By Tyra Jackson

The Selma Times-Journal

Avid “birder” Don Self wasted no time in leading Old Cahawba’s Archaeological Park’s Bird Walk for Beginners. He was pointing out birds from the parking lot.

He retrieved a birdhouse from his car and gave it to experienced bird watcher Shirley Farrell of Tyler.

“That’s the one my grandson built,” he said.

Self and Farrell taught the basics of bird watching and how to identify common birds.

In the midst of some bird sightings, the two stopped to mimic the chirping of certain birds — a technique called pishing.

Pishing is used to get birds out of their nests or resting position and is not productive during mating season, Farrell said.

Lessons in history and how birds used relics of the park were also explained.

Site Director Linda Derry said brick columns, left from the historic capital’s Crocheron Mansion, were used by hawks or owls.

“An owl or hawk would sit on top of the column to eat his lunch everyday, and drop the bones down in the columns,” Derry said.

“You get to see how the animals adjust to the cultural and historical things that are here.”

Beginner Lisa King of Selma took a course in college that later sparked her interest in bird watching.

She learned of the diverse types of birds inhabiting and visiting the park.

“There’s such a variety of birds here in Cahawba Park,” King said. “I was amazed to know that the Anhingas were here. I didn’t realize we would see that here.”

A bird checklist was used to spot certain birds.

Thirty-one of the birds on the list were spotted, including red-bellied woodpeckers, yellow-bellied sapsuckers, and redwings.

Some unexpected birds also made an appearance during the walk.

“I think we had over three surprises,” Self said. “The swamp sparrow was expected. The osprey is rather uncommon this time of year, so that was a plus. The Anhiga is usually common in the swamps. The one that soared over us today put on a real nice show.”