March 26, 2009

The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, March 26th, 2009:

--- Exceptional Sightings---

A breeding plumaged RED-NECKED GREBE (Podiceps grisegena) was discovered on Lake Buchanan on March 15th and has been seen (and photographed) by several folks thru March 17th, and then again on March 24th. It has been most readily seen in loose association with a group of Western Grebes from Black Rock Park ($4/person) on the southwest portion of the lake. Black Rock Park is off of RR 261 just a couple miles north of HWY 29. The lake is rather big and other areas should be explored if the bird is not found here. There is only 1 prior documented record for the Austin area.

A male BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD (Cynanthus latirostris) was present (and photographed) at a private residence just east of Kendalia (Kendall County) from March 10th thru March 17th. Unfortunately, the residence is not able to host visiting birders.

--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---

A WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH (Sitta carolinensis) was seen from the Sunshine Road bridge over Little River northeast of Holland on March 21st.

--- CONTINUING BIRDS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

Up to 2 BLACK PHOEBES (Sayornis nigricans) are present at Guadalupe River State Park, last reported on March 15th. The birds can be seen along the river from the hiking trail that runs adjacent to the river near the picnic areas and just below the main parking area there.

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 March 14th.

Up to 34 WESTERN GREBES (Aechmophorus occidentalis) are present on Lake Buchanan. They are mostly being seen from Black Rock Park - first noted on March 15th, still being seen as of March 24th.
--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

Two SNOWY PLOVERS (Charadrius alexandrinus) were reported at Bob Wendt Park on Lake Travis on March 13th.

Also of note on Lake Buchanan are a PACIFIC LOON (Gavia pacifica) seen on March 15th and 16th either from just west of the dam or from Black Rock Park CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS (Spizella pallida) continue to show up early with 1 at Hornsby Bend on March 14th, and 2 in w. Bastrop County on March 17th.

Two LARK BUNTINGS (Calamospiza melanocorys) were seen on March 11th along CR 349 on the north'ish side of Granger Lake, near the Willis Creek Park.

Several migrants and returning breeding species have been reported in our area already. A couple of the more noteworthy early arrivals include: a WILSON'S PHALAROPE (Phalaropus tricolor) at Hornsby Bend on March 11th; 2 YELLOW-THROATED WARBLERS (Dendroica dominica) on March 7th, 1 NASHVILLE WARBLER (Vermivora ruficapilla) on March 10th, and a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW (Spizella pallida) on March 8th, all in the same subdivision in far northwest Austin (north of Anderson Mill & east of HWY 183).

A RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER (Sphyrapicus nuchalis) was studied near a neighborhood park in the Travis Country subdivision in southwest Austin on March 7th.

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

March 19, 2009

The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, March 19th, 2009:

--- EXCEPTIONAL SIGHTINGS ---

A breeding plumaged RED-NECKED GREBE (Podiceps grisegena) was discovered on Lake Buchanan on March 15th and has been seen (and photographed) by several folks thru at least March 17th. It has been most readily seen in loose association with a group of Western Grebes from Black Rock Park ($4/person) on the southwest portion of the lake. Black Rock Park is off of RR 261 just a couple miles north of HWY 29. The lake is rather big and other areas should be explored if the bird is not found here. There is only 1 prior documented record for the Austin area.

A male BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD (Cynanthus latirostris) was present (and photographed) at a private residence just east of Kendalia (Kendall County) from March 10th thru March 17th. Unfortunately, the residence is not able to host visiting birders.

--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---

Also of note on Lake Buchanan are a PACIFIC LOON (Gavia pacifica) seen on March 15th and 16th either from just west of the dam or from Black Rock Park, and up to 34 WESTERN GREBES (Aechmophorus occidentalis) that are mostly being seen from Black Rock Park - first noted on March 15th, still being seen as of March 18th.

CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS (Spizella pallida) continue to show up early with 1 at Hornsby Bend on March 14th, and 2 in w. Bastrop County on March 17th.

Two SNOWY PLOVERS (Charadrius alexandrinus) were reported at Bob Wendt Park on Lake Travis on March 13th.

--- CONTINUING BIRDS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

Up to 2 BLACK PHOEBES (Sayornis nigricans) are present at Guadalupe River State Park, last reported on March 15th. The birds can be seen along the river from the hiking trail that runs adjacent to the river near the picnic areas and just below the main parking area there.

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 March 1st. 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 March 14th .

An amazing 12 WESTERN BLUEBIRDS (Sialia mexicana) were photographed on Canyon Lake on January 24th, and were still present at least thru March 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.

--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

Two LARK BUNTINGS (Calamospiza melanocorys) were seen on March 11th along CR 349 on the north'ish side of Granger Lake, near the Willis Creek Park.

Several migrants and returning breeding species have been reported in our area already. A couple of the more noteworthy early arrivals include: a WILSON'S PHALAROPE (Phalaropus tricolor) at Hornsby Bend on March 11th; 2 YELLOW-THROATED WARBLERS (Dendroica dominica) on March 7th, 1 NASHVILLE WARBLER (Vermivora ruficapilla) on March 10th, and a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW (Spizella pallida) on March 8th, all in the same subdivision in far northwest Austin (north of Anderson Mill & east of HWY 183).

A RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER (Sphyrapicus nuchalis) was studied near a neighborhood park in the Travis Country subdivision in southwest Austin on March 7th.

A ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) was seen near Wimberley on February 27th.

--

Eric Carpenter
Rare Bird Alert Compiler,

Travis Audubon Society

March 12, 2009

The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, March 12th, 2009:

--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---

Several migrants and returning breeding species have been reported in our area already. A couple of the more noteworthy early arrivals include: a WILSON'S PHALAROPE (Phalaropus tricolor) at Hornsby Bend on March 11th; 2 YELLOW-THROATED WARBLERS (Dendroica dominica) on March 7th, 1 NASHVILLE WARBLER (Vermivora ruficapilla) on March 10th, and a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW (Spizella pallida) on March 8th, all in the same subdivision in far northwest Austin (north of Anderson Mill & east of HWY 183).

A RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER (Sphyrapicus nuchalis) was studied near a neighborhood park in the Travis Country subdivision in southwest Austin on March 7th.

--- CONTINUING BIRDS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

A pair of BLACK PHOEBES (Sayornis nigricans) are apparently nesting at Guadalupe River State Park. The birds can be seen along the river from the hiking trail that runs adjacent to the river from the picnic areas.

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 March 1st. The bird is most readily seen on the water from either a kayak or canoe about halfway between 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 March 2nd.

An amazing 12 WESTERN BLUEBIRDS (Sialia mexicana) were photographed on Canyon Lake on January 24th, and were still present at least thru March 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.

--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

A ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) was seen near Wimberley on February 27th.

A female PURPLE FINCH (Carpodacus purpureus) was photogaphed at a backyard feeder at a private residence on Lake Travis the week of February 22nd.

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.

Two ROSS'S GEESE (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 NORHTERN BOBWHITES (Colinus virginianus) were reported in the canyons around Barton Creek southwest of Austin the week of February 22nd.

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

March 5, 2009

The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, March 5th, 2009:

--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---

A BLACK PHOEBE (Sayornis nigricans) was photographed along the river at Guadalupe River State Park on March 3rd.

A ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) was seen near Wimberley on February 27th.

--- 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 March 1st. The bird is most readily seen on the water from either a kayak or canoe about halfway between 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 March 2nd .

An amazing 12 WESTERN BLUEBIRDS (Sialia mexicana) were photographed on Canyon Lake on January 24th, and were still present at least thru March 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.

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 ---

A female PURPLE FINCH (Carpodacus purpureus) was photogaphed at a backyard feeder at a private residence on Lake Travis the week of February 22nd.

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.

Two ROSS'S GEESE (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 NORHTERN BOBWHITES (Colinus virginianus) were reported in the canyons around Barton Creek southwest of Austin the week of February 22nd.

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.

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.


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