This is the Austin Area Rare Bird Alert. Last update on 8/7/20. Send interesting sightings, complete with species name, location, and contact information to Vincent O’Brien at vincentobrienbirds@gmail.com.
A juvenile BROWN PELICAN continued to be seen and photographed at Granger Lake, Williamson, 8/2.
Gaggles of CANADA GOOSE continue to be reported and photographed within the circle, including four geese from Slough Pond, Bell, 7/7. Nine geese at a pond along Beback Inn Rd., Hays, 8/1. Another pair near CR232 and CR266, Hays, 7/27. And eight geese at the Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area, Travis, 7/27.
LESSER NIGHTHAWKs continue to be described from Hornsby Bend. Most recently seen flying low over Pond 2 in the evenings, Travis, 8/5.
A female type BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD was reported from Reimers Ranch, Travis, 7/31.
A SNOWY PLOVER continues to be photographed from the first drying basin at Hornsby Bend, Travis, 8/4. And another one noted from Granger Lake, Williamson, 7/27.
A vocal SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER was found at the Sore Finger Unit, Granger Lake, Williamson, 7/28.
A ternery of FORSTER’S TERN continue to be photographed, with up to six individuals holding at Walter E. Long Lake, Travis, 8/4.
BALD EAGLEs continue in the Granger Lake area, with one adult and a young eagle photographed near CR428 and CR361 intersect, Williamson, 8/6.
A ZONE-TAILED HAWK was described from Reimers Ranch, Travis, 7/31.
A juvenile RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was photographed near the old golf course at Bastrop State Park, Bastrop, 8/3.
The resident pair of BLACK PHOEBEs were seen with at least one juvenile at Hamilton Pool, Travis, 8/6.
A female type BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER was early and photographed from a private residence, Travis, 8/3.
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.
