This is the Austin Area Rare Bird Alert for the week of 3/23/2020 through 3/30/2020. 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 justin.bosler@gmail.com. If submitting a bird sighting, please include species name, location details, and contact information. County names below appear in italics. Abbreviations are as follows: SP = State Park; NWR = National Wildlife Refuge; NHP = National Historic Park; WMA = Wildlife Management Area; SH = State Highway; CR = County Road; WTP = Wastewater Treatment Plant.

One to two HOODED MERGANSERS continued at Mueller’s Southeast Greenway, Travis, through 3/29.

Unusual in Williamson in March was a group of 6 BLACK-NECKED STILTS at East New Hope Retention Pond on 3/26.

Up to 3 ANHINGAS were reported from Soil Conservation Site 13a Reservoir in Williamson through 3/27, with at least one continuing through 3/29.

An immature ZONE-TAILED HAWK was photo-documented by three separate parties along the Colorado River at Emma Long Metro Park, Travis, on 3/23.

An apparent subadult/adult GOLDEN EAGLE was described in northbound flight over Loop Road in Smithville, Bastrop, on 3/29 (since retracted by observer?).

Remarkably, the wintering SAY’S PHOEBE at Lakeway City Park, Travis, was reported through 3/30.

Williamson recorded VERMILION FLYCATCHERS at Devine Lake Park on 3/23 and Lake Creek Trail on 3/28.

A single COUCH’S KINGBIRD was reported at Devine Lake Park or nearby Benbrook Ranch Park through 3/26. On 3/28, a pair of COUCH’S appeared at Lake Creek Trail, all in Williamson.

An early WESTERN KINGBIRD was well-documented at Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Metro Park, Travis, on 3/28 and was present through 3/30.

A rare GREAT KISKADEE was photographed at a private residence in Spring Branch, Comal, on 3/30.

HUTTON’S VIREOS were reported from various locations from the western half of Travis through 3/29.

An early RED-EYED VIREO was singing at Reimers Ranch Park, far western Travis, on 3/25.

The undisputed rarity of the year, not only for the Austin Area, but in all of Texas, has been the long-staying WHITE WAGTAIL at Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Metro Park, Travis. It continued through 3/31. It is most reliably observed from the bluff overlooking the river at these coordinates: 30°14’42.4″N 97°41’55.7″W. Morning and afternoon/ evening visits have proven fruitful.

A rare GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE continued at Guadalupe River SP in Comal thru 3/27.

A territorial male YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER continues at Commons Ford Ranch Metro Park, Travis, through 3/29. Two, possibly 3, male Yellow-throated Warblers are on territory at Emma Long Metro Park, also in Travis, with the latest report from 3/26.

A male PYRRHULOXIA was discovered at Emma Long Metro Park, Travis, on 3/10 and continued through 3/24.

An early adult male SUMMER TANAGER was photographed at Bastrop SP, Bastrop, on 3/29.

IMPORTANT CLOSURE NOTICES:

• Hornsby Bend WTP and CER are closed indefinitely. This includes Platt Lane access as well.
• Travis County Parks, in response to the Travis County COVID-19 Order, has closed several parks and has modified operations the remaining open parks. ALL County Parks are closed for Easter Weekend, 9 April thru 13 April. For more information, https://parks.traviscountytx.gov/news/2020/118-covid-19-preparedness

State Parks remain open but with limited to no access to office buildings and amenities. Online reservations are preferred for purchasing camping and day-use permits.