Date: 1/19/26 1:36 pm From: Shirley Farrell via groups.io <shirfarr...> Subject: Re: [ALbirds] 2026 Winter AOS Meeting CANCELLATION Due to Weather
Thank you! It is not easy to cancel all of the fun plans that were made.
FYI: We have reserved Lake Guntersville for the 2027 winter meeting,
January 22--24, 2027.
Shirley
On Mon, Jan 19, 2026 at 2:47 PM Paul Franklin via groups.io <phfranklin36=
<yahoo.com...> wrote:
> I commend this very wise and conscientious decision.
>
>
> On Monday, January 19, 2026 at 02:33:52 PM CST, Shirley Farrell via
> groups.io <shirfarr...> wrote:
>
>
> Dear AOS Members and Registered Attendees,
>
> After careful consultation with the AOS Executive Board and our advisors,
> we have made the difficult decision to cancel the upcoming Winter AOS
> Meeting due to anticipated weather conditions. I will email each registrant
> as soon as I receive the updated registration list. I wanted to start
> sending out the cancellation as soon as possible.
>
> From Friday through Saturday, forecasts are calling for rain and snow
> across Guntersville and North Alabama, with temperatures reaching only
> about 33 degrees on Sunday. Given these conditions, travel on the mountain
> would likely be difficult—and potentially unsafe. We would much rather err
> on the side of caution and prioritize everyone’s safety.
>
> *Lodging Cancellation Information*
> According to the Lake Guntersville State Park Lodge, reservations must be *canceled
> at least 72 hours prior to arrival*. To cancel your reservation, you may:
>
> -
>
> Call the reservation desk at *(256) 571-5440*, or
> -
>
> Cancel online at: https://reserve.alapark.com/cancel/ >
> Please note that you will need your confirmation number and the email
> address used to make the reservation. While online cancellation is
> available, I personally prefer speaking with a live person; however, the
> lodge has shared that only one staff member is working the reservation desk
> today, so hold times may be longer than usual.
>
> *Meeting & Food Fee Options*
> AOS is offering registered attendees the following options for meeting and
> food fees:
>
> 1.
>
> Donate your payment to AOS
> 2.
>
> Receive a full refund
> 3.
>
> Apply your payment toward the Spring Meeting
> *(Please note: Spring meeting registration costs will increase, but
> your registration will be honored at the Winter meeting rate.)*
>
> Please click the link below to let us know how you would like us to handle
> your meeting and (if applicable) banquet fees :
>
> 👉 https://tinyurl.com/2026-AOS-meeting >
> We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. This was not
> an easy decision, but we believe it is the right one to ensure the safety
> and well-being of our members.
>
> Thank you for your understanding and continued support of AOS. We look
> forward to gathering together soon under better conditions. We hope to see
> you at the Spring Meeting, April 17-19, 2026, with Dr. Jason Hoeksema,
> shorebird expert, as the speaker.
>
>
> Warm regards,
> *Shirley Farrell*
> President, Alabama Ornithological Society
>
>
>
Date: 1/19/26 12:47 pm From: Paul Franklin via groups.io <phfranklin36...> Subject: Re: [ALbirds] 2026 Winter AOS Meeting CANCELLATION Due to Weather
I commend this very wise and conscientious decision.
On Monday, January 19, 2026 at 02:33:52 PM CST, Shirley Farrell via groups.io <shirfarr...> wrote:
Dear AOS Members and Registered Attendees,
After careful consultation with the AOS Executive Board and our advisors, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the upcoming Winter AOS Meeting due to anticipated weather conditions. I will email each registrant as soon as I receive the updated registration list. I wanted to start sending out the cancellation as soon as possible.
From Friday through Saturday, forecasts are calling for rain and snow across Guntersville and North Alabama, with temperatures reaching only about 33 degrees on Sunday. Given these conditions, travel on the mountain would likely be difficult—and potentially unsafe. We would much rather err on the side of caution and prioritize everyone’s safety.
Lodging Cancellation Information
According to the Lake Guntersville State Park Lodge, reservations must be canceled at least 72 hours prior to arrival. To cancel your reservation, you may:
Please note that you will need your confirmation number and the email address used to make the reservation. While online cancellation is available, I personally prefer speaking with a live person; however, the lodge has shared that only one staff member is working the reservation desk today, so hold times may be longer than usual.
Meeting & Food Fee Options
AOS is offering registered attendees the following options for meeting and food fees:
-
Donate your payment to AOS
-
Receive a full refund
-
Apply your payment toward the Spring Meeting
(Please note: Spring meeting registration costs will increase, but your registration will be honored at the Winter meeting rate.)
Please click the link below to let us know how you would like us to handle your meeting and (if applicable) banquet fees :
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. This was not an easy decision, but we believe it is the right one to ensure the safety and well-being of our members.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support of AOS. We look forward to gathering together soon under better conditions. We hope to see you at the Spring Meeting, April 17-19, 2026, with Dr. Jason Hoeksema, shorebird expert, as the speaker.
Warm regards,
Shirley Farrell
President, Alabama Ornithological Society
Date: 1/19/26 12:33 pm From: Shirley Farrell via groups.io <shirfarr...> Subject: [ALbirds] 2026 Winter AOS Meeting CANCELLATION Due to Weather
Dear AOS Members and Registered Attendees,
After careful consultation with the AOS Executive Board and our advisors,
we have made the difficult decision to cancel the upcoming Winter AOS
Meeting due to anticipated weather conditions. I will email each registrant
as soon as I receive the updated registration list. I wanted to start
sending out the cancellation as soon as possible.
From Friday through Saturday, forecasts are calling for rain and snow
across Guntersville and North Alabama, with temperatures reaching only
about 33 degrees on Sunday. Given these conditions, travel on the mountain
would likely be difficult—and potentially unsafe. We would much rather err
on the side of caution and prioritize everyone’s safety.
*Lodging Cancellation Information*
According to the Lake Guntersville State Park Lodge, reservations must
be *canceled
at least 72 hours prior to arrival*. To cancel your reservation, you may:
-
Call the reservation desk at *(256) 571-5440*, or
-
Please note that you will need your confirmation number and the email
address used to make the reservation. While online cancellation is
available, I personally prefer speaking with a live person; however, the
lodge has shared that only one staff member is working the reservation desk
today, so hold times may be longer than usual.
*Meeting & Food Fee Options*
AOS is offering registered attendees the following options for meeting and
food fees:
1.
Donate your payment to AOS
2.
Receive a full refund
3.
Apply your payment toward the Spring Meeting
*(Please note: Spring meeting registration costs will increase, but your
registration will be honored at the Winter meeting rate.)*
Please click the link below to let us know how you would like us to handle
your meeting and (if applicable) banquet fees :
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. This was not
an easy decision, but we believe it is the right one to ensure the safety
and well-being of our members.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support of AOS. We look
forward to gathering together soon under better conditions. We hope to see
you at the Spring Meeting, April 17-19, 2026, with Dr. Jason Hoeksema,
shorebird expert, as the speaker.
Warm regards,
*Shirley Farrell*
President, Alabama Ornithological Society
Date: 1/12/26 12:35 pm From: Alabama Storm Guy via groups.io <ladek123...> Subject: Re: [ALbirds] Happy surprise
Great news, I sure miss their calls in the spring and summer time.
On Mon, Jan 12, 2026, 9:10 AM Damien J. Simbeck via groups.io <tnbarredowl=
<aol.com...> wrote:
> We had a party on the Wheeler Dam CBC that got to watch 4 bobwhite walking
> along a road in their area. A nice addition to a CBC these days.
>
> Damien Simbeck
> Killen AL
>
> Sent from my (non-Apple) phone. You can teach an old dog new tricks!
>
> On Mon, Jan 12, 2026 at 8:59 AM, Jud Johnston via groups.io
> <egrosbeak1946...> wrote:
> Fantastic! It's been several years since Sylvia and I saw a pair on the
> Savannah Bottoms.
>
> Jud Johnston
> Waynesboro, TN
>
> On Mon, Jan 12, 2026 at 8:49 AM Bob Reed via groups.io <bobreed1987=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
> We have six or seven Northern Bobwhites in our yard this morning. It's
> been 30 plus years since we have seen or heard them here.
>
> Bob Reed
> COL US Army, Retired
>
> 334-283-5886 Home
> 334-207-0985 Mobile
> Tallassee, Alabama
>
>
>
Date: 1/12/26 7:10 am From: Damien J. Simbeck via groups.io <tnbarredowl...> Subject: Re: [ALbirds] Happy surprise
We had a party on the Wheeler Dam CBC that got to watch 4 bobwhite walking along a road in their area. A nice addition to a CBC these days.
Damien Simbeck
Killen AL
Sent from my (non-Apple) phone. You can teach an old dog new tricks!
On Mon, Jan 12, 2026 at 8:59 AM, Jud Johnston via groups.io<egrosbeak1946...> wrote: Fantastic! It's been several years since Sylvia and I saw a pair on the Savannah Bottoms.
Jud JohnstonWaynesboro, TN
On Mon, Jan 12, 2026 at 8:49 AM Bob Reed via groups.io <bobreed1987...> wrote:
We have six or seven Northern Bobwhites in our yard this morning. It's been 30 plus years since we have seen or heard them here.
Bob ReedCOL US Army, Retired
334-283-5886 Home334-207-0985 MobileTallassee, Alabama
Date: 1/12/26 6:59 am From: Jud Johnston via groups.io <egrosbeak1946...> Subject: Re: [ALbirds] Happy surprise
Fantastic! It's been several years since Sylvia and I saw a pair on the
Savannah Bottoms.
Jud Johnston
Waynesboro, TN
On Mon, Jan 12, 2026 at 8:49 AM Bob Reed via groups.io <bobreed1987=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> We have six or seven Northern Bobwhites in our yard this morning. It's
> been 30 plus years since we have seen or heard them here.
>
> Bob Reed
> COL US Army, Retired
>
> 334-283-5886 Home
> 334-207-0985 Mobile
> Tallassee, Alabama
>
>
>
Date: 1/5/26 11:39 am From: Ken Hare via groups.io <kmhare46...> Subject: [ALbirds] Christmas Bird Count help
To all:
I’m trying to fill in birds we missed on the Montgomery Christmas Bird Count Day with Count Week birds. Does anyone know of a good place to find Screech Owls within the count circle area?
Date: 1/3/26 10:12 am From: <rmcdgd...> via groups.io <rmcdgd...> Subject: Re: [ALbirds] Wheeler Dam CBC report
We had a nice little flock of 19 Hooded Mergansers on Rex Lake Road in Leeds the last couple of days, on a small private lake right across from the intersection with Bailey Road. Slightly more females than males, with a single Ring-necked Duck accompanying them. A bonus was a Belted Kingfisher flying back and forth across the lake.
Robin McDonaldLeeds, AL
On Friday, January 2, 2026 at 08:39:12 PM CST, Damien J. Simbeck via groups.io <tnbarredowl...> wrote:
Unofficial results for the Wheeler Dam CBC has 113 species recorded by 13 people in 8 parties. Best birds were Alabama's first CBC record Neotropic Cormorant (continuing at Wheeler Dam), and Wheeler Dam CBC first records for Iceland (Thayer's) Gull, White-eyed Vireo and Black-and-White Warbler. Second count records included White-winged Scoter and Greater Yellowlegs. Four Northern Bobwhites were also a nice find. Missed this year were Wood Duck, American Black Duck (a usual miss), American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Redhead, Ruddy Duck, Wilson's Snipe, American Woodcock, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pine Siskin, Purple Finch and Vesper Sparrow. Weather was cloudy early with light drizzle after noon and steady rain after 3:00.
Damien Simbeck
Killen AL
Sent from my (non-Apple) phone. You can teach an old dog new tricks!
Date: 1/2/26 6:39 pm From: Damien J. Simbeck via groups.io <tnbarredowl...> Subject: [ALbirds] Wheeler Dam CBC report
Unofficial results for the Wheeler Dam CBC has 113 species recorded by 13 people in 8 parties. Best birds were Alabama's first CBC record Neotropic Cormorant (continuing at Wheeler Dam), and Wheeler Dam CBC first records for Iceland (Thayer's) Gull, White-eyed Vireo and Black-and-White Warbler. Second count records included White-winged Scoter and Greater Yellowlegs. Four Northern Bobwhites were also a nice find. Missed this year were Wood Duck, American Black Duck (a usual miss), American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Redhead, Ruddy Duck, Wilson's Snipe, American Woodcock, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pine Siskin, Purple Finch and Vesper Sparrow. Weather was cloudy early with light drizzle after noon and steady rain after 3:00.
Damien Simbeck
Killen AL
Sent from my (non-Apple) phone. You can teach an old dog new tricks!
Snow bunting is still at Gulf State Park Beach this afternoon. It was a few hundred yards east of the hotel feeding along the dune edge. It then eventually flew west over the hotel. It looked like it either landed on the top of the hotel or it went down to the parking lot side.
Snow bunting is still at Gulf State Park Beach this afternoon. It was a few hundred yards east of the hotel feeding along the dune edge. It then eventually flew west over the hotel. It looked like it either landed on the top of the hotel or it went down to the parking lot side.
