Hotline: Georgia Rare Bird Alert
Number: 770-493-8862
To Report: 770-493-8862 or lambertsewell@mindspring.com
Coverage: Statewide
Compiled: March 31, 2006
Compiler: Jeff Sewell
Transcriber: Lois Stacey

Birds reported:

Eared Grebe
American Bittern

The E.L. Huie Land Application Facility continues to host 1 or 2 Eared Grebe. The bird seen last weekend was starting to molt into breeding plumage and was showing some of the yellow ear tufts that give the birds their name. They are beautiful in full breeding plumage and hopefully the birds will stay until fully molted. Shorebirds are also moving through with Least Sandpiper, both Yellowlegs, Pectoral Sandpiper and Snipe being seen. The ducks are quickly moving out but a few remain.

The American Bittern that has been at Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve in Dekalb County remained at least through Wednesday. Direction to the site: From I85 and Stone Mountain Freeway (Hwy 78) go left on Hwy 78. You'll merge onto the Lawrenceville Hwy where there is a Quick Trip. Go through the light in the right lane because you'll be turning right very quickly. Turn right onto Harrington Drive, just past the Quick Trip. Go through the subdivision and turn right onto Woodpath Lane and you'll deadend at the Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve. Take the trail to the left to the boardwalk or observation tower. This is where the bird has been seen. The best times to see it are dawn and dusk as it moves to and from its feeding areas.

http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0603&L=gabo-l&F=&S=&P=26864

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Hotline: Georgia Rare Bird Alert
Date: March 28, 2006
Number: 770-493-8862
To Report: 770-493-8862/lambertsewell@mindspring.com
Coverage: Statewide
Compiled: March 28, 2006 (12:37am)
Compiler: Jeff Sewell
Transcriber: Lois Stacey

Birds reported:

American Golden Plover
Eared Grebe

Ken Blankenship reported from the Legacy Sod Farms near Cartersville in Bartow County 4 American Golden Plovers.
Directions: From Atlanta go north on I75 to the Emerson Exit (it may say Emerson/Red Top St. Park). Go down the ramp and turn left and continue until you go under the Hwy 31 overpass, the second left after the overpass will be Old Alabama Road. Turn left onto Old Alabama Road and go through Emerson to the light at Doughit Ferry Rd. and turn right. Cross over the river and there will be a place you can pull off on the right to scope the sod farm. This is the first are the birds were seen. If you don't see them you can continue north on the road to the soccer field and parking lot or go north on Etowah Mounds Rd. and pull off and look there. These are both busy roads but do not go onto the sod farm property as the owner is very adamant about no trespassing or access.
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0603&L=gabo-l&F=&S=&P=23297

At the E. L. Huie Land Application Facility one of the three Eared Grebes remains. The bird is molting into breeding plumage and has the ear tufts for which it gets its name. Also present were Least Sandpipers, Pectoral Sandpipers and 100 -150 lingering waterfowl.
Directions: To get to EL Huie from Atlanta take I 75 S to the US 19 & 41 exit. Go south from the exit on US 19 & 41 for about 8.2 miles to Freeman Road (on the left). Turn left and go to the next road, Dixon Industrial Blvd and go left. Go 200 yds and ont he left you'll see a dike and a road going up to a brick building. Go up the dike to the building and turn left. The big pond will be right in front of you.
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0603&L=gabo-l&F=&S=&P=23425

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Hotline: Georgia Rare Bird Alert
Date: March 24, 2006
Number: 770-493-8862
To Report: 770-493-8862/lambertsewell@mindspring.com
Coverage: Statewide
Compiled: March 24, 2006 (7:13am)
Compiler: Jeff Sewell
Transcriber: Lois Stacey

Birds reported:

Yellow-headed Blackbird
American Golden-Plover
Eared Grebe

Eric Beohm reported that his friend Paul Sanders saw a male Yellow-headed Blackbird 2 days ago in Griffin in Spaulding County. The bird was seen on the southeast side of Griffin where Solomon Street meets Highfalls Road near the UPS distribution center. The flock could be in the area but they do move around.
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0603&L=gabo-l&F=&S=&P=21062

At E.L. Huie Land Application Facility in Clayton County an American Golden-Plover continues in the big south pond. Also in that pond are 2 Eared Grebe and a number of shorebird species. The Grebes have been there for several weeks now and the shorebirds are moving through.
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0603&L=gabo-l&F=&S=&P=20863

To get to EL Huie from Atlanta take I 75 S to the US 19 & 41 exit. Go south from the exit on US 19 & 41 for about 8.2 miles to Freeman Road (on the left). Turn left and go to the next road, Dixon Industrial Blvd and go left. Go 200 yds and ont he left you'll see a dike and a road going up to a brick building. Go up the dike to the building and turn left. The big pond will be right in front of you.

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Hotline: Georgia Rare Bird Alert
Date: March 22, 2006
Number: 770-493-8862
To Report: 770-493-8862/lambertsewell@mindspring.com
Coverage: Statewide
Compiled: March 22, 2006 (8:40 pm)
Compiler: Jeff Sewell
Transcriber: Lois Stacey

Birds reported:

American Golden-Plover
Eared Grebe
Bonaparte's Gull
Cackling Goose
Canvasback
American Bittern
Red Crossbill
Swallow-tailed Kite

Carol Lambert reports an American Golden-Plover in the south pond at E.L.
Huie Land Application Facility in Clayton County. The 2 Eared Grebe continue in that same pond as well as some lingering ducks and Pectoral Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper, Greater Yellowlegs and Lesser Yellowlegs. There were also 7 Bonaparte's Gulls at the site.
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0603&L=gabo-l&F=&S=&P=19722

Ted and Andrew of Columbus reports a Canvasback from Cooper's Creek Park in Columbus. A few other lingering ducks were also there.
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0603&L=gabo-l&F=&S=&P=18620

Tim Miller of Savannah reported that yesterday he had a Swallow-tailed Kite at the Georgia-Pacific Savannah River Mill in Effingham County.

Marie and Jerry Amerson report the 5 Cackling Geese in Twiggs County are still there.
Directions: From I16 and Ga 96 go south on Ga 96 for about 4 miles and go down a hill. There are two large ponds and the birds have been in the pond on the left. You can park on the side of the road and walk onto the right-of-way but do not go onto the property.

Josh Spence reports from Carter's Lake in Murray County and the Woodgreen Branch Recreation area 64 Greater Scaup and 61 Common Loons. There were Bonaparte's Gulls as well. He also had 1 Red Crossbill at the campground. On the reregulation dam he had 8 Horned Grebe and Common Loons.

From Fite Bend Road in Gordon County he reports American Wigeon, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Spotted Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper and Wilson's Snipe.
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0603&L=gabo-l&F=&S=&P=18317

The American Bittern continues at Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve.

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Hotline: Georgia Rare Bird Alert
Number: 770-493-8862
To Report: 770-493-8862 or lambertsewell@mindspring.com
Coverage: Statewide
Compiled: March 18, 2006 (10:04 pm)
Compiler: Jeff Sewell
Transcriber: Lois Stacey

Birds Reported:

Eared Grebe
American Bittern (not reported)
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Nashville Warbler

The Eared Grebes at E.L. Huie Land Application Facility in Clayton County were seen today. There now appear to be only 2. It's fairly rare to see this many in this part of the state and this late.
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0603&L=gabo-l&F=&S=&P=15753

The American Bittern at Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve in Dekalb County has not been reported in a day or two. It may be still there however. Bitterns are most active at dawn and dusk and that may be the best time to see it.

Earl Horn reported a Nashville Warbler in Columbia County in Augusta in someone's yard. He also reported an American Bittern and some lingering ducks from Phinizy Swamp Nature Park in Augusta (Richmond County).
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0603&L=gabo-l&F=&S=&P=15988

From E.L. Huie LAF several Pectoral Sandpipers, Least Sandpipers and a Solitary Sandpiper as well as a few lingering ducks have been reported.
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0603&L=gabo-l&F=&S=&P=15753

Michael Bender of Athens in Clark County reports a Selaphorous Hummingbird coming to his feeder. The bird is most likely a Rufous or Allen's Hummingbird.
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0603&L=gabo-l&F=&S=&P=14676

Ken Blankenship reported on March 13, 3 Red-breasted Nuthatches in the parking lot at Kennesaw Mountain in Cobb County.
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0603&L=gabo-l&F=&S=&P=12884

And Theresa Hartz reported Red-breasted Nuthatches today from the Turner Trail in the Wildcat section of Dawson Forest and in addition a good number of Blue-headed Vireos, 3 Winter Wrens and a Hermit Thrush.
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0603&L=gabo-l&F=&S=&P=16213

From the Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve in Dekalb County 2 observers saw 3 Orange-Crowned Warblers.

From Little St. Simon's Island on 3/11 a report of Long-billed Curlew, Black-necked Stilt and Reddish Egret.
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0603&L=gabo-l&F=&S=&P=12014

Stan Chapman reported on 3/12 he had a Common Raven flying over and calling while hiking the Appalachian Trail from Neel's Gap to the top of Blood Mountain.
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0603&L=gabo-l&F=&S=&P=11802

On 3/12 Michael and Eric Beohm reported 25 American White Pelicans from the south end of Jekyll Island and 5 from the St. Andrews Island causeway.
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0603&L=gabo-l&F=&S=&P=13115

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Hotline: Georgia Rare Bird Alert
Date: March 15, 2006
Number: 770-493-8862 or lambertsewell@mindspring.com
Coverage: Statewide
Compiled: March 15, 2006 (11:40am)
Compiler: Jeff Sewell
Transcriber: Lois Stacey

Birds Reported:
Eared Grebe

3 Eared Grebes have been reported in the big pond at the E. L. Huie Land Application Facility in Clayton County. The birds were first found by Steve Slayton. Monday a Horned Grebe was also there but has not been seen since.
Directions are: From I75 and US 19/41 go south about 8.3 miles to Freeman Road, turn left and go about 1/4 mile to the next left which is Dickson Industrial Blvd. Go downhill about 200 yds and there will be a drive on your left that goes up a dike toward a brick building, you'll see a chainlink fence around the ponds. Go up to the top of the dike and turn left, the big pond is straight ahead on the right.
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0603&L=gabo-l&F=&S=&P=13323
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0603&L=gabo-l&F=&S=&P=13868

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* Georgia statewide
* March 11, 2006
* GAGA0603.11

- Birds Reported

American Bittern
WHOOPING CRANE
Sandhill Crane
American White Pelican

-Transcript

hotline: Georgia Rare Bird Alert
date: March 11, 2006
number: 770-493-8862
to report: 770-493-8862 or lambertsewell AT mindspring.com
coverage: Statewide
compiled: March 11, 2006 (9:45 PM)
compiler: Jim Flynn, substituting for Jeff Sewell
transcriber: James F. Flynn, Jr.

Lisa Hurt reports that an AMERICAN BITTERN was seen at the Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve in Dekalb Co. on Saturday morning. The bird was seen by Dave Butler and Jerry Brunner in the grassy area in front of the platform.
[DeLorme: p. 26, grid A-4]
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0603&L=gabo-l&O=D&P=9690

There were several reports of WHOOPING CRANES passing through the Atlanta area late last week. Pierre Howard relayed a sighting by Rev. Louis Miller of three birds passing over Harrington Dr. near Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve the morning of 3/2 and three birds (presumably the same birds) spent at least one afternoon on 3/2 and the morning of 3/3 at the oxbow lake at the corner of Willeo Rd. and Azalea Dr. near the Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell [DeLorme: p. 20, grid G-3; Birding Georgia: p. 79]. Dan Demko and Mary Provost also reported two birds with a flock of about 300 SANDHILL CRANES passing over Lake Horton, Fayette Co., on the afternoon of 3/4.
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0603&L=gabo-l&O=D&P=9891
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0603&L=gabo-l&O=D&P=10090

Doris Cohrs observed five AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS roosting on a sand bar where Hudson Creek empties into Doboy Sound today. She observed the bird while returning from Sapelo Island.
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0603&L=gabo-l&O=D&P=9982

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Hotline: Georgia Rare Bird Alert
Date: March 8, 2006
Number: 770-493-8862
To Report: 770-493-8862/lambertsewell@mindspring.com
Coverage: Statewide
Compiled: March 8, 2006 (9:43 pm)
Compiler: Jeff Sewell
Transcriber: Lois Stacey

Birds Reported -

Common Merganser
Western Tanager
Yellow-breasted Chat
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Common Goldeneye
Greater Scaup
Vermilion Flycatcher
Common Ground-Dove

The female Common Merganser continues at Carter's Lake in Murray County.
The bird is with Hooded Mergansers. This is a rare event for Georgia as this is a more northern bird. Directions are: From Atlanta take I75 to the exit at US 411 and go left to GA 136. Turn right and go a short distance and over some railroad tracks. The lake will be on your left. You'll see a sign for the recreation area at the base of the reregulation lake but keep going straight. Go 1.8 miles to the bridge over Talking Rock Creek. Park there, this is where the bird was yesterday. If the bird is not there, go back along 136 and check at those places where you can see the lake through the vegetation. There's a place where you can pull over and go past a chain gate and get down closer to the lake. If you find the bird is closer to the spillway, go back to old 411 (before new 411) and go right. Go down not far until you see a little park and a trail and folow the trail to the dam on the reregulation lake and go out on the dam. A scope is a necessity here.
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0603&L=gabo-l&F=&S=&P=4905
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0603&L=gabo-l&F=&S=&P=7234

Also seen were Red-breasted Mergansers, Bald Eagle, Ring-necked Ducks, Ring-billed Gull and Pine Siskins. The Red Crossbills have not been reported.

The Western Tanager in Powder Springs in Cobb County was still being reported as of last Saturday.
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0603&L=gabo-l&F=&S=&P=7594

A Yellow-breasted Chat is reported from Skidaway Island. The warblers are headed north!
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0603&L=gabo-l&F=&S=&P=7006

Michael and Eric Beohm report from West Point Dam a Lesser Black-backed Gull, 10 Common Goldeneye, 20 Greater Scaup, 26 Pintail, 30 Red-breasted Merganser and 2 Redhead.
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0603&L=gabo-l&F=&S=&P=6450

From the Bradley Unit of the Eufala NWR the female Vermilion Flycatcher that has been there since November continues. The bird is near the silos in the middle of the unit.
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0603&L=gabo-l&F=&S=&P=4207

Michael Beohm reported 21 Common Ground-Doves from his parent's yard in Upson County. This is a high number.
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0603&L=gabo-l&F=&S=&P=3208

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Hotline: Georgia Rare Bird Alert
Date: March 1, 2006
Number: 770-493-8862
To Report: 770-493-8862 or lambertsewell@mindspring.com
Coverage: Statewide
Compiled: March 1, 2006 (7:36 pm)
Compiler: Jeff Sewell
Transcriber: Lois Stacey

Birds reported

COMMON MERGANSER
CACKLING GOOSE

Dan vickers and Sterling Blanchard reloacated a female Common Merganser.
The bird has been at Carter's Lake in Murray County for a couple of weeks but it was only Monday that Josh Spence, the original discoverer of the bird, got a close enough view at the bird to see that it was a Common Merganser and ot a Hooded Merganser as the bird is hanging around with a flock of Hooded Mergansers. The bird is actually on the reregulation lake, not Carter's Lake proper. Directions are: From Atlanta take I75 to the exit at US 411 and go left to GA 136. Turn right and go a short distance and over some railroad tracks. The lake will be on your left. You'll see a sign for the recreation area at the base of the reregulation lake but keep going straight. Go 1.8 miles to the bridge over Talking Rock Creek. Park there, this is where the bird was yesterday. If the bird is not there, go back along 136 and check at those places where you can see the lake through the vegetation. There's a place where you can pull over and go past a chain gate and get down closer to the lake. If you find the bird is closer to the spillway, go back to old 411 (before new 411) and go right. Go down not far until you see a little park and a trail and folow the trail to the dam on the reregulation lake and go out on the dam. A scope is a necessity here.

There is also a pair of nesting Bald Eagles and an Osprey on the lake and there have been Red Crossbills in the area. The crossbills have been seen off Powerhouse Road and at the Woodgreen Branch Campground. Take old 411 to 76 and turn right, you'll see a sign for Powerhouse Road. You can bird the road. Or go back to 76 and go to Woodgreen Branch Road to the campground, the birds have been seen near the entrance to the campground.
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0602&L=gabo-l&F=&S=&P=21733
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0602&L=gabo-l&F=&S=&P=21988

From Twiggs County, this weekend there were still 5 Cackling Geese on the farm pond of Mr. B. C. Padgett. Directions: I-16 and GA Hwy 96, just east of Macon, go south on Hwy. 96 about 2 miles to 2 large ponds on either side of the road. Do not leave the right-of-way, a scope is needed here.
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0602&L=gabo-l&F=&S=&P=19214

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