The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, April 9th, 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.
--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---
WHITE IBIS (Eudocimus albus) are not expected during the spring. Two adults were at Hornsby Bend on April 2nd, while an adult and an immature bird were present there on April 5th.
The first area reports of PAINTED BUNTING (Passerina ciris) and DICKCISSEL (Spiza americana) come from the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo on April 4th.
A late EASTERN TOWHEE (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) was northwest of Harwood in southern Caldwell County on April 4th.
A WHITE-TAILED KITE (Elanus leucurus) was photographed near the demonstration gardens at the Mueller Development (the old airport site) on the east side of Austin on April 2nd.
A male BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus melanocephalus) was photographed at a private residence two miles east of Elgin on April 2nd.
A late HOODED MERGANSER (Lophodytes cucullatus) was at Hornsby Bend on April 2nd.
--- CONTINUING BIRDS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---
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 29th.
LONG-BILLED THRASHERS (Toxostoma longirostre) are frequently seen at the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo. Up to 2 birds have been present as of late, with the most recent report from April 8th.
--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---
A male BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus platycercus) visited a south Austin residence on March 29th.
A WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH (Sitta carolinensis) was seen from the Sunshine Road bridge over Little River northeast of Holland on March 21st.
--- 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.
--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---
WHITE IBIS (Eudocimus albus) are not expected during the spring. Two adults were at Hornsby Bend on April 2nd, while an adult and an immature bird were present there on April 5th.
The first area reports of PAINTED BUNTING (Passerina ciris) and DICKCISSEL (Spiza americana) come from the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo on April 4th.
A late EASTERN TOWHEE (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) was northwest of Harwood in southern Caldwell County on April 4th.
A WHITE-TAILED KITE (Elanus leucurus) was photographed near the demonstration gardens at the Mueller Development (the old airport site) on the east side of Austin on April 2nd.
A male BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus melanocephalus) was photographed at a private residence two miles east of Elgin on April 2nd.
A late HOODED MERGANSER (Lophodytes cucullatus) was at Hornsby Bend on April 2nd.
--- CONTINUING BIRDS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---
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 29th.
LONG-BILLED THRASHERS (Toxostoma longirostre) are frequently seen at the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo. Up to 2 birds have been present as of late, with the most recent report from April 8th.
--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---
A male BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus platycercus) visited a south Austin residence on March 29th.
A WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH (Sitta carolinensis) was seen from the Sunshine Road bridge over Little River northeast of Holland on March 21st.
--
Rare Bird Alert Compiler,
Travis Audubon Society
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