This is the Austin Area Rare Bird Alert. This update is as of 2/12/2015. Send interesting sightings, complete with species name, location, and contact information to Nate McGowan at natemcgowanbirds@xxxxxxxxx. -Exceptional birds in the circle- A STRIPED SPARROW was photographed and audio recorded at CR 428 east of CR 361, *Williamson*, 1/11. The most recent positive report is from 2/11. This is a potential first ABA record, although provenance has been questioned. A EURASIAN WIGEON, presumably the same bird seen at Lake Creek Park, *Williamson*, in January, was reported, this time from the West Beach Marina area of Hudson Bend on Lake Travis*, Travis*, 2/8. There were no photographs of the second report. -Rarities found this week- A great find at the edge of the circle was a BROWN PELICAN at Welch Park on Lake Somerville, *Burleson*, 2/10. Two HUTTON'S VIREOS were reported from San Marcos, *Hays*, 2/11. A PYRRHULOXIA was well described from Roy Guerrero Park, *Travis, *2/8. A ZONE-TAILED HAWK was photographed flying over Emma Long Park, *Travis*, 2/7. NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS were seen at Roy Guerrero Park, *Travis*, 2/8 and Travis Heights, *Travis*, 2/7. -Continuing birds from previous weeks- A BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER continued at John Stokes San Marcos River Park, *Hays*, most recently 2/11. A GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE continued at Tejas Camp, *Williamson*, 2/7. A well photographed ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD continues at a private residence in west Austin, *Travis*, 2/11. The bird has been present since at least December. A SAGE THRASHER continued at Flying X Ranch, *Burnet*, 2/8. Individual CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRDS continued on private property in New Braunfels*, Comal*, 2/7 and a private residence in central Austin, *Travis*, 2/7. Both birds have been well photographed. A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER continued near CR 428 at Granger Lake, *Williamson*, 2/9. A PYRRHULOXIA continued at McNeil and Merrytown Rds., *Travis*, 2/7. The bird has been photographed. GREAT KISKADEES continued at Berry Springs Park in Georgetown, *Williamson*, 2/7 and on private property in *Caldwell County*, 2/7. RUSTY BLACKBIRDS continued at Hornsby Bend, *Travis*, most recently 2/8. Reports for the Austin area RBA cover a 60 mile radius, centered on the Capitol in downtown Austin. Bird sightings mentioned here have been filtered and scrutinized by the compiler and are believed to be genuine. When documentation or photographs were provided, that is mentioned along with the other information about the bird(s) being seen. For questions or updates about birds mentioned here, or to report rare or unusual bird sightings in the Austin area, please send an email to natemcgowanbirds@xxxxxxxxx. Nate McGowan Rare Bird Alert Compiler Austin, TX Edit your Freelists account settings for TEXBIRDS at //www.freelists.org/list/texbirds Reposting of traffic from TEXBIRDS is prohibited without seeking permission from the List Owner