This is the Austin Area Rare Bird Alert. Last update on 8/20/20. Send interesting sightings, complete with species name, location, and contact information to Vincent O’Brien at vincentobrienbirds@gmail.com.
A SAGE THRASHER was photographed and described from the old barn and restored prairie area at Commons Ford Park, Travis, 8/17.
Three CANADA GOOSE noted from Witter Lane, Bell, 8/16. And another group seen by a pond along TX HWY 46, near the Cibolo Creek Nature Trail Park, Comal, 8/9.
LESSER NIGHTHAWKs continue to be observed at Hornsby Bend, Travis, 8/18. With most recent reports from the ponds area and the agricultural field west of the CER Building.
SNOWY PLOVERs continued to be photographed and noted from Pond 1W at Hornsby Bend, Travis, 8/19. With at least one individual still present among the grassy areas of the mud flats.
A SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER was photographed at Devine Lake, Williamson, 8/17.
An immature LAUGHING GULL was reported from Cedar Point Park, Lake Buchanan, Llano, 8/11.
A LEAST TERN was photographed from the Union Grove Wildlife Management Area of Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Bell, 8/11.
A COMMON LOON was photographed along the eastern shore of Lake Buchanan, Burnet, 8/16.
A juvenile BROWN PELICAN continues to be seen and photographed at Granger Lake, Williamson, 8/17. Several observations from Taylor Park and Friendship Park.
ZONE-TAILED HAWK was described from Discovery Well Cave Preserve, Williamson, 8/10.
A male RINGED KINGFISHER was noted from the River Crossing near Castell, Llano, 8/14.
A family group of six RED-HEADED WOODPECKERs were photographed along Park Road 1A at Bastrop State Park, Bastrop, 8/9.
A GREAT KISKADEE was reported near the southwest corner of Pond 3 at Hornsby Bend, Travis, 8/16.
A WARBLING VIREO was noted from Reimers Ranch, Travis, 8/13.
TUFTED TITMOUSE was described along CR 438 near the Soil Conservation Service Site 21 Reservoir, Williamson, 8/16.
A PRAIRIE WARBLER was photographed at Warbler Woods, Guadalupe, 8/12.
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 studied 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.
