RBA

* Georgia * Georgia statewide * May 13, 2006, * GAGA13.05.06

- Birds Reported

Red Crossbills Mourning Warbler Alder Flycatchers Black-bellied Plover Canada Warbler

Chris Skelton reports Red Crossbills visiting a feeder at his mother's home in Sky Valley, in Rabun County, this weekend He saw 6 at one time Saturday morning including 3 or 4 juveniles. His mother has been seeing them for the past week or so. They welcome visitors so if you are in the area and would like to try for them call Steve and Lynda Brett- 706-746-5676. You need to call for access, as this is a gated community.

He also hiked to Rabun Bald and had great looks at a pair of Canada Warblers just past the first left switchback past the end of the "road" as described by G. Beaton. This is the best point in GA. for finding species that nest at high elevations. Late migrants and nesting species including Rose-breasted grosbeaks and Veerys can be found there.

There will be an informal trip to Brasstown Bald and possibly to Ivy Log Gap Road next Saturday led by Chuck Saleeby. Meet at 8 am in the parking lot at Brasstown Bald. http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0605&L=gabo-l&D=1&O=D&P=15588

Eric Boehm reports from the Georgia International Horse Park, in Conyers, Rockdale County, two ALDER FLYCATCHERS singing/calling . They are very rare visitors to Georgia. Two were seen near Brunswick last week.

Directions to the Horsepark: Off of Interstate 20 take exit 82 and travel north for about 4 miles. Turn right onto Centennial Olympic Parkway. The main entrance is 2 miles ahead on the right. However, continue for about another 0.5 mile and take a right at the last gate. Continue about another 0.2 miles, and you will see an opening in the woods. That is the start of the trail. Park there on the grass. Continue down the trail for about 100 to 200 yards to where the left side of the trail opens up to reveal a swampy area. This where the Bell's Vireo was last week, and the approximate area of where the Alder Flycatchers were. Eric had another Alder Flycatcher earlier in the week at another swampy area about a half mile from that but still in the horse park.

Listen for their song. Note that other birds can sound like an ALDER when heard from a distance. If you hear the song repeatedly at close range though, you should be able to distinguish it. You may want to listen to the songs on a reliable tape before setting out as this is the only way to identify them. http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0605&L=gabo-l&D=1&O=D&P=15905

Joshua and Theresa Spence were surprised to find the Mourning Warbler still present at Carter's Lake near the powerhouse in Murray County, the same location as on Thursday. It sang between 5-10 times and once again he photographed the bird.

Directions: From Delorme p13 G10 from where US411 crosses GA136 go east on 136 to where it intersects Old 411. Go north on 411 and you will see the sign for re-regulation dam. at C Lake Keep on going on411 and you will Circle around the north side of the lake and turn right on Powerhouse Road first gravel rd look around a large maintenance building in the grassy shrub .

They checked the Boukarts Sod Farm for the Black-bellied Plover and could not relocate it. http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0605&L=gabo-l&D=1&O=D&P=15471

From Friday's RBA report, Chris Feeney relocated on Friday the same group of 5 White-rumped Sandpipers in mudflats in Cell 2 or 3 by the windshear tower at Phinizy Swamp (Richmond County) southwest of Augusta. These cells are for wastewater treatment and larger than Huie. There are maps available at the site.

These birds were very approachable at the large tower off to the left. They were a bit more distant than Friday, but one came in very close again. http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0605&L=gabo-l&D=1&O=D&P=14365

Trey McCuen reported lots of the late migrating birds seen by OAS field trip at the Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge north of Macon east of Forsyth GA. This is one of the best places for Red-cockaded Woodpeckers and Bachmann sparrows, http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0605&L=gabo-l&D=1&O=D&P=15279

hotline: Georgia Rare Bird Alert date: May 13, 2006 number: 770-493-8862 to report: 770-493-8862 or lambertsewell AT mindspring.com coverage: Statewide compiled: May 13, 2006 (8:06pm) compiler: Jeff Sewell transcriber: Marie La Salle

This concludes the current edition of the Georgia Rare Bird Alert. For information about the Georgia Ornithological Society, see www.gos.org, or email us at information AT gos.org. To join GOS, send a check for $20 to GOS, P.O. Box 181, High Shoals, GA 30645.

-End transcript

Take care,

Marie La Salle http://www.gos.org ******************

********** To search GABO-L archives or manage your subscription, go to http://www.listserv.uga.edu/archives/gabo-l.html

To contact a listowner, send message to GABO-L-request@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU

To view GABO-L information/guidelines, go to http://www.gos.org/gabo.html

********** To search GABO-L archives or manage your subscription, go to http://www.listserv.uga.edu/archives/gabo-l.html

To contact a listowner, send message to GABO-L-request@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU

To view GABO-L information/guidelines, go to http://www.gos.org/gabo.html