The
Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the
Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, October 23rd, 2008:
--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---
Two
BALD EAGLES (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) were spotted migrating over
Hornsby Bend on October 22nd.
A late
PROTHONOTARY WARBLER (Protonotaria citrea) has been present at
Hornsby Bend, near the birding shelter on Pond 2, since October 18th (still present as of October 21st).
A yellow-lored
YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER (Dendroica dominica) put in an appearance at a
Smithville residence on October 20th.
A
CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER (Dendroica pensylvanica) was studied near the courthouse in
Bastrop on October 20th.
The
Granger Lake area was productive on October 19th with 5
ROSEATE SPOONBILLS (Platalea ajaja) at Willis Creek Park, 2
AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS (Pluvialis dominica) at Friendship Park, and a distinctive heard-only
GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus) near the south end of the dam.
Two
RINGED KINGFISHERS (Megaceryle torquatus) were along the Colorado River at
McKinney Roughs on October 19th.
The seldom birded area of far eastern Travis County southeast of
Manor was productive on October 18th with a late
WOOD STORK (Mycteria americana), and 4
WILSON'S PHALAROPES (Phalaropus tricolor).
(Big)
Webberville Park held an
AMERICAN REDSTART (Setophaga ruticilla) and a
MOURNING WARBLER (Oporornis philadelphia) while (Little) Webberville Park had a
BALD EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), all on October 18th.
An
AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER (Pluvialis dominica) was in eastern Bastrop County near
Utley on October 18th.
A
FERRUGINOUS HAWK (Buteo regalis) was a great find at the
Hornsby Bend Hawkwatch on October 17th, which also had a
BALD EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) the same day.
--- CONTINUING BIRDS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---
Two
REDDISH EGRETS (Egretta rufescens) continue on
Canyon Lake as of October 4th. First discovered on August 8th, the birds have been frequenting coves along the Canyon Park causeway.
An
AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER (Pluvialis dominica) has been on the exposed shoreline of
Lake Pflugerville since September 30th (still present as of October 11th).
A
CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD (Stellula calliope) that first visited a south Austin residence September 20th was still present as of October 20th.
--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---
The
Granger Lake area was productive on October 12th with the following hightlights: a
WHITE-TAILED KITE (Elanus leucurus) at Willis Creek Park, an
AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER (Pluvialis dominica) along the dam, and three
DUNLIN (Calidris alpina) at the San Gabriel WMA.
Four
DUNLIN (Calidris alpina) stopped in at
Lake Fallen Star in Caldwell County on October 12th.
A
CHUCK-WILL'S-WIDOW (Caprimulgus carolinensis) was reported from the Schaezler's
Warbler Woods property near
Cibolo on October 12th.
A
BALD EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) put in an appearance at
Hornsby Bend on October 11th. A
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT (Icteria virens) and a
BALTIMORE ORIOLE (Icterus galbula) were also on the property along the river on the 11th.
An
EASTERN TOWHEE (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) near
Smithville was a nice early find on October 9th.
A
SANDERLING (Calidris alba) was persent at
Lake Pflugerville October 5th thru October 7th.
Single
BALD EAGLES (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) were seen on October 4th at both
Hornsby Bend and also along the Colorado River downstream of (Big) Webberville Park.
A
BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus platycercus) was studied in
Elgin on October 3rd.
--
Eric CarpenterRare Bird Alert Compiler, Travis Audubon Society