Coleman Lake area of the Talladega National Forest
February 20, 2010
We arrived at the Pinhoti Trail parking lot near the entrance to Coleman Lake about 9:00 a.m. The North Alabama Birdwatcher's Society had also planned a trip to this location and they had arrived before our group. Dick Reynolds greeted us and reported that Red Crossbills had already been heard in the area but none sighted. Thus, we knew that one of our target birds for the trip was a distinct possibility!
We bid adieu to Dick and headed down the trail to where the rest of the NABS group was gathered. We caught up to them in short order and within a matter of minutes Bachman's Sparrows appeared in response to a taped  call. The entire group enjoyed close views of the sparrows for many minutes. The NABS members returned to the parking area while we continued on the trail in hopes of spotting either the crossbills or Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. Our search was not fruitful and we were approaching the edge of the suitable habitat these birds prefer. So, we also returned to the parking area, whereupon, of course, we heard some red crossbills calling in the opposite direction!
Rather than head to the Coleman Lake entrance in our cars we started down the trail toward the lake. Soon the habitat changed from open stands of pines to a bottomland deciduous forest. I knew this would greatly decrease our chances of seeing either the crossbills or the woodpeckers so I suggested we turn around yet again. This time, however, the maneuver paid dividends when Jessica Germany heard a crossbill as it flew overhead. It landed in the top of a pine tree approximately 20 yards from where we stood. Turns out our bird was a female red crossbill and we watched her for several minutes as she worked to extract seeds from the cones. Sweet!
We had also been hearing the soft tapping tones of what I presume was a woodpecker but I am not familiar enough with RCWs to know their tapping patterns. Had we not been standing in the midst of all this excellent RCW habitat  I would have guessed this was a Downy we were hearing, but who knows? Speaking of "sweet" - the many Pine Warblers that inhabit these woods were in full-throated song! Their sweet trill provided the music accompaniment to what was surely the finest weather day we've had in all of 2010 thus far!
The lunch hour was upon us so we returned to our cars and drove to Pine Glen Campground, south of our location about 5 miles. This picturesque spot on Shoal Creek was a welcome sight. The clear waters of the creek babbled as they tumbled over the low dams children had constructed in summer's past. The wind had risen slightly so finding a picnic table in the sun was imperative. Following lunch the group walked a short segment of the trail leading to Sweetwater Lake. Several of us had engagements back in Birmingham so we turned back while John Swan led a group of 4 onward. They were rewarded for their efforts when John located a Red-breasted Nuthatch.
Article and pictures submitted by Greg Harber
Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge
November 21, 2009
The annual BAS trip to Wheeler produced all the usual suspects so early into the winter season, and the threat of rain never did materialize for us.
Our first stop at the Beaverdam Tower offered some really great looks at Horned Larks, several of which were performing their dainty aerial ballet before plummeting head-long back to earth. What a treat! Water pipets were also roving about the fields while harriers coursed above the soybean fields.
Down at Limestone Bay about 30-35 Sandhill Cranes plied the mudflats, and several Great Blue Herons loafing in the shallows offered the commoners version of what constitutes a "crane." Further around the bend we had distant views of a flock of Snow Geese. Dwight Cooley mentioned that Ross's Goose had been reported but we were too distant to discern that level of detail. In fact, the 4-5 Horned Grebes that were even further in the distance, became Clark's, Western, Red-necked and Eared, because hey, at this distance who's going to prove you wrong? In fact, however, they were Horned Grebes.
Our lunch stop at Arrowhead Landing on the west side of Limestone Bay was a much better location to view the flock of geese and we did manage to tease two Ross's Geese from among the Snow Geese, which were cloaked in all manner of plumage variations. Here we also had the usual assortment of winter woodland birds, including a Winter Wren that paid Shirley Farrell a visit.
Working our way west on White Springs dike we had some excellent views of American White Pelicans as they flew overhead in formation. An adult Bald Eagle was spectacular as it swooped in from a low circling flight to snatch a fish from the water's surface and flew to a nearby tree to dine on its catch. Stops along the road at the various impoundments yielded satisfying views of Mallards, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Green-winged Teal, American Black Duck, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser and Ring-necked Ducks. We drove out the west gate at 4:00, content with our day of lazy birding on a delightful winter's day.
Our final stop was Big Bob Gibson's BBQ in Decatur; suffice it to say, no one went away hungry.
Submitted by: Greg Harber
Tapawingo Springs
November 7, 2009
Click to Enlarge
Submitted by: Maureen Shaffer
Bankhead National Forest
October 24, 2009
A dull misty day yielded to sunshine and pleasant temperatures, allowing field trippers to enjoy this October Saturday. Yellows and reds mingled with greens along the roads and in the Forest. Roosting Black and Turkey Vultures were observed on the roadside for the first birds of the trip.
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Submitted by: Maureen Shaffer
Tom Imhof Family Bird Walk
October 3, 2009
Today's Birmingham Audubon Society field trip to the woods at the Birmingham Zoo produced a few migrants that were enjoyed by all. This Family Bird Walk is held each spring and fall in memory of Tom Imhof, and we were led today by Harriett Wright and Tom's son, John. Also present were our president, Maureen Shaffer, and members Lida,  Mary, Pelham, Brooks, John and yours truly.
Several warbler species were observed: Black-throated Green, Golden-winged, Tennessee, Pine, Chestnut-sided and American Redstart. There were multiple sightings of Philadelphia Vireos (five, I believe), Red-eyed and White-eyed Vireos, Scarlet and Summer Tanagers, Wood and Gray-cheeked Thrushes, Red-shouldered and Cooper's Hawks, Redbellied, Red-headed and Downy Woodpeckers, and Brown-headed and White-breasted Nuthatches. An Eastern Phoebe and Least Flycatcher rounded out the bunch. Escorting all these birds through the woodlands were the usual contingent of chickadees and titmice, who were so kind to loudly announce their arrivals and departures.
When I arrived back at my Southside (Birmingham) apartment I was greeted by the sound of more chickadees and titmice, so naturally I investigated a bit and was surprised to find an Eastern Wood-Pewee, Northern Parula and American Redstart in the tree over head. Hardly what I would call ideal bird habitat around here, but I guess the birds were more interested in the bugs in the hackberry than in the zip code.
Many thanks to Francesca at the Birmingham Zoo for tending to our early morning needs; she supplied the utensils and hot water for the coffee and hot chocolate.
Thanks also to our president, Maureen Shaffer, for bringing the Krispy Kreme doughnuts! We'd also like to thank Francesca for giving us an up close and personal look at Falco, the American Kestrel, when we returned from our walk. Falco is one of several birds in the Zoo's Bird Education Program.
Submitted by: Greg Harber
Mountain Longleaf Pine National Wildlife Refuge and Anniston Museum of Natural History
September 19, 2009
Heavy ra ins, while dimming our vision, didn't dim the spirits of the participants of the Mountain Longleaf Pine National Wildlife Refuge /Anniston Museum of Natural History field trip. The eastern side of the Refuge is richly forested, with mixed pine and hardwoods, fascinating outcroppings, and wildflowers. By midmorning, the rain had diminished, with sunlight breaking through. There came a flurry of activity: Summer Tanager, Chickadees, Towhee, and Black and White Warbler. Then, it started raining again. The clouds settled down, creating a landscape of gray mystery. On the way through the Refuge, a stop at an area of open fields and dry uplands, good looks were had of a Northern Flicker, Pine Warbler and a quickly disappearing raptor. All participants had a great time at the Museum. A mineral exhibit, African landscape and the collection of birds were the stars. More rain called for an early end to the day, leaving us wanting further exploration of both the Refuge and Museum.
Whigg Meadow (East Tennessee)
September 11-13, 2009
The gentle brush of Autumn had striped the Black Gums with scarlet and swiped white and yellow on the roadsides to welcome BAS field trippers to the Unicoi Mountains. Though we traveled separately and had different stories to relate, all shared the same awe at the beauty of the cove where our base of operations, Telliquah Falls Log Cabins, lies tucked between Mocking Crow Mountain and Queen's Mountain. The slopes of these mountains are clothed with a rich diversity of trees, most still green. Steer Creek and its tributaries flow through this cove, providing us with sweet music while we enjoyed a home cooked meal (Thanks, Lee) and locally produced wine and cheese.
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Arriving at the Whigg Meadow banding station, we were greeted by Eric, Jennifer and Ethan Soehren and the other volunteers. Eric thanked us for bringing fine weather; rain and fog had been fairly constant. However, the birds were apparently passing overhead on the winds, Black-throated Blue Warbler, resident Slate-colored Juncos, and Tennessee Warblers being the majority of birds banded.
Upon leaving Whigg, the group had an entertaining supper (Karaoke, anyone?) and ended the day with a subdued sunset at Buck Bald.
Sunday morning met us with fog and the call of the Screech Owl. The group dispersed, with some taking scenic routes home and others absorbing one last time the mountain streams, the Sweet Joe-Pye Weed, and the spectacular Bald River Falls, a one hundred foot cascade on the Tellico River.
The Russell Bailey Memorial Labor Day trip to Lake Purdy
September 7, 2009
This summer's rains have restored our lakes and rivers to levels we are more accustomed to, but for both Cox's Creek and Lake Purdy, they have inundated the mudflats where we customarily find fall shorebirds, long-legged waders, Wild Turkeys, plus White-tailed Deer. The Creek was brimming; not one speck of mud was found. Belted Kingfisher and two Green Herons were birds at the bridge, while a stroll in the Bold Springs Presbyterian Church cemetery yielded good looks at a Pileated Woodpecker, Scarlet Tanager, Pine Warbler, White-breasted Nuthatch and Brown-headed Nuthatch. The remainder of the morning was spent at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, where the group tallied more Scarlet Tanagers, Black-throated Green Warbler and Black and White Warbler, while enjoying the fall wildflowers.
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