January 29, 2009

The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, January 29th, 2009:

--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---

An amazing 12 WESTERN BLUEBIRDS (Sialia mexicana) were photographed on Canyon Lake on January 24th, and were still present at least thru January 26th. These birds are located at Cranes Mill Park on the southside of the lake, about two-thirds of the way from the entrance to the end of the peninsula there.

A GREEN HERON (Butorides virescens) was along Shoal Creek near where it runs into Lake Lady Bird in Austin on January 23rd.

Single ZONE-TAILED HAWKS (Buteo albonotatus) were noted on January 22nd in two locations. One was near the intersection of FM 969 and FM 1209 in western Bastrop County and the other was studied in Hays County near the intersection of FM 2327 and Red Hawk Road near Wimberley.

--- 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 20th. These birds were first seen on the Austin Christmas Bird Count on December 20th.

A LONG-BILLED THRASHER (Toxostoma longirostre) continues at McKinney Falls State Park as of January 19th. This bird was also first located during the Austin CBC on December 20th.

--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

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.

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.

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

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

November 20, 2008

The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00 am, November 20th, 2008:

--- Exceptional Sightings---

A COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD (Calypte costae) was present (and photographed) at a private residence in Dripping Springs on November 17th and 18th. The Austin-area checklist shows only one prior record for this species from 1974.

--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---

No new reports for the current week.

--- CONTINUING BIRDS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

A CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD (Stellula calliope) that first visited a south Austin residence September 20th was still present as of November 11th.

--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

A SAGE THRASHER (Oreoscoptes montanus) was along FM 1123 between Holland and Belton on November 9th.

A trip to the Granger Lake area on November 9th yielded an adult WHITE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albicaudatus) over the CR 352 megafield and a SHORT-EARED OWL (Asio flammeus) at Sore Finger WMA.

An AMERICAN BITTERN (Botaurus lentiginosus) was on a small pond on Ft. Hood near its boundary with Killeen on November 8th.

Two migrating WHOOPING CRANES (Grus americana) were spotted passing over Temple on November 8th.

On November 8th, a late YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO (Coccyzus americanus) was at (Big) Webberville Park, while a WHITE-TAILED KITE (Elanus leucurus) was in fields just north of there.

Another SAGE THRASHER (Oreoscoptes montanus) was studied at Honey Creek SNA on November 7th.

A SAY'S PHOEBE (Sayornis saya) was on private property near Utley on November 4th.

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

November 13, 2008

The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, November 13th, 2008:

--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---

A SAGE THRASHER (Oreoscoptes montanus) was along FM 1123 between Holland and Belton on November 9th.

A trip to the Granger Lake area on November 9th yielded an adult WHITE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albicaudatus) over the CR 352 megafield and a SHORT-EARED OWL (Asio flammeus) at Sore Finger WMA.

An AMERICAN BITTERN (Botaurus lentiginosus) was on a small pond on Ft. Hood near its boundary with Killeen on November 8th.

Two migrating WHOOPING CRANES (Grus americana) were spotted passing over Temple on November 8th.

On November 8th, a late YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO (Coccyzus americanus) was at (Big) Webberville Park, while a WHITE-TAILED KITE (Elanus leucurus) was in fields just north of there.

Another SAGE THRASHER (Oreoscoptes montanus) was studied at Honey Creek SNA on November 7th.

--- CONTINUING BIRDS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

A CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD (Stellula calliope) that first visited a south Austin residence September 20th was still present as of November 11th.

--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

A SAY'S PHOEBE (Sayornis saya) was on private property near Utley on November 4th.

A ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) was spotted west of 360 and Bee Caves Road on the west side of Austin on October 30th.

A BALD EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was near Shipp Lake on October 27th.

The Granger Lake area was productive on October 25th and 26th with the following highlights: a COMMON LOON (Gavia immer), four MOTTLED DUCKS (Anas fulvigula), a BALD EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), a heard-only VIRGINIA RAIL (Rallus limicola) below the spillway, two AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS (Pluvialis dominica), a BAIRD'S SANDPIPER (Calidris bairdii), and a single BURROWING OWL (Athene cunicularia) along CR 352.

A ROSEATE SPOONBILL (Platalea ajaja) was south of Niederwald in Caldwell County on October 25th.

Two BALD EAGLES (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) were spotted migrating over Hornsby Bend on October 22nd.

--

Eric Carpenter

Rare Bird Alert Compiler, Travis Audubon Society