April 26, 2007

The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, April 26th, 2007:

--- Rarities found this past week ---

A probable, though nicely described, HUTTON'S VIREO (Vireo huttoni)
was along the Barton Springs Greenbelt in Austin on April 25th.

A GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus) was carefully studied on private
property in Temple on April 25th.

At the Pflugerville Reservoir (off of Weiss Road) on April 25th, there
was a SNOWY PLOVER (Charadrius alexandrinus) as well as a RING-BILLED
GULL (Larus delawarensis).

A BUFF-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia yucatanensis) has been present at
a private residence in the Onion Creek area of Austin since April 20th
(still present as of April 25th).

A CERULEAN WARBLER (Dendroica cerulea) was near Smithville (Bastrop
County) on April 25th.

A COUCH'S KINGBIRD (Tyrannus couchii) was at Hornsby Bend on April 25th.

A BLUE-WINGED WARBLER (Vermivora pinus) was seen in Bastrop on April 25th.

A WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH (Sitta carolinensis) was present near
Smithville on April 24th.

A WORM-EATING WARBLER (Helmitheros vermivorum) has been present at the
Rocky Hill Ranch near Smithville since April 16th (still present as of
April 24th).

A BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO (Coccyzus erythropthalmus) was heard near Utley
(Bastrop County) on April 23rd.

A YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER (Dendroica dominica) was on the Schaezler's
Warbler Woods property near Cibolo on April 23rd.

A LEAST GREBE (Tachybaptus dominicus) was in one of the flooded
gravel/loam pits along Platt Lane (just north of Hornsby Bend) on
April 23rd.

Another LEAST GREBE (Tachybaptus dominicus) was reported on private
property in Round Rock on April 23rd.

As many as eight CASSIN'S SPARROW (Aimophila cassinii) were present on
April 22nd along the entrance to Reimer's Ranch Park in far western
edge of Travis County.

A BLUE-WINGED WARBLER (Vermivora pinus) was in far northwest Austin on
April 22nd.

On April 22nd, four RING-BILLED GULLS (Larus delawarensis) were at
Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir while one was at Belton Lake. Another
Ring-billed was at Hornsby Bend on April 21st.

A LAZULI BUNTING (Passerina amoena) was along Post Oak Road near Big
Webberville Park (far eastern Travis County) on April 21st.

A ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) was over the Schaezler's
Warbler Woods property near Cibolo on April 21st while a BLUE-WINGED
WARBLER (Vermivora pinus) was there on April 20th.

Another BLUE-WINGED WARBLER (Vermivora pinus) was along the Barton
Greenbelt (west of MoPac) in Austin on April 21st.

--- 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 April 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 April 21st).

Up to two HARRIS'S HAWKS (Parabuteo unicinctus) seem to be present
along IH-35 near Parmer Lane in north Austin. They've been seen
frequently near this location since late January, with the most recent
report as of April 16th.

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

BALD EAGLES (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) remain in our area with recent
reports from Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir (as of April 14th).

RINGED KINGFISHER (Ceryle torquatus) sightings in our area include one
at Hornsby Bend as recently as April 23rd.

--- Rare sightings from previous weeks ---

A SNOWY PLOVER (Charadrius alexandrinus) was on private property in
Temple on April 17th. A PIPING PLOVER (Charadrius melodus) was at this
same location on April 13th.

A BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus platycercus) was at the
Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo on April 16th.

A thorough search of the marshy area below the Granger Dam on April
15th yielded at least 10 LECONTE'S SPARROWS (Ammodramus leconteii) and
another 20+ unidentified Ammodramus sparrows).

A COUCH'S KINGBIRD (Tyrannus couchii) was in San Marcos on April 15th.

A ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) was near Smithville (Bastrop
County) on April 14th.

A WILSON'S WARBLER (Wilsonia pusilla) was at the Schaezler's Warbler
Woods property near Cibolo on April 11th.

A SPRAGUE'S PIPIT (Anthus spragueii) was seen in Temple on April 11th.

A BONAPARTE'S GULL (Larus philadelphia) was over the ponds at Hornsby
Bend on April 8th.

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

FAQ

April 19, 2007

The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, April 19th, 2007:

--- Rarities found this past week ---

A SNOWY PLOVER (Charadrius alexandrinus) was on private property in
Temple on April 17th. A PIPING PLOVER (Charadrius melodus) was at
this same location on April 13th.

A BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus platycercus) was at the
Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo on April 16th.

A thorough search of the marshy area below the Granger Dam on April
15th yielded at least 10 LECONTE'S SPARROW (Ammodramus leconteii) and
another 20+ unidentified Ammodramus sparrows.

A COUCH'S KINGBIRD (Tyrannus couchii) was in San Marcos on April 15th.

A ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) was near Smithville (Bastrop
County) on April 14th.

--- 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 April 18th).

Up to two HARRIS'S HAWKS (Parabuteo unicinctus) seem to be present
along I-35 near Parmer Lane in north Austin. They've been seen
frequently near this location since late January, with the most recent
report as of April 16th.

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 April 15th).

LONG-BILLED THRASHER (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 as recently as of March 31st.

BALD EAGLES (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) remain in our area with recent
reports from Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir (as of April 14th), near
Webberville (as of April 4th), Granger Lake (as of March 31st), and
near Slough Pond in Temple (as of March 30th).

RINGED KINGFISHER (Ceryle torquatus) sightings in our area include one
at Hornsby Bend as recently as April 14th.

--- Rare sightings from previous weeks ---

A WILSON'S WARBLER (Wilsonia pusilla) was at the Schaezler's Warbler
Woods property near Cibolo on April 11th.

A SPRAGUE'S PIPIT (Anthus spragueii) was seen in Temple on April 11th.

A BONAPARTE'S GULL (Larus philadelphia) was over the ponds at Hornsby
Bend on April 8th.

A PRAIRIE FALCON (Falco mexicanus) was at the Schaezler's Warbler
Woods property near Cibolo on April 5th.

A COUCH'S KINGBIRD (Tyrannus couchii) was at Hornsby Bend on April 4th.

Three SPRAGUE'S PIPITS (Anthus spragueii) were in some grassy fields
near Temple on April 2nd.

An early YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO (Coccyzus americanus) was heard in
Wimberley on April 2nd.

On March 31st, a YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER (Dendroica dominica) was
singing along Alum Creek Road about 1/8th of a mile south of Park Road
1C (Bastrop and Beuscher State Park).

A CASSIN'S SPARROW (Aimophila cassinii) was seen on a private ranch in
southern Burnet County on April 1st.

Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir held 6 COMMON LOONS (Gavia immer) and a
HERRING GULL (Larus argentatus) on March 31st.

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

FAQ

April 12, 2007

The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, April 12th, 2007:

--- Rarities found this past week ---

A WILSON'S WARBLER (Wilsonia pusilla) was at the Schaezler's Warbler
Woods property near Cibolo on April 11th.

A SPRAGUE'S PIPIT (Anthus spragueii) was seen in Temple on April 11th.

A BONAPARTE'S GULL (Larus philadelphia) was over the ponds at Hornsby
Bend on April 8th.

A PRAIRIE FALCON (Falco mexicanus) was at the Schaezler's Warbler
Woods property near Cibolo on April 5th.

--- 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 April 11th).

At Hornsby Bend, the VIRGINIA RAIL (Rallus limicola) that has been
heard and seen on Pond 1W since October is still present in the
southwest corner of that pond (last reported April 11th).

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 as recently as March 31st.

BALD EAGLES (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) remain in our area with recent
reports from near Webberville (as of April 4th), Granger Lake (as of
March 31st), and near Slough Pond in Temple (as of March 30th).

--- Rare sightings from previous weeks ---

A COUCH'S KINGBIRD (Tyrannus couchii) was at Hornsby Bend on April 4th.

Three SPRAGUE'S PIPITS (Anthus spragueii) were in some grassy fields
near Temple on April 2nd.

An early YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO (Coccyzus americanus) was heard in
Wimberley on April 2nd.

On March 31st, a YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER (Dendroica dominica) was
singing along Alum Creek Road about 1/8th of a mile south of Park Road
1C (Bastrop and Beuscher State Park).

A CASSIN'S SPARROW (Aimophila cassinii) was seen on a private ranch in
southern Burnet County on April 1st.

Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir held 6 COMMON LOONS (Gavia immer) and a
HERRING GULL (Larus argentatus) on March 31st.

A ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) flew over the Schaezler's
Warbler Woods property near Cibolo on March 29th.

A SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (Elanoides forficatus) was in eastern Bastrop
County near FM 969 and the Colorado River on March 27th.

A BROWN CREEPER (Certhia americana) was at Hornsby Bend on March 27th.

Two CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS (Spizella pallida) were in northwest Austin
on March 27th.

The Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo held a WOOD THRUSH
(Hylocichla mustelina) on March 24th and March 25th.

An early NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (Seiurus noveboracensis) was at the West
Bouldin Greenbelt in Austin on March 25th.

A late COMMON LOON (Gavia immer), HORNED GREBE (Podiceps auritus) and
BONAPARTE'S GULL (Larus philadelphia) were on Stillhouse Hollow
Reservoir on March 24th.

An early WILSON'S PHALAROPE (Phalaropus tricolor) was at Hornsby Bend
on March 17th through March 24th.

A WHITE-FACED IBIS (Plegadis chihi) was at Hornsby Bend on March 22nd
and March 23rd.

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

FAQ

April 5, 2007

The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, April 5th, 2007:

-- Rarities found this past week ---

A COUCH'S KINGBIRD (Tyrannus couchii) was at Hornsby Bend on April 4th.

Three SPRAGUE'S PIPITS (Anthus spragueii) were in some grassy fields
near Temple on April 2nd.

An early YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO (Coccyzus americanus) was heard in
Wimberley on April 2nd.

On March 31st, a YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER (Dendroica dominica) was
singing along Alum Creek Road about 1/8th of a mile south of Park Road
1C (Bastrop & Beuscher State Park).

A CASSIN'S SPARROW (Aimophila cassinii) was seen on a private ranch in
southern Burnet County on April 1st.

Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir held 6 COMMON LOONS (Gavia immer) and a
HERRING GULL (Larus argentatus) on March 31st.

A ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) flew over the Schaezler's
Warbler Woods property near Cibolo on March 29th.

--- 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 April 4th).

At Hornsby Bend, the VIRGINIA RAIL (Rallus limicola) that has been
heard and seen on Pond 1W since October is still present in the
southwest corner of that pond (last reported April 4th).

LONG-BILLED THRASHERS (Toxostoma longirostre) are being heard & 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 as recently as of March 31st.

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

BALD EAGLES (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) remain in our area with recent
reports from near Webberville (as of April 4th), Granger Lake (as of
March 31st), and near Slough Pond in Temple (as of March 30th).

-- Rare sightings from previous weeks --

A SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (Elanoides forficatus) was in eastern Bastrop
County near FM 969 and the Colorado River on March 27th.

A BROWN CREEPER (Certhia americana) was at Hornsby Bend on March 27th.

Two CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS (Spizella pallida) were in northwest Austin
on March 27th.

The Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo held a WOOD THRUSH
(Hylocichla mustelina) on March 24th and March 25th.

An early NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (Seiurus noveboracensis) was at the West
Bouldin Greenbelt in Austin on March 25th.

A late COMMON LOON (Gavia immer), HORNED GREBE (Podiceps auritus) and
BONAPARTE'S GULL (Larus philadelphia) were on Stillhouse Hollow
Reservoir on March 24th.

An early WILSON'S PHALAROPE (Phalaropus tricolor) was at Hornsby Bend
on March 17th thru March 24th.

A WHITE-FACED IBIS (Plegadis chihi) was at Hornsby Bend on March 22nd
and March 23rd.

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.

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

FAQ