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6 Feb NABS Trip to Mallard-Fox Creek WMA, Wheeler Dam and Key Cave NWR [Dwight Cooley ] 4 Feb Clay, Alabama Yard Birds [] 04 Feb Rusty Blackbirds in Clarke County ["john_trent00" ] 03 Feb Cool HarleyBoyz wants to add you as a friend :) ["hotoacoolguy" ] 01 Feb Impromptu field trip to Grand Bay Savannah [Chazz Hesselein ] 1 Feb Re: Ivory Gull - deceased [Harold Peterson ] 31 Jan Re: Fwd: A Visiting Angel From Way Up North : 101 Dead Armadillos ["Gregory J. Harber" ] 01 Feb Ivory Gull - deceased ["mbraid" ] 31 Jan Fwd: A Visiting Angel From Way Up North : 101 Dead Armadillos [Mac ] 31 Jan Re: migracion ["Gregory J. Harber" ] 31 Jan Guntersville ["pemburung" ] 31 Jan migracion ["Jon Yoder" ] 31 Jan Winter birds in Clay, Alabama [] 30 Jan No, it's winter [Chazz Hesselein ] 29 Jan Re: Ivory Gull in Al [] 29 Jan Ivory Gull in Al [] 29 Jan Rusty Blackbird Blitz starts TOMORROW (1/30/2010) ["eric_soehren" ] 29 Jan Re: Another IVORY GULL update... not good [] 29 Jan BSC Field Ornithology Field Trip to Guntersville ["scotduncan26" ] 29 Jan Re: Another IVORY GULL update... not good [EUGENIA CAREY ] 29 Jan Another IVORY GULL update... not good ["Howard" ] 29 Jan IVORY GULL UPDATE ["Howard" ] 28 Jan Reducing aircraft - wildlife strikes at airports [Matt Kennedy ] 28 Jan Ivory Gull Update - 1/28/10 ["mbraid" ] 28 Jan Is it spring? [Chazz Hesselein ] 28 Jan An Event of Possible Interest [] 27 Jan Re: photos of Anna's Hummingbird (Madison, AL) ["Gregory J. Harber" ] 27 Jan photos of Anna's Hummingbird (Madison, AL) [] 28 Jan GA Ivory Gull Update ["eric_soehren" ] 27 Jan Re: Photos of Ivory Gull ["Gregory J. Harber" ] 27 Jan Photos of Ivory Gull ["rick_remy" ] 27 Jan Additional note on Mute Swan (still missing) [Harold Peterson ] 27 Jan Ross' Goose in Rogersville, Ducks at Chuch Pond/Cypress WTP [] 27 Jan Anna's Hummingbird in Madison, Alabama [] 27 Jan Ivory Gull - Yes! [Dana ] 27 Jan Ivory Gull ["rodney_m83" ] 27 Jan Re: Sabine River Ivory-Billed? SEE INDICATED BLOG SITE FOR DISCUSSION ["mbraid" ] 26 Jan ivory gull ["rodney_m83" ] 26 Jan IVORY GULL [] 26 Jan GA IVORY GULL - more [] 26 Jan Georgia IVORY GULL update -- YES! [] 26 Jan ivory gull ["pemburung" ] 25 Jan Re: BIRD ALERT: (possible) IVORY GULL, West Point Dam, Monday Jan 25 ["Greg D. Jackson" ] 25 Jan Dauphin Island - BSC field trip and unusual birds ["scotduncan26" ] 25 Jan BIRD ALERT: (possible) IVORY GULL, West Point Dam, Monday Jan 25 [] 25 Jan Mute Swan gone [Harold Peterson ] 25 Jan Mute Swan on UAH duck pond [Harold Peterson ] 23 Jan Saw-whet Owls [] 23 Jan Fwd: another claimed Ivory-billed Woodpecker discovery [Charles Crawford ] 22 Jan Dauphin Island and Mud Lakes ["Lucy and Bob Duncan" ] 22 Jan Re: Sabine River Ivory-Billed? [Elizabeth Masoner ] 23 Jan Sabine River Ivory-Billed? ["wjrogersportable" ] 22 Jan Re: Burrowing Owl: YES [Chazz Hesselein ] 22 Jan Sargent Yard Report [] 22 Jan Burrowing Owl: YES ["Howard" ] 20 Jan Autauga/Elmore counties this afternoon ["Greg D. Jackson" ] 19 Jan Coastal Birding Association field trips [Chazz Hesselein ] 18 Jan How to Convert Water to Gas [] 18 Jan Green-tailed Towhee and Pacific Loon - yes! ["Lucy and Bob Duncan" ] 18 Jan More Ducks... ["Howard" ] 17 Jan Possible Glaucous Gull at West Point Dam [john cole ] 18 Jan Ducks Galore! ["Howard" ] 17 Jan Brown Booby at Fort Morgan [] 15 Jan UAH duck pond [Harold Peterson ] 14 Jan Fw: [OB] Large-billed Reed Warbler (A. orinus) found breeding in Afghanistan ["Greg D. Jackson" ] 14 Jan Forever Wild At Risk ["Mark Bailey" ] 14 Jan Cackling and Ross's Geese at Wheeler NWR ["scotduncan26" ] 12 Jan Panhandle rarities ["Lucy and Bob Duncan" ] 12 Jan Tennessee's Watchable Wildlife new web site ["Scott Somershoe" ] 11 Jan Yard birds and local hummer report [] 11 Jan hummingbird program ["tea4bluebird" ] 11 Jan AOS UPDATE - Lakepoint State Park Reservations ["eric_soehren" ] 11 Jan Re: TUNDRA SWANS: Baldwin County ["Howard" ] 11 Jan TUNDRA SWANS: Baldwin County ["Howard" ] 30 Dec Re: Audubon magazine wrong ID? [] 10 Jan Re: Cold Weather Birding on the Coast... ["Gregory J. Harber" ] Subject: NABS Trip to Mallard-Fox Creek WMA, Wheeler Dam and Key Cave NWR From: Dwight Cooley <sabrewing AT earthlink.net> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 20:54:58 -0600 (GMT-06:00) Seven NABS members endured a cold, blustery afternoon of birding Saturday and were rewarded with several interesting birds. WHITE-WINGED SCOTER (1 imm. male)at relatively close range at Spring Creek [DeAL 18-D1] GREATER SCAUP (20) at Mallard Creek Recreation Area [DeAL 18-E2] AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN (15) at Spring Creek [DeAL 18-D1]and below Wheeler Dam (50)[DeAL 17-C10] NORTHERN HARRIER (15) including 5 ad. males from Observation Tower at Key Cave NWR [DeAL 17-D6] GLAUCOUS GULL (1st cycle)with several thousand Ring-billed Gulls near the Decatur-Morgan County Landfill [DeAL 18-E2] SHORT-EARED OWL (1)at dusk from Observation Tower at Key Cave NWR [DeAL 17-D6] WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW (8) along Lawrence County 150 [DeAL 17-D10] Dwight Cooley Athens, Alabama Subject: Clay, Alabama Yard Birds From: RubyThroat AT aol.com Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 10:11:53 EST Fellow Albirders First off, no new Saw-whets lately. The last two nights we ran the nets from dusk to dawn. No roosting owls found on our place lately either. In the feeder area we have near record numbers of Goldfinches and still lots of Purple Finches. No Pine Siskins in the last week have been detected among the horde of Goldfinches. The usual suspects in the sparrow family are still regular feeding proso millet on the ground. New today were two Brown Creepers in view at the same time and a lone cocky-looking Winter Wren feeding around the base of some of our trees. A pair of Wood Ducks that were seen investigating our duck box a couple of weeks agp are apparently still shopping around for some other apartment. These are truly stunning little cavity nesters! No new hummer reports of late. It appears that many/most of our banded winter hummers have moved farther south and then westward (we think). I spoke with my personal hummer banding hero before dawn this morning. Mr. Bassett is moving across the Gulf Coast over the next couple of days documenting some winter hummers down that way. If you know of a bird in south Alabama or any of north Florida, he can be contacted at 334-868-9658 or email at _Fhound AT aol.com_ (mailto:Fhound AT aol.com) . Fred has one of those fancy-smancy telephones that does everything except cook his breakfast. Actually he apparently does not stop to eat on these multi-day hummingbird banding blitzs. If you happen to live along the coast, and if you see his white pickup, please throw food on the front seat of his truck. At least Martha and I won't fret over him starving to death. Go hug somebody that you care about. They will get over the shock. It is a grand day to be alive and living in Alabama, USA!! Bob and Martha Sargent Clay, Alabama [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Rusty Blackbirds in Clarke County From: "john_trent00" <john.a.trent AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 04 Feb 2010 02:38:08 -0000 I spent the day searching for RUBLs in Choctaw and Clarke Counties focusing on sites along the Tombigbee. After several misses I found a good size flock near the ACE Old Lock One Park in Clarke County along HWY 69 north of Jackson (paste "31.58055 -88.00932" in a Google Maps search for exact location). I arrived at 1:00 pm and stayed for about an hour. The site was a nice flooded bottomland near the river. As soon as I got out of the truck I could hear what ended up being a few thousand Grackles off in the distance. As I walked towards the commotion I started flushing Rusties that were foraging just off the road. The Grackles began swarming through and I had a hard time getting a count amid the chaos, but I eventually came up with 75 once the Grackles left. I suspect some Rusties may have left with the main Grackle flock; if so that would've boosted my count nicely. Without the commotion of the Grackles I could enjoy the Rusties in full song which was a real treat. Another highlight of the day was 4 Fox Sparrows in Choctaw County at the Tuscahoma Landing near Butler. Good Rusty searching, John Trent Montgomery, AL Subject: Cool HarleyBoyz wants to add you as a friend :) From: "hotoacoolguy" <hotoacoolguy AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:59:53 -0000 I want to add you as a friend so you can see my profile with my pictures.Here is the link: http://www.ourlivespace.com/hotcoolguy/addme.htm Subject: Impromptu field trip to Grand Bay Savannah From: Chazz Hesselein <chazz AT hesselein.com> Date: Mon, 01 Feb 2010 21:13:56 -0600 Dear Birders, My family, Howard Horne and I drove to the Grand Bay Savannah Sunday afternoon to see if the massive numbers of blackbirds were flying over the Marine Laboratory Rd at sunset as they had last winter. Unfortunately, the numbers of blackbirds were more in the hundreds than thousands but we did see approx. 15 Rusty Blackbirds and large numbers of Swamp Sparrows (Howard estimated 150). We would like to have an ad hoc CBA field trip to that area this coming Sat. afternoon, Feb. 6. We will meet at the Hardee’s on Hwy 188 in Bayou LaBatre at 4:00 pm and plan on being out until dark. (Hopefully we will see American Woodcocks displaying.) Bring waterproof boots if you would like to do some "sparrow stomping." If there is any interest, we could go to the Lighthouse for dinner after the field trip. Please reply to this e-mail if you are interested in participating in this field trip. Chazz Hesselein Mobile, AL President, CBA ------------------------------------ IMPORTANT ADDRESSES: Post message: albirds AT yahoogroups.com Subscribe: albirds-subscribe AT yahoogroups.com List owner: albirds-owner AT yahoogroups.com AOS website: http://www.aosbirds.org/ This list is sponsored by the Alabama Ornithological Society (AOS) and is provided as a service to the birding community. AOS does not endorse the views or opinions expressed by the members of this discussion group. Nor does AOS support or endorse the advertising provided by the Yahoo Groups list service.Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/albirds/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/albirds/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: albirds-digest AT yahoogroups.com albirds-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: albirds-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Re: Ivory Gull - deceased From: Harold Peterson <pinkfloyd137 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 06:36:35 -0800 (PST) The word I received from a park ranger on the dam Saturday was that the gull died Friday, and was currently in their possession awaiting transfer to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Not sure whether he was with AL or GA State Parks, but in either case I thank him for not letting me stand there for an hour or more looking for a bird I wouldn't find. In either case it was nice to explore a new part of Alabama. Received a tip that one or two Mute Swans occasionally hang out on the ponds in Huntsville's Research Park, though I struck out both Thursday and Sunday, meaning the bird(s) likely range over a much larger area than just Research Park and UAH. On Sunday the pond between Voyager and Madison Pike had Hooded Mergansers and Field Sparrows, while the pond on Adtran's property had Ruddy Ducks, so not a completely lost search effort. For anyone else wishing to look around this area, there are five ponds in Research Park, as shown on a Mapquest view of the area, plus the upper and lower duck ponds at UAH. It also appears that there are some ponds on Redstone Arsenal just to the south, but I didn't have my badge with me either day. -Harold Peterson Huntsville, AL ________________________________ From: mbraid To: albirds AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Sun, January 31, 2010 7:23:33 PM Subject: [ALBIRDS] Ivory Gull - deceased Most of you have likely read that the Ivory Gull at West Point died, possibly from a bald eagle attack. Such a sad ending to a rare and beautiful bird. Be safe. Mac Braid Montevallo, AL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Fwd: A Visiting Angel From Way Up North : 101 Dead Armadillos From: "Gregory J. Harber" <gharber AT mindspring.com> Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 20:09:03 -0600 (GMT-06:00) Hey Mac et al- Great story! Thank you for pointing us to Mr. Barrett's blog. While reading some of his other birding posts I came across a link that one of his readers posted in the comments section of a story. Follow this link to another fabulous story, and one incredible photograph: http://www.scotsman.com/latestnews/Photographer-16-spends-2-days.5755696.jp -----Original Message----- From: Mac Sent: Jan 31, 2010 7:26 PM To: albirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [ALBIRDS] Fwd: A Visiting Angel From Way Up North : 101 Dead Armadillos See below for a very well-written article about our gull. RIP. Regards, Mac Braid Montevallo, AL Subject: A Visiting Angel From Way Up North : 101 Dead Armadillos http://www.michaeltbarrett.com/2010/01/29/a-visiting-angel-from-way-up-north/ [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: Ivory Gull - deceased From: "mbraid" <mbraid AT Yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 01 Feb 2010 01:23:33 -0000 Most of you have likely read that the Ivory Gull at West Point died, possibly from a bald eagle attack. Such a sad ending to a rare and beautiful bird. Be safe. Mac Braid Montevallo, AL Subject: Fwd: A Visiting Angel From Way Up North : 101 Dead Armadillos From: Mac <Docfrog1 AT aol.com> Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 20:26:21 -0500 See below for a very well-written article about our gull. RIP. Regards, Mac Braid Montevallo, AL Subject: A Visiting Angel From Way Up North : 101 Dead Armadillos http://www.michaeltbarrett.com/2010/01/29/a-visiting-angel-from-way-up-north/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: migracion From: "Gregory J. Harber" <gharber AT mindspring.com> Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 14:54:13 -0600 (GMT-06:00) Hey Jon et al- Your reminder to yourself to bring binoculars wherever you travel struck a chord with me. Many moons ago, back in the mid 1990s, I traveled with the choir from our church to Rome. (Don't be afraid, I wasn't singing with them - merely a travel companion taking in the sights of Rome). Having been to Europe only once prior to that (without them), I took my pair, figuring that whatever birds I saw would be easier to see with them. Taking the tour through the Vatican museums I looked out the window and spotted my first Pied Wagtail, feeding on the well-manicured Vatican lawn. A few minutes later we stepped into the Sistine Chapel, and it occurred to me then - as I was staring at the intimate details of Michelangelo's masterpiece above my head - what a stroke of luck this was for me! Others said to me, what a good idea it was to pack them for this occasion. I did not have the heart to tell them I was there for the birds too. On subsequent trips with the choir I also had good views of a Smew in northern Italy, and while visiting what has to be the most beautiful church in the world - Weiss Church in southern Austria - a Black Kite coursed above the field adjacent to the church. Needless to say I was one happy camper! Take care all, and bring on those migrants! I am eagerly awaiting their return! Greg -----Original Message----- From: Jon Yoder Sent: Jan 31, 2010 8:33 AM To: albirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [ALBIRDS] migracion I just got back from a 2 week medical mission trip to Nicaragua, along the shores of Lake Nicaragua and the San Juan River in Southern Nicaragua, and although I forgot my binocs, I was able to see many migrating birds that are headed our way. Large numbers of purple martins, tree swallows, chimney swifts, and swallows that I did not recognize were flying daily as I suppose they were making their way back to the US and Canada...I was able to see several of their exotic birds such as the toucan and macaws in their native habitat--I can't remember the variety--and hundreds of great egrets and blue herons--they were as common as sparrows in that vicinity. It is almost time for my time for 'my' martins to return--normally they come this coming week, but I don't even have their housing put up yet...So their is work to do. Jon Yoder Escambia County, AL Note to self--ON ANY TRIP, please pack binocs! [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: Guntersville From: "pemburung" <pemburung AT naturetravelspecialists.com> Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 15:34:15 -0000 On Saturday a few hardy souls from Birmingham Audubon and the North Alabama Birdwatcher's Society met up with Linda and Dick Reynolds at Guntersville for some cool weather birding. OK, cold weather birding. Despite the on and off again light drizzle, and fog, the wind stayed away for the first part of the morning and most of the water birds were reasonably close to shore, so good viewing could be had most of the time. We Birmingham pair met the rest at the lake near the Episcopal church, where there was a good raft of ducks, coots, loons, and further out, gulls. While the group was trying to tease out a hoped-for Pacific Loon, a large white bird with the gulls stood out, a first winter Glaucous Gull. At the same time an unusual grebe/loon floated into scope view, and Red-throated Loon was added to the list. Added to the nice views of a variety of ducks, we were pretty satisfied with the day so far, as it was not yet 9am. A stop a little further along provided more views of ducks, plus frustratingly brief glimpses for a couple of participants of a Pacific Loon that was decidedly uncooperative, briefly appearing on the surfacing then diving and popping up way out of the field of view, causing another 5 minutes of searching only for it to repeat its playful ways. At the parking lot a little way past the Senior Citizens Center ducks and other water birds ranged along the lake by the thousands, but best was an Eared Grebe just apart from several Horneds, allowing for good comparisons. Between here and the "Beach" (shades and sunscreen were not necessary) we saw all the expected ducks, including good numbers of Red-breasted Mergansers and Common Golden-eyes, still in good clear light despite the light drizzle. Lesser Scaup numbers were in the multiple thousands, with a few Greaters and Ring-neckeds dotted about. Redheads and Canvasbacks were also well represented. The wind started to develop about 10.30, and the temperature was dropping, and 11.30 found us warming up in our lunch spot. We all counted the day pretty successful so far, with 3 loon and 3 grebe species under our belts, the glaucous and great views of many species of ducks. After lunch a swing by Harbor House provided a view of the Lesser Black-back Gull, and then a reduced party made its way to the Hawk Farm. Along the way a hundred or so Bonaparte's Gulls were fishing, giving us a total of 5 gull species for the day. A lone, unidentified tern was seen with them. At the Hawk Farm, where freezing rain eventually turned into light snow, we were given great shows of frolicking eagles, including pre-mating flights, and juveniles harassing the large numbers of gulls and blackbirds or just being itchy-to-do-something juveniles. As Bill Turnock said, note to self if a small bird; don't loaf around at a place called "Hawk Farm". Closest views of swooping eagles was about 60-80 yards. Altogether 8 or 9 eagles, adult and juvenile, were seen, along with Red-tails and a Harrier. The by then very cold weather brought the trip to a close about 1.30pm. A small group of Yellow-crowned Night-herons at the Sailboat Marina was a nice plus on the way back to Guntersville, and our own day was finished with a mature eagle flying over Hwy 79 at Cleveland. All in all a very satisfying day of birding. Andrew Haffenden Subject: migracion From: "Jon Yoder" <jeyoder AT frontiernet.net> Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 08:33:23 -0600 I just got back from a 2 week medical mission trip to Nicaragua, along the shores of Lake Nicaragua and the San Juan River in Southern Nicaragua, and although I forgot my binocs, I was able to see many migrating birds that are headed our way. Large numbers of purple martins, tree swallows, chimney swifts, and swallows that I did not recognize were flying daily as I suppose they were making their way back to the US and Canada...I was able to see several of their exotic birds such as the toucan and macaws in their native habitat--I can't remember the variety--and hundreds of great egrets and blue herons--they were as common as sparrows in that vicinity. It is almost time for my time for 'my' martins to return--normally they come this coming week, but I don't even have their housing put up yet...So their is work to do. Jon Yoder Escambia County, AL Note to self--ON ANY TRIP, please pack binocs! [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Winter birds in Clay, Alabama From: RubyThroat AT aol.com Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 07:12:18 EST Morning Albirders The last round of snow and ice up north has APPARENTLY resulted in a huge increase in our seed-eaters this week. We now have a horde of American Goldfinches, a marked increase in Purple Finches and a fresh group of Pine Warblers in our woods and at our feeders. Sparrows are mostly limited to Chipping, White-throated and few Song. Less common are scattered Fox Sparrows in the leaves in the woods. Juncos are here in good numbers, perhaps as many as 30-50 in one flock at times. Lots of common nuthatches at the suet, along with a couple of Ruby-crowned Kinglets. No owls of late. The sleet and strong north wind prevented us from opening our nets last night. Red-shouldered Hawks are courting and doing aerial displays on sunny days. Awesome. Wear some warm clothes and go birding today. Life is good. Bob Sargent Clay, Alabama [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: No, it's winter From: Chazz Hesselein <chazz AT hesselein.com> Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 20:51:55 -0600 Dear All, A couple of days ago I reported seeing not one but two Rose-breasted Grosbeaks in my west Mobile backyard. Yesterday I was at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology web site and, when I clicked on the featured bird link (Purple Finch), I found photos of female Purple Finches that looked eerily similar to my "Rose-breasted Grosbeaks." This morning I was able to confirm that the two birds that I had seen on my feeder were, indeed, female Purple Finches (the first females of an infrequent species in my yard). Later, to further confirm my suspicions, the real female Rose-breasted Grosbeak made a brief appearance. (I think she stuck her tongue out at me.) Purple Finch sightings along with a reminder from Lucy Duncan that, "the groundhog hasn't even reared its sleepy lil head yet," have convinced me that the answer to my question, "Is it Spring?" is: no, it's still winter. Happy Ground Hog's Day, Chazz Hesselien Mobile, AL Subject: Re: Ivory Gull in Al From: flite-60863 AT mypacks.net Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:26:30 -0600 (GMT-06:00) Rather than chasing the gull on Saturday looks like I'll have to shift tactics and try for the elusive and slippery bar of Ivory soap instead. Ah, the curse of the working class. Thanks for all the updates Lorna et al. -----Original Message----- From: jjoa AT mindspring.com Sent: Jan 29, 2010 3:41 PM To: Al birders Subject: [ALBIRDS] Ivory Gull in Al To all doubters Steve Mcconnell's GPS confirms if accepted a first state record of the IVORY gull. Bad news is it's health. Lorna West Opelika,Al Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T Gregory J. Harber Birmingham, AL gharber AT mindspring.com "It's never too late to have a happy childhood." Tom Robbins Subject: Ivory Gull in Al From: jjoa AT mindspring.com Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:41:29 +0000 To all doubters Steve Mcconnell's GPS confirms if accepted a first state record of the IVORY gull. Bad news is it's health. Lorna West Opelika,Al Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T Subject: Rusty Blackbird Blitz starts TOMORROW (1/30/2010) From: "eric_soehren" <esoehren AT netzero.com> Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:48:24 -0000 AL Birders: We have been fortunate for our fare share of rare birds this season, yet there is one more species that will soon join the "rare bird" list if its precipitous declines continue...the Rusty Blackbird. It's estimated that a staggering 90-95% of its continental population has declined since 1970! That's even steeper than the Cerulean Warbler folks! Not until recently though has there been any attention given toward the current wellfare of this species. But today you can do something to help and that is participate in the 2nd Annual Rusty Blackbird Blitz, which spans 17 days starting tomorrow (1/30/2010) and ending on Presidents' Day (2/15/2010). Alabama happens to be within the core wintering area of this species, so it is particularly important that we get as much participation as possible. To participate all you have to do is get out and bird your favorite places within the 17-day survey window, but focus your efforts at sites that are likely for Rusty Blackbirds; places like wet forested bottoms, open fields, pecan orchards, etc. If you ecnounter a flock try to estimate or count the total number, determine the sex ratio (i.e. males to females), and note what they're doing (e.g. foraging, roosting, vocalizing, etc.). Even if you don't find them in areas that look suitable, make a note of where you were because that information is needed too. The success of this Blitz depends heavily on your reports and the more data you submit the better scientists can understand the factors that are causing these declines. Birders are participating throughout the Rusty Blackbird's winter range (20+ states) and each state has one or more coordinators. Alabama has two coordinators; Dwight Cooley for the northern half and me for the southern half. In the southern half, I've heard from a number of people that are planning on searching sites in Dallas, Montgomery, Macon, Lee, Russell, Barbour, Baldwin and Mobile counties. However, that still leaves large gaps elsewhere including a majority of the Wiregrass Region and most of west/southwestern Alabama. Also, if any of our local birding clubs (NABS, River Region Bird Club, Coastal Birding Assoc., etc.) have a planned field trip during this time span, I highly encourage your group to cover sites focusing on Rusty Blackbirds. Remember, Rusty Blackbird presence or absence data is needed data! Once you collect your data, it should be entered online using eBird, which is very easy. When entering your data, be sure to select the "Rusty Blackbird Blitz" protocol choice on the data entry pages. If you don't use eBird, but still want to participate, please send your data to me (eric.soehren AT dcnr.alabama.gov) and I'll enter it for you. For more information about the Rusty Blackbird Blitz go to the following webpage: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/news/rubl-survey-2010 Thanks for your consideration of participating...your efforts will certainly be put to good use! Now go out and find some Rusties! Sincerely, Eric Soehren Alabama Dept. of Conservation and Nat. Resources State Lands Division, Natural Heritage Section 64 North Union Street, Suite 464 Montgomery, AL 36104 Subject: Re: Another IVORY GULL update... not good From: tapaculo AT knology.net Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:14:41 -0500 Earlier today, I observed the gull from approximately 8:30 est until approximately 10:15 on a spit where it could best be seen from the end of a (gated) road off the continuation of the dam road (the other side of the dam from the entrance road off 29/14). The bird had a drooping left wing, it was having balance problems and it was breathing deeply - but I saw no exposed bone. The bird had difficulty standing, so I am frankly surprised to learn that it was able to fly to the pool and get to the Alabama side of the state line - although I heard that it spent time in the pool yesterday. A photograph taken yesterday showed the bird was in bad health. The wonder of seeing this beautiful gull was tempered somewhat by the sadness of realizing it was close to death, but it was still a marvelous experience. Larry Gardella Montgomery, AL On Fri 01/29/10 11:59 AM , "Howard" hhorne AT earthlink.net sent: > Hi all, > I just received a phone call from Lucy Duncan who is observing the > Ivory Gull now on the Alabama side of the state line. The prognosis > does not look good for the gull: It appears to be severely injured > with a broken wing (a compound fracture with exposed bone?) and is > heavily breathing/gasping. Supposedly, a local rehab group is on its > way to see if they can capture the bird(?). > Based on observations from birders in the field it is the opinion > that the bird will probably not survive the ordeal. > Howard Horne > Mobile, AL > > > Links: > ------ > [3] > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/albirds/message/10151;_ylc=X3oDMTM1YWZuOTNqBF > 9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzQwMTExOARncnBzcElkAzE3MDUwNjU3ODcEbXNnSWQDMTAxNTEEc > 2VjA2Z0cgRzbGsDdnRwYwRzdGltZQMxMjY0Nzg0NDIxBHRwY0lkAzEwMTUx[4] > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/albirds/members;_ylc=X3oDMTJlZ2l0ZDRqBF9TAzk3 > MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzQwMTExOARncnBzcElkAzE3MDUwNjU3ODcEc2VjA3Z0bARzbGsDdm1icnM > Ec3RpbWUDMTI2NDc4NDQyMQ--?o=6[5] > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/albirds/spnew;_ylc=X3oDMTJlYzVpOHZxBF9TAzk3Mz > U5NzE0BGdycElkAzQwMTExOARncnBzcElkAzE3MDUwNjU3ODcEc2VjA3Z0bARzbGsDdnBob3QEc > 3RpbWUDMTI2NDc4NDQyMQ--[6] > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/albirds;_ylc=X3oDMTJkYWdrbGplBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0 > BGdycElkAzQwMTExOARncnBzcElkAzE3MDUwNjU3ODcEc2VjA3Z0bARzbGsDdmdocARzdGltZQM > xMjY0Nzg0NDIx[7] > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/albirds/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJkczloNmFvBF9TAzk3MzU > 5NzE0BGdycElkAzQwMTExOARncnBzcElkAzE3MDUwNjU3ODcEc2VjA2Z0cgRzbGsDbnRwYwRzdG > ltZQMxMjY0Nzg0NDIx[8] http://www.aosbirds.org/ > [9] > http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=14kkhou8i/M=493064.13814333.13821539.13298430/D > =groups/S=1705065787:MKP1/Y=YAHOO/EXP=1264791621/L=/B=.rhxAESO5.w-/J=126478 > 4421797583/K=aGKEvUeY54Xn5fOD2Yb7jA/A=5922843/R=0/SIG=11ckn2mo6/*http://adv > ision.webevents.yahoo.com/green/[10] > http://groups.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTJjMXU1bml2BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzQwM > TExOARncnBzcElkAzE3MDUwNjU3ODcEc2VjA2Z0cgRzbGsDZ2ZwBHN0aW1lAzEyNjQ3ODQ0MjE-[14] http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > > Subject: BSC Field Ornithology Field Trip to Guntersville From: "scotduncan26" <sduncan AT bsc.edu> Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:37:29 -0000 Hi Folks, On a gray day with sad news about the Ivory Gull let me post a little bit of sunshine. Our Field Ornithology trip to Guntersville was a success. Brown creek south of the Highway 69 causeway was full of ducks, grebes, loons and coots. Students saw their first Greater Scaup sleeping among the Lessers. Occasionally one would wake up and look around to show its round, greenish head. Best birds of the day were an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL at the Highway 431 pilings and a PACIFIC LOON seen from both the Kiwanis Pier and the Boat Launch on the east side of the Highway 69 causeway. Many thanks to Sue Moske, who saw our class and alerted us to the presence of the loon. Sue had also seen an EARED GREBE out from the Senior Center on Sunset Drive, but we were unable to relocate it. Thanks also to Matt Morrow who did some scouting for us the day before. Our class ended with 143 species, much higher than I had expected. The students really seemed to enjoy the class, and I can say for sure that they will never look at birds the same way again! I even suspect a few of them will continue to study birds in their future. Many thanks to those of you who helped us along the way, especially Dwight Cooley, Steve Miller, Bob and Martha Sargent, Bob and Lucy Duncan, Howard Horne, Matt Morrow, Sue Moske and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. Good birding, Scot Subject: Re: Another IVORY GULL update... not good From: EUGENIA CAREY <eugeniacarey AT prodigy.net> Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 09:09:02 -0800 (PST) Howard and all, Yesterday the bird appeared to have a sore foot and was resting a lot on the beach.  Something has attacked this bird since late yesterday. I took some video clipets of the bird on the beach with no visible signs as described. Eugenia   eugeniacarey AT prodigy.net Eugenia Carey Dauphin Island, Al --- On Fri, 1/29/10, Howard wrote: From: Howard Subject: [ALBIRDS] Another IVORY GULL update... not good To: albirds AT yahoogroups.com Date: Friday, January 29, 2010, 11:59 AM   Hi all, I just received a phone call from Lucy Duncan who is observing the Ivory Gull now on the Alabama side of the state line. The prognosis does not look good for the gull: It appears to be severely injured with a broken wing (a compound fracture with exposed bone?) and is heavily breathing/gasping. Supposedly, a local rehab group is on its way to see if they can capture the bird(?). Based on observations from birders in the field it is the opinion that the bird will probably not survive the ordeal. Howard Horne Mobile, AL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Another IVORY GULL update... not good From: "Howard" <hhorne AT earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:59:54 -0000 Hi all, I just received a phone call from Lucy Duncan who is observing the Ivory Gull now on the Alabama side of the state line. The prognosis does not look good for the gull: It appears to be severely injured with a broken wing (a compound fracture with exposed bone?) and is heavily breathing/gasping. Supposedly, a local rehab group is on its way to see if they can capture the bird(?). Based on observations from birders in the field it is the opinion that the bird will probably not survive the ordeal. Howard Horne Mobile, AL Subject: IVORY GULL UPDATE From: "Howard" <hhorne AT earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:01:09 -0000 Hi all, I just received a phone call from Steve McConnell who is on his way to see the IVORY GULL... IN ALABAMA! While driving Steve got a phone call from Lorna West who reports the bird is now sitting on the Alabama side of the state line. Apparently the bird has been lounging around lately and may possibly be sick or injured??? but I'm not sure about this information. Good Luck, Howard Horne Mobile, AL Subject: Reducing aircraft - wildlife strikes at airports From: Matt Kennedy <kennedym2009 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:55:54 -0800 (PST) Dear fellow birding enthusiasts, As a lifelong birder and professional aviator for over 16 years, I am conducting a nation-wide study on the level of community support for the mitigation measures used at airports to reduce the wildlife strike hazard to commercial aircraft.  Getting input from different regions of the country is necessary to gauge whether there are regional differences due to varying bird populations or possible high profile incidents involving wildlife strikes on aircraft.  Responses are submitted electronically to a database that does not identify users, so your answers will be completely confidential.  Findings will be released only as analyzed data or summaries in which no individual’s answers can be identified.  Please take a few moments to share your opinions and experiences.  I appreciate you taking time from your busy schedule to contribute toward this important research about community views on wildlife mitigation measures at airports.   The survey can be accessed at:   https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XTVS225   If you would like a summary of my findings, please send me your e-mail address at kennedym2009 AT yahoo.com.  Once the study is complete, I will e-mail the summary to you. Best Regards, Matt Kennedy Graduate student in Aeronautical Science Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Ivory Gull Update - 1/28/10 From: "mbraid" <mbraid AT Yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:13:00 -0000 I took two friends/neighbors, Hal Sawyer and John Stewart, with me to look for the Ivory Gull today. We got to the dam at about 11:00 AM and climbed up the steps from below the dam. We met three ladies at the top on the dam who had the gull in their scopes several hundred meters away. The gull was toward the Alabama end of the dam, so we walked (OK, I ran some!) along the dam to a smallish crowd of birders who were watching it on an somewhat broad clay area (on the lakeside of the dam) that extends out away from the rip-rap beside the dam road. The bird was on the road side of a small lone tree near the water, and the gull was probably 100 to 120 meters from us, so we had good looks through binocs and scopes. Dr. Bill Summerour had been there for 4 hours, and he told me it had probably moved a total of 6 feet while he was there! Frank Farrell was also there as were several others I did not know. After maybe 45 minutes after our arrival, a swimming mammal (perhaps otter) scared the bird off the land and out into the lake for several hundred yards. Then the cormorants and some of the gulls perched on the floating trash barrier in front of the turbines took off, and moved the bird further toward the dam. It is a beautiful bird, was at this spot a long time, and you really need to try for it. Best of luck. Mac Braid Montevallo, AL Subject: Is it spring? From: Chazz Hesselein <chazz AT hesselein.com> Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:26:26 -0600 I have had a few interesting birds in my yard so far this year. The first was a Selasphorus sp. hummingbird that didn't cooperate for Fred Basset and then disappeared before we got her name. Then, a couple of weeks ago a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak started coming to my feeders and continues to dine at the smörgåsbord. This morning I was startled to find that the Rose-breasted Grosbeak had found a friend as two female Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were happily munching on seeds. Perhaps migration is starting especially early this year. Chazz Hesselein Mobile, AL Subject: An Event of Possible Interest From: sbru AT jaguar1.usouthal.edu Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:12:59 -0600 The talk mentioned below may be of interest to albird readers. I know nothing about it other than its claim "will appeal to everyone who has an interest in the birds" Stephen Bru Mobile Spirits of the Air: Birds & American Indians in the South, 7PM, February 11 Shepard Krech-a distinguished ecological ethnohistorian, professor of anthropology at Brown University, and an accomplished birder-will present images and thoughts from his new book, Spirits of the Air: Birds & American Indians in the South (University of Georgia Press, 2009) at 7:00 PM Thursday, February 11, in Laidlaw Performing Arts Center Recital Hall. Copies of Professor Krech's book will be available for purchase and signing after his talk. Reviews of Spirits of the Air describe this beautiful book as "a splendidly illustrated tour of Southeastern Indian ethno-ornithology" . "clear and engaging" . "Krech's research into historical sources and his deep understanding of birds combine to entrance the reader with scientific insights, Native knowledge, and marvelous descriptions of the American South." Professor Krech "explores the deep connections between American Indians of the South and the rich bird life that was (and is) so much a part of their environment and lives." This public lecture will appeal to everyone who has an interest in the birds, Native peoples, or natural history of the Southeast. This free event is the 2010 Mardi Gras lecture hosted by the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work (with support from the USA Foundation). For more information, call Greg Waselkov at 460-6911. Subject: Re: photos of Anna's Hummingbird (Madison, AL) From: "Gregory J. Harber" <gharber AT mindspring.com> Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:48:34 -0600 (GMT-06:00) Lordy, what a stunning bird! -----Original Message----- From: Swmavocet AT aol.com Sent: Jan 27, 2010 9:44 PM To: albirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [ALBIRDS] photos of Anna's Hummingbird (Madison, AL) The Sargents passed along some pictures of the male Anna's banded yesterday in Madison and asked me to place them where all could share. With all the talk about white (well, ivory) how about a little color? As the late Croc Hunter would say, "what a ripper!" http://www.pbase.com/swmavocet/annas Click on the thumbnail and then 'original size' under each picture to see the biggest version. Steve McConnell Hartselle, AL [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: photos of Anna's Hummingbird (Madison, AL) From: Swmavocet AT aol.com Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:44:53 -0500 The Sargents passed along some pictures of the male Anna's banded yesterday in Madison and asked me to place them where all could share. With all the talk about white (well, ivory) how about a little color? As the late Croc Hunter would say, "what a ripper!" http://www.pbase.com/swmavocet/annas Click on the thumbnail and then 'original size' under each picture to see the biggest version. Steve McConnell Hartselle, AL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: GA Ivory Gull Update From: "eric_soehren" <esoehren AT netzero.com> Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:25:50 -0000 Hi all, After seeing the photos and reading the posts, I couldn't resist and took the afternoon off from work and headed to West Point Dam...and I'm glad I did! Upon arrival (3:30 PM CDT) the gull was alone on the lake above the dam inside the yellow floating enclosure a good distance away. However it continually drifted closer to the dam offering stunning looks and great photo opportunities for those standing above on the narrow dam road. Amazingly, it drifted within 80 feet of the dam allowing me to get a decent shot with a point-and-shoot (posted in my folder in the Photos Section). It remained on the water until 4:20 (CDT) before taking to the air and flying below to the spillway (where it circled a few times with the Ring-billeds) and then continued down river out of sight. The bird never flew anywhere close to the Alabama line. A gentleman that had been there all day mentioned that the gull had done that same exact thing two previous times and then returned after several minutes, so that appears to be the pattern now. Tomorrow should provide another great day for anyone trying for this incredible bird. If its not around when you arrive, be patient and hopefully it will show and be as accommodating for you as it was for all of us there today. Good Birding, Eric Soehren Shorter, AL Subject: Re: Photos of Ivory Gull From: "Gregory J. Harber" <gharber AT mindspring.com> Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:05:01 -0600 (GMT-06:00) Hey All- Do we know yet whether the gull has visited the Alabama side of the line, or are all these reports in Georgia? I can't hardly believe that Georgia has better trash than Alabama. -----Original Message----- From: rick_remy Sent: Jan 27, 2010 4:42 PM To: albirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [ALBIRDS] Photos of Ivory Gull I took some photos of the Ivory Gull today using the hand held camera method. They're not great photos, but they are located in my "Rick Remy" album. Rick Irondale, Al Gregory J. Harber Birmingham, AL gharber AT mindspring.com "It's never too late to have a happy childhood." Tom Robbins Subject: Photos of Ivory Gull From: "rick_remy" <rickremy AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:42:39 -0000 I took some photos of the Ivory Gull today using the hand held camera method. They're not great photos, but they are located in my "Rick Remy" album. Rick Irondale, Al Subject: Additional note on Mute Swan (still missing) From: Harold Peterson <pinkfloyd137 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:56:53 -0800 (PST) I talked with Robert Redmon with UAH Grounds Managements about the Mute Swan. He says it's been present off and on "for a while", sometimes disappearing for up to four months but always coming back. He also says there are sometimes two individuals present. I have a voice mail in with him asking if pictures have ever been taken. Regarding parking, there is some visitor parking on campus, and there's no permit required to park in front of the Bud Cramer Research Hall (also at Sparkman and Lakeside, but on the northwest corner of the intersection). UAH parking regulations are here: http://police.uah.edu/parking.php, with a link to a campus map on the left side of the page. I note that Mute Swan is not on the AL bird list. As such, I would not accept my own documentation that I sent to the Records Committee until such time that an accompanying photograph could be procured. -Harold Peterson Huntsville, AL Subject: Ross' Goose in Rogersville, Ducks at Chuch Pond/Cypress WTP From: TNbarredowl AT aol.com Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:32:45 -0500 Lauderdale County Working in the field today (some days we just have to suffer through our jobs!). Visited a shoreline subdivision in Rogersville (Rane Bay Shores). I found a large flock of Canada Geese in one of the yards and in the flock was a "lone white goose". That is usually adequate documentation for a Ross' Goose, but I looked carefully at the bird and saw the short triangular bill with blue base. The homeowner said she feeds geese regularly in her yard, and the white one had been there for about two weeks. Later, I had to go toward Riverton, and stopped by Church Pond and the Cypress Creek WTP on my return. Church Pond had a few Canada Geese, about 200 each Gadwall and Northern Shovelers, 2 Redhead and 2 Lesser Scaup. The WTP had about 200 Northern Shoveler, 500 Lesser Scaup, 200 Bufflehead, 1 Common Goldeneye and 2 Hooded Mergansers. Damien Simbeck Killen, AL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Anna's Hummingbird in Madison, Alabama From: RubyThroat AT aol.com Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:10:44 EST Albirders I got a report from one person today saying that the bird in Madison was not seen this morning. I am not surprised, since from the beginning it has been irregular at the feeder. No word this afternoon. The hosts, Melissa and Sandy Kirkindall both lead very busy lives. Don't be surprised if you are unable to get them on the phone. Fortunately, you do not have to phone them before you go there and make an attempt for this very rare species in Alabama. No new owls to report last night. We do have a bumper crop of finches at our seed feeders after a slower than normal day yesterday. I do not understand all I know about birds. Good luck guys. Bob Sargent Clay, Alabama [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Ivory Gull - Yes! From: Dana <stan_dana_h AT bellsouth.net> Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 08:20:14 -0800 (PST) The ivory Gull is above the West Point dam. Many lucky observers have gotten beautiful views of this gorgeous bird this morning! Dana Hamilton Birmingham Al [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Ivory Gull From: "rodney_m83" <rdny328 AT aol.com> Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:04:58 -0000 Here is a photo of the Ivory Gull. Go to this link. Photo by Dan Vickers. http://www.flickr.com/photos/dfvickers/4308276060/sizes/l/ Subject: Re: Sabine River Ivory-Billed? SEE INDICATED BLOG SITE FOR DISCUSSION From: "mbraid" <mbraid AT Yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:05:36 -0000 http://ivorybills.blogspot.com/ Folks, if you go to this site, there is discussion about the Sabine IBWO. Most apparently doubt the authenticity of the sighting, but they are awaiting further details and pics. You may find the discussion interesting, especially if you read the entire blog. Regards, Mac Braid Montevallo, AL --- In albirds AT yahoogroups.com, "wjrogersportable" wrote: > > Has anyone else seen anything about a photo of an Ivory-billed woodpecker on the Sabine River? > > Bill Rogers > Florence > Subject: ivory gull From: "rodney_m83" <rdny328 AT aol.com> Date: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:02:24 -0000 Ivory gull was within 20 yards of birders and photographers at Westpoint dam at 3:00 pm. It hung around for a long time. You must see this beautiful bird. Rodney McCollum Opelika, Al Subject: IVORY GULL From: jjoa AT mindspring.com Date: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:43:01 +0000 WE had upclose views -inside the bouy of the Ivory Gull 11:30 CST.to 1:00.It did fly over our heads.This beauty-an adult-is well worth the trip!!!!!!ENJOY!!!!!!!Lorna West,Opelika,Al Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T Subject: GA IVORY GULL - more From: Swmavocet AT aol.com Date: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:39:20 -0500 Additional details I've heard this morning: - Gull was present at first light this morning but flew north out of view soon after. - Reappeared around 11:30 on lake above dam - After delighting many observers, it flew over the clicking camera crowd on the dam to the tailwater area below the dam - I think it stayed in view there but that message was garbled - A worker (birder?) who regularly counts eagles in the area reports it has been there for 1-2 weeks (!!!) Steve McConnell Hartselle, AL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Georgia IVORY GULL update -- YES! From: Swmavocet AT aol.com Date: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:54:09 -0500 Just received call from Lorna West that the gull is in view at West Point Dam (AL/GA stateline) as of 11:30 this morning. The polar bear sighting has yet to be confirmed. : ) Steve McConnell Hartselle, AL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: ivory gull From: "pemburung" <pemburung AT naturetravelspecialists.com> Date: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 04:23:58 -0000 I'm going across for the ivory gull tomorrow Tuesday, and Jeff Sewell is letting some GA folks going for it know my cell number. So if anyone is going my number is 205 616 0759; hopefully I'll have as much up to date information as possible. I've also got a spare seat if anyone's interested, I'll be leaving early, but feel free to call tonight. Cheers, Andrew Subject: Re: BIRD ALERT: (possible) IVORY GULL, West Point Dam, Monday Jan 25 From: "Greg D. Jackson" <g_d_jackson AT bellsouth.net> Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:43:22 -0600 AL Birders, Another post on the GA listserv at 5:39 p.m. states that the Ivory Gull was relocated late this afternoon, "seen from parking lot at dam on the Georgia side." That an Ivory Gull could be on our state line, and halfway down it at that, is incredible; that this reported as an adult is off the charts! Steve's point concerning which state this is located is well taken, as this prize would be worth a drive regardless. However, there is a small chance it could be seen at least flying over AL space at some point, so potentially could give AL a first record, too. So folks going to see this amazing bird should be well aware of EXACTLY where the state line is located. Steve's map is a good one. Having spent some time at that dam frustratingly NOT seeing another rare gull in AL some years ago, I'd like to pass along a hint about where the line is located. Probably the best help is to look at the situation on Google Earth, which gives excellent detailed views. An old road, aptly called State Line Road, used to come from the south, and remains of that road extend into the lake -- depending on lake levels, you can stand on the shore and see the old track going into the water. This is accessed from the small parking lot on a minimal point of land, 0.6 miles NW of the west edge of the dam; the turn to the this little parking lot is 0.35 miles on CR 295 east of CR 212. The line then extends NNW directly to the tip of a small point on the west side of the lake at the end of CR 390; it travels across the water again to intersect a larger point of land accessed by CR 294. Therefore, for this bird to be added to the AL list, it must be clearly observed to cross this line at the far western shore of the lower lake, or possibly farther north where a bit more water is within AL territory. Memorize the Google Earth image, or print out that portion, if you go, just in case this bird starts wandering away from the dam and happens to fly west. What I don't know, in this post-911 world, is what roads are accessible and how far one can drive them. CR 295, along the edge of the lake leading to the small parking lot mentioned above, ends at the top of the dam, and does not appear to connect to the lower parking lot (reached by West Point Dam Road). If someone with recent experience with these roads and the security situation would comment, it would be appreciated. But most of all, keep you fingers crossed for it to hang around, and just enjoy the experience regardless of the boundaries! Greg Greg D. Jackson Birmingham, AL g_d_jackson AT bellsouth.net ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Sent: Monday, January 25, 2010 2:13 PM Subject: [ALBIRDS] BIRD ALERT: (possible) IVORY GULL, West Point Dam, Monday Jan 25 > > Folks, > > Normally I don't pass along 'possible' sightings as Bird Alerts but with > the potential rarity involved here, I hope you'll forgive if the bird > cannot be relocated. > > I hear several GA birders are on the way. I don't know if the bird was > seen above or below the dam. West Point Dam itself is just over the line > in GA but a couple narrow fingers of the lake's west side are in Chambers > County, Alabama. http://westpt.sam.usace.army.mil/WP/images/WPL.gif > When it comes to this species, the exact state involved is of little > consequence. > > Jeff Wilson's 1996 IVORY (R.I.P.) at Pickwick Dam (TN) loved to hang > around the fishing area picking up scraps and bait. It had little, if > any, fear of humans. Fingers crossed. > > For latest web updates, check: > http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/GABO.html > > Good luck, > > Steve McConnell > Hartselle, AL > =============================================================== > > Subject: Possible Ivory Gull, West Point Lake, 1/25/10 > From: Jeff Sewell and Carol Lambert > Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:25:41 +0000 > > I just got a call from a reliable observer to say he is nearly positive > that he > ust has seen an adult Ivory Gull., last seen near the dam minutes ago. > It's > ow 1:26pm. Am on the way there now. > Jeff Sewell > eKalb County > Subject: Ivory Gull, 1/25, seen by Walt Chambers at West Point Dam > From: Darlene Moore > Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:27:33 -0500 > > GABOers, > Sorry, I do not have any details, just got a call from Bill Lotz that Walt > hambers has an Ivory Gull at West Point Dam. > Bill Lotz and Jeff Sewell are enroute now. > Just wanted to get the word out > Darlene Moore > ecatur, GA (well actually at work at Egleston) > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > ------------------------------------ > > IMPORTANT ADDRESSES: > Post message: albirds AT yahoogroups.com > Subscribe: albirds-subscribe AT yahoogroups.com > List owner: albirds-owner AT yahoogroups.com > AOS website: http://www.aosbirds.org/ > > This list is sponsored by the Alabama > Ornithological Society (AOS) and is provided > as a service to the birding community. AOS > does not endorse the views or opinions expressed > by the members of this discussion group. Nor > does AOS support or endorse the advertising > provided by the Yahoo Groups list service.Yahoo! Groups Links > > > Subject: Dauphin Island - BSC field trip and unusual birds From: "scotduncan26" <sduncan AT bsc.edu> Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:16:42 -0000 Dauphin Island, Jan 21-22, 2010 Birmingham-Southern College Field Ornithology Interim Course BARN SWALLOW WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW NUTMEG MANNIKINS INDIGO BUNTING GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL STILT SANDPIPER PIPING PLOVER SNOWY PLOVERS Hi folks, Last Thursday and Friday (Jan 21 and 22), I took my Field Ornithology January-term students for an overnight trip to Dauphin Island. We were fortunate in that the storms of Wednesday night and early Thursday morning had passed by the time we departed. However, we were greeted with thick fog when we arrived at the bridge across the Mississippi Sound. We spent the afternoon picking off easy birds that we could discern through the thick fog, scoring Spotted Sandpipers, Common Goldeneye, Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, Blue-headed Vireo, and the easy gulls, terns, and other marine birds. One highlight was a BARN SWALLOW that made an appearance at the DI airport during a brief period when the fog thinned. We unsuccessfully tromped through salt marsh at the airport for sparrows and wrens. Instead we caught snails, crabs, and other salt marsh critters. Later in the evening near the Esturarium, we could hear American oystercatchers through the fog, but could never see them. Nevertheless, by the end of the day we had added 23 new species to our class list, bringing us to a total of 115 birds. Dad (Bob Duncan) reported that the marine forcast was for the fog to lift at 10 pm, and sometime between 940 and 1020 it lifted to reveal a setting moon and the promise of good birding weather the next day. Friday morning we arose early from the Dauphin Island Sea Lab dorm and hiked to the gulf shoreline to watch the rising sun. We watched through our spotting scope as thousand of cormorants roosting on Pelican Island lifted off for their morning commute. Because they need a running start to take flight, only those cormorants at the edge of the flock could depart at any one time; those in the center of the flock had to wait their turn. While we watched the rising sun and the cormorant spectacle, a pair of oystercatchers flew by very close and gave us nice show. A while later we watched a WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW preening in the morning sunlight at the edge of the woods just west of Ft. Gaines. Miraculously, it stayed in its perch long enough for all students to see it in the scope. Next we began tracking a shrike that I heard calling from the Dauphin Island Sea Lab property. Unfortunately we never found it, but instead found a flock of small finch-like birds perched on a stack of crab traps (pots) at the back of one of the research buildings. At first I only saw the immatures which are a drab brown. My first brief impression was that these were indigo buntings but the behavior, circumstances, seasonality all told me "no way". Then I saw an adult and it was clear that these must be the fabled NUTMEG MANNIKINS from South Asia that have been spreading rapidly along the northern Gulf Coast. We counted 12 in all, and one student digiscoped a photograph of several. While the students studied these birds, I was hearing a call note that was very familiar but out of season. I started scanning the nearby flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers and sparrows and soon found a female INDIGO BUNTING perched on the boundary fence. Unfortunately it quickly flew away, and only one student saw the bird with me. From here we packed up and headed back to the airport in hopes of seeing any one of the Clapper Rails we had heard the day before during high tide. Now that the visibility was better and the tide was low, the students found not one, but three, Clapper's at close range. We stayed on the bus and the birds didn't spook. After we had an eyeful we were treated by a Reddish Egret that few in to the lagoon next to the road to the airport parking lot and began feeding in its awkward, frenzied way. Soon we were off to the Fishing Pier where we spied Northern Gannets out over the very calm Gulf of Mexico. We strolled out on the pier and studied a few new, but common, shorebirds in the nearby lagoon. A probable GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL flew by along the surfline but didn't linger – it appeared to be a 1st or 2nd winter bird from the brief look I got. I suppose it could also have been one of the hybrid "Chandeleur Gulls" or another large dark-backed gull. Soon we were joined by my parents, Bob and Lucy Duncan who brought 2 dozen Crispy Crème donuts, 2 more scopes, and 80 years of cumulative birding expertise. After the donuts were inhaled by the students, we formed a loose line and began marching across the dune grasslands where the Burrowing Owl had been seen several weeks earlier. Within a few minutes one student flushed the BURROWING OWL which then flew a short distance and hunkered down next to a clump of beach asters but out in the open. We all watched the owl for the next 15 minutes at a distance of 15 yards or so. What a treat this was! Many thanks to Howard Horne who found this bird many months ago. Our last mission was a hike out on Pelican Island in hopes of finding Snowy Plovers and any other unusual species. Among a flock of Short-billed Dowitchers, Lucy Duncan found a smaller sleeping sandpiper with yellow legs. We waited long enough for it to raise its head and reveal itself as a STILT SANDPIPER. Farther down the beach we saw one PIPING PLOVER and seven SNOWY PLOVERS. A nearby Semipalmated Plover completed the Holy Trinity of small North American plovers. After we turned back and were ready to leave, Lucy spotted a flock of Blue-winged Teal feeding along the margins of the lagoon. We soon parted ways with my parents and headed for Birmingham. A stop at Cedar Point yielded Boat-tailed Grackles (we had not seen yet), and a stop at Dog River bridge offered us White Pelicans. By now we had accumulated 47 new species for the class list, bringing our total up to 139 and setting a new class list record for this course. Many thanks to Bob and Lucy for making this possible with their expertise, teaching skills, and donuts! Our last big trip will be to Guntersville on Wednesday, and we are primed and ready for rare loons, grebes, and gulls. Wish us luck! Scot Duncan Subject: BIRD ALERT: (possible) IVORY GULL, West Point Dam, Monday Jan 25 From: Swmavocet AT aol.com Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:13:12 -0500 Folks, Normally I don't pass along 'possible' sightings as Bird Alerts but with the potential rarity involved here, I hope you'll forgive if the bird cannot be relocated. I hear several GA birders are on the way. I don't know if the bird was seen above or below the dam. West Point Dam itself is just over the line in GA but a couple narrow fingers of the lake's west side are in Chambers County, Alabama. http://westpt.sam.usace.army.mil/WP/images/WPL.gif When it comes to this species, the exact state involved is of little consequence. Jeff Wilson's 1996 IVORY (R.I.P.) at Pickwick Dam (TN) loved to hang around the fishing area picking up scraps and bait. It had little, if any, fear of humans. Fingers crossed. For latest web updates, check: http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/GABO.html Good luck, Steve McConnell Hartselle, AL =============================================================== Subject: Possible Ivory Gull, West Point Lake, 1/25/10 From: Jeff Sewell and Carol Lambert Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:25:41 +0000 I just got a call from a reliable observer to say he is nearly positive that he ust has seen an adult Ivory Gull., last seen near the dam minutes ago. It's ow 1:26pm. Am on the way there now. Jeff Sewell eKalb County Subject: Ivory Gull, 1/25, seen by Walt Chambers at West Point Dam From: Darlene Moore Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:27:33 -0500 GABOers, Sorry, I do not have any details, just got a call from Bill Lotz that Walt hambers has an Ivory Gull at West Point Dam. Bill Lotz and Jeff Sewell are enroute now. Just wanted to get the word out Darlene Moore ecatur, GA (well actually at work at Egleston) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Mute Swan gone From: Harold Peterson <pinkfloyd137 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:46:06 -0800 (PST) I just went back out for a look, and the swan is no longer there. Am greatly wishing I'd taken a cellphone picture this morning. Perhaps it will return here or to a nearby park pond (Brahan Springs or Big Spring, maybe). Although I have not heard back from UAH Biology or Facilities, the sudden departure of this bird is greatly suggestive of a wild bird. There were fewer geese this morning, and no sign of the Cackling Goose. Several gulls were present, all Ring-billed. The Ring-necked Ducks are gone, and in their place are a few American Wigeon. The Gadwalls are still present. -Harold Peterson Huntsville, AL Subject: Mute Swan on UAH duck pond From: Harold Peterson <pinkfloyd137 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 06:29:35 -0800 (PST) Hello all, this is Harold. Stopped by the duck pond before work this morning, and was surprised to see a swan on the east shore. Upon closer inspection the orange bill verified it to be a Mute Swan. There has never been one here before, so either it was just put there over the weekend, or it is a wild bird. Not sure who to talk to so that I can find out, but I'll be checking around and will post an update if necessary. -Harold Peterson Huntsville, AL Subject: Saw-whet Owls From: RubyThroat AT aol.com Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:45:17 EST Albirders Over the past few days, Martha and I have had several Saw-whets in our nets. Two birds handled last night were ones that we banded back in November or 2009. We think as many as 4-5 may actually be hiding out here over the past couple of days. Today, Saturday, at 12:30 PM, we found a Saw-whet on the roost in our side yard. It is a great time to see one "in-the-wild" if anyone wishes to come see it. I do not expect it to leave the roost until dark. If anyone is interested in coming to our home to view this roosting Saw-whet give call me at 205-681-2888 and we will make it happen. Martha and I will be home all afternoon. Good luck guys and enjoy the weekend. Bob Sargent 7570 Mack Hicks Road Trussville, AL 35173 205-681-2888 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Fwd: another claimed Ivory-billed Woodpecker discovery From: Charles Crawford <cr4d AT insightbb.com> Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 00:26:52 -0600 This has been on Carolina Bird listserv Charlie Henderson KY Begin forwarded message: > From: Nate Dias > Date: January 22, 2010 12:10:28 PM CST > To: carolinabirds AT duke.edu > Subject: another claimed Ivory-billed Woodpecker discovery > > Someone named Daniel Rainsong has apparently issued a press release > claiming to have observed and twice photographed Ivory-billed > Woodpeckers: > > http://www.free-press-release.com/news-daniel-rainsong-finds-living-ivory-billed-woodpecker-1263914173.html > > Before I get very excited, I am going to wait and see what Van > Remsen and Jerome Jackson have to say about the as-yet unreleased > photos... > > Nathan Dias - Charleston, SC > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Dauphin Island and Mud Lakes From: "Lucy and Bob Duncan" <town_point AT bellsouth.net> Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:56:24 -0600 Today (Friday) Bob and I drove to Dauphin Island to join our son Scot who was birding the island with his field ornithology class from Birmingham Southern College. ( Here I have to interject: It was so incredibly refreshing to be around such sharp, polite, fun and thoughtful young people! ) When we joined Scot and his class, the first order of business was to walk from the fishing pier toward the golf club looking for the BURROWING OWL. We found the owl just east of halfway from the pier, and every student and we thrilled with superlative looks at this handsome owl. It flushed once, and was still sitting where it landed when we left it to go walk Sand Island (or is it Pelican Island?). Sand Island yielded a number of shorebirds and four plovers as well as a STILT SANDPIPER. Several species of ducks were present to the east of the island and NORTHERN GANNETS were diving offshore. Before leaving the island (and after a great sandwich at The Bakery) we found a WESTERN KINGBIRD hawking insects over the parking lot for Ft. Gaines. It was being harrassed by a not-too-happy mockingbird. After Bob and I left the island, we birded the Mud Lakes Blakeley impoundments. There were 203 AMERICAN AVOCETS as well as GREEN WINGED TEAL, N. SHOVELERS, both species of YELLOWLEGS, DUNLIN, LEAST SANDPIPERS, and BB PLOVERS. The morning started out inauspiciously as we were caught on the Mobile interstate Bayway behind an awful crash. Waiting there we were thankful for being birders. While other drivers fumed, we took out our scopes and handily covered the marshes from the elevated perch of I-10 finding shorebirds and WHITE IBIS ! There is a Mardi Gras parade on Dauphin Island tomorrow. The City was getting ready with lots of decorations and taping off of areas in the median of Bienville where one should not park. The island looks as if it will be quite busy tomorrow. Good birding, Lucy and Bob Duncan Gulf Breeze, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Sabine River Ivory-Billed? From: Elizabeth Masoner <lizmasoner AT bellsouth.net> Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:45:13 -0600 All I can find so far is a Daniel Rainsong advertised on Craig¹s List for a photographer for an Ivory Bill expedition. Now there is a press release stating he found one but the photos haven¹t been released yet. I¹ll hold off on further comment until I see photos other than as a professional photographer the idea that he needs to withhold photos to ensure he gets credit for the discovery is very fishy. ~Liz On 1/22/10 7:15 PM, "wjrogersportable" wrote: > > > > > > Has anyone else seen anything about a photo of an Ivory-billed woodpecker on > the Sabine River? > > Bill Rogers > Florence > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Sabine River Ivory-Billed? From: "wjrogersportable" <wjrogersportable AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 01:15:22 -0000 Has anyone else seen anything about a photo of an Ivory-billed woodpecker on the Sabine River? Bill Rogers Florence Subject: Re: Burrowing Owl: YES From: Chazz Hesselein <chazz AT hesselein.com> Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:42:47 -0600 Burrowing Owl at its "usual location." Hmm, that seems to be a contradiction of terms, at least here in AL ;-). Chazz Hesselein Mobile, AL Howard wrote: > > Hi all, > > I just received a call that the BURROWING OWL on Dauphin Island is > still present at its usual location in the large dune field/grassland > community west of the Isle Dauphin Club and the island's golf course. > > Cheers, > Howard Horne > Mobile, AL > > ------------------------------------ IMPORTANT ADDRESSES: Post message: albirds AT yahoogroups.com Subscribe: albirds-subscribe AT yahoogroups.com List owner: albirds-owner AT yahoogroups.com AOS website: http://www.aosbirds.org/ This list is sponsored by the Alabama Ornithological Society (AOS) and is provided as a service to the birding community. AOS does not endorse the views or opinions expressed by the members of this discussion group. Nor does AOS support or endorse the advertising provided by the Yahoo Groups list service.Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/albirds/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/albirds/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: albirds-digest AT yahoogroups.com albirds-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: albirds-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Sargent Yard Report From: RubyThroat AT aol.com Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 12:39:59 EST Fellow Albirders Here in our yard in Clay, Jefferson County, Alabama, we still have lots of feeder birds. Although Pine Siskins are irregular, we still have large numbers of American Goldfinches and Purple Finches. Sparrow number remain good today, with four species feeding on our proso millett. On the Saw-whet side of the ledger, last night we recaptured an owl that we encountered back in December. That owl was originally banded in Ontario, Canada. Where has she been is anybody's guess. New, three nights ago, was a Second Year (hatched in 2009) male Saw-whet. He is #13 banded here in our yard this winter season. Martha and I, at the request of Rusty Trump of Georgia, banded 5 wintering hummers in north and central Georgia over the last couple of days. They have recently been overrun with an influx of new wintering hummers. Coming our way soon????? Having more fun than two people should be allowed to have in one lifetime. By the way, we still have several extra bags of fine black oil-type sunflower seed available at our cost if anyone needs the seed. I bought too much this fall. Bless All. Bob and Martha Sargent Clay, Alabama 205-681-2888 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Burrowing Owl: YES From: "Howard" <hhorne AT earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:51:13 -0000 Hi all, I just received a call that the BURROWING OWL on Dauphin Island is still present at its usual location in the large dune field/grassland community west of the Isle Dauphin Club and the island's golf course. Cheers, Howard Horne Mobile, AL Subject: Autauga/Elmore counties this afternoon From: "Greg D. Jackson" <g_d_jackson AT bellsouth.net> Date: Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:19:03 -0600 AL Birders: I was in Montgomery this morning on hospital business, and on the way back this afternoon ran by a few spots in Autauga and Elmore counties. First I visited the lovely Cooter's Pond Park in Prattville, a new spot for me. I had dim hopes of relocating the amazing Western Tanager found on the CBC. Despite the mid-day visit, it was a very birdy place, with nice things like Blue-headed Vireo and Orange-crowned Warbler. I really perked up when a bright yellowish mid-sized bird appeared, but it was "just" (!) a female-type Baltimore Oriole -- never an expected species at this season, though it seems to be a great winter for lingering orioles. A male was seen there on the CBC, so this is the second Baltimore at that site this month! I never located the tanager, but there's a lot of ground to cover at the park and who knows if it is still present? I then, like in Monopoly, went "directly to jail"; more specifically, Draper Prison at Speigner. The sewage ponds and lake had good numbers of waterfowl, with 10 species of ducks (including Canvasback and Redhead). Interesting birds for winter were a female-type Blue-winged Teal and a Spotted Sandpiper. I'd never been to nearby Bouldin and Jordan dams, so made quick visits. Bouldin was pretty bare, but at least Jordan had a couple of loons and some distant Bonaparte's Gulls. Looking at the Coosa River downstream from Jordan Dam, you get a hint of what a great river must have been present before the advent of the dams in the 1930's. Greg Greg D. Jackson Birmingham, AL g_d_jackson AT bellsouth.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Coastal Birding Association field trips From: Chazz Hesselein <chazz AT hesselein.com> Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:40:11 -0600 Dear All, The 2010 Winter-Spring field trip schedule for the Coastal Birding Association (CBA) has been posted online: http://www.coastalbirdingassoc.org/index.html CBA members will be receiving their newsletters in the mail shortly. Chazz Hesselein President, CBA Subject: How to Convert Water to Gas From: hgiui_sdssd AT yahoo.com Date: Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:19:03 -0500 How to Convert Water to Gas * Discover how to make hydrogen from water safely and inexpensively. * Using our web-based selection guide, find professional products and installers, from a variety of companies. * Become a Member to help the planet and earn extra income! Click here : http://easylnk.com/?15440 Subject: Green-tailed Towhee and Pacific Loon - yes! From: "Lucy and Bob Duncan" <town_point AT bellsouth.net> Date: Mon, 18 Jan 2010 12:03:17 -0600 Both the Green-tailed Towhee and a Pacific Loon are present today at Ft. Pickens. The loon was found by Carl Edwards off the wall that parallels the bay, west of the fishing pier. The towhee continues in its usual spot near the bench on the trail where it was seen by a number of birders today... Good birding, Lucy and Bob Duncan Gulf Breeze [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: More Ducks... From: "Howard" <hhorne AT earthlink.net> Date: Mon, 18 Jan 2010 02:25:10 -0000 Hi again, Yet another example of the massive duck movement down here on the coast... I heard from a friend of mine who reported seeing over 100 Northern Pintail today in Mississippi Sound/Portersville Bay area. He also had a Canvasback with them as well. Absolutely incredible! Good Birding, Howard Horne Mobile, AL Subject: Possible Glaucous Gull at West Point Dam From: john cole <johnb_cole AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 17 Jan 2010 18:03:37 -0800 (PST) Sam Pate and I made a trip from Columbus, GA to West Point Lake this afternoon. While observing 200+ Double-crested Cormorants, 50+ Ring-billed Gulls, 2 Herring Gulls, and 20+ Forster's Terns on the yellow boom in front of the dam, a large, solid white gull flew near our position which was the parking spaces on the Eagle View Park turn-off road next to the dam. The gull had a large head and bill. The bird was viewed for about 30 seconds as it banked near the shoreline and flew southward over the dam road. We stayed at this position for about 30 minutes but we did not see the gull again. We saw 100's of gulls flying and floating near the first parking area near the dam on the Alabama side. We crossed the dam and went to that area to try to relocate the gull, but were unsuccessful. We did observe 90+ Horned Grebes, 15 Common Loons, 1 Canvasback, and three more Herring Gulls from this area. We are planning to try to relocate the gull tomorrow afternoon. John B. Cole Columbus, Georgia [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Ducks Galore! From: "Howard" <hhorne AT earthlink.net> Date: Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:02:02 -0000 Hi all, Why bother driving 6 hours north to Wheeler Wildlife Refuge just to see ducks when you can find them in abundance in your own backyard? The nearly 2-week long period of extremely cold weather earlier in January must have really pushed large number of waterfowl farther into the Deep South this year. Much much farther than in our previous long stretch of warm winter years. Today has been one of the best duck days I've seen on the Alabama Coast in a very long time. Perhaps the best I can recall ever. Tom and Joan Siegwald birded Dauphin Island today. The early morning winds were fierce and out of the west with gusts up to 30 mph+ We scoped the cove-like bay and along the long stretch of Pelican peninsula from the island's golf course parking lot early this morning and immediately started seeing ducks. Lots of 'em. When we picked out a flock of Gadwall and a large flock of Pintail we knew today would be special. We decided to brave the wind and try walking Pelican Peninsula. It was certainly worth enduring the breeze and the long walk. Here's a summary: Canada Goose 2 at the Golf Course (probably feral birds) Mallard -common Mottled Duck -2 at Golf Course plus several others at various locations Gadwall -a flock of ~12 birds Northern Pintail -a large flock seen in the early morning from the golf course. Also a flock of 19 birds seen in flight, possibly the same birds as earlier(?). American Widgeon 3 (2 males and 1 female) Northern Shoveler ~6 individuals including 2 males Blue-winged Teal 6 Canvasback 1 female Ring-necked Duck -a raft of ~15 individuals Lesser Scaup -numerous Common Goldeneye -numerous in Dauphin Bay where they are always found. Bufflehead 300+ Red-breasted Merganser -numerous Also noteworthy was an adult GREAT BLACK-BACK GULL amongst the large herring gull flock on Pelican. Missing were Greater Scaup (expected), Ruddy Duck (hard to get on D.I.), and Hooded Merganser (seen last weekend). It was fun to sort through the rafts of ducks to find new species after new species. I've been tracking species on Dauphin Island now for several years and this has been my best duck day so far since keeping daily lists from the island. Hope the ducks continue and our AOS members have lots of anseriforms at Eufaula next weekend! Good Birding, Howard Horne Mobile, AL Subject: Brown Booby at Fort Morgan From: tapaculo AT knology.net Date: Sun, 17 Jan 2010 18:17:52 -0500 The weather on the Gulf this weekend has been challenging. Yesterday morning's rain made it difficult to get out and look, but the wind has been more of a factor. But it may have been helpful, too. At approximately 8:15 this morning, I was out at Mobile Point with a group of at least 15 adult Northern Gannets and some Herring Gulls and one Great Black-backed Gull, all of which were flying into the stiff wind, when a bird with a wingspan between that of the Herrings and the Gannets quickly came in low over the water and just as quickly flew underneath the flock and disappeared to the southeast without ever rising high in the air. The upperside was all brown, and the underside was white to the upper breast or neck. I could not note bill color. The bird appeared more streamlined than the gannets. This does not seem the time of year to expect a Brown Booby (if any time is), but this very much appeared to be one. There was also an adult Merlin near the entrance to the Fort. Friday, I found a Pacific Loon out in the Gulf by Perdido Pass - and failed to see any of the other good birds noted on the most recent Rare Bird Alerts. Yesterday, I saw single Greater White-fronted Geese with Canada Geese at Lillian and at Elberta and a Snow Goose in the group at Lillian. Today, there were large flocks of ducks flying over the Gulf, including 78 Northern Pintail in 2 flocks and approximately 70 Red-breasted Merganser in one flock. Larry Gardella Montgomery Subject: UAH duck pond From: Harold Peterson <pinkfloyd137 AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 15 Jan 2010 15:26:03 -0800 (PST) Hello all, this is Harold. Took a walk around the UAH duck pond while it was still light out. Among the Canada Geese I saw at least one Cackling Goose, along with some geese that were either Cackling or Lesser Canada. Also 15 Ring-necked Ducks, 4 Gadwalls, some Mallards, and the usual Brown-headed Nuthatches in the trees by the pond. -Harold Peterson Huntsville, AL Subject: Fw: [OB] Large-billed Reed Warbler (A. orinus) found breeding in Afghanistan From: "Greg D. Jackson" <g_d_jackson AT bellsouth.net> Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2010 21:44:14 -0600 AL Birders: This is from FAR afield, but I thought it interesting enough to pass along -- it appeared on the Oriental Bird Club listserv. Large-billed Reed Warbler was discovered in India in 1867, then vanished until one was banded in marshes of SW Thailand in 2006. Now, at least 20 have been discovered, presumably breeding, in a valley in NE Afghanistan (in an area so wild snow leopards are found). Check out the link below for the story. Hey, Eric, sounds like a great place for an AOS meeting!! ;>) Greg Greg D. Jackson Birmingham, AL g_d_jackson AT bellsouth.net ----- Original Message ----- From: Sumit To: orientalbirding AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, January 13, 2010 11:30 PM Subject: [OB] Large-billed Reed Warbler (A. orinus) found breeding in Afghanistan Hi Folks, The recent discovery of this species breeding in the Pamir Mountains throws new light on this little known species. Read about it here: http://bit.ly/6PBrtw Cheers! Sumit Sumit K Sen Kolkata, India www.kolkatabirds.com http://twitter.com/sumitksen [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Forever Wild At Risk From: "Mark Bailey" <mbailey AT conservationsoutheast.com> Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:22:48 -0600 Fellow birders: I doubt anyone here is not a supporter of Forever Wild and what the program has done for birds and other components of Alabama's natural heritage. I apologize in advance if this posting is inappropriate for this forum, but the program is under attack right now by powerful interests wishing to divert funds to other uses. Yesterday, identical letters (see bottom of this message) were sent out of the offices of Senator Roger Bedford and Representative Richard Lindsey to legislators regarding the pending introduction of a "Conserve Alabama" Constitutional Amendment, which is NOT a full reauthorization of Forever Wild. The entities noted in the letter are those who have previously expressed intent to divert Forever Wild funds for other uses. The Protect Forever Wild Coalition is responding to this letter later today. It is important that you contact your legislators immediately, let them know that you are aware of the proposed "Conserve Alabama" letter, and that you ask them to not support any proposal unless it "Protects and Reauthorizes Forever Wild Funding" as-is. To find your legislators, the link below will give you access to tools to look up the State House phone numbers. http://www.legislature.state.al.us/misc/zipsearch.html The position of the Protect Forever Wild Coalition: Forever Wild should be reauthorized in its current form because of the success it has accomplished in preserving public lands in Alabama for future generations and the overwhelming public support it has continued to receive since it was approved by 83% of Alabamians in 1992. Please find attached two letters - one signed by Rep. Richard Lindsey to all house members and the same letter signed by Sen. Roger Bedford to all senate members - asking for the consideration of a "Conserve Alabama" amendment, while also asking that no member commit to the reauthorization of Forever Wild (both letters attached). It is our understanding that discussion of this legislation included reducing Forever Wild's funding to $5 million, with remaining $10 million to be split evenly between ALFA and the Soil and Water Conservation Districts. A reduction in Forever Wild funding in any way would ultimately gut one of the most successful programs ever passed by the legislature. It is urgent that both Sen. Bedford and Rep. Lindsey receive a significant number of calls immediately from our coalition urging them to not introduce any legislation that would reduce funding to Forever Wild. Also, please forward this message to as many others and encourage them to make calls today as well. If they have an interest in expanding Alabama's conservation efforts for additional worthy projects, gutting Forever Wild isn't the answer. Please place calls immediately to both offices. If you don't get to speak with the member, leave the message that you're calling to support the reauthorization of Forever Wild in its current form. Contact information for both offices is listed below. Senator Roger Bedford: (334) 242-7862 Representative Richard Lindsey: (334) 242-7713 An image of Senator Bedford's letter is below: Mark Bailey Andalusia, AL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Cackling and Ross's Geese at Wheeler NWR From: "scotduncan26" <sduncan AT bsc.edu> Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:01:45 -0000 Hi all, This January I am teaching a short Field Ornithology course here at Birmingham-Southern College. The course is in the tradition of the one Dan Holliman used to offer. Yesterday at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge we were shown several noteworthy birds by refuge manager Dwight Cooley. Foremost were five CACKLING GEESE at the Visitor's center pond. After Dwight pointed them out it was easy to notice the difference in size, neck thickness and bill size and shape in comparison to the many Canada Geese in the pond. At Limestone Bay Dwight found for us a SURF SCOTER and ROSS'S GOOSE, the latter mixed in with the SNOW GEESE in the middle of the bay. Later we saw HORNED LARKS at the nearby Pryor Regional Airport. The students seem to be enjoying the class and with their help we now have a class list of over 90 species with having had only five trips. Next week we head to Dauphin Island (Thursday and Friday). Good Birding! Scot Duncan Subject: Panhandle rarities From: "Lucy and Bob Duncan" <town_point AT bellsouth.net> Date: Tue, 12 Jan 2010 09:15:58 -0600 Hi all, The Say's Phoebe, Green-tailed Towhee, Pacific Loon, Buff-bellied Hummer and Lark Sparrows were all found yesterday. This morning there was a good movement to the coast of Robins, Cedar Waxwings, Myrtle Warblers and a few Goldfinches. The frigid air is moderating, a balmy 40 degrees outside now! Bob Duncan [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Tennessee's Watchable Wildlife new web site From: "Scott Somershoe" <scott.somershoe AT tn.gov> Date: Tue, 12 Jan 2010 07:13:30 -0600 I am proud to formally announce the launch of the new website of Tennessee’s Watchable Wildlife, www.tnwatchablewildlife.org. The website was developed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency in partnership with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation. The new site features a wide range of information on wildlife, mostly birds at this point, and wildlife watching in Tennessee. The website has information on the birds found in Tennessee that can be easily searched by a bird’s habitat, color, use of backyards and feeders, or taxonomic group. Each species has a profile where you can find out about the occurrence of the bird in the state, see pictures, hear songs and calls, and find places to see it. Descriptions of more than 170 places to watch wildlife in Tennessee have been developed with information about habitat, wildlife to observe, detailed directions and interactive maps, and more. You will be able to find out how the Watchable Wildlife Endowment Fund is being used for the conservation of Tennessee’s rare and endangered wildlife. The fund was established by the Tennessee General Assembly in 1994 and funded almost exclusively through sales of the Watchable Wildlife specialty license plate, otherwise known as the “Bluebird” license plate. The Watchable Wildlife tag is the only specialty license plate in Tennessee dedicated solely to the conservation of nongame and endangered wildlife. The 200,000th bluebird license plate was purchased in 2009, building the Watchable Wildlife Endowment Fund’s value to $5.3 million. The accumulated interest in the fund has now totaled more than $1 million and has been used to fund research and monitoring of Tennessee’s rare and endangered wildlife, establish wildlife viewing sites across the state, purchase land in strategic places, support wildlife festivals, and many other projects. The new website has a “Donate Now” option with a free gift for credit card donations. Purchase of items at our Watchable Wildlife store also benefit the fund. The website will be regularly updated with timely information on wildlife activities occurring across the state, new places to watch wildlife, information on animal groups other than birds, and additional new features. The Watchable Wildlife Blog found on the website will be regularly updated and will include interesting wildlife news stories. You can subscribe to the blog through an RSS Feed and quickly see when there are updates. You can also follow us on Facebook or join forum discussions at NING.com by searching for Tennessee’s Watchable Wildlife. Links to join Facebook and NING.com are available on the Watchable Wildlife website. Please visit us at: www.tnwatchablewildlife.org Thanks and enjoy! Scott Somershoe State Ornithologist Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency P.O. Box 40747 Nashville, TN 37204 615-781-6653 (o) 601-868-0101 (cell) 615-781-6654 (fax) "Keeping the rubber side down." -SGS Subject: Yard birds and local hummer report From: RubyThroat AT aol.com Date: Mon, 11 Jan 2010 18:13:58 EST Albirders Today we had much larger numbers of winter seed-eaters in our yard. Lots of sparrows (5 species seen), tons of American Goldfinches and increasing numbers of Purple Finches. Only three or four Pine Siskins were seen today. Yesterday, Martha and I banded another Rufous hummingbird in Mt. Brook. We also banded a super rare wintering Second Year male Ruby-throated in Vestavia. This little sucker seemed perfectly normal in every way, including being quite fat. This inland record of a healthy Ruby-throated may just be our rarest bird of this winter season. Life is fine. Take care guys and stay warm. Bob Sargent Clay, Alabama I will open our owl nets for the first time in a week TONIGHT. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: hummingbird program From: "tea4bluebird" <tea4bluebird AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 11 Jan 2010 23:10:19 -0000 Just wanted to share that PBS has a wonderful program on its "Nature" program called "Hummingbirds: Magic in the Air". You can check the schedule online and they also have clips on their website. In fact, the entire video is available to watch from the website. It has fantastic information and high speed camera footage, including some rare birds. Subject: AOS UPDATE - Lakepoint State Park Reservations From: "eric_soehren" <esoehren AT netzero.com> Date: Mon, 11 Jan 2010 22:45:16 -0000 Hi all: This is a quick announcement to let you know that more rooms have just become available (today) at Lakepoint State Park for the dates of the AOS meeting (Jan. 22nd-24th). All were reserved until the park's reservation staff called to inform me that another block of rooms were released by another group thereby making them available on a first come/first serve basis. So if you're planning on attending the meeting and still need a room, call Lakepoint ASAP to make your reservations (800-544-5253 or 334-687-8011). Undoubtedly, these will go fast too. Be sure to mention that you're with "AOS" to receive your room discount. Stay warm and I look forward to seeing all of you soon! Good Birding, Eric Soehren Shorter, AL Subject: Re: TUNDRA SWANS: Baldwin County From: "Howard" <hhorne AT earthlink.net> Date: Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:12:23 -0000 Hi again, Ben Garmon just called (11:06 AM) to report that the 2 TUNDRA SWANS are still present at the D'Olive Bay Overlook. The swans are down in a ditch-like area and may be difficult to see at times. I believe these are immature birds. Good Birding, Howard Horne Mobile, AL --- In albirds AT yahoogroups.com, "Howard" wrote: > > Hi all, > > I just received a phone call from Lucy Duncan who is passing along a sighting by two visiting birding friends. They currently have 2 TUNDRA SWANS along the Eastern Shore of Baldwin County at the D'Olive Bay Overlook behind the Shell Gas Station near the intersection of Highway 90 and Interstate 10. This is the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail Stop #25. > > Here are the details from the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail's Website: > > ACBT 25. > D'Olive Bay Overlook > This section is heavily developed commercially. Just before the intersection with I-10 [1.5] there is an overlook on the left (west) behind the Shell service station. This spot provides an excellent view of D'Olive Bay below and farther out into Mobile Bay. Check the bay for ducks in winter as well as wading birds year round. Peregrine Falcons are occasionally seen perching on top of the Causeway light poles during the winter months. The balance of this loop will generally involve birds at a distance and a spotting scope is very helpful, if not necessary. > > Good Luck, > > Howard Horne > Mobile, AL > Subject: TUNDRA SWANS: Baldwin County From: "Howard" <hhorne AT earthlink.net> Date: Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:41:21 -0000 Hi all, I just received a phone call from Lucy Duncan who is passing along a sighting by two visiting birding friends. They currently have 2 TUNDRA SWANS along the Eastern Shore of Baldwin County at the D'Olive Bay Overlook behind the Shell Gas Station near the intersection of Highway 90 and Interstate 10. This is the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail Stop #25. Here are the details from the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail's Website: ACBT 25. D'Olive Bay Overlook This section is heavily developed commercially. Just before the intersection with I-10 [1.5] there is an overlook on the left (west) behind the Shell service station. This spot provides an excellent view of D'Olive Bay below and farther out into Mobile Bay. Check the bay for ducks in winter as well as wading birds year round. Peregrine Falcons are occasionally seen perching on top of the Causeway light poles during the winter months. The balance of this loop will generally involve birds at a distance and a spotting scope is very helpful, if not necessary. Good Luck, Howard Horne Mobile, AL Subject: Re: Audubon magazine wrong ID? From: tapaculo AT knology.net Date: Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:16:21 -0500 Chazz, Although the photographed bird looks somewhat delicate for a Pectoral Sandpiper, the two-tone bill, the extent of breast streaking, the shape of the bird all point toward Pectoral. Compare the sketch of a juvenile Pec at page 14 of The Shorebird Guide. Larry Gardella Montgomery On Wed 12/30/09 5:58 PM , Chazz Hesselein chazz AT hesselein.com sent: > Dear ALbirders, > I opened the Jan-Feb 2010 Audubon magazine a little while ago and > was > thumbing through the photo winner section. The Youth photo winner > (pg > 44) looked like a Pectoral Sandpiper to me so I was perplexed to see > it > identified as a Least Sandpiper. I have looked through my extensive > ;-) > collection of field guides, The Sibley Big Book of Birds (aka The > Sibley > Guide to Birds) and The 5th Ed of the Nat Geo Field Guide to the > Birds > of NA and, based on that exhaustive reserch, am still fairly certain > > that they got the ID wrong on that photo. Any other opinions on > that > photo. I don't see how I could be right but I do remember finding a > > math error in a Natural History article by Neal deGrasse Tyson (he > was > short a few zeros), so anything is possible. > Chazz Hesselein > Mobile, AL > > > Links: > ------ > [3] > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/albirds/message/10048;_ylc=X3oDMTM1aDRocnFwBF > 9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzQwMTExOARncnBzcElkAzE3MDUwNjU3ODcEbXNnSWQDMTAwNDgEc > 2VjA2Z0cgRzbGsDdnRwYwRzdGltZQMxMjYyMjEzOTE1BHRwY0lkAzEwMDQ4[4] > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/albirds/members;_ylc=X3oDMTJla2E2azhmBF9TAzk3 > MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzQwMTExOARncnBzcElkAzE3MDUwNjU3ODcEc2VjA3Z0bARzbGsDdm1icnM > Ec3RpbWUDMTI2MjIxMzkxNQ--?o=6[5] > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/albirds/spnew;_ylc=X3oDMTJlb2phMGRzBF9TAzk3Mz > U5NzE0BGdycElkAzQwMTExOARncnBzcElkAzE3MDUwNjU3ODcEc2VjA3Z0bARzbGsDdnBob3QEc > 3RpbWUDMTI2MjIxMzkxNQ--[6] > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/albirds;_ylc=X3oDMTJka2N0Y3ZlBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0 > BGdycElkAzQwMTExOARncnBzcElkAzE3MDUwNjU3ODcEc2VjA3Z0bARzbGsDdmdocARzdGltZQM > xMjYyMjEzOTE1[7] > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/albirds/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJkZm9ubzFrBF9TAzk3MzU > 5NzE0BGdycElkAzQwMTExOARncnBzcElkAzE3MDUwNjU3ODcEc2VjA2Z0cgRzbGsDbnRwYwRzdG > ltZQMxMjYyMjEzOTE1[8] http://www.aosbirds.org/ > [9] > http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=14kig759q/M=493064.13814333.13821539.13298430/D > =groups/S=1705065787:MKP1/Y=YAHOO/EXP=1262221115/L=/B=8F_LfUPDhC0-/J=126221 > 3915262120/K=qtbKzKFGQ8tiICU5OnCQ8w/A=5922843/R=0/SIG=11ckn2mo6/*http://adv > ision.webevents.yahoo.com/green/[10] > http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=14klnbcs4/M=493064.13814537.13821737.10835568/D > =groups/S=1705065787:MKP1/Y=YAHOO/EXP=1262221115/L=/B=8V_LfUPDhC0-/J=126221 > 3915262120/K=qtbKzKFGQ8tiICU5OnCQ8w/A=5922843/R=0/SIG=11ckn2mo6/*http://adv > ision.webevents.yahoo.com/green/[11] > http://groups.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTJjMjFoZjdwBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzQwM > TExOARncnBzcElkAzE3MDUwNjU3ODcEc2VjA2Z0cgRzbGsDZ2ZwBHN0aW1lAzEyNjIyMTM5MTU-[15] http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > > Subject: Re: Cold Weather Birding on the Coast... From: "Gregory J. Harber" <gharber AT mindspring.com> Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2010 21:23:01 -0500 (EST) Howard et al- Yesterday morning, when it was 15 degrees and the wind chill near zero, I lead a group of three people (two of them Ruffner staff) on a bird walk at Ruffner Mountain Nature Center here in Birmingham. It goes without saying that we were chilled to the bone, and maybe brain dead too for even going out in that kind of weather. We found only the usual suspect woodland birds, but I have to tell you, the tiny, tiny snowflakes that were falling looked like dust from angel's wings as they filtered through the shafts of sunlight that pierced the tree trunks. Row upon row of soft, glittering highlights. It was like walking through a dream in my own secret woodland garden. A flock of Cedar Waxwings in the sunlight against the blue and white sky was memorable. Simply gorgeous. -----Original Message----- From: Howard Sent: Jan 10, 2010 7:17 PM To: albirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [ALBIRDS] Cold Weather Birding on the Coast... Hi all, Well, its certainly been a VERY FRIGID past few days! How cold has it been? Its so cold down here that last night the flames in my fireplace actually froze completely solid! Now it was just before dinner, so I broke off an icicle-like piece of the fire, and then tried grinding it up into a real fine powder using my hand-cranked peppermill. Afterwards, I was able to use the frozen stuff just like hot pepper to add some fiery spice to my evening meal! That's how cold it is down here! Its that cold! Anyhow, Tom and Joan Siegwald and I tried some cold weather birding on Dauphin Island this morning. The low temperature when I got up was a balmy 20 degrees (fahrenheit, not celsius) compared to a low of just 18 degrees yesterday morning. It took me over an hour to put on five layers of clothes. I ended up looking like the Michelin Man. We traveled down to Dauphin Island, arriving around 10 o'clock. Most of our time was spent inside car-birding except for a cold hour-long excursion around the golf course lake (it was closed due to cold weather). No rarities to report today, just the usual suspects. However, since cold weather like this doesn't come often to the Gulf Coast, it was interesting to make notes on some of the birding patterns. Some observations: Killdeer. I've never seen so many Killdeer on Dauphin Island before. They were absolutely everywhere. You could probably walk across the entire island on the backs of Killdeer without your feet ever touching the ground. There were that many! Black-bellied Plover also seemed more numerous than usual. We didn't have this many Killdeer during the Christmas Bird Count. I suspect the cold weather has pushed them down farther south than normal. I've never seen an invasion of killdeer before. Wilson's Snipe. Tom found one hunkered down along the marsh grass edge at the island's airport. I believe this is the first snipe I can remember actually seeing on Dauphin Island which is surprising. You'd think they would be easy to find here, but I've just never had any luck locating one. Common Goldeneye. We always get good numbers of this species in Dauphin Island Bay north of Shell Mound Park. They seemed especially numerous today, with several very close in for good viewing opportunities. Great-blue Heron. Lots, including one flying south over the airport marsh carrying a stick. Harlequin Duck. None seen, but we were looking hard. Well, I think this cold weather has affected my brain. Sorry if I made more sense than normal.... Good Birding and Stay Warm! Cheers, Howard Horne Mobile, AL Gregory J. Harber Birmingham, AL gharber AT mindspring.com "It's never too late to have a happy childhood." Tom Robbins