September 11, 2008

The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, September 11th, 2008:

--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---

A surprisingly early and out-of-place LARK BUNTING (Calamospiza melanocorys) was photographed coming to a feeder in Leander September 5th thru September 7th.

Two BALD EAGLES (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) were along the Colorado River between the town of Webberville and (Big) Webberville Park on September 6th.

The Schaezler's Warbler Woods property in Cibolo was productive on September 4th, with an early NORTHERN FLICKER (Colaptes auratus) as well as a MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER (Oporornis tolmiei).

--- CONTINUING BIRDS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

Two REDDISH EGRETs (Egretta rufescens) continue on Canyon Lake as of September 7th. First discovered on August 8th, the birds have been frequenting coves along the Canyon Park causeway.

The Schaezler's Warbler Woods property in Cibolo has been hosting a LONG-BILLED THRASHER (Toxostoma longirostre), reported as recently as September 6th.

--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

A NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (Seiurus noveboracensis) was along the Colorado River at Hornsby Bend on September 1st.

A MARBLED GODWIT (Limosa fedoa) was a nice find on the San Gabriel WMA along Granger Lake on August 31st.

Another NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (Seiurus noveboracensis) was at the West Bouldin Greenbelt in south Austin on August 31st.

A ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) was over Commons Ford Park on August 30th. The park is in west Austin off of Commons Ford Road.

An early female CINNAMON TEAL (Anas cyanoptera) was detected at Lake Fallen Star on August 30th. This spot is near McMahon in Caldwell County.

A lone SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (Elanoides forficatus) was over Seguin on August 27th.

Not expected in the fall, a female BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER (Dendroica fusca) was studied in a south Austin backyard on August 25th. A SPOTTED TOWHEE (Pipilo maculatus) was an exceptionally early find at Commons Ford Park on August 24th. The park is in west Austin off of Commons Ford Road.

Granger Lake held a REDDISH EGRET (Egretta rufescens) and a LAUGHING GULL (Larus atricilla) on August 22nd.

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