November 6, 2008

The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, November 6th, 2008:

--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---

A SAY'S PHOEBE (Sayornis saya) was on private property near Utley on November 4th.

--- CONTINUING BIRDS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

A CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD (Stellula calliope) that first visited a south Austin residence September 20th was still present as of October 20th.

--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

A ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) was spotted west of 360 and Bee Caves Road on the west side of Austin on October 30th.

A BALD EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was near Shipp Lake on October 27th.

The Granger Lake area was productive on October 25th and 26th with the following highlights: a COMMON LOON (Gavia immer), four MOTTLED DUCKS (Anas fulvigula), a BALD EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), a heard-only VIRGINIA RAIL (Rallus limicola) below the spillway, two AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS (Pluvialis dominica), a BAIRD'S SANDPIPER (Calidris bairdii), and a single BURROWING OWL (Athene cunicularia) along CR 352.

A ROSEATE SPOONBILL (Platalea ajaja) was south of Niederwald in Caldwell County on October 25th.

Two BALD EAGLES (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) were spotted migrating over Hornsby Bend on October 22nd.

A late PROTHONOTARY WARBLER (Protonotaria citrea) has been present at Hornsby Bend, near the birding shelter on Pond 2, since October 18th (still present as of October 21st).

A yellow-lored YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER (Dendroica dominica) put in an appearance at a Smithville residence on October 20th.

A CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER (Dendroica pensylvanica) was studied near the courthouse in Bastrop on October 20th.

The Granger Lake area was productive on October 19th with 5 ROSEATE SPOONBILLS (Platalea ajaja) at Willis Creek Park, 2 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS (Pluvialis dominica) at Friendship Park, and a distinctive heard-only GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus) near the south end of the dam.

Two RINGED KINGFISHERS (Megaceryle torquatus) were along the Colorado River at McKinney Roughs on October 19th.

The seldom birded area of far eastern Travis County southeast of Manor was productive on October 18th with a late WOOD STORK (Mycteria americana), and 4 WILSON'S PHALAROPES (Phalaropus tricolor).

(Big) Webberville Park held an AMERICAN REDSTART (Setophaga ruticilla) and a MOURNING WARBLER (Oporornis philadelphia) while (Little) Webberville Park had a BALD EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), all on October 18th.

An AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER (Pluvialis dominica) was in eastern Bastrop County near Utley on October 18th.

A FERRUGINOUS HAWK (Buteo regalis) was a great find at the Hornsby Bend Hawkwatch on October 17th, which also had a BALD EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) the same day.
--
Eric Carpenter
Rare Bird Alert Compiler, Travis Audubon Society