The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, May 1st, 2008:
--- EXCEPTIONAL SIGHTINGS ---
A cooperative REEVE (Philomachus pugnax) has been at Hornsby Bend on Pond 1W. First found on April 12th, this bird has been studied and photographed by many, providing the first area record since 1992. This exceptional find was still present as of April 26th.
--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---
Recent migrants of interest spotted at the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo include a GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER (Vermivora chrysoptera) on April 29th.
Two GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus) were between Temple and Belton on April 29th.
A WOOD THRUSH (Hylocichla mustelina) was in the Windsor Park area of Austin on April 29th.
An immature ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) was over Northwest District Park in Austin on April 28th.
A LONG-BILLED THRASHER (Toxostoma longirostre) was studied in Dripping Springs on April 28th.
An immature BROWN PELICAN (Pelecanus occidentalis) was photographed on Lake Travis on April 26th. The bird was on the buoy for mile marker 29, on the east side of Pace Bend Park.
A BLACKPOLL WARBLER (Dendroica striata) was near Smithville on April 26th.
A visit to the Granger Lake area on April 26th was productive with the following highlights: a single BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola) at a stock pond along CR 352; a lone LAUGHING GULL (Larus atricilla) on the lake from Friendship Park; and three CASSIN'S SPARROWS (Aimophila cassinii) along CR 352.
Hornsby Bend held some interesting birds on April 26th with a WHIMBREL (Numenius phaeopus) and a LAUGHING GULL (Larus atricilla) on the ponds and a SCARLET TANAGER (Piranga olivacea) in the woods.
A singing CASSIN'S SPARROW (Aimophila cassinii) was at Union Grove WMA on Stillhouse Hollow Lake on April 26th.
A PALM WARBLER (Dendroica palmarum) was studied in southwest Austin off Southwest Parkway on April 25th.
--
Eric Carpenter
Rare Bird Alert Compiler, Travis Audubon Society
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