This is the Austin Area Rare Bird Alert and has been updated through 11/24/2016. 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

• Two WHITE-WINGED SCOTERs were the birds of the week in our area, found at Hornsby Bend, Travis, on 11/19. They preferred the western end of Pond 2 but were also sighted twice on the eastern end. Unfortunately they were one-day wonders and were not relocated on subsequent days.>
• Just outside of the Austin Circle, a WESTERN GREBE was reported on 11/22 from Boerne City Lake in Kendall County.

• An immature male SURF SCOTER continues at Hornsby Bend in Austin, Travis, through 11/24 and has been sighted everyday since the initial discovery on 11/10. The bird continues to favor the western portion of Pond 2.
• A first cycle LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was photographed at Temple Lake Park on Belton Lake, Bell County, on 11/14 and continues through 11/20.
• A male BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD continues at a private residence in SW Austin, Travis, on 11/23. This could potentially be the same individual that spent the winter at this same location.
• At least one GREAT KISKADEE continue at Berry Springs Park in Georgetown, Williamson, most recently observed on 11/16. One kiskadee continues at a private residence off Dickerson Rd in Caldwell County on 11/24. The pair of kiskadees continue at Walter E. Long Park (Decker Lake) in Austin, Travis, most recently reported on 11/20.
• Two BLACK PHOEBEs were photographed at Palmetto State Park, in Gonzales County, on 11/12 and continue through 11/24. The birds were reported around Oxbow Lake, “near where Owbow Lake trail crosses FM 2091 on north side of bridge”.
• At least one PYRRHULOXIA continues at Reimer’s Ranch Park in SW Travis County (off Hamilton Pool Rd) on 11/23.

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.