April 16, 2009

The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, April 16th, 2009:

--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---

LAZULI BUNTINGS (Passerina amoena) made a strong showing this past week. 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 photographed 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 Lake 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 Gabriel 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.

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.

--- CONTINUING BIRDS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

Up to 34 WESTERN GREBES (Aechmophorus occidentalis) are present on Lake Buchanan. They are mostly being seen from Black Rock Park - first noted on March 15th, still being seen as of March 29th.
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 15th.

--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

WHITE IBIS (Eudocimus albus) are not expected during the spring. Two adults were at Hornsby Bend on April 2nd, while an adult and an immature bird were present there on April 5th.

The first area reports of PAINTED BUNTING (Passerina ciris) and DICKCISSEL (Spiza americana) come from the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo on April 4th.

A late EASTERN TOWHEE (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) was northwest of Harwood in southern Caldwell County on April 4th.

A WHITE-TAILED KITE (Elanus leucurus) was photographed near the demonstration gardens at the
Mueller Development (the old airport site) on the east side of Austin on April 2nd.

A male BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus melanocephalus) was photographed at a private residence two miles east of Elgin on April 2nd.

A late HOODED MERGANSER (Lophodytes cucullatus) was at Hornsby Bend on April 2nd.

A male BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus platycercus) visited a south Austin residence on March 29th.
--
Eric Carpenter
Rare Bird Alert Compiler,
Travis Audubon Society

April 2, 2009

The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, April 2nd, 2009:

--- Exceptional Sightings---

A breeding plumaged RED-NECKED GREBE (Podiceps grisegena) was discovered on Lake Buchanan on March 15th and has been seen (and photographed) by several folks thru March 17th, and then again on March 24th. It has been most readily seen in loose association with a group of Western Grebes from Black Rock Park ($4/person) on the southwest portion of the lake. Black Rock Park is off of RR 261 just a couple miles north of HWY 29. The lake is rather big and other areas should be explored if the bird is not found here. There is only 1 prior documented record for the Austin area.

A male BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD (Cynanthus latirostris) was present (and photographed) at a private residence just east of Kendalia (Kendall County) from March 10th thru March 17th. Unfortunately, the residence is not able to host visiting birders.

--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---

A male BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus platycercus) visited a south Austin residence on March 29th.

--- CONTINUING BIRDS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

Up to 2 BLACK PHOEBES (Sayornis nigricans) are present at Guadalupe River State Park, last reported on March 15th. The birds can be seen along the river from the hiking trail that runs adjacent to the river near the picnic areas and just below the main parking area there.

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 March 14th.

Up to 34 WESTERN GREBES (Aechmophorus occidentalis) are present on Lake Buchanan. They are mostly being seen from Black Rock Park - first noted on March 15th, still being seen as of March 29th.

--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

A WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH (Sitta carolinensis) was seen from the Sunshine Road bridge over Little River northeast of Holland on March 21st.

Two SNOWY PLOVERS (Charadrius alexandrinus) were reported at Bob Wendt Park on Lake Travis on March 13th.

Also of note on Lake Buchanan are a PACIFIC LOON (Gavia pacifica) seen on March 15th and 16th either from just west of the dam or from Black Rock Park.

CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS (Spizella pallida) continue to show up early with 1 at Hornsby Bend on March 14th, and 2 in w. Bastrop County on March 17th.

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

March 26, 2009

The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, March 26th, 2009:

--- Exceptional Sightings---

A breeding plumaged RED-NECKED GREBE (Podiceps grisegena) was discovered on Lake Buchanan on March 15th and has been seen (and photographed) by several folks thru March 17th, and then again on March 24th. It has been most readily seen in loose association with a group of Western Grebes from Black Rock Park ($4/person) on the southwest portion of the lake. Black Rock Park is off of RR 261 just a couple miles north of HWY 29. The lake is rather big and other areas should be explored if the bird is not found here. There is only 1 prior documented record for the Austin area.

A male BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD (Cynanthus latirostris) was present (and photographed) at a private residence just east of Kendalia (Kendall County) from March 10th thru March 17th. Unfortunately, the residence is not able to host visiting birders.

--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---

A WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH (Sitta carolinensis) was seen from the Sunshine Road bridge over Little River northeast of Holland on March 21st.

--- CONTINUING BIRDS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

Up to 2 BLACK PHOEBES (Sayornis nigricans) are present at Guadalupe River State Park, last reported on March 15th. The birds can be seen along the river from the hiking trail that runs adjacent to the river near the picnic areas and just below the main parking area there.

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 March 14th.

Up to 34 WESTERN GREBES (Aechmophorus occidentalis) are present on Lake Buchanan. They are mostly being seen from Black Rock Park - first noted on March 15th, still being seen as of March 24th.
--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

Two SNOWY PLOVERS (Charadrius alexandrinus) were reported at Bob Wendt Park on Lake Travis on March 13th.

Also of note on Lake Buchanan are a PACIFIC LOON (Gavia pacifica) seen on March 15th and 16th either from just west of the dam or from Black Rock Park CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS (Spizella pallida) continue to show up early with 1 at Hornsby Bend on March 14th, and 2 in w. Bastrop County on March 17th.

Two LARK BUNTINGS (Calamospiza melanocorys) were seen on March 11th along CR 349 on the north'ish side of Granger Lake, near the Willis Creek Park.

Several migrants and returning breeding species have been reported in our area already. A couple of the more noteworthy early arrivals include: a WILSON'S PHALAROPE (Phalaropus tricolor) at Hornsby Bend on March 11th; 2 YELLOW-THROATED WARBLERS (Dendroica dominica) on March 7th, 1 NASHVILLE WARBLER (Vermivora ruficapilla) on March 10th, and a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW (Spizella pallida) on March 8th, all in the same subdivision in far northwest Austin (north of Anderson Mill & east of HWY 183).

A RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER (Sphyrapicus nuchalis) was studied near a neighborhood park in the Travis Country subdivision in southwest Austin on March 7th.

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

March 19, 2009

The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, March 19th, 2009:

--- EXCEPTIONAL SIGHTINGS ---

A breeding plumaged RED-NECKED GREBE (Podiceps grisegena) was discovered on Lake Buchanan on March 15th and has been seen (and photographed) by several folks thru at least March 17th. It has been most readily seen in loose association with a group of Western Grebes from Black Rock Park ($4/person) on the southwest portion of the lake. Black Rock Park is off of RR 261 just a couple miles north of HWY 29. The lake is rather big and other areas should be explored if the bird is not found here. There is only 1 prior documented record for the Austin area.

A male BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD (Cynanthus latirostris) was present (and photographed) at a private residence just east of Kendalia (Kendall County) from March 10th thru March 17th. Unfortunately, the residence is not able to host visiting birders.

--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---

Also of note on Lake Buchanan are a PACIFIC LOON (Gavia pacifica) seen on March 15th and 16th either from just west of the dam or from Black Rock Park, and up to 34 WESTERN GREBES (Aechmophorus occidentalis) that are mostly being seen from Black Rock Park - first noted on March 15th, still being seen as of March 18th.

CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS (Spizella pallida) continue to show up early with 1 at Hornsby Bend on March 14th, and 2 in w. Bastrop County on March 17th.

Two SNOWY PLOVERS (Charadrius alexandrinus) were reported at Bob Wendt Park on Lake Travis on March 13th.

--- CONTINUING BIRDS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

Up to 2 BLACK PHOEBES (Sayornis nigricans) are present at Guadalupe River State Park, last reported on March 15th. The birds can be seen along the river from the hiking trail that runs adjacent to the river near the picnic areas and just below the main parking area there.

A female LONG-TAILED DUCK (Clangula hyemalis) was discovered on Lake Lady Bird (Town Lake) in Austin on February 15th. It has been photographed and seen by several folks thru at least March 1st. The bird is most readily seen on the water from either a kayak or canoe about halfway betwen Red Bud Island and the pedestrian bridge under MoPac. The bird has been seen from land a few times, either from the trails at Red Bud Island or the various access points near to where MoPac crosses the lake.

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 March 14th .

An amazing 12 WESTERN BLUEBIRDS (Sialia mexicana) were photographed on Canyon Lake on January 24th, and were still present at least thru March 2nd. 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.

--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

Two LARK BUNTINGS (Calamospiza melanocorys) were seen on March 11th along CR 349 on the north'ish side of Granger Lake, near the Willis Creek Park.

Several migrants and returning breeding species have been reported in our area already. A couple of the more noteworthy early arrivals include: a WILSON'S PHALAROPE (Phalaropus tricolor) at Hornsby Bend on March 11th; 2 YELLOW-THROATED WARBLERS (Dendroica dominica) on March 7th, 1 NASHVILLE WARBLER (Vermivora ruficapilla) on March 10th, and a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW (Spizella pallida) on March 8th, all in the same subdivision in far northwest Austin (north of Anderson Mill & east of HWY 183).

A RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER (Sphyrapicus nuchalis) was studied near a neighborhood park in the Travis Country subdivision in southwest Austin on March 7th.

A ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) was seen near Wimberley on February 27th.

--

Eric Carpenter
Rare Bird Alert Compiler,

Travis Audubon Society