Flicker FlashesThe quarterly guide to Birmingham Audubon

SUMMER 2019

Volume 71 Issue 04

COASTAL BIRD BANDINGUnparalleled views of some amazing birdsPeople came from far and wide to witness the spring migration up close and personal.

THE LATEST

Birders flocked to Fort Morgan in April for a front row seat at the spring migrationA bird in hand

by Lianne Koczur, PhD, Science & Conservation Director

1 Birmingham Audubon’s Flicker Flashes

43Estimated public attendance. 525

Number of species banded.

PHOTO BY DEVON RAVINE / NORTHWEST FLORIDA DAILY NEWS

It’s incredible the amount of detail you notice when you have a bird in hand.

One that may otherwise seem a bit drab is suddenly quite intricate and beautiful. For many people, attending our annual Coastal Bird Banding at Fort Morgan is an opportunity to see several different species of birds up close, some of which can be very difficult to even catch a glimpse of with binoculars. If you got the impression that the researchers also appreciated getting to see birds at such a close proximity, you were right. The excitement around the tents when a Painted Bunting was gently taken out from a holding bag was palpable. But getting a close look at these birds is also important from a scientific perspective.

Each bird that was caught was measured and weighed after a small, metal band was put on the leg. The age, sex, and fat score were also recorded. The band provides a unique identifier for the bird, so if it is caught again in the future, we know its history. The measurements can tell us about the body condition of the bird. Collecting these data over many years is important for understanding things like migration phenology and how climate change is affecting the timing of migration. This is also an important place to be collecting these data. Many of the migratory birds fly over the Gulf of Mexico and need a place to stop, like Fort Morgan, to rest and refuel before continuing north.

Thanks to everyone who joined us and to the following partners for making this another successful year of banding: Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, Mississippi State University, Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism, and the Alabama Historical Commission.

SCIENCE NEWS

Banding American OystercatchersWhile we are on the topic of coastal bird banding, in May, we started a banding project with American Oystercatchers! Emma Rhodes, our Coastal Assistant Biologist, has found at least four breeding pairs on the islands just off of the coast, and even more adults are seen during the nonbreeding season.

We use a decoy to catch adults, like the one pictured below on the bottom right. These birds are territorial during breeding season and will try to chase the decoy out of their space.

Using uniquely coded bands, we will be able to learn more about the adults that nest in Alabama. We can determine if they are the same individuals each year, their breeding site fidelity, mate fidelity, nest success, and movements throughout the year. We will also band chicks to determine their survival and learn where these young birds disperse to once they fledge. American Oystercatchers are one of our priority species on the coast, and we are excited to learn more about them!

Your support is critical to our continued success protecting the birds you love. Make a tax-deductible donation today at birminghamaudubon.org/give.

What a catch!

SUMMER 2019 2

Join our Alabama SwiftWatch this summer!Help us monitor active Chimney Swift roost sites in our stateOur Science & Conservation Director is seeking volunteers for our SwiftWatch project monitoring Chimney Swift roost sites throughout Alabama from late July through October. Email Lianne@birminghamaudubon.org for more information on joining the SwiftWatch team!

Check out more volunteer opportunities on page 3, or visit birminghamaudubon.org/volunteer.

COMMUNITY SCIENCE

VOLUNTEER

3 Birmingham Audubon’s Flicker Flashes

Introducing our volunteer positions for 2019–2020Get involved on behalf of Alabama’s birds and the people who love themBirmingham Audubon has been supported by volunteers since its inception in 1946. Because of the hard work of so many, we are Alabama’s fastest-growing nonprofit promoting conservation and a greater knowledge of birds, their habitats, and the natural world. If you’d like to play an active role in our mission, we invite you to join our stalwart team of awesome volunteers! Email us at info@birminghamaudubon.org, subject line: Volunteer Opportunities, to apply. PHOTO BY MIKE FERNANDEZ / AUDUBON

Office Volunteer

Birmingham Audubon’s OFFICE VOLUNTEERS help with simple chores that keep our organization running smoothly and efficiently. With flexible scheduling and a wide variety of possible tasks, this position is a perfect way for bird lovers to help us multiply the impact of our hardworking staff. Potential tasks include: organizing Audubon’s extensive archives; assisting with merchandise fulfillment and inventory; stuffing envelopes for seasonal mailings, including annual and seasonal fund drives. Requirements: excellent organizational and time-management skills; good interpersonal skills; the ability to work independently and as part of a team; the ability to lift at least twenty pounds.

Location: Birmingham office Reports to the Office Manager

Habitat Volunteer

Our HABITAT VOLUNTEER CORPS plays an essential role in our efforts to restore Birmingham-area landscapes for the benefit of birds and the people who love them. During the 2019–2020 season, these efforts will focus primarily on our forest-preserve project at W.E. Putnam Middle School, located in the heart of the city’s Eastwood neighborhood. This position provides a great opportunity to get outside, learn more about native-plant restoration, and make a positive difference in the Alabama landscape! Potential tasks include: periodically removing invasive plants like Chinese privet, English ivy, and Nandina domestica; monitoring habitat-restoration sites for biodiversity metrics and emerging challenges; cleaning up litter; assisting with various tasks during public workdays on-site. Requirements: conduct manual-labor tasks like lifting, bending, digging, crouching, and pulling; work outside under various conditions, including difficult weather (hot, cold, wet), and in the presence of inhospitable plant and insect life; safely operate standard yard-maintenance equipment.

Location: Birmingham office Reports to the Science & Conservation Director

Community Science VolunteerOur COMMUNITY SCIENCE CORPS assists the Science & Conservation Director with ongoing research efforts (e.g., Alabama SwiftWatch) designed to investigate Alabama’s bird populations and the challenges they face. More info on page 2.

Outreach Volunteer

Birmingham Audubon’s OUTREACH VOLUNTEER CORPS helps connect both new and seasoned audiences to the wonders of Alabama’s natural world. Under the direction of our Outreach & Communications Director, these volunteers lead field trips and nature walks, fostering important face-to-face connections with our conservation-minded audience. In other words, if you’re excited to educate people about birds and their habitats, then this is the position for you! Potential tasks include: leading or assisting with field trips, bird walks, Gosse Nature Walks, school-group walks, and other public outreach activities; assisting staff at occasional tabling-based outreach events. Requirements: great interpersonal and instructional skills (e.g., people-focused personalities, comfort speaking to groups); intermediate to advanced bird-identification skills; great time-management skills; the ability to walk short to long distances, sometimes on uneven terrain, under a variety of outdoor conditions; their own means of transportation, as well as the ability to check out, transport, and return in good condition multiple pairs of Audubon binoculars; a valid driver’s license and up-to-date auto insurance; their own binoculars (although a limited number of loaner pairs may be available); the ability to pass a standard background check.

Location: Birmingham office Reports to the Outreach & Communications Director

Interested in coastal volunteer opportunities? Visit birminghamaudubon.org/coastalvolunteers.

COMMUNITY SCIENCE

Saturday, 27 April 2019Fifty-fifth annual Spring Bird Count results

Many thanks to the forty-one observers in thirteen parties who spent 105 party hours in the field (47.25 on foot, 57.75 by car) with two hours devoted to owling for our fifty-fifth annual Spring Bird Count. By car, 668.68 miles were covered, and 44.87 miles on foot. Temperatures on count day ranged from forty-five to seventy-eight degrees, with sunny, clear skies and breezy southerly winds (S/SW 14) prevailing all day. A respectable 141 species were recorded on count day, with two species-level

only reports. There were also two feeder watch reports. Special thanks to Greg Harber for reporting the count, to Sharon Hudgins, our compiler, and to Ansel Payne, our compilation host.

Observers by party, leaders in boldface: Scot Duncan, Jean Folsom, Paul Franklin, Margaret Blackmon, Phyllis Clay, Malisa Daniels, Lianne Koczur, John Lane, David McMath, Patti

Tichenor, Greg Harber, Jim Bonner, Jessica Germany, Lori Oswald, Hans Paul, Cheryl Horncastle, Sallie Brice, Sharon Hudgins, Matt Hunter, Jonah Cohen, Meegan Dale, Jessie Griswold, Sam Griswold, Kristi Mazzoni, Pelham Rowan, Jim Shepherd, John Imhof, Jeremy Bearden, Greg Jackson, Rick Kittinger, Ranny Kittinger, Ron Kittinger, Frank Sandford, Anne G. Miller, John Fulkerson, Dee Gertler, Lydia Johnson, Ken Wills. Feeder watchers: Grace Simms, Susan Stone.

CANADA GOOSE(MUTE SWAN)WOOD DUCKMALLARDWILD TURKEYPIED-BILLED GREBEROCK PIGEONEURASIAN COLLARED-DOVEMOURNING DOVEYELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOCOMMON NIGHTHAWKCHUCK-WILL’S-WIDOWWHIP-POOR-WILLCHIMNEY SWIFTRUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDKILLDEERPEEP SANDPIPER (SP)SPOTTED SANDPIPERSOLITARY SANDPIPERCASPIAN TERNDOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTANHINGAAMERICAN WHITE PELICANGREAT BLUE HERON GREAT EGRETGREEN HERONBLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONYELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERONBLACK VULTURETURKEY VULTUREOSPREYBALD EAGLENORTHERN HARRIERCOOPER’S HAWKRED-SHOULDERED HAWKBROAD-WINGED HAWKRED-TAILED HAWKEASTERN SCREECH-OWLBARRED OWLBELTED KINGFISHERRED-HEADED WOODPECKERRED-BELLIED WOODPECKERYELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERDOWNY WOODPECKERHAIRY WOODPECKERNORTHERN FLICKERPILEATED WOODPECKERAMERICAN KESTREL

OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHEREASTERN WOOD-PEWEEACADIAN FLYCATCHERLEAST FLYCATCHEREASTERN PHOEBEGREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHEREASTERN KINGBIRDLOGGERHEAD SHRIKEWHITE-EYED VIREOYELLOW-THROATED VIREOBLUE-HEADED VIREOWARBLING VIREORED-EYED VIREOBLUE JAYAMERICAN CROWFISH CROWPURPLE MARTINTREE SWALLOWNORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWCLIFF SWALLOWBARN SWALLOWSWALLOW SP.CAROLINA CHICKADEETUFTED TITMOUSEWHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHBROWN-HEADED NUTHATCHHOUSE WRENCAROLINA WRENBLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERRUBY-CROWNED KINGLETEASTERN BLUEBIRDVEERYSWAINSON’S THRUSHHERMIT THRUSHWOOD THRUSHAMERICAN ROBINGRAY CATBIRDBROWN THRASHERNORTHERN MOCKINGBIRDEUROPEAN STARLINGCEDAR WAXWINGHOUSE SPARROWHOUSE FINCHPINE SISKINAMERICAN GOLDFINCHEASTERN TOWHEECHIPPING SPARROW

FIELD SPARROWSAVANNAH SPARROWSONG SPARROWSWAMP SPARROWWHITE-THROATED SPARROWYELLOW-BREASTED CHATBOBOLINKEASTERN MEADOWLARKORCHARD ORIOLEBALTIMORE ORIOLERED-WINGED BLACKBIRDBROWN-HEADED COWBIRDCOMMON GRACKLEOVENBIRDWORM-EATING WARBLERLOUISIANA WATERTHRUSHNORTHERN WATERTHRUSHBLUE-WINGED WARBLERBLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLERPROTHONOTARY WARBLERSWAINSON’S WARBLERTENNESSEE WARBLERORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERKENTUCKY WARBLERCOMMON YELLOWTHROATHOODED WARBLERAMERICAN REDSTARTCAPE MAY WARBLERCERULEAN WARBLERNORTHERN PARULAMAGNOLIA WARBLERBAY-BREASTED WARBLERBLACKBURNIAN WARBLERYELLOW WARBLERCHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLERPALM WARBLERPINE WARBLERYELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERYELLOW-THROATED WARBLERPRAIRIE WARBLERBLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERSUMMER TANAGERSCARLET TANAGERNORTHERN CARDINALROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKBLUE GROSBEAKINDIGO BUNTING

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SUMMER 2019 4

MEMBERSHIP

Join us welcoming our new and returning local members:Birds of a feather

PAULA ANDREWSCATE ANDREWSWALTER ARGUSERIKA AUSTINJOY AVERETTLISA BAILEYBOOTS BARNARDRICHARD BEILMARGARET BLACKMONCAMELA BRADYANGEL BRAESTRUPJEAN-MARIE BREEDJORDAN BROADHEADAUDREY BROWNKELCIE BROWNJUDY BROWNCAYDEN CHAMPIONJODI CLINEDOUGLAS COOPEREDWIN CUNILLBECKY DALEYMICHAEL DARROWLANCE DAYMIKE DIEHLJOSHUA DUGATHARRIET GARRISONLYNN GENTRYGRANT GENTRYLEN GILLESPIE

JESSIE GRISWOLDMARTIN HABELSHIRLEY HARDYMILTON HARRISSUSAN HEYERJEAN HILLMELLONIE HOLLISTRISH HOOVERJOHN IMHOFCHARLOTTE IMHOFALLEN JEFFRIESJESSICA JOHNSONJOSHUA KERSEYKARA LANKFORDROBERTA LECZNARSAMUEL LOCKMILLERGENE MARLINKAY MARSHDONALD MARUSKACHRIS MCCAULEYSUSAN MCCONNELLMICHELLE MELTONJESSI MILLEREMILY NESSBARBARA NEWMANSHERRI NIELSONKIM NIXDAN OTTSHUNTER OWEN

DEBBIE PATTONBEA POWELLAMANDA PRICEPAMELA PRUITTVICKIE RANEYMARCIA REIDMICHAEL RUSSELLGRACE SIMMSKATHLEEN SINKAALLEN SIVLEYHAL SMITHJEN SMITHLINDA SPEARSMARY ST. JOHNMARY STAYTONDONALD SWEENEYKIMBERLY SWINDLEBREN TINERRHONDA TINSLEYSUSAN TODDLYNNE TRENCHTOM TRUETHOMAS UPCHURCHTINA VAUGHNDANIEL WARRENRICHARD WEIERMILLERLESLIE WILESED WOFFORDSHERRY WOOD

SUMMER CALENDAR

Birding trip: Gainesville, Aliceville, & Livingston. Explore hot-weather birding in beautiful western Alabama for our last Black Belt birding trip of the summer, with stops along the Tombigbee and the chalk cliffs in Epes. Greg Harber leads this trip. Meetup is at 7 a.m. at the Hoover McDonald’s on US 31 (1731 Montgomery Hwy.). Details on our website: birminghamaudubon.org/event/2019-08-10

10 August Saturday

Birding trip: Autaugaville & Lowndesboro kite fields. Make plans to join us for more kites, storks, and egrets on the second trip in our summer Black Belt series. Greg Harber leads this trip, meeting at 7 a.m. at the Hoover McDonald’s on US 31 (1731 Montgomery Hwy.). Much birding will be done from the roadside with very little walking, so accessibility isn’t much of an issue for those who wish to stay in their cars. Details: birminghamaudubon.org/event/2019-07-27

27 July Saturday

22 June Saturday

Birding trip: Wehle Nature Center. We’re excited to bring back a field trip to this Forever Wild tract in Bullock County—a popular spot on the Alabama Birding Trail. In the afternoon, Ken Hare will guide us to some local birding sites in Montgomery. Greg Harber leads this full-day trip. Meetup is at 7 a.m. at the Alabaster McDonald’s (205 S. Colonial Dr.). Details on our website: birminghamaudubon.org/event/2019-06-22

Birding trip: Hale County Black Belt Birding Tour. Join us as we debut our first private tour of the 200-acre Joe Farm, a multigenerational Black Angus cattle ranch located just south of Newbern. Explore the farm’s diverse habitats and enjoy prime Swallow-tailed Kite viewing from the back of a tractor. Ansel Payne will lead this full-day field trip, with special guests and more details to be announced shortly. Advanced registration required; charter-bus transportation from Birmingham available. Details: birminghamaudubon.org/event/2019-07-20

20 July Saturday

5 Birmingham Audubon’s Flicker Flashes

DEBBIE PATTONBEA POWELLAMANDA PRICEPAMELA PRUITTVICKIE RANEYMARCIA REIDMICHAEL RUSSELLGRACE SIMMSKATHLEEN SINKAALLEN SIVLEYHAL SMITHJEN SMITHLINDA SPEARSMARY ST. JOHNMARY STAYTONDONALD SWEENEYKIMBERLY SWINDLEBREN TINERRHONDA TINSLEYSUSAN TODDLYNNE TRENCHTOM TRUETHOMAS UPCHURCHTINA VAUGHNDANIEL WARRENRICHARD WEIERMILLERLESLIE WILESED WOFFORDSHERRY WOOD

MEMBER NEWS

Remembering those who left a lasting legacy with AudubonIn Memoriam

by Greg Harber, Vice President, Field Trips

This spring, three longtime members and supporters of Birmingham Audubon passed away.

Lela Ann Brewer (22 December 1926–23 March 2019) Lee, as she was known to her Audubon friends, wore many hats within Birmingham Audubon. She was our newsletter editor at a time when everything was done manually on a typewriter, and for many years, she served as the Chair of the Annual Banquet committee. She was also a regular attendee at the Audubon Mountain Workshop, where she filled a number of roles as needs dictated and for which I will always be grateful. Lee also contributed her talents to various bird count endeavors—not the least of which was assisting Bob Reid with his point counts in the Bankhead National Forest, and one particularly memorable trek in Gulf Creek Canyon during a Summer Bird Count. Lee’s can-do attitude and willingness to help will not be forgotten.

Richard “Dick” Ireland Pigford (4 May 1947–31 March 2019)Dick was known to many in the Birmingham area for his work as an architect and as founder of ArchitectureWorks. In 2019, he was elevated to the prestigious College of Fellows in the American Institute of Architects. In addition to his architectural projects that transformed places of worship, education, hospitality, and historic buildings, Dick served on various non-profit boards, including the Auburn University Rural

Studio Advisory Board. The Rural Studio has had a tremendous impact in the Black Belt region, including our beloved Perry Lakes Park. Dick was also instrumental in helping Birmingham Audubon complete the installation of a Chimney Swift tower atop the McWane Science Center’s parking deck. Dick’s contributions will have a lasting impact on bird conservation efforts in our region.

John Nevitt Randolph (2 July 1944–31 March 2019)John was a past president of Birmingham Audubon and a leading conservationist, attorney, and published author. John’s obituary summarized his many accomplishments well. His love of the wild propelled him into a leadership role in the grassroots campaigns of the 1970s and ‘80s to preserve publicly-owned wild lands in the eastern United States. During this period, he served as Executive Director of the Alabama Conservancy; founder and first Chair of the Alabama Wilderness Coalition; Director of Natural Area Preservation of Birmingham Audubon; and founder and first Chair of the Alabama Audubon Council. For his leadership in obtaining congressional designation of the Cheaha Wilderness Area in the Talladega National Forest, legislation enlarging the Sipsey Wilderness Area in the Bankhead National Forest, and designating the West Fork Sipsey River in Bankhead as a National Wild and Scenic River, he received the 1988 Sol Feinstone Environmental Award from the State University of New York, was named 1988 Conservationist of the Year by the

Alabama Environmental Council, was named an “Environmental Hero” of the 1980s by the Sierra Club, and received a 1989 National Conservation Committee Award from the Daughters of the American Revolution. After retiring, he wrote a history of the Alabama National Forest Wilderness movement entitled The Battle for Alabama’s Wilderness: Saving the Great Gymnasiums of Nature, which was published in 2005 by the Fire Ant Press, an imprint of the University of Alabama Press.

Each time we Birmingham Audubon members visit places like Alpine Camp for Boys at the annual Audubon Mountain Workshop, or Perry Lakes Park during a field trip, or take an adventure to the Bankhead National Forest to enjoy the birds and the waterfalls, we remember and validate the work that these three dedicated individuals clearly valued in their own lives and careers. May they rest in peace. With fond remembrance,Greg Harber

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Honor those who have made an impact on your life by making a memorial or honorarium gift today at birminghamaudubon.org/give. Your tax-deductible financial contributions play a key role in sustaining the work of Birmingham Audubon. You can also leave a legacy for birds in Alabama by remembering Birmingham Audubon in your will. Learn more about planned giving by contacting our Partnership & Policy Director, Chris Oberholster, at 205-719-3678, option 5.

PHOTO BY MATT HUNTER

Officers Board of DirectorsJoe Watts, President Mary FosterLori Oswald, President-elect Greg Harber Melanie Seibold, Secretary Ellen McLaughlin John Breckenridge, Treasurer Hans PaulKen Marion, Vice President: Conservation Elberta ReidMaggie Amsler, Vice President: Programs Liz Rozzelle Michael Russell Ann Sweeney Lois Woodward

StaffAnsel Payne, PhD, Executive DirectorAlliemarie Humphries, MPA, Office ManagerLianne Koczur, PhD, Science & Conservation DirectorNicole Love, Coastal Programs CoordinatorChris Oberholster, Partnership & Policy DirectorSarah Randolph, Outreach & Communications DirectorEmma Rhodes, Coastal Assistant BiologistJason Ward, Fund II Apprentice

Birmingham AudubonA staffed chapter of the National Audubon Society

Mailing Address:3720 Fourth Avenue South, 2nd FloorBirmingham, AL 35222

Please check your mailing label for your membership expiration date.

PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPERNO BLEACH USED

“The fierce musical cries of a couple of sparrowhawks hunting on the headland, / Hovering and darting, their heads northwestward, / Prick like silver arrows shot through a curtain the noise of theocean / Trampling its granite.”

—Robinson JeffersAn excerpt from “Birds”

MISSION

To promote conservation and a greater knowledge of birds, their habitats, and the natural world.

CONTACT INFO

Birmingham Office3720 Fourth Avenue South, 2nd FloorBirmingham, Alabama 35222Phone: (205) 719-3678

Mobile Office118 North Royal Street, Suite 505Mobile, Alabama 36602Phone: (251) 410-8600

http://birminghamaudubon.orginfo@birminghamaudubon.org

Follow us on social mediaFacebook: @BirminghamAudubonTwitter: @BhamAudubonInstagram: @BhamAudubon

PEOPLE

Birmingham Audubon publishes Flicker Flashes four times a year. Editor: Sarah RandolphContact: sarahrandolph@birminghamaudubon.org

Flicker Flashes

While Birmingham 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 outreach and conservation work. By giving directly to Birmingham Audubon, you ensure that every dollar stays in Alabama for the benefit of our state’s birds and bird lovers.