Ducks through Grebes

Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks continue to expand throughout AL and MS, becoming increasingly numerous, regular, and long-staying throughout much of the region. Rare in the upper east-central region of MS, Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks have been present southeast of Starkville, Oktibbeha Co since fall 2019. A maximum of 65 were observed on 12 Dec (Terence and Marion Schiefer). A high count for Alabama, 221 Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks were observed during the Gulf Shores CBC in Baldwin Co 2 Jan (Andrew Haffenden). A high count for north Alabama, 25 Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks were seen in Madison Co 6 Feb (Carey Cooper, Sue Moske, ph.). 

While Ross’s Geese are seen annually in the region, they are uncommon to rare. This season’s records demonstrate that the species continues to gradually increase in number and regularity throughout the region. Ross’s Geese were observed at multiple sites in the mountain region and inland coastal plain of AL, where they are rare. In Shelby Co, AL, single individuals were in Calera 3 Dec (ph. Joe Wujcik); Helena 16 Jan–12 Feb (ph. Marc and Summer White); and Alabaster Jan–26 Feb (ph. Todd DeVore). Three individuals were present in Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa Co, AL 23 Feb (ph. Jackson Saul). In the upper east-central region of MS, where the species is uncommon, five Ross’s Geese were observed at the Catalpa Creek Bottoms, Lowndes Co 13 Nov–12 Dec (Terence Schiefer), and singles were at Oktibbeha County Lake, Oktibbeha Co 28 Nov–1 Dec (Terence Schiefer) and in Noxubee Co at Noxubee NWR 16 Dec (Terence Schiefer) and Cooksville Road 21 Jan (Terence Schiefer). 

Rare to the mountain region of AL, three Greater White-fronted Geese were in Calhoun Co 17 Feb (ph. Skip Smith). Rare to the Tennessee Valley region, three Cackling Geese were observed from 21 Jan–7 Feb in Madison Co, AL (Skyler Abell, m. ob., ph.). Rare to AL, one immature Tundra Swan was observed at Wheeler NWR, Morgan Co 19 Dec–3 Mar (Joe Anderson, m. ob., ph.). 

Arguably the waterfowl highlight of the season, an adult male Cinnamon Teal was found during the Gulf Shores CBC in Foley, Baldwin Co, AL, and was present 2–15 Jan (Howard Horne, m. ob., ph.). Pending acceptance by the Alabama Bird Records Committee, this represents the ninth state record and the fourth record for the AL Gulf Coast region. Uncommon in MS’s upper east-central region, an American Black Duck was seen on Columbus Lake, Clay Co 9 Jan (Terence Schiefer). Another was seen on 30 Jan at Coldwater River NWR, Quitman Co, MS (Gene Knight).

While inland scoters are rare in the AL and MS region, the trifecta of Surf, White-winged, and Black scoters made a good showing this winter. On 5 Dec, one Surf Scoter was observed at Wheeler NWR, Limestone Co, AL (ph. Eric Haskell). Five Surf Scoters were observed on Columbus Lake, Lowndes Co, MS 10–11 Dec (Terence and Marion Schiefer, m. ob., ph.). Four Surf Scoters were seen at Grenada Dam, Grenada Co, MS 16 Dec (Gene Knight, Andrew Bell). Surf Scoters were also observed at Wheeler Dam in Lauderdale/Lawrence Cos, AL 4–5 Jan, with an impressive maximum of seven individuals (ph. Damien J. Simbeck). Not to be outdone, Enid Lake, Yalobusha Co, MS held an impressive ten Surf Scoters on 19 Jan (Gene Knight). Uncommon to rare on the Gulf Coast, a White-winged Scoter was in Pass Christian Harbor, Harrison Co, MS 31 Dec (ph. Holly Cox). Rare inland, a White-winged Scoter was on Columbus Lake, Lowndes and Clay Cos, MS from 8 Jan through spring (ph. Terence Schiefer, m. ob.). One White-winged Scoter was seen on 24 Jan at West Point Lake, Chambers Co, AL (ph. Geoff Hill), and another three individuals were seen on 26 Feb at Town Creek Marsh, Lawrence Co, AL (Damien J. Simbeck). One adult male White-winged Scoter was seen at Spring Creek, Lawrence Co, AL on 27 Feb (ph. Sue Moske). Rare inland, and completing the scoter reports, one Black Scoter was seen at Wheeler Dam, Lauderdale/Lawrence Co, AL 4–5 Jan (ph. Damien J. Simbeck). 

Rare inland, one Long-tailed Duck was observed on Columbus Lake, Lowndes Co, MS 8 Jan (Terence Schiefer, m. ob.), and another was in Chickasaw Co, MS 16 Jan (ph. Wayne Patterson). Common Mergansers are rare to the AL-MS region. A female Common Merganser was seen on Elk River, Limestone Co, AL 12–23 Jan (ph. Joseph McDonald). Three Common Mergansers, one male and two females, were on Sardis Lower Lake, Panola Co, MS 21 Feb (Gene Knight, Bishop and Nicole Lewis, m. ob.), and on the following day, an outstanding 22 Common Mergansers, 16 males and six females, were seen there (Gene Knight, Andrea Walker). 

A high count for the Tennessee Valley region, 77 Wild Turkeys were seen in Lauderdale and Colbert Cos, AL during the Waterloo CBC on 12 Dec (National Audubon Society). Casual to Mississippi, Red-necked Grebes provided excellent viewing opportunities this season for many who had not previously seen the species in the state. One Red-necked Grebe was a cooperative highlight on Enid Lake, Yalobusha Co, MS from 30 Nov through 27 Jan (Gene Knight, Bishop Lewis, m. ob., ph.). Another individual, an apparent one-day-wonder, was seen on the northern end of Sardis Dam, Panola Co, MS 27 Dec (Gene Knight). Finally, three Red-necked Grebes were impressive on Ross Barnett Reservoir, Madison Co 5 Feb (ph. Andrew Bell).

Hummingbirds through Gallinules

Numerous early season sightings of western hummingbirds, mainly Selasphorus along the Gulf Coast, indicated a promising hummingbird season. As is typical, it took time for birds to settle in at feeders, but once they did, records began streaming in. Rare to MS, a Calliope Hummingbird was captured and banded in a yard in Ocean Springs, Jackson Co, where it was present from Dec–20 Feb (Emma Rhodes, Mary Ruth Allen, m. ob., ph.). Rare to AL, an immature male Allen’s Hummingbird that had been banded in Fayetteville, TN on 14 Dec 2020 was recaptured in Mobile Co, AL on 28 Dec, and again on 22 Feb (Fred Bassett, Sandra Kerr, ph.).

Broad-tailed Hummingbirds appear occasionally in the AL-MS region, and several were reported this winter. Representing the 16th state record and the first record away from the coast, a male Broad-tailed Hummingbird was present in Jackson, Hinds Co, MS from 28 Dec into April, and it was captured and banded on 30 Jan (Stacey Jo Pryor, Emma Rhodes, ph.). Another individual was captured and banded at a home in Point Clear, Baldwin Co, AL on 23 Jan (Fred Bassett, Eleanor Livaudai, ph.). An immature male Broad-tailed Hummingbird was in Montrose, Baldwin Co, AL from 20 Feb into April, during which time it was banded (Duane A. Miller, Fred Bassett, ph.).

Rare but regular to the Gulf Coast region of AL and MS, Buff-bellied Hummingbirds visited backyard feeders and plants in both states. In Daphne, Baldwin Co, AL, one Buff-bellied Hummingbird was seen 3 Dec–12 Jan; it and was captured and banded during that time (Fred Bassett, m. ob., ph.). In MS, the species showed up in Pascagoula, Jackson Co 24–30 Dec (Lucy Jacobson, m. ob.) and Biloxi, Harrison Co 30 Dec–1 Jan (Gerry Morgan, Holly Cox, ph.). 

While no exceedingly rare rails were observed in the AL and MS region this winter, several impressive records were found. Rare to the Tennessee Valley region in winter, one Virginia Rail was observed during the Guntersville CBC in Marshall Co, AL 26 Dec (National Audubon Society). Also rare to AL’s Tennessee Valley region in winter, two Soras were observed in Town Creek Marsh, Lawrence Co 26 Dec–5 Jan (Damien J. Simbeck, Ken Ward, C. Dwight Cooley), and another was at Swan Creek WMA, Limestone Co 7 Feb (Wayne Baumgartner). Rare but regular to the AL Gulf Coast region, an elusive Yellow Rail was seen in Gulf State Park, Baldwin Co 7 Feb (Craig Litteken). Representing the sixth winter record for the upper east-central region of MS, three Common Gallinules were observed at Loakfoma Lake, Noxubee NWR, Noxubee Co 3 Dec, (Terence Schiefer). Subsequently, representing the seventh winter record for the MS upper east-central region, a maximum of three Common Gallinules were observed at Goose Overlook, Noxubee NWR, Noxubee Co 19 Dec–1 Jan (Wayne Patterson et al, ph.). 

Cranes through Gulls

Away from the spectacle of thousands of wintering Sandhill Cranes at Wheeler NWR, cranes can be an uncommon to rare sight in many parts of AL and MS. Rare to the upper east-central region of MS, a group of Sandhill Cranes was near McLeod, Noxubee Co from fall through 8 Feb, with a maximum of 20 individuals observed on 21 Jan (Jeffrey Harris et al, ph.). Always an exceptional highlight away from their regular sites, a Louisiana-banded Whooping Crane made a stopover in Sunflower and Washington Cos, MS on 25 Dec, on her way to Wheeler NWR in north AL (Sarah Zimorski, Gene Knight, Andrew Bell). Although it was not a reviewable record, any observation of this population in MS is noteworthy.

Despite a lack of exceptional vagrant shorebirds to the AL and MS region this winter, several impressive out-of-season inland records did occur. Rare to the area in winter, a maximum of three American Avocets were seen 4 Dec–3 Jan at Sardis Dam, Panola Co, MS, with one individual continuing from fall (Gene Knight, m. ob.). Now rare to the AL and MS region, one Long-billed Curlew was seen on West Ship Island, Harrison Co, MS 12 Jan (Collin Stempien, Tim Guida). This bird may have been a continuing individual from Sep and Oct. Rare in winter to the upper east-central region of MS, a maximum of two Dunlin seen in Brooksville, Noxubee Co 7–12 Dec represented the 17th winter record for the area (Marion Schiefer, Jeffrey Harris). One to two Lesser Yellowlegs were in Brooksville, Noxubee Co 9–12 Dec (Terence Schiefer, Jeffrey Harris); the species is rare in the upper east-central region of MS, and these individuals represented the sixth winter record for the area, excluding early migrants that arrive in late Feb. A maximum of nine Greater Yellowlegs northeast of Talladega, Talladega Co, AL 5 Dec–2 Jan represented the winter high count for the AL mountain region (Fred Carney).

Accidental to MS, and one of the highlights of an all-around impressive winter gull season, a first cycle Black-legged Kittiwake provided excellent views for numerous birders at Ross Barnett Spillway, Rankin Co 24 Dec–3 Feb (Andrew Bell, m. obs., ph.). Perhaps the other gull highlight of the winter season was an attractive second-cycle Little Gull on Sardis Dam, Panola Co, MS 23 Jan–24 Feb (Gene Knight, Cullen Brown, m. ob., ph.). Rare in winter, an adult Laughing Gull continued from fall through 6 Feb at Grenada Dam, Grenada Co, MS (Gene Knight, Andrew Bell, m. ob.). Rare but regular to the Tennessee Valley region, a Laughing Gull was observed at Lake Guntersville, Marshall Co, AL from 28 Feb into March (Andrew Lydeard, ph.). Rare but regular to the AL Gulf Coast region, a Franklin’s Gull was observed at Magnolia Springs Landfill, Baldwin Co 18–19 Dec (Rick L. and Ron J. Kittinger). Rare to the Tennessee Valley region, an adult Franklin’s Gull was seen on the Tennessee River at Bluewater Creek, Lauderdale Co, AL 4 Jan (Damien J. Simbeck).

Rare to inland MS in winter, an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull continued at Sardis Lower Lake from Nov through Mar (Gene Knight, m. ob., ph.). Elsewhere in inland MS, a first-cycle bird was at Dixie Landfill, Madison Co 1 Dec (ph. Andrew Bell), and a subadult was on Ross Barnett Reservoir 28 Dec–12 Jan (ph. Andrew Bell). The species is rare but regular to the Tennessee Valley region, and two first-cycle birds were seen in Marshall Co, AL, one on Lake Guntersville 30 Jan (ph. Greg Jackson) and another at Guntersville Dam 28 Feb (ph. Andrew Lydeard). A first-cycle Glaucous Gull, also rare to AL’s Tennessee Valley region, was on Lake Guntersville, Marshall Co 15 Dec (ph. Greg Jackson). Finally, a Great Black-backed Gull was seen at the Dixie Landfill, Madison Co 18 Dec (ph. Andrew Bell); the species is rare to MS and exceedingly rare inland.

Loons through Owls

Red-throated Loons are occasionally seen in the mountain region of AL, and one was on West Point Lake, Chambers Co 3 Jan (Geoff E. Hill). Rare but regular to AL’s Tennessee Valley region, a Pacific Loon was observed in Waterloo, Lauderdale Co 14 Dec (Damien J. Simbeck); the species is also rare to MS, and another was at Ross Barnett Reservoir, Madison Co 28 Jan–28 Feb (Andrew Bell, m. ob.). Brown Boobies are rare but increasing in the Gulf Coast region, and one was observed on Dauphin Island, Mobile Co, AL 8 Jan (ph. Mike Stempien). An Anhinga at Wheeler NWR, Limestone Co 4 Dec–10 Feb (Tom V. Ress, m. ob., ph.) represented the first Tennessee Valley winter record, and the second for north AL. Another seen at Morgan Brake NWR, Holmes Co, was rare for winter in MS 15 Jan (Gene Knight, Bishop and Nicole Lewis), as was a group of Anhingas continuing at Bluff Lake, Noxubee NWR, Noxubee Co, MS, where it was present from spring 2020–14 Feb 2021, with a maximum of nine seen 9 Dec (Terence Schiefer, m. ob., ph.).

Representing a high count for AL’s mountain region, 27 Black-crowned Night-Herons were observed at Neely Henry Dam, Calhoun Co 17–27 Jan (Geoff E. Hill). Roseate Spoonbills are rare but increasing in AL, and the state’s fourth winter record came in the form of an immature bird at Gulf State Park, Baldwin Co 7–23 Feb (Jo Kittinger, m. ob., ph.). An Osprey at MacToc Farm, Oktibbeha Co 29 Jan–3 Feb represented the 25th winter record for the upper east-central region of MS (Marion and Terence Schiefer). Following this observation, another was seen in the region on 26 Feb at Columbus Lake, Lowndes Co, MS (Terence Schiefer). Ten Osprey at Eufaula NWR, Barbour Co 28 Feb (Julie Taylor) represented a winter high count for inland AL. 

Rare in the AL and MS region, multiple Golden Eagles were reported this winter season. One immature bird was at Red Bank, Lawrence Co, AL 4 Jan (Damien J. Simbeck). Two Golden Eagles, one adult and one subadult, were seen around Morgan Brake NWR, Holmes Co, MS 5–16 Jan (Renee Tressler, Lillie Gibb, Andrew Bell, ph.). Another individual was captured on a USFWS trail camera near Charleston, Tallahatchie Co, MS 29 Jan (Randy Wilson). Finally, a Golden Eagle was seen in Shorter, Macon Co, AL 7 Feb (Eric C. Soehren). Bald Eagles are rare breeders in the upper east-central region of MS, and a pair was seen on a nest in McLeod, Noxubee Co 16 Jan–8 Feb (Terence Schiefer, Marion Schiefer). Representing just the second AL winter record, a Mississippi Kite was in Daphne, Baldwin Co 28 Feb (Craig Litteken).

A total of 16 Red-shouldered Hawks on the Guntersville CBC in Marshall Co 26 Dec (National Audubon Society) was a high count for AL’s Tennessee Valley region. Now rare in upper east-central MS, a maximum of four Short-eared Owls along Swedenburg Road, Lowndes Co 10 Dec–23 Feb represented the first record in the region since 2005 (Marion and Terence Schiefer, m. ob., ph.). In AL, Short-eared Owl is rare to the Gulf Coast region, where one was seen at Blakeley Island, Mobile Co 16 Jan (Lawrence F. Gardella), and rare but regular to the Tennessee Valley region, where one appeared at Key Cave NWR, Lauderdale Co 24 Feb (Amber Hart). One to two Peregrine Falcons were seen from 8 Dec–19 Jan at Enid Dam, Yalobusha Co, MS, where the species is rare in winter (Gene Knight, Wayne Patterson, m. ob.).

Flycatchers through Gnatcatchers

Although many of the region’s vagrant flycatcher records have occurred in fall, multiple stray flycatchers appeared this winter. Ash-throated Flycatchers are rare but regular to the Gulf Coast region, but only occasionally turn up there in winter. This season kicked off with one in Pascagoula, Jackson Co, MS 1–12 Dec (Brian Johnston, m. ob., ph.) and continued with another at the abandoned Broadwater Golf Course in Biloxi, Harrison Co, MS 9–21 Jan (Lillie Gibb, m. ob.). A third was seen at Triple Barrel in Pascagoula, Jackson Co, MS 15 Jan–11 Feb (Collin Stempien, Tim Guida, ph.). AL hosted one in Belforest, Baldwin Co 18 Jan–15 Feb (Lawrence F. Gardella, m. ob., ph.). Least Flycatcher is exceptionally rare to the AL and MS region in fall, and one seen and heard in Ocean Springs, Jackson Co 21 Dec–13 Feb represented MS’s second winter record (Abby Darrah, Collin Stempien, m. ob., ph., au.). A Say’s Phoebe in Eufaula, Barbour Co 18 Dec–25 Feb (John Cole, m. ob., ph.) constituted the fourth winter record and 12th record overall for AL, as well as the second record for the inland coastal plain region. A Vermilion Flycatcher continuing at White Slough, Lowndes Co through 28 Jan (Terence Schiefer, m. ob., ph.) was the fifth for the upper east-central region of MS. Another, an adult male, returned to Clay Point Park in Biloxi, Harrison Co, MS, where it was present 12 Dec–Mar (Holly Cox, m. ob., ph.), and a female was seen near Montrose, Baldwin Co, AL 18 Jan (ph. Karen Chiasson); the species is rare but regular on the Gulf Coast. 

A Bell’s Vireo seen at Greenwood Island in Pascagoula, Jackson Co, MS 15 Jan (Tim Guida, Collin Stempien, ph.) had probably been present since fall. MS’s first winter Warbling Vireo was an incredible find in Pascagoula, Jackson Co, where it was seen and heard 22 Feb–11 Apr (Brian Johnston, m. ob., ph.). Twenty Fish Crows seen and heard on 6 Feb at Wheeler NWR, Morgan Co (Jess Searcy) represented a winter high count for the AL Tennessee Valley region. 

As many as six Tree Swallows were seen 8–9 Jan at Columbus Lake, Lowndes Co (Terence and Marion Schiefer, Jeffrey Harris), where they represented the first winter record for the upper east-central region of MS (excluding early spring arrivals). Elsewhere, the species was reported from northern AL, where it is rare in mid-winter: one was in Guntersville, Marshall Co 8 Jan (Greg D. Jackson), and as many as four were at Wheeler NWR, Limestone Co 22–28 Jan (Jack Hutchinson, m. ob.); the latter location hosted one on 31 Jan (Colin Danch). Seventy-two Tree Swallows in Jefferson Co, AL 18–19 Feb (ph. Todd DeVore) represented a winter high count for the mountain region. A Barn Swallow in Brooksville, Noxubee Co 8–9 Dec (Marion Schiefer, Terence Schiefer, ph.) was the first ever reported in winter in upper east-central MS. Eighteen Brown-headed Nuthatches observed on 14 Dec during the Waterloo CBC in Lauderdale and Colbert Cos (National Audubon Society) constituted a high count for northwest AL.

Numerous inland Blue-gray Gnatcatcher sightings occurred this winter. In upper east-central MS, there were only 13 winter records of this species prior to this season, when several more occurred: reports came from different areas of Noxubee NWR, Noxubee and Winston Cos 17–18 Dec (Terence Schiefer), 19 Dec (Terence Schiefer), and 20 Dec–29 Jan (Terence Schiefer, Tira Overstreet). Elsewhere in upper east-central MS, single birds appeared in Oktibbeha Co at Oktibbeha County Lake 19 Jan (Terence Schiefer) and at the Mississippi State University Forest and Wildlife Research Center 25 Feb (Jared Elmore). Numerous Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were also present in the Tennessee Valley region of AL, where they are rare but regular in winter. Single individuals were found during several Christmas bird counts there, including the Waterloo CBC in Lauderdale/Colbert Cos 14 Dec, the Wheeler NWR CBC in Limestone/Morgan/Madison Cos 19 Dec, and the Guntersville CBC in Marshall Co 26 Dec (all National Audubon Society). Also in AL’s Tennessee Valley region, one was near Rogersville, Lauderdale Co 27 Dec (Paul D. and Donna E. Kittle), and three were at Wheeler NWR, Limestone Co 14 Jan (ph. Robert Goss).

Mimids through Sparrows

Gray Catbirds are rare but regular in winter in AL’s Tennessee Valley region; one was seen during the Wheeler NWR CBC in Limestone/Morgan/Madison Cos 19 Dec, and another was seen during the Guntersville CBC in Marshall Co 26 Dec (both National Audubon Society). The species is also rare in winter in upper east-central MS, but single birds turned up there at Columbus Lake, Lowndes Co 4 Dec (Terence Schiefer) and near Noxubee NWR, Winston Co 16 Feb, the latter individual apparently struggling following the ice storm (Margaret Copeland). 

Confirming forecasts issued early in the season, winter finches made their way to the AL and MS region. Although their numbers and southward expansion did not match those of irruptions in decades past, Evening Grosbeaks did push into the northern portions of the region. A male Evening Grosbeak in Marvyn, Lee Co 2 Dec (Jim Holmes) represented the first AL record since 2001, pending acceptance by the Alabama Bird Records Committee. Upon news of this report, excitement grew among local birders, but that bird was followed only by two individuals on 16 Dec, and another on 31 Dec, all in Huntsville, Madison Co, AL (Charles W. Boley). While MS had a similarly low turnout of Evening Grosbeaks, one individual did show up at a home in Oxford, Lafayette Co 31 Dec, and was seen sporadically until 8 Jan (Robert Briscoe, m. ob., ph.). Casual away from the known breeding sites in the Talladega Mountains, Red Crossbills were observed in the Bankhead National Forest, with nine individuals on 22 Dec and two individuals on 9 Feb (M. Scott Gravette, au.). Based on recordings, the birds observed on 22 Dec were determined to be Type 10 (Matt Young, Cornell), representing the first documented Type 10 record in AL.

Lesser Goldfinches also called backyard feeders home in the AL and MS region this winter. A Lesser Goldfinch at a feeder in Mobile, Mobile Co 9 Dec–9 Feb (Marilyn Steelman, m. ob., ph.) was an exciting first state record for AL, pending acceptance by the Alabama Bird Records Committee. Homeowners allowed numerous birders to observe this individual during its stay. Two more were at different feeders in Pascagoula, Jackson Co 2 Jan–21 Feb (ph. Jimmie Dufault) and 23 Jan–Mar (ph. Lucy Jacobson); there is only one previous record for MS. Accidental in MS and representing only the second state record, a Chestnut-collared Longspur was an exceptional find on an airstrip in Panola Co 15–21 Jan (Jason Hoeksema, m. ob., ph., au.). 

Two Lark Sparrows in McLeod, Noxubee Co 18–21 Jan (Matt Harjes, Terence Schiefer) represented the eighth winter record for the upper east-central region of MS. Occasional in winter, a Clay-colored Sparrow was seen on 2 Jan in Gulf Shores, Baldwin Co, AL (ph. Karen Chiasson). Another winter season highlight, a Harris’s Sparrow in Starkville, Oktibbeha Co 31 Dec–1 Jan (Terence and Marion Schiefer, m. ob., ph.) was only the second for MS’s upper east-central region. Rare in the Tennessee Valley region, two LeConte’s Sparrows were seen during the Wheeler NWR CBC in Lawrence/Lauderdale Cos 4 Jan (National Audubon Society). Another was in McLeod, Noxubee Co 21 Jan–3 Feb (Terence and Marion Schiefer); the species is uncommon in the upper east-central region of MS. A Lincoln’s Sparrow was seen on 10 Dec in Birmingham, Jefferson Co (Rick Remy); the species is seen only occasionally in winter in AL’s mountain region. 

Meadowlarks through Warblers

Rare to MS, two Western Meadowlarks were seen and heard at Fish Lake Road, Tunica Co 5–9 Dec (Hal Mitchell, m. ob., au.). Accidental in MS, and the first record for the upper east-central region, a female-type Bullock’s Oriole was at MacToc Farm, Oktibbeha Co 19–22 Dec (Dianne and Jim Patterson, Terence and Marion Schiefer, ph.); another Bullock’s visited feeders at a home in Houston, Chickasaw Co, MS from 1 Feb until March. Representing the 17th AL record, a Bullock’s Oriole was in Ashford, Houston Co 1 Feb–Mar (Renea Simpson, Bob Kornegay, ph.). The 18th AL record occurred at feeders in Foley, Baldwin Co, where a continuing immature male, present since fall, was joined by a female-type bird 29 Jan–Mar, as well as a second immature male 31 Jan–Mar (Michael Jordan, m. ob., ph.), resulting in a state high count of three individuals. 

Baltimore Oriole sightings were numerous this season in the mountain region of AL, where they are typically rare but regular in winter. One individual was present in Birmingham, Jefferson Co 4 Dec–7 Jan (Joe Watts, Ira Mitchell Jr., ph.); two individuals were seen in Auburn, Lee Co 17 Dec–Mar (Stewart White); and single birds were in Altadena, Pelham Co 20 Dec–23 Feb (ph. Pelham A. Rowan), Homewood, Jefferson Co 27 Dec–16 Jan (Kay Dantzler, Billy G. Gruff, ph.), and Jefferson Park, Jefferson Co 12 Feb (ph. Vonnette Williams). Elsewhere in AL, the species turned up in the Tennessee Valley region, where it is rare in winter: single individuals were at Spring Creek, Lawrence Co 4 Jan (Jeff T. Garner) and Lauderdale Co 10 Jan–7 Feb (ph. Damien J. Simbeck). On AL’s inland coastal plain, an impressive total of 14 Baltimore Orioles were seen in Ashford, Houston Co (Renea Simpson). Rare to AL, an adult female Bronzed Cowbird was captured and banded in Foley, Baldwin Co 13 Feb (Emma Rhodes, Kyle Shephard, ph.). 

Rare but increasing in winter on AL’s inland coastal plain, Black-and-white Warblers were present at Eufaula NWR, Barbour Co throughout the season, with a maximum of five seen during the CBC 18 Dec (Eric C. Soehren et al, ph.). Elsewhere on the inland coastal plain of AL, four Black-and-white Warblers were seen on 7 Jan in Hacoma, Geneva Co (Odis H. Johnson), and single individuals were at Pocosin Forever Wildlife Tract, Pike Co 12 Jan (Chris Buff); Enterprise, Coffee Co 23 Jan (Don Pittman); Auburn, Lee Co 9 Feb (Emma Rhodes, m. ob.); Fort Mitchell National Cemetery, Russell Co 17 Feb (Jim Holmes); and Walter F. George Dam, Henry Co 27 Feb (Tom Rodriguez). Three Black-and-white Warblers seen during the Gulf Shores CBC in Baldwin Co, AL 2 Jan represented the winter high count for the Gulf Coast region (Andrew Haffenden, Robert A. and Lucy R. Duncan). Another was photographed on 9 Feb in Helena, Shelby Co, in the mountain region of AL, where the species is seen only occasionally in winter (ph. Joe Wujcik).

Rare but regular in AL’s Tennessee Valley region in winter, three Orange-crowned Warblers were recorded during the Waterloo CBC on 14 Dec (National Audubon Society); three more were seen during the Wheeler Dam CBC on 4 Jan (National Audubon Society); and another was in Florence, Lauderdale Co 11 Jan (Paul D. Kittle). An American Redstart was exceptional in Hoover, Shelby Co 16–18 Jan (ph. Tom and Jennifer Casey) and constituted AL’s second winter record. Representing a winter high count for north AL, 25 Palm Warblers were at Swan Creek WMA, Limestone Co 13 and 28 Dec (J. Milton Harris, Robert Goss, ph.). A Yellow-throated Warbler visited feeders in Eufaula, Barbour Co 9 Jan (Terry Honan); the species is found occasionally in winter on AL’s inland coastal plain. An impressive sixth winter record for inland AL, a Prairie Warbler was at Eufaula NWR, Barbour Co 18 Dec (Eric C. Soehren et al). 

An exceptional highlight of the winter season was MS’s ninth Black-throated Gray Warbler, found by surveyors at the Seaman Road Sewage Lagoons, Jackson Co 10 Dec (Dave Reed, Brian Johnston, m. ob., ph.). Several Wilson’s Warblers appeared in the region this season. At least one was in Pass Christian, Harrison Co 3 Dec–Mar (ph. Lori McDonald); the species is rare in winter on the MS Gulf Coast. Another in Dothan, Houston Co 11 Dec (Allen Moss) represented the tenth winter record for inland AL, and just the second for the inland coastal plain. On the AL Gulf Coast, where the species is only seen occasionally in winter, there were reports from Daphne, Baldwin Co 3–27 Feb (Rob Jamieson, m. ob.) and Langan Park, Mobile Co 20 Feb (Jonathan Perez, Hayley Keevan). 

Tanagers through Dickcissel

Numerous Summer Tanagers were present this season in the AL Gulf Coast region, where they are rare but regular in winter. Daphne, Baldwin Co, hosted four: a female-type on 10 Dec (ph. Lawrence F. Gardella), a male on 13 Dec (ph. April Smith), and two birds together—a male present since Oct was joined by another on 30 Dec (ph. Pamela Henson). Elsewhere in Baldwin Co, one was near Fairhope 13 Feb (ph. Edlyn Burch), another was in Elberta 24 Feb (Jan Lloyd), and two were in Montrose 24–29 Jan (Venetia B. Friend, m. ob., ph.). On the other side of the bay in Mobile, singles were found on 6 Jan (Marilyn Steelman, m. ob., ph.) and 13 Feb (ph. Patsy Russo), and elsewhere in Mobile Co, reports came from Theodore 9 Jan (ph. Nicholas King), Langan Park 13 Jan (Mike Stempien, Allison Graves, ph.), and Tillman’s Corner 2 Feb (Paul Holman). A female type in Vestavia, Jefferson Co 4 Feb (ph. Kavan Eldridge) was only the fifth in winter in AL’s mountain region. In MS, a female type was in Gulfport, Harrison Co 9 Jan (Mich Coker).

Western Tanagers are rare to the AL and MS region and always a winter highlight. Several were in Baldwin Co, AL this season: one in Fairhope 7 Feb into April (Edlyn Burch, m. ob., ph.), one female type in Daphne 8 Feb through early March (ph. Pamela Henson), two in Montrose 13 Feb–24 Apr (ph. Venetia B. Friend), and another in Fairhope 25 Feb–14 Mar (ph. Lawrence F. Gardella). Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are reported occasionally from the Gulf Coast in winter; a male was seen on the Fort Morgan Peninsula, Baldwin Co, AL 11 Dec (ph. Janice Neitzel), an immature male was observed at a home in Mobile, AL 7 Jan (ph. Patsy Russo), and another individual was in Pascagoula, Jackson Co, MS 5 Jan–18 Feb (ph. Tim Guida).

Rare to AL and MS, and a hoped-for stray at feeders, Black-headed Grosbeaks paid the region a visit this winter. Mobile Co, AL boasted two: the first individual of the season, a female type, was seen on 13 Dec in Satsuma (ph. Jack McHenry), and an immature male was at feeders around 15 Dec in Theodore (ph. Dusty Dixon). AL’s third of the season was a male in Montrose, Baldwin Co 24 Jan–26 Feb (Lawrence F. Gardella, Venetia B. Friend, m. ob., ph.). MS hosted one at a home in Smithdale, Amite Co 16–19 Feb (Jennifer and Dennis Lindsey, Kenny Gatlin, ph.). 

Rare on the Gulf Coast in winter, three Indigo Buntings were seen in Baldwin Co, AL. A male was at a home on the Fort Morgan Peninsula 19–21 Dec (ph. Janice Neitzel), another bird was in Elberta during the Gulf Shores CBC 2 Jan (Ben C. Garmon, Patsy Russo), and a third individual, another male, was in Daphne 2 Feb (ph. Lawrence F. Gardella). Rare but increasing in winter in the Gulf Coast region, Painted Buntings showed up in Baldwin Co, AL, where there were eight: one female type on the Fort Morgan Peninsula 7–10 Dec (ph. Janice Neitzel); another female type near Malbis 7–11 Dec (ph. Eric Haskell); an adult male in Foley throughout the winter (Michael J. Jordan, m. ob., ph.); and a maximum of five individuals, three adult males and two female-types, in Belforest throughout the winter (ph. Craig Litteken). Another five were on the inland coastal plain in Ashford, Houston Co, AL (Renea Simpson, Bob Kornegay); the species has become regular at this site. The group consisted of two adult males, one immature male, and two female types, and continued through the winter season, tying the inland coastal plain and AL winter high counts. Two more were on the inland coastal plain in Slocomb, Geneva Co, AL 19–28 Feb (ph. Jacob Lynn). 

Finally, concluding the reports from an impressive winter season, a Dickcissel was observed on 17 Dec in Ashford, Houston Co, AL (Renea Simpson), where it was the first in winter on the inland coastal plain.

Report processed by Amy Davis, 21 Oct 2021.

Click image to view fullscreen with caption.