This is the Austin Area Rare Bird Alert and has been updated through 9/29/2016. 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

• An adult REDDISH EGRET was photographed at Welch Park on Lake Somerville in Burleson County on 9/23. No recent reports.
• An immature ROSEATE SPOONBILL was a very nice find at Lake Pflugerville in NE Travis County. The bird was found on 9/13 and continues through 9/29. It spends a large majority of the time at the south end of the lake, right near one of the easternmost piers and has been observed quite close to shore. If the bird isn’t here, try the pond on the west side of Becker Farm Rd. This is the extreme SW corner of the lake. The bird has also been observed foraging here.
• A ZONE-TAILED HAWK was reported flying over Hancock Golf Course in Central Austin, Travis on 9/29.
• A SANDERLING was also reported from Welch Park on Lake Somerville in Burleson County on 9/23. Another Sanderling was reported on 9/10 from Llano County Park on Lake Buchanan.
• Two juvenile SABINE’S GULLs were an outstanding find at Hornsby Bend, Travis, on 9/28 and continue through the evening on 9/29. The birds seem to spend a majority of their time near the eastern and SE portion of Pond 1 West but have been observed on Pond 1 East as well as the middle portion of Pond 2. Viewing is best along the east/west dike road separating Pond 1 and 2. The roads are very narrow around the ponds so please be mindful of other birders that may need to get by and pull over as much as possible.
• A male GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER was reported from Mills Pond in NW Austin, Travis, on 9/23.
• A MACGILLIVRAY’S WARBLER was photographed at a private residence in Gonzales County on 9/15.
• Two HOODED WARBLERs were reported at Warbler Woods, Guadalupe, on 9/17.

• Two GREAT KISKADEEs continue at Berry Springs Park in Georgetown, Williamson, most recently observed on 9/24. At least one Kiskadee continues in Caldwell County off Black Watch Ln & Purvis Farm in Lockhart on 9/28.
• An additional report of a Great Kiskadee from Walter E. Long Lake (Decker Lake) in NE Austin, Travis, on 9/24 could be one of the individuals observed earlier this spring. The bird was reported by a fisherman who was fishing the lake in his boat and saw the bird at the north side of the lake near the hot water discharge area. While access appears limited, please keep an eye (and ear) out for this bird, which may wander around to more accessible areas.

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.