113th CBC Mississippi/Alabama Regional Summary

By David King and Larry Gardella

Highlights:  Several real winter rarities turned up this year.  A Fulvous Whistling-Duck was found at Wheeler N.W.R., AL.  This is the first CBC regional record in over a decade and the first ever away from the coast.  Dauphin Island, AL had a Black Rail, only the second CBC regional record for this species.  Certainly the least expected was a regional first Razorbill that Gulf Shores, AL recorded count week, the day after the count.  The bird was part of the incredible movement of this species into the Gulf this winter.  Southern Hancock County, MS had a Chuck-will’s Widow, a first in the region in over a decade and a MS CBC first.  This species winters along the Gulf coast in very small numbers and is even more rarely reported, as most spend the winter in torpor.  Finally, Eagle Lake, MS reported a Yellow-headed Blackbird, a rarity anytime and a first regional CBC record in over a decade.  Many other finds were nearly as good.  Read on!

There were 28 counts in the two-state region this year, with 10 in Alabama and 18 in Mississippi.  That number is up three from last year with Eagle Lake, MS and Tuscaloosa, AL both returning after a 1-year hiatus and a new count at Auburn, AL.  Welcome.  A total of 214 species were recorded, one more than last year and a little over the 10-year average.  Mississippi reported 195 species and 192 were found in Alabama.  Jackson County, MS (150) was the only count to reach the magic 150 species total, followed closely by two other coastal counts; Gulf Shores, AL (146) and Southern Hancock County, MS (142).  Wheeler N.W.R., AL followed with the highest inland total at 127.  In all, 15 counts had species totals in triple digits.

For the second year in a row, just under 1,000,000 total birds were found which is about two-thirds of the 10-year average.  Montgomery, AL, at roughly 288,000, was the only count to record over 100,000 birds.  Again this year the most massive blackbird and geese flocks avoided the count circles.  Gulf Shores had the highest totals in the region for 38 species, followed by Wheeler N.W.R. (33) and Southern Hancock County (25).  Dauphin Island, AL, Gulf Shores, and Jackson County all had four species not found elsewhere in the region.  In all, 17 counts had at least one unique species.

Temperatures were a little above average for the count period.  Both states, as much of the nation, lingered through a protracted drought during the fall of 2012.  However, strong fronts moving through the region during the count period brought some rainy days as well as Christmas Day tornadoes to both states.  Five counts reported light rain.  Vicksburg, MS had heavy rain, and Guntersville, AL, heavy snow.

Grenada, MS reported three Cackling Geese.  The only scoter sightings came from Gulf Shores; 25 Black Scoters and a count week White-winged Scoter.  Moon Lake, MS reported a Long-tailed Duck, the first record in several years and the first ever away from the coast.  The only Common Merganser was a count week bird at Southern Hancock County.  A total of 29 Northern Bobwhites were reported on four counts (plus another count week).  See the text box for this species’ dramatic decline in this region.  A Red-throated Loon was found at Gulf Shores and another at Guntersville, AL.  Waterloo, AL had two Red-necked Grebes, and eight Eared Grebes were found at Jackson County.  Gulf Shores had two count week shearwaters, a Great Shearwater (only the second for the region) and a small shearwater that was most likely an Audubon’s.

Forty-four Anhinga on nine counts is about half the number being seen a few years ago, but still well above the average for the last few decades.  Jackson County reported the only American Bittern, always a good find.  Two Snowy Egrets were at Hattiesburg, MS, farther inland than usual.  Dauphin Island reported the only Reddish Egrets (6) and the only Cattle Egrets (3).  Thirty-seven Black-crowned Night-Herons on nine counts (max 13 at Guntersville) is well above average for the region.  A Glossy Ibis anywhere on a CBC is a good find, but most unexpected well north at Wheeler N.W.R.  A regional high 199 Bald Eagles were found on 21 counts.  (See text box.)  Wheeler N.W.R. and Arkabutla Lake, MS had single Rough-legged Hawks.  Introduced Whooping Cranes at Wheeler N.W.R. (12) have become regular.

Jackson County reported 53 Black-necked Stilts, an impressive number, and Dauphin Island had 19 Red Knots. Two inland Alabama counts (Montgomery and Eufaula) recorded Long-billed Dowitchers, a species rarely found inland in winter but which has been recorded in Montgomery on most of the past six counts.  A Lesser Black-backed Gull found inland at Waterloo makes this the fifth year in a row that this species has been found on a CBC somewhere in the region.  Dauphin Island had a Glaucous Gull during count week.  White-winged Doves were found at Jackson County, Gulf Shores, and Montgomery, all areas where they are regular, but one at Grenada (photo) was unusual.  Inca Doves continue their slow progression into the region from the southwest with four at Natchez, MS and 10 at Vicksburg.  Thanks, Louisiana; keep them coming!  A Short-eared Owl was found at Arkabutla Lake and another count week at Dauphin Island.  Wintering hummingbirds are slowly returning to pre-Katrina levels.  Single Ruby-throats were in Birmingham, AL and Vicksburg, a count week Black-chinned was at Gulf Shores, a Calliope was in Birmingham, 12 Rufous were found on five counts (with 6 at Birmingham), and Gulf Shores had an Allen’s.

A good variety of flycatchers was reported.  An Eastern Wood-Pewee was found at Lauderdale County, MS.  Vermilion Flycatchers turned up at Gulf Shores (2), at Southern Hancock County, and at Eagle Lake.  Southern Hancock County also had an Ash-throated Flycatcher.  Dauphin Island and Gulf Shores both had single Western Kingbirds, and Vicksburg had an Eastern Kingbird.  Gulf Shores also had a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. 

Ten White-eyed Vireos on five counts, including one unusually far north at Wheeler N.W.R., was above average.  A Purple Martin at Dauphin Island during count week (no details) was unusual, but a Northern Rough-winged Swallow in Birmingham was unprecedented.  The total of 104 Red-breasted Nuthatches found on 21 counts is a typical number for a strong invasion winter.  Grenada reported a Bewick’s Wren where they are regular but elusive.  Blue-gray Gnatcatchers are expected along the coast, but an additional 15 on six inland counts throughout the region is impressive.  Gulf Shores had a count week Sprague’s Pipit.

Unusual warblers were scarce this season.  Single Yellow-throated Warblers were found at Gulf Shores and Natchez, and a Wilson’s Warbler turned up on the Jackson, MS count.  On the other hand, uncommon sparrows put in an excellent showing.  Sardis Lake, MS reported a Clay-colored Sparrow.  Southern Hancock County had two Lark Sparrows and Wheeler N.W.R. had another.  A Grasshopper Sparrow was found at Gulf Shores.  Jackson County found an impressive 86 Henslow’s Sparrows at known wintering locations.  Also impressive were 33 Le Conte’s Sparrows on eight counts.  The coastal counts found both Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow (10 at Dauphin Island and 2 at Southern Hancock County) and Seaside Sparrow (10 at Southern Hancock County, 3 at Dauphin Island, and 1 at Jackson County).  Montgomery had an unidentified Ammodramus.  Seven Lincoln’s Sparrows on six counts throughout the region was above average.  Four counts reported Lapland Longspurs: Arkabutla Lake (3), Moon Lake (163), Gulf Shores (10), and Wheeler N.W.R. (24).  It takes luck but mostly dedication and hard work to ferret out and identify many of these sparrows that are accomplished elusive skulkers.  Montgomery had a Summer Tanager (photo), and a Western Meadowlark was found at Arkabutla Lake.  Single Baltimore Orioles were reported at Jackson, Montgomery, and Gulf Shores.  Purple Finches joined the delightful winter invasion with 160 on 15 counts (max 53 at Lauderdale County), as did Pine Siskins with an impressive 350 on 14 counts (max 89 at Waterloo).

Thanks to the 366 of you who spent those 1017 hours traveling 5493 miles counting birds in the field plus the additional 237 of you watching feeders.  A special yawn of thanks to those of you who spent those those 62 pre-dawn hours owling.  See you next year.  Bring your friends.