The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, April 10th, 2008:
--- Exceptional Sightings ---
A COMMON BLACK-HAWK (Buteogallus anthracinus) was studied just north of RM 1431 at Vista Rock on April 2nd. There are very few documented records of this species in the Austin area.
Two HOODED ORIOLES (Icterus cucullatus) were photographed at a private residence southeast of the intersection of HWY 183 and RM 620 on March 28th, providing one of only a handful of solid records for this species in the last several years.
--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---
A LAZULI BUNTING (Passerina amoena) was near Spring Branch in Blanco County on April 6th.
A MAGNOLIA WARBLER (Dendroica magnolia) was in south Austin on April 5th.
A SCOTT'S ORIOLE (Icterus parisorum) was found in West Lake Hills on April 3rd.
A ROSS'S GOOSE (Chen rossii) was studied near loop 360 and Bee Caves in west Austin on April 3rd.
--- CONTINUING BIRDS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---
A pair of SCOTT'S ORIOLES (Icterus parisorum) are present northwest of Dripping Springs, last reported on April 6th.
A PALM WARBLER (Dendroica palmarum) was photographed at Commons Ford Park on the west side of Austin on March 9th and was still present as of March 22nd.
A GRAY CATBIRD (Dumetella carolinensis) has been present much of the winter at the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo. It was last reported there on March 24th. In addition, both COMMON PAURAQUE (Nyctidromus albicollis) and LONG-BILLED THRASHER (Toxostoma longirostre) have been seen as recently as March 20th.
LEAST GREBES (Tachybaptus dominicus) continue at Hornsby Bend where at least a pair of birds has been present for several months. The latest sighting of these birds was on March 25th.
A pair of RINGED KINGFISHERS (Megaceryle torquatus) has been present along the river at Pedernales Falls State Park, with the last report as of March 9th. Another pair is present around Hornsby Bend, with the last report of those birds on March 9th.
--- Rare sightings from previous weeks ---
Two YELLOW-THROATED WARBLERS (Dendroica dominica) were near Utley on March 31st and April 1st.
Two SCOTT'S ORIOLES (Icterus parisorum) were seen in Lago Vista on April 1st.
A SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (Elanoides forficatus) was near Utley on March 30th and it, or another, was seen again on April 3rd.
A BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus melanocephalus) was present (and photographed) near Spring Branch in Blanco County on March 29th and 30th.
Unusual for the spring, a TRICOLORED HERON (Egretta tricolor) was along the shore of Granger Lake on March 29th.
Interesting birds seen on Lake Buchanan on March 29th include 5 COMMON LOON (Gavia immer), 7 WESTERN GREBES (Aechmophorus occidentalis), and at least 30 BONAPARTE'S GULLS (Larus philadelphia).
In Williamson County, a SPRAGUE'S PIPIT (Anthus spragueii) along CR 192 and a CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR (Calcarius ornatus) along CR 360 on March 29th were nice finds.
A BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola) was near Utley on March 29th.
Three WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES (Sitta carolinensis) were along Sunshine Road near the Little River crossing between Holland and Rogers on March 29th.
An early WILSON'S WARBLER (Wilsonia pusilla) was at the Capitol Grounds in Austin on March 29th.
Two WOOD THRUSH (Hylocichla mustelina) was at the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo on March 27th.
A LAZULI BUNTING (Passerina amoena) was studied near Wimberley on March 23rd.
A ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) was near Hamilton Pool on March 23rd.
Another ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) flew over the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo on March 22nd.
An early KENTUCKY WARBLER (Oporornis formosus) was near Utley on March 22nd.
A GREEN HERON (Butorides virescens) was along Town Lake near Barton Springs on March 21st.
--
Eric Carpenter
Rare Bird Alert Compiler, Travis Audubon Society
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