Texbirders,
Today (12/20/16), I saw a Long-tailed Duck from the overlook at the south end
of Granger Lake Dam about 3:00 pm. I think it was a first-winter male (overall
"frosty" looking bird). I needed every bit of my Kowa at 60x to see the key
field marks. Unfortunately, it flew after about a minute of observation and I
lost sight of him as I fumbled for my camera (probably couldn't have gotten an
identifiable photo anyway). I'm not positive it didn't leave the lake but it
seemed to me that it was flying up the arm of the lake that leads from the San
Gabriel River. I tried to relocate it for about an hour from Taylor and Fox
Parks and the dam but couldn't find it.
I think this is a first record for Williamson County and would appreciate an
update if anybody sees this bird (and please try to get a photograph). I also
saw three female-type Red-breasted Mergansers off the dam while I tied to
relocate the LTDU but they were spooked by a passing boat (and also appeared to
fly up the arm of the lake that leads from the San Gabriel River).
Cheers,
Tim Fennell
Round Rock, TX (15 miles north of Austin)
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