This is the Austin Area Rare Bird Alert and has been updated through 3/3/2017. 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 LONG-BILLED THRASHER was photographed at Pedernales State Park, Blanco County, on 3/3. The bird was observed and heard vocalizing through thick brush bordering Duck Pond. The location was at the far end of the pond on the main dirt path leading to the boundary fence. Also present at the park was a Zone-Tailed Hawk in among Turkey Vultures and a singing male Golden-cheeked Warbler along the bluff near the Falls.
• A ZONE-TAILED HAWK was observed flying over Jones Brothers Park in Jonestown, Travis County, on 2/28.
• A SAY’S PHOEBE was found at Lakeway City Park in Western Travis County on 2/27 and continues through 3/1.
• A RUSTY BLACKBIRD was located around Pond 3 at Hornsby Bend, Travis County, on 2/27. This species has been present in small numbers at Hornsby the past few years but this is the first report this winter.

• A COMMON MERGANSER continues through 2/28 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. 
• Two LEAST GREBEs continue in Williamson County through 3/3 off Parksville Way and Fairweather Way.
• A WHITE-TAILED HAWK continues at Mesquite Creek WHA, NE of New Braunfels, Comal County, on 2/25. This is off of Kohlenberg Rd.
• A male BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD continues at a private residence in SW Austin, Travis, on 3/1. Another bird continues at a private residence in Williamson County, most recently reported on 3/2.
• A male CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD continues at a private residence in New Braunfels, Comal County, through 2/25.
• Three GREAT KISKADEEs continue at a private residence off Dickerson Rd in Caldwell County on 2/20. At least one bird continues at Berry Springs Park in Georgetown, Williamson County, on 3/3.
• The long-staying WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH continues at Riverview Park in Seguin, Guadalupe County, through 2/25. It was last reported calling from the trees near the basketball court.

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.