November 19, 2009

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

--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---

A trip to the Granger Lake area on November 15th yielded 2 SAY'S PHOEBES (Sayornis saya), with one along Aubrey Messer Road (Bell County) and another along CR 435 (Williamson County).

A lingering BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER (Dendroica virens) was at the Zilker Nature Preserve on November 15th.

A lone RED CROSSBILL (Loxia curvirostra) was heard by an experienced birder along Cottletown Road between Bastrop and Buescher State Parks on November 13th.

--- CONTINUING BIRDS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

RINGED KINGFISHERS (Megaceryle torquatus) have been present at a few spots around Austin. Individual birds have been present along the river at Hornsby Bend and also along the river at Commons Ford Park (in west Austin off Commons Ford Rd which runs off of Cuernavaca about 1/2 mile from its intersection with Bee Caves/2244) on-and-off for the past few weeks. Another one was seen along the river at Reimer's Ranch Park (off of Hamilton Pool road) and, more recently, closer to Hamilton Pool. There has also been one seen around (Big) Webberville Park.

A male CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD (Stellula calliope) was discovered (and photographed) on September 16th on the northwest side of the Garden Center building at Zilker Botanical Gardens in Austin (see http://www.zilkergarden.org/about/index.html) and has been seen sporadically there since then (last report on October 31st). It can be looked for attending to the lone hummingbird feeder and also perched up high in the nearby oaks.

A COMMON MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus) has been lingering at the pond in the Triangle delevopment area near the northwest corner of 45th and Guadalupe Streets in Austin. It has been seen at least through November 14th. As many as 7 individuals are lingering at a small pond near the intersection of McKinney Falls Parkway and Aspen Glenn (last report on November 14th), while 2 more are at a pond near the intersection of Hwy 183 and Metropolitan (last report on November 14th).

--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

An AMERICAN WOODCOCK (Scolopax minor) was flushed on private property near Utley on November 11th.

A LARK BUNTING (Calamospiza melanocorys) was along Lindemann Road southwest of Holland on November 8th.

An OVENBIRD (Seiurus aurocapilla) was present on private property near Utley on November 7th and 8th.

A BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus platycercus) was at a private residence near Spring Branch (Blano County near the Comal County line) on November 1st.

A lingering ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus cinerascens) was at the Canyon of the Eagles park on Lake Buchanan on October 31st.

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

November 12, 2009

The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, November 12th, 2009:

--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---

An AMERICAN WOODCOCK (Scolopax minor) was flushed on private property near Utley on November 11th.

A LARK BUNTING (Calamospiza melanocorys) was along Lindemann Road southwest of Holland on November 8th.

An OVENBIRD (Seiurus aurocapilla) was present on private property near Utley on November 7th and 8th.

--- CONTINUING BIRDS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

RINGED KINGFISHERS (Megaceryle torquatus) have been present at a few spots around Austin. Individual birds have been present along the river at Hornsby Bend and also along the river at Commons Ford Park (in west Austin off Commons Ford Rd which runs off of Cuernavaca about 1/2 mile from its intersection with Bee Caves/2244) on-and-off for the past few weeks. Another one was seen along the river at Reimer's Ranch Park (off of Hamilton Pool road). There has also been one seen around (Big) Webberville Park.

A male CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD (Stellula calliope) was discovered (and photographed) on September 16th on the northwest side of the Garden Center building at Zilker Botanical Gardens in Austin (see http://www.zilkergarden.org/about/index.html) and has been seen sporadically there since then (last report on October 31st). It can be looked for attending to the lone hummingbird feeder and also perched up high in the nearby oaks.

A COMMON MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus) has been lingering at the pond in the Triangle delevopment area near the northwest corner of 45th and Guadalupe Streets in Austin. It has been seen at least through October 31st.

--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

A BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus platycercus) was at a private residence near Spring Branch (Blano County near the Comal County line) on November 1st.

A lingering ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus cinerascens) was at the Canyon of the Eagles park on Lake Buchanan on October 31st.

An AMERICAN REDSTART (Setophaga ruticilla) was a nice find on October 27th along the West Bouldin Creek greenbelt in south Austin. It was still in the area as of November 2nd.

A SAGE THRASHER (Oreoscoptes montanus) was studied on October 23rd along the rocks on the Dam at Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir (Bell County), roughly 100 yards north of the spillway.

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

October 30, 2009

The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, October 30th, 2009:

--- Exceptional Sightings---

A juvenile RED PHALAROPE (Phalaropus fulicarius) was discovered on Pond 2 at Hornsby Bend on October 17th. This great find has been photographed and viewed by many through at October 22nd. There are precious few area records and this is the first for Travis County since 1980.

--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---

An AMERICAN REDSTART (Setophaga ruticilla) was a nice find on October 27th along the West Bouldin Creek greenbelt in south Austin.

A SAGE THRASHER (Oreoscoptes montanus) was studied on October 23rd along the rocks on the Dam at Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir (Bell County), roughly 100 yards north of the spillway.

--- CONTINUING BIRDS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

RINGED KINGFISHERS (Megaceryle torquatus) have been present at a few spots around Austin. Individual birds have been present along the river at Hornsby Bend and also along the river at Commons Ford Park (in west Austin off Commons Ford Rd which runs off of Cuernavaca about 1/2 mile from its intersection with Bee Caves/2244) on-and-off for the past few weeks. Another one was seen along the river at Reimer's Ranch Park (off of Hamilton Pool road).

A male CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD (Stellula calliope) was discovered (and photographed) on September 16th on the northwest side of the Garden Center building at Zilker Botanical Gardens in Austin (see http://www.zilkergarden.org/about/index.html) and has been seen sporadically there since then (last report on October 14th). It can be looked for attending to the lone hummingbird feeder and also perched up high in the nearby oaks.

--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

A COMMON MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus) has been lingering at the pond in the Triangle delevopment area near the northwest corner of 45th and Guadalupe Streets in Austin. It has been seen at least through October 19th.

A WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH (Sitta carolinensis) was at the Little River crossing along Sunshine Road, between Holland and Rogers in Bell County on October 18th. As many as three birds had been seen in the same general area on October 3rd.

An immature BROWN PELICAN (Pelecanus occidentalis) was seen again on October 17th on the northern portions of Lake Buchanan.

A PRAIRIE FALCON (Falco mexicanus) was seen migrating over Sequin on October 16th.

A migrating FERRUGINOUS HAWK (Buteo regalis) was studied on October 16th as it flew over Nolanville (Bell County).

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

October 8, 2009

The Austin-Area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9.00am, October 8th, 2009:

--- RARITIES FOUND THIS PAST WEEK---

(Big) Webberville Park in far eastern Travis County was productive on October 7th with a YELLOW-THROATED VIREO (Vireo flavifrons), a BROWN CREEPER (Certhia americana) and a YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER (Dendroica dominica).

An immature BROWN PELICAN (Pelecanus occidentalis) was photographed on October 3rd on Lake Buchanan from CR 225/Shaw Island Road.

Three WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES (Sitta carolinensis) were studied on October 3rd along Sunshine Road, between Holland and Rogers in Bell County. Two of the birds were at the Little River crossing and one more was about a mile west of that location.

A RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquatus) was spotted at Commons Ford Park on October 3rd. The park is in far west Austin off of Cuernavaca about a half-mile from its intersection with Bee Caves/2222.

Another RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquatus) was seen along the river at Hornsby Bend on October 3rd.

--- CONTINUING BIRDS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

A male CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD (Stellula calliope) was discovered (and photographed) on September 16th on the northwest side of the Garden Center building at Zilker Botanical Gardens in Austin (see http://www.zilkergarden.org/about/index.html) and has been seen sporadically there since then (last report on October 6th). It can be looked for attending to the lone hummingbird feeder and also perched up high in the nearby oaks.

LONG-BILLED THRASHERS (Toxostoma longirostre) are being seen regularly at the Schaezler's Warbler Woods property near Cibolo. The most recent report is from September 26th.

Two MOTTLED DUCKS (Anas fulvigula) have been present on-and-off on the ponds at Hornsby Bend since the spring. The most recent sighting was from October 4th.

--- RARE SIGHTINGS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS ---

A ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) was along Cypress Creek just off Hamilton Pool Road near the Blanco/Travis county line on September 30th.

A RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquatus) was spotted at Commons Ford Park on September 20th. The park is in far west Austin off of Cuernavaca about a half-mile from its intersection with Bee Caves/2222.

Another RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquatus) was seen along the river at Hornsby Bend on September 19th.

A ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) was over Lake Austin between Emma Long and Commons Ford Parks on September 19th and 20th.

A trip to Lake Buchanan on September 19th was productive with a MARBLED GODWIT (Limosa fedoa) seen from Paradise Point plus an early WESTERN GREBE (Aechmophorus occidentalis) and a ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) seen from County Road 225/Shaw Island Road.

A SWAINSON'S THRUSH (Catharus ustulatus) was seen on September 19th in far northwest Austin (near 620 & 183).

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