PHOTO BY MIKE FERNANDEZ / AUDUBON

FLICKER FLASHESThe quarterly guide to Alabama Audubon

PHOTO BY MIKE FERNANDEZ / AUDUBON

PHOTO BY BOB FARLEY

WHAT’S IN A NAME? WINTER 2019–20 The Birmingham Audubon Society is now Alabama Audubon.

On 17 October 2019, we changed our name. Learn more about this momentous occasion and what it means for our organization. Volume 72 Issue 02 PHOTO BY MIKE FERNANDEZ / AUDUBON

THE LATEST The Birmingham Audubon Society is now Alabama Audubon Name change for long-established conservation leader reflects statewide reach ollowing a recommendation staff member in 2013, the nonprofit “In many ways, the new name is a Fby the nonprofit’s Board of has grown to include eight full-time more accurate reflection of who we’ve Directors, the membership of the and two seasonal staff positions, split become,” says Executive Director Birmingham Audubon Society voted between its headquarters in Birmingham Ansel Payne. “We’ve done a lot of on Thursday, October 17th, to and a coastal office in Mobile. With conservation work on the Gulf Coast. change the organization’s name to its mission to promote conservation We’ve spearheaded bird-based economic Alabama Audubon. and a greater knowledge of birds, their development in the Black Belt (see above habitats, and the natural world, Oswald photo). And we’ve hosted field trips to “Whether you consider our field says Alabama Audubon will continue just about every ecoregion and habitat in trips, our outreach, or our coastal to focus on programs as diverse as the state. Changing our name is just our conservation work, Birmingham urban habitat restoration, chimney swift way of making sure that all Alabamians Audubon has really had a statewide conservation, coastal bird monitoring, know that they can get involved with reach for a long time,” said Lori and adult birding classes. birding and conservation, no matter Oswald, Board President. “As where they live.” Alabama Audubon, we’ll be even “Alabama Audubon knows that when better positioned to help conserve we protect birds and the places they birds and educate bird lovers need, we create healthier communities throughout the state.” for people, too,” said National Audubon Society Chief Network Officer David J. Established in 1946 and granted Ringer. “Alabama Audubon is a strong 501(c)(3) status in 1976, the organization partner organization to the National has played a major role in the history Audubon Society and our network of of Alabama’s conservation movement, chapters and student clubs nationwide, assisting with the establishment of the leading the way in developing innovative Sipsey Wilderness and the Forever programs that benefit the birds, people, Wild Land Trust, among other and economy of Alabama.” victories. Since hiring its first full-time

1 Alabama Audubon’s Flicker Flashes SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

A new opportunity to support Alabama Audubon Support our birds in style

Featured bird Red-shouldered hawk Featured plant Longleaf pine Pre-registrations required 1,000

Help us make the new “Protect Our Birds” plate a reality! Stay tuned for more information in the coming months. Email us at [email protected] to find out more about how to scoop up one of these sharp, new tags.

PARTNERSHIP Coastal connections How the City of Orange Beach is helping our threatened beach-nesting birds by Nicole Love, Coastal Programs Coordinator Partnerships have been the bedrock The core component of our of our coastal work since it began in collaboration with the City of Orange 2017. To accomplish the large task of Beach was the creation of a Coastal protecting Alabama’s coastal birds, we Stewardship Coordinator position. have partnered with several state and Funded by Alabama Audubon, this federal partners, non-governmental position monitors and manages beaches organizations, and local governmental and other important habitats for entities. Our collaboration with the City priority birds and associated wildlife of Orange Beach’s Coastal Resources within the jurisdiction of the city, Division has been a major asset to our including Audubon Coastal Bird Survey program. This division has a long- (ACBS) routes and posted nesting sites. standing history in Baldwin County of Additionally, the coordinator trains being committed to conservation and other City of Orange Beach staff and the installation of game cameras. The interpretation of species and habitats volunteers in Audubon’s monitoring and Stewardship Coordinator has created for residents and tourists. In fact, the stewardship protocols. An enormous many exciting outreach opportunities, city is one of the founding members of amount of time is also spent on including a “Dear Property Owner” the “Leave Only Footprints” program education and outreach to both residents letter to residents living on the beach to raise awareness and participation in and visitors. to educate them about nesting season, green initiatives and encourage visitors door hangers and refrigerator magnets and residents to “leave no trace” in Over the past two years, we’ve worked to go out to residents and condominium Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. together to protect several acres of complexes, and numerous other They’ve also enacted ordinances least tern and snowy plover nesting outreach activities. We look forward to reduce the amount of human habitat and monitor those sites, from to continuing to work with the City of disturbance on the beaches, especially nest-building to fledging. We’ve also Orange Beach and especially having the during breeding season for sea turtles started more intensive monitoring and Coastal Stewardship Coordinator as part and nesting shorebirds. management for predators, including of our team.

WINTER 2019–20 2 DECEMBER CALENDAR

05 December 73rd-Annual Winter Banquet & Fundraiser: Join Sessions Speaker Thursday and award-winning author Jennifer Ackerman as she shares a lyrical testimony to the wonders of avian intelligence. This year’s banquet will also feature a silent auction with local art and gifts—just in time for the holidays! Social hour and book signing at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:30, keynote at 7:15 at The Carriage House (2030 Little Valley Rd., Hoover). Tickets: $50/person. Register online at: alaudubon.org/winterbanquet

15 December Deadline for researchers to submit Walter F. Coxe Research Grant Sunday applications. Details and forms available at: alaudubon.org/waltercoxe

21 December 84th-Annual Christmas Bird Count: Continue a holiday birding tradition, Saturday eighty-four years in the making. Because this is a coordinated scientific survey, we require all participants to RSVP by 4 p.m. Wednesday, 18 December. Compilation will take place at our Birmingham office (3720 4th Ave. S., 2nd Floor). Details and registration on our website: alaudubon.org/event/2019-12-21

JANUARY CALENDAR

04 January Birding trip: BIRDingham Parks. Join us for a half day field trip as Matt Hunter and Susan Barrow lead us on a bird Saturday walk through some of Birmingham’s prime birding sites: Avondale, Patton, and East Lake Parks. Meetup is at 7:30 a.m. (details TBD). *Wheelchair accessible. Details: alaudubon.org/event/2020-01-04

06 January Mastering Winter Water Birds (Day I). Master birder Greg Harber provides a comprehensive look at all the birds Monday you’re likely to encounter on or near Alabama’s winter waterways. Four meetings at our Birmingham offices (3720 4th Ave. S.), Monday nights (1/6, 1/13, 1/27, 2/3), 6–8 p.m. $60/members; $85/non-members (one-time registration fee covers all four classes). Pre-registration required online at: alaudubon.org/courses

08 January New: Winter Songbirds and Raptors (Day I). Paul Franklin explores the many species of songbirds and birds of prey Wednesday that are present in the colder months when our permanent residents are joined by the multitudes of northern breeders. Enjoy learning about identification, life histories, population trends, and more. Six meetings at our Birmingham offices, Wednesday nights (1/8, 1/15, 1/22, 1/29, 2/5, 2/12),6–8 p.m. $75/members; $100/non-members (one-time registration fee covers all six classes). Pre-registration required online at: alaudubon.org/courses

10 January Gosse Nature Walk #26: Birmingham Museum of Art, noon to 2 p.m. Join Alabama Audubon Executive Director Friday Ansel Payne as he leads a walking tour of over two millennia of bird-inspired art. Meetup is at noon, exact location TBD (2000 Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd.). Pre-registration required online at: alaudubon.org/event/2020-01-10 Coastal—Winter ACBS: Join our coastal volunteers for the Audubon Coastal Bird Survey (ACBS) through 20 February. For more info, visit alaudubon.org/coastal or email Nicole Love at [email protected].

18 January Birding trip: City of Guntersville Waterfront Parks. With thousands of ducks and a good number of loons, the deep Saturday waters of Lake Guntersville deliver excellent waterfowl birding throughout the winter months. Join Greg Harber and Susan Barrow for a full day field trip, meeting at 7 a.m. at the Food Giant in Pinson (6662 AL Hwy. 75). Details: alaudubon.org/event/2020-01-18

19 January Exploring Natural Alabama: Birds of Prey. Two programs beginning at 1 and 3 p.m., at Alabama Wildlife Center (404 Sunday Terrace Drive, Pelham). Alabama is home to several species of raptors. Join staff from AWC for a talk on birds of prey featuring live birds and learn about their various features, adaptations, and field marks. Bring the whole family!

20 January Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service: Habitat Restoration at W.E. Putnam Middle School. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Join Monday Alabama Audubon and Jones Valley Teaching Farm as we team up to remove invasive species from the nature trail at Putnam (1757 Montclair Rd.). All are welcome! Details at: alaudubon.org/event/2020-01-20

3 Alabama Audubon’s Flicker Flashes FEBRUARY CALENDAR

Philip Henry Gosse: A Naturalist’s Sojourn in Alabama. Our next stop on this traveling art exhibit will be the Anniston February Museum of Natural History! Stay tuned to alaudubon.org/gosse for exact dates and location info. TBD

Birding trip: Opelika Wood Duck Heritage Preserve and Kreher Preserve & Nature Center. This Lee County field trip 01 February was so popular last year, we’re bringing it back! Greg Harber and Matt Hunter lead this trip. Meetup is at 7 a.m. at the Saturday Lee Branch Publix at Greystone (410 Doug Baker Blvd.) and at 9 a.m. at the Wood Duck Preserve. Pre-registration required on our website for planning purposes: alaudubon.org/event/2020-02-01

Gosse Nature Walk #27: Cahaba River Walk, noon to 2 p.m. Come explore this riparian habitat with Alabama 07 February Audubon staff, led by our Science & Conservation DirectorLianne Koczur and Outreach & Communications Director Friday Sarah Randolph. Meetup is at noon in the parking lot (3503 Overton Rd., Mountain Brook). *Wheelchair accessible. Details: alaudubon.org/event/2020-02-07

Winter Birding by Ear (Day I). The ability to bird by ear, identifying various species from their vocalizations, is of 10 February invaluable assistance in the field. However, most available instructional material on bird songs centers around the Monday songs and calls heard during the typical breeding season. Paul Franklin is bringing back this popular six-week class, meeting at our Birmingham officesor f opening night—and as situations warrant afterward—on Monday nights (2/10, 2/17, 2/24, 3/2, 3/9, 3/16), 6–8 p.m. Most time will be spent learning in the field. $75/members; $100/non-members (one-time registration fee covers all six classes). Pre-registration required online at: alaudubon.org/courses

Tom Imhof Memorial Beginner Bird Walk and Great Backyard Bird Count at the Birmingham Zoo. 8–10 a.m. 15 February Seasonal bird counts have been a central part of our work ever since 1946. We’ll have two field trips in support of this Saturday year’s Great Backyard Bird Count. The first trip takes us to the Birmingham Zoo for a fun morning spent counting winter birds with count leaders Greg Harber and Jessie Griswold. Meetup is at 8 a.m. at the Children’s Zoo entrance (2630 Cahaba Road). *Wheelchair accessible. Details on our website: alaudubon.org/event/2020-02-15

Birding trip: Great Backyard Bird Count at Forever Wild Ruffner Mountain. 8–10 a.m. The second of our half-day 16 February count trips takes us to Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve. Count led by our Science & Conservation DirectorLianne Sunday Koczur. Meetup is at 8 a.m. in the main Ruffner parking lot, located on the northwestern face of the mountain, at the far end of 81st St. S. *Parking lot and deck are wheelchair accessible. Details on our website: alaudubon.org/event/2020-02-16

SCIENCE NEWS Oh hello again feathered friend! Banded American Oystercatcher spotted off Florida coast by Lianne Koczur, PhD, Science & Conservation Director As you may remember from our summer issue, this past breeding season we started banding American oystercatchers to study their movements, habitat use, and survival. We were able to band all of the chicks that hatched in Alabama this year. One of them, JB, was banded in May before it could fly. We received a report that it was seen along the Florida panhandle in September—more than 200 miles from where it hatched, roosting with 92 other oystercatchers!

You can support our outreach, science, and conservation efforts today on behalf of Alabama’s birds and bird-lovers by making a tax-deductible donation to our 2019 Annual Fund.

Visit alaudubon.org/annualfund. Thank you! PHOTO BY EZRA THOMPSON

WINTER 2019–20 4 COMMUNITY SCIENCE Fifty-fifth annual Fall Bird Count and Bird-a-thon results Saturday, 28 September 2019 Many thanks to the twenty-six observers to locate the bird on count day were Boothby and Anne G. Miller. in nine parties who spent 71 party unsuccessful. There were also two feeder hours in the field (36 on foot, 35 by car) watch reports. Observers by party, leaders in boldface: with 1.8 hours devoted to owling for Paul Franklin, Jim Bonner, David our fifty-fifth annual Fall Bird Count. This year, we invited our members and McMath, Pelham Rowan, Greg Harber, By car, 588 miles were covered, and the public to pledge a donation for Jessica Germany, Cheryl Horncastle, 22.8 miles on foot. Temperatures on the number of species seen that day. Sallie Brice, Sharon Hudgins, Matt count day ranged from seventy-four to As a result, we raised over $800 for Hunter, Jonah Cohen, Meegan Dale, ninety-eight degrees, with partly cloudy our science and conservation work on Jessie Griswold, Sam Griswold, Kristi skies and light winds. We recorded 118 behalf of Alabama’s birds thanks to the Mazzoni, John Morgan, Jim Shepherd, species on count day, with two species- following community science volunteers! John Imhof, Jeremy Bearden, Greg level only reports and six count week Jackson, Rick Kittinger, Ron Kittinger, species—including a Clark’s nutcracker Special thanks to our compiler Greg Frank Sandford, Anne G. Miller, Lydia reported to eBird (with photos) in Harber for reporting the count and Johnson, Linda Neighbors. Feeder North Jefferson County. Attempts to our compilation hosts Mary Kat watchers: Daniel Meyer, Susan Stone.

CANADA GOOSE 358 PILEATED WOODPECKER 7 NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD 174 WOOD DUCK 16 AMERICAN KESTREL 7 EUROPEAN STARLING 175 BLUE-WINGED TEAL 4 MERLIN 1 HOUSE SPARROW 166 MALLARD 46 OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER 1 HOUSE FINCH 78 MUTE SWAN 10 EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE 43 AMERICAN GOLDFINCH 30 WILD TURKEY 5 YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER 1 EASTERN TOWHEE 39 PIED-BILLED GREBE 39 ACADIAN FLYCATCHER 4 CHIPPING SPARROW 112 ROCK PIGEON 244 LEAST FLYCATCHER 2 FIELD SPARROW 9 EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE 12 EMPIDONAX SPECIES 1 SONG SPARROW 1 MOURNING DOVE 228 EASTERN PHOEBE 102 SWAMP SPARROW 1 YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO 1 GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER 1 YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT 2 COMMON NIGHTHAWK 8 LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE 6 EASTERN MEADOWLARK 13 CHIMNEY SWIFT 76 WHITE-EYED VIREO 50 BALTIMORE ORIOLE 2 RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD 33 YELLOW-THROATED VIREO 6 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD 139 RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD 1 WARBLING VIREO 1-CW BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD 75 AMERICAN COOT 1 PHILADELPHIA VIREO 4 COMMON GRACKLE 12 KILLDEER 86 RED-EYED VIREO 11 BLACKBIRD SPECIES 20 LESSER YELLOWLEGS 1 BLUE JAY 223 OVENBIRD 2 LEAST SANDPIPER 2-CW CLARK’S NUTCRACKER 1-CW WORM-EATING WARBLER 1 PECTORAL SANDPIPER 1-CW AMERICAN CROW 282 GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER 1 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT 128 FISH CROW 34 BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER 3 GREAT BLUE HERON 37 NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED TENNESSEE WARBLER 21 GREAT EGRET 28 SWALLOW 3 NASHVILLE WARBLER 1 CATTLE EGRET 70 CLIFF SWALLOW 4 COMMON YELLOWTHROAT 11 GREEN HERON 2 CAROLINA CHICKADEE 116 HOODED WARBLER 2 BLACK VULTURE 10 TUFTED TITMOUSE 171 AMERICAN REDSTART 38 TURKEY VULTURE 69 WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH 57 NORTHERN PARULA 11 BALD EAGLE 1 BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH 73 MAGNOLIA WARBLER 26 NORTHERN HARRIER 1-CW HOUSE WREN 3 BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER 2 COOPER’S HAWK 4 CAROLINA WREN 155 CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER 13 RED-SHOULDERED HAWK 26 WREN SPECIES 1 PALM WARBLER 2 BROAD-WINGED HAWK 1 BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER 14 PINE WARBLER 80 RED-TAILED HAWK 26 RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET 1 YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER 1 EASTERN SCREECH-OWL 2 EASTERN BLUEBIRD 138 PRAIRIE WARBLER 1 GREAT HORNED OWL 1 VEERY 1-CW BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER 7 BARRED OWL 5 GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH 3 WILSON’S WARBLER 1 BELTED KINGFISHER 15 SWAINSON’S THRUSH 9 SUMMER TANAGER 17 RED-HEADED WOODPECKER 27 HERMIT THRUSH 5 SCARLET TANAGER 5 RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER 76 WOOD THRUSH 11 NORTHERN CARDINAL 199 YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER 1 AMERICAN ROBIN 143 ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK 13 DOWNY WOODPECKER 86 GRAY CATBIRD 22 BLUE GROSBEAK 2 HAIRY WOODPECKER 3 BROWN THRASHER 57 INDIGO BUNTING 28 NORTHERN FLICKER 7

5 Alabama Audubon’s Flicker Flashes GIVING Honoring those who made an impact A special “thank you” to all who gave honoraria and memorial contributions this season KATHY STILES FREELAND, honored by James Barrett DAVINA RAE SURAN, memorials by Anita Baker, Gina and Russell Hinson, Bill and Vicky Stewart DR. ANNE WOODS, memorials by Tika Benveniste and Susan Lyons

Leave a legacy for birds in Alabama by remembering Alabama Audubon in your will. If you have questions about planned giving, contact our Development Director, Chris Oberholster, at 205-719-3678, option 5.

MEMBERSHIP Birds of a feather Join us welcoming our new and returning local members: ANGELA ACKER RONALD GARZA JENNY PARKS SANDRA ALLINSON AMY GATZEMEYER SNOOKIE PARRISH MAGGIE AMSLER EVE GRAHAM MICHELLE PITTS DANNY ARMSTRONG GARY & RITA GRAY ANN PRATER PAUL & JUDY AUCOIN RONA HARPER BRENDAN PRICE JAMES AUSTIN CARLA HARRIS RICK REMY EMILY BAILLIO TODD HARVEY RACHEL RICHARDSON JOYCE BALCH LAWRENCE HAWLEY CHIHARU ROACH CHARLES BALL AMY HELSER KATHERINE ROSTAND JAMES BARRETT LINDA HENCKELL THOMAS RYAN GINNY BAXLEY GINA & RUSSELL HINSON CARLEE SANFORD JEREMY BEARDEN RICHARD HOLLAND CHARLES SCRIBNER TIKA BENVENISTE LISA HUFF MELANIE SEIBOLD MARGARET BLACKMON EDITH HUNT NANCY SIMMER MARY CAPERS BLEDSOE DAN JASNOWSKI KATHLEEN SINKA STEVE BOSTOCK ELIZABETH JERNIGAN ELIZABETH SLIVE SALLIE BRICE LYDIA JOHNSON SUE SMITH AMY BROWN JO ANNE JOLLEY NANCY SMITH DANIEL BROWN SCOTT JONES CARL SOSNIN SUE BUCKINGHAM STEPHEN JONES BILL & VICKY STEWART ERIC CAPPS ENID KEYSER THERESA STRONG SALLY CARRINGTON JAN KIELL PATRICIA TATE ALIA CARTER REBECCA KINNEY NICOLE TERRY CHENBEI CHANG YOSHIKI KUBAGAWA SUSANNE THOMAS KAREN CHAPMAN TAYLOR LITTLETON HAL TICHENOR ANDRIA CIMINO TODD LUDWIG PATTI TICHENOR PHYLLIS CLAY SUSAN LYONS CHARLES TUCKER RON COGEN VONDA MANN DAVID WATERS KATHRYN COREY JOHN MARSHALL ANN WATTS LAUREN CRAIN JOEL MARTIN ELLA WIGGINTON LYN DAVIS T.C. MCLEMORE ANGELA WILEY HEATHER DAVIS DAVID MCMATH VICKY WILSON JETTYE DAVIS ANNE MILLER CHARLOTTE WOMACK LYNNELL DIAMOND CHARLES MORGAN ANNE WYNN KAREN EDELSON GARY MULLEN CHERI YOUNGBLOOD SHIRLEY FARRELL SHARON NELSON TESSIE ZIEGLER MARY FOSTER KAMYLLE PARKER

WINTER 2019–20 6 Alabama Audubon A staffed chapter of the National Audubon Society Mailing Address: 3720 Fourth Avenue South, 2nd Floor Birmingham, AL 35222

PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER Please check your mailing label for your NO BLEACH USED membership expiration date.

Flicker Flashes Alabama Audubon publishes Flicker Flashes four times a year. Editor: Sarah Randolph Contact: [email protected]

“I love this idea, that nature dreamed up the same kind of sleep in both humans and birds, fostering the growth of big brains in creatures so far apart on life’s tree.” —Jennifer Ackerman The Genius of Birds

PEOPLE MISSION

Officers Directors-at-large To promote conservation and a greater Lori Oswald, President Douglas P. Baulos knowledge of birds, their habitats, and the Melanie Seibold, President-elect Mary Foster natural world. Lois Woodward, Secretary Hans Paul John Breckenridge, Treasurer Ann Sweeney Ken Marion, Vice President: Conservation CONTACT INFO Liz Rozelle, Vice President: Education Greg Harber, Vice President: Field Trips Birmingham Office Joe Watts, Vice President: Programs 3720 Fourth Avenue South, 2nd Floor Maggie Amsler, Vice President: Science Birmingham, Alabama 35222 Phone: (205) 719-3678 Staff Ansel Payne, PhD, Executive Director Mobile Office Alliemarie Humphries, MPA, Office Manager 118 North Royal Street, Suite 505 Lianne Koczur, PhD, Science & Conservation Director Mobile, Alabama 36602 Nicole Love, Coastal Programs Coordinator Phone: (251) 410-8600 Chris Oberholster, Development Director Sarah Randolph, Outreach & Communications Director http://alaudubon.org Emma Rhodes, Coastal Biologist [email protected]

Follow us on social media While Alabama Audubon is a chapter of the National Audubon Society, we are also an independent 501(c)(3) organization that relies on your support to carry out our Facebook: @alaudubon outreach and conservation work. By giving directly to Alabama Audubon, you ensure Twitter: @alaudubon that every dollar stays in Alabama for the benefit of our state’s birds and bird lovers. Instagram: @alaudubon