After a long absence, time for my second Big Year post for 2025
Most of these sightings come from Alabama, with a trip down to Navarre in there too. The banner trip of this segment was my very first excursion to Dauphin Island with a group of fellow birders. This was a fantastic time, where I found a large variety of species I hadn't seen previously due to not spending much time on the Alabama coast. Definitely returning to Dauphin (ideally sometime this year) - what an amazing place.
I've seen lifers in every category, which is always a treat! Mammals have certainly represented, mostly rodents, with my lifer
Eastern Fox Squirrel,
Woodchuck, and
Southern Flying Squirrel (and the not-so-native
House Mouse), as well as my first ever
North American River Otter at Dauphin! I'd love to get a better view of these mustelids, I saw it right at dusk when searching for Least Bitterns. My Alabama first Red Fox and Virginia Opossum were nice too.
Birds have been fantastic this year, with warblers and shorebirds being particular standout categories. I finally got my first sighting of an
American Woodcock, one of my all-time favorite birds, and one I hope to find every year now. Other good shorebirds include
American Golden-Plovers, a
Long-Billed Dowitcher (both in Lee County - first spring record for the dowitcher),
Black-Bellied Plovers (in both FL & AL), and a pair of
American Oystercatchers - extremely rare in AL, so one of my favorite finds. My long-awaited
Prothonotary Warbler finally showed at Eufaula NWR - and
Blackpoll Warblers, along with at least 2
Black-Whiskered Vireos and a
Painted Bunting made Dauphin Island's Shell Mound Park a very rewarding spot.
Mottled Ducks, common at Dauphin but a lifer for me, were great to see - as was the
Shiny Cowbird that stuck around there for a bit. The
Reddish Egret at Pelican Island marks the last Ardeidae species I needed for the United States! (...not counting Little Egret
). The Marsh Wren was good too, as it was the last AL wren I needed. By far my favorite sightings, though, have been of rails -
Clapper at Dauphin Island, and
King in Shelby County (where they are quite rare). These elusive birds have long been on my bucket list, so getting a look at them (and good ones at that) was very nice. The most frustrating bird, on the other hand, is probably one of, if not the rarest, I'll see this year - a
Connecticut Warbler. This aggravating wren-like warbler is the shyest bird I think I have ever seen, and after hours of waiting right outside the bush it was reported at, I only ever saw it once as dusk was falling. Yeesh!
Reptiles have been somewhat slow, with only 2 new lifers:
Common Garter Snake and
Little Brown Skink. Still, a monster Common Snapping Turtle at Dauphin, and the Gulf Coast Box Turtle, were nice. Hoping to flip and night-cruise more snakes this summer - particularly kings and racers. Amphibians are a different story - Tuskegee NF and Dauphin have been incredible for this group, as I've scored
Eastern Spadefoots, an
Eastern Narrow-Mouthed Toad, a
Mole Salamander, a
Red Salamander, and various treefrogs. Fish are always a bit slow considering I don't do much fishing, but the darter and hogsucker were cool to watch in the creeks, and the redhorse's fins are stunning during breeding season. Some good invertebrates this year, with a beautiful
Banded Tiger Moth,
Viceroy, and
Question Mark as well as Zebra Swallowtails, some great spiders, nice crustaceans, and some oddballs like giant millipedes and walkingsticks.
Mammals:
8. Eastern Cottontail (
Sylvilagus floridanus) – 2.24.25
9. House Mouse (Mus musculus) – 3.19.25
10. Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans) – 4.3.25
11. Woodchuck (Marmota monax) – 4.10.25
12. Eastern Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger) – 4.12.25
13. Virginia Opossum (
Didelphis virginianus) – 4.23.25
14. North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis) – 4.26.25
15. Red Fox (
Vulpes vulpes) – 4.26.25
16. Black Rat (
Rattus rattus) – 4.26.25
17. Common Bottlenose Dolphin (
Tursiops truncatus) – 4.27.25
Birds:
102. Ruddy Duck (
Oxyura jamaicensis) – 2.20.25
103. Blue-Winged Teal (
Spatula discors) – 2.20.25
104. Eurasian Collared-Dove (
Streptopelia decaocto) – 3.6.25
105. Loggerhead Shrike (
Lanius ludovicianus) – 3.6.25
106. Purple Martin (
Progne subis) – 3.6.25
107. Great Horned Owl (
Bubo virginianus) – 3.6.25
108. American Woodcock (Scolopax minor) – 3.10.25
109. Fish Crow (
Corvus ossifragus) – 3.13.25
110. White-Eyed Vireo (
Vireo griseus) – 3.13.25
111. Northern Rough-Winged Swallow (
Stelgidopteryx serripennis) – 3.16.25
112. Solitary Sandpiper (
Tringa solitaria) – 3.16.25
113. Long-Billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus) – 3.16.25
114. Pectoral Sandpiper (
Calidris melanotos) – 3.23.25
115. Barn Swallow (
Hirundo rustica) – 3.23.25
116. Cliff Swallow (
Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) – 3.23.25
117. Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher (
Polioptila caerulea) – 3.23.25
118. Chimney Swift (
Chaetura pelagica) – 3.24.25
119. Double-Crested Cormorant (
Nannopterum auritum) – 3.27.25
120. Osprey (
Pandion haliaetus) – 3.27.25
121. Tree Swallow (
Tachycineta bicolor) – 3.27.25
122. American Golden-Plover (Pluvialis dominica) – 3.27.25
123. Belted Kingfisher (
Megaceryle alcyon) – 3.27.25
124. Northern Parula (
Setophaga americana) – 3.27.25
125. Black-and-White Warbler (
Mniotilta varia) – 3.27.25
126. Palm Warbler (
Setophaga palmarum) – 3.27.25
127. Vesper Sparrow (
Pooecetes gramineus) – 3.27.25
128. Boat-Tailed Grackle (
Quiscalus major) – 3.28.25
129. Brown Pelican (
Pelecanus occidentalis) – 3.29.25
130. Tricolored Heron (
Egretta tricolor) – 3.29.25
131. Western Cattle-Egret (
Ardea ibis) – 3.29.25
132. Royal Tern (
Thalasseus maximus) – 3.29.25
133. Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis) – 3.29.25
134. Laughing Gull (
Leucophaeus atricilla) – 3.29.25
135. Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus) – 3.29.25
136. Common Loon (
Gavia immer) – 3.29.25
137. Snowy Plover (
Anarhynchus nivosus) – 3.29.25
138. Wilson’s Plover (
Anarhynchus wilsonia) – 3.29.25
139. Willet (
Tringa semipalmata) – 3.29.25
140. Sanderling (
Calidris alba) – 3.29.25
141. Dunlin (Calidris alpina) – 3.29.25
142. Ruddy Turnstone (
Arenaria interpres) – 3.29.25
143. Red-Breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) – 3.29.25
144. Forster’s Tern (Sterna forsteri) – 3.30.25
145. Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) – 3.30.25
146. Black-Bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) – 3.30.25
147. Anhinga (
Anhinga anhinga) – 4.5.25
148. Little Blue Heron (
Egretta caerulescens) – 4.5.25
149. Snowy Egret (
Egretta thula) – 4.5.25
150. White Ibis (
Eudocimus albus) – 4.5.25
151. Common Gallinule (
Gallinula galeata) – 4.5.25
152. American Coot (
Fulica americana) – 4.5.25
153. Eastern Kingbird (
Tyrannus tyrannus) – 4.5.25
154. Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) – 4.5.25
155. Orchard Oriole (
Icterus spurius) – 4.5.25
156. Common Yellowthroat (
Geothlypis trichas) – 4.10.25
157. Yellow-Throated Vireo (
Vireo flavifrons) – 4.12.25
158. Red-Eyed Vireo (
Vireo olivaceus) – 4.12.25
159. Prairie Warbler (
Setophaga discolor) – 4.12.25
160. Summer Tanager (
Piranga rubra) – 4.12.25
161. Blue Grosbeak (
Passerina caerulea) – 4.12.25
162. Green Heron (
Butorides virescens) – 4.12.25
163. Swainson’s Warbler (
Limnothlypis swainsonii) – 4.17.25
164. Hooded Warbler (
Setophaga citrina) – 4.17.25
165. Great Crested Flycatcher (
Myiarchus crinitus) – 4.19.25
166. Indigo Bunting (
Passerina cyanea) – 4.20.25
167. Bobolink (
Dolichonyx oryzivorus) – 4.22.25
168. Black-Bellied Whistling-Duck (
Dendrocygna autumnalis) – 4.26.25
169. Yellow-Billed Cuckoo (
Coccyzus americanus) – 4.26.25
170. Common Nighthawk (
Chordeiles minor) – 4.26.25
171. Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (
Archilochus colubris) – 4.26.25
172. Eastern Wood-Pewee (
Contopus virens) – 4.26.25
173. Black-Whiskered Vireo (Vireo altiloquus) – 4.26.25
174. Gray Catbird (
Dumetella carolinensis) – 4.26.25
175. American Redstart (
Setophaga ruticilla) – 4.26.25
176. Bay-Breasted Warbler (
Setophaga castanea) – 4.26.25
177. Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata) – 4.26.25
178. Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris) – 4.26.25
179. Mottled Duck (Anas fulvigula) – 4.26.25
180. Black Skimmer (
Rynchops niger) – 4.26.25
181. Least Tern (
Sternula antillarum) – 4.26.25
182. Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) – 4.26.25
183. Cape May Warbler (
Setophaga tigrina) – 4.26.25
184. Tennessee Warbler (
Leiothlypis peregrina) – 4.26.25
185. Clapper Rail (Rallus crepitans) – 4.26.25
186. American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) – 4.26.25
187. Semipalmated Plover (
Charadrius semipalmatus) – 4.26.25
188. Short-Billed Dowitcher (
Limnodromus griseus) – 4.26.25
189. Gull-Billed Tern (
Gelochelidon nilotica) – 4.26.25
190. Spotted Sandpiper (
Actitis macularius) – 4.26.25
191. Caspian Tern (
Hydroprogne caspia) – 4.26.25
192. Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens) – 4.26.25
193. Black-Crowned Night Heron (
Nycticorax nycticorax) – 4.26.25
194. Marsh Wren (
Cistothorus palustris) – 4.26.25
195. Louisiana Waterthrush (
Parkesia motacilla) – 4.27.25
196. Kentucky Warbler (
Geothlypis formosa) – 4.30.25
197. Mississippi Kite (
Ictinia mississippiensis) – 4.31.25
198. Yellow-Breasted Chat (
Icteria virens) – 4.31.25
199. Baltimore Oriole (
Icterus galbula) – 5.1.25
200. Swallow-Tailed Kite (
Elanoides forficatus) – 5.1.25
201. Black-Throated Green Warbler (
Setophaga virens) – 5.12.25
202. Blackburnian Warbler (
Setophaga fusca) – 5.12.25
203. Magnolia Warbler (
Setophaga magnolia) – 5.12.25
204. Swainson’s Thrush (
Catharus ustulatus) – 5.12.25
205. Veery (Catharus fuscescens) – 5.12.25
206. Rose-Breasted Grosbeak (
Pheucticus ludovicianus) – 5.12.25
207. Scarlet Tanager (
Piranga olivacea) – 5.12.25
208. Connecticut Warbler (Oporornis agilis) – 5.13.25
209. Broad-Winged Hawk (
Buteo platypterus) – 5.20.25
210. Wood Thrush (
Hylocichla mustelina) – 5.26.25
211. Acadian Flycatcher (
Empidonax virescens) – 5.26.25
212. King Rail (Rallus elegans) – 5.27.25
Reptiles:
3. River Cooter (
Pseudemys concinna) – 3.13.25
4. Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) – 3.13.25
5. Common Five-Lined Skink (
Plestiodon fasciatus) – 3.13.25
6. Little Brown Skink (Scincella lateralis) – 3.13.25
7. Green Anole (
Anolis carolinensis) – 3.13.25
8. Southern Ringneck Snake (
Diadophis punctatus punctatus) – 4.3.25
9. American Alligator (
Alligator mississippiensis) – 4.5.25
10. Midland Water Snake (
Nerodia sipedon pleuralis) – 4.19.25
11. Gulf Coast Box Turtle (
Terrapene carolina major) – 4.26.25
12. Northern Cottonmouth (
Agkistrodon piscivorus) – 4.26.25
13. Common Snapping Turtle (
Chelydra serpentina) – 4.27.25
14. Brown Anole (
Anolis sagrei) – 4.27.25
15. Six-Lined Racerunner (
Aspidoscelis sexlineatus) – 4.27.25
Amphibians:
3. Spotted Dusky Salamander (Desmognathus conanti) – 3.13.25
4. Cope’s Gray Treefrog (Dryophytes chrysoscelis) – 3.23.25
5. Mole Salamander (Ambystoma talpoideum) – 4.7.25
6. Red Salamander (Pseudotriton ruber) – 4.7.25
7. Northern Slimy Salamander (
Plethodon glutinosus) – 4.7.25
8. American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) – 4.7.25
9. Upland Chorus Frog (Pseudacris feriarum) – 4.7.25
10. Eastern Spadefoot Toad (Scaphiopus holbrookii) – 4.26.25
11. Squirrel Treefrog (
Dryophytes squirellus) – 4.26.25
12. American Green Treefrog (
Dryophytes cinereus) – 4.26.25
13. Greenhouse Frog (
Eleutherodactylus planirostris) – 4.26.25
14. Southern Leopard Frog (Lithobates sphenocephalus) – 4.26.25
15. Eastern Narrow-Mouthed Toad (Gastrophryne carolinensis) – 5.17.25
Fish:
3. Slender Blacktail Shiner (
Cyprinella stigmatura) – 3.23.25
4. Goldenstripe Darter (Etheostoma parvipinne) – 4.7.25
5. Gulf Longear Sunfish (Lepomis solis) – 4.19.25
6. Alabama Hogsucker (
Hypentelium etowanum) – 4.19.25
7. Alabama Bass (
Micropterus henshalli) – 4.19.25
8. Blacktail Redhorse (Moxostoma poecilurum) – 4.19.25
Invertebrates:
9. Kudzu Bug (
Megacopta cribraria) – 3.13.25
10. Eastern Carpenter Bee (
Xylocopa virginica) – 3.13.25
11. Hunter’s Little Paper Wasp (Polistes dorsalis) – 3.13.25
12. Ambiguous Crayfish (Cambarus striatus) – 3.13.25
13. Common Eastern Bumblebee (
Bombus impatiens) – 3.23.25
14. Eastern Red Centipede (
Scolopocryptops sexspinosus) – 3.23.25
15. Eastern Boxelder Bug (
Boisea trivittata) – 3.23.25
16. Atlantic Ghost Crab (
Ocypode quadrata) – 3.29.25
17. Speckled Swimming Crab (
Arenaeus cribrarius) – 3.30.25
18. Humpbacked Orbweaver (Eustala anastera) – 4.7.25
19. Banded Fishing Spider (Dolomedes vittatus) – 4.7.25
20. Six-Spotted Fishing Spider (Dolomedes triton) – 4.7.25
21. American Nursery Web Spider (Pisaurina mira) – 4.7.25
22. White-Lip Globe Snail (Mesodon thyroidus) – 4.7.25
23. Southern Black Widow (Latrodectus mactans) – 4.12.25
24. Squareback Marsh Crab (Armases cinereum) – 4.26.25
25. Gulf Marsh Fiddler Crab (Minuca longisignalis) – 4.26.25
26. Florida Leatherleaf Slug (Leidyula floridana) – 4.26.25
27. American Giant Millipede (Narceus americanus) – 4.26.25
28. Humpback Dung Beetle (Deltochilum gibbosum) – 5.17.25
29. Southern Two-Striped Walkingstick (Anisomorpha buprestoides) – 5.17.25
Butterflies/Moths:
1. Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (
Papilio glaucus) – 3.13.25
2. Common Buckeye (
Junonia coenia) – 3.13.25
3. American Snout (Libytheana carinenta) – 3.13.25
4. Cloudless Sulphur (
Phoebis sennae) – 4.5.25
5. Black Swallowtail (
Papilio polyxenes) – 4.5.25
6. Banded Tiger Moth (Apantesis vittata) – 4.7.25
7. Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) – 5.27.25
8. Zebra Swallowtail (
Eurytides marcellus) – 6.2.25
9. Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis) – 6.9.25
Dragonflies/Damselflies:
1. Common Green Darner (
Anax junius) – 3.13.25
2. Eastern Pondhawk (
Erythemis simplicicollis) – 4.5.25
3. Slaty Skimmer (
Libellula incesta) – 4.5.25
4. Carolina Saddlebags (Tramea carolina) – 4.5.25
Hopefully there'll be less of a gap in my posts next time! Although I'll mostly be sticking in Alabama for the summer, I aim to make a few trips around the state - Wheeler NWR, Talladega NF, and Wheeler Dam are all spots I want to explore. A trip to Tallahassee may also reward with some new species. Some obvious birds continue to elude me this year - Yellow-Throated Warbler, Barred Owl, Wild Turkey and Northern Bobwhite in particular. Some target species for the next few months, besides the aforementioned kingsnakes/racers, include Neotropic Cormorant, Glossy/White-Faced Ibis, Common Ground Dove, Gray Fox, Limpkin, Dickcissel, Grasshopper Sparrow and Eastern Glass Lizard. Definitely getting to the point, at least with birds, where Alabama lifers are harder to come by!
