The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, December 11th, 2008:
--- Exceptional Sightings---
A COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD (Calypte costae) was present (and photographed) at a private residence in Dripping Springs on November 17th, and is still being seen as of December 1st. The Austin-area checklist shows only one prior record for this species from 1974.
--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---
An adult male BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus platycercus) was photographed at a private residence in the Great Hills area of northwest Austin on December 7th.
A PALM WARBLER (Dendroica palmarum) was photographed at Commons Ford Park on the west side of Austin on December 7th. This is likely a returning bird that has been present in the park two of the last three winters.
Seven HORNED GREBES (Podiceps auritus) were on Stillhouse Hollow Lake at Union Grove WMA on December 7th.
A RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER (Sphyrapicus nuchalis) was photographed in a northwest Austin neighborhood near 183/620 on December 6th.
A WOOD THRUSH (Hylocichla mustelina) was photographed at a private residence in Utley (western Bastrop County) on December 4th.
--- 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 6th.
A HORNED GREBE (Podiceps auritus) first found on Lake Pflugerville on November 22nd was still present as of December 5th.
--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---
A GREATER SCAUP (Aythya marila) was studied at Hornsby Bend on November 30th.
A lingering BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola) was along the Granger Lake Dam on November 29th.
A WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH (Sitta carolinensis) was seen along FM 486 in the pecan bottom along Little River in Milam County on November 29th.
Two SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHERS (Tyrannus forficatus) were still present in Round Rock at the Toyota Dealership along I-35 (Exit 254) on November 29th.
Four HORNED GREBES (Podiceps auritus) were on Stillhouse Hollow Lake at Union Grove WMA on November 28th.
A SAY'S PHOEBE (Sayornis saya) was reported from Lake Travis off of Hurst Creek Road on November 26th.
A BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola) was seen on a private ranch between Belton and Temple on November 25th.
A RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquatus) has been along the river at Hornsby Bend as recently as November 23rd.
A rather late BALTIMORE ORIOLE (Icterus galbula) was at private residence near Utley (w. Bastrop County) on November 22nd.
A ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) was studied in the Spring Branch area (Blanco Co.) on November 22nd.
Union Grove WMA at Stillhouse Hollow Lake held 4 HORNED GREBES (Podiceps auritus) and a late BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola) on November 22nd.
Eight SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHERS (Tyrannus forficatus) were still lingering in Round Rock along Old Settler's Blvd. as of November 21st.
--- Exceptional Sightings---
A COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD (Calypte costae) was present (and photographed) at a private residence in Dripping Springs on November 17th, and is still being seen as of December 1st. The Austin-area checklist shows only one prior record for this species from 1974.
--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---
An adult male BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus platycercus) was photographed at a private residence in the Great Hills area of northwest Austin on December 7th.
A PALM WARBLER (Dendroica palmarum) was photographed at Commons Ford Park on the west side of Austin on December 7th. This is likely a returning bird that has been present in the park two of the last three winters.
Seven HORNED GREBES (Podiceps auritus) were on Stillhouse Hollow Lake at Union Grove WMA on December 7th.
A RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER (Sphyrapicus nuchalis) was photographed in a northwest Austin neighborhood near 183/620 on December 6th.
A WOOD THRUSH (Hylocichla mustelina) was photographed at a private residence in Utley (western Bastrop County) on December 4th.
--- 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 6th.
A HORNED GREBE (Podiceps auritus) first found on Lake Pflugerville on November 22nd was still present as of December 5th.
--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---
A GREATER SCAUP (Aythya marila) was studied at Hornsby Bend on November 30th.
A lingering BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola) was along the Granger Lake Dam on November 29th.
A WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH (Sitta carolinensis) was seen along FM 486 in the pecan bottom along Little River in Milam County on November 29th.
Two SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHERS (Tyrannus forficatus) were still present in Round Rock at the Toyota Dealership along I-35 (Exit 254) on November 29th.
Four HORNED GREBES (Podiceps auritus) were on Stillhouse Hollow Lake at Union Grove WMA on November 28th.
A SAY'S PHOEBE (Sayornis saya) was reported from Lake Travis off of Hurst Creek Road on November 26th.
A BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola) was seen on a private ranch between Belton and Temple on November 25th.
A RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquatus) has been along the river at Hornsby Bend as recently as November 23rd.
A rather late BALTIMORE ORIOLE (Icterus galbula) was at private residence near Utley (w. Bastrop County) on November 22nd.
A ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) was studied in the Spring Branch area (Blanco Co.) on November 22nd.
Union Grove WMA at Stillhouse Hollow Lake held 4 HORNED GREBES (Podiceps auritus) and a late BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola) on November 22nd.
Eight SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHERS (Tyrannus forficatus) were still lingering in Round Rock along Old Settler's Blvd. as of November 21st.
--
Rare Bird Alert Compiler,
Travis Audubon Society
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