This is the Austin Area Rare Bird Alert and has been updated through
2/23/2017. 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-
A PRAIRIE FALCON was well described just east of Smithville, Bastrop
County, on 2/19. The bird was observed off Loop Rd, between the Colorado
River and Shipp Lake.
Two TUFTED TITMICE were photographed off N Joseph Rd east of Temple, Bell
County, on 2/19. The vocalizations were also observed and were reported as
consistent with the species. The Central Texas area represents a
hybridization zone for both Tufted and Black-crested Titmice so ideally,
any bird encountered should be analyzed to rule out a hybrid.
-Continuing bird(s) from previous week-
A COMMON MERGANSER continues through 2/18 in the NE portion of Pace Bend
Park. Look for the signs indicating Mudd Cove/Mesquite Point. The bird has
been hanging around Hagwood Cove all the way into Mudd Cove near the
campground areas and all the way down to Tournament Point. After a
brief absence, the Williamson County bird at Tejas Camp Park was refound on
2/18 in the same location as previously reported (about .5 miles downriver
from the parking area).
A LEAST GREBE continues at Park View Park in Marble Falls, Burnet County,
through 2/17. The park is located NE of town near the intersection of
Mormon Mill Rd & Park Ridge Dr and was last spotted at the south end of the
pond. Two more birds continue in Williamson County through 2/23 off
Parksville Way and Fairweather Way.
Three WHITE-FACED IBIS continue at Lake Buchanan, Llano County, on 2/20.
The birds were located near the inlet on FM 261.
A ZONE-TAILED HAWK continues around Commons Ford Park in West Austin,
Travis County, on 2/18. I observed what was likely the same bird flying
over a nearby private residence, heading towards the direction of the park
on the same day.
A male BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD continues at a private residence in SW
Austin, Travis, on 2/22. Another bird continues at a private residence in
Williamson County, most recently reported on 2/21.
A male CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD continues at a private residence in New
Braunfels, Comal County, through 2/21.
Three GREAT KISKADEEs continue at a private residence off Dickerson Rd in
Caldwell County on 2/20.
Arman Moreno
Austin, TX
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*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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