ALABAMA & MISSISSIPPI 
After a probable adult Kelp Gull was photographed in March 2009, it was not completely surprising to discover two apparent Kelp Gull x Herring Gull hybrids on a dredge spoil island in Mobile Bay, Mobile 
County, during early summer (here 1 7 June 2009). The origin of these apparent Fi "Chandeleur Gulls" is open to speculation, but it is certain they represent a first report for Alabama. Photographs by 
Roger Clay. 
(JW). A troubling report was the scarcity of 
Wood Storks at Noxubee this season com- 
pared to the hundreds often present during 
summer. Frequent observations only resulted 
in a maximum count of 17 on 1 Jun, and most 
trips only found one to 3 birds (TLS, DR, LT). 
Ospreys were much in evidence at L, Gun- 
tersville, Marshall. AL 22-28 Jun, with four 
active nests and up to 24 individuals — new 
maximum inland and summer Alabama totals 
OGr). The chance of finding a feeding or 
roosting Swallow-tailed Kite flock is usually 
enough to convince birders to wander outside 
even on the hottest summer days. This sea- 
son, three such Alabama concentrations were 
noted. The 15 at Forest Home, Butler 2 Jun 
(CK) provided a good count for Jun, while 
the 50+ found 20-28 Jul near Autaugaville, 
Autauga ODL, RD, TRP, m.ob.) made an ex- 
cellent post-breeding count. However, the 
prize goes to the results of the aerial surveys 
conducted 19-25 Jul along the Alabama R. 
and Tombigbee R. systems, where up to 256 
were counted during one day (ph. ECS, 
m.ob.)! This total was more than quadmple 
the previous Alabama maximum. A new state 
record was also established by the estimated 
135 Mississippi Kites seen in Butler, AL 2 Jun 
(CK). Bald Eagles have usually completed 
breeding in our Region by late May, making 
the ad. with 2 juvs. on a nest at Columbus, 
Lowndes, MS 3 Jul very unusual QD). The lo- 
cation was near where a late nesting also took 
place in 2008. At least 3 Black-bellied Plovers 
were noted on Dauphin 3 Jul in addition to a 
single Semipalmated Plover (HEH, T&JS), ei- 
ther summering birds or early migrants. Two 
late Semipalmated Plovers were found in Col- 
bert, AL 2 Jun (DJS), to be followed seven 
weeks later by a record-early returnee in 
Lauderdale 12 Jul (TMH). The Black-necked 
Stilt nesting attempts in Colbert, AL contin- 
ued until at least 7 Jun, when a pair was seen 
still attending their nest adjacent an increas- 
ingly flooded field (SWM). Visits later in the 
season failed to relocate any birds and re- 
vealed the site had been plowed and planted. 
Rarely found in summer, an Upland Sand- 
pipers. of Magnolia Springs, Baldwin 18Jun+ 
(DP) furnished only the 5th Alabama Jun 
record. The earliest Alabama Jul record ever 
for Western Sandpiper was established 3 Jul 
by a lone bird on Dauphin (HEH, T&JS). Late 
White-rumped Sandpipers were noted 13 Jun, 
when 2 were found at Blakeley I., Mobile, AL 
(CH) and 15 Jun, when a single bird was 
found at a sod farm in St. Clair. AL (GDJ, 
DGJ). Also tardy was a Bairds Sandpiper in 
Colbert. AL 9 Jun QMH, JBCH). The only 
Buff-breasted Sandpiper reported this season 
was a lone bird at a turf farm near Oxford, 
Lafayette, MS 28 Jul (GK), where the species 
is an uncommon migrant . 
GULLS THROUGH CHICKADEES 
Two ad. gulls, apparently first-generation (Ei) 
Kelp Gull X Herring Gull hybrids, were stud- 
ied on a dredge spoil island in Mobile Bay, 
Mobile, AL 17-26 Jun (ph. RC). This would 
presumably be the first documented occur- 
rence of “Chandeleur Gull” in Alabama. 
Sooty Terns returned this season to breed 
again on Dauphin, where ads. were observed 
incubating up to three nests with eggs 11 
Jun-4 Jul (RC, ph. SCM). This was only the 
2nd season definite nesting documented in 
Alabama (2008 was the first). A Common 
Ground-Dove was detected again this season 
along the Macon B.B.S. route, Noxubee, MS 7- 
16 Jun (TLS, MS). This was the 3rd time the 
species has been found along this route in re- 
cent years, in a region where it is otherwise 
considered rare. A lone Black-billed Cuckoo 
was a very interesting find 9 Jul at Seaman 
(m.ob.); the date seemed to indicate a very 
early returning migrant or failed breeder. 
Confirmed breeding evidence for Chuck- 
wills-widow is rarely discovered, making the 
two nests with eggs at Gulf Shores, Baldwin. 
AL 1-2 Jun (ph. BSu) particularly interesting. 
Two singing Willow Flycatchers were well 
documented near Hartselle, Morgan 6-27 Jun 
(vt. MSG) for a probable 2nd Alabama nesting 
record. Seven reports comprising 16 Scissor- 
tailed Flycatchers (2 at new sites) provided 
further evidence the species continues to en- 
trench and expand its breeding range into Al- 
abama (m.ob.). Searchers taking part in the 
St. Clair, AL summer bird count discovered a 
possible breeding Blue-headed Vireo 14 Jun 
(GJH, JG); the species is otherwise believed to 
be very rare in summer in this area. A new Al- 
abama maximum inland count of Blue-head- 
ed Vireos was established 16 Jul when 17 (in- 
cluding 12 imms.) were totaled during a 30- 
stop route around Cheaha Resort S.R, Cle- 
burne in the Talladega N.F (DAM). Six Fish 
Crow reports were accumulated from n. Ala- 
bama sites, where the species is still rare but 
increasing in population and distribution. In 
the same vein, six Tree Swallow sightings 
were received (four at new sites) from the n. 
half of Alabama. Most interesting were the 
three or four pairs observed nesting in Purple 
Martin houses in Limestone 9 Jun (JMH, 
JBCH). Careful searching of a large, post- 
breeding swallow gathering adjacent to the 
Mississippi R. in Tunica 21 Jul resulted in the 
discovery of 28 Bank Swallows (DB). The 
possibility of breeding in the area was not 
evaluated. Furnishing a first confirmed island 
record, a Carolina Chickadee was observed at 
feeders on Dauphin 19-26 Jul (ph. EC). 
VOLUME 63 (2009) • NUMBER 4 
609 
