The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, April 30th, 2009:
--- Exceptional Sightings---
An amazing find was a RED-FACED WARBLER (Cardellina rubrifrons) in the Tarrytown neighborhood west of downtown Austin. The bird was studied for close to an hour late afternoon on April 23th and numerous photographs were taken. Unfortunately, it was not relocated the subsequent morning despite some searching. This sighting will be the first documented record for the Edward's Plateau, the first for Travis County and the second for the Austin area (the first being a bird in Bastrop County in May 1982).
--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---
Two SWALLOW-TAILED KITES (Elanoides forficatus) were seen off Reed Park Road south of Jonestown (Travis County) on April 28th.
The water quality pond at St. Edward's University in south Austin held 2 VIRGINIA RAILS (Rallus limicola) on April 28th.
Getting late was a COMMON LOON (Gavia immer) seen from Iron Bridge Park on Lake Belton on April 28th.
An influx of GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLERS (Vermivora chrysoptera) were seen this week. As many as 7 different sightings (some of multiple birds) were reported at various locations, most were in & around Austin.
BLUE-WINGED WARBLERS (Vermivora pinus) are also making a strong showing this spring. An additional 7 sightings were tallied this week at various sites.
A bumper crop of LAZULI BUNTINGS (Passerina amoena) continue to pass thru central Texas. Observers sifting thru mixed bunting flocks have reported at least six sightings this week, with the most notable being up to 5 at one private residence in western Bastrop County.
WOOD THRUSHES (Hylocichla mustelina) made a good showing this week with one at Temple Lions Park on April 24th, one at the W. Bouldin Creek Greenbelt in south Austin on April 24th (still present as of April 27th), one at the State Capitol Grounds in Austin on April 25th, one in far nw. Austin (Williamson County) on April 26th, and one at the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo on April 27th and 28th.
A YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER (Dendroica dominica) put in an appearance in the wooded area just southwest of the Hwy. 360 bridge over Lake Austin on April 27th.
The Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo received a lot of birder coverage this past week, including 2 field trips during the TOS meeting. Several interesting sightings were mentioned, included a report of a SWAINSON'S WARBLER (Limnothlypis swainsonii) on April 26th and April 27th.
Something was amiss with late migrating RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS (Mergus serrator) on April 26th, with 2 females studied in the morning at Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir and 3 females that stopped over at Hornsby Bend late that afternoon.
A trip to Granger Lake on April 26th was productive with 4 MOTTLED DUCKS (Anas fulvigula), a lingering NORTHERN HARRIER (Circus cyaneus), and a first-year HERRING GULL (Larus argentatus).
A BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO (Coccyzus erythrophthalmus) was photographed April 25th at Southeast Metro Park, which is east of the Austin Airport along HWY 71.
A GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus) was photographed on Pond 1West at Hornsby Bend on April 24th. An adult HERRING GULL (Larus argentatus) also put in an appearance over the ponds that day.
A WORM-EATING WARBLER (Helmitheros vermivorum) was photographed on April 24th in a backyard off of Duval Road between 183 and MoPac in northwest Austin.
A visit to (Big) Webberville Park on April 24th was productive with the following highlights: 2 WHITE IBIS (Eudocimus albus), a singing YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER (Dendroica dominica), and 3 lingering BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS (Euphagus cyanocephalus).
--- CONTINUING BIRDS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---
A VERDIN (Auriparus flaviceps) was near the intersection of Old Ferry and River roads in far western Travis County (near Pace Bend park) on April 12th and was stil in the same location as of April 26th.
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 20th.
--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---
Quite surprising is a LEAST BITTERN (Ixobrychus exilis) that has been hiding out in the limited vegetation around the Turtle Pond on the University of Texas campus in Austin. The bird was first found/photographed on April 21st and was seen thru the end of the day on April 22nd, though it can remain remarkably well hidden. The UT Turtle Pond/Tower Garden is immediately to the north of the UT Tower just to the southeast of the intersection of Guadalupe and 24th street. It has been mostly lurking deep in the clump of grass near the lower end of the pond.
LAZULI BUNTINGS (Passerina amoena) continue to be reported in numerous locations, usually accompanied by either Indigo and/or Painted Buntings.
A GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH (Catharus fuscescens) was studied near Utley on April 22nd.
A WOOD THRUSH (Hylocichla mustelina) was reported from the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo on April 22nd.
A GREATER SCAUP (Aythya marila) was photographed at Hornsby Bend on April 21st.
A SNOWY PLOVER (Charadrius alexandrinus) was photographed near the dam at Granger Lake on April 19th.
A singing CASSIN'S SPARROW (Aimophila cassinii) was an unexpected find on the Loop Rd. near Ship Lake in eastern Bastrop County on April 19th.
Two MOTTLED DUCKS (Anas fulvigula) were at WIllis Creek Park on Granger Lake on April 19th.
A male BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus melanocephalus) was photographed at the bird blind at Pedernales State Park on April 19th.
A VIRGINIA RAIL (Rallus limicola) was seen along Lake Rogers in Bell County on April 19th.
Up to 10 lingering BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS (Euphagus cyanocephalus) were near Rogers in Bell County on April 19th.
Another VIRGINIA RAIL (Rallus limicola) was heard well along Pond 1W at Hornsby Bend on April 18th.
A first-year HERRING GULL (Larus argentatus) was at Temple Lake Park on April 18th.
Unusual for the spring was a TRICOLORED HERON (Egretta tricolor) at a neighborhood park off of Howard Lane in far northeast Austin on April 18th.
A BLUE-WINGED WARBLER (Vermivora pinus) was studied in far northwest Austin on April 18th.
A great find for central Texas was a WORM-EATING WARBLER (Helmitheros vermivorum) that was studied by a few folks on April 18th at the State Capitol Grounds in Austin.
Rarely documented in the Austin area was a GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus) that was photographed along Barton Creek where it intersects with Lost Creek Blvd in west Austin. The bird was found on the morning of April 16th but has not been seen since.
Another BLUE-WINGED WARBLER (Vermivora pinus) was reported from the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property in Cibolo on April 16th.
LAZULI BUNTINGS (Passerina amoena) have made a strong showing this spring. There were at least 7 separate sightings of individual birds April 11th thru April 15th scattered thru the western half of the checklist area. Nearly all these sightings involved birds coming into bird feeders or water features and in some cases the bird lingered for a few days.
A BLUE-WINGED WARBLER (Vermivora pinus) was present at the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo on April 13th and another one was phothographed there on April 15th.
A male BULLOCK'S ORIOLE (Icterus bullockii) frequented (and was photographed) a private residence in Liberty Hill on April 13th and 14th.
A BLUE-WINGED WARBLER (Vermivora pinus) was studied on The Nature Conservancy's Barton Creek Habitat Preserve in southwest Austin on April 14th.
Union Grove WMA along Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir was productive on April 12th with 2 COMMON LOONS (Gavia immer) lingering, a SNOWY PLOVER (Charadrius alexandrinus), and the first HUDSONIAN GODWIT (Limosa haemastica) report for our area this spring.
A SNOWY PLOVER (Charadrius alexandrinus) was at the San Gabiel WMA where the river mouth meets Granger Lake on April 11th.
Two lingering HARRIS'S SPARROWS (Zonotrichia querula) were in western Milam county north of Thorndale on April 12th.
--- Exceptional Sightings---
An amazing find was a RED-FACED WARBLER (Cardellina rubrifrons) in the Tarrytown neighborhood west of downtown Austin. The bird was studied for close to an hour late afternoon on April 23th and numerous photographs were taken. Unfortunately, it was not relocated the subsequent morning despite some searching. This sighting will be the first documented record for the Edward's Plateau, the first for Travis County and the second for the Austin area (the first being a bird in Bastrop County in May 1982).
--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---
Two SWALLOW-TAILED KITES (Elanoides forficatus) were seen off Reed Park Road south of Jonestown (Travis County) on April 28th.
The water quality pond at St. Edward's University in south Austin held 2 VIRGINIA RAILS (Rallus limicola) on April 28th.
Getting late was a COMMON LOON (Gavia immer) seen from Iron Bridge Park on Lake Belton on April 28th.
An influx of GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLERS (Vermivora chrysoptera) were seen this week. As many as 7 different sightings (some of multiple birds) were reported at various locations, most were in & around Austin.
BLUE-WINGED WARBLERS (Vermivora pinus) are also making a strong showing this spring. An additional 7 sightings were tallied this week at various sites.
A bumper crop of LAZULI BUNTINGS (Passerina amoena) continue to pass thru central Texas. Observers sifting thru mixed bunting flocks have reported at least six sightings this week, with the most notable being up to 5 at one private residence in western Bastrop County.
WOOD THRUSHES (Hylocichla mustelina) made a good showing this week with one at Temple Lions Park on April 24th, one at the W. Bouldin Creek Greenbelt in south Austin on April 24th (still present as of April 27th), one at the State Capitol Grounds in Austin on April 25th, one in far nw. Austin (Williamson County) on April 26th, and one at the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo on April 27th and 28th.
A YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER (Dendroica dominica) put in an appearance in the wooded area just southwest of the Hwy. 360 bridge over Lake Austin on April 27th.
The Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo received a lot of birder coverage this past week, including 2 field trips during the TOS meeting. Several interesting sightings were mentioned, included a report of a SWAINSON'S WARBLER (Limnothlypis swainsonii) on April 26th and April 27th.
Something was amiss with late migrating RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS (Mergus serrator) on April 26th, with 2 females studied in the morning at Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir and 3 females that stopped over at Hornsby Bend late that afternoon.
A trip to Granger Lake on April 26th was productive with 4 MOTTLED DUCKS (Anas fulvigula), a lingering NORTHERN HARRIER (Circus cyaneus), and a first-year HERRING GULL (Larus argentatus).
A BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO (Coccyzus erythrophthalmus) was photographed April 25th at Southeast Metro Park, which is east of the Austin Airport along HWY 71.
A GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus) was photographed on Pond 1West at Hornsby Bend on April 24th. An adult HERRING GULL (Larus argentatus) also put in an appearance over the ponds that day.
A WORM-EATING WARBLER (Helmitheros vermivorum) was photographed on April 24th in a backyard off of Duval Road between 183 and MoPac in northwest Austin.
A visit to (Big) Webberville Park on April 24th was productive with the following highlights: 2 WHITE IBIS (Eudocimus albus), a singing YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER (Dendroica dominica), and 3 lingering BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS (Euphagus cyanocephalus).
--- CONTINUING BIRDS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---
A VERDIN (Auriparus flaviceps) was near the intersection of Old Ferry and River roads in far western Travis County (near Pace Bend park) on April 12th and was stil in the same location as of April 26th.
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 20th.
--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---
Quite surprising is a LEAST BITTERN (Ixobrychus exilis) that has been hiding out in the limited vegetation around the Turtle Pond on the University of Texas campus in Austin. The bird was first found/photographed on April 21st and was seen thru the end of the day on April 22nd, though it can remain remarkably well hidden. The UT Turtle Pond/Tower Garden is immediately to the north of the UT Tower just to the southeast of the intersection of Guadalupe and 24th street. It has been mostly lurking deep in the clump of grass near the lower end of the pond.
LAZULI BUNTINGS (Passerina amoena) continue to be reported in numerous locations, usually accompanied by either Indigo and/or Painted Buntings.
A GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH (Catharus fuscescens) was studied near Utley on April 22nd.
A WOOD THRUSH (Hylocichla mustelina) was reported from the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo on April 22nd.
A GREATER SCAUP (Aythya marila) was photographed at Hornsby Bend on April 21st.
A SNOWY PLOVER (Charadrius alexandrinus) was photographed near the dam at Granger Lake on April 19th.
A singing CASSIN'S SPARROW (Aimophila cassinii) was an unexpected find on the Loop Rd. near Ship Lake in eastern Bastrop County on April 19th.
Two MOTTLED DUCKS (Anas fulvigula) were at WIllis Creek Park on Granger Lake on April 19th.
A male BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus melanocephalus) was photographed at the bird blind at Pedernales State Park on April 19th.
A VIRGINIA RAIL (Rallus limicola) was seen along Lake Rogers in Bell County on April 19th.
Up to 10 lingering BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS (Euphagus cyanocephalus) were near Rogers in Bell County on April 19th.
Another VIRGINIA RAIL (Rallus limicola) was heard well along Pond 1W at Hornsby Bend on April 18th.
A first-year HERRING GULL (Larus argentatus) was at Temple Lake Park on April 18th.
Unusual for the spring was a TRICOLORED HERON (Egretta tricolor) at a neighborhood park off of Howard Lane in far northeast Austin on April 18th.
A BLUE-WINGED WARBLER (Vermivora pinus) was studied in far northwest Austin on April 18th.
A great find for central Texas was a WORM-EATING WARBLER (Helmitheros vermivorum) that was studied by a few folks on April 18th at the State Capitol Grounds in Austin.
Rarely documented in the Austin area was a GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus) that was photographed along Barton Creek where it intersects with Lost Creek Blvd in west Austin. The bird was found on the morning of April 16th but has not been seen since.
Another BLUE-WINGED WARBLER (Vermivora pinus) was reported from the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property in Cibolo on April 16th.
LAZULI BUNTINGS (Passerina amoena) have made a strong showing this spring. There were at least 7 separate sightings of individual birds April 11th thru April 15th scattered thru the western half of the checklist area. Nearly all these sightings involved birds coming into bird feeders or water features and in some cases the bird lingered for a few days.
A BLUE-WINGED WARBLER (Vermivora pinus) was present at the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo on April 13th and another one was phothographed there on April 15th.
A male BULLOCK'S ORIOLE (Icterus bullockii) frequented (and was photographed) a private residence in Liberty Hill on April 13th and 14th.
A BLUE-WINGED WARBLER (Vermivora pinus) was studied on The Nature Conservancy's Barton Creek Habitat Preserve in southwest Austin on April 14th.
Union Grove WMA along Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir was productive on April 12th with 2 COMMON LOONS (Gavia immer) lingering, a SNOWY PLOVER (Charadrius alexandrinus), and the first HUDSONIAN GODWIT (Limosa haemastica) report for our area this spring.
A SNOWY PLOVER (Charadrius alexandrinus) was at the San Gabiel WMA where the river mouth meets Granger Lake on April 11th.
Two lingering HARRIS'S SPARROWS (Zonotrichia querula) were in western Milam county north of Thorndale on April 12th.
Rare Bird Alert Compiler, Travis Audubon Society
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