The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, December 24th, 2009:
--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---
A SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus forficatus) was at the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo on December 23rd.
The Granger Lake area was productive on December 20th, with 2 ROSS'S GEESE (Chen rossii), a BURROWING OWL (Athene cunicularia) along CR 124, and a WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH (Sitta carolinensis) in the pecan grove along CR 366.
The Austin Christmas Bird Count held on December 19th produced some interesting finds: several NEOTROPIC CORMORANTS (Phalacrocorax brasilianus), a first-year TRICOLORED HERON (Egretta tricolor), a WHITE-FACED IBIS (Plegadis chihi), 2 Red-tailed HARLAN'S HAWKS, a VERMILION FLYCATCHER (Pyrocephalus rubinus), several COUCH'S KINGBIRDS (Tyrannus couchii) seen by multiple groups, a SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus forficatus), BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER (Dendroica virens), a WILSON'S WARBLER (Wilsonia pusilla), two CASSIN'S SPARROWS (Aimophila cassinii) and a LARK BUNTING (Calamospiza melanocorys).
A female SUMMER TANAGER (Piranga rubra) was photographed during its visits to a feeder at a nw. Austin residence (southwest of 360 & Spicewood Springs) on December 17th and 18th.
A YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER (Dendroica dominica) showed up at a private residence off of Lake LBJ on December 18th, marking the 4th consecutive winter it has appeared at this location.
--- CONTINUING BIRDS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---
A SURF SCOTER (Melanitta perspicillata) has been present (and photographed) on Pond 1East at Hornsby Bend since December 3rd, with the latest sightings as of December 16th. Multiple COMMON GOLDENEYE (Bucephala clangula) are also being seen on the ponds (as recently as December 19th).
Small numbers of COUCH'S KINGBIRDS (Tyrannus couchii) may be attempting to winter in the area. As many as 5 or 6 birds have been seen at Aquarena Springs in San Marcos (last reported December 18th). Four or more birds are along the Colorado River between Longhorn Dam and Hornsby Bend (last reported December 19th).
A lone RED CROSSBILL (Loxia curvirostra) was heard by an experienced birder on private property along Cottletown Road between Bastrop and Buescher State Parks on November 13th. It has been seen once and heard a couple other times since, most recently on December 4th. Folks should be on the look out for this species in and near the parks.
A SAY'S PHOEBE (Sayornis saya) was found north of Bertram on November 27th on FM 1174, two miles south of FM 963. It was seen again on December 13th.
RINGED KINGFISHERS (Megaceryle torquatus) have been present at a few spots around Austin. Individual birds have been present along the river at Hornsby Bend and also along the river at Commons Ford Park (in west Austin off Commons Ford Rd which runs off of Cuernavaca about 1/2 mile from its intersection with Bee Caves/2244) on-and-off for the past few weeks. Another one was seen along the river at Reimer's Ranch Park (off of Hamilton Pool road) and, more recently, closer to Hamilton Pool. There has also been one seen around (Big) Webberville Park. Further west, a male was seen and heard at Johnson Park in Marble Falls on December 13th.
As has been the trend in recent years, small number of LITTLE BLUE HERONS (Egretta caerulea) and SNOWY EGRETS (Egretta thula) are lingering into the winter. Both species have been reported at Hornsby Bend, the Montopolis Bridge area, and elsewhere along the Colorado River, as recently as December 19th, and at the Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant pond, as recently as December 12th.
Small numbers of CAVE SWALLOWS (Petrochelidon fulva) are also around this winter. They can be found regularly at Hornsby Bend and should be looked for at other area ponds and lakes.
--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---
A great find on the Balcones Canyonland Christmas Bird Count held on December 14th was a HUTTON'S VIREO (Vireo huttoni) found on the refuge north of the headquarters. Two SAGE THRASHERS (Oreoscoptes montanus) were also studied (and photographed) during the count on Peaceful Springs Nature Preserve.
A male BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus platycercus) was seen at a private residence in the Great Hills area of northwest Austin on December 14th.
As many as 6 SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHERS (Tyrannus forficatus) are lingering in Round Rock ner exit 254 off of I-35. The most recent report is from December 14th.
A PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus) was seen at Reimer's Ranch in western Travis County on December 13th.
A LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH (Seiurus motacilla) was studied on December 12th in Sequin along a stream at the Outdoor Learning Center.
A NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) was photographed on December 9th at Aquarena Springs in San Marcos.
Hornsby Bend continiues to host some unusual birds. A lone ROSS'S GOOSE (Chen rossii) has been present on both Pond 1East and Pond 1West since December 4th (still present as of December 8th) and a COUCH'S KINGBIRD (Tyrannus couchii) was on the wires between Pond 2 (the big pond) and the greenhouse on December 8th.
A GREEN HERON (Butorides virescens) was near Deep Eddy on Lady Bird Lake in Austin on December 6th.
A BURROWING OWL (Athene cunicularia) was in ne. Travis County on December 5th. It was seen near the culvert on Wells Lane, 0.4 miles northeast of its intersection with Wells School Road.
A ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) was over Seguin on December 4th.
--
Eric Carpenter
Rare Bird Alert Compiler, Travis Audubon Society
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