This is the Austin Area Rare Bird Alert. This update is as of 8/18/2016. Send interesting sightings, complete with species name, location, and contact information to Arman Moreno at armanmorenobirds@gmail.com.

Rarities found this week

• On the morning of 8/18, a LESSER NIGHTHAWK was observed flying around the parking lot of H-E-B in Cedar Park, Williamson County. This location is at the corner of Bell & Whitestone. The bird was originally seen on 8/12.
• A BLUE-WINGED WARBLER was reported from a private residence in Travis County on 8/15 and continued through 8/16.
• A male HOODED WARBLER was photographed at Warbler Woods, Guadalupe, on 8/12. Another male was photographed at a private residence in NW Austin, Travis on 8/14.
• YELLOW-THROATED WARBLERs were photographed at two locations in Travis County: a private residence in West Austin (8/15) and a bird at Hornsby Bend (8/16).

Continuing birds from previous weeks

• A BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER continued at Hornsby Bend, Travis, through 8/12. The bird has since moved on.
• LESSER NIGHTHAWKS continue at the Village Shopping Center in North Central Austin, Travis, last reported on 8/17. The best vantage point is to seek out the middle of the parking lot, which will afford 360 degree views. The birds have been spotted around the entire shopping center, including over Office Depot, Epoch Coffee and Alamo Drafthouse.
• A male CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD continues at a private residence in New Braunfels, Comal, on 8/14.
• At least one GREAT KISKADEE continues in Caldwell County off Black Watch Ln & Purvis Farm in Lockhart on 8/14. The long-staying Kiskadee at Berry Springs Park in Georgetown, Williamson, continues through 8/17.

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 armanmorenobirds@gmail.com.

Arman Moreno
Rare Bird Alert Compiler
Travis Audubon Society

To view our archive of previous RBA reports, click here.