November 29, 2007

The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, November 29th, 2007:

--- Exceptional Sightings---

A female BLACK SCOTER (Melanitta nigra) has been present at Lake Pflugerville. First found (and photographed) on November 17th, it was still being seen as of November 25th. Lake Pflugerville is at the
intersection of Jesse Bohls and Weiss Lanes on the east side of Pflugerville.

--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---

A "WESTERN"-type FLYCATCHER was studied at McKinney Roughs Natural Area, along the Coyote Trail, on November 28th.

A lingering SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus forficatus) was in Belton on November 27th.

A YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) was along Lund Road in eastern Travis County on November 26th.

Birding on Lake Buchanan on November 24th was excellent with the following outstanding finds: 2 PACIFIC LOONS (Gavia pacifica) were in the cove along HWY 261; 6 HORNED GREBES (Podiceps auritus) were off CR 225; a lingering SOLITARY SANDPIPER (Tringa solitaria) on a stock pond at the intersection of FM 2900/FM 2233; and the area around the Llano County Boat Ramp off HWY 261 held 3 AMERICAN AVOCETS (Recurvirostra americana), an adult CALIFORNIA GULL (Larus californicus), and three
HERRING GULLS (Larus argentatus). All of these birds were photographed.

A MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD (Sialia currucoides) was photographed near LBJ State Park on November 24th. The bird was seen along HWY 290 about .5 miles west of the Park Road 1 intersection, still in Blanco County.

A BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER (Dendroica virens) was lingering near Utley (Bastrop County) on November 23rd.

--- CONTINUING BIRDS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

A BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus platycercus) first seen at a private residence near Bee Caves and 360 in southwest Austin on August 27th was still being seen as of November 28th. It reappeared on November 21st after not having been seen since November 2nd.

Recent sightings of BURROWING OWLS (Athene cunicularia) in the Granger area include one bird along CR 354 on November 17th.

--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

An immature SURF SCOTER (Melanitta perspicillata) was seen on Lake Pflugerville on November 18th.

A SHORT-EARED OWL (Asio flammeus) was cruising over the fields just north of Shipp Lake (eastern Bastrop County) on November 18th.

A visit to the Granger Lake area on November 17th was productive, with some of the highlights being: 3 ANHINGAS (Anhinga Anhinga) circling over the lake, 1 PRAIRIE FALCON (Falco mexicanus) over Willis Creek Park, and a lone LARK BUNTING (Calamospiza melanocorys) along CR 354 just east of CR 350.

A VIRGINIA RAIL (Rallus limicola) was spotted at the Union Grove Wildlife area on Stillhouse Hollow Lake (Bell County) on November 16th.

A SAY'S PHOEBE (Sayornis saya) was near the main parking lot at Lake Pflugerville on November 12th.

On November 11th, the area around Granger held a few interesting birds including a SAY'S PHOEBE (Sayornis saya) along the Granger Lake Dam, and the following birds all along CR 438 southeast of Thrall: an
ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus cinerascens), a GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE (Pipilo chlorurus), a LARK BUNTING (Calamospiza melanocorys) and a rather late DICKCISSEL (Spiza Americana).

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

FAQ

November 15, 2007

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

--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---

A SAY'S PHOEBE (Sayornis saya) was near the main parking lot at Lake Pflugerville on November 12th.

On November 11th, the area around Granger held a few interesting birds including a SAY'S PHOEBE (Sayornis saya) along the Granger Lake Dam, and the following birds all along CR 438 southeast of Thrall: an
ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus cinerascens), a GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE (Pipilo chlorurus), a LARK BUNTING (Calamospiza melanocorys) and a rather late DICKCISSEL (Spiza Americana).

--- CONTINUING BIRDS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

A female BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER (Dendroica caerulescens) discovered at the West Bouldin Greenbelt in Austin on October 30th was still present on November 4th. It was near the entrance at 1200 S. 6th
Street, at the intersection of the entrance trail and the trail that parallels the railroad tracks.

A BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus platycercus) first seen at a private residence near Bee Caves and 360 in southwest Austin on August 27th was still being seen as of November 2nd.

The first sightings of BURROWING OWLS (Athene cunicularia) in the Granger area this fall came on October 14th with 2 birds at locations where birds spent the winter last year. One bird was along CR 124 on October 21st. More recent sightings include 2 birds along CR 354 on November 11th.

--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

Visits to Hornsby Bend have been productive as of late. A female HOODED MERGANSER (Lophodytes cucullatus) was on the ponds on November 7th, a SAY'S PHOEBE (Sayornis saya) was just north of the entrance to the pond on November 6th, and a SHORT-EARED OWL (Asio flammeus) was over the fields on November 4th.

An immature ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD (Calypte anna) was photographed at a private residence near Dripping Springs on November 5th, and was still present as of November 6th.

An immature BALD EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was just north of Shipp Lake (Bastrop County) on November 4th.

The Granger area was productive on November 4th with a HOODED MERGANSER (Lophodytes cucullatus) on the lake, a VIRGINIA RAIL (Rallus limicola) in the marsh below the spillway, and one LARK BUNTING
(Calamospiza melanocorys) in Bell County near the intersection of Holt and Round Hall Roads (between Holland and Bartlett).

A LARK BUNTING (Calamospiza melanocorys) was in a mixed sparrow flock along Dawnview Road northwest of Dripping Springs on November 3rd.

Two female PURPLE FINCHES (Carpodacus purpureus) were reported from the Pedernales State Park birding blind on November 3rd. At least one bird stayed (and was photographed) at this location last winter.

An AMERICAN WOODCOCK (Scolopax minor) was at the Rocky Hill Ranch near Bastrop State Park on October 30th. Another was seen off of HWY 71 just southeast of Austin on October 31st.

At Union Grove WMA on Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir on October 27th, a heard-only KING RAIL (Rallus elegans) was in marshy area around the lake and there was an AMERICAN WOODCOCK (Scolopax minor) flushed near a group of willow trees.

A ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) was in far eastern Travis County near Webberville Park on October 27th.

Another AMERICAN WOODCOCK (Scolopax minor) was northwest of the Arboretum in northwest Austin on October 26th.

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

FAQ

November 8, 2007

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

--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---

Visits to Hornsby Bend have been productive this week. A female HOODED MERGANSER (Lophodytes cucullatus) was on the ponds on November 7th, a SAY'S PHOEBE (Sayornis saya) was just north of the entrance to the pond on November 6th, and a SHORT-EARED OWL (Asio flammeus) was over the fields on November 4th.

An immature ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD (Calypte anna) was photographed at a private residence near Dripping Springs on November 5th, and was still present as of November 6th.

An immature BALD EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was just north of Shipp Lake (Bastrop County) on November 4th.

The Granger area was productive on November 4th with a HOODED MERGANSER (Lophodytes cucullatus) on the lake, a VIRGINIA RAIL (Rallus limicola) in the marsh below the spillway, and one LARK BUNTING
(Calamospiza melanocorys) in Bell County near the intersection of Holt and Round Hall Roads (between Holland and Bartlett).

A LARK BUNTING (Calamospiza melanocorys) was in a mixed sparrow flock along Dawnview Road northwest of Dripping Springs on November 3rd.

Two female PURPLE FINCHES (Carpodacus purpureus) were reported from the Pedernales State Park birding blind on November 3rd. At least one bird stayed (and was photographed) at this location last winter.

--- CONTINUING BIRDS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

A female BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER (Dendroica caerulescens) discovered at the West Bouldin Greenbelt in Austin on October 30th was still present on November 4th. It was near the entrance at 1200 S. 6th
Street, at the intersection of the entrance trail and the trail that parallels the railroad tracks.

A BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus platycercus) first seen at a private residence near Bee Caves and 360 in southwest Austin on August 27th was still being seen as of November 2nd.

BALD EAGLES (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) have been seen on-and-off at Lake Belton (Bell County) with the latest report of one bird seen on October 22nd.

The first sightings of BURROWING OWLS (Athene cunicularia) in the Granger area this fall came on October 14th with 2 birds at locations where birds spent the winter last year. One bird was along CR 124 on October 21st. More recent sightings include 3 birds at 2 locations along CR 354 on November 4th.

--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

An AMERICAN WOODCOCK (Scolopax minor) was at the Rocky Hill Ranch near Bastrop State Park on October 30th. Another was seen off of HWY 71 just southeast of Austin on October 31st.

At Union Grove WMA on Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir on October 27th, a heard-only KING RAIL (Rallus elegans) was in marshy area around the lake and there was an AMERICAN WOODCOCK (Scolopax minor) flushed near a group of willow trees.

A ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) was in far eastern Travis County near Webberville Park on October 27th.

Another AMERICAN WOODCOCK (Scolopax minor) was northwest of the Arboretum in northwest Austin on October 26th.

A late WILSON'S WARBLER (Wilsonia pusilla) was at a private residence near Utley on October 25th.

An AMERICAN WOODCOCK (Scolopax minor) was flushed at a private residence near Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir on October 23rd.

A BALD EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), a BLACK-NECKED STILT (Himantopus mexicanus), and a MARBLED GODWIT (Limosa fedoa) were near Utley (w. Bastrop County) on October 22nd.

A RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER (Sphyrapicus nuchalis) was photographed on private property near Utley (w. Bastrop County) on October 21st.

A partial specimen of an AMERICAN WOODCOCK (Scolopax minor) was picked up near Utley on October 20th.

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

FAQ

November 1, 2007

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

--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---

A female BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER (Dendroica caerulescens) discovered at the West Bouldin Greenbelt in Austin on October 30th was still present on October 31st. It was near the entrance at 1200 S. 6th
Street, at the intersection of the entrance trail and the trail that parallels the railroad tracks.

An AMERICAN WOODCOCK (Scolopax minor) was at the Rocky Hill Ranch near Bastrop State Park on October 30th.

At Union Grove WMA on Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir on October 27th, a heard-only KING RAIL (Rallus elegans) was in marshy area around the lake and there was an AMERICAN WOODCOCK (Scolopax minor) flushed near a group of willow trees.

A ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) was in far eastern Travis County near Webberville Park on October 27th.

Another AMERICAN WOODCOCK (Scolopax minor) was northwest of the Arboretum in northwest Austin on October 26th.

A late WILSON'S WARBLER (Wilsonia pusilla) was at a private residence near Utley on October 25th.

--- CONTINUING BIRDS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

A BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus platycercus) first seen at a private residence near Bee Caves and 360 in southwest Austin on August 27th was still being seen as of October 31st.

BALD EAGLES (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) have been seen on-and-off at Lake Belton (Bell County) with the latest report of one bird seen on October 22nd.

The first sightings of BURROWING OWLS (Athene cunicularia) in the Granger area this fall came on October 14th with 2 birds at locations where birds spent the winter last year. One bird was along CR 124 on October 21st.

LESSER NIGHTHAWKS (Chordeiles acutipennis) have been reported at the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo, with the most recent sightings as of October 15th.

--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

An AMERICAN WOODCOCK (Scolopax minor) was flushed at a private residence near Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir on October 23rd.

A BALD EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), a BLACK-NECKED STILT (Himantopus mexicanus), and a MARBLED GODWIT (Limosa fedoa) were near Utley (w. Bastrop County) on October 22nd.

A RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER (Sphyrapicus nuchalis) was photographed on private property near Utley (w. Bastrop County) on October 21st.

A partial specimen of an AMERICAN WOODCOCK (Scolopax minor) was picked up near Utley on October 20th.

An AMERICAN WOODCOCK (Scolopax minor) was flushed near the Balcones Canyonland NWR Headquarters near Lago Vista on October 16th.

The first GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET (Regulus satrapa) of the fall was seen at the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo on October 15th.

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

FAQ