February 22, 2007

The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, February 22nd, 2007:

-- Rarities found this past week ---

A BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD (Archilochus alexandri) was near Spring
Branch (Blanco County) on February 19th.

A ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) was at Palmetto State Park on
February 18th.

An out-of-season NASHVILLE WARBLER (Vermivora ruficapilla) was at
Hornsby Bend on February 15th.

--- Continuing birds from previous weeks ---

On the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo, a BLACK-HEADED
GROSBEAK (Pheucticus melanocephalus) has been present since January
6th (last reported February 19th).

Two BURROWING OWLS (Athene cunicularia) were seen in the Granger area
on February 11th - one along County Road 124 and the other along FM
971 (still present as of February 17th). On February 10th, one was
along County Road 346.

Up to two ZONE-TAILED HAWKS (Buteo albonotatus) have been present
along the Blanco River 6.5 miles upstream from Wimberley for several
months. The last report of these birds is from February 16th.

A couple of GREATER SCAUP (Aythya marila) were at Meadow Lake in Round
Rock on February 3rd, with both still present as of February 11th.

A GREEN HERON (Butorides virescens) first noted in far northwest
Austin on January 21st was still present as of February 11th.

An impressive 126 CACKLING GEESE (Branta hutchinsii) were first found
along FM 112 west of the town of Noack (Williamson County) on January
29th, and lesser numbers still present as of February 10th. Two Canada
Geese (Branta canadensis) are also in the area.

Three NEOTROPIC CORMORANTS (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) were at Platt
Pond at Hornsby Bend on February 4th, and one was nearby along the
river on February 10th.

A BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER (Dendroica virens) first seen on
January 31st along the hike and bike trail on Town Lake (between
Barton Creek and Lamar Street) in Austin was still present on February
3rd.

A HARRIS'S HAWK (Parabuteo unicinctus) was in Austin (near Stassney
and Blue Bird Lane) on January 25th. It was seen again on February 2nd
at south 3rd Street and W. St. Elmo. It may be a resident in the area
as there are a couple other reports over the past few months in this
same general area.

LONG-BILLED THRASHERS (Toxostoma longirostre) are being heard and seen
regularly on the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo.

Wintering LITTLE BLUE HERONS (Egretta caerulea) and SNOWY EGRETS
(Egretta thula) remain in our area with the following recent reports:
one Snowy at Meadow Lake in Round Rock as recently as February 3rd;
and another Snowy at Hornsby Bend, as recently as February 4th.

Wintering BLUE-WINGED TEAL (Anas discors) include up to 3 at Hornsby
Bend (last report February 10th).

Recent RINGED KINGFISHER (Ceryle torquatus) sightings in our area
include one at Hornsby Bend as of February 12th.

--- Rare sightings from previous weeks ---

A PACIFIC LOON (Gavia pacifica) was seen near the causeway at Canyon
Lake on February 13th.

At least six NEOTROPIC CORMORANTS (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) were at
Landa Park in New Braunfels on February 13th.

Over fifty CACKLING GEESE (Branta hutchinsii) were along Country Road
435 (Williamson County, east of Thrall) on February 11th.

An ANHINGA (Anhinga anhinga) was along the river at Hornsby Bend on
February 10th.

A SAY'S PHOEBE (Sayornis saya) was in far western Milam County on
February 10th, along County Road 424 (Alligator Road).

Five GREATER SCAUP (Aythya marila) were on Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir
on February 10th.

Two WHITE-EYED VIREOS (Vireo griseus) were at the Schaezler's Warbler
Woods property near Cibolo on February 7th.

A YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER (Dendroica dominica) has apparently been
wintering in western Burnet County, frequenting a backyard feeder.
This bird was last reported on February 5th.

A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW (Spizella pallida) was along Old Sayersville
Road (Bastrop County) on February 3rd.

A BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER (Mniotilta varia) was at the Old Barton
Ranch (Bastrop County) on February 2nd.

In northeast Travis County, a PRAIRIE FALCON (Falco mexicanus) was
along Wells Road on February 1st.

--
Eric Carpenter
Rare Bird Alert Compiler, Travis Audubon Society

FAQ

February 15, 2007

The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, February 15th, 2007:

-- Rarities found this past week ---

Two BURROWING OWLS (Athene cunicularia) were seen in the Granger area
on February 11th - one along County Road 124 and the other along FM
971. On February 10th, one was along County Road 346.

Over fifty CACKLING GEESE (Branta hutchinsii) were along Country Road
435 (Williamson County, east of Thrall) on February 11th.

An ANHINGA (Anhinga anhinga) was along the river at Hornsby Bend on
February 10th.

A SAY'S PHOEBE (Sayornis saya) was in far western Milam County on
February 10th, along County Road 424 (Alligator Road).

Five GREATER SCAUP (Aythya marila) were on Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir
on February 10th.

--- Continuing birds from previous weeks ---

A couple of GREATER SCAUP (Aythya marila) were at Meadow Lake in Round
Rock on February 3rd, with both still present as of February 11th.

A GREEN HERON (Butorides virescens) first noted in far northwest
Austin on January 21st was still present as of February 11th.

An impressive 126 CACKLING GEESE (Branta hutchinsii) were first found
along FM 112 west of the town of Noack (Williamson County) on January
29th, and lesser numbers still present as of February 10th. Two Canada
Geese (Branta canadensis) are also in the area.

Three NEOTROPIC CORMORANTS (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) were at Platt
Pond at Hornsby Bend on February 4th, and one was nearby along the
river on February 10th.

On the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo, a BLACK-HEADED
GROSBEAK (Pheucticus melanocephalus) has been present since January
6th (last reported February 7th).

A BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER (Dendroica virens) first seen on
January 31st along the hike and bike trail on Town Lake (between
Barton Creek and Lamar Street) in Austin was still present on February
3rd.

A HARRIS'S HAWK (Parabuteo unicinctus) was in Austin (near Stassney
and Blue Bird Lane) on January 25th. It was seen again on February 2nd
at South 3rd Street and West St. Elmo. It may be a resident in the
area as there are a couple other reports over the past few months in
this same general area.

A large concentration of several thousand geese are apparently
wintering a couple miles east of the community of Oenaville (Bell
County, east of Temple). Mostly SNOW GEESE (Chen caerulescens), there
are also smaller numbers of other geese mixed in, with counts of 500+
GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE (Anser albifrons), 9 CACKLING GEESE
(Branta hutchinsii) and up to 300 ROSS'S GEESE (Chen rossii) noted as
on January 9th, with smaller numbers counted there as recently as
January 27th.

LONG-BILLED THRASHERS (Toxostoma longirostre) are being heard and seen
regularly on the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo.

Wintering LITTLE BLUE HERONS (Egretta caerulea) and SNOWY EGRETS
(Egretta thula) remain in our area with the following recent reports:
one Snowy at Meadow Lake in Round Rock as recently as February 3rd;
and another Snowy at Hornsby Bend, as recently as February 4th.

Wintering BLUE-WINGED TEAL (Anas discors) include up to 3 at Hornsby
Bend (last report February 10th).

Recent RINGED KINGFISHER (Ceryle torquatus) sightings in our area
include one at Hornsby Bend as of February 12th.

--- Rare sightings from previous weeks ---

Two WHITE-EYED VIREOS (Vireo griseus) were at the Schaezler's Warbler
Woods property near Cibolo on February 7th.

A YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER (Dendroica dominica) has apparently been
wintering in western Burnet County, frequenting a backyard feeder.
This bird was last reported on February 5th.

A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW (Spizella pallida) was along Old Sayersville
Road (Bastrop County) on February 3rd.

A BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER (Mniotilta varia) was at the Old Barton
Ranch (Bastrop County) on February 2nd.

In northeast Travis County, a PRAIRIE FALCON (Falco mexicanus) was
along Wells Road on February 1st.

In the Green Meadows subdivision south of Bastrop, a WHITE-TAILED KITE
(Elanus leucurus) was present on January 28th.

Two MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS (Sialia currucoides) were along Ivy Mountain
Road in West Fort Hood on January 27th.

A census of birds around Canyon Lake on January 27th yielded the
following interesting sightings: 1 ANHINGA (Anhinga anhinga), 3
BLUE-WINGED TEAL (Anas discors), 5 GREATER SCAUP (Aythya marila), 1
ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus), 8 WESTERN SANDPIPER (Calidris
mauri), 1 BLACK PHOEBE (Sayornis nigricans), and 3 WHITE-EYED VIREOS
(Vireo griseus).

On January 27th, a White-breated Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) was in
the pecan bottom where the Little River crosses Sunshine Road
northeast of Holland (Bell County).

A SOLITARY SANDPIPER (Tringa solitaria) was in far northwest Austin on
January 27th. Three GREATER SCAUP (Aythya marila) were noted on
Stillhouse Hollow Lake on January 27th, while two were noted on the
lake on January 25th.

One WHITE-EYED VIREO (Vireo griseus) was at the Schaezler's Warbler
Woods property near Cibolo on January 27th.

A PRAIRIE FALCON (Falco mexicanus) was along County Road 455 in
southeastern Williamson County on January 26th.

Forty-nine BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCKS (Dendrocygna autumnalis) were
along the Llano River near Kingsland on January 26th.

--
Eric Carpenter
Rare Bird Alert Compiler, Travis Audubon Society

FAQ

February 8, 2007

The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, February 8th, 2007:

-- Rarities found this past week ---

Two WHITE-EYED VIREOS (Vireo griseus) were at the Schaezler's Warbler
Woods property near Cibolo on February 7th.

A YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER (Dendroica dominica) has apparently been
wintering in western Burnet County, frequenting a backyard feeder.
This bird was last reported on February 5th.

Three NEOTROPIC CORMORANTS (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) were at Platt
Pond at Hornsby Bend on February 4th.

A couple of GREATER SCAUP (Aythya marila) were at Meadow Lake in Round
Rock on February 3rd.

A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW (Spizella pallida) was along Old Sayersville
Road (Bastrop County) on February 3rd.

A BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER (Mniotilta varia) was at the Old Barton
Ranch (Bastrop County) on February 2nd.

In northeast Travis County, a PRAIRIE FALCON (Falco mexicanus) was
along Wells Road on February 1st.

--- Continuing birds from previous weeks ---

On the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo, a BLACK-HEADED
GROSBEAK (Pheucticus melanocephalus) has been present since January
6th (last reported February 7th).

An impressive 126 CACKLING GEESE (Branta hutchinsii) were first found
along FM 112 west of the town of Noack (Williamson County) on January
29th, and were still present as of February 4th.

A BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER (Dendroica virens) first seen on
January 31st along the hike and bike trail on Town Lake (between
Barton Creek and Lamar Street) in Austin was still present on February
3rd.

A GREEN HERON (Butorides virescens) first noted in far northwest
Austin on January 21st was still present as of February 3rd.

A HARRIS'S HAWK (Parabuteo unicinctus) was in Austin (near Stassney
and Blue Bird Lane) on January 25th. It was seen again on February 2nd
at south 3rd Street and W. St. Elmo. It may be a resident in the area
as there are a couple other reports over the past few months in this
same general area.

A large concentration of several thousand geese are apparently
wintering a couple miles east of the community of Oenaville (Bell
County, east of Temple). Mostly SNOW GEESE (Chen caerulescens), there
are also smaller numbers of other geese mixed in, with counts of 500+
GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE (Anser albifrons), 9 CACKLING GEESE
(Branta hutchinsii) and a up to 300 ROSS'S GEESE (Chen rossii) noted
as on January 9th, with smaller numbers counted there as recently as
January 27th.

Fifteen MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS (Sialia currucoides) along State Highway
201 between the Killeen/Fort Hood Regional Airport and Highway 195
first seen on January 15th were still in the area as of January 21st.

LONG-BILLED THRASHERS (Toxostoma longirostre) are being heard and seen
regularly on the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo.

Wintering LITTLE BLUE HERONS (Egretta caerulea) and SNOWY EGRETS
(Egretta thula) remain in our area with the following recent reports:
one Snowy at Meadow Lake in Round Rock as recently as February 3rd;
and at Hornsby Bend, 1 Snowy (as recently as February 4th) and 1
Little Blue (as recently as January 20th).

Wintering BLUE-WINGED TEAL (Anas discors) include up to 2 at Hornsby
Bend (last report January 20th).

Recent RINGED KINGFISHER (Ceryle torquatus) sightings in our area
include one at Hornsby Bend as of February 2nd.

--- Rare sightings from previous weeks ---

In the Green Meadows subdivision south of Bastrop, a WHITE-TAILED KITE
(Elanus leucurus) was present on January 28th.

Two MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS (Sialia currucoides) were along Ivy Mountain
Road in West Fort Hood on January 27th.

A census of birds around Canyon Lake on January 27th yielded the
following interesting sightings: 1 ANHINGA (Anhinga anhinga), 3
BLUE-WINGED TEAL (Anas discors), 5 GREATER SCAUP (Aythya marila), 1
ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus), 8 WESTERN SANDPIPER (Calidris
mauri), 1 BLACK PHOEBE (Sayornis nigricans), and 3 WHITE-EYED VIREOS
(Vireo griseus).

On January 27th, a WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH (Sitta carolinensis) was in
the pecan bottom where the Little River crosses Sunshine Road
northeast of Holland (Bell County).

A SOLITARY SANDPIPER (Tringa solitaria) was in far northwest Austin on
January 27th. Three GREATER SCAUP (Aythya marila) were noted on
Stillhouse Hollow Lake on January 27th, while two were noted on the
lake on January 25th.

One WHITE-EYED VIREO (Vireo griseus) was at the Schaezler's Warbler
Woods property near Cibolo on January 27th.

A PRAIRIE FALCON (Falco mexicanus) was along County Road 455 in
southeastern Williamson County on January 26th.

Forty-nine BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCKS (Dendrocygna autumnalis) were
along the Llano River near Kingsland on January 26th.

Several NEOTROPIC CORMORANTS (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) were noted on
Crystal Lake near Bastrop on January 25th. A GRAY CATBIRD (Dumetella
carolinensis) was also located near the lake.

Twelve RUSTY BLACKBIRDS (Euphagus carolinus) were near Hills Prairie
south of Bastrop on January 25th.

Two CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS (Spizella pallida) visited private property
near Utley in western Bastrop County on January 24th.

Over 100 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS (Euphagus carolinus) are present along FM
1209 west of Bastrop, with sightings from January 22nd and January
24th.

Also on FM 1209 was a LESSER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa flavipes) on January 22nd.

On January 21st, a PACIFIC LOON (Gavia pacifica) was seen on Canyon
Lake, in the bay on the east side of the Canyon Park road. Also in the
area were at least a dozen GREATER SCAUP (Aythya marila).

Six BURROWING OWLS (Athene cunicularia) were seen at various spots in
the Granger area during a Travis Audubon field trip on January 21st.

--
Eric Carpenter
Rare Bird Alert Compiler, Travis Audubon Society

FAQ

February 1, 2007

The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, February 1st, 2007:

-- Rarities found this past week ---

A BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER (Dendroica virens) was along the hike and bike trail on Town Lake (between Barton Creek and Lamar Street) in Austin on January 31st.

A SAY'S PHOEBE (Sayornis saya) was along County Road 466 in southeastern Williamson County on January 31st.

An impressive 126 CACKLING GEESE (Branta hutchinsii) were along FM 112 west of the town of Noack (Williamson County) on January 29th.

In the Green Meadows subdivision south of Bastrop, a WHITE-TAILED KITE (Elanus leucurus) was present on January 28th.

Two MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS (Sialia currucoides) were along Ivy Mountain Road in West Fort Hood on January 27th.

A census of birds around Canyon Lake on January 27th yielded the following interesting sightings: 1 ANHINGA (Anhinga anhinga), 3 BLUE-WINGED TEAL (Anas discors), 5 GREATER SCAUP (Aythya marila), 1 ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus), 8 WESTERN SANDPIPER (Calidris mauri), 1 BLACK PHOEBE (Sayornis nigricans), and 3 WHITE-EYED VIREOS (Vireo griseus).

On January 27th, a WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH (Sitta carolinensis) was in the pecan bottom where the Little River crosses Sunshine Road northeast of Holland (Bell County).

A SOLITARY SANDPIPER (Tringa solitaria) was in far northwest Austin on January 27th.

Three GREATER SCAUP (Aythya marila) were noted on Stillhouse Hollow Lake on January 27th, while two were noted on the lake on January 25th.

One WHITE-EYED VIREO (Vireo griseus) was at the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo on January 27th.

A PRAIRIE FALCON (Falco mexicanus) was along County Road 455 in southeastern Williamson County on January 26th.

Forty-nine BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCKS (Dendrocygna autumnalis) were along the Llano River near Kingsland on January 26th.

A HARRIS'S HAWK (Parabuteo unicinctus) was in Austin (near Stassney and Blue Bird Lane) on January 25th.

Several NEOTROPIC CORMORANTS (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) were noted on Crystal Lake near Bastrop on January 25th. A GRAY CATBIRD (Dumetella carolinensis) was also located near the lake.

Twelve RUSTY BLACKBIRDS (Euphagus carolinus) were near Hills Prairie south of Bastrop on January 25th.
--- Continuing birds from previous weeks ---

On the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo, a BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus melanocephalus) has been present since January 6th (last reported January 28th).

A GREEN HERON (Butorides virescens) first noted in far northwest Austin on January 21st was still present as of January 27th.

A large concentration of several thousand geese are apparently wintering a couple miles east of the community of Oenaville (Bell County, east of Temple). Mostly SNOW GEESE (Chen caerulescens), there are also smaller numbers of other geese mixed in, with counts of 500+ GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE (Anser albifrons), 9 CACKLING GEESE (Branta hutchinsii) and a up to 300 ROSS'S GEESE (Chen rossii) noted as on January 9th, with smaller numbers counted there as recently as January 27th.

Fifteen MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS (Sialia currucoides) along State Highway 201 between the Killeen/Fort Hood Regional Airport and Highway 195 first seen on January 15th were still in the area as of January 21st.

LONG-BILLED THRASHERS (Toxostoma longirostre) are being heard and seen regularly on the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo.

Lingering and perhaps wintering LITTLE BLUE HERONS (Egretta caerulea) and SNOWY EGRETS (Egretta thula) remain in our area with the following recent reports: 1 Snowy at Meadow Lake, Round Rock on January 18th; and 1 Snowy and 1 Little Blue at Hornsby Bend as late as December 20th.

Wintering BLUE-WINGED TEAL (Anas discors) include up to 2 at Hornsby Bend (last report January 20th).

--- Rare sightings from previous weeks ---

Two CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS (Spizella pallida) visited private property near Utley in western Bastrop County on January 24th.

Over 100 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS (Euphagus carolinus) are present along FM 1209 west of Bastrop, with sightings from January 22nd and January 24th.

Also on FM 1209 was a LESSER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa flavipes) on January 22nd.

On January 21st, a PACIFIC LOON (Gavia pacifica) was seen on Canyon Lake, in the bay on the east side of the Canyon Park road. Also in the area were at least a dozen GREATER SCAUP (Aythya marila).

Six BURROWING OWLS (Athene cunicularia) were seen at various spots in the Granger area during a Travis Audubon field trip on January 21st.

Along County Road 280 (Williamson County) northwest of Leander, a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW (Spizella pallida) was carefully studied amongst a large group of other sparrows on January 18th.

Two WHITE-EYED VIREOS (Vireo griseus) were at the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo on January 18th.

A CAVE SWALLOW (Petrochelidon fulva) was over Meadow Lake in Round Rock on January 18th.

An ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus cinerascens) was in Mountain City (Hays County) on January 14th. Another Ash-throated was in southwest Copperas Cove on January 12th.

--
Eric Carpenter
Rare Bird Alert Compiler, Travis Audubon Society

FAQ