December 3, 2009

The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00pm, December 3rd, 2009:

--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---

Hornsby Bend has attracted some good birds as of late: a SURF SCOTER (Melanitta perspicillata) present on Pond 1East on December 3rd, a WHOOPING CRANE (Grus americana) was a slow fly-over on November 27th, a CACKLING GOOSE (Branta hutchinsii) was photographed on Pond 2 on November 28th and has been present on-and-off around the ponds through December 2nd, and 2 NEOTROPIC CORMORANTS (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) were near Platt Pond on November 29th. As many as 3 or 4 GREATER SCAUP (Aythya marila) have been present on Pond 1East, last reported on December 3rd. Four WESTERN SANDPIPERS (Calidris mauri) have been present amongst the numerous Least Sandpipers either on Pond 1East or in the dryin basins (last reported on November 29th).

A WILSON'S WARBLER (Wilsonia pusilla) put in an appearance at a residence in southwest Austin (Travis Country subdivision) on November 29th.

A VIRGINIA RAIL (Rallus limicola) was photographed at Aquarena Springs in San Marcos on November 27th.

An ANHINGA (Anhinga anhinga) was seen flying upriver at Inks Lake Fish Hatchery on November 27th.

Seventeen WESTERN GREBES (Aechmophorus occidentalis) were seen on Lake Buchanan from Black Rock Park on November 27th.

A SAY'S PHOEBE (Sayornis saya) was along FM 1174 north of Bertram on November 27th.

--- CONTINUING BIRDS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

An immature male CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD (Stellula calliope) was photographed on private property near Dripping Springs on November 20th and was present there thru November 30th.

RINGED KINGFISHERS (Megaceryle torquatus) have been present at a few spots around Austin. Individual birds have been present along the river at Hornsby Bend and also along the river at Commons Ford Park (in west Austin off Commons Ford Rd which runs off of Cuernavaca about 1/2 mile from its intersection with Bee Caves/2244) on-and-off for the past few weeks. Another one was seen along the river at Reimer's Ranch Park (off of Hamilton Pool road) and, more recently, closer to Hamilton Pool. There has also been one seen around (Big) Webberville Park.

A COMMON MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus) has been lingering at the pond in the Triangle delevopment area near the northwest corner of 45th and Guadalupe Streets in Austin. It has been seen at least through November 19th. As many as 7 individuals are lingering at a small pond near the intersection of McKinney Falls Parkway and Aspen Glenn (last report on November 14th), while 2 more are at a pond near the intersection of Hwy 183 and Metropolitan (last report on November 14th).

As has been the trend in recent years, small number of LITTLE BLUE HERONS (Egretta caerulea) and SNOWY EGRETS (Egretta thula) are lingering into the winter. Both species have been reported at Hornsby Bend, as recently as November 29th, and at the Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant pond, as recently as December 3rd. Eight Snowy Egrets were on Lake Buchanan on November 27th.

--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

On November 24th, a VERMILION FLYCATCHER (Pyrocephalus rubinus) was at (Big) Webberville Park while a COUCH'S KINGBIRD (Tyrannus couchii) was
noted across the street from Little Webberville Park.

A ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) was observed over FM 969 in western Bastop County on November 24th; it is perhaps the same bird observed near there on November 22nd.

Three WESTERN GREBES (Aechmophorus occidentalis) were well studied (and photographed) on Pond 2 at Hornsby Bend on November 21st. Two of the birds were relocated on nearby Walter E. Long Lake (Decker Lake) on November 22nd.

A GREATER SCAUP (Aythya marila) was at the sewage aeration ponds in Rogers (Bell County) on November 22nd.

Three HORNED GREBES (Podiceps auritus) was a good number on November 21st at Union Grove WMA on Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir.

A trip to the Granger Lake area on November 15th yielded 2 SAY'S PHOEBES (Sayornis saya), with one along Aubrey Messer Road (Bell County) and another along CR 435 (Williamson County).

A lone CACKLING GOOSE (Branta hutchinsii) was in with other waterfowl on November 15th (and again on November 22nd) on Lake Rogers south of the town of Rogers, on the edge of Bell County.

A lingering BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER (Dendroica virens) was at the Zilker Nature Preserve on November 15th.

A lone RED CROSSBILL (Loxia curvirostra) was heard by an experienced birder along Cottletown Road between Bastrop and Buescher State Parks
on November 13th.

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