This is the Austin Area Rare Bird Alert and has been updated through 6/8/2017. 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 BROWN BOOBY was spotted from Overlook Park near the Canyon Lake Dam in Canyon Lake, Comal County, on 6/7, continuing through today. From Interstate 35, take Hwy 306 west to S Access Rd, then proceed to Corps of Engineers Rd. The bird has been spotted perched on top of the control tower near the spillway. Mornings are apparently the best opportunity for viewing. Interestingly, this is the same location where a Brown Booby spent some time in the fall of 2012. Additionally in 2016, another bird was picked up from an RV Park near Wimberley, just to the north, and taken to a rehabilitation center where it later died.
-
A COMMON LOON was a nice late spring record, observed at Stillhouse Park on Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Bell County, on 6/2.
-
A PURPLE GALLINULE was a really nice find at Hornsby Bend, Travis County, on 5/21. The bird was seen at Pond 3, just west of the main ponds. It remained until at least 5/24, but has not been reported since.
-
A BUFF-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD showed up at a private residence in Hays county on 6/3.
-
A GREAT KISKADEE was photographed at Circle Acres, Travis County, on 6/5. This location is near Roy Guerrero Park, north of the ACC Riverside Campus.
Purple Gallinule by Jeana Harms
Continuing Bird(s) From Previous Week
- At least one LEAST GREBE continues in Williamson County through 6/3 off Parksville Way and Fairweather Way.
