February 11, 2009

The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, February 11th, 2009:

--- Exceptional Sightings---

--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---

A ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) was spotted over Seguin on February 11th.

A WOOD THRUSH (Hylocichla mustelina) was present near Utley in western Bastrop County February 5th thru February 8th. This bird was seen in the same area in early December.

A LESSER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa flavipes) was on the ponds at Hornsby Bend on February 8th.

A kayaking trip down the Colorado River between the 183/Montopolis Bridge and Hornsby Bend on February 7th was productive with 2 ANHINGA (Anhinga anhinga), 1 GREATER SCAUP (Aythya marila), 1 ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus cinerascens), 2 NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) and 1 RUSTY BLACKBIRD (Euphagus carolinus).

--- CONTINUING BIRDS 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 February 8th.

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

Up to 3 FERRUGINOUS HAWKS (Buteo regalis) continue in the fields between FM 1625 and HWY 183 south of McKenzie Road as of Feburary 4th. 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 February 1st. This bird was also first located during the Austin CBC on December 20th.

At least one COMMON GOLDENEYE (Bucephala clangula) and at least one VIRGINIA RAIL (Rallus limicola) continue on and around the ponds at Hornsby Bend as of February 8th (as many as four of each have been present his winter).

--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

A COUCH'S KINGBIRD (Tyrannus couchii) was photographed at Bastrop State Park on February 4th.

Eleven HORNED GREBES (Podiceps auritus) were tallied on Stillhouse Hollow Lake at Union Grove WMA on January 31st.

A RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquatus) was at Aquarena Springs in San Marcos on January 30th.

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.

A WILSON'S WARBLER (Wilsonia pusilla) was studied at Palmetto State Park on January 18th and again on January 23rd.

--

Eric Carpenter

Rare Bird Alert Compiler, Travis Audubon Society

February 5, 2009

The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, February 5th, 2009:

--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---

Eleven HORNED GREBES (Podiceps auritus) were tallied on Stillhouse Hollow Lake at Union Grove WMA on January 31st.

A RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquatus) was at Aquarena Springs in San Marcos on January 30th.

--- CONTINUING BIRDS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

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

Up to 3 FERRUGINOUS HAWKS (Buteo regalis) continue in the fields between FM 1625 and HWY 183 south of McKenzie Road as of Feburary 4th. 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 February 1st. This bird was also first located during the Austin CBC on December 20th.

At least one female COMMON GOLDENEYE (Bucephala clangula) and at least one VIRGINIA RAIL (Rallus limicola) continue on and around the ponds at Hornsby Bend as of February 3rd (as many as of each have been present his winter).

--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

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.

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 and again on January 23rd.

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

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

November 8, 2007

The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, November 8th, 2007:

--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---

Visits to Hornsby Bend have been productive this week. A female HOODED MERGANSER (Lophodytes cucullatus) was on the ponds on November 7th, a SAY'S PHOEBE (Sayornis saya) was just north of the entrance to the pond on November 6th, and a SHORT-EARED OWL (Asio flammeus) was over the fields on November 4th.

An immature ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD (Calypte anna) was photographed at a private residence near Dripping Springs on November 5th, and was still present as of November 6th.

An immature BALD EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was just north of Shipp Lake (Bastrop County) on November 4th.

The Granger area was productive on November 4th with a HOODED MERGANSER (Lophodytes cucullatus) on the lake, a VIRGINIA RAIL (Rallus limicola) in the marsh below the spillway, and one LARK BUNTING
(Calamospiza melanocorys) in Bell County near the intersection of Holt and Round Hall Roads (between Holland and Bartlett).

A LARK BUNTING (Calamospiza melanocorys) was in a mixed sparrow flock along Dawnview Road northwest of Dripping Springs on November 3rd.

Two female PURPLE FINCHES (Carpodacus purpureus) were reported from the Pedernales State Park birding blind on November 3rd. At least one bird stayed (and was photographed) at this location last winter.

--- CONTINUING BIRDS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

A female BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER (Dendroica caerulescens) discovered at the West Bouldin Greenbelt in Austin on October 30th was still present on November 4th. It was near the entrance at 1200 S. 6th
Street, at the intersection of the entrance trail and the trail that parallels the railroad tracks.

A BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus platycercus) first seen at a private residence near Bee Caves and 360 in southwest Austin on August 27th was still being seen as of November 2nd.

BALD EAGLES (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) have been seen on-and-off at Lake Belton (Bell County) with the latest report of one bird seen on October 22nd.

The first sightings of BURROWING OWLS (Athene cunicularia) in the Granger area this fall came on October 14th with 2 birds at locations where birds spent the winter last year. One bird was along CR 124 on October 21st. More recent sightings include 3 birds at 2 locations along CR 354 on November 4th.

--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

An AMERICAN WOODCOCK (Scolopax minor) was at the Rocky Hill Ranch near Bastrop State Park on October 30th. Another was seen off of HWY 71 just southeast of Austin on October 31st.

At Union Grove WMA on Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir on October 27th, a heard-only KING RAIL (Rallus elegans) was in marshy area around the lake and there was an AMERICAN WOODCOCK (Scolopax minor) flushed near a group of willow trees.

A ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) was in far eastern Travis County near Webberville Park on October 27th.

Another AMERICAN WOODCOCK (Scolopax minor) was northwest of the Arboretum in northwest Austin on October 26th.

A late WILSON'S WARBLER (Wilsonia pusilla) was at a private residence near Utley on October 25th.

An AMERICAN WOODCOCK (Scolopax minor) was flushed at a private residence near Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir on October 23rd.

A BALD EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), a BLACK-NECKED STILT (Himantopus mexicanus), and a MARBLED GODWIT (Limosa fedoa) were near Utley (w. Bastrop County) on October 22nd.

A RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER (Sphyrapicus nuchalis) was photographed on private property near Utley (w. Bastrop County) on October 21st.

A partial specimen of an AMERICAN WOODCOCK (Scolopax minor) was picked up near Utley on October 20th.

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

FAQ

November 1, 2007

The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, November 1st, 2007:

--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---

A female BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER (Dendroica caerulescens) discovered at the West Bouldin Greenbelt in Austin on October 30th was still present on October 31st. It was near the entrance at 1200 S. 6th
Street, at the intersection of the entrance trail and the trail that parallels the railroad tracks.

An AMERICAN WOODCOCK (Scolopax minor) was at the Rocky Hill Ranch near Bastrop State Park on October 30th.

At Union Grove WMA on Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir on October 27th, a heard-only KING RAIL (Rallus elegans) was in marshy area around the lake and there was an AMERICAN WOODCOCK (Scolopax minor) flushed near a group of willow trees.

A ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) was in far eastern Travis County near Webberville Park on October 27th.

Another AMERICAN WOODCOCK (Scolopax minor) was northwest of the Arboretum in northwest Austin on October 26th.

A late WILSON'S WARBLER (Wilsonia pusilla) was at a private residence near Utley on October 25th.

--- CONTINUING BIRDS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

A BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus platycercus) first seen at a private residence near Bee Caves and 360 in southwest Austin on August 27th was still being seen as of October 31st.

BALD EAGLES (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) have been seen on-and-off at Lake Belton (Bell County) with the latest report of one bird seen on October 22nd.

The first sightings of BURROWING OWLS (Athene cunicularia) in the Granger area this fall came on October 14th with 2 birds at locations where birds spent the winter last year. One bird was along CR 124 on October 21st.

LESSER NIGHTHAWKS (Chordeiles acutipennis) have been reported at the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo, with the most recent sightings as of October 15th.

--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

An AMERICAN WOODCOCK (Scolopax minor) was flushed at a private residence near Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir on October 23rd.

A BALD EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), a BLACK-NECKED STILT (Himantopus mexicanus), and a MARBLED GODWIT (Limosa fedoa) were near Utley (w. Bastrop County) on October 22nd.

A RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER (Sphyrapicus nuchalis) was photographed on private property near Utley (w. Bastrop County) on October 21st.

A partial specimen of an AMERICAN WOODCOCK (Scolopax minor) was picked up near Utley on October 20th.

An AMERICAN WOODCOCK (Scolopax minor) was flushed near the Balcones Canyonland NWR Headquarters near Lago Vista on October 16th.

The first GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET (Regulus satrapa) of the fall was seen at the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo on October 15th.

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

FAQ