March 22, 2007

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

--- Rarities found this past week ---

A WHITE-FACED IBIS (Plegadis chihi) was at Hornsby Bend on March 22nd.

A YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER (Dendroica dominica) put in an appearance at
the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo on March 19th.

The first report of LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH (Seiurus motacilla) in the
area came on March 19th along Barton Creek just upstream from where it
crosses MoPac (in southeast Austin).

Two HARRIS'S HAWKS (Parabuteo unicinctus) were seen along I-35 near
Pflugerville (close to Exit 245) on March 18th.

An early WILSON'S PHALAROPE (Phalaropus tricolor) was at Hornsby Bend
on March 17th and 18th.

--- 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 March 21st).

At Hornsby Bend, the VIRGINIA RAIL (Rallus limicola) that has been
heard and seen on Pond 1 West since October is still present in the
southwest corner of that pond (last reported March 18th).

LONG-BILLED THRASHERS (Toxostoma longirostre) are being heard and seen
regularly on the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo.
Another some-time resident on the property, a COMMON PAURAQUE
(Nyctidromus albicollis) was heard on March 21st.

RINGED KINGFISHER (Ceryle torquatus) sightings in our area include one
at Hornsby Bend as recently as March 17th.

--- Rare sightings from previous weeks ---

The Granger area held some interesting birds on March 14th with 5
HOODED MERGANSERS (Lophodytes cucullatus) on Granger Lake and another
5 along FM 971, a HERRING GULL (Larus argentatus) and 32 FRANKLIN'S
GULLS (Larus pipixcan) on Granger Lake, a SHORT-EARED OWL (Asio
flammeus) over the dam, and a BURROWING OWL (Athene cunicularia) along
FM 971. An early CHUCK-WILL'S-WIDOW (Caprimulgus carolinensis) was
heard near Lake Belton on March 13th.

Recent interesting sightings reported from the Schaezler's Warbler
Woods property near Cibolo include: 40 WHITE IBIS (Eudocimus albus)
and 2 PURPLE FINCHES (Carpodacus purpureus) on March 11th, and a GREAT
CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus crinitus) on March 9th.

On March 10th at Hornsby Bend, 22 UPLAND SANDPIPERS (Bartramia
longicauda) were in the fields off of Platt Lane.

A PALM WARBLER (Dendroica palmarum) has been present at the Krieg
Softball fields next to Longhorn Dam in Austin. It has been present
near the small bridge behind Field #9 since March 5th (still there as
of March 7th).

A GOLDEN EAGLE (Aquila chrysaetos) was reported from the Schaezler's
Warbler Woods property near Cibolo on March 5th. The property held a
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER (Mniotilta varia) on March 2nd and March 4th,
with a NORTHERN PARULA (Parula americana) also there on March 2nd. A
PURPLE FINCH (Carpodacus purpureus) was reported there on March 1st.

At least 10 Aechmorphorus (Western/Clark's) grebes and 10+ HORNED
GREBES (Podiceps auritus) were spotted on Lake Buchanan on March 4th.

At Hornsby Bend on March 4th, a SOLITARY SANDPIPER (Tringa solitaria)
was along the river, while a LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER (Limnodromus
scolopaceus) was on Pond 1 West on March 3rd.

A kayaking trip on the Colorado River between the Montopolis/183
Bridge and Hornsby Bend on March 3rd yielded 4 ANHINGAS (Anhinga
anhinga).

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

FAQ

March 15, 2007

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

-- Rarities found this past week ---

The Granger area held some interesting birds on March 14th with 5
HOODED MERGANSERS (Lophodytes cucullatus) on Granger Lake and another
5 along FM 971, a HERRING GULL (Larus argentatus) and 32 FRANKLIN'S
GULLS (Larus pipixcan) on Granger Lake, a SHORT-EARED OWL (Asio
flammeus) over the dam, and a BURROWING OWL (Athene cunicularia) along
FM 971. An early CHUCK-WILL'S-WIDOW (Caprimulgus carolinensis) was
heard near Lake Belton on March 13th.

Recent interesting sightings reported from the Schaezler's Warbler
Woods property near Cibolo include: 40 WHITE IBIS (Eudocimus albus)
and 2 PURPLE FINCHES (Carpodacus purpureus) on March 11th, and a GREAT
CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus crinitus) on March 9th.

On March 10th at Hornsby Bend, 22 UPLAND SANDPIPERS (Bartramia
longicauda) were in the fields off of Platt Lane and a VIRGINIA RAIL
(Rallus limicola) was heard in the southwest corner of Pond 1 West.
The rail is likely the same individual that was first heard in October
though had not been noted since early January.

--- 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 March 11th).

Four BURROWING OWLS (Athene cunicularia) continue around various roads
in the Granger area as of February 24th.

A couple of GREATER SCAUP (Aythya marila) were at Meadow Lake in Round
Rock on February 3rd, with both still present as of February 24th.

A GREEN HERON (Butorides virescens) first noted in far northwest
Austin on January 21st was still present as of February 24th.

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

Wintering SNOWY EGRETS (Egretta thula) remain in our area with the
following recent reports: four at Hornsby Bend on March 10th; eighteen
on the Colorado River between the Montopolis/183 bridge and Hornsby
Bend on March 3rd; one at San Gabriel Park in Georgetown as of
February 25th.

RINGED KINGFISHER (Ceryle torquatus) sightings in our area include one
at Hornsby Bend as recently as March 4th.

--- Rare sightings from previous weeks ---

A PALM WARBLER (Dendroica palmarum) has been present at the Krieg
Softball fields next to Longhorn Dam in Austin. It has been present
near the small bridge behind field #9 since March 5th (still there as
of March 7th).

A GOLDEN EAGLE (Aquila chrysaetos) was reported from the Schaezler's
Warbler Woods property near Cibolo on March 5th. The property held a
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER (Mniotilta varia) on March 2nd and March 4th,
with a NORTHERN PARULA (Parula americana) also there on March 2nd. A
PURPLE FINCH (Carpodacus purpureus) was reported there on March 1st.

At least 10 Aechmorphorus (Western/Clark's) grebes and 10+ HORNED
GREBES (Podiceps auritus) were spotted on Lake Buchanan on March 4th.

At Hornsby Bend on March 4th, a SOLITARY SANDPIPER (Tringa solitaria)
was along the river, while a LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER (Limnodromus
scolopaceus) was on Pond 1 West on March 3rd.

A kayaking trip on the Colorado River between the Montopolis/183
Bridge and Hornsby Bend on March 3rd yielded 4 ANHINGAS (Anhinga
anhinga).

Three CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS (Spizella pallida) were reported from the
Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo on February 27th.

A LEAST GREBE (Tachybaptus dominicus) is present at Inks Lake National
Fish Hatchery, having been seen on February 26th and February 27th.

At Hornsby Bend on February 25th, there was an ANHINGA (Anhinga
anhinga) flying over the river (also seen on February 24th), a LEAST
GREBE (Tachybaptus dominicus) on Pond 3, and a PALM WARBLER (Dendroica
palmarum) along Platt Lane.

At the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo on February
25th, there were 2 PRAIRIE FALCONS (Falco mexicanus) and an early
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER (Mniotilta varia).

An early NORTHERN PARULA (Parula americana) was singing along the
Black Willow Trail at Hornsby Bend on February 24th. Another one was
singing near Utley (Bastrop County) on that same date.

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

FAQ

March 8, 2007

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

-- Rarities found this past week ---

A PALM WARBLER (Dendroica palmarum) has been present at the Krieg
Softball fields next to Longhorn Dam in Austin. It has been present
near the small bridge behind field #9 since March 5th (still there as
of March 7th).

A GOLDEN EAGLE (Aquila chrysaetos) was reported from the Schaezler's
Warbler Woods property near Cibolo on March 5th. The property held a
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER (Mniotilta varia) on March 2nd and March 4th,
with a NORTHERN PARULA (Parula americana) also there on March 2nd. A
PURPLE FINCH (Carpodacus purpureus) was reported there on March 1st.

At least 10 Aechmorphorus (Western/Clark's) grebes and 10+ HORNED
GREBES (Podiceps auritus) were spotted on Lake Buchanan on March 4th.

At Hornsby Bend on March 4th, a SOLITARY SANDPIPER (Tringa solitaria)
was along the river, while a LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER (Limnodromus
scolopaceus) was on Pond 1West on March 3rd.

A kayaking trip on the Colorado River between the Montopolis/183
Bridge and Hornsby Bend on March 3rd yielded 4 ANHINGAS (Anhinga
anhinga).

--- 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 March 4th).

Four BURROWING OWLS (Athene cunicularia) continue around various roads
in the Granger area as of February 24th.

A couple of GREATER SCAUP (Aythya marila) were at Meadow Lake in Round
Rock on February 3rd, with both still present as of February 24th.

A GREEN HERON (Butorides virescens) first noted in far northwest
Austin on January 21st was still present as of February 24th.

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.

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 Hornsby Bend on March 4th; one Little Blue below Longhorn
Dam on March 4th; 8 Little Blues and 18 Snowies on the Colorado River
between the Montopolis/183 bridge and Hornsby Bend on March 3rd; one
Snowy at San Gabriel Park in Georgetown as of February 25th.

RINGED KINGFISHER (Ceryle torquatus) sightings in our area include one
at Hornsby Bend as recently as March 4th.

--- Rare sightings from previous weeks ---

Three CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS (Spizella pallida) were reported from the
Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo on February 27th.

A LEAST GREBE (Tachybaptus dominicus) is present at Inks Lake National
Fish Hatchery, having been seen on February 26th and February 27th.

At Hornsby Bend on February 25th, there was an ANHINGA (Anhinga
anhinga) flying over the river (also seen on February 24th), a LEAST
GREBE (Tachybaptus dominicus) on Pond 3, and a PALM WARBLER (Dendroica
palmarum) along Platt Lane.

At the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo on February
25th, there were 2 PRAIRIE FALCONS (Falco mexicanus) and an early
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER (Mniotilta varia).

An early NORTHERN PARULA (Parula americana) was singing along the
Black Willow Trail at Hornsby Bend on February 24th. Another one was
singing near Utley (Bastrop County) on that same date.

At Commons Ford Park (west of Austin at Commons Ford Road off of
Cuernavaca near Bee Caves Road), a PALM WARBLER (Dendroica palmarum)
was present on February 22nd.

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.

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

FAQ

March 1, 2007

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

-- Rarities found this past week ---

Three CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS (Spizella pallida) were reported from the
Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo on February 27th.

A LEAST GREBE (Tachybaptus dominicus) is present at Inks Lake National
Fish Hatchery, having been seen on February 26th and February 27th.

At Hornsby Bend on February 25th, there was an ANHINGA (Anhinga
anhinga) flying over the river (also seen on February 24th) and a PALM
WARBLER (Dendroica palmarum) along Platt Lane.

At the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo on February
25th, there were 2 PRAIRIE FALCONS (Falco mexicanus) and an early
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER (Mniotilta varia).

An early NORTHERN PARULA (Parula americana) was singing along the
Black Willow Trail at Hornsby Bend on February 24th. Another one was
singing near Utley (Bastrop County) on that same date.

At Commons Ford Park (west of Austin at Commons Ford Road off of
Cuernavaca near Bee Caves Road), a PALM WARLBER (Dendroica palmarum)
was present on February 22nd.

--- 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 27th).

Four BURROWING OWLS (Athene cunicularia) continue around various roads
in the Granger area as of February 24th.

A couple of GREATER SCAUP (Aythya marila) were at Meadow Lake in Round
Rock on February 3rd, with both still present as of February 24th.

A GREEN HERON (Butorides virescens) first noted in far northwest
Austin on January 21st was still present as of February 24th.

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.

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.

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 San Gabriel Park in Georgetown as of February 25th.

Recent RINGED KINGFISHER (Ceryle torquatus) sightings in our area
include one at Hornsby Bend as of February 24th.

--- Rare sightings from previous weeks ---

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.

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.

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

FAQ