This is the Austin Area Rare Bird Alert and has been updated through 2/23/2017. To report rare or unusual bird sightings in the Austin area, provide recent sighting updates, or inquire about location details on birds listed below, please send an email to armanmorenobirds@gmail.com. If submitting a bird sighting, please include species name, location details, and contact information.

Rarities Found This Week

• A PRAIRIE FALCON was well described just east of Smithville, Bastrop County, on 2/19. The bird was observed off Loop Rd, between the Colorado River and Shipp Lake.
• Two TUFTED TITMICE were photographed off N Joseph Rd east of Temple, Bell County, on 2/19. The vocalizations were also observed and were reported as consistent with the species. The Central Texas area represents a hybridization zone for both Tufted and Black-crested Titmice so ideally, any bird encountered should be analyzed to rule out a hybrid.

• A COMMON MERGANSER continues through 2/18 in the NE portion of Pace Bend Park. Look for the signs indicating Mudd Cove/Mesquite Point. The bird has been hanging around Hagwood Cove all the way into Mudd Cove near the campground areas and all the way down to Tournament Point. After a brief absence, the Williamson County bird at Tejas Camp Park was refound on 2/18 in the same location as previously reported (about .5 miles downriver from the parking area).
• A LEAST GREBE continues at Park View Park in Marble Falls, Burnet County, through 2/17. The park is located NE of town near the intersection of Mormon Mill Rd & Park Ridge Dr and was last spotted at the south end of the pond. Two more birds continue in Williamson County through 2/23 off Parksville Way and Fairweather Way.
• Three WHITE-FACED IBIS continue at Lake Buchanan, Llano County, on 2/20. The birds were located near the inlet on FM 261.
• A ZONE-TAILED HAWK continues around Commons Ford Park in West Austin, Travis County, on 2/18. I observed what was likely the same bird flying over a nearby private residence, heading towards the direction of the park on the same day.
• A male BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD continues at a private residence in SW Austin, Travis, on 2/22. Another bird continues at a private residence in Williamson County, most recently reported on 2/21.
• A male CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD continues at a private residence in New Braunfels, Comal County, through 2/21.
• Three GREAT KISKADEEs continue at a private residence off Dickerson Rd in Caldwell County on 2/20.

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. Photo or audio documentation for species with challenging IDs will be mentioned if they are known to exist.