This is the Austin Area Rare Bird Alert. This update is as of 3/5/2015. 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 3/3. This is a potential first ABA record, although provenance has been questioned. A WHOOPING CRANE continues to be seen at the Sore Finger Unit of Granger Lake, *Williamson,* most recently 3/1. -Rarities found this week- A KRIDER'S RED-TAILED HAWK was seen in Northeast *Travis*, 2/28. FRANKLIN'S GULLS were early this week, with sightings at Lady Bird Lake and Hornsby Bend, *Travis, *3/1 and the Travis Co. 290 Landfill, *Travis*, 2/28. An EASTERN TOWHEE was photographed at Warbler Woods, *Guadalupe*, 2/28. A GREATER SCAUP was photographed near Granger Dam, *Williamson, *2/27. A PYRRHULOXIA was reported from the Utley area, *Bastrop, *3/3. RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were seen near the Utley area, *Bastrop*, 3/3. -Continuing birds from previous weeks- A CURVE-BILLED THRASHER continued at Reimer's Ranch Park, *Travis*, 3/1. A BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER continued at John Stokes San Marcos River Park, *Hays*, most recently 3/4. An EASTERN TOWHEE continued at a private office complex in west *Travis*, 3/3. A well photographed ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD continues at a private residence in west Austin, *Travis*, 3/4. The bird has been present since at least December. Individual CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRDS continued on private property in New Braunfels*, Comal*, 2/28 and a private residence in central Austin, *Travis*, 3/3. Both birds have been well photographed. A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER continued at CRs 428 and 361 in *Williamson*, 3/3. A PYRRHULOXIA continued at McNeil and Merrytown Rds., *Travis*, 3/2. The bird has been photographed. An early BROAD-WINGED HAWK continued at Barkley Meadows, *Travis*, most recently 2/28. A GREAT KISKADEE continued at Berry Springs Park in Georgetown, *Williamson*, 3/2. RUSTY BLACKBIRDS continued at Hornsby Bend, *Travis*, most recently 3/5. 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