This is the Austin Area Rare Bird Alert and has been updated through 10/13/2016. 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

• A juvenile SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER was photographed off Witter Lane just east of Belton, Bell, on 10/8.
• A juvenile RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was photographed at the dead end of Platt Lane (Hornsby Bend) in Austin, Travis, on 10/3. The bird was not relocated.
• A SAY’S PHOEBE was reported in Lago Vista, Travis, on 10/5 at the high school near the practice fields.

• Two GREAT KISKADEEs continue at Berry Springs Park in Georgetown, Williamson, most recently observed on 10/12.

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.