This is the Austin Area Rare Bird Alert and has been updated through 5/15/2017. 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 MEXICAN VIOLETEAR was reported from a private residence in West Austin, Travis County on 5/13. The bird reportedly visited the homeowner’s flowering plants several times throughout Saturday afternoon and evening but has not been seen since. This is a good time of year to keep an eye out for this species in Central Texas. 
• A GLOSSY IBIS was photographed in Fayette County at the Seydler Rd gravel ponds on 5/13. This is SE of the town of La Grange.
• On 5/10, a BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO was photographed at St. Edward’s Park in NW Austin, Travis County. The bird was reported near the dam area, which is the eastern portion of the park.
• A GREAT KISKADEE was heard in Fayette County from Plum Park on the Colorado River on 5/13. This is east of the town of West Point and north of Hwy 71. There may not be any public access as this appears to be LCRA property.
• A GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH was reported from Mills Pond, Travis County, on 5/13. The bird was in the NW corner of the park, near the boardwalk that leads to the smaller wooded pond that is drying up.
• A WOOD THRUSH was well described from Mills Pond in North Austin, Travis County, on 5/10. The bird was in the understory behind the water feature at the bird blind.
• GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLERs have been pretty numerous in our area this year. A male was photographed on private property in Gonzales County on 5/10. Another male was at Warbler Woods, Guadalupe County, on 5/14. Other birds were reported from Sunset Valley’s Couger Creek Trail (Travis County) on 5/8, a private residence in Central Austin on 5/13, from Great Hills Trail Park in NW Austin on 5/9, On Platt Lane north of the Hornsby Bend Complex (Travis County) on 5/13, Mills Pond in NW Austin on 5/10, and another private residence in NW Austin on 5/11. This species can be difficult to detect in our area despite the fact that we are just within the normal migration path.
• On the morning of 5/15, a female BLACKPOLL WARBLER was photographed at a private residence in Gonzales County.
• A male HOODED WARBLER was photographed on the Lake Creek Trail on Williamson County on 5/14. The bird appeared to be singing on territory.

• At least one LEAST GREBE continues in Williamson County through 5/13 off Parksville Way and Fairweather Way.
• At least two LESSER NIGHTHAWKs continue around the intersection of Anderson Lane & Northcross Dr in Austin, Travis County, on 5/11. This is the same location where bird were observed for much of last summer.
• A BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER continues at Richard Moya Park just South of the airport in Austin, Travis County, on 5/12. The bird was reported between the restrooms and playground area in the Western portion of the park.
• A HUTTON’S VIREO continues at Warbler Woods, Guadalupe County, on 5/12.

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.