Dear Texbirds,
This is the Austin Area Rare Bird Alert for the week of 9/22/2019
through 9/28/2019.
To report rare or unseasonal bird sightings in the Austin area, provide recent
sighting updates, or inquire about location details on birds listed below,
please send a query to *justin.bosler@xxxxxxxxx <justin.bosler@xxxxxxxxx>*.
If submitting a bird sighting, please include species name, location
details, and contact information. County names below appear in italics.
Several eclipse-plumaged CINNAMON TEAL were mixed in with hundreds of
Blue-winged Teal at both Hornsby Bend WTP and Lake Pflugerville, *Travis*,
on 9/28. Only single digits were identified at each location though more
could be concealed within the masses.
Single LEAST GREBES were reported from three separate locations in San
Marcos, *Hays*, this week; Spring Lake Preserve on 9/24, fish hatchery on
9/25, and Webster Lake on 9/28. One LEAST GREBE continues on Parksville Way
retention pond in Cedar Park, *Williamson*, on 9/23.
A SNOWY PLOVER was photographed at the south end of Lake Buchanan, *Llano*,
on 9/23.
A male LONG-BILLED CURLEW was photographed at Hornsby Bend WTP, *Travis*,
on 9/28. Unfortunately, as is typical of the species in fall migration, it
descended to investigate the ponds but did not put down and continued south.
A molting juvenile RED-NECKED PHALAROPE dropped in to refuel on Pond 1W at
Hornsby Bend WTP, *Travis*, on 9/28.
Presumably, the same SWALLOW-TAILED KITE was observed over the Colorado
River south of and over FM 973 on the eastern boundary of Hornsby Bend WTP,
*Travis*, on 9/28 between 10:12 AM and about 2:30 PM. Fingers crossed that
this individual sticks around for another day or two so that better views
and photographs can be obtained.
Rare for *Williamson*, a female RINGED KINGFISHER has been observed on and
off at the FM 1660 crossing of the San Gabriel River near Jonah, 9/22
through 9/28. A Green Kingfisher was also documented at this location on
9/22.
A SAY’S PHOEBE was photographed on a ranch near Cypress Mill, *Blanco*, on
9/26.
A shockingly large number of PURPLE MARTINS, about 100, continued on a
roost at Crossing Point Shopping Center in Round Rock, Williamson, through
9/22.
Another SWAINSON’S THRUSH was well-documented in a wooded backyard, this
time in northwest Austin, *Travis*, on 9/25-26.
A solitary CEDAR WAXWING was reported from Mills Pond at Wells Branch,
*Travis*, on 9/23.
A very rare in fall male BLUE-WINGED WARBLER was photographed at Warbler
Woods, *Guadalupe*, on 9/26.
An exceedingly late adult male PAINTED BUNTING was reported from Berry
Springs Park in Georgetown, *Williamson*, on 9/28.
Good birding!
Justin Bosler
Austin, Texas
