January 1, 2009

The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, January 1st, 2009:

--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---

Four WESTERN GREBES (Aechmophorus occidentalis) were seen on Lake Buchanan (from Black Rock park) on December 28th.

--- CONTINUING BIRDS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

An ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD (Calypte anna) has been present at a private residence in the Spring Branch area (Blanco Co.) since November 22nd, last reported on December 28th.

A few finds from the Austin CBC (held Dec 20th) are still being seen. The LONG-BILLED THRASHER (Toxostoma longirostre) was still being seen at McKinney Falls State Park as of December 27th - please e-mail me for specific directions. Up to 3 FERRUGINOUS HAWKS (Buteo regalis) continue in the fields between FM 1625 and HWY 183 south of McKenzie Road, also as of December 27th. At Hornsby Bend, up to 4 VIRGINIA RAILS (Rallus limicola) continue vocalizing (very difficult to actually see) along the edges of Pond 1W as of December 27th. Also at Hornsby Bend, up to 4 female COMMON GOLDENEYE (Bucephala clangula) continue on Pond 1W as of December 29th.

--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

Twenty-two Aechmorphorus (Western/Clarke's) grebes were noted on Lake Buchanan on December 23rd.

A GOLDEN EAGLE (Aquila chrysaetos) was studied as it flew thru northwest Austin (near Cameron Rd & HWY 183).

A YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER (Dendroica dominica) was seen on December 22nd at a private residence on Lake LBJ. This marks the third year that this individual has wintered at this location.

The Austin Christmas Bird Count was held on December 20th with an unofficial total of 140 species tallied. The best birds of the day were 3 FERRUGINOUS HAWKS (Buteo regalis) videotaped over the fields between FM 1625 and HWY 183 south of McKenzie Road, and a LONG-BILLED THRASHER (Toxostoma longirostre) studied at McKinney Falls State Park. Both of these great finds were seen again the following day, when the thrasher was photographed. Please contact me for more specific directions to the Long-billed Thrasher.

Other good finds from the Austin CBC on December 20th include 4 COMMON GOLDENEYES (Bucephala clangula) , 4 heard-only VIRGINIA RAILS (Rallus limicola), a RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquatus), a late SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus forficatus) - all at Hornsby Bend - and a BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER (Dendroica virens) in south Austin as well as YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) photographed near Elroy.

Thirteen MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS (Sialia currucoides) were seen on the Balcones Canyonland CBC on December 15th. The birds were seen near Hopewell Cemetery on HWY 285 in Williamson County and were still present in the area on December 16th.

A PALM WARBLER (Dendroica palmarum) was photographed at Hornsby Bend (along Pond 1W) on December 13th.

A lone SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus forficatus) was still lingering at Hornsby Bend as of December 13th.

A RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquatus) was seen along the Colorado River near the FM 973 bridge at Hornsby Bend on December 13th.

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