool for permanently keeping track of your personal records, > sharing them with others (including listserves!), and most importantly sharing > them with scientists. The eBird bar charts are a great way to see how your > records contribute to our understanding of birds through the year and the Top > 100 is a fun way to compare your lists to others. See both here, and try > making maps of distribution too: http://ebird.org/ebird/eBirdReports?cmd=Start > > I firmly believe that as great as listservs are, much of the valuable > information about bird distribution that is posted there is lost for posterity > since it does not make it into a database. eBird provides this service, as > well as the personal rewards of records keeping, the service of feeding the > information out to North Am. Birds, conservation groups and others. > > After you enter a checklist, just click 'email' at the top of the list to > email it to yourself; from here you can forward the list to the Alabama > listserv if you wish. Let me know if you try it, and please contact me if you > have any questions or need any help. > > If you think eBird is not for you, but have ideas of other active Alabama > birders who might be interested, please let me know. We really want more data > from Alabama, since we know there is an active community of birders there and > we really need more data. Steve McConnell is our Alabama reviewer, and has > been a great supporter and the Top 100 (link above) gives an idea of others > that are using it (or not). In Florida, David Simpson has been working hard to > help us improve the checklist filters and to engage more Panhandle birders; > we'd love your help too. > > Good Birding > > Marshall Iliff > > mji26 AT cornell.edu > > eBird Project Leader > > West Roxbury, MA > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > -- Greg Harber Birmingham, AL łItąs never too late to have a happy childhood.˛ Tom Robbins [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Lesser Nighthawk: NO From: "hehorne" <hhorne AT earthlink.net> Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:10:47 -0000 Hi all, I just received a phone call from Ben Garmon who reports that he and David Dortch tried for the Lesser Nighthawk today with no luck. They arrived a short while after the bird was seen by Chazz Hesselein early this afternoon. Ben did mention that he saw a single Common Nighthawk with a missing tail feather at dusk but no other nightjars were seen behind the fort while he was there. Good Birding, Howard Horne Mobile, AL. Subject: eBirding in Alabama and w. Florida From: "Lucy and Bob Duncan" <town_point AT bellsouth.net> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:47:23 -0600 Birders, I am forwarding below a message from Marshall Iliff who is the eBird project manager. Apparently eBird has few postings from Alabama as well as NW Florida. He encourages each of us to enter sightings on eBird. Bob says it's easy. Lucy Duncan Gulf Breeze, FL I'm sure you've heard some of eBird and I'm wondering if you've ever tried entering your observations (www.ebird.org)? Although eBird has been growing steadily across the country, we still have relatively little data from Alabama, which is why your sightings would be so helpful. eBird is a great tool for permanently keeping track of your personal records, sharing them with others (including listserves!), and most importantly sharing them with scientists. The eBird bar charts are a great way to see how your records contribute to our understanding of birds through the year and the Top 100 is a fun way to compare your lists to others. See both here, and try making maps of distribution too: http://ebird.org/ebird/eBirdReports?cmd=Start I firmly believe that as great as listservs are, much of the valuable information about bird distribution that is posted there is lost for posterity since it does not make it into a database. eBird provides this service, as well as the personal rewards of records keeping, the service of feeding the information out to North Am. Birds, conservation groups and others. After you enter a checklist, just click 'email' at the top of the list to email it to yourself; from here you can forward the list to the Alabama listserv if you wish. Let me know if you try it, and please contact me if you have any questions or need any help. If you think eBird is not for you, but have ideas of other active Alabama birders who might be interested, please let me know. We really want more data from Alabama, since we know there is an active community of birders there and we really need more data. Steve McConnell is our Alabama reviewer, and has been a great supporter and the Top 100 (link above) gives an idea of others that are using it (or not). In Florida, David Simpson has been working hard to help us improve the checklist filters and to engage more Panhandle birders; we'd love your help too. Good Birding Marshall Iliff mji26 AT cornell.edu eBird Project Leader West Roxbury, MA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Survey Data Needed From: "Gregory J. Harber" <gharber AT mindspring.com> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:37:21 -0600 (GMT-06:00) Anthony- Is there any desire for data from migratory stopover sites, or is NAS only concerned about breeding birds? It will look mighty awkward for the National Audubon Society to ignore nationally-renowned stopover sites like Fort Morgan and Dauphin Island. Also, please clarify for me, are you saying that areas with smaller numbers than what are listed here need not apply for IBA status? It would seem to me that ANY location that hosts some of these species ought to be on NAS' radar. -----Original Message----- From: anthony.zemba AT b-e-c.com Sent: Nov 11, 2009 2:04 PM To: albirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [ALBIRDS] Survey Data Needed Dear Alabama Birders: As a contractor for the National Audubon Society's Important Bird Areas Program, I have been working with Alabama representatives of the avian conservation community (local, state, and federal personnel) for the past year or so to identify sites that may potentially meet Audubon's criteria for recognition as a Globally Important Bird Area. To qualify as a Globally Important Bird Area in Alabama, a site must be able to support one or more of the following species above the respective population threshold: Northern Bobwhite - 40 breeding pairs /120 breeding individuals Black Rail - 10 breeding pairs /30 breeding individuals Whooping Crane - 1 breeding pair or breeding individual Piping Plover - 10 breeding pairs /30 breeding individuals Red-headed Woodpecker - 30 breeding pairs /90 breeding individuals Red-Cockaded Woodpecker - 10 breeding pairs /30 breeding individuals Cerulean Warbler - 15 breeding pairs /45 breeding individuals Golden-winged Warbler - 20 breeding pairs /60 breeding individuals Bachman's Sparrow - 20 breeding pairs /60 breeding individuals Henslow's Sparrow - 20 breeding pairs /60 breeding individuals Rusty Blackbird - 15 breeding pairs /45 breeding individuals or 90 non-breeding individuals Painted Bunting - 30 breeding pairs /90 breeding individuals If you have survey data (either published or raw data collected using sound science protocols) that can prove that one or more of the following data-deficient sites (listed at the end of this message) meets or exceeds this criteria, and would like to share that data to inform the process, please contact me at the information provided below. Thank You Anthony J. Zemba CHMM Senior Project Manager/Ecologist Professional Soil Scientist Baystate Environmental Consultants, Inc. a GZA company 296 North Main Street East Longmeadow, MA 01028 Office Phone: 413-525-3822 Direct: 413-523-0227 Office Fax: 413-525-8348 Data-deficient Sites: . Bon Secour NWR and Peninsula . Conecuh National Forest . Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge . Key Cave NWR . Mobile/Tensaw Delta . Perdido Long Leaf Hills . Splinter Hill Bog . State Cattle Ranch . Talladega - Shoal Creek/Talladega District . Tuskegee NF . Whele-Barbour WMA . Walls of Jericho [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Gregory J. Harber Birmingham, AL gharber AT mindspring.com "It's never too late to have a happy childhood." Tom Robbins Subject: Ft Morgan - Common Nighthawk From: "kchiasson74" <kchiasson74 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:52:03 -0000 Made a trip to Ft Morgan today. There was a Common Nighthawk flying around the area. However, I've had a Common Nighthawk in that area for the last few visits I've made to the area. The only "New" species at the Fort today was an American Pipit. There also were American Redstart, Blue-Headed Vireo, White-Eyed Vireo, Indigo Bunting, Eastern Phoebe, & 2 Scissor-Tailed Flycatchers, just to name a few of the species seen. Karen Chiasson Silverhill, AL Subject: Both Lesser and Common Nighthawk present at Dauphin Island From: "hehorne" <hhorne AT earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:06:20 -0000 Hi all, I just received a phone call (~1:55 PM) from Chazz Hesselein who reports that the LESSER NIGHTHAWK at Fort Gaines on Dauphin Island is still present... along with a Common Nighthawk. Chazz was able to see the two species together in direct comparison. The Common Nighthawk also vocalized while he was there. Ben Garmon and David Dortch are on their way now to refind the bird. That's all I know for now. Good Birding, Howard Horme Mobile, AL Subject: Survey Data Needed From: anthony.zemba AT b-e-c.com Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:04:45 -0500 Dear Alabama Birders: As a contractor for the National Audubon Society's Important Bird Areas Program, I have been working with Alabama representatives of the avian conservation community (local, state, and federal personnel) for the past year or so to identify sites that may potentially meet Audubon's criteria for recognition as a Globally Important Bird Area. To qualify as a Globally Important Bird Area in Alabama, a site must be able to support one or more of the following species above the respective population threshold: Northern Bobwhite - 40 breeding pairs /120 breeding individuals Black Rail - 10 breeding pairs /30 breeding individuals Whooping Crane - 1 breeding pair or breeding individual Piping Plover - 10 breeding pairs /30 breeding individuals Red-headed Woodpecker - 30 breeding pairs /90 breeding individuals Red-Cockaded Woodpecker - 10 breeding pairs /30 breeding individuals Cerulean Warbler - 15 breeding pairs /45 breeding individuals Golden-winged Warbler - 20 breeding pairs /60 breeding individuals Bachman's Sparrow - 20 breeding pairs /60 breeding individuals Henslow's Sparrow - 20 breeding pairs /60 breeding individuals Rusty Blackbird - 15 breeding pairs /45 breeding individuals or 90 non-breeding individuals Painted Bunting - 30 breeding pairs /90 breeding individuals If you have survey data (either published or raw data collected using sound science protocols) that can prove that one or more of the following data-deficient sites (listed at the end of this message) meets or exceeds this criteria, and would like to share that data to inform the process, please contact me at the information provided below. Thank You Anthony J. Zemba CHMM Senior Project Manager/Ecologist Professional Soil Scientist Baystate Environmental Consultants, Inc. a GZA company 296 North Main Street East Longmeadow, MA 01028 Office Phone: 413-525-3822 Direct: 413-523-0227 Office Fax: 413-525-8348 Data-deficient Sites: . Bon Secour NWR and Peninsula . Conecuh National Forest . Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge . Key Cave NWR . Mobile/Tensaw Delta . Perdido Long Leaf Hills . Splinter Hill Bog . State Cattle Ranch . Talladega - Shoal Creek/Talladega District . Tuskegee NF . Whele-Barbour WMA . Walls of Jericho [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Lesser Nighthawk photos: identification points From: David And Carrie Dortch <downbythebay AT bellsouth.net> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:42:27 -0800 (PST) Howards labeled photos seem different enough from the photos I took this morning, for me to post a cautionary note concerning my earlier post that the Lesser Nighthawk was still present on DI. While it would be an amazing coincidence, it is certainly possible that a Common Nighthawk is present today in the same place where the Lesser Nighthawk was seen yesterday. I will revisit the fort this afternoon and try to get more photos of the Goatsucker I saw this morning. David Dortch Dauphin Island Sent from my iPhone On Nov 11, 2009, at 1:17 PM, "hehorne" wrote: Hi all, I've uploaded two more photographs of the Lesser Nighthawk taken by Jake Walker on to my Picasa site: http://picasaweb.google.com/HowardHorne/LesserNighthawk# These are actually repeated pictures from the album, but I've zoomed in and labeled some of the important id features to show the characteristic points of Lesser Nighthawk. Enjoy! and as always... Good Birding, Howard Horne Mobile, AL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Lesser Nighthawk photos: identification points From: "hehorne" <hhorne AT earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:17:59 -0000 Hi all, I've uploaded two more photographs of the Lesser Nighthawk taken by Jake Walker on to my Picasa site: http://picasaweb.google.com/HowardHorne/LesserNighthawk# These are actually repeated pictures from the album, but I've zoomed in and labeled some of the important id features to show the characteristic points of Lesser Nighthawk. Enjoy! and as always... Good Birding, Howard Horne Mobile, AL Subject: Lesser Nighthawk photo From: "carrieanddaviddownbythebay" <downbythebay AT bellsouth.net> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:01:54 -0000 I have posted a photo of Howards Lesser Nighthawk on the Albird web site. I noticed after I left this morning that the road behide the Fort had been closed. There is plenty of parking around the Fort and it is a very short walk back to the area where this bird is being seen. You can click on the word "large" above the photo to enlarge the photo. David Dortch Dauphin Island Subject: Flooding, but . . . From: "Larry Gardella" <tapaculo AT knology.net> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:28:19 -0600 Not really expecting perched Parasitic Jaegers and Lesser Nighthawks, I ventured out to Sprague Sod Farm this morning. The fields were more flooded than they have been at any time since the shorebird spectacle following Tropical Storm Fay. There werre a few ducks among the many Canada Geese and a Little Blue Heron was a bit unusual, but nary a rarity was to be found. Larry Gardella Montgomery, AL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Lesser Nighthawk Yes From: "downbythebay AT bellsouth.net" <redfishdave@gmail.com> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:48:53 -0000 Howards Lesser Nighthawk is still behind the Fort on Dauphin Island. It is pretty skittish and used 6 perches during the time I was there but if you stand still and are patient you can approach for good looks while it is napping. David Dortch Subject: Lesser Nighthawk photos posted... From: "hehorne" <hhorne AT earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:39:57 -0000 Hi all, Jake Walker's photographs of the Lesser Nighthawk from Dauphin Island yesterday have been uploaded on to my Google Picasa webpage. To access the photos go to: http://picasaweb.google.com/HowardHorne/LesserNighthawk# Kudos to Jake for getting these great pictures! The bird was last seen at 4:10 PM sitting on a pile of stacked pilings along the west side of the downed chain-link fence that separates the Fort from the Sea Lab Property. This is just directly north of the gap in the fence where you can pass back and forth between the two properties. We were able to approach the bird within 10-15 feet as it rested here at the end of the day. Like most nightjars, this bird is well camouflage when sitting on the ground, but it was quick to flush and would quickly settle down nearby, not flying any considerable distance away. The nighthawk exhibited a high site fidelity staying in the same general area. Hopefully it will still be there this morning. Good Birding, Howard Horne Mobile, AL Subject: New In our yard From: RubyThroat AT aol.com Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:58:40 EST Albirders Yesterday we had our first Fox Sparrow of the winter, feeding with a few locals and one late Rose-breasted Grosbeak. No Siskins and only two or three Goldfinches so far. That will change. Predawn this morning has a fuzzy thin sliver of a moon hanging in a rainless sky.. Martha and I are hopefully we will get an influx of Saw-whet owls very soon. Our total so far this fall/winter season stands at only two. A previously banded adult female Rufous hummingbird remains on site at the dentist office in Huffman (east Birmingham) at the present time. Efforts to capture and document this vixen yesterday in the pouring rain proved futile again.. On one of hjer many trips near my trap yesterday, I swear I saw her pause, look me dead in the eye, and flash me with a long fifth primary. I could be mistaken. That Rufous is almost certainly one that is now living in its 8th calendar year. She is one tough little bird, with the remarkable ability to come back to the same location year after year after year. If I live to be a thousand years old I will never understand how this kind of navigation and timing is possible!!!!!!!!!! We remain twelve years old and holding. Life is wonderful! Bob and Martha Sargent Clay, Alabama [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: LESSER NIGHTHAWK still present (4:15 pm) From: Swmavocet AT aol.com Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:19:19 -0500 Just talked to Howard. They are leaving the nighthawk at Ft. Gaines to look for other stormies. Bird is perched on wood/trash pile near broken chain-link fence separating the fort property from the basketball goal on the Sea Lab property. This spot is very near the beach and there is a large mound of dirt with vegetation on it nearby. Perched and in-flight photos and description collected. Potential 6th state record. Also reported is a Parasitic Jaeger sitting on the golf club building earlier in day. All I know. Steve McConnell Hartselle, AL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: definitely a LESSER NIGHTHAWK at Ft. Gaines From: "Lucy and Bob Duncan" <town_point AT bellsouth.net> Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:44:17 -0600 Howard Horne just called to say that Don McKee and ? Walker also got to see the bird and it is definitely a LESSER NIGHTHAWK. It is there now: 2:44 p.m. Tuesday. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Anniston Update From: "Debbie" <DMCKEN9341 AT AOL.COM> Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:43:01 -0000 Hello Everyone, Today I saw a male Pine Warbler . My husband said he saw two about a week ago. I do not know yet if this is the one that ate out of my hand. If not then this could be one of his sons. For the last two years the regular male Pine Warbler and his son have been frequenting my backyard from Fall to Spring. I still have no Yellow-rumped Warblers. Where are they? I usually have about 20 to 30 that comes through and about 10 that stays until early Spring. The male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Woodpecker is still here. I still have one Winter Wren and several White-throated Sparrows. Happy Birding To All! Debbie McKenzie (BirdLady) Subject: Lesser Nighthawk - NOW From: "Lucy and Bob Duncan" <town_point AT bellsouth.net> Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:32:27 -0600 2:25 p.m. Tuesday Howard Horne just called to say that he has a nighthawk behind Ft. Gaines, and he's pretty sure it's a LESSER NIGHTHAWK. He has seen it several times, and is hoping to get another look, but has described a more rounded wing that's wider at the "hand" and it is flying low. White patches (not buff) are farther out on the wingtip. Lucy Duncan [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Silverhill From: "kchiasson74" <kchiasson74 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:56:36 -0000 Some additions to the bird list for the undeveloped Fairhope Falls sub-division. Great Blue Heron Hooded Merganser Pied-Billed Grebe Belted Kingfisher Sharp-Shinned Hawk Turkey Vulture Black Vulture Eastern Bluebird Swamp Sparrow White-Throated Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Palm Warbler Karen Chiasson Silverhill, AL Subject: White Pelicans at Swan Creek From: "orm091101" <justadude80 AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:17:05 -0000 Today I was down on the Swan Creek Management area in Limestone County. Two things surprised me. I was swarmed by mosquitos and I saw a group of about 20 white pelicans. The pleicans were in the backwater just south of the North Alabama Bird Trail sign. Subject: Green-tailed Towhee - yes! for Sunday From: "Lucy and Bob Duncan" <town_point AT bellsouth.net> Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 14:45:16 -0600 The Green-tailed Towhee at Ft. Pickens was seen by multiple observers today in the same place as described in prior posts. If you are planning to visit Ft. Pickens and try for the towhee, be aware that the approaching storm has the potential to close the only road into Ft. Pickens. The road is quite low and gets covered with water and sand, and as we painfully recall, can be washed out by a minor tropical system. You can call Visitor Information at (850) 934-2600 to check. Good birding, Lucy Duncan [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Fort Morgan: NUTMEG MANNIKINS From: "hehorne" <hhorne AT earthlink.net> Date: Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:19:51 -0000 Hi all, The CBA field trip yesterday to Fort Morgan did not yield many birds, but there were still some suprises to be found. Steve McConnell joined us, coming over from Dauphin Island on the ferry, and almost immediately found a SWAINSON'S HAWK soaring with a Red-tail Hawk over the fort. Some birders got a very brief view of a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW at the seawall. A WHITE-WINGED DOVE was also present near the runway/middle ground area. The most suprising find (to me at least) was a group of approximately 8-10 NUTMEG MANNIKINS in the lantana along the sloping edge on the western side of the Fort. (behind the large tower in back of the maintance area). It took a few seconds of puzzlement for the identification module in our brains to figure out this unexpected species especially since the first few birds seen were drab house sparrow-like females. A view of a male with zebra-patterning quickly sealed the supsected identification. Nutmeg Mannikins have been present in nearby Pensacola, Florida for approximately 10 years now. The species appears to be well established in MANY locations there. We have recently been seeing Nutmeg Mannikins fairly regularly at a few feeders in Baldwin County near the Florida line during the past year or so. This is a species that is probably here to stay and we can expect to see more of as it continues to expands its range. Its only a matter of time before it is considered established and part of our avifauna down here. Good Birding, Howard Horne Mobile, AL Subject: Yellow-headed Blackbird From: "tsiegwald" <siegwald AT ceebic.org> Date: Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:10:57 -0000 Howard Horne asked me to report that Chazz Hesselein and several other birders had a female Yellow-headed Blackbird in the field at the northeast corner of the intersection of Highway 12 and the Foley Beach Express in Baldwin County. Subject: Powder Magazine - Lingerers From: "Larry Gardella" <tapaculo AT knology.net> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 09:27:04 -0600 My walk this morning at Powder Magazine Park in Montgomery brought mainly winter birds and residents. Two Blue-headed Vireos were nice treats, and my failure to record Gray Catbird, Indigo Bunting or Rose-breasted Grosbeak was a bit of a surprise. The best surprises, however, came as I was walking up the hill near the gate and saw a Summer Tanager on the east side of the road and, shortly afterwards, a Baltimore Oriole on the west side. Both are on the late end for migration. We almost always turn up at least one Baltimore Oriole on our Christmas count (Jan 2 this year) but I believe we have yet to have a Summer Tanager - although I had one in my backyard part of one winter. It will be interesting to see if those two birds linger through the winter, as a Black-and-white Warbler did near the same spot last winter. Larry Gardella Montgomery, AL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Rick Remy's male Rufous From: RubyThroat AT aol.com Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 18:34:48 EST Albirders This afternoon, with the permission of my friend Rick Remy, I banded his beautiful young sub-adult male Rufous hummingbird. It is a stunning young bird and is molting like crazy, In two months this little meanie will look like a solid copper comet zipping around his fine bird friendly yard. Thanks Rick. Watch those feeders now for that unusual hummer. Bless All Bob Sargent Clay, Alabama [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: CBA Field Trip this Weekend: Fort Morgan From: "hehorne" <hhorne AT earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:57:04 -0000 Hi all, Just wanted to let you know about the Coastal Birding Association Field Trip to Fort Morgan on Saturday. Here is the trip info from our web page: (http://www.coastalbirdingassoc.org/) Nov. 7 Fort Morgan for fall migrants and Western vagrants such as Bronzed Cowbird; White-winged Dove; Swainson's Hawk; Clay-colored, Lincoln's and Lark Sparrows; Western Kingbird; and Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. This is a good time of year for Golden Eagle as well. For those who are interested, we can hike to Mobile Point to look for Franklin's Gull. Meet at 8:00 AM at the Fort's stable grounds. Note that there is a $5 fee to enter the park. Hope you can make it and join us this weekend! Cheers, Howard Horne Mobile, AL Subject: Re: Yellow-headed Blackbird on DI From: David And Carrie Dortch <downbythebay AT bellsouth.net> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 07:08:50 -0800 (PST) The Yellow-headed Blackbird is a female and is associating with a group of Red-winged Blackbirds in and around Eugenia and Don Careys yard on Cadillac Ave on Dauphin Island. David Dortch Dauphin Island Sent from my iPhone On Nov 6, 2009, at 9:00 AM, David And Carrie Dortch wrote: I am on my way to meet carrie and Eugenia who gave a yh bbird on Cadillac ave on DI David Dortch Sent from my iPhone On Nov 5, 2009, at 12:41 PM, "Lucy and Bob Duncan" wrote: The Green-tailed Towhee is still present in the same general area along the bike path at Ft. Pickens as of today, Nov. 5. We observed it four or five times this morning. The bird is painfully shy and only appears at the thicket - trail interface for short periods of time. Hopefully it will become acclimated to bikes, birders and buggy-driving park personnel along the nature trail. If you need the basic directions, refer to our email of Nov. 1. Lucy and Bob Duncan Gulf Breeze, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Yellow-headed Blackbird on DI From: David And Carrie Dortch <downbythebay AT bellsouth.net> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 07:00:57 -0800 (PST) I am on my way to meet carrie and Eugenia who gave a yh bbird on Cadillac ave on DI David Dortch Sent from my iPhone On Nov 5, 2009, at 12:41 PM, "Lucy and Bob Duncan" wrote: The Green-tailed Towhee is still present in the same general area along the bike path at Ft. Pickens as of today, Nov. 5. We observed it four or five times this morning. The bird is painfully shy and only appears at the thicket - trail interface for short periods of time. Hopefully it will become acclimated to bikes, birders and buggy-driving park personnel along the nature trail. If you need the basic directions, refer to our email of Nov. 1. Lucy and Bob Duncan Gulf Breeze, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Saw-whet Owl #2 From: RubyThroat AT aol.com Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 05:21:29 EST Early Morning Albirders I just closed our nets for the night. Shortly after midnight last night we netted and banded our second Saw-whet owl of this winter season This fiesty little male fuzz-ball appeared healthy despite being a bit lighter in weight than I expected. It is a beautiful and bright early morning here. Life is good. Bob and Martha Sargent Clay, Alabama [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Green-tailed Towhee - yes! From: "Lucy and Bob Duncan" <town_point AT bellsouth.net> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 12:41:17 -0600 The Green-tailed Towhee is still present in the same general area along the bike path at Ft. Pickens as of today, Nov. 5. We observed it four or five times this morning. The bird is painfully shy and only appears at the thicket - trail interface for short periods of time. Hopefully it will become acclimated to bikes, birders and buggy-driving park personnel along the nature trail. If you need the basic directions, refer to our email of Nov. 1. Lucy and Bob Duncan Gulf Breeze, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Another Area Rufous Banded From: RubyThroat AT aol.com Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 09:23:42 EST Albirders All I would like to report that yet another Rufous hummingbird, this time in Remlap, Alabama, has been banded and documented this young winter season. Many thanks to Sarah and Paul Armstrong for once again allowing us to document wintering Rufous in there fine yard. Another wily Ruby-throated hummingbird was in their yard as well, but would not come near the trap. Drat! On another note, with our nets open again last night, all night long, we came up with zero Saw-whet Owls. We are not deterred by this temporary "lull" and will continue our efforts as long as the weather permits. Is anybody out there as in love with the cold clear nights full of stars as I am? I hope so. Being alive another day in Alabama is nothing short of just plain wonderful! Bob and Martha Sargent Clay, Alabama [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: overnight surge From: "Lucy and Bob Duncan" <town_point AT bellsouth.net> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 07:17:39 -0600 HI all, There was a good overnight movement of passerine birds, from my brief scan of the skies over our neighborhood, lots of Robins, blackbirds and some apparently Myrtle Warblers. Off to Ft. Pickens. Bob [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Ft. Pickens this season From: "Lucy and Bob Duncan" <town_point AT bellsouth.net> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 20:59:42 -0600 Hi all, Lucy and I are finally getting a breather from almost non-stop birding since mid-October after a very slow September and early October. Migrant passerines have been disappointing with low numbers at Ft.P most trips. Two of our usual hotspots for migrants have had very little, namely, Battery Langdon and the Battery Worth Picnic area, probably due to the slow recovery of the vegetation since Hurricane Ivan in 2004. The action has been at the end of the island around the main fort and along the bike path running east from it. What migrants we have had have been in the "newly" discovered accacia grove inside the main fort. This area has not been birded much before since the other spots have been so great but this season it has always had a few warblers present. But the flip side of few migrants has been the discovery of a noteworthy bird or two on most of our trips. Some noteworthy birds have been Groove-billed Ani, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Western Kingbirds and Scissor-tailed Flycatchers (several trips), Bell's Vireo (two instances), Lark Sparrows (present for about 3 weeks), Cave Swallows and the grand finale, Green-tailed Towhee on 1 Nov. It's like a cheap trip to Texas! Bob Duncan Gulf Breeze, Fl in the exteme w. Panhandle [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Dauphin Island From: David And Carrie Dortch <downbythebay AT bellsouth.net> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 13:24:58 -0800 (PST) There are still many birds on dauphin island. The shell mounds still have magnolia, yellow-rumped, black and white, palm, tennessee, orange-crowned, hooded and pine warblers. The pine warblers looked as good as they do in the spring! There were also still brown creeper and winter wren as well. There are still some broad-winged hawks moving through, as well one that has taken to shopping at the dove store on the lot next to our house! As if the coopers hawks needed a secret shopper. There are two bald eagles being seen regularly. One mature, one immature. Yesterday we were were inundated with golden-crowned kinglets and white-throated sparrows. Today almost all of the gc kinglets were gone, but the wt sparrows were still around as well as a field sparrow at the airport. There are still some rose breasted grosbeak coming to feeders too. White Pelicans are around the island but still no winter ducks, other than 1 pair of blue-wing teal, 1 coot, and one pied-billed grebe at the lake in Audubon sanctuary. On the west end two peregrine falcon continue to spar over the expected shorebirds. The airport continues to host viginia rails and more sparrows and eastern phoebes than you can shake a stick at! Alas, no hummingbirds. David Dortch Sent from my iPhone On Nov 4, 2009, at 8:29 AM, "rick_remy" wrote: I had a sub-adult male Rufous Hummingbird at my back feeder this morning. He came to the feeder three times and I saw him through binoculars two of those times. I'm going with sub-adult male RH rather than Allen's because of the extent of the rufous on the tail and lower back and the dull green on the upper back. A patch is present on the throat but it is incomplete. He is rather chubby, so he may be just passing through. If he stays around, I'll post directions in case anyone is interested. Finally, does anybody have any good excuses for being late to work? Apparently, "I was looking at a hummingbird" rates up there with "my dog ate my home work". On Saturday, while fishing in Spring Creek at Lay Lake, I saw an adult Bald Eagle and a lone female Ruddy Duck. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Ft Morgan Scissor-Tailed Flycatchers From: "kchiasson74" <kchiasson74 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:40:10 -0000 There are now 2 Scissor-Tailed Flycatchers at Ft Morgan. Didn't have any luck spotting the YH Blackbird or Western Kingbird. Karen Chiasson Silverhill, AL Subject: Rufous Hummingbird--Irondale From: "rick_remy" <rickremy AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:29:46 -0000 I had a sub-adult male Rufous Hummingbird at my back feeder this morning. He came to the feeder three times and I saw him through binoculars two of those times. I'm going with sub-adult male RH rather than Allen's because of the extent of the rufous on the tail and lower back and the dull green on the upper back. A patch is present on the throat but it is incomplete. He is rather chubby, so he may be just passing through. If he stays around, I'll post directions in case anyone is interested. Finally, does anybody have any good excuses for being late to work? Apparently, "I was looking at a hummingbird" rates up there with "my dog ate my home work". On Saturday, while fishing in Spring Creek at Lay Lake, I saw an adult Bald Eagle and a lone female Ruddy Duck. Subject: Whoops From: "Eve" <esweat1 AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:12:23 -0000 Sorry about the bad word on my last post....I wish we could edit these. Eve Grant Subject: A Few Arrivals From: "Eve" <esweat1 AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:06:26 -0000 When I moved here on Gunter Mountain near Grant in April I had Cedar Waxwings and Juncos in and around my yard, and then they were gone and the Summer Tanagers took their place. Well the Tanagers are long gone but the Junco's and Waxwings are back. The Junco's arrived on Nov 1 and I saw a flock of Cedar Waxwings fly over yesterday morning Nov 3. Golden-crowned Kinglets are around my yard, and I'm still hoping to photograph the Brown Creeper I saw last week. OH and two beautiful adult Bald Eagles flew over the house heading for the Damn on Sunday Nov 1st! Good birding to all, Eve Sweatman Grant Subject: Hummer Program Reminder From: RubyThroat AT aol.com Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 14:19:13 EST Albirders A last minute reminder. Martha Sargent and I will be presenting a FREE hummer program tonight beginning at 6:30 PM at the Civic Center in Pell City, Alabama. Reservations are not needed, since this one LARGE facility. Bring your wallet since some fund raising sales stuff will be offered at this meeting sponsored by the local Garden Club. The Pell City Civic Center is located just south of the city. Turn off US Highway 231 on Highway 34 (goes to Talladega) and the Civic Center is a short distance on the right. It should be a fun program. Bob and Martha Sargent The Hummer/Bird Study Group, Inc. PO Box 250 Clay, Alabama, 35048-0250 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: AL and FL Panhandle CBC dates From: Chazz Hesselein <chazz AT hesselein.com> Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:03:50 -0600 Dear All, We are starting to post the 2009/2010 AL and FL Panhandle Christmas Bird Count dates at the AOS website. If you have any interest in joining in on this fun and worthwhile activity, check out the AOS webpage: http://www.aosbirds.org/CBC_Dates.php Chazz Hesselein Mobile, AL Subject: Rusty Blackbird Blitz Jan 30- Feb 15 Volunteers Needed From: Brian Rolek <rolekbw AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 14:08:30 -0800 (PST) Attention Alabama Birders Rusty Blackbird Blitz Jan 30- Feb 15 Volunteers Needed We are organizing the 2010 Rusty Blackbird Blitz and need volunteers. The Rusty Blackbird is probably the fastest declining species in North America and you can help us learn more about this bird. The survey methods are fairly simple. We need bird watchers to go birding between Jan 30 and Feb 15, 2010, keep a list, and enter the data on ebird ( http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ ). It’s that simple. Scouting before the blitz is encouraged. Please feel free to contact me via email if you are interested in participating. For more information contact me or visit our Rusty Blackbird Blitz homepage http://nationalzoo.si.edu/ConservationAndScience/MigratoryBirds/Research/Rusty_Blackbird/blitz.cfm Also for updates we will soon be starting a facebook group. These birds winter in the bottomland forests in Alabama and populations have declined between 80-95% since 1966. The causes of this decline remain unknown. The Rusty Blackbird Blitz offers a great opportunity to get outside and bird while contributing to conservation at the same time. If you are unable to participate, please encourage your fellow birders to help out. BrianRolek M.Sc. Auburn University 331 Funchess Hall Auburn, AL 36849 brianrolek a t gmail . com (334) 704 3143 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Auburn sparrows From: "James Holmes Jr" <jfholmes AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 11:26:56 -0800 (PST) I spent this morning walking fields in North, Northwest Auburn area. Good numbers of sparrows including: Henslow's (1), Lincoln's (1), Grasshopper (1), Vesper (6), Field (4), Chipping (40), Savananah (12), Song (65), Swamp (18), and White-throated (20). Birds were in various fields. Contact me off list if you would like directions. Jim Holmes Sacramento, CA (currently in Auburn, AL) Subject: YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD: Fort Morgan From: "hehorne" <hhorne AT earthlink.net> Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:01:13 -0000 Hi all, I just received a phone call from Lucy Duncan who reports a male YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD at Fort Morgan around the sea oats next to the fishing pier. The bird is associating with a flock of redwings and cowbirds. Good luck, Howard Horne Mobile, AL. Subject: Re: Saw-whet Owl in Clay, Alabama From: RubyThroat AT aol.com Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 06:23:31 EST OOPs! Make that time read 8:00 PM and not AM. Bob Sargent In a message dated 11/2/2009 5:11:41 A.M. Central Standard Time, RubyThroat AT aol.com writes: Fellow Albirders Last evening just before 8:00 AM, [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Saw-whet Owl in Clay, Alabama From: RubyThroat AT aol.com Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 06:10:57 EST Fellow Albirders Last evening just before 8:00 AM, Martha Gail and I found a lovely and very gentle adult female Northern Saw-whet Owl resting comfortably in one of our nets. We promptly banded her, took a series of measurements and weighed her and then sent her off into the night. Last year we banded our first Saw-whet on October 30th. The timing looks promising for us to band a few more Saw-whets this fall and winter. Ain't life a toot-toot-toot-toot-toot. Bob and Martha Sargent Clay, Alabama [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Skulking in the long grass From: "Greg D. Jackson" <g_d_jackson AT bellsouth.net> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 06:52:44 -0600 AL Birders: I spent an hour or so this morning in the head high grass of a partially flooded field near my home -- same spot I had Sedge and Marsh wrens about a month ago. Sparrows were present in good numbers, mostly the expected species. A Sedge Wren was both cute and inquisitive. An early Rusty Blackbird was fun at the field margin near a small swamp. The real prize of the morning came when I flushed a small sparrow which twisted quickly back into the grass nearby -- the kind of behavior that perks you up instantly. A few rapid changes of location and flushes later, I was getting killer looks at a beautiful HENSLOW'S SPARROW. It's not easy for a lone birder to get good photos of this secretive bird, but I lucked up on a few decent shots. These can be viewed starting at: http://www.pbase.com/gdjackson/image/118953397 (If you have a desire to be wet and slapped in the face by grass, send me a note off-list and I'll give the exact location of the field. The habitat may be a bit fragile for many people to be stomping through it, so I'm uncharacteristically not broadcasting it widely.) In the past I've posted images to the AL Birds Yahoo site, but last month I had significant problems uploading photos. Because of this, and the frequent problems of others viewing AL Birds photos, I've started a fledgling PBase gallery of some interesting photos taken this year. The link above will take you to the first Henslow's shot in that gallery, but others can be viewed from there (or by going to http://www.pbase.com/gdjackson/2009_alabama ). Nothing that comes close to our super photographers like Terry Hartley, but a few might be enjoyable. Greg Greg D. Jackson Birmingham, AL g_d_jackson AT bellsouth.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Cause and effect? From: "Lucy and Bob Duncan" <town_point AT bellsouth.net> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 16:50:38 -0600 Hi all, Yesterday's weather map at 7 a.m. showed a powerful jet stream across the Great Lakes into Canada with winds of over 150 mph anchored in a deep low with central pressure of less than 29.00 inches. Birds don't fly as high as the jet stream. But winds at about 5000 ft were NW 20 - 30 mph from Nebraska south to Louisiana. With heavy snows in the Rockies, would these factors have contributed to our finding a Green-tailed Towhee, a montane species, at Ft. Pickens today? Not to mention an Ash-throated Flycatcher and Lark Sparrow (the latter could be one of the birds present since early Oct). However, there were no great finds of western birds at Dauphin Island today, other than the expected Western Kingbird and Clay-colored Sparrow, as of this writing. Although not always responsible for bringing western vagrants to our area, I think yesterday's weather conditions may have played a part in bringing this super rarity to our area. Any thoughts? Bob Duncan, Gulf Breeze in the western Panhandle [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Ft Morgan From: "kchiasson74" <kchiasson74 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:22:48 -0000 On the way to Ft Morgan, I drove on Hwy 49 south to the Intersectin of Hwy 12. The Turf Farm at this Intersection produced about a dozen American Golden-Plovers. At Ft Morgan I had the following: Orange-Crowned, Tennessee, Black-Throated Green, Palm, Pine, Blackburnian, Cerulean, Yellow-Rumped, Northern Parula, & Common Yellowthroat Red-Bellied & Downy Woodpeckers, Northern Flicker, & Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers Song, Savannah, Swamp, & White-Throated Sparrows Ruby-Crowned & Golden-Crowned Kinglets House & Carolina Wrens Eastern Wood-Pewee, Eastern Phoebe, & Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher Black-Billed Cuckoo, Gray Catbird, Brown-Headed Cowbirds, & American Robins Several Broad-Winged Hawks, Northern Harrier, American Kestrel & a Merlin And the usual suspects. On the way out, had an American White Pelican flying overhead. Karen Chiasson Silverhill, AL Subject: Anniston November 1, 2009 From: "Debbie" <DMCKEN9341 AT AOL.COM> Date: Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:52:03 -0000 Hello, The male Rose-breasted Grosbeak is still here today. Also, I meant to write Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Woodpecker instead of just Yellow-bellied. Debbie (BirdLady) PS: Where are my usual Yellow-rumped and Pine Warblers? My husband thought he seen one about a week ago and today he said he seen a female Dark-eyed Junco. Subject: Green-tailed Towhee & Ash-throated Flycatcher at Ft. Pickens From: "Lucy and Bob Duncan" <town_point AT bellsouth.net> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 14:01:11 -0600 Hello from the Panhandle, As Bob predicted, today was a good day for vagrants. Tomorrow will be too, he says. Around 8:30 this morning (Nov. 1), Bob and I found an adult GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE at Ft. Pickens (Gulf Islands Nat'l Seashore), Escambia County. After brief, but excellent looks at the bird, and one fly-across-the-trail look, it did not come back out into view. The area is well used by people out for a walk or bicycling, so I would suggest that anyone who would like to try for the bird should be there early. Once activity on the trail got started, the bird didn't come out again this morning. DIRECTIONS: Once in Ft. Pickens, drive to the visitor's center parking lot at the west end of the park. [See attached map] You will see a white stucco building and a Florida Trail kiosk on the east edge of the parking lot at the beginning of the trail. The bird was seen along this trail, not too far in. Walk east from the stucco building, and when you get almost to the end of the concrete wall (you'll know what I mean when you're there) that's where we were when we first spotted the towhee a little farther east. Between that point and the little bridge there is one wooden bench. Each time we saw the bird it was near the east end of the bench on the edge of the trail, then in the youpon about 18" off the ground right next to the bench. The towhee was hanging out on the north side of the trail. When walking back to the parking area, get up on the concrete ramp that goes up to the wall on the right (north) side of the trail. Walk the wall counter clockwise (it makes a big square) back to the parking area. In the pines were Brown Creepers, and on the north end of the wall was an ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER. There was also a LARK SPARROW in the vicinity. Inside the walled area were swamp and song sparrows, Tennessee and Orange-crowned Warblers, Marsh and House Wrens, and RC Kinglets. Then, if you go inside the old fort at the south end of the parking area, and walk diagonally to the far right corner, you can go through the last arch and down a sidewalk into an open area with acacias on the hillside. These acacias have been excellent, and although there was nothing unexpected there today, there were 14 species of migrant or winter resident passerines. I have attached a Google Earth aerial view of the towhee and ash-throated flycatcher area. As a note, directly across the trail from the towhee marker is where we've had two Groove-billed Anis, seen from late Sept. to Oct. 10. When we get anis at Ft. Pickens, this is where they hang out. Lucy and Bob Duncan Gulf Breeze, FL Google Earth streams the world over wired and wireless networks enabling users to virtually go anywhere on the planet and see places in photographic detail. This is not like any map you have ever seen. This is a 3D model of the real world, based on real satellite images combined with maps, guides to restaurants, hotels, entertainment, businesses and more. You can zoom from space to street level instantly and then pan or jump from place to place, city to city, even country to country. Get Google Earth. Put the world in perspective. (http://earth.google.com) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: GREEN TAILED TOWHEE From: jjoa AT mindspring.com Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 15:59:43 +0000 Received call from Howard Horn that the Duncans have an adult Greentailed Towhee at Ft Pickens NOW!!!!The bird is on bike path between maintenance bld.And the little bridge. GOOD Luck. Lorna West,Opelika,AL. Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T Subject: Green-tailed tohee Ft pickens Sun A.M. From: <jjoa AT mindspring.com> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 09:08:03 -0600 Just recieved a call from Howard Horn that the Duncan have an adult GREEN-TAILED Tohee at Ft.Pickens this a.m.-right now. The bird is on the bike path between the maintenance bld. and the little bridge. Lorna West [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Anniston Update From: "Debbie" <DMCKEN9341 AT AOL.COM> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:57:58 -0000 Hello, On Tuesday October 27, I saw a male Yellow-bellied Woodpecker in my yard on an Oak tree eating suet. He is still here. A Winter Wren and a few Ruby-crowned Kinglets are here also. Just a few minutes ago I was looking out the backdoor window when at first glance, I thought I was seeing a Downy Woodpecker fly to the ground. Looking more closely and with binocular I could see that it is a male immature Rose-breasted Grosbeak. This is the latest I have ever seen one in my yard. Debbie (BirdLady) Subject: Buff-bellied Hummingbird - gone? From: David And Carrie Dortch <downbythebay AT bellsouth.net> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:33:15 -0700 (PDT) Talk about your hit and run. After 24 hours with no hummingbirds at all, we have 3 Rubythroats this afternoon on Dauphin Island. I can only guess that the Buff was just passing through and it was just a lucky coincidence that I was outside during it's visit. We are not going to be on the island this weekend, sigh. But I will have the feeders full and the bench is in position. Please feel free to stop by and see what's around. There are usually 5 or 6 White-winged Doves in the lot next door, OR a mature Coopers Hawk. We had 5 species of warblers in the yards as well on Thursday. The temperature today is 81 currently with a low of 60 predicted for tonight. The high tomorrow is forecast for 61, so I assume everything on the island is about to get stirred in mother natures blender. Have fun. David Dortch Sent from my iPhone Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required) Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch format to Traditional Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe RECENT ACTIVITY 3 New Members 3 New Photos Visit Your Group Yahoo! Finance It's Now Personal Guides, news, advice & more. Yahoo! Groups Mental Health Zone Bi-polar disorder Find support Yahoo! Groups Small Business Group A community for small business owners . [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Weekend outlook From: "Lucy and Bob Duncan" <town_point AT bellsouth.net> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:18:30 -0500 Hi all, Another front is due tonight, winds shifting from S to NW 20 - 25 mph late, but rain and cloud cover ahead of and behind the front may inhibit birds from moving to the coast. Northerly winds are forecast through Wednesday, so birding should be at least comfortable for the weekend and through mid-wk. Skies should be clear by Sat. night and my bet would be on Sunday for a good day to look for newcomers. An increase in northerly winds occurs Mon. night, forecast 15 - 20 mph so Tues. might be good as well. How lucky can we get, that the last several weekends have had cold fronts push through!!! Lucy and I had an adult Ash-throated Flycatcher in our neighborhood late yesterday, gone today. See you out there. Bob Duncan, in the w. Panhandle [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Calliope in Cullman, Alabama From: RubyThroat AT aol.com Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:35:59 EDT Fellow Albirders The Calliope in Cullman is at the home of Caila and Loran Lamont AT 256-734-5986. Those wishing to see this bird, put it on their year list or whatever are welcome to do so. It is important that you call before coming to see this tiny little adult female Calliope. Mr. Lamont is not in good health, so all viewing is best done from the back yard that is gated. This little hummer is in worn plumage, but is readily identified by the VERY short tail, the heavily stippling in the throat and tiny, short straight bill. The vocalizations are a dead-bang cinch if you are familiar with Calliope. She often feeds at a patch of salvia in the back of the yard, in addition to the feeder by the sliding glass door. If you wish to see the immature male Rufous in rural Baileyton while you are up that way, call Sandy Smith at 256-338-7331 to arrange your visit. This young bird is feeding at a feeder on the back deck. Please use good birder ethics and call before visiting. Sandy works and needs to know that you are coming. If anyone on Albirds this morning is from Cullman Audubon, feel free to contact me at 205-681-2888 or for more details if needed. Have much fun today and try to go birding more often. Call your boss and tell him that your are home sick in bed with a nurse. You may wish to rephrase that last recommendation. Bob and Martha Sargent Clay, Alabama [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: BUFF-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD: Dauphin Island (10/29/09) From: David And Carrie Dortch <downbythebay AT bellsouth.net> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:54:56 -0700 (PDT) The Buff-bellied Hummingbird continues to be among the missing at our home on Dauphin Island this afternoon. Also missing are the Rubythroats that were there this morning. The island is pretty wind, gusting over 20mph. I am hoping the hummers are still around and bugging in a less windy locale. Carrie and I have to be off the island this afternoon. I have moved the bench in the front yard to a convenient spot from which to view the firespike where the bird was feeding this morning. It was sitting in the pine trees north of the driveway between feedings. It's a beautiful mature bird, bright green on top and rufous below with an unmistakeable slightly curved red bill with a black tip. Please let us know if you get by and see the bird. Thanks David Dortch Dauphin Island Sent from my iPhone On Oct 29, 2009, at 8:56 AM, "hehorne" wrote: Hi all, I just received word from David Dortch that they are hosting a BUFF-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD at their house on Omega Street on Dauphin Island. Hopefully, this bird will stay around for the weekend birders. Good Birding, Howard Horne Mobile, AL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: BUFF-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD: Dauphin Island (10/29/09) From: David And Carrie Dortch <downbythebay AT bellsouth.net> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:02:44 -0700 (PDT) Thanks Howard. Hope I didn't jump the gun. We haven't seen the bird for a half hour. Eugenia is here and her husband reported seeing an extra large green hummingbird fly across their porch this morning. Hopefully he isn't doing an island tour and will return to Carries firespikes and settle down! David Dortch Sent from my iPhone On Oct 29, 2009, at 8:56 AM, "hehorne" wrote: Hi all, I just received word from David Dortch that they are hosting a BUFF-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD at their house on Omega Street on Dauphin Island. Hopefully, this bird will stay around for the weekend birders. Good Birding, Howard Horne Mobile, AL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: BUFF-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD: Dauphin Island (10/29/09) From: "hehorne" <hhorne AT earthlink.net> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:56:18 -0000 Hi all, I just received word from David Dortch that they are hosting a BUFF-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD at their house on Omega Street on Dauphin Island. Hopefully, this bird will stay around for the weekend birders. Good Birding, Howard Horne Mobile, AL Subject: Wintering Hummers From: RubyThroat AT aol.com Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:34:03 EDT Fellow Albirders Yesterday morning Martha Sargent and I captured and banded an immature male Rufous hummingbird in rural Baileyton, Morgan County, Alabama. One half hour later we banded an adult Calliope humminngbird in Cullman, Alabama. We now have apparent (banded?) Rufous on site in Huffman, Jacksonville, Remlap, McCalla, plus some out of state locations. Is life good or what!!!!!!!!! Keep that feeder up please and let me know if you are seeing any hummers now or later this fall and winter. Photos mean a lot if you can get them. We need your assistance in what we do. You are truly a partner in all of our banding efforts!! Have much fun today. Bob and Martha Sargent Clay, Alabama 205-681-2888 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]