Date: 2/20/26 4:58 am From: Greg D. Jackson via groups.io <g_d_jackson...> Subject: [ALbirds] Launch of the AOS Local Field Trips program
AL Birders:
The Alabama Ornithological Society is embarking on a new program to promote
birds and birding across our area. The most experienced collection of
birders in Alabama will be volunteering their time to lead free field trips
throughout the year to a wide variety of locations. (We hope to begin this
soon in the AOS area of northwest Florida as well.) Everyone seven years old
and above is encouraged to join these trips regardless of birding
experience; please do not bring pets. Unless other items are specified in
the trip description, what you need to join us are a pair of binoculars,
clothes and shoes appropriate for outdoor activities at that season,
drinks/snacks, and curiosity about birds and nature.
Trips will be posted by leaders to an online calendar via the AOS website:
Where to go, what to do, and length of trips will be at the discretion of
the leader. Some outings will be listed well in advance; others could appear
nearer the date. We will try to post announcements of as many trips as
possible on Facebook and other social media, but the best way to see what is
happening will be to check the calendar regularly. Detailed information
about each trip will be available by just clicking on the trip name. In
general, no sign-up will be necessary unless a leader requests it in the
trip notes. Beyond occasional park entrance fees, events will be at no cost
for participants (unless it is an unusual situation like a chartered boat
trip). If unexpected circumstances require significant modification or
cancellation of an event, this will be posted on the calendar at least by 6
pm the prior evening (so please recheck the event listing if you plan to
attend).
Date: 2/17/26 10:25 am From: Bob Reed via groups.io <bobreed1987...> Subject: Re: [ALbirds] Obtaining birds for coloration research
I have a half dozen Purple Finches, and many Goldfinches. 88838 Tallassee
Hwy., Tallassee
You are welcome; call first, please
Bob Reed
COL US Army, Retired
334-283-5886 Home
334-207-0985 Mobile
On Tue, Feb 17, 2026, 08:21 adc0090 via groups.io <adc0090=
<auburn.edu...> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> Hope you're doing well! My name is Amberlee Cook, and I'm a doctoral
> student in Dr. Geoff Hill's lab at Auburn University. I'm studying red and
> yellow carotenoid coloration in finches and how it's related to
> mitochondria. I have been unable to attract purple finches to my feeders in
> Auburn, and I’ve only attracted a few American Goldfinches, and these are
> my key study birds. I’m looking for a yard with either of these species
> coming to a feeder where the homeowner would allow me to catch and remove
> birds for study. All capture will be done with state and federal permits
> and with approval of the animal care committee at Auburn. Thank you for
> your help!
>
> Amberlee
>
>
Date: 2/17/26 8:39 am From: Greg D. Jackson via groups.io <g_d_jackson...> Subject: [ALbirds] Benches for Birding at Shoal Creek Park near Montevallo
AL Birders:
I wanted to make an early announcement about Shoal Creek Park becoming the
next birding area to participate in the AOS "Benches for Birding" program.
This 167-acre park just north of Montevallo (and owned/maintained by the
city) is becoming a well-known birding location in the Birmingham area. The
mixed habitats here host a variety of species year round, and the beautiful
park has nice trails and facilities. This is part of the Alabama Birding
Trails system, too. The park website is at:
The three new benches with AOS logos will be installed at carefully selected
spots in the park where lingering to watch birds may be useful. They are
currently being shipped and should be installed in the coming weeks. Watch
out for social media posts when this happens.
The reason I'm jumping the gun a bit on the bench announcement is to
advertise a couple of activities planned for the park in the near future. An
AOS member, Ray Cavender, is on the Board of the Shoal Creek Foundation
which works with the city. He has shared the following events there:
AOS hopes to further partner with Shoal Creek Park to promote birding and
bird conservation (supplementing the good work by both Ray and AAS). I'd
like to thank Sydney Baugh of the City of Montevallo for her help with the
bench project. If you haven't yet been to the park, give it a try - lovely
place to walk and enjoy birds and nature!
(And BTW, if you know of a good birding site which may benefit from one of
these benches, please get in touch with me off list. Thanks!)
Date: 2/17/26 6:21 am From: adc0090 via groups.io <adc0090...> Subject: [ALbirds] Obtaining birds for coloration research
Hi all,
Hope you're doing well! My name is Amberlee Cook, and I'm a doctoral student in Dr. Geoff Hill's lab at Auburn University. I'm studying red and yellow carotenoid coloration in finches and how it's related to mitochondria. I have been unable to attract purple finches to my feeders in Auburn, and I’ve only attracted a few American Goldfinches, and these are my key study birds. I’m looking for a yard with either of these species coming to a feeder where the homeowner would allow me to catch and remove birds for study. All capture will be done with state and federal permits and with approval of the animal care committee at Auburn. Thank you for your help!
