The Bermuda High then moved into its normal position, with clear skies and moderate to fresh southeast winds prevailing, and the migrant traps cleared out. Early in the last week of April, a shift in the winds from southerly to northwest winds vectored many migrants to the region, and rainstorms brought many down in the traditional migrant traps. By the end of April, the winds had shifted back to southeast; migrants overflew the coast, and the Birmingham area enjoyed a great number and mix of migrants.

The weather affected migration pattern generally, but there is no easily-found connection to weather for the megararities from this season: La Sagra’s Flycatcher and Hooded Oriole in Alabama and Fork-tailed Flycatcher in Mississippi.

Sub-regional Editors: Gregory D. Jackson (Alabama); Terence Schiefer (Mississippi)

Abbreviations: B.B.S. = breeding bird survey; Dauphin Island = Dauphin Island, Mobile, Alabama; Fort Morgan = Fort Morgan Historical Site, Mobile, Alabama; G.C. = Gulf Coast Region, Alabama; I.C.P. = Inner Coastal Plain, Alabama; M.R. = Mountain Region, Alabama; N.W.R. = national wildlife refuge; ph. = photographed; T.V. = Tennessee Valley Region, Alabama; v.r. = voice recorded; v.t. = videotaped.

Waterfowl through Grebes

Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks continue to expand; three in Alabaster, Shelby Co 4 April (Nishant KC, ph.) provided the sixth record for the M.R.; seven adults were along Riverdale Rd., Grenada Co, MS 28 Apr (Gene Knight), where they are rare; Black-bellieds have been breeding in recent years in Oktibbeha and Noxubee Cos, MS; in addition to returning to known sites, two were at M.S.U. South Farm 17 Apr–2 May (Jeffrey Harris, ph.), two were at Starkville, Oktibbeha Co 4 May (Kara Roberts), eight were at a different site in Starkville 13 May (Lauren Thead), and two were at Dorman Lake, Oktibbeha Co 18 May (James Meals). A lone Ross’s Goose north of Grand Bay, Mobile Co 7 Apr–1 May (Geoff Hill, Chuck Estes, ph.) supplied the seventh spring record for the G.C. At the same location, a Greater White-fronted Goose 14 Apr–1 May (Craig Litteken, m.ob., ph.), local on the GC in spring, was the latest in spring for the GC except for one bird that summered. A single Greater White-fronted Goose east of Muscle Shoals, Colbert Co 7–21 May (Jeff T Garner, Bob Butler, Gerry Dinkins, m.ob., ph.) was the latest in spring in Alabama, again except for the one summer record. North of Prairieville, Hale Co 1 Apr (David P George, Todd Harvey), 150 Blue-winged Teal were the most ever in spring in the I.C.P. An adult male Cinnamon Teal at Town Creek Marsh, Colbert Co 5 Mar (Damien J. Simbeck, ph.) provided the fifth record for the T.V., tenth for Alabama, and the third in spring. A casual hybrid in Alabama, a male Blue-winged x Cinnamon Teal was at Blakeley Island, Mobile Co 12 Mar (Craig Litteken, Lawrence Gardella; ph.). Single late Northern Shovelers were at Blakeley I. Mobile Co (Mason Currier) and Dauphin Island Causeway, Mobile Co (Cynthia Freeman, ph.) 24 May and seven in Maplesville, Chilton Co 25 May (Todd DeVore, ph.). East of Whitsitt, Hale Co (David P. George, Todd DeVore, ph.), a Gadwall was the latest for the I.C.P.; one was present one summer. Greater Scaup are occasional in spring in the I.C.P.; a male was at Hope Hull, Montgomery Co 17 Apr (Eric Haskell, ph.), and up to two were in Maplesville, Chilton Co 7 Mar–8 May (Joe Wujcik, m.ob., ph.). Surf Scoters are rare in the M.R.; one in southern Etowah Co 4 Apr (Greg Jackson) provided the second spring M.R. record. In spring Surf Scoters are rare anywhere inland; two at Wheeler Dam, Lawrence Co 11 Apr (Sue Moske, Bala Chennupati, ph.) supplied the eighth spring T.V. record. On the G.C. where Surf Scoters are more expected in spring, two at Bon Secour N.W.R. were late and rare 24–25 May (Carey Cooper, m.o., ph.), and up to nine by the Dauphin Island Causeway, Mobile Co 15 May–10 Jun (Satchell Watts-Kerr, ph.) were later still. Rare in spring, one White-winged Scoter was at Bon Secour, Baldwin Co 21 Apr (David Plumb, ph.). Just to the east of the Dauphin Island Causeway, Mobile Co, up to 23 Black Scoters through 2 Jun (Amanda Keevan, Hayley Keevan, m.ob., ph.) established an Alabama spring maximum. A Long-tailed Duck in south Etowah Co 4 Apr (Greg Jackson) supplied the seventh spring record for the M.R. A Horned Grebe on Horn Island, Jackson Co, MS 8 May (Collin Stempien) was quite late, but one in alternate plumage in the harbor at Jones Park, Harrison Co, MS 30 May–3 Jun (Collin Stempien, Aaron Powell, ph.) was, by definition, the latest spring record.

Doves through Limpkins

Inca Doves remain occasional in the I.C.P., but they continue to increase; one called near Ashford, Houston Co 25 May (John Trent); and one returned to a regular site in Faunsdale, Marengo Co, 27 May (Geoff Hill). Rare in the M.R., White-winged Doves are becoming regular in Auburn, Lee Co where one was found 2 Mar (Richard Beil, ph.). These doves are also rare but increasing in the I.C.P. and are becoming regular in Tuscaloosa, where one was singing 10 May (Kevin Shaw, Satchell Watts-Kerr, ph.), and nearby Northport, where one was found 19–23 May (Robert Lukasik, ph.). At Noxubee N.W.R. 24 Apr (Evelyn Carter, ph.), a Black-billed Cuckoo provided the seventeenth record for the Upper East-Central Region; also rare on the Mississippi coast, one was in Ocean Springs, Jackson Co 14 Apr (Abby Darrah), and another near Pearlington, Hancock Co 2 May (David Reed, ph.). A Common Nighthawk at Starkville, Oktibbeha Co 15 Apr (Jeffrey Harris) matched the earliest record for the Upper East-Central Region. Up to three Eastern Whip-poor-wills at Talladega National Forest, Bibb 8–11 Mar (David George, Todd Harvey, ph.) established a new early date for the I.C.P. In Mobile 9 Apr, 400 Chimney Swifts (Mason Currier) set a new spring maximum for the G.C.

Virginia Rails are rare and spotty in the M.R. in winter; two near Piedmont, Calhoun Co 11–15 Mar (Skip Smith) either spent the winter or were early migrants. At Heiberger, Perry Co 1 Apr (David George, Todd Harvey), five Soras established a new spring maximum for the I.C.P. Rare in the Upper East-Central Region outside of Noxubee N.W.R., a Common Gallinule at Columbus Lake, Lowndes Co 18 Apr (Terence Schiefer) supplied the county’s third record. Rare in the M.R. a Common Gallinule was in Homewood, Jefferson Co 2–7 May (Hans Paul). Yellow Rails occur rarely but regularly in the general area around Bayou LaBatre, Mobile Co, Alabama, but are seldom found without a concerted group effort; one was seen 25 Apr (Ben Garmon, Patsy Russo). Occasional in the Alabama-Mississippi Region, a Black Rail with a chick was in Ocean Springs, Jackson Co 13 May (Carol Duckworth, Richard Duckworth). Limpkins are rare but increasing across the region; one at Wheeler N.W.R. 16 May (Greg Jackson) was the first in spring in the T.V. and provided the fourth T.V. record; they have become regular at Eufaula N.W.R., where one was heard 20 May (Geoff Hill), and remain regular at Gantt Lake, Covington Co, where two were seen and heard 27 May (Thomas Savage). A Limpkin was at Lefleur’s Bluff S.R., Hinds Co 1 Apr (Benjamin Dillard, ph.); one near Starkville, Oktibbeha 30 May (Vicki Maples, Jeffrey Harris, Terence Schiefer, Marion Schiefer, Jana Manning, ph.) gave Upper East-Central Region its sixth record.

Shorebirds

Rare but possibly increasing in the Upper East-Central Region, a lone Black-necked Stilt was near Trinity, Lowndes Co 23 Apr (Terence Schiefer, Marion Schiefer), another was at Columbus Lake, Clay/Lowndes Cos 29 Apr–3 May (Terence Schiefer, Marion Schiefer, Paul Mack), and yet another in McLeod, Noxubee Co 17 May (Terence Schiefer, Marion Schiefer). Regular in spring in recent years in the western T.V. and an occasional breeder, a Black-necked Stilt was near Leighton, Colbert Co 21 May (Damien Simbeck). An American Avocet in Maplesville, Chilton Co 21 May (Ron Kittinger, Rick Kittinger, ph.) established the fourth spring I.C.P. record. Rare in spring in the Upper East-Central Region, a Black-bellied Plover in McLeod, Noxubee Co 26 Apr (Terence Schiefer, Marion Schiefer, ph.) matched that region’s earliest; another was at Columbus Lake, Oktibbeha Co 17 May (Marion Schiefer, ph.). Near White Hall, Lowndes Co 30 Apr (Alban Guillaumet, Evelyne Guillaumet), 11 Semipalmated Plovers supplied an I.C.P. spring maximum. Occasional in Mississippi, 10 Hudsonian Godwits at St. Catherine Creek N.W.R., Adams Co 12 May (Eric Ausborn, Kent Ozment, ph.) provided the state’s twelfth record. Rare in spring in the M.R., a Stilt Sandpiper was found during the Birmingham area count, Shelby Co 29 Apr (John Imhof); also rare in the Upper East-Central Region in spring, a Stilt Sandpiper was at McLeod, Noxubee Co 11 May (Terence Schiefer, Marion Schiefer). Occasional in spring in the T.V., a Sanderling was in Guntersville 30 Apr (Sue Moske). Rare but regular in the Upper East-Central Region, two Dunlin were in McLeod, Noxubee Co 26 Apr (Terence Schiefer, Marion Schiefer); two were at Columbus Lake, Lowndes Co 29 Apr (Terence Schiefer, Marion Schiefer); and one was in McLeod Co 12 May (Jeffrey Harris). Baird’s Sandpipers are rare in spring in Alabama but regular in Gulf Shores, Baldwin Co, where two were found 21 Apr (Augusta Herre, ph.); two were in Huxford, Escambia Co 23 Apr (Geoff Hill); two on Blakeley Island, Mobile Co 28 May (Mark Woodrey, Michele Steber) provided a late spring record for the GC; and two were near Leighton, Colbert Co in the western T.V., where regular, 30 May (Damien Simbeck). Alabama’s earliest-ever White-rumped Sandpiper was on Dauphin Island 11 Apr (Zachary Korzen-Varin, Kimberly Korzen-Varin). Occasional in spring in both the Upper East-Central Region and the I.C.P., one Buff-breasted Sandpiper was in McLeod, Noxubee Co, Mississippi 15 Apr (Jeffrey Harris), and one was near White Hall, Lowndes Co, Alabama 30 Apr (Alban Guillaumet, Evelyne Guillaumet, ph.).

Rare in spring in the Upper East-Central Region, 17 Short-billed Dowitchers 12 May (Jeffrey Harris, ph.) gave that region its tenth spring record. In McLeod, Noxubee Co 5 May (Marion Schiefer, ph.), three Long-billed Dowitchers were the latest in spring for the Upper East-Central Region. A Wilson’s Snipe by the Mobile Causeway, Baldwin Co 3 May (Sharon Tice, ph.) was the latest in spring for the G.C. Near Salem, Limestone Co 19 Mar (William Galloway, ph.), a Solitary Sandpiper established a new early record for the T.V. Rare inland in Mississippi, 12 Willets were at Sardis Lake, Lafayette Co 26 Apr (Gene Knight); rare but regular in the Upper East-Central Region, 18 were at Brooksville, Noxubee Co 24 Apr (Terence Schiefer, Marion Schiefer, ph.); and at Noxubee N.W.R., six were present 24 Apr (Evelyn Carter, Diana Edwards, Roxann Storie, Terence Schiefer, Marion Schiefer, ph.), 11 on 26 Apr (Terence Schiefer, Marion Schiefer, ph.), 31 on 4 May (Terence Schiefer, ph.), and three at McLeod, Noxubee Co 5 May (Marion Schiefer, ph.). Willets are rare but regular in the T.V. in spring; one was at Wheeler N.W.R. 28 Apr (Matthew Niemiller, ph.). They are occasional and erratic in the M.R. in spring; one was in White Plains, Calhoun Co 4 May (Skip Smith, ph.). Wilson’s Phalaropes are rare but regular in the spring in both the G.C. and the T.V. and rarer in the I.C.P. One near Leighton, Colbert Co 26 Mar (Jeanene Daniels, Ed Daniels, ph.) established an early record for inland Alabama; on Dauphin Island 30 Apr–1 May (Benjamin Bauman, Angele Langevin, m.ob.), nine was a rather high number; two were at Fort Morgan 30 Apr (Kathy Hicks, ph.); one was at Bayou La Batre 1–4 May (Eric Haskell, m.ob., ph.); up to six were at Blakeley Island (“Mud Lakes”), Mobile 1–6 May (Craig Litteken, m.ob., ph.); one on Whitsitt, Hale Co 6 May (David George) provided the sixth I.C.P. spring record; one was near Leighton 7 May (Sue Moske, Bala Chennupati, m.ob., ph.); and one in Maplesville, Chilton Co 20 May (Todd Harvey) supplied the seventh I.C.P. spring record. Rare in Mississippi in spring, single adult female Red-necked Phalaropes were at Phillips Catfish Complex, Yazoo Co 5 May (Gene Knight) and Seaman Road Lagoons, Jackson Co 25 May (Brian Johnson, Lucy Jacobson, Collin Stempien, ph.).

Jaegers through Pelicans

Pomarine Jaegers are rare onshore; a light morph adult that briefly landed on Dauphin Island 12 Mar (Lawrence Gardella, ph.) provided the sixth spring record for the G.C. Pomarines are rare but regular offshore; an adult was 128 km south of Dauphin Island 12 May (Clinton Collier, ph., v.t.). Rare but increasing in recent years, a Black-legged Kittiwake on Dauphin Island 23 Mar (Mike Peczynski, ph.) gave Alabama its seventh record in spring and the sixth overall for the G.C. Also rare in Mississippi, a Black-legged Kittiwake was on Ship Island, Harrison 18 Apr (Howard Horne, Daniel Wilson, ph.). Laughing Gulls are occasional in spring in both the M.R. and the I.C.P.; one was at Neely Henry Dam, St. Clair/Calhoun Cos 25 Mar (Skip Smith, ph.); and one was in Maplesville 4 May (David George). Also rare in Mississippi, an adult was at Phillips Catfish Complex, Yazoo Co 5 May (Gene Knight), and up to four were in Columbus, Lowndes Co 14 and 20 May (Terence Schiefer, Marion Schiefer). Along the Mobile Causeway, Mobile Co 22 Mar (Gene Knight, Kathy Nichols, LaDonna Nichols), a Franklin’s Gull provided the fifth spring record for the G.C.; rare in Mississippi in spring, a Franklin’s was at Ross Barnett Reservoir, Madison Co 8 May (Andy Bell, ph.). Great Black-backed Gulls are rare in Mississippi; one was in Bay St. Louis, Hancock Co 8 Mar (Max Nootbar, Baxter Beamer, ph.) and one in Pass Christian, Harrison Co 11 Mar (Collin Stempien, Gary Herritz, ph.).

Rare in spring in the M.R., three Caspian terns were in Southside, Etowah Co 7 Apr (James Burdette), and one was at Neely Henry Dam, Calhoun Co 13 Apr (Skip Smith). At Wheeler Dam, Lawrence Co 11 Apr (Sue Moske, Bala Chennupati), 11 Black Terns set a spring inland Alabama maximum. On the other side of that dam, Limestone Co 21 May (Loralee Manas, Anna Manas, ph.), six Common Terns established a spring maximum for the T.V. At Guntersville, Marshall Co 30 Apr (Sue Moske), 157 Forster’s Terns provided an inland Alabama spring maximum. Wood Storks are rare in spring on the G.C.; 17 in west Mobile Co 12 Apr (Ben Garmon) was a high number. At Columbus Lake, Lowndes Co 29 Apr (Terence Schiefer, Marion Schiefer, ph.), a Royal Tern provided the Upper East-Central Region its sixth record, first in spring; all prior records had been associated with hurricanes and tropical storms. Brown Boobies are rare and erratic but increasing in Alabama; one at Fort Morgan 4 Mar (Tina Hughes, ph.) provided the eleventh spring record, all on the G.C. At Oktibbeha County Lake 30 May–1 Jun (Terence Schiefer), a Neotropic Cormorant supplied the seventh record for the Upper East-Central Region and first for Oktibbeha Co. Rare inland in the region, a Brown Pelican was at Sardis Dam, Panola Co 25–28 Mar (Gene Knight, Rosemarie Richardson, ph.).

Herons through Spoonbills

After reports of American Bittern at Eufaula N.W.R., Houston Co 19 Mar (Geoff Hill), a new Alabama maximum of 15 were found there 30 Mar (Nishant KC, Todd DeVore). A Least Bittern heard at the refuge 30 Mar (John Trent) was the earliest for inland Alabama. A Snowy Egret at Wheeler N.W.R., Limestone Co 24–26 Mar (Ron Kittinger, Rick Kittinger, Louise Hewlett, m.ob.) tied the earliest record for north Alabama. A Little Blue Heron flying over the lake at Noxubee N.W.R. 6 Mar (Terence Schiefer, Marion Schiefer) was the earliest for the Upper East-Central Region. On Coffee Island, Mobile Co 14 Apr (Olivia Morpeth, m.ob.), 45 Black-crowned Night Herons set a new spring maximum for the G.C.; 232 at Noxubee N.W.R. 10 Apr (Jeffrey Harris, ph.) far exceeded the previous spring record for the Upper East-Central Region. A White Ibis at Noxubee N.W.R. 10 Mar (Terence Schiefer) established a new early arrival date for the Upper East-Central Region. Glossy Ibises are rare inland but regular at Eufaula N.W.R. where four were present 23 Apr (Kirsten Walsh, ph.); one was near Leighton 14 May (Steve McConnell). White-faced Ibises are rare but regular in Alabama, but only occasional in spring on the G.C.; one was at Blakeley Mud Lakes and then Mobile Causeway, Mobile 7–8 Apr (Geoff Hill, m.ob., ph.); another at Eufaula N.W.R., Barbour 13 May (Renea Simpson, Bob Koregay, ph.) provided the fifth spring record for the I.C.P. Also rare in the Upper East-Central Region, a White-faced at Noxubee N.W.R. 23 Apr–4 May (Jeffrey Harris, m.ob., ph.) supplied the eighth area record, the fifth in spring). A Plegadis ibis, rare for the T.V., was at Hartselle, Morgan 7 May (Steve McConnell). A juvenile Roseate Spoonbill in Geneva, Geneva Co 28 May (Linda Marley, Don Marley, ph.) gave inland Alabama its sixth spring record.

Kites through Flycatchers

Near Eufaula N.W.R., Butler, on 24 Apr (John McMahan), 75 Mississippi Kites set a spring I.C.P. maximum that was then broken by 98 near Marvyn 28 Apr (Barry Fleming) and again by 125 near Marvyn 30 May (Barry Fleming). The Wheeler N.W.R. area spring count, Limestone/Morgan/Madison Cos, yielded nine Red-shouldered Hawks, the highest spring number for the T.V. A Broad-winged Hawk recorded in Alabaster, Shelby 8 Mar (Justin Lehman) was the earliest ever for Alabama. In Camden, Wilcox Co 2 Apr (Tom Moorman) a single kettle of 15 Broad-wingeds yielded an I.C.P. spring maximum. A Great Crested Flycatcher heard near Auburn, Lee 22–23 Mar (Karen Frizzell, Allen Frizzell) was the earliest ever for the I.C.P. On 7 Apr at Fort Morgan (David Jarrell, v.t.), a La Sagra’s Flycatcher was Alabama’s second and first since 1963 when the nation’s first was in Selma. At McLeod, Noxubee Co 30 Apr–2 May (Wayne Patterson, m.ob., ph.), a Western Kingbird provided the eleventh record for the Upper East-Central Region, fourth in spring. On Dauphin Island, an Eastern Kingbird 5 Mar (John Faggard) was Alabama’s earliest. Rare in Mississippi, a Gray Kingbird was on Singing River Island, Jackson Co 2 May (Brian Johnston, Lucy Jacobson, Jimmie Dufault, ph.) Rare away from the outer coast, particularly in spring, a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was near Montrose, Baldwin Co, AL 13 Apr (Amanda Keevan, Hayley Keevan, ph.). A Scissor-tailed was in Tuscaloosa, AL 25 Apr (Satchell Watts-Kerr) where locally rare but becoming more regular. Rare in the Upper East-Central Region, one was at McLeod, Noxubee Co 28 Apr through end of season (Terence Schiefer, Marion Schiefer, Jeffrey Harris, Wayne Patterson, Rick Wise, ph.). While the species breeds regularly in the western black belt, one near Gainesville, Sumter Co, AL 6 May (Bruce Neville) was away from any known site. A Scissor-tailed was in Oxford, Lafayette Co, MS 10 May (Gene Knight); one from Brooksville 14 May through end of season (Terence Schiefer, Marion Schiefer, Wayne Patterson, ph.) provided a twelfth nesting record for the Upper East-Central Region. Rare in the M.R., a Scissor-tailed was near Henagar, Jackson Co 27 May (Andre Coquerel, m.ob., ph.). Potentially a first record for Mississippi, a Fork-tailed Flycatcher was in Magnolia, Amite Co 10 Apr (Melissa Johnson, ph.). An Olive-sided Flycatcher near Tuscaloosa 6 May (Hans Paul, Henry Halgren, John Halgren) yielded the second spring record for the I.C.P.; rare in the M.R. in spring, an Olive-sided was at Bankhead National Forest 9 May (Ron Kittinger, Rick Kittinger). A Willow Flycatcher singing in Helena, Shelby Co 29 Apr (Paul Franklin) provided the fifth spring record for the M.R.; one in Saginaw, Shelby 9 May–3 Jun (Rick Remy, m.ob., ph.) returned to a known site. Rare in spring on the G.C., single Least Flycatchers were on Dauphin Island 16–17 Apr (Jeff Reinhert, Jacob Stiles, Chuck Estes), 23 Apr (Geoff Hill, Todd DeVore), and 29 Apr (Mason Currier), and 1-2 were at Fort Morgan 27 Apr–3 May (Michael Jordan, Tina Hughes). During a Wheeler N.W.R. area count, Limestone/Morgan/Madison Cos 29 Apr 27 Eastern Phoebes established a spring maximum for the T.V. An Eastern Phoebe near Mobile 12–13 May (Marilyn Steelman) was the latest in spring for the G.C., although there are several summer records in the northern portions. Occasional in spring in Alabama, a Vermilion Flycatcher was on Dauphin Island 11 Mar (Cynthia Freeman, ph.).

Vireos through Munias

Bell’s Vireos are occasional in spring in the G.C.; one was on Dauphin Island 2 May (Lawrence Gardella). A Yellow-throated Vireo seen and heard at Talladega National Forest, Bibb Co 11 Mar (David George, Todd Harvey) tied the record for the earliest in the I.C.P. On Dauphin Island 28 Apr (Eric Helsey), 140 Yellow-throated Vireos established an Alabama maximum. During the Wheeler N.W.R. area count Limestone/Morgan/Madison Cos 29 Apr, six Blue-headed Vireos were the most ever in spring in the T.V. Rare in spring in the M.R., a single Warbling Vireo was near Montevallo 2 May (Joe Wujcik, ph.); occasional in the I.C.P. one Warbling Vireo was near Tuscaloosa 6 May (Kevin Shaw, Satchell Watts-Kerr, ph.). At Wheeler N.W.R., Limestone Co, single Red-eyed Vireos at two separate sites 24 Mar (Rick Kittinger, Ron Kittinger, Louise Hewlett) and 24–25 Mar (Matthew Niemiller) were the earliest ever for the T.V. Rare in Mississippi, a Black-whiskered Vireo was in Pascagoula, Jackson Co 21 Apr (Collin Stempien, Tim Guida, Gary Herritz, ph.) Horned Larks are rare in southeastern Alabama but becoming regular breeders there; one near Hurtsboro, Russell Co 2 Apr (Geoff Hill) was not at a regular site; two Horned Larks on the Grangeburg B.B.S., Houston Co 25 May (John Trent) and three on the Newton B.B.S., Henry Co 28 May (John Trent) were returning to known sites. Also rare in southern Mississippi, a Horned Lark was on Deer Island, Harrison Co 18 May (Abby Darrah, Amanda Douglas, ph.).

During the Birmingham area spring count, Jefferson/Shelby/St. Clair Cos 29 Apr, 420 Northern Rough-winged Swallows, including 300 at a roost in Cahaba Heights (Greg Harber) established a new M.R. maximum. Cave Swallows are rare but regular in the G.C.; 40 near Bellingrath, Mobile 8 Mar (Amanda Keevan, Hayley Keevan, Michael Keevan) was the second highest total ever in Alabama, and 3 remained the next day (Amanda Keevan, Hayley Keevan, Michael Keevan); one was at Fort Morgan, Baldwin 19 Mar (Tina Hughes, ph.). Also rare on the Mississippi coast, a Cave was at Edwards Bayou, Harrison Co 8 May (Harold Weber, ph.), and it or another Cave was seen again 16 Jun (Harold Weber, Gene Knight). Single Ruby-crowned Kinglets in Foley, Baldwin Co (Becky Humphries, Donald Dehm) and Mobile Co (Mason Currier) 3 May tied the latest spring dates for the G.C.; one at Swan Creek W.M.A., Limestone Co 13 May (Matthew Niemiller) set a new late spring date for the T.V. At Green Mountain, Madison Co 4 May (Sue Moske), a Golden-crowned Kinglet was the latest ever in spring in the T.V. In Huntsville, Madison 15 May (Bradley Miller), a single Red-breasted Nuthatch established a spring late date for the T.V. In Oxford, Lafayette 4 May (Gene Knight), a singing Sedge Wren was two days later than the previous late spring date for the Tri-Lakes Region; one singing at Ross Barnett Reservoir, Madison 5 May (Gene Knight, Andy Bell, m.ob.) was two days later than the previous late spring record for the Lower West-Central Region. The Wheeler N.W.R. spring count, Limestone/Morgan/Madison Cos 29 Apr supplied a T.V. spring maximum of 202 Carolina Wrens. The early T.V. record for Wood Thrush came from one seen and heard on Green Mountain, Madison Co 25–31 Mar (Sue Moske), and another early record for the T.V. came from one in Huntsville, Madison Co 28 Mar (Charles Boley). At the Mississippi State University campus, Oktibbeha Co 15–23 Mar (Terence Schiefer), two adult American Robins with two young provided the earliest nesting record for the Upper East-Central Region. Scaly-breasted Munias are rare but expanding in Mississippi. In Harrison, two to 10 were in Long Beach 13 Mar–13 May (Michelle Reinert, Ivory Reinert, ph.), three were in a different part of Long Beach 14 Apr (Ivory Reinert, Michelle Reinert), and from two to 18 were in a third part of Long Beach 4–13 May (Ivory Reinert, Michelle Reinert); in various parts of Diamondhead, Hancock Co, there were 29 on 18 Mar (Lisa J.), one 10 Apr (David Reed), 25 on 15 Apr (Joal Newcomb); and 20 on 29 May (James Randolph).

Fringillid Finches through Blackbirds

Outside of their known breeding site in the Talladega Mountains, Red Crossbills are occasional in Alabama; two at DeSoto State Park, DeKalb Co 23 Mar (Randy Snyder) and at least 10 in Little River Canyon, Cherokee Co 18 May (Joel McNeal) supplied first county records. Rare in the Tri-Lakes Region, a Lark Sparrow was at Oxford, Lafayette Co 29 Apr (Gene Knight); locally rare but becoming more frequent, three Lark Sparrows were near Northport, Tuscaloosa Co, Alabama 2 May (Satchell Watts-Kerr, Wes Jernigan, m.ob.). Rare inland, two Clay-colored Sparrows in Hartselle, Morgan 15 Apr–2 May (Steve McConnell, ph., v.r.) provided the sixth record for the T.V., the second in spring; and one in Saginaw, Shelby Co 29 Apr (Nishant KC., ph.) yielded the ninth record for the M.R., the second in spring. A Dark-eyed Junco on Dauphin Island 18 Apr (Nancy Donald, J. Marty Paige, ph.) was the latest in spring for the G.C. At Swan Creek W.M.A., Limestone Co 18 May (Joseph Mc. Donald), a White-crowned Sparrow was the latest for the T.V. in spring. A Savannah Sparrow in Maplesville, Chilton Co 25 May (Todd DeVore) set a spring late date for the I.C.P. Lincoln’s Sparrows are rare in spring in the I.C.P.; one was in Whitsitt, Hale 23 Mar (David George), and one was in Tuscaloosa 4 May (Satchell Watts-Kerr). Rare but regular in spring in the M.R., a Lincoln’s was in Hopewell, Blount Co 11 Apr (Amber Hart). Lincoln’s is rare in the Tri-Lakes Region, where one was present in Oxford, Lafayette Co 26 Apr (Gene Knight), and also rare but regular in spring in the T.V., a Lincoln’s was in Florence, Lauderdale Co 5 May (Paul Kittle). Near Forkland, Greene Co 16 Mar (David George, Todd Harvey), 46 Swamp Sparrows established a spring maximum for Alabama. Rare but more regular in recent years, a Western Meadowlark on Dauphin Island 25 Mar (Howard Horne, m.ob.), provided the seventh spring record for the G.C. On Dauphin Island 4–7 May (Gary Lockridge, Cory Harper, m.ob., ph.), an adult male Hooded Oriole was Alabama’s third, all on the G.C. Boat-tailed Grackles are rare inland but becoming regular at Eufaula N.W.R., Barbour, Alabama, where up to two were present 18 Mar–13 May (John McMahan, m.ob., ph.).

Warblers

Early records for the M.R. for Worm-eating Warbler came from one heard in Birmingham 23–24 Mar (Rick Remy) and another seen and heard near Auburn, Lee Co 23 Mar (Ralph E. Mirarchi, Cindy Mirarchi). A Worm-eating heard near Lake Tuscaloosa 27 Mar (Ellis Halgren) provided the early I.C.P. record. During the Wheeler N.W.R. area spring count, Limestone/Morgan/Madison Cos 27 Mar, 18 Northern Waterthrushes matched the spring maximum for inland Alabama; one at Noxubee N.W.R. 13 May (Jeffery Harris) tied the latest spring date for the Upper East-Central Region. Rare on the Mississippi coast, a Golden-winged Warbler was on Gulf Islands National Seashore, Jackson Co 27 Apr (Benjamin Dillard, DeAnna Dillard). Brewster’s Warblers are rare hybrids; one was at East End, Dauphin Island 16 Apr (Howard Horne, m.ob., ph.), and another on the island miles away at Shell Mounds 16 Apr (Marybeth Lima, Lynn Hathaway); a different individual was at Audubon Sanctuary on the island 17 Apr (Chuck Estes Robert Hickie, Matthew Bell, m.ob., ph.). At Shell Mounds, Dauphin Island 27 Apr, more than 90 Black-and-white Warblers established a G.C. spring maximum. Swainson’s Warblers are local in the T.V.; during the Wheeler N.W.R. spring count, Limestone/Morgan/Madison Cos 29 Apr, 5 Swainson’s matched the T.V. maximum. An Orange-crowned Warbler near Tuscaloosa 6 May (Paul Franklin, m.ob.) established a late record for the I.C.P. Rare in spring in the I.C.P, Nashville Warblers were in Daphne, Baldwin 2 Apr (Warren Walter), Dauphin Island 14 Apr (Jan Hamilton-Sherwonit), and again on Dauphin Island 28–29 Apr (Hayley Keevan, Michael Keevan, Lawrence Gardella, m.ob., ph.), and at Fort Morgan 29 Apr (Laura Payne). Rare but expected in the M.R. in spring, four Nashville Warblers during the Birmingham spring count, Jefferson/Shelby/St. Clair Cos was a high number. In Tuscaloosa 12 May (Kevin Shaw), a Nashville supplied the fifth spring record for the I.C.P. Rare in the M.R., a Mourning Warbler was near Auburn, Lee 3 May (Geoff Hill, v.r.). Rare but regular in the T.V. in spring, a Mourning Warbler was at Wheeler N.W.R., Madison 24 May (Matthew Niemiller, v.r., ph.).

During the Birmingham area spring count 29 Apr, Jefferson/Shelby/St. Clair Cos, 89 Hooded Warblers provided a spring maximum for inland Alabama. An American Redstart at Bankhead National Forest, Winston Co 1 Apr (Ron Wright) tied the early record for north Alabama. Rare on the Mississippi coast, two Cape May Warblers were on Singing River Island, Jackson Co 2 May (Brian Johnston, Lucy Jacobson, Jimmie Dufault, ph.), and one was on Cat Island 18 May (Abby Darrah). Rare but regular on the Mississippi coast, single Cerulean Warblers were at Gulf Park Estates, Jackson Co 8 Apr (Abby Darrah), Long Beach, Harrison Co 9 Apr (Michael Sandoz), Biloxi Co 10 Apr (Stephen Dunaway), Pascagoula, Jackson Co 16 Apr (Gary Herritz, Jimmy Dufault, Brian Johnston, ph.), Pascagoula, Jackson Co 27 Apr (Brian Johnston, Lucy Jacobson, Gary Herritz) and near Pass Christian 27 Apr (Ivory Reinert, Michelle Reinert). During the Wheeler N.W.R. count, Limestone/Morgan/Madison Cos 29 Apr, 45 Northern Parulas set a T.V. maximum. A Magnolia Warbler near Auburn, Lee 25 Mar (Ralph E. Mirarchi, Cindy Mirarchi) was the earliest ever for Alabama. A Magnolia in Tuscaloosa 23 May (Wes Jernigan) and a different one there 23–24 May (Kevin Shaw, v.r.) established late spring dates for the I.C.P., but a singing male in Shorter 25 May (Eric Soehren, v.r.) broke those records. A Chestnut-sided Warbler near Adaton, Oktibbeha Co 21 May (Terence Schiefer, Marion Schiefer) established a new late spring departure date. Rare this late in the I.C.P., a Yellow Warbler was at Fort Novosel, Dale Co 30 May (David Plunkett, ph., v.r.). Black-throated Blue Warblers are rare in Mississippi; one was in Waterford, Lafayette Co 9 Apr (James Meals, Keith Meals) and another in Pascagoula, Jackson Co 5 May (Lucy Jacobson, Jimmie Dufault, Gary Herritz, ph.). Rare but regular in spring in the M.R.; two Black-throated Blues were present during the Birmingham area spring count 29 Apr (Greg Jackson, John Imhof); in the eastern portion of the M.R., where they are especially regular, a male was near Auburn, Lee Co 5–6 May (Barry Fleming), and another male was in Auburn 7 May (Lorna West). Occasional in spring in the I.C.P., a male Black-throated Blue was in Talladega National Forest, Bibb Co 30 May (Leslie Landy). A Palm Warbler near Auburn, Lee Co 21 May (Sonya Auer, ph.) was the latest in spring for the I.C.P.; a Palm in Wheeler N.W.R., Madison 23–24 May (Matthew Niemiller) was the latest in spring in the T.V. During the Wheeler N.W.R. area spring count 29 Apr, 88 Pine Warblers established a spring T.V. maximum. At Noxubee N.W.R. (Michael Warren), a Yellow-throated Warbler 4 Mar provided a new early arrival date for the Upper East-Central Region. Near Lake Tuscaloosa 12, 19 May (Kit Pflughoft, v.r.), up to two Canada Warblers were the latest in spring in the I.C.P. A Wilson’s Warbler in Montgomery 5 Mar (Kala Brooks) was the earliest in spring in the I.C.P., but it likely had wintered, as the species winters casually in the I.C.P. Rare in spring on the Mississippi Coast and in the M.R., one Wilson’s was in Logtown, Jackson Co, MS 7 Mar (Baxter Beamer, Will Burgoyne, Max Nootbaar, Desraeli McBride), and one in Oxford, Calhoun Co, AL 2–8 May (Susano Medina).

Tanagers through Dickcissels

A male Scarlet Tanager in Fairhope, Baldwin Co 16 Mar (Allison Graves) was the earliest ever for Alabama. Rare but becoming regular in the G.C., one Western Tanager was in Montrose, Baldwin Co 9 Feb–2 Mar (Venetia Friend), and another was in Fairhope, Baldwin Co 23 Mar (Edlyn Burch, ph.). Likely rare wintering birds rather than very early migrants, single Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were in Montrose 4–20 Mar (Venetia Friend) and near Auburn 25 Mar (Ralph E. Mirarchi, Cindy Mirarchi). A Rose-breasted calling at Oxford, Lafayette Co 28 May (Gene Knight) was seven days later than the previous late spring record for the Tri-Lakes Region. At a feeder near Auburn, Lee Co 15 Mar (Erin Consuegra, ph.) an Indigo Bunting tied the record for earliest in the I.C.P. A female-type Painted Bunting at Monte Sano State Park, Madison Co 11–12 May (Bala Chennupati, ph.) provided the fifth spring record for the T.V. Rare in the M.R., an adult male Painted was at a feeder in Jacksonville, Calhoun Co (William Niemiller, ph.). A Dickcissel in Scottsboro, Jackson Co 19 Feb–9 Apr (Lisa Alonzo, ph.) was the seventh in winter in the T.V. A singing Dickcissel near Newbern, Hale Co 1 Apr (David George, Todd Harvey) was the earliest spring migrant in the I.C.P.

Report processed by Eric DeFonso, 03 Sep 2024.