This is the Austin Area Rare Bird Alert and has been updated through
5/26/2016. To report rare or unusual bird sightings in the Austin area, provide
recent sighting updates, or inquire about location details on birds listed
below, please send an email to armanmorenobirds@xxxxxxxxx. If submitting a
bird sighting, please include species name, location details, and contact
information.
-Rarities found this week-
Two CASPIAN TERNS visited Hornsby Bend, Travis, on 5/20. Both birds were
observed on the drying basins before circling the ponds and continuing
north.
A BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO was a great find at Commons Ford Park west of Austin,
Travis, on 5/17. More impressively, it stuck around through at least 5/19
and stayed within the same vicinity (just east of the creek just before and
after the foot bridge). Five days later, another bird was found along the
Colorado River at Roy Guerrero Park in Central Austin, Travis, 5/22.
A BUFF-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD was photographed at McKinney Roughs Nature Park
off of Hwy 71 between east of Del Valle in Bastrop County, on 5/15. No
reports since but not sure how often this park is birded. Another bird was
reported on 5/26 from Warbler Woods, Guadalupe, feeding in an orchid tree.
A BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER was found (seen and heard) on private property
off FM 967 just west of Buda, Hays, on 5/21.
A female *HEPATIC TANAGER* was an astounding find at a private residence in
West Austin, Travis, on 5/22. The bird was observed very briefly, and not
seen again. One photograph was obtained. This represents a potential first
county record.
A SCARLET TANAGER was also found at Commons Ford Park, west Austin, Travis
on 5/17. Interestingly, this bird also hung around for 3 days, until at
least 5/19 and was also observed along the same stretch of creek as the
cuckoo.
-Continuing birds from previous weeks-
A BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER continued at Hornsby Bend, Travis, through at least
5/22.
It's been a good migration for DUNLINS. As many as 5 on one day were
reported from Hornsby Bend, Travis, last week, with at least one continuing
through 5/24.
A GREAT KISKADEE continues at Berry Springs Park, Williamson, last reported
on 5/24.
An AUDUBON'S ORIOLE returned briefly to a private feeder in West Austin,
Travis on 5/21. The bird has not been seen again. There are a few records
of AUOR from the Austin circle but this is apparently a first Travis County
record.
Arman Moreno
Austin, TX
_________________________________________________________________
*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.
Photo or audio documentation for species with challenging IDs will be
mentioned if they are known to exist. *
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