This is the Austin Area Rare Bird Alert.  Last update on 2/18/20.  Send interesting sightings, complete with species name, location, and contact information to Vincent O’Brien at vincentobrienbirds@gmail.com

A male HOODED ORIOLE was a nice find within the circle during The Great Backyard Bird Count!  The oriole was photographed visiting backyard seed feeders on private property, Travis, 2/15.  Updates on public access and followup observations would be most appreciated!

A group of CANADA GOOSE were reported from Marble Falls, just northwest of Pace Bend Park, Travis, 2/13.  And probably the same group was described and photographed from the Gloster Bend Recreation Area, Travis, 2/16.

A GREATER SCAUP continues to be documented at Devine Lake Park, Williamson, 2/14.

A group of six SURF SCOTER continue to be observed and photographed at Belton Lake, Fort Hood Recreation area, Bell, 2/16.

LEAST GREBE continues to be described from Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery, Burnet, 2/17.  And another grebe continues and was photographed from a Milwood subdivision pond, just north of the Stepping Stone School, Williamson, 2/16.

WHITE-TAILED HAWK reported from south of the campground area at Palmetto State Park, Gonzales, 2/15.  And another juvenile type hawk photographed at CR428 and CR361, Williamson, 2/15.

A RED-TAILED HAWK (Krider’s) was photographed at San Gabriel Park, Williamson, 2/14.

A RINGED-KINGFISHER was noted from San Gabriel Park, Georgetown, Williamson, 2/14.

A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was reported from Roosevelt’s Cut at Buescher State Park, Bastrop, 2/16.  Another individual was seen along Gotier Trace Road, Smithville, Bastrop, 2/15.  And an active group of up to seven birds noted from the Alum Creek and Park Rd. 1 area of Bastrop State Park, Bastrop, 2/17.

PILEATED WOODPECKER continues to be described along Witter Lane, Bell, 2/17.

A pair of BLACK PHOEBE continue at Hamilton Pool and were observed interacting with each other around the main pool area, Travis, 2/15.

A SAY’S PHOEBE was detailed from Sayersville Road, Bastrop, 2/17.  An additional bird continues to be noted from the pasture along the west side of FM 973, about 1.5 miles south of the Webberville Road intersection, Travis, 2/15.  And another continuing phoebe was photographed near the shoreline of Lakeway City Park, Travis, 2/17.

VERMILION FLYCATCHER continues along Witter Lane, Bell, 2/11.  And a wintering pair of juvenile males still being photographed and reported from the northeast area of Pond 3, Hornsby Bend, Travis, 2/16.  The resident adult male flycatcher still holds territory at Mudd Cove, Pace Bend Park, Travis, 2/10.

HUTTON’S VIREO continues to be described from a private residence, Gonzales, 2/16.  An additional bird observed at the Zilker Botanical Gardens, Travis, 2/12.  And a solo vireo photographed from Walter E. Long Lake, Travis, 2/18.

A LONG-BILLED THRASHER was photographed from the Colovista Area, Bastrop, 2/15.

AUDUBON’S ORIOLE was photographed at Dairy and Earl Callahan Road, Bastrop, 2/16.  And a group of up to three individuals noted visiting a peanut feeder on private property, Guadalupe, 2/13.

GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE continues on private property, Travis, 2/13.

A BRONZED COWBIRD was described from a private residence, Travis, 2/16.

A pair of RUSTY BLACKBIRDs continue to be documented from the northeast corner of Pond 3, Hornsby Bend, Travis, 2/16.

A female BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER was reported from Hornsby Bend, Travis, 2/16.

CAPE MAY WARBLER was described from north of the low water crossing at Aquarena Springs, Hays, 2/15.

PYRRHULOXIA was photographed at Fritz Hughes Park, Travis, 2/17.