The Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 12/18/2014. Send interesting sightings, complete with species name, location, and contact information to Nate McGowan at natemcgowanbirds@xxxxxxxxx. -Exceptional birds in the circle- The DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER at Pedernales Falls State Park, *Blanco*, was last reported 11/30, with a negative report from 12/5. The BROWN BOOBY at Windy Point on Lake Travis, *Travis*, was last reported 12/10. More updates, positive or negative, are highly encouraged for both of these birds. -Rarities found this week- A CURVE-BILLED THRASHER, a PYRRHULOXIA, and a ZONE-TAILED HAWK were reported from the Balcones Canyonlands CBC, 12/15. A PURPLE FINCH was photographed at Bastrop State Park, *Bastrop*, 12/12. A CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD was photographed at a private residence in New Braunfels, *Comal*, most recently 12/17. A WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH was photographed at a private residence in Austin, *Travis*, 12/15. RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were seen at Hornsby Bend, *Travis*, most recently 12/15 and at a private residence, *Travis*, 12/17. PYRRHULOXIAS were photographed at Platt Lane, *Travis*, 12/13 and in *Bell* county, 12/12. NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS were reported from Hornsby Bend, *Travis*, 12/13 and Roy Guerrero Park in Austin, *Travis*, 12/14. AN EASTERN TOWHEE was reported from Reimer's Ranch, *Travis*, 12/13. A GREATER SCAUP was photographed in *Williamson* county, 12/13. -Continuing birds from previous weeks- A PYRRHULOXIA continued at Reimer's Ranch, *Travis*, most recently 12/14. A PALM WARBLER continued at Commons Ford, *Travis*, 12/14. A GREAT KISKADEE continued at Berry Springs Park in Georgetown, *Williamson*, 12/16. -CBC Information- Austin CBC Saturday, Dec. 20. www.austincbc.com austincbc@xxxxxxxxx Bastrop CBC Thursday, Jan. 1 www.bastropcbc.com bastroptxcbc@xxxxxxxxx Bell County CBC Saturday, Dec. 20 thos.robbins@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Burnet County CBC Friday, Jan. 2 sammyenmike@xxxxxxxxx <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','sammyenmike@xxxxxxxxx');> Lost Pines CBC Sunday, Dec. 21 http://www.visitlostpines.com/Hyatt-Lost-Pines/Activities/Christmas-bird-count.aspx New Braunfels CBC Sunday, Jan. 4 dipper2c@xxxxxxxxx <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','dipper2c@xxxxxxxxx');> Palmetto State Park CBC Saturday, Jan. 3 dwayne_rogers@xxxxxxxxxxx <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','dwayne_rogers@xxxxxxxxxxx');> 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 -- 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