January 22, 2009

The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, January 22nd, 2009:

--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---

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 January 20th.

A WILSON'S WARBLER (Wilsonia pusilla) was studied at Palmetto State Park on January 18th.

--- CONTINUING BIRDS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

Up to 3 FERRUGINOUS HAWKS (Buteo regalis) continue in the fields between FM 1625 and HWY 183 south of McKenzie Road as of January 18th.

At Hornsby Bend, up to 4 VIRGINIA RAILS (Rallus limicola) continue vocalizing (very difficult to actually see) along the edges of Pond 1W as of January 4th. Also at Hornsby Bend, up to 4 female COMMON GOLDENEYE (Bucephala clangula) continue on Pond 1W as of January 4th.

--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

A SAGE THRASHER (Oreoscoptes montanus) was studied on January 13th at Pedernales Falls State Park near the trail head for the Twins Falls overlook in the car camping area.

The New Braunfels CBC was held on January 4th with an unofficial total of 114 species. Highlights included a RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquatus) at Comal Park, a SAY'S PHOEBE (Sayornis saya), a NASHVILLE WARBLER (Vermivora ruficapilla) and a BRONZED COWBIRD (Molothrus aeneus).

A FERRUGINOUS HAWK (Buteo regalis) was studied along CR 443 northeast of Thorndale on January 4th.

The Granger CBC was held on January 3rd with an unofficial total of 125 species. Highlights included: 1 NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) from Taylor Park, 3 MOTTLED DUCKS (Anas fulvigula), a dark-morph ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK (Buteo lagopus) along the northside of the lake, several VIRGINIA RAILS (Rallus limicola) in the marsh below the spillway, a DUNLIN (Calidris alpina) and a WESTERN SANDPIPER (Calidris mauri) along the lake, a BURROWING OWL (Athene cunicularia) along CR 346 just west of CR 348, a NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) and a BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER (Mniotilta varia) along the river and southwest edge of Granger Lake.

A SAY'S PHOEBE (Sayornis saya) was along Alligator Road north of Granger Lake on January 2nd.

Two WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES (Sitta carolinensis) were photographed at the pecan bottom along the river on CR 366, near to Granger Lake on January 1st.

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

January 15, 2009

The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, January January 15th, 2009:

--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---

A SAGE THRASHER (Oreoscoptes montanus) was studied on January 13th at Pedernales Falls State Park near the trail head for the Twins Falls overlook in the car camping area.

--- 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 January 1st.

A few finds from the Austin CBC (held Dec 20th) are still being seen. The LONG-BILLED THRASHER (Toxostoma longirostre) was still being seen at McKinney Falls State Park as of December 27th - please e-mail me for specific directions. Up to 3 FERRUGINOUS HAWKS (Buteo regalis) continue in the fields between FM 1625 and HWY 183 south of McKenzie Road as of January 10th. At Hornsby Bend, up to 4 VIRGINIA RAILS (Rallus limicola) continue vocalizing (very difficult to actually see) along the edges of Pond 1W as of January 4th. Also at Hornsby Bend, up to 4 female COMMON GOLDENEYE (Bucephala clangula) continue on Pond 1W as of January 4th.

--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

The New Braunfels CBC was held on January 4th with an unofficial total of 114 species. Highlights included a RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquatus) at Comal Park, a SAY'S PHOEBE (Sayornis saya), a NASHVILLE WARBLER (Vermivora ruficapilla) and a BRONZED COWBIRD (Molothrus aeneus).

A FERRUGINOUS HAWK (Buteo regalis) was studied along CR 443 northeast of Thorndale on January 4th.

The Granger CBC was held on January 3rd with an unofficial total of 125 species. Highlights included: 1 NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) from Taylor Park, 3 MOTTLED DUCKS (Anas fulvigula), a dark-morph ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK (Buteo lagopus) along the northside of the lake, several VIRGINIA RAILS (Rallus limicola) in the marsh below the spillway, a DUNLIN (Calidris alpina) and a WESTERN SANDPIPER (Calidris mauri) along the lake, a BURROWING OWL (Athene cunicularia) along CR 346 just west of CR 348, a NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) and a BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER (Mniotilta varia) along the river and southwest edge of Granger Lake.

A SAY'S PHOEBE (Sayornis saya) was along Alligator Road north of Granger Lake on January 2nd.

Two WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES (Sitta carolinensis) were photographed at the pecan bottom along the river on CR 366, near to Granger Lake on January 1st. --

Eric Carpenter
Rare Bird Alert Compiler, Travis Audubon Society

January 8, 2009

The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, January 8th, 2009:

--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---

The New Braunfels CBC was held on January 4th with an unofficial total of 114 species. Highlights included a RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquatus) at Comal Park, a SAY'S PHOEBE (Sayornis saya), a NASHVILLE WARBLER (Vermivora ruficapilla) and a BRONZED COWBIRD (Molothrus aeneus).

A FERRUGINOUS HAWK (Buteo regalis) was studied along CR 443 northeast of Thorndale on January 4th.

The Granger CBC was held on January 3rd with an unofficial total of 125 species. Highlights included: 1 NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) from Taylor Park, 3 MOTTLED DUCKS (Anas fulvigula), a dark-morph ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK (Buteo lagopus) along the northside of the lake, several VIRGINIA RAILS (Rallus limicola) in the marsh below the spillway, a DUNLIN (Calidris alpina) and a WESTERN SANDPIPER (Calidris mauri) along the lake, a BURROWING OWL (Athene cunicularia) along CR 346 just west of CR 348, a NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) and a BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER (Mniotilta varia) along the river and southwest edge of Granger Lake.

A SAY'S PHOEBE (Sayornis saya) was along Alligator Road north of Granger Lake on January 2nd.

Two WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES (Sitta carolinensis) were photographed at the pecan bottom along the river on CR 366, near to Granger Lake on January 1st.

--- 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 28th.

A few finds from the Austin CBC (held Dec 20th) are still being seen. The LONG-BILLED THRASHER (Toxostoma longirostre) was still being seen at McKinney Falls State Park as of December 27th - please e-mail me for specific directions. Up to 3 FERRUGINOUS HAWKS (Buteo regalis) continue in the fields between FM 1625 and HWY 183 south of McKenzie Road, also as of December 27th. At Hornsby Bend, up to 4 VIRGINIA RAILS (Rallus limicola) continue vocalizing (very difficult to actually see) along the edges of Pond 1W as of January 4th. Also at Hornsby Bend, up to 4 female COMMON GOLDENEYE (Bucephala clangula) continue on Pond 1W as of January 4th.

--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

Twenty-two Aechmorphorus (Western/Clarke's) grebes were noted on Lake Buchanan on December 23rd.

A GOLDEN EAGLE (Aquila chrysaetos) was studied as it flew thru northwest Austin (near Cameron Rd & HWY 183).

A YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER (Dendroica dominica) was seen on December 22nd at a private residence on Lake LBJ. This marks the third year that this individual has wintered at this location.

The Austin Christmas Bird Count was held on December 20th with an unofficial total of 140 species tallied. The best birds of the day were 3 FERRUGINOUS HAWKS (Buteo regalis) videotaped over the fields between FM 1625 and HWY 183 south of McKenzie Road, and a LONG-BILLED THRASHER (Toxostoma longirostre) studied at McKinney Falls State Park. Both of these great finds were seen again the following day, when the thrasher was photographed. Please contact me for more specific directions to the Long-billed Thrasher.

Other good finds from the Austin CBC on December 20th include 4 COMMON GOLDENEYES (Bucephala clangula) , 4 heard-only VIRGINIA RAILS (Rallus limicola), a RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquatus), a late SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus forficatus) - all at Hornsby Bend - and a BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER (Dendroica virens) in south Austin as well as YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) photographed near Elroy.

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