This is the Austin Area Rare Bird Alert and has been updated through 11/4/2016. 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 GREAT KISKADEEs continue at Decker Lake (Walter E Long Park) on 11/3. These could likely be the same birds observed at the lake earlier this year. One other report from a few weeks ago had the birds in the original location, just SW of the boat ramp near the first large transformer. Yesterday’s report was from the SE side of the lake. The birds have not been consistently seen, even on the initial observation dates. Your best bet is to spend time along the southern border of the lake. Based on the two recent reports, early morning is likely the best time to try, before the lake traffic picks up.
• A GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE was photographed at a private residence in Gonzales County on 10/28.

• Two LEAST GREBES continue at a small retention pond off W New Hope Dr near the intersection of Fairweather Way in NW Cedar Park, Williamson, on 10/30.
• Two GREAT KISKADEEs continue at Berry Springs Park in Georgetown, Williamson, most recently observed on 11/1. At least 1 Kiskadee continues at a private residence along Black Watch Ln SW of Lockhart, Caldwell, on 10/29.

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.