This is the Austin Area Rare Bird Alert and has been updated through 9/8/2016. 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 WOOD STORK was an excellent find along Platt Lane, which is part of the Hornsby Bend complex, in Travis County on 9/7. The bird was initially spotted riding thermals with both species of vultures. It was seen circling the main ponds and then headed in a northwestern direction, possibly along the Colorado River. The bird was not relocated.
• A SWALLOW-TAILED KITE was reported circling overhead off Hwy 21 west of Hwy 535 in Bastrop County on 9/6.
• A BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER was photographed at Hornsby Bend, Travis, on 9/6 in the drying basins near the main entrance and continues through 9/8. The bird is still in alternate plumage.

• Two GREAT KISKADEEs continue at Berry Springs Park in Georgetown, Williamson, most recently observed on 9/3. At least one Kiskadee continues in Caldwell County off Black Watch Ln & Purvis Farm in Lockhart on 9/5.

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.