This is the Austin Area Rare Bird Alert. Last update on 7/7/20. Send interesting sightings, complete with species name, location, and contact information to Vincent O’Brien at vincentobrienbirds@gmail.com.
A small group of CANADA GOOSE continue to be reported from a Shallowford Road pond, Bell, 7/3.
An EARED GREBE was photographed at the Fredericksburg Water Treatment Plant, Gillespie, 6/23.
LESSER NIGHTHAWKs continue to be reported and photographed from several assumed breeding sites in Austin, Travis, including a pair at the DPS station on North Lamar, and more from the Roy Butler Hiking Trail, 7/4.
A pair of SANDHILL CRANEs were photographed foraging in an agricultural field from the Granger Lake area, Williamson, 7/7.
AMERICAN AVOCETs were photographed at Hornsby Bend and Jones Brothers Park, Travis, 6/30.
LONG-BILLED CURLEWs continued to be noted and photographed at Hornsby Bend, Travis, 7/2.
A single BAIRD’S SANDPIPER continues to be described from the drying beds at Hornsby Bend, Travis, 7/7.
SEMI-PALMATED SANDPIPERs were photographed from the drying beds at Hornsby Bend, Travis, 6/-28-6/30.
A pair of WILLETs continued to be seen and photographed at Hornsby Bend, Travis, 7/3.
FRANKLIN’S GULL was photographed at Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Bell, 6/24.
A BROWN BOOBY continues to be observed and photographed from Canyon Overlook Park, Canyon Lake, Comal, 7/7.
A CASPIAN TERN was described from Granger Lake, Williamson, 7/7.
A BROWN PELICAN was photographed at Walter E. Long Lake, Travis, 7/6. Ancillary reports suggest there may be a second individual at this location. Updates much appreciated!
MISSISSIPPI KITEs have been observed throughout the Austin area, including reports from Bull Creek District Park, Lions Municipal Golf Course, Walnut Creek Park, Northwest Hills, and a confirmed pair of nesting hawks were photographed at Dottie Jordan Park, Travis, 7/4.
BALD EAGLEs continue in the Granger Lake area, with at least one adult photographed feeding a young eagle near CR428 and CR361 intersect, Williamson, 7/4.
A HARRIS’S HAWK continues to be described and photographed along the 15000/16000 block of FM-1325, Williamson, 7/2.
A pair of nest building ZONE-TAILED HAWKs were photographed at Jones Brothers Park, Travis, 6/30. Updates are most appreciated!
A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER continues at Bastrop State Park, Bastrop, 6/28.
A pair of resident BLACK PHOEBEs have successfully produced two broods of young at Hamilton Pool this season, with two adults, two juveniles and two fledglings seen together, Travis, 7/2.
A potential family group of three BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHERs continue at Commons Ford Park, Travis, 7/7.
A HERMIT THRUSH was recorded vocalizing along a neighborhood path south of the Brushy Creek Greenbelt, Williamson, 6/25.
A PINE SISKIN was photographed visiting the water feature at a private residence, Kendall, 6/30.
A family group of PROTHONOTARY WARBLERs, including recently fledged young, were photographed from the San Gabriel Unit at Granger Lake, Williamson, 7/4.
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT continues to hold territory in the north shore area of Reimers Ranch Park, Travis, 7/3.
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.
