Alabama and Mississippi: Spring 2018

Contributors (cont.)

Sue R. Moske; Jimmy Osborne; Michael Parrish; Wayne Patterson; Hans Paul; Lori Paul; Ashley Peters; Doris Pinkston; Sam Preer; Richard Preston; Daniel Redwine; Rick Remy; Emma Rhodes; Pelham H. Rowan; Frank Sandford; Thomas W. Savage; Don Self; Judy Self; Marion Schiefer; Marion Schiefer;Terence L. Schiefer; Tom Siegwald; Damien Simbeck; Scott Simmons; Renea Simpson; Eric Soehren; Collin Stempien; Carolyn Stinson; Ann Stumpe; Bill Summerour; Julie Taylor; John A. Trent; Martha Tucker; Ken Ward; Daniel West; Mariah West; Robert Wheat; Bryan White; James White; Lori Winter; Heather Wolf; Mark Woodrey.

Abbreviations

Blakeley (Blakeley Island dredge disposal ponds or “mud lakes”, Mobile, AL); B.B.S. (Breeding Bird Survey); Dauphin (Dauphin Island, Mobile, AL); Fort Morgan (Fort Morgan State Historical Park, Baldwin, AL); G.C. (Gulf Coastal Region of s. Alabama); I.C.P. (Inland Coastal Plain Region of s.-cen. Alabama); Lake Lurleen (Lake Lurleen SP, Tuscaloosa); M.S.U. s. Farm (Mississippi State University South Farm, Oktibbeha, MS); M.R. (Mountain Region of n. Alabama); Noxubee (Noxubee N.W.R., Noxubee/Oktibbeha/Winston, MS); Ruffner (Ruffner Mtn NP, Jefferson); Swan Creek (Swan Creek WMA, Limestone); T.V. (Tennessee Valley Region of n. Alabama); Wehle (Wehle Nature Center near Midway, Bullock; Wheeler (Wheeler N.W.R., Limestone/Morgan/Madison, AL). “Seven-county area” refers to the following seven counties in Mississippi near Starkville: Choctaw, Clay, Lowndes, Noxubee, Oktibbeha, Webster and Winston.

DUCKS AND GEESE

Black-bellied Whistling Ducks were found inland in larger numbers and new places. At Lakepoint Resort, Barbour 27 Apr–25 May (RJK, RNK, FS), 116 provided a maximum inland Alabama count—and they nested. One at Columbus Lake, Lowndes 25 Apr (PM) documented the ninth record for the seven-county area, and there were 3 found in n. Alabama: at Swan Creek 28 Apr (JMH, SRM); at Tuscaloosa 5 May (WJ); Leighton area, Colbert 19 May (SRM, BC) & 29 May (KM, ph) for the ninth T.V. record, fourth in spring. The other whistling-duck, Fulvous Whistling-Duck, remains very rare in both Alabama and Mississippi. Two were photographed in Mississippi. One in Desoto was in flooded fields 24 Apr (RHi, ph) and one in Jackson was at a sewage lagoon 25 May (BJ, ph).

Snow Geese lingered in Alabama with a state spring maximum set by 1000 at Wheeler 3 Mar (CDC, KW, m.ob) and a late record for the I.C.P. set in Hughley, Chambers 29 May (RM), then broken by one in Marion, Perry 30 May (RJK&RLK). Ross’s Geese showed up where rare but regular and also where less expected such as one north of Montevallo, Shelby 3 Mar (RJK) for a second M.R. spring record; one in Anniston, Calhoun 4–8 Mar (LMe) for the third; and one in Saraland, Mobile 9 Apr (GB, JL). On the Gulf in spring Greater White-fronted Geese are only occasional. One was in Mobile 3 Apr (RAD, LRD, HW). A Cackling Goose at Salem, Limestone 4 Apr (DSi) provided the first spring T.V. record and fourth for the state in spring. In addition to being the second spring T.V. record and fifth for the state, another at Huntsville, Madison 22 May (DP, ph) was the latest ever recorded in Alabama.

At Point Mallard Park in Decatur, Morgan 28 Mar–1 Apr (SA, BC, ph, m.ob.) a Cinnamon Teal provided the second spring record for the state. At the same site 31 Mar (SRM, BC, ph) the first Blue-winged x Cinnamon Teal hybrid for the State was documented. Nine Northern Shovelers at Tuscaloosa 29 Apr (NG, KH, ph) established a late record for the I.C.P. At Wheeler 3 Mar (CDC, KW, m.ob) 5000 Gadwall provided an Alabama spring maximum as did 600 Mallards. At the other end of the State, 74 Mottled Ducks at Blakeley 24 May (CoS) set another state spring maximum. Ring-necked Ducks rarely linger into summer in Mississippi, but one was found May 24 in Lee (WP) and 2 stayed from 15 May into summer in Oktibbeha (TLS). Surf Scoters are rare inland. Four males at Town Creek Pt., Colbert 12 Mar (GDJ) provided the eleventh Alabama spring record and eighth for the T.V. A Black Scoter in Biloxi, Harrison 18 Mar (HC, BJ) was rare. A single White-winged Scoter 30 Mar (ML, LH) on Dauphin gave the G.C. its ninth spring record. A lone Long-tailed Duck at Gulf Shores, Baldwin 7–8 May (AP) was the latest ever recorded in Alabama. A new G.C. spring maximum for Ruddy Duck was established by 23 at Blakelely 14 Mar (EH, ph).

GAMEBIRDS THROUGH CRANES

In Anniston, Calhoun 1 Mar (LMe) 33 Wild Turkeys tied the M.R. spring maximum. A new I.C.P. spring maximum was provided by 22 Pied-billed Grebes at Marvyn, Lee 6 Mar (RM). A single rare Eared Grebe was at Guntersville, Marshall 4–10 Mar (SRM, BC, ph, m.ob)

Inca Doves remain rare but increasing in the G.C. One was found in Barnwell, Baldwin 24–25 Mar (RHi, KH), 3 at Fort Morgan 11–15 Mar (AL, m.ob.), and one at Chickasaw, Mobile 14 Apr (JL, GB). In Mississippi, where also rare, one was at Greenwood, Leflore 6 Mar (HB) and 3 at Diamondhead 31 Mar (HC, LMc), where the homeowner has seen them for several years. At the only known inland site in Alabama, Faunsdale, Marengo 19–31 May (RLK, RJK, ph, m.ob), 2 Inca Doves returned for the third year. White-winged Doves are rare but increasing in the I.C.P. and in Mississippi. Records from previously unknown I.C.P. sites include one at Eufaula, Barbour 8–9 Apr (JAT, ph), 6 in Escambia 26 Apr (JFH, JiH), and 2 at Demopolis, Marengo 26–27 (DSe, JSe). An inland Mississippi White-winged Dove was found in Greenwood, LeFlore eight days during Mar (HB). A new G.C. spring maximum was established by 34 at Mobile 9 Apr (TLS).

Yellow Rails are locally rare but regular in winter and early spring at the Laurendine Tract, Mobile where one was found 6 Mar (ES, HEH, m.ob.). Maxima were established by 28 Sora in the Birmingham area 28 Apr (SAH, George) for a n. Alabama maximum and 4 west of Tuscaloosa 11 May (GB, JL) for a spring I.C.P. maximum. Common Gallinules are rare but regular in the T.V. Lone birds at Salem, Limestone 21 Apr–28 May (CDC, m.ob.) and Leighton, Colbert 2–8 May (DSi, WMa) were at new sites. Rare in M.R., another was seen at Saginaw, Shelby 23–27 (AL, ph, m.ob.). A Sandhill Crane at Cusseta, Chambers 23 Apr (CG) was rare for the M.R. and established a late M.R. record.

SHOREBIRDS THROUGH PELICANS

Up to 4 Black-necked Stilts were at Leighton, Colbert 8–31 May (JG, BB, ph, m.ob.), where they occur erratically and have nested. At Blakeley 12 Mar (CoS, ph) 274 American Avocets established an Alabama spring maximum. Avocets are rare inland, so 14 at Hazel Green, Madison, AL 30 Apr–4 May were noteworthy. A lone Black-bellied Plover in Milford, Noxubee 9 May (TLS) provided the second spring record for the seven-county area. In Daphne, Baldwin 28 Apr (CL) 154 set an Alabama spring maximum. The fifth I.C.P. record for Marbled Godwit was marked by a lone bird at Lakepoint Resort, Barbour 15 Apr (JTa), and the sixth by one at Tuscaloosa 15 Apr (WJ, ph). Alabama’s tenth Ruff, the third for T.V., was found at Wheeler 28–29 Mar (SRM, BC, ph, m.ob.). At Leighton, Colbert 20 May 2018 (SRM, BC) 11 Stilt Sandpipers established a spring maximum for n. Alabama. On Dauphin 24 Mar (AH) 375 Sanderlings provided an Alabama spring maximum. A Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Hazel Green, Madison 24 Mar (CB) was the earliest recorded in n. Alabama. Another Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Fort Morgan 18 May (ER) was the latest recorded in Alabama in spring. An inland Alabama maximum was set by 33 calling Long-billed Dowitchers at Tuscaloosa 29 Apr (NG, KH, ph). Willets are occasional in the M.R. One was found at Bessemer, Jefferson 27 Apr (SAH). At Weiss L., Cherokee 7 Apr (JW) 31 Greater Yellowlegs provided an M.R. maximum. Wilson’s Phalaropes are rare in the region in spring. There were two records on the G.C. and two at T.V.

The striking difference in abundance of Bonaparte’s Gulls in the I.C.P. and T.V. is shown by an I.C.P. spring maximum of 18 at Tuscaloosa 11 Mar (SP) compared to an Alabama spring maximum of 5100 at Wilson and Wheeler Dams, Colbert/Lauderdale (GDJ) the next day. On 29 May one observer found 6 Laughing Gulls at Logan Martin, St. Clair/Talladega (GH), occasional in M.R. in spring, and 2 at L. Martin, Tallapoosa/Elmore (GH), occasional in I.C.P. in spring. Occasional in spring in T.V. and casual then in G.C., a Franklin’s Gull was at Wilson Dam, Colbert 27 Apr (DSi, ph) and another at Dauphin 29 May (CoS, ph). A rare Iceland Gull was at Pass Christian, Harrison 2 Apr (MM, ph). A Glaucous Gull was at and near Pass Christian, Harrison 2 Mar–17 Apr (HC, ph, m.ob) where very rare, and another was at Dauphin 30 Mar–13 Apr (ML, LH, AH, ph, m.ob) where rare. At Dauphin 19 May (ML, LH) 250 Black Terns established an Alabama spring maximum.

Seven Wood Storks at L. Martin, Tallapoosa 26 May (MT) were rare in the M.R. Four days later, 200 at Prairie Eden, Tallapoosa 30 May (DSe, JSe, RJK, RLK) established an Alabama spring maximum. A Tulane Ornithology field trip to Mississippi turned up a rare Brown Booby at Gulfport, Harrison and a second by West Ship Island, Harrison 21 Apr (DH), and at least one of these birds or another Brown Booby was seen in the same area, Harrison 25 Apr (OG). Maximum spring records were established for the M.R. by 1800 Double-crested Cormorants at Gadsden, Etowah 01 Mar (GDJ) and for the I.C.P. by 680 at Demopolis, Marengo 31 Apr (RDo). The Gadsden birds were documented as nesting 9 Apr. An Anhinga 4 Apr and 9 Apr at Big Black Creek, Choctaw, MS, (TLS, MS, IB) was the county’s first. Another at Hartselle, Morgan 20 May (SWM) was at an unknown site in the T.V. where Anhinga are rare and local. At Wheeler 31 Mar (PAR), a soaring flock of 22 established an Alabama maximum. A Brown Pelican at Wheeler Dam, Lauderdale 3 Apr (DR, AL, ph) provided the fourth spring record for n. Alabama.

HERONS THROUGH HAWKS

Though only uncommon in the seven-county area, an American Bittern 2 Apr at Big Black Creek, Choctaw (WMc) was the county’s first. At Leighton, Colbert 31 May (DSi), 24 Snowy Egrets set a spring maximum for n. Alabama. A lone Tricolored Heron, rare inland, was found near Pansey, Houston, AL 31 May (JAT). Cattle Egrets at Gadsden, Etowah 1 Mar (GDJ) and Leighton, Colbert 3 Mar (DR) provided early records for n. Alabama and T.V., respectively. At Noxubee 9 Apr (JH, BD, MP, TLS, MS) 50 Black-crowned Night-herons established an early date for the seven-county area, and the number increased to 66 by 17 Apr, which set an area maximum. At a regular site in Birmingham, Jefferson 28 Apr (PHF, m.ob.), 18 Black-crowned Night-Herons established an M.R. spring maximum. Up to 6 Glossy Ibis were found at Eufaula NWR, Barbour 5–25 May (ADr, JTa, m.ob.), where rare but becoming regular. Lone White-faced Ibises at Swan Creek 22–28 Apr (DR, CB, ph) and at Eufaula NWR, Barbour 5 May (ADr, ph) established the fourth T.V. spring record and the third I.C.P. spring record, respectively. Occasional in the M.R., a Plegadis ibis was at Saginaw, Shelby 9 May (MWe, DW). Roseate Spoonbills are rare in the region, though increasing, and particularly rare in spring. Near Prairieville, Hale 28–31 May (BCF, DS, JS), 18 spoonbills provided an Alabama maximum and a first spring inland record. On the Mobile Causeway, Baldwin 30 May (ADi) 8 provided a G.C. spring maximum. At Noxubee 21 May (OG), 2 established the second spring record for the seven-county area.

At WF George Dam, Henry 15 Mar (NG, KH) 160 Black Vultures set an Alabama spring maximum. On the Birmingham area count, Jefferson/Shelby/St. Clair 28 Apr, 89 Turkey Vultures provided a spring M.R. maximum. Spring maxima were also set for Swallow-tailed Kites. Near Stockton, Baldwin 6 May (KH, m.ob.) 45 marked an Alabama spring maximum, and near Brooklyn, Escambia 22 May (TWS) 22 set a spring I.C.P. maximum. An I.C.P. spring maximum of 4 Northern Harriers were at Eufaula NWR, Barbour 9 Mar (JTa). A lone Northern Harrier at Hazel Green, Madison 23 May (AL) was the latest recorded in spring in Alabama, although the species summers casually. Ospreys are rare nesters in the seven-county area, but they nested again in Columbus Lake, Lowndes (TS, MS) (nesting since 2008) and near West Point, Clay (TS) (nesting since 2015). A spring inland Alabama maximum was set by 9 Bald Eagles at Swan Creek 2 Mar (CB) and then tied by 9 at Guntersville, Marshall 5 Mar (AL, DR). Still rare in n. Alabama, Mississippi Kites occurred at four new sites: 3 near Berry, Tuscaloosa 11 May (ES); 2 at Huntsville, Madison 13 May (CB); 2 near Cedar Bluff, Cherokee 27 or 28 May (HP, LP); and one near Ragland 27 May (RJK). Rare in Mississippi, a White-tailed Kite was at Ashland, Benton 2 Mar (TD, ph). A single Broad-winged Hawk at Huntsville, Madison 17 Mar (CB) set an early T.V. record.

OWLS THROUGH VIREOS

The twentieth Alabama record for Burrowing Owl came from one on Dauphin 22–26 Mar (AH, ph, mob). At Huntsville, Madison 21 Mar CB), a heard Northern Saw-whet Owl established the sixth T.V. record. The Wheeler area count, Limestone/Morgan/Madison 28 Apr yielded a T.V. spring maximum of 23 Red-headed Woodpeckers. Red-cockaded Woodpeckers are rare and local in the region, and the one found 7 Apr at Wehle (JAT, m.ob.) was outside any known areas. An I.C.P. spring maximum was established by 16 Northern Flickers at Tuscaloosa 24 Mar (NG, SP).

Peregrine Falcons are rare in the spring in the seven-county area, so one at Noxubee 7 Apr (IB) was interesting, as well as somewhat early. A Peregrine found near Tuscaloosa 19 May (NG) provided an I.C.P. late spring record.

A Great-crested Flycatcher at Wheeler 1 Apr (CB) was the earliest ever in the T.V. A rare Alder Flycatcher was seen, heard and photographed in Mississippi at Conger Rd, DeSoto 28 May (HC, HM, RP, RHa). Willow Flycatchers are rare in the seven-county area. Two at a known site at McLeod, Noxubee 8 May (JAH, ph, m.ob.) set an early arrival record. One found 19 May (HC, MS, ph, taped) at Stan Tabor Rd and another at McLeod, Noxubee 8 May (JAH, TS, PM) lingered at locations where seen in recent years. On a Birmingham area count, Jefferson/Shelby/St. Clair 28 Apr., 225 Eastern Kingbirds established an inland Alabama maximum. Mississippi’s sixth Tropical Kingbird was photographed well in Pascagoula, Jackson 17–18 Apr (BJ, ph, BW).

Scissor-tailed Flycatchers returned to areas in Alabama and Mississippi where they have bred in recent years. One at Hazel Green, Madison 12 Apr (SRM) was the earliest for n. Alabama. One at Dauphin 28 May (RW) provided the latest G.C. record except for some casual summer birds. Near Gallion, Marengo 19 May (RLK, RJK) 6 set a spring I.C.P. maximum. Rare in spring, Olive-sided Flycatchers were found at Swan Creek 11–20 May (MSG, CDC, taped) and at Huntsville, Madison 24 May (CB). On the Birmingham area count, Jefferson/Shelby/St. Clair 28 Apr, 128 Eastern Phoebes set an Alabama spring maximum. A Bell’s Vireo at Fort Morgan 25 Apr (EH) provided the sixth spring G.C. record. At Lake Lurleen 8 Apr (NG) 15 Yellow-throated Vireos set an Alabama spring maximum. A Philadelphia Vireo at Huntsville, Madison 16–23 Apr (CB) was the earliest for the T.V. where rare but regular, and one at Jeff Busby Pk, Choctaw 24 Apr (MS) was the earliest for the seven-county area. Philadelphia Vireos are occasional in spring in I.C.P., and one was found at Wehle 4 May (ES, HEH). Rare in spring in M.R., a Warbling Vireo was at Mountain Brook, Jefferson 19 Apr (PR, taped). They are only occasional in spring in I.C.P., where one was found at Livingston, Sumter 28 Apr (NG, ph) and another at Tuskegee NF, Macon 29 Apr (RM). Warbling Vireos are rare breeders in the seven-county area, but one that arrived 16 May and stayed through summer Columbus Lake, Clay (MS, TS) bred for the fifth consecutive year.

CROWS THROUGH BLACKBIRDS

Fish Crows may still be increasing away from the coast. On 9 Mar in Guntersville, Marshall (RLK, RJK, FS), 20 set a T.V. spring maximum. Horned Larks are rare in spring in I.C.P. Near Hartford, Geneva 4 Apr (ES) 2 males were singing. On the Newton B.B.S., Henry/Dale (JAT, ph), Horned Larks were at three sites. A Bank Swallow at Ashford, Houston 4 Apr (RS) was the earliest recorded in the I.C.P. Three Tree Swallows seen on Dauphin 19 May (ML, LH) were the latest for spring on the G.C. Tree Swallows are increasing as breeders in Alabama. A new site is Aliceville Lock & Dam, Pickens 24 May (JG) where 9 were found nesting. At Tuscaloosa 4 Apr (NG, SP) 75 Northern Rough-winged Swallows established a spring I.C.P. maximum. Four Barn Swallows at Marion, Perry 2 Mar (AL, RLK, RJK) were the I.C.P.’s earliest. A rare Cave Swallow was found at Bay St. Lewis, Hancock 31 Mar (HC). At Dauphin 2 Mar (AH, CoS) 2 Cliff Swallows were the earliest ever for the G.C. On 8 Apr at Lake Lurleen (NG) 400 Cliff Swallows established a spring I.C.P. maximum.

At Talladega NF (Oakmulgee), Bibb 22 Mar (DG) 8 White-breasted Nuthatches provided a spring I.C.P. maximum. Single Winter Wrens at Splinter Hill, Baldwin 20 Apr (AH, MWo, mob) and Madison, Madison 13 May (KW) established late south AL and late T.V. records, respectively. At a Wheeler area count, Limestone 28 Apr (KW, m.ob.) 5 Sedge Wrens set a spring T.V. maximum.

On the Birmingham area count, Jefferson/Shelby/St. Clair 28 Apr (GDJ, m.ob.), 14 Veeries set an M.R. maximum. A Swainson’s Thrush at Plymouth Bluff, Lowndes 19 Apr (PM) was the earliest recorded for the seven-county area. In Tuscaloosa 26 Apr (NG), 25 Swainson’s Thrushes established an I.C.P. spring maximum. The T.V. spring maximum was set by 7 Hermit Thrushes at Wheeler 26 Mar (JCA). A single Hermit Thrush at Plymouth Bluff, Lowndes 27 Apr (PM) established the latest spring departure date for the seven-county area. An I.C.P. spring maximum of 19 Gray Catbirds was recorded at Livingston, Sumter 28 Apr (NG). In Ozark, Dale 18 Mar (AB), 80 Pine Siskins set a maximum I.C.P. spring record. Near Noxubee 16 May (MC) 2 Pine Siskins set a late departure date for the seven-county area.

A single Bachman’s Sparrow, rare and local in the T.V., was seen and heard 24 Apr and 4 May at Swan Creek, an unusual site. Rare in spring on the G.C., a Lark Sparrow was at Dauphin 7 Apr (EH). The I.C.P. spring maximum was set by 18 Dark-eyed Juncos at Lake Lurleen 25 Mar (NG) A Dark-eyed Junco at Fort Morgan 17 Apr (ES, JAT, m.ob.) provided the latest I.C.P. spring record. A Vesper Sparrow at Wheeler 5 May (CB) set a late T.V. spring record. LeConte’s Sparrow is rare in spring in T.V. Birds were found at two different sites at Wheeler 2 Mar (CB) and 30 Mar (NG). Lincoln’s Sparrow is rare in spring in M.R., but 2 were recorded. One was at Opelika, Lee 17 Apr (RM) and the other at Ruffner 7 May (RR). Also rare in the seven-county area, a Lincoln’s Sparrow was at Conger Rd, DeSoto 18 May (HC, HM, RP, RHa)

A Yellow-headed Blackbird at Montgomery, 8 Apr (CA, ph, m.ob.) provided the ninth spring inland record. A Western Meadowlark at M.S.U. s. Farm 5 Mar (JAH, TS) provided the third record for the seven-county area. Single rare male and female Bronzed Cowbirds were at Biloxi, Harrison 20 Apr and 5 May (HC). Up to 85 Brewer’s Blackbirds at Tuscaloosa 7–25 Apr (NG, m.ob.) furnished a late I.C.P. record. Later in the month, 11 Brewer’s Blackbirds at Wheeler 29 Apr (CB) set an Alabama late record.

One Golden-winged Warbler at Fort Morgan 4 May (AL) established the late s. Alabama spring record. A Blue-winged Warbler at Wheeler 1 Apr (CB) was the earliest ever recorded in the T.V. At Lake Lurleen 25 Mar (NG) 10 Black-and-white Warblers established a spring I.C.P. maximum. At Noxubee 21 Mar (JO) a lone Prothonotary Warbler tied an early arrival date for the seven-county area. Single Swainson’s Warblers at Dothan, Houston 24 Mar (SS) and at Wheeler 8 Apr (CB) set early records for the I.C.P. and T.V., respectively. On the Birmingham area count, Jefferson/Shelby/St. Clair 28 Apr, 10 Swainson’s Warblers tied the maximum for inland Alabama. A Tennessee Warbler at Columbus, Lowndes 1 Apr (PM) was the earliest to arrive in the seven-county area. At Chattahoochee SP, Houston 15 Mar (NG, KH) 5 Orange-crowned Warblers furnished a spring I.C.P. maximum. The lone Orange-crowned Warbler at Tuscaloosa 1 May (NG) set a late I.C.P. spring record. At Muscle Shoals, Colbert 10 Apr (DSi) one Nashville Warbler provided the earliest T.V. record. An unusually high number of Nashville Warblers were found in the seven-county area, and there were four records for the M.R. where rare but regular. One singing male in Tuscaloosa 25 Apr (NG) furnished the fourth spring I.C.P. record. Rare in spring in T.V., a Connecticut Warbler was at Swan Creek 4 May (CB). Mourning Warblers are very rare in the region in spring. Up to 2 were at Swan Creek 7–19 May (DRC, CDC, MSG), and one was at Tunica Co. River Pk, Tunica 18 May (HC, HM, RP, RHa). A Kentucky Warbler at Big Black Ck., Choctaw 4 Apr tied the earliest arrival for the seven-county area. Single Hooded Warblers at Meadowbrook, Shelby 20 Mar (RJK) and Wheeler 23 Mar (CB) furnished early M.R. and early T.V. records, respectively. At the Birmingham area count, Jefferson/Shelby/St. Clair 28 Apr, 82 Hooded Warblers set an Alabama spring maximum. Unusually high numbers of Cerulean Warblers were found in the seven-county area. Bay-breasted Warblers at Wheeler 17 Apr (SRM) and at Gallion, Marengo 23 Apr (DSe, JSe) furnished early T.V. and I.C.P. records, respectively. At Livingston, Sumter 28 Apr (NG) 26 Yellow Warblers set a spring I.C.P. maximum. A Chestnut-sided Warbler at Ruffner 5 Apr (RR) provided the early M.R. record. Ruffner furnished two records of Black-throated Blue Warbler 18 Apr (RR) and 6 May (RR, ph), which are rare but regular in the M.R. A Yellow-rumped Warbler on a B.B.S. at Fitzpatrick, Bullock 20 May (ES) established the late spring record for South AL. At Talladega NF, Bibb 8 Apr (DG) 30 Prairie Warblers set a spring I.C.P. maximum. A Black-throated Green Warbler at Waverly, Clay 18 Mar (JAr) tied the early arrival date for the seven-county area. At Lake Lurleen 25 Mar (NG) 4 Black-throated Green Warblers provided an I.C.P. spring maximum. Wilson’s Warblers are rare in spring in T.V. and in the seven-county area. One singing male at Wheeler 1 Apr (CB) set an early record for n. Alabama. Another was singing at Tunica Co. River Pk., Tunica 18 May (HC, HM, RP, RHa).

In Fairhope, Baldwin two different Western Tanagers, rare in Alabama, occasional in spring, were photographed 18 Apr and 26 Apr (JD, BS, ph). A Rose-breasted Grosbeak at Green Mountain, Madison 12 Apr (SRM) furnished an early T.V. record. Alabama’s second Lazuli Bunting and first inland was at Phenix City, Russell 29 Mar (CaS, ph). An Indigo Bunting at feeders in Guntersville, Marshall 21–25 Mar (LW, ph) provided the early T.V. record. A Painted Bunting near St. Florian, Lauderdale 26–27 Apr (AS, m.ob.) was the fourth for the T.V. On the Birmingham area count, Shelby 28 Apr (AGM, m.ob.) 29 Dickcissel set the spring M.R. record.

Report processed by Eric DeFonso, 19 Feb 2021.

Click on the caption to to view fullscreen with caption.