Wild Alabama: Winter Haven
By Matt Zeigler
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About this ebook
Matt Zeigler’s Wild Alabama: Winter Haven, takes a spectacular journey into the winter habitat of birds in central Alabama during the winter of 2010-2011. Through the use of 95 full-color images Zeigler presents the American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Song Sparrow and other native/migrant species in their winter territory. When a rare snowstorm dumps three inches of snow on a normally ideal landscape, the robin proves to be the most adept at survival in icy conditions. In addition to examining habitat, feeding habits, social skills and security awareness of the local bird population, Zeigler reveals little-known facts about how robins maintain their energy and hydrate during extreme weather.
Matt Zeigler
Former Marine Matt Zeigler worked eight years as a writer and photojournalist in the newspaper industry before embarking on an author's path. During the 1990s he traveled extensively throughout the Southeast covering the greatest athletes of American sports. Zeigler, a 1993 graduate of Troy University, has also published College Football Schemes and Techniques; Wild Alabama; Wild Alabama: Winter Haven; Wild Alabama: The American Robin; Sports Shooter: A Photographer's Story; and 1990s NFL Flashback.
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Wild Alabama - Matt Zeigler
Chapter 1
Winter Haven
Alabama has a robust population of 433 bird species that reside in the state at least part of the year. Some species are year-round residents; others are migrants who only stay a short time to rest and refuel before continuing their destinations. Another group, comprised of 175 species, contains winter residents that flock to Alabama to escape frigid northern winters. Some migrants are seen only during winter, while others join members of their species who are year-round residents.
As a photographer and nature enthusiasts I conducted extensive observations of several species in central Alabama during the winter of 2010-2011. The area of observation (AO) covered approximately 10 square miles of pine and hardwood forests. This area also had clusters of thick underbrush and contained three grass fields; two streams; and numerous flowering plants, including some that produced wild fruit. Waterfowl were observed at nearby Lake Mitchell as well, which is a 5,850-acre impoundment of the Coosa River. Combined with Alabama’s average winter temperature of 46 degrees, both areas provide ideal winter habitat for land birds and waterfowl alike.
The most common species in central Alabama is the Northern Mockingbird, a year-round inhabitant that is widespread throughout North America and does not migrate. Known for their singing and ability to mimic other birds, mockingbirds are also comfortable around people. They are creatures of habit and will return to a certain location for years. For example, I observed one mockingbird that perched regularly on his favorite tree limb for three years straight. The tree was located near an office building and the close proximity of people scared-away predators such as crows and hawks. Some mockingbirds I encountered in the wild were also people-friendly. In one particular stretch of scrub brush at least two mockingbirds were so unaffected by my presence that