The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, February 26th, 2009:
--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---
A female PURPLE FINCH (Carpodacus purpureus) was photogaphed at a backyard feeder at a private residence on Lake Travis this week.
A HUTTON'S VIREO (Vireo huttoni) was heard and seen well at private property a bit east of Natural Bridge Caverns in Comal County on February 24th.
A lone ROSS'S GOOSE (Chen rossii) visited the ponds at Hornsby Bend on February 23rd.
A ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) was studied at Honey Creek SNA on Feburary 21st.
The first SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus forficatus) for our area this spring was a bird photographed at Hornsby Bend on February 21st.
Early NORTHERN BOBWHITES (Colinus virginianus) were reported in the canyons around Barton Creek southwest of Austin this week.
Two FERRUGINOUS HAWKS (Buteo regalis) were reported along HWY 130 (toll road) one-third and then two-thirds of the way between Hornsby Bend and the Manor area.
--- CONTINUING BIRDS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---
A female LONG-TAILED DUCK (Clangula hyemalis) was discovered on Lake Lady Bird (Town Lake) in Austin on February 15th. It has been photographed and seen by several folks thru at least February 22nd. The bird is most readily seen on the water from either a kayak or canoe about halfway betwen Red Bud Island and the pedestrian bridge under MoPac. The bird has been seen from land a few times, either from the trails at Red Bud Island or the various access points near to where MoPac crosses the lake.
A female BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus melanocephalus) has been present (and photographed) at a private residence in nw. Austin near the Arboretum from January 18th thru February 8th.
An amazing 12 WESTERN BLUEBIRDS (Sialia mexicana) were photographed on Canyon Lake on January 24th, and were still present at least thru February 2nd. These birds are located at Cranes Mill Park on the southside of the lake, about two-thirds of the way from the entrance to the end of the peninsula there.
Up to 3 FERRUGINOUS HAWKS (Buteo regalis) continue in the fields between FM 1625 and HWY 183 south of McKenzie Road as of Feburary 4th. These birds were first seen on the Austin Christmas Bird Count on December 20th.
A LONG-BILLED THRASHER (Toxostoma longirostre) continues at McKinney Falls State Park as of February 15th. This bird was also first located during the Austin CBC on December 20th.
At least one COMMON GOLDENEYE (Bucephala clangula) and at least one VIRGINIA RAIL (Rallus limicola) continue on and around the ponds at Hornsby Bend as of February 14th (as many as four of each have been present his winter).
A RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquatus) was at Aquarena Springs in San Marcos on January 30th and was noted there again on February 14th.
--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---
An early NORTHERN PARULA (Parula americana) was heard in western Bastrop County on February 18th.
A ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) was studied in se. Williamson County along CR 438 on February 15th.
A GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE (Pipilo chlorurus) was discovered on February 13th on the north side of Canyon Lake, along a short trail where Hancock Road deadends into the lake. It was seen again (and photographed) on February 15th.
A PALM WARBLER (Dendroica palmarum) was seen again on February 15th at Commons Ford Park west of Austin. This bird has been observed on-and-off at this location for the past three winters.
A ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) was spotted over Seguin on February 11th.
A WOOD THRUSH (Hylocichla mustelina) was present near Utley in western Bastrop County February 5th thru February 8th. This bird was seen in the same area in early December.
A LESSER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa flavipes) was on the ponds at Hornsby Bend on February 8th.
A kayaking trip down the Colorado River between the 183/Montopolis Bridge and Hornsby Bend on February 7th was productive with 2 ANHINGA (Anhinga anhinga), 1 GREATER SCAUP (Aythya marila), 1 ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus cinerascens), 2 NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) and 1 RUSTY BLACKBIRD (Euphagus carolinus).
--
Eric Carpenter
Rare Bird Alert Compiler,
Travis Audubon Society
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