Date: 8/16/26 6:52 pm From: Damien J. Simbeck via groups.io <tnbarredowl...> Subject: [ALbirds] Wheeler Dam roost
I tried to lead an AOS field trip at Wheeler Dam this past Tuesday. I arrived at 3:30, scanned the towers and island (didn't see the Neotropic Cormorant, but did have a Great Blue x Great Egret hybrid on the rocks at the base of the first tower). I set up my tent just past the inlet and started watching for birds. I had a maximum of 26 Black Terns feeding below the dam. They stayed mostly along the barge channel on the north side, but some did venture closer for decent views. A Common Loon swam by a few times, then came shore in the inlet to roost for the evening (close photos using just my phone). Around 5:30, a group of about 1000 Purple Martins flew around. I thought they might roost on the transmission lines as they have in the past, but they left after about 15 minutes. By 6:00, I had few herons/egrets flying in and no other birders joined me. I decided to head home and come back another time. Regina and I decided to eat dinner there this evening, but we didn't arrive until nearly 7:00. There were a lot of birds already on the island and the Neotropic Cormorant was on his usual perch on the first island. The Great Blue x Great Egret was on the rocks at the inlet. We enjoyed dinner and started counting/estimating birds coming to roost. Here's my totals for about 50 minutes of watching, I only viewed birds flying in from the west, so more birds likely came in from the southeast (Lawrence County) or the northeast (east Lauderdale/Limestone Counties). I still saw good numbers, despite most of the sinkhole ponds are dry this year. I always wonder where all the Little Blue Herons come from.
Black-crowned Night-Heron 6Little Blue Heron 168 (only 6 adults)Snowy Egret 6Western Cattle Egret 704Great Egret 164Great Blue Heron 56Great Blue x Great Egret 1
I may try again Tuesday or Wednesday evening (starting around 6:00). I'll send another email if I do.
Damien Simbeck
Killen AL
Sent from my (non-Apple) phone. You can teach an old dog new tricks!
