Nine birders joined Shelia and me at two Hays County locations: Blanco Shoals Natural Area, and Aquarena Springs. Our winter sparrows have not quite kicked in yet, but we still saw some good birds and some interesting bird behavior. At Blanco, we saw a nice group of eight Wood Ducks, and at least a dozen Blue Jays preparing for winter. The Jays were continuingly flying across our path, seemingly in one direction, carrying some type of food item towards the river.
When we reached Aquarena Springs it began to drizzle and the birding slowed down a bit. Just when Shelia called it quits, she spotted the bird of the day – a Brown Creeper.
Blanco Shoals
Checklist Comments: Travis Audubon field trip. Overcast and somewhat foggy, 59 – 64 degrees F, light mist toward the end, 0 – 10 MPH wind from the SSE.
29 species (+1 other taxa)
Wood Duck 8 Group of eight swam together with at least two males and four females.
White-winged Dove 63
Mourning Dove 1
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Neotropic Cormorant 8
Black Vulture 10
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker (Northern) 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2 Male flew out of a bare tree and shortly after that, a female flew into the same tree.
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 4
Blue Jay 18 Numerous birds flew past carrying acorns or something of a similar size.
American Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 8
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 10
Carolina Wren 12 Two counter-sang on two separate occasions. Two pair vocalized on two separate occasions.
European Starling 35
Northern Mockingbird 8
American Robin 20
House Sparrow 8 A group ate ragweed seeds.
House Finch 9 Two sang.
Vesper Sparrow 2
Red-winged Blackbird 60
Great-tailed Grackle 9 Three males displayed to each other on the top of an apartment roof.
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 17 About fifteen birds flitted in one tree.
Northern Cardinal 11
Aquarena Springs
Checklist Comments: Travis Audubon field trip. Overcast, 63 degrees F, light mist, 3 MPH wind from the E.
15 species
Wood Duck 5 Two pair perched on dead stumps in water or floated nearby.
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Egret (American) 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 20
Osprey 1 Bird dove into the water, floated there for about a minute, and then flew up and away.
Belted Kingfisher 1
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Brown Creeper 1
Carolina Wren 2
Northern Mockingbird 2
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Common Yellowthroat 1
Rich Kostecke says:
November 19, 2023 at 3:23 pm
I led 16 birders on a field trip to Granger Lake Friendship Park (Williamson County) with most of the group joining me for a Mountain Plover chase along WilCo CR 360 when we were done at Friendship. We tallied 52 species highlights being American Avocets and Long-billed Dowitchers at Friendship Park and distant scope views of 4 Mountain Plover along CR 360.
Blue-winged Teal 1
American Wigeon 1
Northern Pintail 2
duck sp. 25
Pied-billed Grebe 3
Eurasian Collared-Dove 4
Mourning Dove 3
American Coot 330
American Avocet 2
Killdeer 5
Mountain Plover 4
Long-billed Dowitcher 6
Wilson’s Snipe 2
Greater Yellowlegs 3
Least Sandpiper 18
Franklin’s Gull 22
Ring-billed Gull 41
Double-crested Cormorant 9
Snowy Egret 1
Great Egret 7
Great Blue Heron 3
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 1
Northern Harrier 5
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Crested Caracara 2
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
Loggerhead Shrike 1
American Crow 7
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
Horned Lark 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Carolina Wren 2
Bewick’s Wren 2
European Starling 7
Northern Mockingbird 4
American Robin 2
House Sparrow 2
American Pipit 2o
White-crowned Sparrow 10
Vesper Sparrow 8
Savannah Sparrow 36
Song Sparrow 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 3
Eastern Meadowlark 18
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 1
Red-winged Blackbird 100
blackbird sp. 200
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 9
Northern Cardinal 6
Rachel Zierzow says:
November 7, 2023 at 1:51 pm
Laguna Gloria field trip- November 1, 2023
Co-leaders: Richard Deulofeut and Rachel Zierzow
Sunny and cold, 39 degrees at the start. Very birdy with sunny treetops covered in birds. One of the highlights was seeing a Common Loon fly by at close range (30 feet away) when we were down by the lake (Colorado River). Also a Golden-crowned Kinglet called brightly from the trees near the mansion at the start of the walk. A common yellowthroat was skulking in the reeds along the lakeshore and two belted kingfishers were seen flying around the lake area with lily pads.
Wood Duck 4
American Wigeon 1
Pied-billed Grebe 1
White-winged Dove 4
Common Loon 1
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 4
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 4
Carolina Chickadee 5
Black-crested Titmouse 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 5
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Carolina Wren 3
House Finch 7
Lesser Goldfinch 3
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
Red-winged Blackbird 2
Great-tailed Grackle 2
Orange-crowned Warbler 4
Common Yellowthroat 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Northern Cardinal 6
Joint Travis-Bastrop Audubon field trip to Bastrop State Park
October 27, 2023
Co-leaders: Louise Ridlon and Rachel Zierzow
We walked the paved sidewalk trails going through the former golf course that has now been restored (post-fire) to woodland/prairie. Warm and humid weather after a few days of rain. Overall pretty quiet morning, but we were glad to see a large flurry of pine warblers way up in the tall pines.
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 2
White-winged Dove 15
Common Nighthawk 1
Killdeer 3
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Monk Parakeet 33
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 7
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 1
Black-crested Titmouse 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Carolina Wren 3
European Starling 30
Northern Mockingbird 5
House Finch 15
Lesser Goldfinch 3
Great-tailed Grackle 30
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 6
This was the second monthly bird walk at Barton Springs pool. It was very overcast and about 77 degrees at the start. We met at the South Gate and birded the immediate area while introducing each other. We heard a Ruby-crowned Kinglet in the small oak near the South Gate entrance. Then a pair of Red-bellied Woodpeckers flew to one of the big pecan trees. We then proceeded down to the pool where we got great looks at a Double-crested Cormorant that was swimming/hunting in the pool near the diving board and spring outflow. As we were watching the cormorant, we heard a Carolina Wren and saw several Great-tailed Grackles— one that posed for us on the diving board. We got the spotting scope on the Spotted Sandpiper which was on the rocky shore at the west end of the pool. Then we walked around the pool to the west end of the pool and got great close up looks of the sandpiper. A Common Nighthawk called overhead, and we figured it was active because of the dense clouds. Then we backtracked to the South Gate and turned right onto the trail the parallels Barton Creek. It rained a little but we carried on.There was an Orange-crowned Warbler right after we crossed the foot bridge. It was very birdy as we got closer to Barton Hills Drive with lots of Northern Cardinals (at least 4 males), Black-crested Titmice, a Carolina Chickadee, Lesser Goldfinch, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, and many House Finches. Fun was had by all and we ended up with 25 species on our bird list!
Program Manager says:
October 23, 2023 at 11:42 am
Location: SE Greenway at Mueller
Date: Oct 21, 2023
Time: 8 to 10 am
Number of people: approximately 14 including the leads
Laura Tull and Chuck Seidel co-led this trip. Weather was good and they were able to see the below species.
Common Grackle – 9
Northern Mockingbird – 4
Brown-headed Cowbird – 1
Lesser Goldfinch – 5
House Finch – 7
Red-winged Blackbird – 15
Snowy Egret -1
Pied-billed Grebe – 5
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck – 1
Mallard Duck – 1
Great Egret – 1
Great Blue Heron -1
Ruddy Duck -1
American Coots -10
American Crow – 4
Killdeer – 6
Lincoln Sparrow – 3
Eastern Meadowlark -1
Monk Parakeet – 7
19 species
Rich Kostecke says:
October 22, 2023 at 10:29 am
We had a lovely joint TAS/Highland Lakes Birding and Wildlflower Society field trip to Spicewood Ranch in Burnet County on 10/21/23. A told of 19 of us explored the restored prairie and shurbland and woodland along Alligator Creek. The birding was somewhat slow, as it can be at this time of year after the breeding birds have left and the winter birds are only just beginning to arrive. Perhaps the best bird Was a Lark Bunting that some of the group got to see. Otherwise, it was nice to see some of our winter sparrows and winter species like Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Spotted Towhee, Yellow-dumped Warbler, and Orange-crowned Warbler.
Spicewood Ranch tracts (private, no access), Burnet, Texas, US
Oct 21, 2023 8:06 AM – 11:40 AM
Protocol: Traveling
4.893 mile(s)
34 species (+1 other taxa)
On October 18th, Jeffrey Jackson, and Suzie McCann led 13 birders at Reimers Ranch. A total of 34 species were observed (full list below). Some highlights include a covey of Northern Bobwhite, Black-throated Sparrow, and Clay-colored Sparrow. We ended our walk with excellent views of a Verdin in the parking lot.
Milton Reimers Ranch Park, Travis, Texas, US
Oct 18, 2023 7:23 AM – 10:03 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.821 mile(s)
34 species
Chris Gunter and Celeste Treadway led 10 TAS members on a walk at Baker Sanctuary on Saturday, October 14th. We had a beautiful, sunny, cool morning. Slow birding activity overall, but a cold front overnight brought large numbers of migrating Turkey vultures, Broad-winged and Swainson’s Hawks overhead, and we got nice looks at a handsome male Spotted Towhee.
Baker Sanctuary, Travis, Texas, US
Oct 14, 2023 7:58 AM – 9:58 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: TAS guided walk of upland/entry areas, 10 participants + 2 leaders. We had a beautiful, clear and crisp morning. Overall birding was slow, but we got great looks at several large groups of migrating raptors overhead, and nice long looks at a male Spotted Towhee.
17 species
White-winged Dove 8
Mourning Dove 1
Turkey Vulture 50
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Broad-winged Hawk 50
Swainson’s Hawk 10
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Carolina Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 2
American Robin 2
Lesser Goldfinch 1
Grasshopper Sparrow 1
Spotted Towhee 1
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Northern Cardinal 5
Anna Stalcup writes: “Five Travis Audubon members joined 3 Bexar Audubon birders at Mitchell Lake Audubon Center on October 11th. It was a cloudy day but the rain held off and it was comfortable weather. Over 100 beautiful White Pelicans and seven species of ducks had already arrived for the season! It was hard to count all the herons, egrets, and cormorants flying around. Mitchell Lake reminds me of a huge Hornsby Bend although there weren’t many shorebirds on this trip due to the water level. There are also many trails with songbirds.It was a very pleasant walk and a nice introduction to the area.”
Mitchell Lake Audubon Center (HOTE 103), Bexar, Texas, US
Oct 10, 2023 8:10 AM – 11:13 AM
Protocol: Traveling
5.64 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Travis Audubon/BAS Outing
42 species (+1 other taxa)
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 2
Blue-winged Teal 90
Northern Shoveler 30
Gadwall 7
American Wigeon 6
Ring-necked Duck 30
Ruddy Duck 50
Least Grebe 6
Pied-billed Grebe 3
White-winged Dove 50
Mourning Dove 38
Chimney Swift 1
Black-chinned Hummingbird 1 Female
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 2
American Coot 175
Killdeer 13
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Neotropic Cormorant 70
American White Pelican 120
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 25
Snowy Egret 40
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 2
White Ibis 1
White-faced Ibis 5
Turkey Vulture 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Eastern Phoebe 4
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 40
Black-crested Titmouse 1
Barn Swallow 40
Cliff Swallow 5
Cave Swallow 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
European Starling 40
Northern Mockingbird 14
House Sparrow 6
House Finch 24
Lincoln’s Sparrow 5
Red-winged Blackbird 250
Great-tailed Grackle 50
Common Yellowthroat 5
Northern Cardinal 5
This was the first monthly bird walk at Barton Springs pool. We met at the South Gate and proceeded down to the pool where we got great looks at an immature Green Heron and Spotted Sandpiper, both on the rocky shore at the west end of the pool. We saw two water snakes, one which approached the Green Heron who hopped to safety at the last moment! We then got great looks (and photos) of 5 Couch’s Kingbirds high in the trees on the west end. Next, we backtracked to the South Gate and turned right onto the trail that parallels Barton Creek. It was full of Northern Mockingbirds (~20). We also saw three kinds of sparrows that we were able to show in the spotting scope (Lincoln’s, Lark, and Clay-Colored). We also lucked out with two immature Nashville Warblers, a male Wilson’s, and an immature Dickcissel! Fun was had by all and we ended up with 27 species (see attached e-bird trip list).
Field trip committee members Mary Ann Robalino and Brooke Scheibe, accompanied by Ryan Dees from Austin Parks and Recreation Department, led a group of 11 birders at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery on September 23rd for a combined birding/native plant/history walk. They had a lovely morning, and folks really enjoyed learning about the history and notable people buried there, and about native vs non-native species.
While it wasn’t a super birdy morning, with only 16 species, the group got great looks at some a couple very cooperative Lark Sparrows and a beautiful Red Bellied Woodpecker.
Austin Memorial Park Cemetery
Sep 23, 2023
8:04 AM
Traveling
1.00 miles
113 Minutes
All birds reported? Yes
Comments: Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 2.20.1 Build 2.20.4
21 White-winged Dove
1 Mourning Dove
4 Turkey Vulture
1 Cooper’s Hawk
1 Red-tailed Hawk
1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 Eastern Phoebe
3 Blue Jay
1 Black-crested Titmouse
1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
1 Bewick’s Wren
13 Northern Mockingbird
12 House Finch
6 Lesser Goldfinch
2 Lark Sparrow
24 Great-tailed Grackle
Number of Taxa: 16
Jordan Weingarten says:
September 19, 2023 at 7:08 am
Monday, September 18, was the first “Third Monday” beginners walk. Led by Jordan Weingarten (a relative beginner himself) with co-leaders Celeste Treadway, Jessica Womack, and John Bloomfield, leaders outnumbered the others 4 to 3. But we had beautiful weather at Commons Ford Ranch where we saw:
6 members of Travis Audubon led the monthly Beginner Bird walk at Brushy Creek Lake Park on Saturday, September 2nd. 34 people enjoyed a beautiful morning; leaders George Kerr and Leslie Menikoff took a group down the main trail to the west, under the Parmer Bridge; Mary Ann Robalino and Mike Pfeil took a group up on top of the dam and then back down to the lake shore; Celeste Treadway and Brooke Scheibe took a group straight to the lake, then wound back up along tree line at western end of lake. Highlights included some gorgeous Yellow Warblers, and a Green Heron that allowed us to observe it hunting from just a few feet away. 32 species total (see below). The Beginner Bird walk is held on the first Saturday of every month, at different locations, and is free and open to all.
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 4
Mallard (Domestic type) 5
White-winged Dove 6
Mourning Dove 3
Killdeer 1
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 3
Green Heron 2
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 1
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Eastern Phoebe 1
Western Kingbird 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
White-eyed Vireo 1
Barn Swallow 3
Cliff Swallow 6
Carolina Wren 2
Bewick’s Wren 1
European Starling 12
Northern Mockingbird 2
American Robin 10
House Finch 2
Lesser Goldfinch 6
Orchard Oriole 2
Great-tailed Grackle 20
Yellow Warbler 3
Northern Cardinal 2
Celeste Treadway says:
March 24, 2023 at 9:05 am
Jennifer Bristol, Mary Ann Robalino, and Caitlen Hill from PARD led 13 birders on a walk at Evergreen Cemetery on Saturday, March 18. They saw 21 species of birds in a very chilly hour. Jennifer observed that new folks on the walk came from a variety of places in Austin, including a mother/daughter team from Lakeway that she enjoyed chatting with. The best bird was a solo Cedar Waxwing that showed up on cue just before the walk finished, and posed for a woman who was a really wanting to see a Waxwing. After the walk was finished, some of the participants then headed over to Oakwood Cemetery to see an unusually beautiful bloom of bluebonnets at that cemetery.
3303 E 17th St, Austin US-TX 30.28024, -97.70081
Mar 18, 2023
8:38 AM
Traveling
0.50 miles
120 Minutes
All birds reported? Yes
Comments: Unusual to only see one Cedar waxwing.
Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 2.17.1 Build 2.17.3
2 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
15 White-winged Dove
1 Great Egret
1 Turkey Vulture
1 Red-shouldered Hawk
2 Red-bellied Woodpecker
2 Blue Jay
4 American Crow
4 Carolina Chickadee
2 Black-crested Titmouse
1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
2 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
2 Carolina Wren
1 Northern Mockingbird
1 Hermit Thrush
1 Cedar Waxwing
2 Great-tailed Grackle
1 Orange-crowned Warbler
8 Yellow-rumped Warbler
4 Northern Cardinal
admin says:
March 10, 2023 at 11:19 am
Cynthia, George, John, Leslie, Mike, Wendy and Lance led the Beginners’ Bird walk at Camp Mabry on Saturday March 4th. They ended up with 44 participants. We split into smaller groups and across all the groups we saw a total of 38 species. One group got to see an Osprey catch a fish in the pond and a number of people got to see a pair of Wood Ducks. The species list is below.
Wood Duck
Egyptian Goose
Pied-billed Grebe
White-winged Dove
Ring-billed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Osprey
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Crested Caracara
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
Barn Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Carolina Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Northern Mockingbird
Cedar Waxwing
American Goldfinch
Lesser Goldfinch
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Great-tailed Grackle
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Dennis Palafox says:
February 26, 2023 at 8:37 pm
Mary Ann Robalino and I lead a group of 8 birders on Presidents Day to Green Gate Farms in Bastrop County. The trip was postponed due to the ice storm and the weather was perfect. Erin Flynn who owns the organic farm with her husband Skip Connet spoke to us briefly about the farm and how surrounding land on Wilbarger Bend is being acquired by commercial interests. We birding the 32-acre farm along the Colorado River for 3 hours. We observed 53 species highlighted by Bald Eagles, White Pelicans, 8 species of sparrows, and various raptors. It’s a fantastic place to bird. A good time was had by all!
Species Count
Wood Duck 2
Gadwall 3
Northern Pintail 10
Green-winged Teal 4
Eurasian Collared-Dove 1
Mourning Dove 20
Killdeer 1
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Double-crested Cormorant 10
American White Pelican 21
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 10
Turkey Vulture 2
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Bald Eagle 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 7
Merlin 1
Eastern Phoebe 4
Loggerhead Shrike 2
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 10
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted Titmouse 1
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 6
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 5
Bewick’s Wren 2
Northern Mockingbird 2
Eastern Bluebird 2
American Robin 2
Cedar Waxwing 2
American Pipit 2
House Finch 3
Chipping Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow 3
Harris’s Sparrow 4
White-throated Sparrow 3
Vesper Sparrow 2
Savannah Sparrow 15
Song Sparrow 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 5
Eastern Meadowlark 4
Red-winged Blackbird 20
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 20
Northern Cardinal 18
Rich Kostecke says:
February 24, 2023 at 7:06 pm
I led the 2nd of my two February field trips to Granger Lake, Sorefinger Wildlife Area, Williamson County, to search for Short-eared Owls. I had 6 participants this morning. Unfortunately, no Short-eared Owl this trip. The grasslands the owls use were burned a week ago, and there was not much grass cover left for them. Conditions were also cool with the passing of a cold front, and bird activity was generally slow. However, as highlights, we did have a somewhat early Barn Swallow, big flocks of Northern Pintail, interesting cloud formations, and what will be a bumper crop of bluebonnets when they bloom here soon. Our full list of 23 species:
Gadwall 6
Northern Pintail 150
Green-winged Teal 18
Mourning Dove 6
American Coot 21
Killdeer 2
Wilson’s Snipe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 6
American White Pelican 1
Turkey Vulture 3
Northern Harrier 3
Red-tailed Hawk 3
Great Horned Owl 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 1
American Kestrel 4
Loggerhead Shrike 1
American Crow 1
Barn Swallow 1
Savannah Sparrow 15
Western Meadowlark 2
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 15
Red-winged Blackbird 13
Brewer’s Blackbird 1
Matthew Law says:
February 14, 2023 at 1:29 pm
Matthew Janson and I birded the park at Walter E. Long Lake on Saturday, February 11, 2023, with 5 attendees. Unfortunately a lot of late cancellations, but with a small group, we got some more 1×1 time with the birders than usual. Weather was mostly clear, 38-49 degrees F, NNW 11-13 mph winds. In addition to scoping several waterfowl (though perhaps not quite as many species as we expected) we strolled the shoreline and observed the most active areas. Another highlight was a bobcat stalking the perimeter of the woods on the west end!
43 Species observed
+1 other taxa
569 individuals
8 Northern Shoveler
1 Gadwall
25 Lesser Scaup
40 Bufflehead
50 Ruddy Duck
2 Pied-billed Grebe
2 Eared Grebe
5 White-winged Dove
3 Mourning Dove
1 Sora
>>>> Alarm and descending calls heard from within sizable patch of reeds just east of the docks.
250 American Coot
2 Killdeer
1 Spotted Sandpiper
20 Ring-billed Gull
1 Forster’s Tern
>>>> Seen early flying over the lake; contrasted its shape and flight style vs nearby RBGUs.
15 Double-crested Cormorant
8 Black Vulture
3 Turkey Vulture
1 Osprey
1 Cooper’s Hawk
>>>> Soaring very high.
1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
>>>> Very confiding female.
1 Eastern Phoebe
2 Blue Jay
6 American Crow
4 Carolina Chickadee
1 Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
3 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
2 Carolina Wren
3 European Starling
2 Northern Mockingbird
25 American Robin
8 Cedar Waxwing
30 American Pipit
>>>> Active group moving about the west half of the park.
2 American Goldfinch
2 White-throated Sparrow
>>>> Calling from west end thicket.
2 Savannah Sparrow
4 Song Sparrow
2 Lincoln’s Sparrow
1 Swamp Sparrow
3 Red-winged Blackbird
2 Orange-crowned Warbler
2 Common Yellowthroat
18 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
4 Northern Cardinal
Rich Kostecke says:
February 12, 2023 at 11:35 am
On the morning of 12 February 2023, 8 intrepid birders met me out at Granger Lake Sore Finger Wildlife Area, braving the cold and the very early pre-sunrise meeting time, to have a shot at seeing Short-eared Owl. We started off the morning hearing 3 Great Horned Owls. We could hear geese and ducks nearby but never really saw them. We did see the silhouettes of 100s of gulls as they broke roost and lifted off the lake. Eventually we got some light and the Northern Harriers woke up and started cruising the grasslands. But, no Short-eared owls. We started walking the grassland, taking in 100s of Double-crested Cormorants lifting off the lake and heading north (a few Ring-billed Gulls and White Pelicans mixed in too). Finally, a Short-eared Owl popped up, giving everyone decent if brief views. Our full list below. Afterwards, we did try some nearby county roads for Mountain Plovers, longspurs, and such, but no luck as the ag fields were quite quiet.
Eurasian Collared-Dove 1
Mourning Dove 1
Killdeer 1
Ring-billed Gull 350
Double-crested Cormorant 333
American White Pelican 3
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Northern Harrier 6
Red-tailed Hawk 3
Great Horned Owl 3
Short-eared Owl 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy/Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Crested Caracara 2
Loggerhead Shrike 1
American Crow 2
Northern Mockingbird 1
Vesper Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 8
Western Meadowlark 2
Eastern Meadowlark 6
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 12
Red-winged Blackbird 5
Brown-headed Cowbird 10
Brewer’s Blackbird 5
Northern Cardinal 3
Celeste Treadway says:
January 23, 2023 at 3:46 pm
Chris Gunter and Celeste Treadway led the monthly Baker Sanctuary hike on Sunday, January 22nd. Our group of 14 had a beautiful hike on this clear, cold’ish morning, taking the North Loop trail to the Canyon Trail, and stopping by the Cowbird cage meadow to spot some Dark-eyed Juncos feeding on the ground. Ruby-crowned Kinglets dominated the day, popping up at multiple spots along our hike. Golden-crowned Kinglets were heard, but never seen. A juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk did a flyover at the far north end of the Canyon trail. And the resident Eastern Phoebe made an appearance at both beginning and end of our walk, posing nicely for some photo ops.
Baker Sanctuary, Travis, Texas, US
Jan 22, 2023 7:39 AM – 11:09 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.387 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Monthly group hike at Baker Sanctuary, led by Chris Gunter and Celeste Treadway. Did the North loop to Canyon Trail this month. Beautiful day– cold in the morning but warmed up a little, clear blue skies, very light breeze.
18 species
Chris, George, Leslie, Mike, Robert and I led 42 participants divided into 3 groups at Commons Ford for the January Beginners’ Bird Walk. We stayed dry and ended up with 41 species across the groups:
Mourning Dove
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Black Vulture
Cooper’s Hawk
Sharp-shinned Hawk
American Kestrel
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
American Crow
Common Raven
Carolina Chickadee
Black-crested Titmouse
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
House Wren
Carolina Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Northern Mockingbird
Eastern Bluebird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Spotted Towhee
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Rich Kostecke says:
November 23, 2022 at 2:41 pm
On 23 November, 5 participants joined me for a field trip to Granger Lake Friendship Park. We observed 45 species with the highlight being 2 Red-breasted Merganser (rare but annual for Williamson County). Other good birds included an adult Bald Eagle and Golden-crowned Kinglets. After Friendship Park, most of the group visited the “elbow” of CR 360 to look for Mountain Plovers. With some persistence, we were able to find a small group of plovers as they took flight and then settled back down into the tilled field. We were then able to get good scope views of these birds which blend into their surroundings amazingly well.
Our list from Friendship Park:
Gadwall 4
Green-winged Teal 37
Redhead 12
Red-breasted Merganser 2 Photo
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Eurasian Collared-Dove 2
Mourning Dove 2
American Coot 97
Killdeer 2
Least Sandpiper 3
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Ring-billed Gull 3
gull sp. 70
Forster’s Tern 3
Double-crested Cormorant 167
Neotropic Cormorant 3
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 2
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Northern Harrier 2
Bald Eagle 1
Red-tailed Hawk 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Crested Caracara 2
American Kestrel 2
Loggerhead Shrike 2
American Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
House Wren 1
European Starling 1
Northern Mockingbird 3
American Pipit 5
American Goldfinch 3
White-crowned Sparrow 5
Vesper Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 3
Eastern Meadowlark 1
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 11
Red-winged Blackbird 1
blackbird sp. 26
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 5
Northern Cardinal 7
Our list from Williamson CR 360:
Mountain Plover 7 NW of elbow
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Kestrel 2
American Pipit 4
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 3
Jeffrey Jackson says:
November 21, 2022 at 4:46 pm
On November 16th, Jeffrey Jackson and John Bloomfield led 6 birders at Reimers Ranch. A total of 32 species were observed with highlights being Verdin and Black-throated Sparrows (full list below).
Milton Reimers Ranch Park, Travis, Texas, US
Nov 16, 2022 7:34 AM – 9:47 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.274 mile(s)
32 species (+1 other taxa)
Mourning Dove 4
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 6
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 1
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Loggerhead Shrike 1
American Crow 8
Common Raven 2
Verdin 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Carolina Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 2
Northern Mockingbird 3
American Robin 70
House Finch 8
Lesser Goldfinch 2
Field Sparrow 2
Black-throated Sparrow 3
Lark Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow 17
Vesper Sparrow 3
Savannah Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Canyon Towhee 1
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 2
Spotted Towhee 5
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 22
Red-winged Blackbird 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 6
On Saturday November 12th, Jennifer Bristol and Brooke Scheibe led an “encore” walk at the IOOF Cemetery in Georgetown. The first walk on October 29th had such a long waiting list that Jennifer and Brooke generously agreed to lead a second walk for people on the wait list. Thank you Jennifer and Brooke!
Jennifer shared: “Fourteen participants and 2 co-leaders braved the cold to enjoy 22 species; most of the species were seen along the edges of the cemetery, however the flashiest bird was the male Eastern Bluebird perched on a start white headstone. It was a very fun morning, with most of the participants coming from Austin or Pflugerville, and one participant coming from Burnet.”
I O O F Cemetery, Georgetown
Nov 12, 2022
8:22 AM
Traveling
1.03 miles
110 Minutes
All birds reported? Yes
Comments: Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 2.13.2 Build 2.13.20
2 Double-crested Cormorant
5 Black Vulture
1 Turkey Vulture
1 Cooper’s Hawk
1 Red-shouldered Hawk
1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
3 Blue Jay
6 Carolina Chickadee
2 Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
5 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
1 Carolina Wren
10 European Starling
8 Northern Mockingbird
1 Eastern Bluebird
2 House Finch
2 Lesser Goldfinch
6 Chipping Sparrow
1 White-crowned Sparrow
1 Eastern Meadowlark
100 Common Grackle
12 Great-tailed Grackle
2 Northern Cardinal
Number of Taxa: 22
Jeffrey Jackson says:
November 4, 2022 at 9:17 pm
On November 2nd, Jeffrey Jackson, and Richard Deulofeut led 14 birders at Reimers Ranch. A total of 34 species were observed (full list below), with highlights being Verdin, Northern Flicker, and Black-throated Sparrows.
Milton Reimers Ranch Park, Travis, Texas, US
Nov 2, 2022 7:25 AM – 10:25 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.664 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Audubon field trip. Mid 50Fs, E 2 mph winds, overcast skies. Surprisingly little fog at the pavilion.
34 species (+2 other taxa)
Gadwall 4
duck sp. 1
Mourning Dove 4
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 5
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1
Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) 1
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 5
Loggerhead Shrike 1
American Crow 4
Common Raven 2
Carolina Chickadee 5
Black-crested Titmouse 5
Verdin 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 8
Canyon Wren 2
Carolina Wren 4
Bewick’s Wren 5
Northern Mockingbird 8
American Robin 135
Sprague’s Pipit 1 Flyover (Jeff only)
House Finch 15
Lesser Goldfinch 2
Chipping Sparrow 2
Field Sparrow 6
Black-throated Sparrow 4 Two pairs in two distinct locations
Lark Sparrow 2
Dark-eyed Junco 1
White-crowned Sparrow 12
Vesper Sparrow 15
Song Sparrow 2
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 8
Spotted Towhee 12
Eastern Meadowlark 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 3
Northern Cardinal 16
The monthly Baker Sanctuary walk was led by Chris Gunter and Celeste Treadway on Tuesday, November 1, with 5 participants joining. We hiked the uplands areas on both North and South sides of sanctuary, hoping to find some wintering sparrows. We had pretty slow birding, but enjoyed a beautiful morning nonetheless. Got decent looks at a very vocal Spotted Towhee in the area of the (former) steward’s residence on the South side.
Baker Sanctuary, Travis, Texas, US
Nov 1, 2022 7:59 AM – 10:58 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.044 mile(s)
14 species
Mourning Dove 1
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
American Crow 7
Carolina Chickadee 2
Black-crested Titmouse 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 8
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 4
American Robin 41
Spotted Towhee 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Northern Cardinal 6
Celeste Treadway says:
October 31, 2022 at 5:37 am
Jennifer Bristol and Mary Ann Robalino led a group of 15 at the IOOF Cemetery in Georgetown on Saturday, October 29.
Mary Ann submitted the following report:
“Our birding trip to the IOOF cemetery in Georgetown was delightful. Beautiful brisk weather and a lovely group of birders, including some beginners. 24 species sighted as well as a bit of discussion about the importance of native plants for birds.
I had already submitted my eBird list and guess what happened: we spotted 3 white crowned sparrows and were delighted by a Cooper’s hawk swooping right above our heads! This kind of surprise ending to a walk happens frequently. Oohs and aahs abounded!”
51 White-winged Dove
10 Mourning Dove
2 Black Vulture
6 Turkey Vulture
1 Sharp-shinned Hawk
1 Coper’s Hawk
1 Red-tailed Hawk
2 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 Eastern Phoebe
4 Blue Jay
3 American Crow
12 Carolina Chickadee
1 Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
5 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
5 European Starling
6 Northern Mockingbird
3 Eastern Bluebird
20 Cedar Waxwing
20 House Finch
13 Lesser Goldfinch
1 Eastern Meadowlark
2 Great-tailed Grackle
3 White-crowned Sparrow
1 Orange-crowned Warbler
2 Yellow-rumped Warbler
2 Northern Cardinal
Richard Deulofeut says:
October 17, 2022 at 9:52 pm
A group of eight brave birders weathered the morning storms this morning at Roy Guerrero. We were gifted a two-hour reprieve from the rain and some great birding ensued with 43 species observed!
62 degrees F, NNE 11 mph winds. Overcast throughout with rain abating right after the start and returning as we finished. We focused on the playground area, overlook, and edge woods around the start of the main trail.
Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Park, Travis, US Oct 17, 2022 7:30 AM – 9:36 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
Blue-winged Teal 3
Mallard 2
Northern Pintail 1
Green-winged Teal 2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 5
White-winged Dove 4
Mourning Dove 8
Killdeer 1
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 6
Snowy Egret 12
Little Blue Heron 1
Green Heron 1
Black Vulture 10
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Belted Kingfisher 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Crested Caracara (Northern) 1
Eastern Phoebe 4
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 4
American Crow 6
Carolina Chickadee 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 3
European Starling 3
Northern Mockingbird 8
Eastern Bluebird 6
American Robin 60
House Finch 6
Lesser Goldfinch 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Orange-crowned Warbler 4
Nashville Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 12
Northern Cardinal 18
A single participant joined me on a trip to Lake Georgetown Russell Park this morning. I think the hiking may have scared folks off. Anyway, we had a nice morning, tallying 39 species. No Brown Booby, but we did refind the white morph juvenile Reddish Egret, had a nice mix of raptors (including several Merlin as well as side by side views of Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawk in flight), and several winter arrivals (Orange-crowned Warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Lincoln’s Sparrows).
Green-winged Teal 6
White-winged Dove 1
Mourning Dove 2
American Coot 4
Killdeer 29
Least Sandpiper 6
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Forster’s Tern 3
Great Blue Heron 3
Great Egret 1
Reddish Egret 1 Continuing white morph
Black Vulture 15
Turkey Vulture 24
Osprey 1
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
American Kestrel 4
Merlin 2
Eastern Phoebe 2
American Crow 3
Carolina Chickadee 1
Black-crested Titmouse 7
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Canyon Wren 1
House Wren 2
Carolina Wren 6
Bewick’s Wren 2
Northern Mockingbird 5
Eastern Bluebird 1
House Finch 1
Lesser Goldfinch 8
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Common Yellowthroat 1
Northern Cardinal 9
Rich Kostecke says:
October 5, 2022 at 12:13 pm
I led a field trip to Devine Lake in Leander this morning. It was a small turnout (2 participants), likely because of the short notice, but the group ballooned up to about 7 as other wandering groups of birders joined us. Highlights were the 100+ Great Egrets that were concentrating in the dwindling pools of water, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, a good movement of Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, and a few heard only American Pipit (a tad early, but previously reported from the site for that past week).
Devine Lake Pk, Williamson, Texas, US
Oct 5, 2022 7:25 AM – 10:55 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.461 mile(s)
39 species (+1 other taxa)
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 18
Blue-winged Teal 70
Mallard (Domestic type) 3
Green-winged Teal 1
Pied-billed Grebe 10
White-winged Dove 4
Mourning Dove 11
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2
Killdeer 18
Least Sandpiper 38
Pectoral Sandpiper 1
Wilson’s Snipe 2
Greater Yellowlegs 4
American White Pelican 1
Great Blue Heron 5
Great Egret 99
Snowy Egret 11
Cattle Egret 2
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 2
Turkey Vulture 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 34
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 4
Carolina Chickadee 1
Black-crested Titmouse 2
Barn Swallow 8
Carolina Wren 2
European Starling 3
Northern Mockingbird 5
American Pipit 2 Continuing, early movement this year
House Finch 4
Lesser Goldfinch 3
Lark Sparrow 4
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Common Yellowthroat 2
Northern Cardinal 10
Rich Kostecke says:
September 28, 2022 at 5:54 pm
I had an emergency pop up at literally the last moment, so did not make it out to Granger Lake–Willis Creek Park this morning (28 Sept) for the field trip I supposed to lead. However, the group (9 participants) chose to lead themselves and found 34 species including several migrants.
Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors) 3
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) 13
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 2
Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) 1
Sora (Porzana carolina) 2 Heard in watery area by the little peninsula – several vocalizing by boat dock about 0705
American Coot (Fulica americana) 2
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 1
Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) 3
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 3
Great Egret (Ardea alba) 2
Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) 1
Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) 1
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) 2
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 2
Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius) 1 Most likely female
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 1
Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) 2 2 hooting back and forth, probably male and female – one had a deeper voice
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Dryobates scalaris) 1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 1 Heard “clear vocalization”
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 4
White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus) 1
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 2
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 1
Black-crested Titmouse (Baeolophus atricristatus) 1
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 3
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 2
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 1
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) 50
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) 1
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 5
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) 1 Female with streaked breast, grosbeak bill, white supercillium and malar, white wingbar
Dickcissel (Spiza americana) 2
Terry Banks says:
September 26, 2022 at 3:50 pm
Milton Reimers Ranch Park–Entrance road & booth, Travis, Texas, US
Sep 24, 2022 6:56 AM – 10:07 AM
Protocol: Traveling
4.563 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: This was a TAS Youth bird walk. 12 enthusiastic participants enjoyed birding, looking at lizards, and even skipping rocks on the Pedernales. Pleasant in the morning but warming up by 10:00.
30 species (+1 other taxa)
On September 21st, Jeffrey Jackson, Terry Banks, Amy Roush and Lance Felber led 15 birders at Reimers Ranch. A total of 30 species were observed (full list below), with highlights being Verdin, Baltimore Oriole, and Black-throated Sparrows.
Milton Reimers Ranch Park, Travis, Texas, US
Sep 21, 2022 7:18 AM – 10:06 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.668 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: This was a Travis Audubon field trip lead by Jeffrey Jackson . Cool in the morning but too warm and Sunny by noon. Our group was enthusiastic and we enjoyed verdins, black-throated, lark and field sparrows and we heard a lot of birds that we did not see.(A lot of us did, however, get good looks of the normally elusive white-eyed vireos. )Thanks to Jeffrey, and Lance and Amy for co-leading , and thanks to the enthusiastic participants !
30 species (+1 other taxa)
Common Ground Dove 2
Mourning Dove 10
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 6
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Crested Caracara (Northern) 1
White-eyed Vireo 10
American Crow 2
Common Raven 2
Carolina Chickadee 3
Black-crested Titmouse 3
Verdin 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Canyon Wren 4
Carolina Wren 4
Bewick’s Wren 10
Northern Mockingbird 2
House Finch 4
Lesser Goldfinch 10
Field Sparrow 5
Black-throated Sparrow 6
Lark Sparrow 5
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 3
Baltimore Oriole 1
Summer Tanager 2
Northern Cardinal 8
Dickcissel 1
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S119144791
John Bloomfield says:
September 21, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Skip Mencio and I took a small group down to Warbler Woods in Cibolo on September 21. While the birding was slow (no warblers) we got good looks at Loggerhead Shrikes and Crested Caracaras and an aerial display from Cooper’s and Red-shouldered Hawks tangling with one another. It’s always a treat at Warbler Woods. Here is our checklist:
White-winged Dove 7
Mourning Dove 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Black Vulture 4
Turkey Vulture 3
Cooper’s Hawk 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 3
Downy Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 2
Eastern Phoebe 3
White-eyed Vireo 12
Loggerhead Shrike 2
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 6
Black-crested Titmouse 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 5
Carolina Wren 9
Bewick’s Wren 1
Northern Mockingbird 5
House Sparrow 5
House Finch 4
Lesser Goldfinch 2
Summer Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 21
Celeste Treadway says:
September 18, 2022 at 4:42 pm
Chris Gunter and Celeste Treadway led a group of 10 hikers on Baker Sanctuary’s North Loop trail on Sunday, September 18th. The weather was beautiful, and lots of plants were observed flowering again after the recent rains. The birding itself was pretty slow, but we got good looks at a gorgeous adult male Summer Tanager eating some sort of large bug, and had numerous singing White-eyed Vireo and Bewick’s Wrens. We will continue to lead hikes monthly at Baker, exploring a different trail each month.
Baker Sanctuary, Travis, Texas, US
Sep 18, 2022 7:19 AM – 10:49 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Monthly Baker walk led by Chris Gunter and Celeste Treadway. Clear and sunny, minimal breeze. Not very birdy, but lots of beautiful flowering plants blooming after recent rains. Hiked the North loop trail (extending north to Red Wagon estates end of sanctuary).
16 species (+2 other taxa)
White-winged Dove 25
Chimney Swift 5
hummingbird sp. 2
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
flycatcher sp. (Tyrannidae sp.) 1
White-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 1
Carolina Chickadee 2
Black-crested Titmouse 8
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4
Carolina Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 2
American Robin 12
Lesser Goldfinch 2
Summer Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 4
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S118988992
Celeste Treadway says:
September 17, 2022 at 1:32 pm
Jennifer Bristol and Mary Ann Robalino led 16 birders on a walk at Oakwood Cemetery on Saturday, September 17th. Caitlen Hill from Austin PARD joined them to add information about this historic cemetery. Mary Ann shared this report:
“This morning was a bit overcast but breezy and lively with birds. The highlight for me was the red bellied woodpecker. Handsome fellow pecking around on one of Oakwood’s many majestic oak trees. Some of us were able to see a Nashville warbler, there were many blue jays, a couple of Chimney Swifts and a couple of Coopers Hawks.
We had a nice group of experienced and beginning birders plus our very own Caley Zuzula!
Thanks to Jackie Davis for keeping the E Bird list. Thanks to everyone who came out and asked great questions!”
Oakwood Cemetery, Austin, Travis, Texas, US
Sep 17, 2022 8:13 AM – 10:19 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.815 mile(s)
20 species
White-winged Dove 3
Common Nighthawk 1
Chimney Swift 6
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Monk Parakeet 5
Blue Jay 8
Carolina Chickadee 4
Black-crested Titmouse 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4
Bewick’s Wren 1
European Starling 2
Northern Mockingbird 10
House Finch 3
Baltimore Oriole 2 Female
Nashville Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 2
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S118909997
Rich Kostecke says:
September 13, 2022 at 12:02 pm
Seven of us birded Friendship Park at Granger Lake (Williamson Co.) on the morning of 9/13/22. It was a lovely, calm, still morning. Bird activity was a tad slow, but we still had some nice observations. Highlights included Roseate Spoonbills, Tricolored Heron, Black and Forster’s Terns, fly-over Upland Sandpipers and Dickcissels, lots of Yellow Warblers, and a pair of Baltimore Oriole.
Blue-winged Teal 1
Eurasian Collared-Dove 3
White-winged Dove 3
Mourning Dove 4
Killdeer 3
Upland Sandpiper 5
Black Tern 18
Forster’s Tern 11
Great Blue Heron 4
Great Egret 2
Snowy Egret 1
Tricolored Heron 1
Roseate Spoonbill 3
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 6
Osprey 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Loggerhead Shrike 1
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 7
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 1
Barn Swallow 4
Cave Swallow 1
swallow sp. 16
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 8
European Starling 2
Northern Mockingbird 4
House Sparrow 12
Lark Sparrow 2
Baltimore Oriole 2
Yellow Warbler 16
Northern Cardinal 8
Dickcissel 6
Terry Banks says:
August 29, 2022 at 11:51 am
Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, Texas, US
Aug 27, 2022 6:45 AM – 9:31 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.886 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: This was a Travis Audubon Youth Bird walk. 22 people attended including youth birders, parents, and Travis Audubon Volunteers. It was warm and humid but recent rains after a long drought had added a bit of green color to Hornsby.
31 species
The monthly Beginner’s Bird Walk was held on Saturday, August 6th at Roy G Guerrero Metro Park (Grove Blvd entrance). We had a wonderful morning! Cloud cover gave us a break from the recent brutal heat, and the birds seemed to be enjoying the slightly cooler weather as well. With ~34 people total in three small groups, we got a total of 40 species. The trail down to Secret Beach, and the river overlook near the playground were especially fun spots to see lots of good birds today. The Beginner’s Bird walk is held on the first Saturday of every month, is always free, and loaner binoculars are available to use. All levels of experience are welcome!
Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Metropolitan Park, Austin US-TX 30.24467, -97.70068, Travis, Texas, US
Aug 6, 2022 7:39 AM – 9:47 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.989 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: TAS Beginner’s Bird walk at Roy G. Weather was warm but overcast, with partial cloud cover giving us a nice break from the heat. Very little wind. Three groups, led by George Kerr/Amy Roush, Advait Marathe, and Celeste Treadway/Skip Mencio. Starting at Grove Blvd Trailhead, the groups went in different directions, but all incorporated the trail down to Secret Beach, which was a nice birdy section today.
39 species (+2 other taxa)
Wood Duck 4 hen and 3 young
White-winged Dove 6
Mourning Dove 6
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 2 Females or juveniles
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Neotropic Cormorant 9
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 3
Little Blue Heron 1
Cattle Egret 1 Seen by George and Amy’s group
Green Heron 5
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Heard only
Downy Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 2
Least Flycatcher 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Ash-throated Flycatcher 1 Overall drab Myiarchus, paler/less extensive yellow underside than GCFL, and slightly smaller bill. Did not vocalize.
Great Crested Flycatcher 1 Identified by Advait’s group, vocalized
Couch’s Kingbird 3 Yellow underside extending up breast, and lack of white outer tail feathers, distinguished from Western. Also heard vocalizing, buzzy “kweerz” call.
Western Kingbird 1
White-eyed Vireo 3 Heard in several places. Juvenile seen (not vocalizing).
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 5
Purple Martin 8
Barn Swallow 20
Cliff Swallow 20 Identified by George and Amy’s group
Carolina Wren 3
European Starling 30
Northern Mockingbird 15
Eastern Bluebird 3 ID’d by George and Amy’s group
American Robin 1
House Finch 5
Lesser Goldfinch 2 Heard
Lark Sparrow 5
Great-tailed Grackle 2
Summer Tanager 1 female, ID’d by Advait’s group
Northern Cardinal 12
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S116426410
Terry Banks says:
June 5, 2022 at 3:56 pm
Colorado Bend SP (HOTE 019), San Saba, Texas, US
Jun 1, 2022 7:24 AM – 11:27 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.273 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Park pleasant in the morning. Lots of good sightings of blue grosbeaks, painted buntings and others. A lot of birds were only heard. This was a Travis Audubon field trip with 8 enthusiastic and skilled participants. The combination of great birds, a lovely morning in this beautiful park, and a great group of people made this a really enjoyable trip!
33 species
On May 27th, Terry Banks and Richard Deulofeut led 6 birders at Southeast Greenway. A total of 31 species were observed (full list below), with highlights being nesting pied-billed grebes.
Southeast Greenway, Mueller
Friday, May 27th 6:39 AM – 9:05 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.02 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Milton Reimers Ranch Park, Travis, Texas, US
May 18, 2022 7:28 AM – 10:28 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.907 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Audubon field trip to Reimers Ranch. High 70Fs, S 11 mph winds, partly cloudy skies.
31 species
The E-Bird list for the morning:
7 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
3 Mallard (Domestic type)
5 Pied-billed Grebe
2 Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
2 White-winged Dove
15 Mourning Dove
4 Chimney Swift
1 hummingbird sp.
10 American Coot
2 Killdeer
1 Snowy Egret
2 Green Heron
1 Turkey Vulture
1 Cooper’s Hawk
1 Red-tailed Hawk
1 Downy Woodpecker
4 Western Kingbird
2 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
2 Blue Jay
2 American Crow
1 Carolina Chickadee
4 Purple Martin
20 Barn Swallow
2 Cliff Swallow
1 Cave Swallow
25 European Starling
2 Northern Mockingbird
2 House Sparrow
12 House Finch
1 Lesser Goldfinch
10 Red-winged Blackbird
1 Common Grackle
6 Great-tailed Grackle
Celeste Treadway says:
May 20, 2022 at 3:01 pm
On May 18th, Jeffrey Jackson and Richard Deulofeut led 7 birders at Reimers Ranch. A total of 36 species were observed (full list below), with highlights being Black-throated Sparrow and Verdin.
Milton Reimers Ranch Park, Travis, Texas, US
May 18, 2022 7:28 AM – 10:28 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.907 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Audubon field trip to Reimers Ranch. High 70Fs, S 11 mph winds, partly cloudy skies.
36 species
Jennifer Bristol, Mary Ann Robalino, and Danielle Belleny led a group of 16 participants in historic Evergreen Cemetery on May 7th. Mary Ann shared:
“What a special morning it was birding at this beautiful east side cemetery! The weather was lovely and the sun was bright.
Everyone registered came, including a nine year old.
The highlights were nesting Mississippi Kites. We saw them soaring, sitting at the tops of trees, and one pair sitting on their nest.
The second highlight was a Swainson’s hawk which we saw in the last few minutes of the hike. An Eastern Bluebird and a Western Kingbird were also spotted in the last few minutes.
Along for the hike was Danielle Belleny who is a birder and who has family buried in Evergreen. She was a fantastic resource and a great birder!
As we were winding down, several folks came into the cemetery to visit loved ones; we were reminded of how important it is to maintain a respectful voice volume even though it is hard not to get excited when viewing a great bird.”
The eBird list for the morning:
78721, Austin US-TX 30.27937, -97.69980
May 7, 2022
8:18 AM
Traveling
1.05 miles
131 Minutes
All birds reported? Yes
Comments: Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 2.13.1 Build 2.13.13
10 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
1 Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
5 White-winged Dove
1 Chimney Swift
1 Black-chinned Hummingbird
1 Great Egret
1 Snowy Egret
5 Black Vulture
3 Mississippi Kite
2 Red-shouldered Hawk
1 Swainson’s Hawk
1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 Western Kingbird
1 White-eyed Vireo
1 Yellow-throated Vireo
5 Blue Jay
3 American Crow
2 Carolina Chickadee
1 Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
1 Purple Martin
1 Carolina Wren
1 European Starling
1 Northern Mockingbird
1 Eastern Bluebird
1 Great-tailed Grackle
1 Great-tailed Grackle (Great-tailed)
2 Northern Cardinal
Number of Taxa: 27
Celeste Treadway says:
April 24, 2022 at 11:12 am
On April 20th, Jeffrey Jackson, John Bloomfield, and Skip Mencio led 15 birders at Reimers Ranch. A total of 46 species were observed (full list below), with highlights being Zone-tailed Hawk and Black-capped Vireo.
Milton Reimers Ranch Park, Travis, Texas, US
Apr 20, 2022 7:25 AM – 10:42 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.73 mile(s)
46 species (+1 other taxa)
White-winged Dove 2
Mourning Dove 4
Chimney Swift 2
Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 19
Turkey Vulture 11
Zone-tailed Hawk 1 Great views flew directly overhead. All dark hawk with yellow cere and legs
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 2
Ash-throated Flycatcher 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1 Heard only
Black-capped Vireo 1
White-eyed Vireo 1
Bell’s Vireo 2
Yellow-throated Vireo 2
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Common Raven 1
Black-crested Titmouse 2
Verdin 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2
Barn Swallow 2
Cliff Swallow 1
swallow sp. 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4
Canyon Wren 1
Carolina Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 2
Northern Mockingbird 1
Swainson’s Thrush 1
Lesser Goldfinch 4
Clay-colored Sparrow 4
Field Sparrow 10
Lark Sparrow 10
White-crowned Sparrow 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 4
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 2
Spotted Towhee 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 5
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Nashville Warbler 2
Summer Tanager 2
Northern Cardinal 17
Blue Grosbeak 1
Painted Bunting 2
Dickcissel 1
Vidhya Sundar and I co-led a Birdathon field trip with 10 participants to Granger Lake on 16 April, stopping at Friendship Park, Willis Creek Wildlife Management Area and the CR 347 primitive boat ramp area. It was a lovely spring morning with highlights being 100s of Franklin’s Gulls, an overflight of White-faced Ibis, a stunning male Indigo Bunting, and Pileated Woodpeckers among the 63 bird species we saw/heard. Below is a link to our trip report.
George, Glen, Leslie, Lucy, Mike, Tracy and I led 36 people split into 3 groups at Camp Mabry on Saturday 4/2 for the monthly Beginners’ Bird Walk. We had several flyovers including a Broad-winged Hawk as we were wrapping up. We saw a couple of species nest building (Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and White-eyed Vireo) .Wood ducks and Blue-winged Teal were on the ponds.
Wood Duck
Blue-winged Teal
Pied-billed Grebe
White-winged Dove
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Hummingbird sp.
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Black Vulture
Red-shouldered Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Crested Caracara
Eastern Phoebe
White-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
Purple Martin
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Carolina Wren
Northern Mockingbird
Savannah Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Great-tailed Grackle
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Celeste Treadway says:
April 4, 2022 at 2:25 pm
Chris Gunter and Celeste Treadway led a group of 11 at Baker Sanctuary on March 29th, exploring the North Loop and old quarry area. It was an extremely windy day, not ideal conditions for seeing birds, so we worked hard for the 15 species on our list! We did hear numerous Golden-Cheeked Warblers singing, and managed to get sightings of two individuals. Despite the less-than-ideal birding conditions, we all had a lovely time hiking and enjoying the outdoor time.
Subject: eBird Report – Pedernales Falls State Park (HOTE 050), Mar 25, 2022
Date: Mon, 28 Mar 2022 21:36:15 +0000
From: do-not-reply@ebird.org
To: 55bluebirds@att.net
Pedernales Falls State Park (HOTE 050), Blanco, Texas, US
Mar 25, 2022 8:09 AM – 3:06 PM
Protocol: Traveling
10.012 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: This is the report of a Travis Audubon Field
Trip to Pedernales State Park. First we walked along the Hackenburg
Loop Trail where we found many great birds including Golden-Cheeked and
Black and White Warblers, Rufous-Crowned Sparrows, Northern Roughwing
Swallows, Belted Kingfishers, A Raven harassing a Crested Caracara,
Numerous blue-gray gnatcatchers, and a lone Cedar Waxwing, just to name
a few. Then we went to the bird blind where we saw ruby and
black-throated hummingbirds, ladder backed woodpeckers, a nashville
warbler, and several species of sparrows. For lunch we went to the
picnic grounds and picked up a few more species – lark and chipping
sparrows. Finally, we walked on the Twin Falls Trail. This trail used
to be more lush but now looked stressed – dry and probably affected by
last year’s freeze. It was midday at that time, but we saw very few
species along that trail – although we did hear one lone Golden-cheeked
warbler singing. I listed all the golden cheeked warblers that we saw
and heard according to where and when we saw them. The park is very
dry but it was a beautiful, sunny day! We had a great group of
talented, enthusiastic birders on our trip!
38 species
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) 4
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) 4
Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) 8
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 1
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) 6
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 7
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 1
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Dryobates scalaris) 6
Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus) 1
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 2
Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) 1
White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus) 5
Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma woodhouseii) 4
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 2
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 10
Black-crested Titmouse (Baeolophus atricristatus) 15
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) 5
Vocalizing their buzzy song, flying swiftly above the water feeding on
hoards of insects that were flying above the water.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula) 7
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 30
Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus) 4
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) 1
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 2
Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) 15
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 1
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) 3
Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) 5
Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus) 3
White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) 8
Rufous-crowned Sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps) 5
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) 4
Orange-crowned Warbler (Leiothlypis celata) 1
Nashville Warbler (Leiothlypis ruficapilla) 1
Golden-cheeked Warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia) 11 1) heard from
road at 0845. 2and 3) heard and seen along falls path at 0856 4) singing
on Hackenburg loop trail at 0902. 5) singing on Hackenburg loop trail at
0914 6 on HLT at 0945. 7) along HLT at 1023. 8) at picnic area singing
at 1220. 9) singing off road in trailer area at 2:06. 10) singing off
road in trailer camping at 2:08. 11) singing right above the Twin Falls
at2:35.
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens) 1 When we found
this bird in a tree at the picnic area, I thought it was another
Golden-cheeked warbler and began snapping photos. However, when I got
home and looked at my photos I saw that it was not a GCWA and thought
that it could perhaps be a Townsend’s warbler because of its large ear
patch. However, I was overlooking the more common, obvious species, the
black-throated Green. I asked Jeff Patterson and Jane Tillman what they
thought about this warbler, and they both pointed out the white, not
yellow coloring on the breast and the yellow in the vent area which is
more diagnostic of a Black-throated green warbler rather than a Townsends.
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 20
On March 16th, Jeffrey Jackson, Suzanne Kho, and Brooke Scheibe led 11 birders at Reimers Ranch. A total of 43 species were observed (full list below), with highlights being Vermilion Flycatcher, Verdin, and Nashville Warbler.
Milton Reimers Ranch Park, Travis, Texas, US
Mar 16, 2022 7:30 AM – 10:09 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
43 species (+1 other taxa)
Northern Bobwhite 3
Wild Turkey 1
Common Ground Dove 1
Mourning Dove 13
Greater Roadrunner 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 6
Belted Kingfisher 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Vermilion Flycatcher 2
Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay 1
American Crow 2
Common Raven 1
Carolina Chickadee 2
Black-crested Titmouse 3
Verdin 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Canyon Wren 5
Carolina Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 3
Northern Mockingbird 1
House Finch 4
Lesser Goldfinch 5
American Goldfinch 2
Chipping Sparrow 40
Field Sparrow 13
Black-throated Sparrow 4 3 individuals seen around the pavilion 1 seen close to the River Trails parking lot
Lark Sparrow 3
White-crowned Sparrow 17
Vesper Sparrow 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 5
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 3
Spotted Towhee 4
Eastern Meadowlark 1
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 21
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
Nashville Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 35
List from State Park Field Trip led by Terry Banks:
Palmetto State Park, Gonzales US-TX 29.59399, -97.58628, Gonzales, Texas, US
Mar 13, 2022 8:17 AM – 2:20 PM
Protocol: Traveling
6.335 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: This was a Travis Audubon Field Trip. A cold 28
degrees in morning which quickly warmed up to a lovely warm, sunny
afternoon. We had a wonderful, enthusiastic group of talented birders!
42 species (+1 other taxa)
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) 9
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 5
Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis) 67
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) 1
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) 1
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) 17
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 7
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) 2
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 3
Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus) 3
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 3
White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus) 12
Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius) 3
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 10
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 25
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) 15 Calling all over the place
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) 5
Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) 5 At least a dozen going
under the bridge over the oxbow lake
Cave Swallow (Petrochelidon fulva) 5
Cliff/Cave Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota/fulva) 6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula) 20
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 1
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) 1
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 13
Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) 3
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 8
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) 12
Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) 3
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) 12
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 3
Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) 10
Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) 1
Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) 4 Heard making chup sound
and singing: several in field with cattle
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 11
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) 1
Orange-crowned Warbler (Leiothlypis celata) 5
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) 10
Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus) 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 10
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 25
On March 5th, Chris, Dawn, George, Glen, Lucy, and myself led 27 participants split into 3 groups at Big Webberville Park for the Beginners’ Bird Walk. Each group saw a little over 30 species, but each saw a few the others didn’t for an overall total of 51 species. The highlights were a pair of Bald Eagles, Osprey, Eastern Bluebirds, migrating Sandhill Cranes and a Say’s Phoebe. We also had good looks at Meadowlarks and various blackbirds. Some people in our group got there first looks at Brewer’s Blackbirds.
Webberville Park (Big)(HOTE 035), Travis, Texas, US
Mar 5, 2022
Goose sp.
White Winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Sandhill Crane
Killdeer
Lesser Yellowlegs
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald eagle
Red Tailed Hawk
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Crested Caracara
Merlin
Eastern Phoebe
Say’s Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Loggerhead Shrike
Blue Jay
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse
Barn Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
House Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
American Pipit
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Western/Eastern Meadowlark
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Brewer’s Blackbird
Common Grackle
Great-tailed Grackle
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Rich Kostecke says:
March 2, 2022 at 9:14 pm
I led 11 participants on a field trip to Granger Lake to look for Short-eared Owls this afternoon/evening (3/2/22). First we scoped out the cormorants, ducks, gulls, and terns on the lake from Friendship Park. Most participants got looks at the continuing Surf Scoter and Common Goldeneyes. We then shifted to Sorefinger Wildlife Management Area where we waited for Short-eared Owls to make an appearance. At dusk we managed to get some looks at a few of these ghosts of the prairie. Our list for the afternoon/evening:
I led a TAS Wild Weekdays field trip to Booty’s Road Park in Georgetown this morning. There were 10 participants. It was a cool, but sunny morning before the cold front really started blowing in, but we still got some nice birds. we tallied 27 species. Highlights were Canyon and Rock Wrens in the riprap of the dam, which were lifers for several participants. Other highlights included several Osprey, 100s of vultures, and Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned kinglets among other
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 74
Turkey Vulture 121
Osprey 2
Bald Eagle 1 Seen as the field trip was leaving
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy/Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 11
Black-crested Titmouse 7
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 9
Golden-crowned Kinglet 3
Rock Wren 1
Canyon Wren 5
Carolina Wren 5
Northern Mockingbird 1
Eastern Bluebird 2
House Finch 1
Lesser Goldfinch 2
American Goldfinch 13
White-throated Sparrow 4
Savannah Sparrow 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 13
Northern Cardinal 15
Lance Felber says:
January 1, 2022 at 1:43 pm
George Kerr, John Bloomfield, Chris Gunter, Glen Novinger and Lance Felber lead 24 participants split into 3 groups. The weather was pleasantly mild, 70’s and cloudy. We saw a Belted Kingfisher, Double-crested Cormorants, a Ring-billed Gull and some of our usual with songbirds. Pie-billed Grebe and Yellow-rumped Warbler were new birds for a couple in our group. The complete list of species is below:
Brushy Creek Lake Pk, Williamson, Texas, US
Jan 1, 2022 7:45 AM – 10:09 AM
33 species (+4 other taxa)
Muscovy Duck (Domestic type)
Mallard (Domestic type)
duck sp.
Pied-billed Grebe
Mourning Dove
White-winged Dove
Spotted Sandpiper
Killdeer
Ring-billed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Carolina Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Northern Mockingbird
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
American Pipit
White-throated Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Great-tailed Grackle
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
Northern Cardinal
Celeste Treadway says:
January 1, 2022 at 11:06 am
Robert McLemore and 10 participants had a Wild Weekday at McKinney Roughs Nature Park to try to finish out the year on Thursday, 12/30. While the park was awesome, the river bottom enchanting and the views impressive – the birding was a bit slow with only 25 species. We traveled thru some GREAT woodcock habitat and some had been reported. Unfortunately, none for us. Highlights were some close ups of Downy Woodpeckers, two fussing Bewick’s Wrens, Meadowlarks at the tops of trees as the sunrise made them glow like Christmas ornaments, hyperactive Ruby Crowned Kinglets (anyone ever seen mellow Kinglets?) and some chilling vultures (both species) sitting in the trees watching us climb the hill back out of the river bottom. I think they were just waiting for something to happen to me. Only four sparrow species: Chipping, Song, White-throated (call only), and Field. I enjoyed sharing Doc Stone’s “Baby face” id of the Field Sparrows (I only hope it wasn’t trademarked). It was a great walk with great folks, but the mid 70’s may have dampened the birding.
Complete species list:
Mckinney Roughs Park (HOTE 034), Bastrop, Texas, US
Dec 30, 2021 6:38 AM – 10:44 AM
Protocol: Traveling
4.371 mile(s)
25 species
Northern Shoveler 2
Killdeer 1 Heard at parking area.
Neotropic Cormorant 2
Black Vulture 20
Turkey Vulture 10
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 7
American Crow 6
Carolina Chickadee 8
Tufted Titmouse 12
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Bewick’s Wren 1
Chipping Sparrow 8
Field Sparrow 4
White-throated Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 3
Eastern Meadowlark 8
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 6
Northern Cardinal 4
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S99832176
Celeste Treadway says:
December 30, 2021 at 11:08 am
Suzie McCann and Brooke Scheibe led a Wild Weekday walk at Champion Park at Brushy Creek on Wednesday, December 22nd. Suzie shared these comments:
“We had a very nice day. Started a bit chilly but warmed up. No wind which is always nice. The most active spot was around the bathrooms and picnic/play area. Good looks at Eastern Bluebirds, Ladderback and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, and American Robins. A Red-shouldered Hawk stayed around the area for awhile moving between different perches. The trail was good for sparrows, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Chickadees and Titmice. And we had FOS Cedar Waxwings. Half the group turned back for 11:00 but the rest of us made it up on the dam to see the Belted Kingfisher, and someone had a lifer with the Pie-billed Grebe.”
And Brooke shared: “Those with cameras had perfect light to capture the bird. It was so comforting to see the Eastern Phoebe in the park.”
Complete bird list:
Champion Park (Williamson Co.)
Dec 22, 2021
7:46 AM
Traveling
1.68 miles
155 Minutes
All birds reported? Yes
Comments: Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 2.8.0 Build 2.8.12
4 Wood Duck
3 Pied-billed Grebe
10 White-winged Dove
26 Double-crested Cormorant
1 Great Blue Heron
2 Black Vulture
1 Turkey Vulture
1 Red-shouldered Hawk
1 Belted Kingfisher
1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
2 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
1 Eastern Phoebe
5 Blue Jay
2 American Crow
3 Carolina Chickadee
4 Black-crested Titmouse
3 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
1 Carolina Wren
1 Bewick’s Wren
2 Northern Mockingbird
3 Eastern Bluebird
4 American Robin
4 Cedar Waxwing
5 House Finch
4 Lesser Goldfinch
5 American Goldfinch
2 Chipping Sparrow
1 White-throated Sparrow
3 Savannah Sparrow
1 Spotted Towhee
2 Red-winged Blackbird
2 Yellow-rumped Warbler
5 Northern Cardinal
Number of Taxa: 33
Celeste Treadway says:
December 18, 2021 at 9:55 am
On December 15th, Field Trip Leader Jeffrey Jackson led 10 birders on a walk at Reimers Ranch. They had a great time! They saw 29 species with highlights being Eastern Towhee and Canyon Towhee (list below).
This walk is a regularly occurring event on the third Wednesday of each month. See the TAS calendar for details and registration.
Milton Reimers Ranch Park, Travis, Texas, US
Dec 15, 2021 7:25 AM – 9:49 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.96 mile(s)
29 species (+1 other taxa)
Egyptian Goose 2
Common Ground Dove 1
Mourning Dove 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 1
Northern Harrier 1
American Kestrel 1
Loggerhead Shrike 1
Common Raven 2
Carolina Chickadee 1
Verdin 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Canyon Wren 1
House Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 3
House Finch 3
Field Sparrow 7
Black-throated Sparrow 2
White-crowned Sparrow 16
Vesper Sparrow 8
Savannah Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Canyon Towhee 1
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 2
Spotted Towhee 6
Eastern Towhee 1 Continuing female, brownish above no spots on back white at base of primaries
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 5
Northern Cardinal 17
Rich Kostecke says:
December 13, 2021 at 11:33 am
I led 7 participants on a field trip to Silverado Springs Park in Cedar Park this morning. Weather was overcast and calm, cool but overly chilly. We tallied 31 species with highlights being a hen Bufflehead, a Virginia Rail giving its grunt calls from the wetland area, and a very confiding American Pipit.
Bufflehead 1
White-winged Dove 1
Mourning Dove 2
Virginia Rail 2 Heard
Ring-billed Gull 3
Great Egret 3
Black Vulture 22
Turkey Vulture 2
woodpecker sp. 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 4
Carolina Chickadee 5
Black-crested Titmouse 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 7
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 10
Bewick’s Wren 1
Northern Mockingbird 3
American Pipit 1
House Finch 14
Lesser Goldfinch 15
Chipping Sparrow 4
Dark-eyed Junco 6
White-crowned Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 7
Lincoln’s Sparrow 11
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Northern Cardinal 14
Rich Kostecke says:
December 8, 2021 at 12:41 pm
I led 11 participants on a field trip to Cedar Hollow on Lake Georgetown; a new birding site for pretty much everyone. We had a calm morning that quickly warmed up. We heard or saw 28 species, with good looks at Osprey, an immature Red-shouldered Hawk, American Kestrel, and several sparrow species. Everyone got to hear and perhaps glimpse some quick moving Golden-crowned Kinglets, an irruptive species that seems to be showing particularly well so far this winter. Our list:
Mourning Dove 2
Spotted Sandpiper 3
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 9
Osprey 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
American Crow 3
Carolina Chickadee 3
Black-crested Titmouse 8
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 9
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
House Wren 3
Carolina Wren 3
Bewick’s Wren 2
Northern Mockingbird 1
American Pipit 2
American Goldfinch 8
Chipping Sparrow 6
Field Sparrow 4
White-throated Sparrow 4
Song Sparrow 7
Lincoln’s Sparrow 3
Spotted Towhee 3
Northern Cardinal 18
Celeste Treadway says:
November 20, 2021 at 5:16 pm
17 participants joined leaders Jeffrey Jackson and Mary Ann Robalino on November 17th at Reimers Ranch. They had great weather and beautiful scenery. A total of 23 species were observed, full list below. Particularly interesting observations included a couple of Common Ravens molesting a Red-tailed Hawk, and a Verdin building a winter nest to keep warm (not for actual egg laying). The highlight was a group of meadowlarks on a dead tree; brilliant backlighting revealed their beautiful yellow necklaces.
Species list:
2 Common Ground Dove
2 Greater Roadrunner
7 Black Vulture
1 Turkey Vulture
1 Red-tailed Hawk
1 Belted Kingfisher
2 American Kestrel
1 Eastern Phoebe
2 Common Raven
1 Verdin
1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
1 House Wren
2 Carolina Wren
1 Northern Mockingbird
2 House Finch
1 Field Sparrow
2 Black-throated Sparrow
6 White-crowned Sparrow
1 Vesper Sparrow
1 Savannah Sparrow
2 Lincoln’s Sparrow
20 Western/Eastern Meadowlark
4 Northern Cardinal
Rich Kostecke says:
November 19, 2021 at 12:36 pm
Lance Felber and I had 16 participants for the TAS wild weekday field trip to Devine Lake on 11/19. It was a beautiful if chilly morning. We noted 47 species with the highlights being 10 species of waterfowl including Canvasback and Bufflehead, a Northern Harrier, a Belted Kingfisher, and mixed flocks of expected winter songbirds. Full list below.
Gadwall 5
American Wigeon 25
Mallard 1
Northern Pintail 1
Green-winged Teal 6
Canvasback 36
Redhead 1
Ring-necked Duck 368
Lesser Scaup 2
Bufflehead 22
Pied-billed Grebe 4
White-winged Dove 3
Mourning Dove 1
American Coot 21
Killdeer 5
Greater Yellowlegs 3
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 2
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 9
Northern Harrier 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 3
Black-crested Titmouse 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Carolina Wren 2
Bewick’s Wren 3
Northern Mockingbird 6
House Finch 7
Lesser Goldfinch 2
Chipping Sparrow 1
Field Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow 4
White-throated Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
Spotted Towhee 1
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 2
Red-winged Blackbird 18
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Northern Cardinal 6
John Bloomfield says:
November 17, 2021 at 1:49 pm
We had 15 people on a November 17 Birdability outing to the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment (Aquarena Springs) in San Marcos. The trip was led by Virginia Rose and John Bloomfield. We had 19 species highlighted by a cooperative American Bittern on the boardwalk and a flyover Crested Caracara. More importantly the group had a great time birding and making new friends on a warm November morning.
Chris Gunter says:
November 14, 2021 at 8:21 pm
RE: Commons Ford Walk Sunday, November 14, 2021
Eleven birders participated this morning in a three hour walk at Commons Ford. It was a gorgeous day with clear skies, no wind and temperature in the mid-40’s, warming up to the 60’s. We had 29 species, including a small flock of robins and five different sparrows. It was a great morning!
Wood duck
White-winged dove
Double-crested cormorant
Osprey
Sharp-shinned hawk
Red-tailed hawk
Golden-fronted woodpecker
American kestrel
Eastern phoebe
Blue jay
Woodhouse’s scrub-jay
American crow
Tufted x Black-crested titmouse (hybrid)
Ruby-crowned kinglet
Carolina wren
Northern mockingbird
Eastern bluebird
American robin
House finch
Lesser goldfinch
Chipping sparrow
White-crowned sparrow
White-throated sparrow
Song sparrow
Spotted towhee
Western/Eastern meadowlark
Common grackle
Yellow-rumped warbler
Northern cardinal
George Kerr says:
November 7, 2021 at 5:04 pm
Beginners Walk – Barkley Meadows – 11/6/21
15 birders (10 participants and 5 leaders) enjoyed a cool, crisp morning with clear blue skies and almost no wind. We split into two groups. Highlights were a flyover of three Anhinga (seen by one group), at least three Yellow-bellied Sapsucker chasing each other for several minutes – flying around through the trees, hopping around on the tree trunks, and vocalizing (seen by the other group), and two flyovers totaling about 45 American White Pelican (at the end of the walk after most birders had already departed). Our species list (both groups combined) follows.
Wood Duck
Lesser Scaup
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Anhinga
American White Pelican
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Red-tailed Hawk
Crested Caracara
Killdeer
Greater Yellowlegs
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Monk Parakeet
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Eastern Phoebe
Loggerhead Shrike
Blue Jay
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Titmouse, Black-crested x Tufted
Carolina Wren
House Wren
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Meadowlark species
Great-tailed Grackle
House Finch
House Sparrow
Celeste Treadway says:
October 31, 2021 at 6:29 pm
TAS leaders Dennis Palafox, Janet Davis, Jeff Osborne, and Celeste Treadway guided a Shoal Creek Conservancy walk at Beverly Sheffield Northwest District Park on Saturday, October 30th. The first bird identified was a Great Horned Owl, calling just before sunrise; the most unexpected bird was a beautiful bright red male Summer Tanager, a “rare” sighting at this time of year. Hyperactive Ruby-crowned Kinglets, colorful Red-bellied Woodpeckers, and a bathing Black-throated Green Warbler all added to the enjoyment of a beautiful morning.
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 2
White-winged Dove 30
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 3
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Great Horned Owl 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 2 heard
Eastern Phoebe 3
Blue Jay 12
Carolina Chickadee 10
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Carolina Wren 2
European Starling 1
Northern Mockingbird 6
House Sparrow 5
House Finch 2
Lesser Goldfinch 3
Lincoln’s Sparrow 3
Great-tailed Grackle 30
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Summer Tanager 1 Adult male heard and seen, along creek near baseball field (on opposite bank near houses); blurry photos taken through fence. Jeff Osborne got recording
Northern Cardinal 20
26 species (+1 other taxa)
Celeste Treadway says:
October 31, 2021 at 6:18 pm
The first “Cemetery Birding” walk was led on Saturday, October 30th by Jennifer Bristol, TAS Master Birder Mary Ann Robalino, and PARD staff member Caitlen Hill. Fifteen participants enjoyed a beautiful morning in Oakwood Cemetery, and saw 17 species of birds (list at bottom). One of the participants sent the following email after the walk:
“This is just a quick note to let you know how very much my friend and I enjoyed this walk. It was wonderful, and I strongly support adding more cemetery walks to your schedule.
The guides provided information on the role that cemeteries played in US/Texas history, the habitat function that they play now that many are located within large metropolitan areas, etc. The walk really highlighted the interface between habitat and humans, while still teaching about the birds themselves. It was a delightful reminder of the world around us.
Thank you for all that you and Audubon do for our community!”
Beginner’s Bird Walk
Berry Springs Park, Georgetown, Williamson, Texas, US
Oct 2, 2021 7:33 AM – 10:18 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.053 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Beautiful morning, park was green with a
spacious pecan grove, flowing streams and Berry Creek. It was
absolutely lovely. This was a Travis Audubon Trip consisting of
approximately 22 individuals – we split up into several groups and each
group saw different species.
30 species
First Beginner’s Bird walk for 2021 at Roy G Guerrero
On Saturday, July 3rd, Travis Audubon held the first Beginner’s Bird walk since the Covid-19 Pandemic shut things down 16 month ago. Twenty participants and 5 trip leaders, divided across three groups, enjoyed different parts of Roy G Guerrero Metropolitan Park. One group explored the Circle Acres section, one group explored the playground area and Montopolis Multi-Use trail, and the third group explored the trail leading to Secret Beach. We were fortunate that the forecasted rain held off for the morning, so we had mostly sunny skies and good visibility for birding. Thank you to Field trip leaders George Kerr, Dennis Palafox, Lance Felber, John Bloomfield, and Celeste Treadway, with additional assistance from Glen and Tracy Novinger.
Highlights of the trip included a concentration of wading birds at the Circle Acres pond, a Red-eyed Vireo observed feeding a fledgling on the Montopolis trail, and at least one Yellow-billed Cuckoo that was unusually active (and visible), and flew in plain view in open areas between trees several times. Combined across our three groups, we saw or heard 38 species of birds— not bad for a hot July morning!
The Beginner’s Bird walk is held the first Saturday of every month, and visits a different location each time. It’s free, it’s fun, and all the cool kids are doing it! Join us for the next one on Saturday, August 7th (location TBD), watch the TAS website for registration!
Our species list for the morning:
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
White-winged Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Neotropic/Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Cattle Egret
Green Heron
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Ladderback Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Western Kingbird
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
White-eyed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse
Barn Swallow
Cliff/Cave Swallow
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
Eastern Bluebird
House Finch
Great-tailed Grackle
Blue Jay
Northern Cardinal
Painted Bunting
Dennis Palafox says:
November 5, 2020 at 5:00 pm
Celeste Treadway and I lead a trip to Camp Mabry on November 1, 2020. We had 7 participants on the trip and we followed the TAS Covid-19 protocols. We saw 40 species. The weather was perfect. A list of species seen and their numbers follows:
Species Count
Wood Duck 1
Ruddy Duck 1
Pied-billed Grebe 1
White-winged Dove 6
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 4
Turkey Vulture 6
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 2
American Kestrel 1
Monk Parakeet 5
Eastern Phoebe 6
Blue Jay 7
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 6
Carolina Wren 2
European Starling 15
Northern Mockingbird 4
Hermit Thrush 4
American Robin 20
Chipping Sparrow 8
Field Sparrow 2
Lark Sparrow 1
Vesper Sparrow 4
Savannah Sparrow 5
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Western Meadowlark 2
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Nashville Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 10
Northern Cardinal 2
Total No. of Species 40
Dennis Palafox says:
October 4, 2020 at 9:16 am
Celeste Treadway and Dennis Palafox lead what is probably the first Field Trip Committee lead field trip since the Covid-19 pandemic. Five participants joined us on October 3, 2020 for a field trip to Lake Creek Trail East on a glorious fall day! We saw 35 species and 3 additional taxa. Our list follows:
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 2
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Eurasian Collared-Dove 1
White-winged Dove 8
Mourning Dove 6
Chimney Swift 5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 3
Killdeer 5
Neotropic Cormorant 1
Great Egret 5
Snowy Egret 2
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 1
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Empidonax sp. 1
Eastern Phoebe 4
Couch’s Kingbird 2
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 3
Carolina Wren 2
Bewick’s Wren 2
European Starling 20
Northern Mockingbird 6
American Robin 20
House Finch 4
Lesser Goldfinch 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
Great-tailed Grackle 20
Northern Cardinal 6
Judith B Bailey says:
March 10, 2020 at 9:50 pm
MARY MOORE SEARIGHT BIRD LIST
3-7-2020
What a turn out: 50 participants for the Beginners’ Bird Walk! Some were “regulars” and the rest new birders including five young girls. The best bird of the day was a Hutton’s Vireo seen by Lance and Mike’s group. The White-eyed Vireo put on a great display defending his new territory. In addition, the featured bird of the day, the Ruby-crowned Kinglet, popped his ruby crest up for all to see!
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret (Early flyover)
Red-shouldered Hawk
Crested Caracara
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Eastern Phoebe
White-eyed Vireo
Hutton’s Vireo
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
Carolina Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
Northern Cardinal
Great-tailed Grackle
Lesser Goldfinch
Judith Bailey says:
February 3, 2020 at 1:13 pm
Saturday morning at Commons Ford Ranch was crisp and sunny. Thirty plus birders turned out to look for Le Conte’s Sparrow and other local specialties: Eastern Bluebirds, Eastern Phoebes, and Ladder-backed Woodpeckers. After breaking up into three groups, 34 species were found in total. Interestingly, no European Startling or House Sparrows were seen.
Mallard
Wild Turkey (H)
Double-crested Cormorant
Black Vulture
Osprey
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Ring-billed Gull
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Black-crested Titmouse
Carolina Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Eastern Bluebird
Northern Mockingbird
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
Spotted Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch
Egyptian Goose (introduced species)
Judith B Bailey says:
January 5, 2020 at 7:35 pm
The first Beginners’ Bird Walk of 2020 was great fun! 46 participants, including two from Sweden and two from Australia, showed up to enjoy the bird blinds, trails and open fields of Pedernales Falls S.P.. Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay, Spotted Towhee, Lesser Goldfinch and Black-crested Titmouse were stars of the bird blinds. In addition, some birders had good looks at a Say’s Phoebe and a bobbing, fussy Canyon Wren. All totaled, 33 species were seen.
Rock Pigeon
Eurasian Collard-Dove
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Killdeer
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Say’s Phoebe
Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay
Common Raven
Canyon Wren
Carolina Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Eastern Bluebird
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling (?)
Cedar Waxwing
American Pipit
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Rufous-crowned Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Kristen says:
October 30, 2019 at 3:42 pm
I spotted a Black Hawk perched on a street light pole today while driving in north central Austin. I doubted myself at first, thinking it must be a vulture, given they are common. But no doubt, it was a black hawk. I have never seen one. Perhaps it came in with the cold front. Is that possible?
George Kerr says:
July 8, 2019 at 9:21 pm
Beginners Walk at Hornsby Bend 7-6-19
39 participants and 3 leaders split into two groups to explore the River Trail. It was warm and muggy, but not hot. Much of the birding was by ear. Two Black Vultures that fledged earlier this spring near the Upper Island View Trail provided close looks. Otherwise, the best action was at Pond 3 where a variety of birds, in particular Black-bellied Whistling Ducks and juvenile Yellow-crowned Night Herons, gave good looks. Our combined list of 43 species list follows.
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
Wood Duck
Mallard
Blue-winged Teal
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Cattle Egret
Green Heron
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Killdeer
Black-necked Stilt
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Monk Parakeet
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Chimney Swift
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Archilochus species
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Couch’s Kingbird
Western Kingbird
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
White-eyed Vireo
Purple Martin
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Titmouse, Black-crested x Tufted
Carolina Wren
Eastern Bluebird
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Northern Parula
Summer Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Indigo Bunting
Painted Bunting
Red-winged Blackbird
Great-tailed Grackle
Terry Banks says:
April 17, 2019 at 3:58 pm
Date and Effort
Edit Date and Effort
Sat Apr 13, 2019 7:45 AM
Protocol:
Traveling
Party Size:
7
Duration:
7 hour(s)
Distance:
6.0 mile(s)
Observers:
Terry Banks
Comments:
Rainy, windy overcast and chilly. This was a Travis Audubon Field Trip. In the morning we birded in the Agarita Bird blind, and then we hiked the golden cheek trail .Then we drove to the river and found the yellow throated warblers. Another short walk took us to a small field where we heard grasshopper sparrows singing and we saw a Bald Eagle soaring overhead. Despite the cold, windy and sometimes unpleasant weather, both the birds and participants of this trip were hardy and enthusiastic. An absolutely fantastic group of people at a wonderful place!
Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.9.9
Species
Edit Species List
5 Sat Apr 13, 2019 7:45 AM
Protocol:
Traveling
Party Size:
7
Duration:
7 hour(s)
Distance:
6.0 mile(s)
Observers:
Terry Banks
Comments:
Rainy, windy overcast and chilly. This was a Travis Audubon Field Trip. In the morning we birded in the Agarita Bird blind, and then we hiked the golden cheek trail .Then we drove to the river and found the yellow throated warblers. Another short walk took us to a small field where we heard grasshopper sparrows singing and we saw a Bald Eagle soaring overhead. Despite the cold, windy and sometimes unpleasant weather, both the birds and participants of this trip were hardy and enthusiastic. An absolutely fantastic group of people at a wonderful place!
Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.9.9
Species
Edit Species List
53 species (+2 other taxa) total
30
White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica
4
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura
1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris
1
Black-chinned Hummingbird Archilochus alexandri
10
Yellow-throated Warbler Setophaga dominica
A male and female were foraging in a tree while a third sang in a tree across the river.
4
Golden-cheeked Warbler Setophaga chrysoparia
5
Summer Tanager Piranga rubra
10
Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis
1
Blue Grosbeak Passerina caerulea
Terry Banks says:
April 3, 2019 at 2:18 pm
Tue Apr 02, 2019 6:54 AM
Protocol:
Traveling
Party Size:
6
Duration:
7 hour(s)
Distance:
6.0 mile(s)
Observers:
Terry Banks
Comments:
This was a Travis Audubon Field Trip. We started out at the nature trail, then went to the bird blind. Afterwards we walked the horse trail and went past the ponds. Finally we picnicked at the picnic area and finally took a short walk down to the swimming area. Animals seen were two Ringtails, a porcupine, and, unfortunately, 7 feral hogs (4 juveniles).
Weather was chilly in the am but beautiful as the day warmed up!
Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.8.15
Species
Edit Species List
41 species (+1 other taxa) total
75
White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica
5
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura
2
Greater Roadrunner Geococcyx californianus
Heard only
4
Verdin Auriparus flaviceps
One juvenile and one adult
3
Canyon Wren Catherpes mexicanus
2
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
4
Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus
20
Bewick’s Wren Thryomanes bewickii
25
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea
15
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula
4
Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos
40
Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum
10
House Finch Haemorhous mexicanus
2
American Goldfinch Spinus tristis
2
Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina
4
Field Sparrow Spizella pusilla
2
Lark Sparrow Chondestes grammacus
3
Lincoln’s Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii
2
Rufous-crowned Sparrow Aimophila ruficeps
1
Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus
1
Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus
1
Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater
1
Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia
Heard only
3
Orange-crowned Warbler Oreothlypis celata
2
Yellow-rumped Warbler Setophaga coronata
8
Golden-cheeked Warbler Setophaga chrysoparia
GCWA’s in several territories. Most noted in Twin Falls Nature Area (about 6). One heard along horse trail, one heard in picnic area by swimming area, one heard across water in swimming area and a final individual heard and seen by the steps down to the swimming area.
20
Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis
George Kerr says:
February 3, 2019 at 9:50 pm
On the morning of February 2, 2019 we held the monthly Beginners’ Walk. 51 participants plus 4 leaders formed 2 groups and birded Mary Moore Searight Park from the parking lot to the southern end of the park. A morning mist let up just before we started, and there was heavy, low overcast. Temps were mild. Our combined bird list:
Crested Caracara
White-winged Dove
Eastern Phoebe
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Titmouse, Black-crested x Tufted
Carolina Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
House Finch
Terry Banks says:
January 29, 2019 at 9:28 am
Enchanted Rock SNA (Gillespie Co), Gillespie County, Texas, US ( Map ) ( Hotspot )
Date and Effort
Edit Date and Effort
Sat Jan 26, 2019 8:08 AM
Protocol:
Traveling
Party Size:
1
Duration:
4 hour(s)
Distance:
2.5 mile(s)
Observers:
Advait Marathe List , Birdie White List , Terry Banks
Comments:
This was a Travis Audubon field trip. The weather was overcast and sometimes drizzly but overall very pleasant!
Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.8.15
Species
Edit Species List
37 species (+1 other taxa) total
5
Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo
Remove Species
10
Inca Dove Columbina inca
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1
White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica
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4
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura
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2
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
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1
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Remove Species
2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius
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5
Ladder-backed Woodpecker Dryobates scalaris
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2
Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway
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6
Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe
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2
Common Raven Corvus corax
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2
Carolina Chickadee Poecile carolinensis
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10
Black-crested Titmouse Baeolophus atricristatus
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1
Verdin Auriparus flaviceps
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2
Canyon Wren Catherpes mexicanus
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3
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
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1
Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus
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15
Bewick’s Wren Thryomanes bewickii
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4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula
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4
Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis
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7
Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos
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2
European Starling Sturnus vulgaris
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2
House Finch Haemorhous mexicanus
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10
Lesser Goldfinch Spinus psaltria
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60
American Goldfinch Spinus tristis
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5
Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina
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8
Field Sparrow Spizella pusilla
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7
Black-throated Sparrow Amphispiza bilineata
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14
Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis
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2
White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis
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2
Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia
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10
Lincoln’s Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii
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2
Rufous-crowned Sparrow Aimophila ruficeps
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8
Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus
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18
Western/Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta/magna
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4
Orange-crowned Warbler Oreothlypis celata
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10
Yellow-rumped Warbler Setophaga coronata
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15
Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis
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George Kerr says:
January 5, 2019 at 5:52 pm
On Jan. 5, 2019 33 birders enjoyed a beautiful, sunny morning, with temps in the 40’s to 60’s, at Pedernales Falls SP. We started at the bird blinds, which per usual, were quite a treat. Spotted Towhees and a colorful Orange-crowned Warbler were highlights. We then took a hike to the duck ponds where we saw a flock of Green-winged Teal circle a couple of times and then land. We also were lucky to see a Says Phoebe perched on a snag in the pond. Amazingly, there was a chorus of frogs. The frogs sang their hearts out, stopped when a Great-blue Heron arrived, and then started up again after the heron left. Coincidence? On the return walk we came across a Verdin and a ball of twigs eight feet or so up in a bare bush that seemed to be last year’s nest. The Verdin approached the nest with soft looking nesting material in its beak, but did not seem to want to enter the nest with all of us watching. Our bird list follows.
Gadwall
Green-winged Teal
Great Blue Heron
Black Vulture
White-winged Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Say’s Phoebe
Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay
Titmouse, Black-crested x Tufted
Verdin
Carolina Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
Cedar Waxwing
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Lincoln’s Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Judith Bailey says:
December 1, 2018 at 5:11 pm
Birding at Barkley Meadows Park, 12-1-18, was delightful and fun; raptors, waterfowl and sparrows were the stars of the day. The Osprey put on a show searching the lake for fish and even kiting once; but, no stooping resulted. A Connecticut native new to Austin got a lifer when he saw the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.
Gadwall
Northern Shoveler
Green-winged Teal
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Northern Harrier
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
American Coot
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Monk Parakeet
Belted Kingfisher
Eastern Phoebe
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Loggerhead Shrike
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Northern Mockingbird
American Crow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Meadowlark sp.
Great-tailed Grackle
House Finch
Terry Banks says:
November 7, 2018 at 4:52 pm
On Tuesday, November 6, 2018 11 Travis Audubon members birded Pedernales Falls State Park. The weather was great, the company was great, and we enjoyed seeing many birds including the following species:
Justin Bosler and I lead the monthly bird walk at Hornsby Bend on October 20. There were a total of 14 people on the trip. We ended up with 67 spp on the trip. The Colorado River water level was extremely high due to the releases from upstream reservoirs. A list of species seen follows:
Nine of us participate in the September monthly bird walk. We managed to complete the walk before the skies broke lose with a heavy downpour! A list of birds we saw follows:
Nine of us participated in the September monthly bird walk at Hornsby Bend. We were fortunate that the tropical system that came ashore stayed well to the south of Austin be one band hit as we were ending the trip. We ended up seeing 54 species including Couch’s Kingbird, Pileated Woodpecker, and Yellow-bellied Flycatcher.
Our birding group had a productive morning, 27 species, walking the grounds of the botanical garden in Zilker Park. We had good looks at a group of migrating Orchard Orioles, 2 males, one a first summer juvenile, and three females. At about the same time, a Great Crested Flycatcher and a Western Flycatcher landed in a nearby tree. George Kerr taught us about a behavioral characteristic of the Black-throated Hummingbird: it has a very obvious tail waggle that other hummers don’t have. We observed several females up close wagging away!
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Monk Parakeet
Chimney Swift
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Downy Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Great Crested Flycatcher
Western Kingbird
White-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Purple Martin
Barn Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse hybrid
Carolina Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Northern Cardinal
Great-tailed Grackle
Orchard Oriole
Lesser Goldfinch
Deb Wallace says:
May 10, 2018 at 10:00 am
Eight of us birded Berry springs Park on a lovely spring morning. The best bird was a pair of Yellow-billed Cuckoos out in the open, affording great looks!
Berry Springs Park, Georgetown, Williamson, Texas, US
May 8, 2018 7:04 AM – 11:09 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.474 mile(s)
37 species (+1 other taxa)
Snowy Egret 3
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 1
Black Vulture 4
Turkey Vulture 5
Mississippi Kite 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
White-winged Dove 2
Mourning Dove 4
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 3
Chimney Swift 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Eastern Phoebe 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 3
Eastern Kingbird 3
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 6
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 1
Barn Swallow 3
Cave Swallow 1
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 3
Carolina Wren 6
Bewick’s Wren 3
Eastern Bluebird 6
Northern Mockingbird 7
European Starling 3
Cedar Waxwing 30
Yellow Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Wilson’s Warbler 2
Lark Sparrow 2
Summer Tanager 2
Northern Cardinal 5
Brown-headed Cowbird 3
Great-tailed Grackle 4
Deb Wallace says:
April 29, 2018 at 4:34 pm
Many thanks to Janene Winn for leading a trip to Reimer’s Ranch Park! She took 11 participants. One person drove 75 miles to attend and got three life birds!
Below is the link to the eBird report.
Dan’s group had a great time at Mill’s Pond in April!
Mills Pond at Wells Branch, Travis, Texas, US
Apr 17, 2018 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Ten birders gathered to survey birds on this Travis Audubon field trip. Thanks to those folks with cameras that captured birds in flight and many birds hidden in tree foliage.
36 species (+3 other taxa)
Muscovy Duck (Domestic type) 1
Wood Duck 1
Great Egret 1
Green Heron 1
Black Vulture 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Franklin’s Gull 12
White-winged Dove 40
Chimney Swift 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Eastern Phoebe 1
yellow-bellied kingbird sp. 1
White-eyed Vireo 1
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 2
Purple Martin 50
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 3
Cedar Waxwing 20
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Nashville Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 4
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Clay-colored Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 6
Great-tailed Grackle 20
House Finch 1
Lesser Goldfinch 2
American Goldfinch 5
House Sparrow 2
Deb Wallace says:
April 29, 2018 at 4:27 pm
The April Tuesday trip to Platt Lane and Hornsby Bend was well attended. We even had visitors from Sweden! We were able to show them several life birds.
Platt Lane (Travis Co.), Travis, Texas, US
Apr 3, 2018 7:21 AM – 9:32 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.766 mile(s)
30 species (+2 other taxa)
Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, Texas, US
Apr 3, 2018 9:40 AM – 11:28 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.057 mile(s)
34 species
Blue-winged Teal 40
Northern Shoveler 40
Gadwall 2
American Wigeon 1
Lesser Scaup 5
Ruddy Duck 5
Eared Grebe 4
American White Pelican 110
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 5
Osprey 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Swainson’s Hawk 4
American Coot 50
Black-necked Stilt 8
Killdeer 2
Least Sandpiper 60
Pectoral Sandpiper 4
Wilson’s Snipe 2
Spotted Sandpiper 3
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 1
Mourning Dove 1
Chimney Swift 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 2
Purple Martin 30
Barn Swallow 18
European Starling 15
American Pipit 4
Savannah Sparrow 10
Red-winged Blackbird 12
Great-tailed Grackle 2
House Finch 1
House Sparrow 1
Deb Wallace says:
April 29, 2018 at 4:24 pm
February is always a good time to visit Mitchell Lake! Our trip had 9 participants and lots of good birds.
Mitchell Lake Audubon Center (HOTE 103), Bexar, Texas, US
Feb 13, 2018 8:30 AM – 1:17 PM
Protocol: Traveling
6.342 mile(s)
66 species (+1 other taxa)
Cinnamon Teal 1
Northern Shoveler 300
Gadwall 8
American Wigeon 6
Northern Pintail 18
Green-winged Teal 100
Ring-necked Duck 6
Lesser Scaup 6
Bufflehead 4
Ruddy Duck 350
Least Grebe 4
Pied-billed Grebe 5
Neotropic Cormorant 1
Double-crested Cormorant 8
American White Pelican 40 0?
Great Blue Heron 12
Great Egret 3
Snowy Egret 1
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 1
Harris’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Coot 40
Black-necked Stilt 24
American Avocet 1
Killdeer 5
Least Sandpiper 75
Long-billed Dowitcher 52
Wilson’s Snipe 5
Spotted Sandpiper 5
Greater Yellowlegs 2
Lesser Yellowlegs 15
Ring-billed Gull 4
White-winged Dove 18
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 6
Crested Caracara 1
Eastern Phoebe 6
Vermilion Flycatcher 2
Great Kiskadee 1
Loggerhead Shrike 2
White-eyed Vireo 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1 Dark brown upper. Pale underneath. Square tail.
Cave Swallow 50
Black-crested Titmouse 2
Verdin 1
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Curve-billed Thrasher 1
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 20
American Pipit 4
Cedar Waxwing 50
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Common Yellowthroat 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 40
White-crowned Sparrow 6
White-throated Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 15
Pyrrhuloxia 1
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 20
Red-winged Blackbird 30
House Finch 4
House Sparrow 1
Deb Wallace says:
April 29, 2018 at 4:18 pm
12 people joined us to go south to Guadalupe and Bexar counties on a March Tuesday trip. It was a lovely day and the Eastern Towhee at Crescent Bend was nice,. However, it paled in comparison to the Golden-crowned Sparrow at Warbler Woods. That was a life bird for most of the participants!
Crescent Bend Nature Park (Bexar Co.), Bexar, Texas, US
Mar 13, 2018 8:00 AM – 11:38 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.525 mile(s)
40 species (+1 other taxa)
Gadwall 2
Green-winged Teal 2
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Double-crested Cormorant 24
Great Blue Heron 9
Great Egret 5
Snowy Egret 1
Black Vulture 9
Turkey Vulture 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Inca Dove 3
White-winged Dove 6
Mourning Dove 3
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 3
Eastern Phoebe 2
Great Kiskadee 1
White-eyed Vireo 8
Blue Jay 1
Barn Swallow 1
Carolina Chickadee 4
Black-crested Titmouse 2
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 5
Carolina Wren 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Hermit Thrush 1
Northern Mockingbird 5
Chipping Sparrow 5
Field Sparrow 2
White-crowned Sparrow 4
Vesper Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 8
Spotted Towhee 2
Eastern Towhee 1 Continuing female. Brown head and back. No spots. Rufous flanks. White belly. Seen at newer blind.
Northern Cardinal 30
Red-winged Blackbird 75
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
House Finch 2
Lesser Goldfinch 1
Warbler Woods, Guadalupe, Texas, US
Mar 13, 2018 12:00 PM – 1:23 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.75 mile(s)
16 species
Northern Bobwhite 2
Inca Dove 2
Common Ground-Dove 2
White-winged Dove 1
Mourning Dove 3
White-eyed Vireo 1
Carolina Chickadee 1
Black-crested Titmouse 3
Carolina Wren 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
White-crowned Sparrow 3
Golden-crowned Sparrow 1 Continuing bird. Photo to follow.
Northern Cardinal 15
House Finch 2
Lesser Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 3
Deb Wallace says:
April 29, 2018 at 4:13 pm
14 of us birded Commons Ford on our Tuesday walk in January. As usual, the Sedge Wrens were the highlight!
Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park, Travis, Texas, US
Jan 23, 2018 7:35 AM – 11:28 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.344 mile(s)
37 species (+1 other taxa)
Mallard 6
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Double-crested Cormorant 25
Black Vulture 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Coot 1
White-winged Dove 20
Greater Roadrunner 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 4
American Kestrel 2
Eastern Phoebe 7
Blue Jay 6
Carolina Chickadee 3
Black-crested Titmouse 3
House Wren 1
Sedge Wren 2 Continuing birds. Know location along trail from barn to river.
Carolina Wren 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Eastern Bluebird 4
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 6
Cedar Waxwing 50
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 3
Chipping Sparrow 5
Fox Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 7
Lincoln’s Sparrow 5
Spotted Towhee 5
Eastern Towhee 1 Continuing female. Brown head and upper parts. No white on back. White patch on wing. Rufous flank. Seen along trail that runs parallel to river.
Northern Cardinal 3
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 7
Great-tailed Grackle 1
House Finch 2
Lesser Goldfinch 2
Terry Banks says:
March 23, 2018 at 6:23 pm
A copy of this submission was sent to 55bluebirds@att.net [edit].
Location
Edit Location
Inks Lake SP (HOTE 021), Burnet County, Texas, US ( Map ) ( Hotspot )
Date and Effort
Edit Date and Effort
Thu Mar 22, 2018 7:31 AM
Protocol:
Traveling
Party Size:
10
Duration:
6 hour(s)
Distance:
3.0 mile(s)
Observers:
Terry Banks
Comments:
This was a Travis Audubon Field Trip. We hiked about 3 miles on the Pecan Flats Trail. Birds were in full song. An absolutely lovely day with a great group of people!
Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.1.3 Build 30
Species
Edit Species List
42 species total
2
Canada Goose Branta canadensis
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10
Blue-winged Teal Spatula discors
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6
Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis
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1
Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps
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2
Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus
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8
American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
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2
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias
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3
Great Egret Ardea alba
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5
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
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3
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
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1
Cooper’s Hawk Accipiter cooperii
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1
Zone-tailed Hawk Buteo albonotatus
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This bird was a surprise! We heard the scream of a raptor, but when we looked up we saw nothing but turkey and black vultures. Then one of the turkey vultures flew over, and we realized it wasn’t a turkey vulture at all but a Zone Tail with its distinctive barred tail and raptor head.
2
American Coot Fulica americana
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4
Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis
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5
White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica
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5
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura
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4
Black-chinned Hummingbird Archilochus alexandri
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3
Ladder-backed Woodpecker Picoides scalaris
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4
Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway
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2
Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe
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4
Cave Swallow Petrochelidon fulva
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4
Carolina Chickadee Poecile carolinensis
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15
Black-crested Titmouse Baeolophus atricristatus
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2
Verdin Auriparus flaviceps
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5
Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus
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15
Bewick’s Wren Thryomanes bewickii
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6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea
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5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula
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4
Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos
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25
Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum
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5
Yellow-rumped Warbler Setophaga coronata
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10
Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina
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6
Field Sparrow Spizella pusilla
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10
Black-throated Sparrow Amphispiza bilineata
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2
Lark Sparrow Chondestes grammacus
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2
Lincoln’s Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii
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8
Rufous-crowned Sparrow Aimophila ruficeps
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2
Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus
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25
Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis
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25
Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus
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2
Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater
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15
Lesser Goldfinch Spinus psaltria
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Edit Species List
Edit Answer
Are you submitting a complete checklist of the birds you were able to identify?
Yes
Deb Wallace says:
January 21, 2018 at 8:39 pm
18 of us birded Commons Ford for the first monthly walk of the year. Everyone got looks at a pretty Fox Sparrow and several saw both the Sedge Wren and the Eastern Towhee!
Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park, Travis, Texas, US
Jan 21, 2018 7:43 AM – 11:43 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.884 mile(s)
40 species (+4 other taxa)
Wood Duck 3
Mallard 9
duck sp. 6
Double-crested Cormorant 44
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 3
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Ring-billed Gull 3
White-winged Dove 60
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) 1
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 5
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 5
Black-crested Titmouse 4
Carolina Wren 3
Bewick’s Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Eastern Bluebird 10
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 22
Northern Mockingbird 3
Cedar Waxwing 30
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 5
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon’s) 1
LeConte’s Sparrow 1
Field Sparrow 1
Fox Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow 3
Harris’s Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 6
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Spotted Towhee 2
Eastern Towhee 1 Female. Brown head and upper parts. No white on back. White patch on wing. Rufous flank. Seen along trail that runs parallel to river.
Northern Cardinal 6
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 8
Red-winged Blackbird 3
House Finch 4
Lesser Goldfinch 5
Deb Wallace says:
January 21, 2018 at 8:33 pm
17 of us birded Commons Ford for the November walk. We were delighted that the Sedge Wrens had returned. A good time was had by all.
Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park, Travis, Texas, US
Nov 5, 2017 6:29 AM – 11:11 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
40 species (+1 other taxa)
Wood Duck 3
Great Blue Heron 2
Osprey 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
White-winged Dove 50
Mourning Dove 3
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
American Kestrel 1
Merlin (Taiga) 1
Eastern Phoebe 7
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 2
Common Raven 2
Carolina Chickadee 2
Black-crested Titmouse 2
Canyon Wren 1
House Wren 2
Sedge Wren 4 Continuing birds. Along the path from the barn to the river.
Carolina Wren 3
Bewick’s Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Eastern Bluebird 12
Hermit Thrush 1
Northern Mockingbird 3
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 6
LeConte’s Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 2
Savannah Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 7
Spotted Towhee 2
Spotted/Eastern Towhee (Rufous-sided Towhee) 1
Northern Cardinal 7
Great-tailed Grackle 10
House Finch 6
Lesser Goldfinch 15
Deb Wallace says:
January 21, 2018 at 8:30 pm
16 of us birded Commons Ford on Tuesday, October 17th. The highlight was the Hepatic Tanager, which was a life bird for many!
Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park, Travis, Texas, US
Oct 17, 2017 1:28 PM – 4:11 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
20 species
Turkey Vulture 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Greater Roadrunner 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
American Kestrel 2
Eastern Phoebe 4
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 2
Black-crested Titmouse 8
Carolina Wren 1
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 1
Spotted Towhee 2
Hepatic Tanager 1 Bird re-found by Arman past house in trees near the covered picnic table. Bird was foraging on Dell side of the fence and then flew over to park side. Bright yellow throat and forehead. Gray cheeks, flanks and back.
Northern Cardinal 4
Lesser Goldfinch 1
George Kerr says:
January 7, 2018 at 4:55 pm
On the morning of January 6, 2018, ten birders visited Pedernales Fall State Park. Most of us met a the “Y in Oak Hill” and car pooled to the park. We drove through dense fog from the west side of Austin all the way to Henly before the fog lifted. For the rest of the morning it was overcast with temps in the 40’s to 50’s. We started out at the bird blinds where we got great, long, upclose looks at 21 species. Then we walked from the blinds to the duck ponds and back, before returning to Austin.
Our park list:
Black Vulture
Killdeer (HO)
White-winged Dove
Common Ground-Dove
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay
Carolina Chickadee
Titmouse species
Titmouse hybrid
Bewick’s Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
Cedar Waxwing
Orange-crowned Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Field Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
House Finch
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
November 15, 2017 at 8:41 am
Travis County, TX, US, Travis, Texas, US
Nov 14, 2017 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Comments: Seven birders from the Travis Audubon Society conducted a bird census at Barkley Meadows park in southeast Travis County. Weather– 60-80 degrees, clear, calm with breeze increasing from the south.
46 species (+2 other taxa)
Wood Duck 3
Lesser Scaup 1
duck sp. 6
Pied-billed Grebe 4
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 2
Snowy Egret 1
Black Vulture 6
Turkey Vulture 4
Osprey 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 3
Killdeer 10
Wilson’s Snipe 1
Ring-billed Gull 12
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 15
White-winged Dove 4
Mourning Dove 3
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 3
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 5
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
American Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 2
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Eastern Bluebird 2
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 4
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 20
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 Audubon (with yellow throat)
White-crowned Sparrow 20
Vesper Sparrow 3
Savannah Sparrow 45
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 4
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 15
Red-winged Blackbird 75
Great-tailed Grackle 50
House Finch 6
House Sparrow 2
Dennis Palafox says:
November 12, 2017 at 12:17 pm
Allan Seils and I lead a group of 7 birders around the ponds at Camp Mabry on November 11, 2017. What a way to spend Veteran’s Day!
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 2
Sharp-shinned/Cooper’s Hawk 1
Killdeer 2
White-winged Dove 15
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 2
Eastern Phoebe 4
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 4
Carolina Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Eastern Bluebird 5
Northern Mockingbird 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 25
Northern Cardinal 4
Great-tailed Grackle 4
House Finch 2
Ken Zaslow says:
November 7, 2017 at 10:13 pm
Commons Ford Pk, Travis, Texas, US
Nov 7, 2017 7:00 AM – 10:40 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.4 mile(s)
39 species (+2 other taxa)
Six people participated on this TAS field trip to Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park.
Wood Duck 2
Osprey 1
Cooper’s Hawk 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Killdeer 1
White-winged Dove 75
Mourning Dove 16
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 3
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 6
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 6
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
Canyon Wren 1
House Wren 4
Sedge Wren 2 Continuing birds heard and briefly seen on the trail in the meadow between the barn and the river.
Carolina Wren 6
Bewick’s Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Eastern Bluebird 10
Hermit Thrush 1
Northern Mockingbird 2
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 12
Field Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 3
Vesper Sparrow 4
Savannah Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 3
Lincoln’s Sparrow 6
Spotted Towhee 2
Northern Cardinal 4
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 2
Red-winged Blackbird 3
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
House Finch 16
Pine Siskin 20
Lesser Goldfinch 11
American Goldfinch 2
Ken Zaslow says:
October 4, 2017 at 6:14 pm
Richard Moya Park (HOTE 038), Travis, Texas, US
Oct 3, 2017 7:45 AM – 9:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: Thirteen people participated on this TAS field trip to Richard Moya Park. The birding was fairly quiet for most of the trip, but after we crossed the old Congress Avenue bridge we came upon a nice mixed group of birds with Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, Eastern Bluebirds, House Finches. Barn Swallows, and Cliff Swallows.
24 species
Great Blue Heron 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Heard only
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 15
White-winged Dove 12
Mourning Dove 3
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 7
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 5
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 11
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 7
Barn Swallow 9
Cliff Swallow 4
Carolina Chickadee 2
Carolina Wren 8
Eastern Bluebird 18
European Starling 65
Yellow Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 3
Great-tailed Grackle 60
House Finch 30
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
September 26, 2017 at 7:48 pm
Mills Pond at Wells Branch, Travis, Texas, US
Sep 26, 2017 7:15 AM – 9:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: 15 people participated on this TAS field trip to Mills Pond Park led by Dan Callaway.
28 species
Wood Duck 1
Great Egret 3
Green Heron 1
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 55
White-winged Dove 18
Chimney Swift 4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 7
American Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 1
Carolina Wren 4
Bewick’s Wren 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 6
American Robin 2
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 10
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Mourning Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Wilson’s Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 45
Great-tailed Grackle 3
Judith Bailey says:
June 4, 2017 at 10:36 am
Beginner’s Bird Walk
Camp Mabry
6-3-17
Biggest group of birders ever, 35 adults and 3 children, showed up at Camp Mabry for an early morning walk. A little rain didn’t dampen spirits as we explored the Hill Country like property. We had good scope looks at the Western Kingbirds, Barn Swallows with fledglings, and a juvenile Yellow-crowned Night Heron. The vireos serenaded us; but, were elusive as always. In total, the three groups saw 31 species.
Wood Duck
Great Blue Heron
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Killdeer
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Great Horned Owl (HO)
Chimney Swift
Belted Kingfisher (HO)
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Western Kingbird
White-eyed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo (HO)
Blue Jay
American Crow
Barn Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Titmouse hybrid
Carolina Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (HO)
Eastern Bluebird
Northern Mockingbird
Northern Cardinal
Painted Bunting (HO)
Great-tailed Grackle
House Finch
Ken Zaslow says:
May 23, 2017 at 11:46 am
Webberville Park (Big)(HOTE 035), Travis, Texas, US
May 23, 2017 7:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Fourteen people paticipated on this TAS field trip to Big Webberville Park. The sky was overcast for most of the morning. Winds were calm to light and the temperature ranged between 65-70 degress. We saw or heard most of our target Summer breeding birds. A highlight was a Green Kingfisher that perched on open branches of a downed tree across the Colorado River from the fishing platform.
38 species
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 6
Cattle Egret 49
Green Heron 1
Black Vulture 6
Turkey Vulture 9
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Killdeer 1
White-winged Dove 8
Mourning Dove 4
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2
Chimney Swift 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Green Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 2
Olive-sided Flycatcher 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 3
Eastern Kingbird 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 2
White-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 3
Barn Swallow 4
Cliff Swallow 3
Carolina Chickadee 1
Carolina Wren 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Eastern Bluebird 4
Northern Mockingbird 5
Summer Tanager 3
Northern Cardinal 7
Painted Bunting 1
Great-tailed Grackle 3
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
House Sparrow 2
Ken Zaslow says:
May 20, 2017 at 12:00 pm
Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, Texas, US
May 20, 2017 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.75 mile(s)
Comments: Twelve people participated on this TAS monthly field trip at Hornsby Bend. The leaders were Ken Zaslow and Jean Martin. We got lucky and were abe to get 2.5 hours of birding done before a strong thunderstorm sent us back to our cars and ended the trip. We birded in the area around the adminstrative building, Pond 1, Pond 2, and a short section of the River trail by Pond 3. The rain of the previous night brought quite a few interesting migrants down onto the ponds and wooded areas that we explored. See the checklist for details. The temperature was mild in the mid to upper 60’s and the sky was overcast.
52 species
Blue-winged Teal 8
Northern Shoveler 10
Ruddy Duck 9
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
American Coot 5
Black-necked Stilt 4
American Avocet 3 Seen on drying pad by pond 1 East. Distinctive breeding plumage with cinnamon colored head and neck with buffy upper chest. Long and narrow upturned black bill. Black wing with a large white stripe. Long gray legs. Larger than a nearby Willet.
Killdeer 3
Dunlin 1 Seen on drying pad by pond 1East. In breeding plumage with distinctive black belly, long tapered down-curved bill, pale head, whitish chest, and relatively short black legs. Larger than the nearby Semipalmated Sandpipers.
Baird’s Sandpiper 2
Least Sandpiper 6
White-rumped Sandpiper 25
Pectoral Sandpiper 3
Semipalmated Sandpiper 2
Wilson’s Phalarope 80
Spotted Sandpiper 4
Willet 1 Seen on drying pad by pond 1 East. Smaller than nearby American Avocets, larger than nearby Dunlin. Unmistakable bird with upright posture, overall unmarked non-breeding grayish plumage. Straight, long, heavy gray bill with darker tip. Long grayish legs. Opened wings show distinctive white stripe on black pattern.
Lesser Yellowlegs 1
Franklin’s Gull 6
Black Tern 35
Mourning Dove 4
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2
Barred Owl 1
Common Nighthawk 1
Chimney Swift 7
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Pileated Woodpecker 1 Seen and heard while it flew over Pond 3
Crested Caracara 2 Seen before the trip began flying over the fields behind the administrative building
Monk Parakeet 4
Olive-sided Flycatcher 1 Seen from the River Trail by Pond 3
Eastern Phoebe 1
Western Kingbird 4
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 4
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 1
Purple Martin 27
Barn Swallow 5
Cliff Swallow 40
Carolina Chickadee 2
Carolina Wren 4
Eastern Bluebird 2
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 11
Cedar Waxwing 3
Common Yellowthroat 3
American Redstart 1
Magnolia Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 2
Northern Cardinal 4
Great-tailed Grackle 7
House Sparrow 5
Rick Taylor led this Tuesday morning field trip on May 2nd to the Slaughter Creek Preserve Trail. His eBird report is copied below.
Travis Audubon Super Tuesday, 2 May 2017, 7AM. Slaughter Creek Preserve Trail.
38 species
Wood Duck 4
Northern Bobwhite 1
Great Blue Heron 2
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 1
Mississippi Kite 27
Red-tailed Hawk 2
White-winged Dove 14
Mourning Dove 7
Great Horned Owl 1
Chimney Swift 3
Black-chinned Hummingbird 2
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 3
Crested Caracara 1
Western Kingbird 2
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 4
White-eyed Vireo 5
American Crow 2
Purple Martin 1
Barn Swallow 3
Carolina Chickadee 4
Black-crested Titmouse 5
Carolina Wren 6
Bewick’s Wren 8
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Eastern Bluebird 2
Northern Mockingbird 12
Cedar Waxwing 30
Chipping Sparrow 2
Clay-colored Sparrow 2
Lark Sparrow 5
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 5
Summer Tanager 4
Northern Cardinal 15
Painted Bunting 8
Great-tailed Grackle 3
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
House Finch 2
Lesser Goldfinch 10
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
May 16, 2017 at 9:49 pm
Dan Callaway led this Tuesday morning field trip to Mills Pond. His eBird report is copied below.
Mills Pond at Wells Branch, Travis, Texas, US
May 16, 2017 6:45 AM – 10:15 AM
Protocol: Transect
0.5 mile(s)
Comments: I led a field trip for Travis Audubon in hopes to find migrating warblers around the pond and along the creek. Weather– cloudy, south breeze, 68-74 degrees.
40 species (+3 other taxa)
Muscovy Duck (Domestic type) 2
Wood Duck 1
Great Egret 2
Green Heron 3
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Inca Dove 1
White-winged Dove 75
Common Nighthawk 1
Chimney Swift 6
hummingbird sp. 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 2
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill’s Flycatcher) 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 1
Purple Martin 45
Barn Swallow 4
Cliff Swallow 1
Carolina Chickadee 2
Carolina Wren 4
American Robin 4
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 15
Mourning Warbler 1 Found by another birder after the group left. It was between the restroom and bird blind low in grape vines.
Common Yellowthroat 1
American Redstart 3
Magnolia Warbler 2
Bay-breasted Warbler 3
Blackburnian Warbler 1
Chestnut-sided Warbler 3
Black-throated Green Warbler 2 One each seen well by the group in two different areas.
Canada Warbler 1
Summer Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 8
Great-tailed Grackle 35
House Finch 1
Lesser Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 12
Ken Zaslow says:
April 25, 2017 at 3:02 pm
Roy Guerrero Park, Travis, Texas, US
Apr 25, 2017 7:00 AM – 11:10 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Comments: Seven people participated on this TAS field trip to the Roy Guerrero Colorado River Park. Evidence that we are in the midst of Spring migration is reflected in today’s checklist, and local Summer nesters were seen and heard throughout the park.
47 species (+1 other taxa)
Wood Duck 3
Great Blue Heron 3
white egret sp. 35
Green Heron 1
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
American Coot 1
Killdeer 3
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 35
White-winged Dove 4
Mourning Dove 15
Chimney Swift 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 2
Crested Caracara 1
Monk Parakeet 4
Eastern Phoebe 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Western Kingbird 5
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 9
White-eyed Vireo 9
Red-eyed Vireo 2
American Crow 2
Barn Swallow 2
Cliff Swallow 60
Carolina Chickadee 4
Carolina Wren 5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Eastern Bluebird 2
Swainson’s Thrush 4
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 11
Cedar Waxwing 72
Nashville Warbler 2
Lark Sparrow 2
Summer Tanager 2
Northern Cardinal 35
Indigo Bunting 2
Painted Bunting 2
Great-tailed Grackle 10
Brown-headed Cowbird 4
Orchard Oriole 1
Baltimore Oriole 1
House Sparrow 1
admin says:
April 19, 2017 at 11:30 am
On April 1 the Beginners Walk was held at St. Edwards Park. It was overcast and pleasantly cool. Lots of birds were sighted, including Golden-cheeked Warblers, which were also seen by one group of birders. We were entertained by a very vocal Coopers Hawk that flew back and forth multiple times above our heads through the tree tops. A partially built nest high in a tree seemed to be hers. We also got to see an Eastern Phoebe at its cylindrical shaped nest on the cliff face on the opposite side of the creek. Perhaps most fascinating was a strikingly beautiful Northern Cardinal x Pyrruloxia hybrid that sat out in the open and sang for us (sounded like a cardinal). Our bird list follows:
Great Egret
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Chimney Swift
Archilochus species (hummingbird)
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
White-eyed Vireo
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted x Black Crested Titmouse hybrid
Carolina Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-cheeked Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Northern Cardinal x Pyrrhuloxia hybrid
Lesser Goldfinch
The Beginners Walk is held on the first Saturday of each month. It’s free. It’s fun. Membership is not required. We have loaner binoculars. Birders of all levels are welcome.
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
April 4, 2017 at 2:24 pm
Northeast Metro Park (Travis Co.), Travis, Texas, US
Apr 4, 2017 7:30 AM – 11:03 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Dan Callaway led thirteen people on this TAS field trip to Northeast Metro Park. It was a beautiful Spring morning with temperatures ranging from the low 50’s to the low 70’s. The sky was partly cloudy and winds were mild. The most notable bird seen was a lone Upland Sandpiper present on the soccer fields near the main pavillion. We observed it for about 10 minutes before it flew away. Spring had clearly arrived with new plant growth everywhere, fields filled with wildflowers, and many sightings of butterflies, dragonflies, and damselflies. All in all a great day to be outside.
42 species (+2 other taxa)
Blue-winged Teal 2
Ring-necked Duck 2
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 5
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Coot 3
Killdeer 4
Upland Sandpiper 1
Eurasian Collared-Dove 2
White-winged Dove 1
Mourning Dove 3
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
White-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 1
Purple Martin 3
Barn Swallow 3
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
Carolina Wren 10
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Eastern Bluebird 1
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 5
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 3
Chipping Sparrow 6
Lark Sparrow 5
White-crowned Sparrow 8
Savannah Sparrow 4
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 14
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Brewer’s Blackbird 75
Great-tailed Grackle 10
House Finch 2
Cinda Crosley says:
March 30, 2017 at 11:03 am
From: ebird-checklist@cornell.edu
To: jackcin@juno.com
Subject: eBird Report – Copperfield Nature Trail (Travis Co.), Mar 25, 2017
Date: Sat, 25 Mar 2017 20:50:56 -0400 (EDT)
Copperfield Nature Trail (Travis Co.), Travis, Texas, US
10 participants
Mar 25, 2017 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.1 mile(s)
15 species
Hooded Merganser 3 Continuing birds.
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 1
Black Vulture 4
Turkey Vulture 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2 Heard only
Blue Jay 1
House Wren 1 Heard only
Carolina Wren 2 Heard Only
Northern Mockingbird 1
Cedar Waxwing 15
Northern Cardinal 4
Common Grackle 3
Great-tailed Grackle 1
Lesser Goldfinch 1
Thirteen of us birded Crescent Bend Nature Park in Bexar county today. It was a bit overcast and a little breezy, but it was a good group and we had some nice birds, including Zone-tailed Hawk. It was nice to have visitors from Portland, Oregon join us on the walk.
On the way back, we stopped for a brief visit to Warbler Woods to say hello to Don and Susan and show folks another place to bird!
Crescent Bend Nature Park (Bexar Co.), Bexar, Texas, US
Mar 28, 2017 8:07 AM – 12:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
46 species (+1 other taxa)
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 2
Blue-winged Teal 6
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Little Blue Heron 1
Cattle Egret 8
Black Vulture 6
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Zone-tailed Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Inca Dove 2
White-winged Dove 4
Mourning Dove 3
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 3
Belted Kingfisher 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Crested Caracara 4
Eastern Phoebe 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
Loggerhead Shrike 1
White-eyed Vireo 6
Blue Jay 1
Carolina Chickadee 5
Black-crested Titmouse 2
House Wren 3
Carolina Wren 5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Eastern Bluebird 2
Northern Mockingbird 6
European Starling 12
Cedar Waxwing 200
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Chipping Sparrow 3
Lark Sparrow 3
White-throated Sparrow 3
Vesper Sparrow 4
Lincoln’s Sparrow 10
Northern Cardinal 12
Red-winged Blackbird 36
Great-tailed Grackle 3
Brown-headed Cowbird 5
House Finch 3
Warbler Woods, Guadalupe, Texas, US
Mar 28, 2017 12:33 PM – 1:42 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.25 mile(s)
11 species
Today 3-21-2017 we guided a seventeen birders on a 3 mile walk along Lake Creek Trail in Williamson County. The weather was ideal for a bird field trip with light to moderate winds and temps in the mid 60’s go low 70’s. The following species were observed by the group:
41 species
Blue-winged Teal 3
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 3
Black Vulture 4
Turkey Vulture 2
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Killdeer 5
Least Sandpiper 30
Greater Yellowlegs 12
White-winged Dove 10
Mourning Dove 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
White-eyed Vireo 8
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 2
Purple Martin 3
Barn Swallow 5
Carolina Chickadee 1
Black-crested Titmouse 1
House Wren 2
Carolina Wren 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Eastern Bluebird 1
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 20
American Pipit 9
Cedar Waxwing 50
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 2
Chipping Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 8
Red-winged Blackbird 100
Great-tailed Grackle 5
House Finch 4
Lesser Goldfinch 3
House Sparrow 4
Ken Zaslow says:
March 18, 2017 at 1:20 pm
Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, Texas, US
Mar 18, 2017 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.5 mile(s)
Comments: Eleven people participated on this monthly bird walk at Hornsby Bend. Overcast sky, light winds, temperature in the upper 60’s to lower 70’s. Best bird was an American Golden-Plover seen on the concrete drying pad across from Pond 1A (close to the entrance to the pond area)
47 species
Gadwall 4
Blue-winged Teal 11
Northern Shoveler 170
Green-winged Teal 42
Lesser Scaup 7
Bufflehead 1
Ruddy Duck 15
Pied-billed Grebe 3
Eared Grebe 7
Great Blue Heron 1
Osprey 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
American Coot 150
Black-necked Stilt 2
American Golden-Plover 1 Seen on the concrete drying pad across the dike from pond 1A (close to the entrance to the pond area)
Killdeer 12
Least Sandpiper 130
Pectoral Sandpiper 6
Long-billed Dowitcher 2
Wilson’s Snipe 2
Greater Yellowlegs 2
Lesser Yellowlegs 2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 3
Mourning Dove 1
Great Horned Owl 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Monk Parakeet 1 Heard only
Eastern Phoebe 2
Loggerhead Shrike 1
White-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 1 Seen in the parking lot at the conclusion of the trip.
American Crow 2
Purple Martin 22
Barn Swallow 4
Carolina Chickadee 1
Carolina Wren 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Eastern Bluebird 2 Seen in the parking lot at the end of the trip.
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 20
American Pipit 4
Cedar Waxwing 25
Savannah Sparrow 14
Red-winged Blackbird 45
Great-tailed Grackle 7
House Finch 2
House Sparrow 2
Eleven of us birded Commons Ford Park on March 5th. It was a rainy day, but a singing and visible Northern Parula really brightened things up! Song Sparrows were all over the path to the river and the nesting Great Blue Herons were a big hit.
2 Mallard
3 Great Blue Heron
1 Red-shouldered Hawk
2 Killdeer
40 White-winged Dove
20 Mourning Dove
2 Golden-fronted Woodpecker
1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
2 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
2 American Kestrel
8 Eastern Phoebe
1 White-eyed Vireo
2 American Crow
2 Carolina Chickadee
6 Black-crested Titmouse
3 Carolina Wren
1 Bewick’s Wren
6 Eastern Bluebird
25 American Robin
4 Northern Mockingbird
15 Cedar Waxwing
1 Orange-crowned Warbler
1 Northern Parula — Blue upper parts. Yellow chin and breast with rufous breast band. White eye arcs. Was seen and heard high in sycamores where road crosses the creek.
60 Yellow-rumped Warbler
20 Chipping Sparrow
1 Field Sparrow
4 White-throated Sparrow
12 Song Sparrow
5 Lincoln’s Sparrow
2 Spotted Towhee
12 Northern Cardinal
30 Red-winged Blackbird
15 Great-tailed Grackle
8 House Finch
8 Lesser Goldfinch
Deb Wallace says:
March 7, 2017 at 2:10 pm
14 folks birded Guadalupe State Park with us. We had good sparrows and Denise found a Zone-tailed Hawk for us! The singing Canyon Wren was another favorite.
Thirteen of us birded Commons Ford on January 24th. It was chilly, but it was a good day. The Sedge Wren won the best bird prize. Almost everyone got good looks at the two that popped up for us.
2 Pied-billed Grebe
40 Double-crested Cormorant
4 Great Blue Heron
6 Black Vulture
1 Turkey Vulture
4 Osprey
1 Red-shouldered Hawk
2 Red-tailed Hawk
15 Sandhill Crane
4 Ring-billed Gull
200 White-winged Dove
1 Mourning Dove
1 Belted Kingfisher
1 Golden-fronted Woodpecker
2 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
2 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
1 Downy Woodpecker
1 American Kestrel
4 Eastern Phoebe
1 Loggerhead Shrike
3 American Crow
2 Carolina Chickadee
3 Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
2 House Wren
2 Sedge Wren — Continuing birds. Seen and heard on both sides of the path from the barn to the river.
4 Carolina Wren
2 Bewick’s Wren
1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
6 Eastern Bluebird
150 American Robin
7 Northern Mockingbird
2 European Starling
175 Cedar Waxwing
2 Orange-crowned Warbler
50 Yellow-rumped Warbler
2 Chipping Sparrow
5 White-throated Sparrow
4 Song Sparrow
5 Lincoln’s Sparrow
4 Spotted Towhee
7 Northern Cardinal
3 Red-winged Blackbird
1 House Finch
1 Lesser Goldfinch
3 American Goldfinch
Kenneth Zaslow for Ray and Ginny Steelman says:
February 19, 2017 at 4:03 pm
Because of a weather situation our February 14th Super Tuesday? Tejas Camp field trip ended up becoming a Super Thursday. We were blessed with excellent conditions with temps ranging from 28 degrees at the start and mid 60’s when we concluded at close to noon. Fourteen birders joined us as we scrounged up eleven species of sparrows and forty species overall.
Tejas Camp (Williamson Co.) (HOTE 030), Williamson, Texas, US
Feb 16, 2017 7:13 AM – 11:53 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
40 species
Jan 31, 2017 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
20.0 mile(s)
Comments: This was a Travis Audubon Field trip consisting of 12 birders from the Austin area. The day was sunny – cool in the morning (40 degrees Fahrenheit) but quickly turned warm – about 75 degrees by 1:30 pm.
34 species
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) 2
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 1
Great Egret (Ardea alba) 1
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) 4
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 2
Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) 3 Three individuals seen along Park Road 1C. One was seen high in a tree above Alum Creek Road. Another individual was seen about a mile after the first bird. The third bird was seen by Gotier Trace Road closer to Bastrop State Park. The picture below is of the individual see by Gotier Trace Road.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 4
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) 2
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 4
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 2
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) 1
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) 1
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 2
Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius) 1 Buescher only
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 5
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 1
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 4
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) 1 Only in Bastrop State Park.
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 10
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) 1 One spotted in Buescher state park.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) 5
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) 4
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 50
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 1
American Pipit (Anthus rubescens) 1
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 50
Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata) 2
Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus) 5
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 25
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) 15 Chipping sparrows were both in Buescher and Bastrop State Park.
Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) 2 Seen only in Bastrop State Park
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 20
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 5
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Dennis Palafox says:
January 28, 2017 at 3:41 pm
Dennis Palafox and Cinda Crosley co-lead a trip to Camp Mabry with help from Lino Mendiola (official spotting scope carrier) for a group of 15 birders. We saw a total of 36 species on day that started cloudy and cold but gave way to bright, sunny day. Highlights of the trip were 3 stunning male Buffleheads, one very cooperative Audubon’s Yellow-rumped Warbler, and a Double-crested Cormorant that swallowed an 8-inch fish whole! We also had healthy discussions trying to determine the differences between Golden-fronted and Red-bellied Woodpeckers and Yellow-shafted vs Red-shafted Northern Flickers. A list of species seen follows:
Ring-necked Duck 7
Lesser Scaup 11
Bufflehead 3
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Double-crested Cormorant 12
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 2
Osprey 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Coot 1
White-winged Dove 30
Belted Kingfisher – HO 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1
Merlin 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 3
Carolina Chickadee 7
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 5
Carolina Wren 8
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 10
Eastern Bluebird – HO 3
Hermit Thrush – HO 3
American Robin – HO 4
Cedar Waxwing 15
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 25
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon’s) 1
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 10
Great-tailed Grackle 1
Lesser Goldfinch – HO – 2
Kenneth Zaslow for Ray and Ginny Sreelman says:
January 17, 2017 at 8:45 pm
Today (1-17-2017) we led a group of twelve hardy birders to the Granger Lake area of Williamson County. The weather was far from ideal with intermittent showers and even a thunder storm. In spite of the adverse conditions we amassed a total of sixty-four species. Highlights included an unexpected zone-tailed hawk, a white-breasted nuthatch, and great looks at three separate burrowing owls. The following is the eBird report for the day.
Granger Lake Area (HOTE 031), Williamson, Texas, US
Jan 17, 2017 8:21 AM – 12:37 PM
Protocol: Traveling
40.0 mile(s)
59 species (+4 other taxa)
Twelve people participated on this TAS field trip led by Dan Callaway. It was a blustery morning with a constant wind between 15-20 mph. Temperatures ranged between 57 to 65 degrees with mostly sunny skies.
Lake Pflugerville, Travis, Texas, US
Jan 10, 2017 7:45 AM – 10:08 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.6 mile(s)
32 species (+1 other taxa)
Canvasback 8
Redhead 12
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Double-crested Cormorant 1
American Bittern 1 Continuing bird flushed from the reeds in the wetland at the northwest corner of the lake.
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Turkey Vulture 4
Virginia Rail 1 Continuing bird heard vocalizing in the reeds in the wetland at the northwest corner of the lake.
Sora 1
American Coot 150
Killdeer 3
Least Sandpiper 2
Wilson’s Snipe 5
Ring-billed Gull 4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 30
Mourning Dove 4
Crested Caracara 3
Eastern Phoebe 2
Loggerhead Shrike 2
Cave Swallow 4
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 30
American Pipit 5
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 3
Savannah Sparrow 15
Lincoln’s Sparrow 5
Swamp Sparrow 7
Red-winged Blackbird 4
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 5
Great-tailed Grackle 30
House Sparrow 4
George Kerr says:
January 7, 2017 at 5:49 pm
Beginners’ Walk to Pedernales Falls State Park
January 7, 2017
Three birders braved 20 degrees (at the start) to check out the bird blinds, the Falls vista, and a very pleasant, no wind, in the sun, walk along the river with beautiful clear, flowing water in the “swimming area”. For the day we tallied 24 species, and a momma hog with a slew of piglets.
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture*
American Kestrel
White-winged Dove
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay
Common Raven*
Titmouse species (Black-crested or Hybrid strongly favoring Black-crested)
Carolina Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling*
Cedar Waxwing
Spotted Towhee
Vesper Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
House Sparrow*
* Not in park
Deb Wallace says:
December 13, 2016 at 3:53 pm
Thirteen birders showed up for the Commons Ford monthly bird walk on Sunday, December 11th. It was chilly and damp, but hearing and seeing the 4 sedge wrens cheered folks up nicely. We also had 4 woodpecker species as a bonus.
Commons Ford Pk
Dec 11, 2016
6:49 AM
Traveling
2.00 miles
240 Minutes
All birds reported? Yes
Comments: Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.4.0 Build 107
6 Wood Duck
4 Mallard
2 Great Egret
1 Osprey
1 Sharp-shinned Hawk
1 Cooper’s Hawk
1 Red-shouldered Hawk
1 Red-tailed Hawk
3 Killdeer
200 White-winged Dove
2 Mourning Dove
1 Great Horned Owl
1 Belted Kingfisher
2 Golden-fronted Woodpecker
1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
1 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
1 Downy Woodpecker
2 American Kestrel
4 Eastern Phoebe
4 American Crow
3 Carolina Chickadee
3 Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
2 House Wren
4 Sedge Wren — Tiny wren with short bill. Streaked back. Continuing birds seen on both sides of the road leading from the barn to the river.
3 Carolina Wren
6 Eastern Bluebird
4 Northern Mockingbird
75 Yellow-rumped Warbler
1 White-crowned Sparrow
1 White-throated Sparrow
4 Song Sparrow
3 Lincoln’s Sparrow
2 Spotted Towhee
5 Northern Cardinal
30 Red-winged Blackbird
6 House Finch
5 Lesser Goldfinch
Number of Taxa: 37
Deb Wallace says:
December 7, 2016 at 2:15 pm
Fourteen folks came out to bird Doeskin Ranch at the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge. It was chilly, but sunny for a bit. As if the very cooperative Le Conte’s and Grasshopper Sparrows weren’t enough, everyone got decent looks at the American Woodcock that we flushed by the creek!
Balcones Canyonlands NWR–Doeskin Ranch
Dec 6, 2016
7:00 AM
Traveling
1.80 miles
220 Minutes
All birds reported? Yes
Comments: Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.4.0 Build 107
4 Black Vulture
1 Turkey Vulture
2 Red-tailed Hawk
1 American Woodcock
1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
2 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
1 Crested Caracara
2 American Kestrel
3 Eastern Phoebe
2 American Crow
1 Common Raven
4 Carolina Chickadee
2 Black-crested Titmouse
2 House Wren
3 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
5 Eastern Bluebird
40 American Robin
2 Northern Mockingbird
4 Grasshopper Sparrow
2 Le Conte’s Sparrow
10 Chipping Sparrow
1 Lark Sparrow
1 White-crowned Sparrow
1 White-throated Sparrow
1 Vesper Sparrow
2 Savannah Sparrow
3 Song Sparrow
5 Lincoln’s Sparrow
4 Spotted Towhee
2 Northern Cardinal
3 House Finch
6 Lesser Goldfinch
Number of Taxa: 32
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
November 29, 2016 at 1:01 pm
Onion Creek Greenway–Barkley Meadows, Travis, Texas, US
Nov 29, 2016 7:15 AM – 10:35 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Twenty-three people participated on this TAS field trip to Barkley Meadows. Over-wintering ducks and sparrows were varied and plentiful. A highlight was the sighting of two Anhingas that circled overhead and landed in a row of trees at the southwestern end of the pond.
61 species (+2 other taxa)
Gadwall 3
American Wigeon 2
Canvasback 4
Redhead 10
Ring-necked Duck 4
Bufflehead 2
Ruddy Duck 29
Pied-billed Grebe 8
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Anhinga 2 Two birds were seen circling overhead and they eventually landed in a row of trees at the southwestern end of the pond. In flight their wings were noted to be located midway between the tip of the bill and the end of the tail. The birds were black with long necks and long pointed bills. The tail was long and fan shaped. Photos were taken by several of the observers, including Lee Wallace.
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 1
Little Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 5
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 1
Northern Harrier 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Coot 90
Killdeer 4
Least Sandpiper 9
Wilson’s Snipe 4
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 10
White-winged Dove 2
Mourning Dove 6
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Crested Caracara 1
Monk Parakeet 10
Eastern Phoebe 4
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 10
Loggerhead Shrike 1
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 1
House Wren 2
Carolina Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Eastern Bluebird 1
American Robin 4
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 5
American Pipit 4
Cedar Waxwing 10
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 12
White-crowned Sparrow 6
White-throated Sparrow 1
Vesper Sparrow 2
Savannah Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 6
Red-winged Blackbird 275
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 6
Common Grackle 7
Great-tailed Grackle 12
House Finch 5
House Sparrow 1
Deb Wallace says:
November 27, 2016 at 5:30 pm
On Tuesday, November 22nd, thirteen of us birded Crescent Bend Nature Park in Schertz. We had a great time and nice birds, including Summer Tanager, Green Kingfisher and Merlin.
Crescent Bend Nature Park (Bexar Co.)
Nov 22, 2016
7:25 AM
Traveling
1.50 miles
271 Minutes
All birds reported? Yes
Comments: Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.4.0 Build 107
2 Double-crested Cormorant
1 Great Blue Heron
1 Great Egret
4 Black Vulture
2 Turkey Vulture
1 Sharp-shinned Hawk
1 Cooper’s Hawk
2 Red-shouldered Hawk
1 Red-tailed Hawk
2 Killdeer
32 White-winged Dove
5 Mourning Dove
2 Belted Kingfisher
1 Green Kingfisher
2 Golden-fronted Woodpecker
2 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
2 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
1 Downy Woodpecker
2 Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)
1 Crested Caracara
2 American Kestrel
1 Merlin
7 Eastern Phoebe
2 Couch’s Kingbird
1 Loggerhead Shrike
1 Blue-headed Vireo
3 Carolina Chickadee
1 Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
4 House Wren
5 Carolina Wren
8 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
2 Eastern Bluebird
1 Hermit Thrush
1 American Robin
6 Northern Mockingbird
1 Orange-crowned Warbler
3 Pine Warbler
9 Yellow-rumped Warbler
1 Song Sparrow
3 Lincoln’s Sparrow
1 Summer Tanager
6 Northern Cardinal
45 Red-winged Blackbird
6 Great-tailed Grackle
24 House Finch
8 Lesser Goldfinch
Number of Taxa: 46
Ray Steelman says:
November 17, 2016 at 3:29 pm
On Tuesday the 15th we led a group of sixteen birders under clear sky’s and moderate winds. We walked two miles at a moderate pace and recorded a total of 38 species as detailed below.
38 species (+1 other taxa)
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 3
Turkey Vulture 1
Accipiter sp. 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Least Sandpiper 5
White-winged Dove 150
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Monk Parakeet 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 12
American Crow 5
Carolina Chickadee 4
Black-crested Titmouse 1
House Wren 3
Carolina Wren 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 5
Eastern Bluebird 1
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 50
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 15
Dark-eyed Junco 1
White-crowned Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 3
Red-winged Blackbird 7
Great-tailed Grackle 12
House Finch 9
Lesser Goldfinch 1
American Goldfinch 3
House Sparrow 18
Ken Zaslow says:
November 11, 2016 at 9:50 pm
Mitchell Lake Audubon Center (HOTE 103), Bexar, Texas, US
Nov 11, 2016 7:47 AM – 1:08 PM
Protocol: Traveling
3.5 mile(s)
Comments: Eight people participated on this make-up TAS field trip to the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center that was was originally scheduled for November 1st. The day began with overcast skies and a brief period of light rain. That afforded us the opportunity to watch a Long-billed Thrasher take a “leaf bath” while we watched from the visitor center’s covered porch. In addition to the wonderful birds that we saw on the property, we observed a large and very diverse number of butterfly species when we walked along the dike from the picnic area to Mitchell Lake.
56 species
Travis Audubon Beginner’s Bird Walk
Northeast Metro Park
11-5-16
A hearty group of birders gather to search for winter birds along Gilleland Creek. The only winter visitors were Yellow-rumped Warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and an elusive Hermit Thrush. We did have a good variety of our local residents. The big surprise was a Peregrine Falcon! All got good looks through Lino’s scope.
Double-crested Cormorant
American Coot*
Great Blue Heron*
Great Egret*
Red-shouldered Hawk (H)
American Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
Killdeer
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher*
Downy Woodpecker (H)
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Loggerhead Shrike*
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Carolina Wren (H)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Hermit Thrush
Savannah Sparrow*
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Great-tailed Grackle
* Seen at pond
Ray Steelman says:
October 26, 2016 at 2:07 pm
Eleven birders attended our Oct 24th Devine Lake Field trip, the weather was excellent for birding and forty species were tallied.
Gadwall 75
American Wigeon 15
Mallard (Domestic type) 4
Blue-winged Teal 2
Northern Shoveler 2
Redhead 6
Ring-necked Duck 2
Ruddy Duck 2
Pied-billed Grebe 8
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 2
Turkey Vulture 2
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Coot 200
Killdeer 10
Wilson’s Snipe 2
Eurasian Collared-Dove 1
White-winged Dove 14
Mourning Dove 37
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 5
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 2
Black-crested Titmouse 5
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Northern Mockingbird 8
European Starling 30
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Great-tailed Grackle 8
Lesser Goldfinch 7
Deb Wallace says:
October 11, 2016 at 3:31 pm
Eleven of us came out to bird Commons Ford Park on Tuesday, October 4th. It was a pleasant day and the prairie is seeding out nicely. the best bird had to be the Merlin, which got everyone talking.
Commons Ford Pk
Oct 4, 2016
6:59 AM
Traveling
1.50 miles
180 Minutes
All birds reported? Yes
Comments: Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.2.6 Build 75
4 Wood Duck
8 Wild Turkey
2 Great Blue Heron
1 Great Egret
1 Green Heron
1 Turkey Vulture
2 Cooper’s Hawk
1 Red-shouldered Hawk
25 White-winged Dove
4 Chimney Swift
1 Belted Kingfisher
1 Golden-fronted Woodpecker
2 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
2 Downy Woodpecker
1 American Kestrel
1 Merlin
8 Eastern Phoebe
2 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
1 American Crow
2 Black-crested Titmouse
1 Canyon Wren
3 Carolina Wren
2 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
1 Eastern Bluebird
3 Northern Mockingbird
4 Northern Cardinal
8 House Finch
10 Lesser Goldfinch
Number of Taxa: 28
Ken Zaslow says:
October 11, 2016 at 2:14 pm
Roy Guerrero Park, Travis, Texas, US
Oct 11, 2016 7:30 AM – 11:15 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.25 mile(s)
Comments: Twelve people participated on this TAS field trip to Roy Guerrero Park. It was a beautiful day with a cloudless blue sky and no wind. Beginning temperature was 54 degrees and ending temperature was 79 degrees.
45 species (+1 other taxa)
Neotropic Cormorant 2
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 6
Snowy Egret 5
Little Blue Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Killdeer 2
Least Sandpiper 2
Spotted Sandpiper 4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 500
White-winged Dove 13
Mourning Dove 11
Belted Kingfisher 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 3
American Kestrel 4
Eastern Phoebe 7
Couch’s Kingbird 4 The birds were seen together at Secret Beach in trees and on telephone wires near the turn in the river. Good scope views showed the birds to have gray heads, black bills, bright yellow bellies with the yellow extending high up onto the chest. Pale grayish throat, greenish back and notched brownish tail. There were no white edges on the tail.
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 4
White-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 4
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2
Cave Swallow 1
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 1
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 7
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
American Robin 18
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 120
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Nashville Warbler 2
Common Yellowthroat 2
Northern Cardinal 7
Common Grackle 151
Great-tailed Grackle 25
House Finch 2
George Kerr says:
October 2, 2016 at 9:32 pm
On the morning of Saturday, October 1, the Beginners’ Walk explored Laguna Gloria and Mayfield Park. Eight participants led by Stan VanSandt and George Kerr enjoyed temps in the low 60’s under mostly cloudy skies. The group practiced its ID skills on 22 species (plus Pea Fowl and domestic type ducks):
Mute Swan
Wood Duck
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Titmouse hybrid
Carolina Wren
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Northern Cardinal
Great-tailed Grackle
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
September 27, 2016 at 11:08 am
Mills Pond at Wells Branch, Travis, Texas, US
Sep 27, 2016 7:30 AM – 9:59 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Thirteen people participated on this TAS trip led by Dan Callaway to the Mills Pond Recreation Area. The sky was overcast with north winds at about 5-10 mph. Temperature ranged from 66 to 71 degrees. Best birds were a mixed flock of warblers, vireos, gnatcatchers and chickadees seen along the creek about 1/4 mile from the northern end of the pond.
40 species (+1 other taxa)
Muscovy Duck (Domestic type) 1
Wood Duck 1
Great Blue Heron 3
Great Egret 3
Green Heron 1
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 2
Turkey Vulture 1
Mississippi Kite 2
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Killdeer 1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 27
White-winged Dove 23
Chimney Swift 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Crested Caracara 1
Monk Parakeet 3
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 2
Blue-headed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 8
American Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 6
Carolina Wren 5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 17
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Nashville Warbler 3
American Redstart 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Wilson’s Warbler 2
Northern Cardinal 3
Common Grackle 4
Great-tailed Grackle 11
Lesser Goldfinch 2
House Sparrow 2
Ken Zaslow says:
September 20, 2016 at 10:57 am
St. Edwards Pk (NW Austin)
Sep 20, 2016
7:30 AM
Traveling
1.50 miles
140 Minutes
All birds reported? Yes
Comments: Twelve people participated on this TAS trip to St. Edwards Park. Best birds were a Migrating Mississippi Kite and Broad-wing Hawk. Conditions were sunny with a cloudless sky and calm winds. Beginning temperature was 71 degrees, ending temperature was 84 degrees.
Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.2.6 Build 75
We had a great walk at Commons Ford Sunday morning, September 18. The highlight was a Peregrine Falcon.
Commons Ford Pk, Travis, Texas, US
Sep 18, 2016 6:16 AM – 11:46 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.2.6 Build 75
43 species (+3 other taxa)
Wood Duck 1
Mallard (Domestic type) 5
Blue-winged Teal 32
Great Blue Heron 2
Cattle Egret 12
Turkey Vulture 5
Osprey 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
White-winged Dove 8
Mourning Dove 4
Eastern Screech-Owl 2
Great Horned Owl 3
Chimney Swift 20
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
Eastern Phoebe 8
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Western Kingbird 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 6
Loggerhead Shrike 1
White-eyed Vireo 1
American Crow 2
Common Raven 2
Purple Martin 3
Barn Swallow 2
Cave Swallow 3
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 1
Carolina Wren 2
Bewick’s Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Eastern Bluebird 10
Northern Mockingbird 8
European Starling 3
Wilson’s Warbler 1
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 2
Summer Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 2
Orchard Oriole 2
Baltimore Oriole 2
House Finch 3
Lesser Goldfinch 10
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Dennis Palafox says:
September 18, 2016 at 1:22 pm
A total of 12 of us birded Camp Mabry on Sunday, September 11. The day before a weak cool front blew through the area so the morning was relatively cool and the the main pond was as smooth as glass. We saw 24 species. Highlights of the trip were four Mississippi Kites that flew one by one over the Camp, several juvenile, male wood ducks, and a yellow-crowned night-heron. A list of the birds we saw follows:
Species Count
Wood Duck 4
Blue-winged Teal 5
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 1
Green Heron 1
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Mississippi Kite 4
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 6
White-winged Dove 1
Mourning Dove 5
Chimney Swift 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Empidonax sp. 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
White-eyed Vireo 5
Blue Jay 8
American Crow 5
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 3
Carolina Wren 8
Northern Cardinal 3
Great-tailed Grackle 1
Baltimore Oriole 3
Lesser Goldfinch 2
Ken Zaslow for Terry Banks says:
September 13, 2016 at 5:54 pm
Booty’s Road Park, Williamson, Texas, US
Sep 13, 2016 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: Six people participated on this TAS field trip to Booty’s Road Park. We walked the trail between the parking lot and the base of the Lake Georgetown dam. Best local birds were Canyon Wren and Rock Wren. Best migrants were Yellow Warbler and Wilson’s Warbler. The sky was overcast, winds were calm, and the temperature was stable at about 77 degrees.
23 species (+1 other taxa)
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 30
Turkey Vulture 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Chimney Swift 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Eastern Phoebe 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
White-eyed Vireo 15
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 23
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 5
Rock Wren 2
Canyon Wren 2
Carolina Wren 9
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Northern Mockingbird 4
Yellow Warbler 3
Wilson’s Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 7
House Finch 1
Lesser Goldfinch 1
Ken Zaslow and Jane Tillman says:
September 6, 2016 at 3:44 pm
Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, Texas, US
Sep 6, 2016 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
Comments: 10 people participated on this TAS trip that was led by Jane Tillman and Ken Zaslow. The sky was overcast, winds were calm, and the temperature was in the high 70’s.
31 species
Blue-winged Teal 9
Northern Shoveler 2
Snowy Egret 3
Little Blue Heron 4
White-faced Ibis 21
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Black-necked Stilt 17
Killdeer 8
Stilt Sandpiper 1
Sanderling 1
Least Sandpiper 65
Pectoral Sandpiper 2
Semipalmated Sandpiper 1
Wilson’s Phalarope 10
Spotted Sandpiper 3
Mourning Dove 40
Common Nighthawk 1
Chimney Swift 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Crested Caracara 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 2
American Crow 8
Bank Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 35
Cave Swallow 70
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 6
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Yellow-headed Blackbird 1
Great-tailed Grackle 14
Dennis Palafox for Judith Bailey says:
September 6, 2016 at 12:24 pm
Beginner’s Bird Walk – ROY GUERRERO COLORADO RIVER PARK
9-3-16
We observed a variety of local birds, migrating Orioles and Mississippi Kites. The big surprise was a kettle of kites rising and streaming southward. Another highlight was a juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk perched on a big snag, so many in the group got good looks through the scopes. Total for the day: 39 species.
Great Blue Heron
Carolina Chickadee
Great Egret
Carolina Wren
Snowy Egret
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Black Vulture
Eastern Bluebird
Turkey Vulture
Northern Mockingbird
Mississippi Kite
European Starling
Red-shouldered Hawk
Lark Sparrow
Crested Caracara
Summer Tanager
Spotted Sandpiper
Northern Cardinal
Rock Pigeon
Orchard Oriole
White-winged Dove
Baltimore Oriole
Mourning Dove
House Finch
Monk Parakeet
Lesser Goldfinch
Chimney Swift
House Sparrow
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Western Kingbird
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
White-eyed Vireo
American Crow
Barn Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
Judith Bailey says:
September 3, 2016 at 4:50 pm
ROY GUERRERO COLORADO RIVER PARK
9-3-16
During the Beginner’s Bird Walk, we observed a variety of local birds, migrating Orioles and Mississippi Kites. The big surprise was a kettle of kites rising and streaming southward. Another highlight was juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk perched on a big snag so many in the group got good looks through the scopes. Total for the day: 39 species.
Great Blue Heron Carolina Chickadee
Great Egret Carolina Wren
Snowy Egret Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Black Vulture Eastern Bluebird
Turkey Vulture Northern Mockingbird
Mississippi Kite European Starling
Red-shouldered Hawk Lark Sparrow
Crested Caracara Summer Tanager
Spotted Sandpiper Northern Cardinal
Rock Pigeon Orchard Oriole
White-winged Dove Baltimore Oriole
Mourning Dove House Finch
Monk Parakeet Lesser Goldfinch
Chimney Swift House Sparrow
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Western Kingbird
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
White-eyed Vireo
American Crow
Barn Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
Spider Johnson says:
July 31, 2016 at 2:11 pm
I have two Kingfisher sightings of note, both on the Llano River south of Mason, TX. First, I saw a male and female pair of Green Kingfishers on a small limb just above the water about a foot, adjacent to the bank, on July 27, 1980. This was early one morning. The following year on July 4, 1981, I saw a male Ringed Kingfisher at a the same location. These sightings occurred during annual campouts at that Llano river property.
BirdAnswers says:
July 15, 2016 at 3:32 pm
Hi, William,
It is always neat to see Green Kingfishers in Central Texas. You are correct that they are uncommon, though not rare for parts of the area. They are found throughout the year in Travis County, but much less often in Burnet and Llano Counties (where I see that Horseshoe Bay is located). If you have not reported the Green Kingfisher in eBird Texas, I’d suggest you do so, since it will add to the knowledge about the distribution of the species in this area. If you aren’t a regular eBird user, you may open the web site at http://ebird.org/ebird/tx and set up an account and then enter your sighting of the Kingfisher. It may be questioned, in which case you can append a photo of it. Thank you for bringing it to our attention.
William H Reid says:
July 9, 2016 at 4:08 pm
Not sure whether this is noteworthy, but we have several excellent photos of a green kingfisher taken lkast week at our home beside a creek in Horseshoe Bay, about 40 miles west of Austin. I believe that’s an uncommon, but not rare species in our area. Happy to post them if anyone’s interested.
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
June 1, 2016 at 12:38 pm
Eastside Metropolitan Pk, Travis, Texas, US
May 31, 2016 6:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.3 mile(s)
Comments: Four people participated on this Travis Audubon trip that was led by Dan Callaway. The weather was overcast and humid with temperature around 79 degrees and calm winds.
34 species (+1 other taxa)
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 2
Great Blue Heron 2
Cattle Egret 35
Green Heron 1
Black Vulture 7
Inca Dove 1
Mourning Dove 2
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Eastern Screech-Owl 1
Common Nighthawk 1
Chimney Swift 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 2
White-eyed Vireo 7
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 5
Purple Martin 2
Barn Swallow 1
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 6
Carolina Wren 8
Bewick’s Wren 1
Eastern Bluebird 6
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 7
Lark Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 8
Painted Bunting 5
Dickcissel 1
Great-tailed Grackle 2
Ken Zaslow says:
May 24, 2016 at 3:14 pm
Webberville Park (Big)(HOTE 035), Travis, Texas, US
May 24, 2016 6:41 AM – 9:09 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Thirteen people participated on this Travis Audubon field trip to Big Webberville Park. The weather was cloudy to partly sunny with temperatures in the mid-70’s and light winds from the south. We enjoyed seeing and hearing variety of nesting species with particularly good views of Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Kingbird, and Lark Sparrow.
39 species (+2 other taxa)
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 2
Cattle Egret 17
Green Heron 2
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 2
Black Vulture 40
Turkey Vulture 2
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Killdeer 1
White-winged Dove 2
Mourning Dove 5
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 3
Greater Roadrunner 1
Barred Owl 1
Chimney Swift 1
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 2
Crested Caracara 5
Eastern Phoebe 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Eastern Kingbird 2
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 6
Barn Swallow 3
Cliff Swallow 2
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 4
Carolina Wren 4
Bewick’s Wren 1
Eastern Bluebird 5
Northern Mockingbird 6
European Starling 2
Lark Sparrow 3
Summer Tanager 3
Northern Cardinal 5
Painted Bunting 3
Dickcissel 1
Great-tailed Grackle 8
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
House Finch 1
House Sparrow 2
Deb Wallace says:
May 22, 2016 at 2:09 pm
17 of us came out to bird Commons Ford Ranch Park on May 17th. It was great fun to show off our birds to a couple visiting from Virginia! The prairie is stunning and the birds were enjoying it, too. The best bird of the day was the Yellow-throated Warbler, which the entire group got to see well.
Commons Ford Pk, Travis, Texas, US
May 17, 2016 6:39 AM – 10:49 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.1.3 Build 30
52 species (+2 other taxa)
Ten of us had a great day birding Camp Mabry on Saturday May 14, 2016. We saw 39 species including several late migrants. One notable highlight was a yellow-crowned night heron eating a rather larger crayfish. A good time was had by all! The species we saw included:
Wood Duck 4 Juvenile
Northern Shoveler 2
Green Heron 1
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Spotted Sandpiper 1
White-winged Dove 9
Mourning Dove 6
Chimney Swift 4
Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Olive-sided Flycatcher 1
Least Flycatcher 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Western Kingbird 2
White-eyed Vireo 5
Red-eyed Vireo 1 HO
Blue Jay 7
Barn Swallow 6
Cliff/Cave Swallow 10
Carolina Chickadee 7
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
Carolina Wren 6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 10
Northern Waterthrush 1
Common Yellowthroat 2 Male and female
American Redstart 1 Female
Blackburnian Warbler 2
Yellow Warbler 1
Summer Tanager 5
Northern Cardinal 9
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1 Female
Great-tailed Grackle 15
Orchard Oriole 3 1st summer males
Lesser Goldfinch 15
House Sparrow 2
Garner Vogt says:
May 15, 2016 at 1:09 pm
Saw an adult Bald Eagle fly out from Fox Park parallel to Granger Lake dam over the lake in Williamson County, today May 15, 2016 at around 10 a.m. Very large bird not a Caracara,
gv
Ken Zaslow says:
May 3, 2016 at 3:04 pm
Roy Guerrero Park, Travis, Texas, US
May 3, 2016 6:41 AM – 11:01 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.5 mile(s)
Comments: Eleven people participated on this TAS trip. It was a gorgeous spring day with clear skies, moderate temperatures between 58 degree and 70 degrees and light winds from the northat less than 10 mph. We first birded the play-scape area and the closed road leading towards Hwy.183. Then we birded the trail that passes by the ‘secret beach’ on its way to the closed, washed out pedestrian bridge near the Ann and Roy Butler hike and bike trail. Access to secret beach was severely limited by high water in that area. Our final destination was the overlook view of the Longhorn Dam spillway at the Krieg Field recreation area on South Pleasant Valley Road. To our surprise, water was being released from the dam causing a rapid current with flood conditions downstream. None of the usual wading birds and shorebirds were present because of the high water. Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.1.5 Build 44
44 species (+3 other taxa)
Wood Duck 1
duck sp. 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Snowy Egret 1
Black Vulture 17
Red-shouldered Hawk 3
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 40
White-winged Dove 9
Mourning Dove 4
Chimney Swift 3
Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 3
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 6
Downy Woodpecker 2
Crested Caracara 1
Least Flycatcher 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Western Kingbird 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
White-eyed Vireo 5
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 6
Barn Swallow 2
Cliff Swallow 15
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 3
Sedge Wren 1 The bird was initially brought to our attention by its song. It was visible in an area of tall grass in a depressed ditch like area adjacent to the decomposed granite trail parallel to the north side of Grove Blvd. Approximate GPS coordinates from Google map are 30.245382, -97.701132. It was a small wren with pale sandy coloration, a relatively shortish pointed bill, a very faint white supercilium, white throat, and definite black streaking on its back with the black edged by thin lines of white. Tail cocked at a 45 degree angle in typical wren fashion. The bird’s song matches the song for Sedge Wren on the Bird Tunes app. An attached photo was taken by Lee Wallace.
Carolina Wren 5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 5
Gray Catbird 1
European Starling 6
Cedar Waxwing 40
Nashville Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 2
Yellow-breasted Chat 1
Lark Sparrow 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 3
Summer Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 17
Indigo Bunting 7
Painted Bunting 14
Great-tailed Grackle 6
Baltimore Oriole 1
House Finch 1
House Sparrow 2
Broad-winged hawk. Sex unconfirmed at this time. Has been living in my neighborhood in Barton Hills, 78704, for a couple weeks
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
April 12, 2016 at 7:47 pm
Georgetown- Berry Springs Park, Williamson, Texas, US
Apr 12, 2016 7:00 AM – 11:21 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Comments: Nine people participated on this TAS trip that was led by Dan Callaway. The sky was cloudy with intermittent light rain and wind from the north at 5-10 mph. The temperature was held steady in the mid 60’s all morning. Our most impressive birds of the day were several large groups of Franklin Gulls that flew over the park heading north. A lingering Great Kiskadee was very vocal throughout the morning and provided us with several sightings.
54 species
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 2
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 3
Cattle Egret 14
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 1
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 2
Cooper’s Hawk 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Franklin’s Gull 300
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 55
White-winged Dove 1
Mourning Dove 7
Red-bellied Woodpecker 6
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 2
Eastern Phoebe 1
Great Kiskadee 1 Continuing bird. Vocalizing. Also seen…brown back, yellow underside, black and white striped head.
Eastern Kingbird 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 4
White-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 4
Purple Martin 1
Barn Swallow 1
Carolina Chickadee 3
Black-crested Titmouse 5
Carolina Wren 4
Bewick’s Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Eastern Bluebird 7
Northern Mockingbird 6
European Starling 4
Cedar Waxwing 27
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Chipping Sparrow 3
Lark Sparrow 3
White-crowned Sparrow 7
Vesper Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 6
Lincoln’s Sparrow 5
Summer Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 27
Dickcissel 1 We heard its characteristic vocalization in the meadow area of the park. It may have been flying over.
Western Meadowlark 1
Eastern Meadowlark 2
Great-tailed Grackle 6
Brown-headed Cowbird 4
Lesser Goldfinch 1
Judith Bailey says:
April 2, 2016 at 8:38 pm
Berry Springs Park and Preserve
4-2-2016
Leaders: Virginia Rose, George Kerr and Judith Bailey
This gem of a park never fails to deliver a good variety of birds and usually serves up something special. Today we watched the Great Kiskadee mobbing 2 Barred Owls that appeared to be a nesting pair. What a treat! Eastern Bluebirds added sparkle to the leafless pecan trees. Good morning for a walk in the woods.
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Red-shouldered Hawk (H)
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Barred Owl
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
Great Kiskadee
Blue Jay
American Crow
Barn Swallow
Cave Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Titmouse species (H)
Carolina Wren
House Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Meadowlark species
Common Grackle
Great-tailed Grackle
House Sparrow
Judith Bailey says:
April 2, 2016 at 5:56 pm
McKinney Falls State Park
March 5, 2016
Leaders: Virginia Rose and Judith Bailey
Twenty-three birders gathered at the visitor’s center to start our search for the rare Red-naped Sapsucker. Within minutes, it was spotted across a field pecking in an old tree. Most got good looks and even some saw the bird through the scope. Other highlight was the heron/egret rookery on Onion Creek; nesting birds were busy and loud!
Duck species
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Accipiter species
Red-shouldered Hawk
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Red-naped Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Titmouse hybrid
Carolina Wren
House Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
Cedar Waxwing
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
Chipping Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Great-tailed Grackle
25 people, maybe 27, showed up for a rather unbirdy field trip to St. Ed’s Park. Best birds were the heard only Yellow-throated Vireo, and a heard only Golden-cheeked Warbler. In fact, many birds were heard only. It was overcast and 61 degrees.
St. Edwards Pk (NW Austin), Travis, Texas, US
Mar 29, 2016 7:19 AM – 9:24 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: Travis Audubon
25 species
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 5
Turkey Vulture 2
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
White-eyed Vireo 5
Yellow-throated Vireo 1 Heard only
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 1
Purple Martin 1
Carolina Chickadee 4
Black-crested Titmouse 3
Carolina Wren 2
Bewick’s Wren 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 10
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Golden-cheeked Warbler 1 Singing
White-throated Sparrow 7 Singing
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 14
House Finch 1
Hermit Thrush 1 – heard only
Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, Texas, US
Mar 19, 2016 7:30 AM – 11:16 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.5 mile(s)
Comments: Eleven people participated on this Travis Audubon monthly bird walk at Hornsby Bend led by Ken Zaslow and Dennis Palafox. It was a blustery day with beginning temperature 48 degrees and ending temperature 56 degrees. Winds were steady from the north at 20-25 mph with gusts even higher. The day began cloudy with the sky gradually clearing to mostly sunny. A notable early sighting was a lone Scissor-tailed Flycatcher and our final sighting was a large group of Sandhill Cranes flying high over the Center for Environmental Research headquarters after some of our group had left.
52 species (+1 other taxa)
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 4
Gadwall 7
Blue-winged Teal 13
Northern Shoveler 200
Green-winged Teal 15
Lesser Scaup 63
Ruddy Duck 7
Pied-billed Grebe 3
Eared Grebe 17
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 11
Turkey Vulture 6
Osprey 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
American Coot 15
Sandhill Crane 25
Killdeer 3
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 75
Wilson’s Snipe 3
Wilson’s Phalarope 1 Seen in the company of Northern Shovelers swimming in shallow water on the drying beds east of pond 1. Same as the birds seen and photographed recently.
White-winged Dove 3
Mourning Dove 7
Chimney Swift 5
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 3
Eastern Phoebe 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
Loggerhead Shrike 1
White-eyed Vireo 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1
Purple Martin 17
Barn Swallow 30
Cliff Swallow 1
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
Carolina Wren 7
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Eastern Bluebird 1
European Starling 5
American Pipit 2
Cedar Waxwing 10
Yellow-rumped Warbler 35
Chipping Sparrow 7
Savannah Sparrow 11
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 5
Red-winged Blackbird 12
Great-tailed Grackle 2
House Finch 5
House Sparrow 4
Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037)
Mar 15, 2016
7:30 AM
Traveling
3.00 miles
238 Minutes
All birds reported? Yes
Comments: Fifteen people participated on this TAS field trip. Best birds of the morning were the Wilson Phalaropes and the Eared Grebes.
4 Blue-winged Teal
78 Northern Shoveler
22 Green-winged Teal
60 Lesser Scaup
7 Ruddy Duck
1 Pied-billed Grebe
12 Eared Grebe
6 Double-crested Cormorant
1 Great Blue Heron
3 Black Vulture
2 Turkey Vulture
2 Red-shouldered Hawk
50 American Coot
12 Killdeer
3 Spotted Sandpiper
100 Least Sandpiper
4 Wilson’s Snipe
8 Wilson’s Phalarope — Well seen at the north end of pond 2. Photos taken by Lee Wallace and Joe Hood.
1 Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
6 White-winged Dove
15 Mourning Dove
4 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 American Kestrel
3 Eastern Phoebe
2 Loggerhead Shrike
4 White-eyed Vireo
3 American Crow
20 Purple Martin
1 Carolina Chickadee
1 House Wren
5 Carolina Wren
2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
2 Eastern Bluebird
2 Northern Mockingbird
12 European Starling
5 American Pipit
1 Orange-crowned Warbler
70 Yellow-rumped Warbler
1 Chipping Sparrow
1 White-crowned Sparrow
20 Savannah Sparrow
2 Lincoln’s Sparrow
12 Northern Cardinal
227 Red-winged Blackbird
12 Western/Eastern Meadowlark
35 Common Grackle
10 Great-tailed Grackle
2 Brown-headed Cowbird
200 blackbird sp.
4 House Finch
1 American Goldfinch
2 House Sparrow
Number of Taxa: 52
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
March 1, 2016 at 10:40 pm
Lake Pflugerville, Travis, Texas, US
Mar 1, 2016 7:18 AM – 9:48 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Dan Callaway led seven people on this TAS field trip to Lake Pflugerville on a blustery day. Early clouds gave way to mostly sunny skies as the group enjoyed a wonderful morning viewing the lake, marsh and surrounding grassland. The marsh was alive with activity as water levels were relatively high providing excellent habitat. Best bird of the day was a gorgeous American Bittern in flight seen well by everyone. Swamp Sparrows were plentiful and were joined in the wetlands by Marsh Wren, Sora and Common Yellowthroat.
Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.1.5 Build 44
39 species (+1 other taxa)
Northern Shoveler 1
Northern Pintail 2
Canvasback 2
Lesser Scaup 9
Pied-billed Grebe 7
Double-crested Cormorant 1
American Bittern 1 We flushed from the marsh a large brownish bird with vertical streaks on its chest and belly and a long pointed straight bill. A photo was taken by Lee Wallace which is attached.
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Sora 2
Common Gallinule 1
American Coot 2000
Killdeer 4
Least Sandpiper 3
Wilson’s Snipe 2
Ring-billed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 15
White-winged Dove 2
Mourning Dove 8
Eastern Phoebe 1
Loggerhead Shrike 1
Purple Martin 8
Marsh Wren 2
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 80
American Pipit 45
Common Yellowthroat 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Savannah Sparrow 15
Song Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 3
Swamp Sparrow 11
Northern Cardinal 3
Red-winged Blackbird 300
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 40
Brewer’s Blackbird 8
Great-tailed Grackle 75
House Finch 2
House Sparrow 1
30 people attended the Celebrate Urban Birds Field trip to Mayfield Park./Laguna Gloria. We split into three groups with Dennis Palafox, George Kerr and Jane Tillman as the leaders, with assistance from Marc Bernat.
The newly arrived White-eyed Vireo posing in the Mayfield parking lot was a big highlight, and all the groups had some memorable birds such as Red-shouldered Hawk, Osprey and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. There were MANY Yellow-rumped Warblers.
Below are the eBird reports that Jane filed, for her group. Everyone’s list will probably vary slightly.
Austin–Mayfield Park, Travis, Texas, US
Feb 27, 2016 8:10 AM – 8:59 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.25 mile(s)
Comments: Celebrate Urban Birds field trip Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.1.5 Build 44
17 species (+2 other taxa)
Indian Peafowl (Domestic type) 7
Killdeer 1 Heard only
White-winged Dove 2
Mourning Dove 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
White-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 2
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
Carolina Wren 3
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Northern Mockingbird 3
Cedar Waxwing 9
Yellow-rumped Warbler 7
Northern Cardinal 4
Great-tailed Grackle 3
House Finch 1
Lesser Goldfinch 2
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S27846329
Austin–Laguna Gloria, Travis, Texas, US
Feb 27, 2016 9:00 AM – 10:16 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.75 mile(s)
Comments: Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.1.5 Build 44
32 species (+4 other taxa)
Mute Swan 1
Muscovy Duck (Domestic type) 1
Wood Duck 1
duck sp. 1 Domestic
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 2
cormorant sp. 1
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 2
Osprey 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
American Coot 1
White-winged Dove 25
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 1
Carolina Chickadee 1
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
Canyon Wren 1 An odd bird for here, given the habitat. Constantly giving the musical jeert cdll
Carolina Wren 3
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
Cedar Waxwing 50
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 30
Song Sparrow 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
Swamp Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 6
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Great-tailed Grackle 2
House Finch 1
Lesser Goldfinch 2
On Tuesday, Feb. 23 7 birders joined me at Windy Point. After a rainy night we were not expecting much, but were amazed at the number of duck species that were quite active, with Northern Pintails being the highlight. The Merlin was a no-show, but the American Kestrel male ate a lizard while we watched.
Windy Point lived up to its name – it was fairly calm before the field trip, but once 9 a.m. rolled around (a late start to help participants avoid traffic) the wind picked up and increased while we were there. We retreated to a wooded area where we found many Yellow-rumps, and some good sparrows.
Below is the eBird checklist – thanks to Ken Z for keeping the list.
Lake Travis- Bob Wentz Windy Point Pk, Travis, Texas, US
Feb 23, 2016 8:11 AM – 10:59 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: TAS field trip Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.1.5 Build 44
37 species (+3 other taxa)
Gadwall 25
American Wigeon 60
Mallard (Domestic type) 2
Blue-winged Teal 20
Northern Pintail 120
Redhead 100
Bufflehead 6
Ruddy Duck 8
Pied-billed Grebe 5
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 3
Osprey 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 95
Killdeer 3
Ring-billed Gull 1
White-winged Dove 2
Mourning Dove 6
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Carolina Chickadee 1
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 4
Carolina Wren 2
Bewick’s Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
American Pipit 1
Cedar Waxwing 150
Yellow-rumped Warbler 35
Field Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 4
Northern Cardinal 6
Red-winged Blackbird 45
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 20
House Finch 5
Pine Siskin 4
Lesser Goldfinch 1
15 people participated in the Pedernales Field trip on 2/16/16. We had pleasant weather and many good birds. We birded mainly at the Ranger Station feeder, the bird blinds, and the ponds that are located on the horse trail about a mile from the bird blinds. We also took a short walk on the nature trail to see a beautiful waterfall that is hidden in the forest.
We had a fun-loving group. After our birding we had a delicious lunch at the Dripping Springs local bakery, Rolling in Thyme and Dough.
Thank you to all the enthusiastic, friendly, bird-loving participants of this field trip!
Pedernales Falls State Park (HOTE 050), Blanco, Texas, US
Feb 16, 2016 7:37 AM – 12:20 PM
Protocol: Traveling
9.0 mile(s)
Comments: Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.1.5 Build 44
42 species
Gadwall 11
American Wigeon 10
Blue-winged Teal 2 Not jt
Green-winged Teal 12
Ring-necked Duck 15 Not jt
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Great Blue Heron 2
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 2
Killdeer 3
Greater Yellowlegs 1
White-winged Dove 30
Mourning Dove 1
Greater Roadrunner 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 4
American Kestrel 1 Not jt
Eastern Phoebe 1
Western Scrub-Jay 3
Carolina Chickadee 3
Black-crested Titmouse 9
Canyon Wren 1
Carolina Wren 4
Bewick’s Wren 10
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 6
American Robin 45
Northern Mockingbird 2
Cedar Waxwing 78
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 6
Dark-eyed Junco 7
Vesper Sparrow 1 Not jt
Savannah Sparrow 3
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 2
Spotted Towhee 1
Northern Cardinal 13
House Finch 12
Lesser Goldfinch 3
American Goldfinch 1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Judith Bailey says:
February 13, 2016 at 1:10 am
February 6, 2016
Beginner’s Bird Walk at Brushy Creek
What a beautiful morning for birding! A group of 26 birders enjoyed a walk through live oaks and along the creek seeing many of our winter regulars. Even though we didn’t have an eagle sighting, everyone seemed to have a fun time.
Gadwall
Green-winged Teal
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Ring-billed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Blue Jay
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Northern Mockingbird
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
Savannah Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Great-tailed Grackle
Lesser Goldfinch
Ray and Ginny Steelman says:
February 10, 2016 at 1:30 am
Today we led a group of fifteen birders on a walk at Tejas Camp in Williamson County. The morning started out chilly with temps in the mid thirties and then warmed up to the low sixties by late morning. We saw more fox sparrows (15-20) then most of us have ever encountered in one place at one time. Harris’ sparrows were also out in force with numbers in the twenties. It was a great group of birds as well as birders and we thank everyone for joining us. A list of birds follows:
32 species (+1 other taxa)
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 3
Osprey 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 1
White-winged Dove 1
Mourning Dove 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
American Crow 6
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 5
Canyon Wren 2
Carolina Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
American Robin 2
Northern Mockingbird 4
Cedar Waxwing 8
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Fox Sparrow 20
Harris’s Sparrow 20
White-throated Sparrow 8
Vesper Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 8
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Spotted Towhee 7
Eastern Towhee 2
Northern Cardinal 8
House Finch 4
Ken Zaslow says:
February 5, 2016 at 5:26 pm
This TAS field trip to Canyon Lake was moved from February 2nd to February 4th because of weather concerns. Those who were able to participate on the alternate date enjoyed a pleasant morning of the birding with notable sightings of Common Loon and Hooded Merganser. Thanks to Julie Crouch for co-leading this trip with me.
eBird Checklist Summary for: Feb 4, 2016
Number of Checklists: 4
Number of Taxa: 50
Checklists included in this summary:
(1): Canyon Lake–Dam & Nature Trl below dam (HOTE 073)
Date: Feb 4, 2016, 7:34 AM
(2): Canyon Lake–Cranes Mill Pk
Date: Feb 4, 2016, 9:47 AM
(3): Canyon Lake–Comal Park
Date: Feb 4, 2016, 11:45 AM
(4): Canyon Lake–Dam & Nature Trl below dam (HOTE 073)
Date: Feb 4, 2016, 2:07 PM
On January 26th, 14 of us went out to bird Shield Ranch. It is a lovely property and we are grateful to Laurie Foss and Terri Siegenthaler for sharing it with us.
We found out that most of the Pine Siskins in Travis County appear to have taken up residence there, but the highlight was the Eastern Towhee!
Travis, Texas, US
Jan 26, 2016 7:30 AM – 11:11 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Comments: Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.1.3 Build 30
34 species (+1 other taxa)
American Wigeon 1
Redhead 30
Ring-necked Duck 90
Northern Bobwhite 8
Black Vulture 5
Turkey Vulture 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Mourning Dove 2
Rufous Hummingbird 2
Crested Caracara 2
American Kestrel 1
Carolina Chickadee 1
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 3
Carolina Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
American Robin 3
Northern Mockingbird 1
Cedar Waxwing 20
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Chipping Sparrow 1
Field Sparrow 4
White-crowned Sparrow 2
Harris’s Sparrow 4
Vesper Sparrow 4
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
Spotted Towhee 1
Eastern Towhee 1
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird 2
House Finch 4
Pine Siskin 50
Lesser Goldfinch 15
American Goldfinch 3
House Sparrow 12
Michael Figg says:
January 25, 2016 at 9:51 pm
I spotted a Osprey over central Round Rock in flight with a fish in its talons. It perched on top of a power line pole near Deep Wood Elementary School and then flew off to the west.
Ken Zaslow says:
January 19, 2016 at 8:50 pm
Nine people participated on this TAS field trip to several South Travis County Ponds. The weather was interesting varying from early morning fog with calm winds, to partly cloudy skies followed by sunshine, to cloudy skies with brisk winds. We saw some great birds with a highlight being 5 Hooded Mergansers seen on a retention pond on Bradshaw Road in the Onion Creek community. A funky looking raptor was probably a Krider’s form of Red-tailed Hawk. See description below.
eBird Checklist Summary for: Jan 19, 2016
Number of Taxa: 59
Checklists included in this summary:
(1): Austin–Southpark Meadows Ctr.
Date: Jan 19, 2016, 7:30 AM
(2): US-TX-Austin-2310 Pebble Beach Dr – 30.1399x-97.7910
Date: Jan 19, 2016, 9:42 AM
(3): US-TX-Austin-10766-10892 Bradshaw Rd – 30.1324x-97.7775
Date: Jan 19, 2016, 10:11 AM
(4): US-TX-Buda-12400-12914 N Turnersville Rd – 30.1041x-97.7824
Date: Jan 19, 2016, 11:20 AM
(5): US-TX-Buda-12400-12914 Turnersville Rd – 30.0930x-97.7899
Date: Jan 19, 2016, 11:35 AM
45 Gadwall — (1),(3),(5)
12 American Wigeon — (1),(2),(4)
1 Mallard (Domestic type) — (2)
1 Blue-winged Teal — (3)
75 Northern Shoveler — (3)
11 Northern Pintail — (1),(2)
11 Green-winged Teal — (2),(3)
18 Redhead — (3),(5)
34 Ring-necked Duck — (1),(2),(4)
2 Lesser Scaup — (1)
9 Bufflehead — (1),(3)
5 Hooded Merganser — (3)
13 Pied-billed Grebe — (1),(3),(5)
16 Double-crested Cormorant — (3)
1 Great Blue Heron — (1)
2 Great Egret — (3),(5)
5 Black Vulture — (1),(3)
2 Turkey Vulture — (3)
1 Cooper’s Hawk — (1)
2 Red-shouldered Hawk — (1),(3)
1 Red-tailed Hawk — (5)
We believe that this bird is a Krider’s form of Red-tailed Hawk. We saw it on Turnersville Road from a distance of about 100 to 150 yards. It was sitting at the top of a short tree to the left of a local pond. GPS coordinates are 30.09075, -97.789661. Several of us had scopes that included a Swarovski 80mm ATM model with a 25-50x wide angle eyepiece. First impression was that the bird appeared large with a stocky, buteo shape. Second impression was that it was very pale with a whitish head, pale tail without discernible reddish color, and a lot of white on back. It was facing away from us and we could not see its front, but the bird did have a definite raptor hooked bill. A photo was taken by Don Behrman.
75 American Coot — (1),(5)
7 Killdeer — (2),(3)
2 Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) — (1)
19 White-winged Dove — (1),(2)
8 Mourning Dove — (3)
2 Belted Kingfisher — (3),(5)
1 Ladder-backed Woodpecker — (2)
5 Crested Caracara — (3),(4),(5)
1 American Kestrel — (4)
1 Eastern Phoebe — (2)
1 Loggerhead Shrike — (5)
6 Blue Jay — (1),(2),(3)
12 American Crow — (1),(3)
1 Carolina Chickadee — (1)
2 Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) — (1)
1 Canyon Wren — (2)
4 Carolina Wren — (1)
1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet — (1)
5 Northern Mockingbird — (1),(3),(5)
5 European Starling — (1),(5)
18 Cedar Waxwing — (1),(2)
1 Orange-crowned Warbler — (3)
20 Yellow-rumped Warbler — (1),(2),(3)
5 Dark-eyed Junco — (1)
9 White-crowned Sparrow — (5)
1 Harris’s Sparrow — (1)
1 Vesper Sparrow — (1)
17 Savannah Sparrow — (1),(3)
2 Song Sparrow — (1)
3 Northern Cardinal — (1),(2)
1 Red-winged Blackbird — (2)
9 Western/Eastern Meadowlark — (3),(5)
15 Brewer’s Blackbird — (5)
155 Great-tailed Grackle — (1),(2)
5 Brown-headed Cowbird — (5)
2 House Finch — (1)
1 Lesser Goldfinch — (1)
7 American Goldfinch — (1)
Pat Nowotny says:
January 13, 2016 at 1:39 am
Whereabouts Granger lake was the burrowing owl spotted?
Also below the dam there is a belted kingfisher just FYI
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
January 12, 2016 at 9:10 pm
Old Settlers Pond, Williamson, Texas, US
Jan 12, 2016 7:45 AM – 11:55 AM
Protocol: Traveling
4.0 mile(s)
Comments: 13 people participated on this TAS field trip led by Dan Callaway to Old Settlers Park. It was a beautiful morning with a sunny sky and calm winds. The beginning temperature was 37 degrees and the ending temperature was 62 degrees. Our bird walk took us completely around the pond and we also walked the entire loop trail along Chandler’s Creek.
57 species (+3 other taxa)
On Jan 5th nineteen birders participated in a trip to the Granger Lake are of Milam and Williamson County. We were fortunate to be invited to Alligator Prairie by Nancy Webber who has done a wonderful job in restoring her property back to a native prairie habitat. Before we even got out of our cars we had a LeCont’s sparrow posing in a brush pile a few feet from our cars. A walk around the property yielded four bobwhite and a woodcock as well as three ladder-backed woodpeckers a rarity for Milam County. The Williamson County portion produced a Say’s phoebee seen well by all. Thanks to all the participants for making our Granger Trip a special outing, and a big thanks to all the drivers for sharing their expertise with those in their vehicles and especially to Nancy Webber for sharing her wonderful “front yard” with us.
Ray and Ginny
Granger Lake Area
39 species (+2 other taxa)
Gadwall 5
American Wigeon 10
Mallard 2
Mallard (Domestic type) 4
Northern Shoveler 13
Green-winged Teal 1
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Great Blue Heron 2
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 6
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Sandhill Crane 6
Killdeer 43
Greater Yellowlegs 2
Long-billed Dowitcher 1
Wilson’s Snipe 1
Ring-billed Gull 3
Forster’s Tern 2
Eurasian Collared-Dove 5
Mourning Dove 2
Burrowing Owl 1
American Kestrel 8
Merlin 1
Say’s Phoebe 1
Loggerhead Shrike 2
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 11
American Robin 14
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 40
American Pipit 10
Savannah Sparrow 1
Red-winged Blackbird 50
Eastern Meadowlark 1
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 100
Brewer’s Blackbird 10
Common Grackle 1
Great-tailed Grackle 120
Brown-headed Cowbird 1000
American Goldfinch 2
Alligator Prairie:
32 species
Snow Goose 63
Northern Bobwhite 4
Black Vulture 8
Turkey Vulture 5
Killdeer 2
American Woodcock 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 4
Carolina Wren 2
Bewick’s Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Eastern Bluebird 2
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 8
Northern Mockingbird 4
Cedar Waxwing X
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Le Conte’s Sparrow 2
Dark-eyed Junco 1
White-crowned Sparrow 2
Harris’s Sparrow 4
Vesper Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 4
Deb Wallace says:
December 18, 2015 at 1:55 am
Deb Wallace for Laurie Foss:
Dear Birders,
Thank you so much for participating yesterday on the Shield Ranch on behalf of the Westcave Christmas Bird Count. Though the weather started off a little “iffy” with the wind and cloud cover, we finished strong with a beautiful partly cloudy sky and mild temperatures. What a fantastic day to be out looking for birds on a beautiful ranch in the Hill Country of Texas!
Thanks to your efforts, the 29 people who birded on the ranch found 68 species of birds – WOW! At the countdown dinner your results were talked about up and down the table with congratulations and envy. They knew we would end up as the area with the most species seen for the Westcave count (we were!) and they knew we would end up with the best birds too (we did!). The total species count for the Westcave CBC was 111.
On behalf of birds everywhere, I want to personally thank you for spending your day on the Shield Ranch yesterday to count the birds. Your day contributed to an important Citizen Science project that has gone on for over a century, documenting avian population trends throughout the western hemisphere.
Enjoy your holiday season and a pleasant winter whatever your plans!
Below is a list of the species that were seen on the ranch by you on Tuesday, December 15, 2015.
Wood Duck
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Wild Turkey
Pied-billed Grebe
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Common Ground-Dove
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Great Horned Owl
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Crested Caracara
American Kestrel
Eastern Phoebe
Loggerhead Shrike
Blue-headed Vireo
Western Scrub-Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Carolina Chickadee
Black-crested Titmouse
Canyon Wren
House Wren
Carolina Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
Gray Catbird
Cedar Waxwing
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Grasshopper Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-crowned Sparrow
Harris’s Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Rufous-crowned Sparrow
Spotted Towhee
Northern Cardinal
Pyrrhuloxia
Red-winged Blackbird
Western/Eastern Meadowlark
House Finch
Pine Siskin
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
Laurie Foss
Administrative Coordinator for
Shield Ranch and
El Ranchito
Deb Wallace says:
December 17, 2015 at 1:47 am
On November 29th, 9 of us braved the cold and wet to check out the Eckhardt tract at Balcones Canyonlands NWR. The birds mostly had more sense than we did and stayed under cover, but we did get some nice looks at the sparrows we did find. The Harris’s were particularly nice.
Balcones Canyonlands NWR–Shin Oak Obs. Deck (HOTE 024)
Nov 29, 2015
7:30 AM
Traveling
3.50 miles
180 Minutes
All birds reported? Yes
Comments: Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.1.3 Build 30
Thirteen of us came out to see what might be hanging around the prairie in November. We had some nice sparrows. It was chilly, but fun!
Commons Ford Pk, Travis, Texas, US
Nov 15, 2015 6:45 AM – 10:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.5 mile(s)
Comments: Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.1.3 Build 30
43 species (+3 other taxa)
Wood Duck 8
Mallard (Domestic type) 1
Turkey Vulture 2
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 1
White-winged Dove 75
Mourning Dove 4
Eastern Screech-Owl 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 6
Downy Woodpecker 1
American Kestrel 2
Eastern Phoebe 6
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
Blue Jay 3
Western Scrub-Jay 2
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 1
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
House Wren 1
Sedge Wren 3 Continuing birds
Carolina Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 2
Eastern Bluebird 1
American Robin 50
Northern Mockingbird 5
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 14
Grasshopper Sparrow 1
Field Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Vesper Sparrow 12
Savannah Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 3
Swamp Sparrow 1
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 4
Northern Cardinal 12
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 2
Common Grackle 1
Great-tailed Grackle 4
House Finch 6
Lesser Goldfinch 1
Ken Zaslow for Deb and Lee Wallace says:
December 16, 2015 at 9:40 pm
Nine people participated on this TAS field trip that was led by Deb and Lee Wallace.
Balcones Canyonlands NWR–Doeskin Ranch
Dec 1, 2015
2.00 miles
210 Minutes
1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
1 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
1 Northern Flicker
2 Crested Caracara
2 Eastern Phoebe
1 American Crow
2 Common Raven
2 Carolina Chickadee
5 Black-crested Titmouse
2 Carolina Wren
1 Bewick’s Wren
2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
10 Eastern Bluebird
1 American Robin
4 Northern Mockingbird
3 Orange-crowned Warbler
7 Field Sparrow
4 Fox Sparrow
2 White-throated Sparrow
2 Song Sparrow
1 Lincoln’s Sparrow
4 Rufous-crowned Sparrow
10 Spotted Towhee
4 Northern Cardinal
8 American Goldfinch
Ken Zaslow says:
December 8, 2015 at 8:01 pm
Austin–Bauerle Ranch Park
Dec 8, 2015
Traveling
2.50 miles
Comments: Twelve people participated on this TAS field trip to the Slaughter Creek Greenbelt at the Bauerle Ranch Park. It was a beautiful sunny winter morning with a starting temperature of 45 degrees and an ending temperature of 64 degrees. Winds were calm.
Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.1.3 Build 30
10 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
2 Wood Duck
3 Gadwall
2 Blue-winged Teal
1 Pied-billed Grebe
2 Black Vulture
1 Red-shouldered Hawk
75 White-winged Dove
5 Mourning Dove
1 Golden-fronted Woodpecker
2 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
2 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
3 Eastern Phoebe
1 White-eyed Vireo
1 Blue-headed Vireo
5 Blue Jay
4 Carolina Chickadee
6 Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
1 House Wren
7 Carolina Wren
3 Bewick’s Wren
4 Golden-crowned Kinglet
6 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
2 Eastern Bluebird
1 Hermit Thrush
1 American Robin
2 Northern Mockingbird
5 European Starling
27 Cedar Waxwing
4 Orange-crowned Warbler
15 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
2 Chipping Sparrow
13 Field Sparrow
1 White-crowned Sparrow
1 White-throated Sparrow
2 Vesper Sparrow
1 Song Sparrow
5 Spotted Towhee
6 Northern Cardinal
22 blackbird sp. — Flyover
3 Lesser Goldfinch
7 American Goldfinch
2 House Sparrow
Number of Taxa: 43
Ken Zaslow says:
November 24, 2015 at 8:08 pm
Onion Creek Greenway–Barkley Meadows, Travis, Texas, US
Nov 24, 2015 7:13 AM – 10:34 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.2 mile(s)
Comments: Ten people participated on this TAS trip to Barkley Meadows Park. Best birds were a Black Phoebe and a juvenile Bald Eagle.
51 species (+2 other taxa)
Gadwall 4
American Wigeon 3
Canvasback 5
Redhead 4
Ring-necked Duck 12
Lesser Scaup 8
Bufflehead 6
Ruddy Duck 45
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 15
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Turkey Vulture 4 Seen at the end of the trip from the parking lot
Bald Eagle 1 Juvenile bird
American Coot 7
Killdeer 11
Least Sandpiper 4
Wilson’s Snipe 1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 12
Mourning Dove 4
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 4
Black Phoebe 1 This phoebe sized and shaped bird had a black head, chest, back, and tail with a white belly and under-tail coverts. We also heard it vocalize. It was seen in a previously described location at the end of the trail by highway 71.
Eastern Phoebe 4
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
Loggerhead Shrike 1
American Crow 3
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 3
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Eastern Bluebird 7
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 6
American Pipit 4
Pine Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 9
White-crowned Sparrow 2
Vesper Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird 8
Eastern Meadowlark 1
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 11
Great-tailed Grackle 15
House Finch 7
American Goldfinch 6
Ray Steelman says:
November 17, 2015 at 8:36 pm
Today 11/17 we led four intrepid birders on a Lake Creek Trail bird walk. The day started off with a driving rain that delayed the start by about a half hour. Once we got started the birding was up to par. The day turned out overcast and cool with moderate winds. After birding for three and a half hours we tallied forty-two species.
42 species
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 8
Snowy Egret 1
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 4
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 38
Least Sandpiper 8
White-winged Dove 30
Mourning Dove 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Phoebe 4
Blue Jay 30
American Crow 5
Carolina Chickadee 4
Black-crested Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 20
Eastern Bluebird 1
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 9
Northern Mockingbird 8
European Starling 100
Orange-crowned Warbler 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 26
Field Sparrow 3
Lark Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco 1
White-throated Sparrow 6
Song Sparrow 4
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Spotted Towhee 2
Northern Cardinal 17
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Great-tailed Grackle 20
House Finch 5
Lesser Goldfinch 3
House Sparrow 4
Stacey says:
November 15, 2015 at 8:39 pm
Austin- my own back yard, just north of 183 at Rundberg and Parkfield we have a Great Horned Owl frequenting the branches of our large backyard tree! Very cool to hear him hooting!
RGSteel9 says:
November 12, 2015 at 12:52 am
Today 11/11/2015 We lead a Southwester University ecology class of thirteen students along with Professor Bruce Moring on a field trip to Berry Springs Park in Williamson County. Their task was to compile information on birds in their environment. Although birding from 1:30 to 3:30 PM (not the ideal time for locating song birds) we managed to find 25 species including a surprising pine warbler. It was a great group of young adults and hopefully we inspired some new young adults to become kindred spirits.
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 12
Turkey Vulture 15
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 6
White-winged Dove 5
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 4
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
Carolina Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Eastern Bluebird 12
Northern Mockingbird 2
Cedar Waxwing 1
Pine Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 5
Northern Cardinal 2
Great-tailed Grackle 65
Ken Zaslow for Ray and Ginny Steelman says:
November 11, 2015 at 1:38 pm
This TAS trip to Devine Lake Park took place on October 27th and was led by Ray and Ginny Steelman.
Fifteen people participated on this trip to Devine Lake Park in Leander, Williamson County. The weather was ideal and it was a great day to get outside. We tallied 51 species with a good mix of waterfowl and land birds including a surprising vermilion flycatcher. Following is a list of the birds tallied:
Gadwall X
American Wigeon X
Blue-winged Teal 20
Northern Pintail 3
Green-winged Teal 5
Redhead 50
Ring-necked Duck 5
Ruddy Duck 8
Pied-billed Grebe 5
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 4
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 3
Osprey 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
American Coot 165
Killdeer 8
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 1
White-winged Dove 3
Mourning Dove 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1
Eastern Phoebe 4
Vermilion Flycatcher 1 Unmistakeable bird photographed by Joseph Hood by Lee Wallace and added to their eBird report.
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 4
Carolina Chickadee 1
Carolina Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Hermit Thrush 1
Northern Mockingbird 8
European Starling 1
Orange-crowned Warbler 4
Chipping Sparrow 8
Field Sparrow 2
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Vesper Sparrow 2
Savannah Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird 2
Great-tailed Grackle 6
House Finch 3
Lesser Goldfinch 1
Ken Zaslow for Dennis Palafox says:
November 10, 2015 at 11:05 pm
Mitchell Lake Audubon Center (HOTE 103)
Nov 10, 2015
4.00 miles
300 Minutes
Comments: Thirteen people participated on this Travis Audubon field trip to the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center in San Antonio. The weather was perfect for birding with the temperature between 60-74 degrees, overcast skies, and light winds less than 10mph. Highlights included birds not often seen in Austin such as Green-tailed Towhee, Verdin, and Curve-billed Thrasher.
Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.1.3 Build 30
39 Snow Goose
1 Ross’s Goose
125 Gadwall
7 American Wigeon
1 Mallard (Domestic type)
8 Northern Shoveler
2 Lesser Scaup
150 Ruddy Duck
7 Least Grebe
11 Pied-billed Grebe
5 Eared Grebe
2 Neotropic Cormorant
8 Double-crested Cormorant
75 American White Pelican
6 Great Blue Heron
12 Great Egret
6 Snowy Egret
2 Tricolored Heron
12 Black-crowned Night-Heron
7 Turkey Vulture
1 Red-shouldered Hawk
80 American Coot
30 American Avocet
1 Killdeer
2 Spotted Sandpiper
1 Greater Yellowlegs
1 Lesser Yellowlegs
25 Least Sandpiper
9 White-winged Dove
4 Mourning Dove
3 Belted Kingfisher
2 Golden-fronted Woodpecker
4 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
3 Crested Caracara
1 American Kestrel
5 Eastern Phoebe
3 Loggerhead Shrike
3 White-eyed Vireo
2 American Crow
1 Barn Swallow
17 Cave Swallow
15 swallow sp.
4 Black-crested Titmouse
3 Verdin
1 House Wren
2 Carolina Wren
4 Bewick’s Wren
2 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
3 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
1 Hermit Thrush
12 American Robin
2 Curve-billed Thrasher
12 Northern Mockingbird
30 European Starling
2 Orange-crowned Warbler
2 Common Yellowthroat
14 Yellow-rumped Warbler
1 Chipping Sparrow
7 White-crowned Sparrow
1 Song Sparrow
1 Green-tailed Towhee
14 Northern Cardinal
1 Pyrrhuloxia
55 Red-winged Blackbird
1 Eastern Meadowlark
30 Great-tailed Grackle
14 House Finch
4 Lesser Goldfinch
3 American Goldfinch
10 House Sparrow
Number of Taxa: 70
Ken Zaslow for Dennis Palafox says:
November 10, 2015 at 12:02 am
This TAS field trip was led by Dennis Palafox on November 7, 2015
Four of us took our chances with the weather and birded Laguna Gloria on Saturday, 11/7. We birded for about 1.5 hours before the drizzle turned into a downpour. We spent about another half an hour huddled under a gazebo waiting out the storm. Eventually, we called the trip off about 9:30 , a bit wet and cold as we splashed our way through puddles back to our cars, all the while thinking about warm coffee or hot chocolate. But, before we called it a wrap we saw some pretty interesting birds totaling 20 species as you can see below:
Wood Duck 15
Redhead 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Osprey 6
Mourning Dove 7
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
Blue Jay 1
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 3
Carolina Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
American Robin 2
Northern Mockingbird 2
Common Yellowthroat 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 3
Swamp Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 9
Ken Zaslow says:
October 13, 2015 at 9:49 pm
Austin–Roy Guerrero Park
Oct 13, 2015
Traveling
2.50 miles
Comments: 16 people participated on this Travis Audubon field trip to Roy Guerrero Park. We birded three general locations that included the playscape area, the “secret beach” and adjacent hiking/biking trail, and the overlook below the Longhorn Dam. Beginning temperature was 74 degrees; ending temperature was 81 degrees. The sky was mostly sunny with north winds of 5-10 mph.
50 species
3 Pied-billed Grebe
6 Double-crested Cormorant
1 Great Blue Heron
2 Great Egret
5 Snowy Egret
2 Little Blue Heron
15 Black Vulture
4 Turkey Vulture
1 Osprey
1 Cooper’s Hawk
1 Red-shouldered Hawk
1 American Coot
7 Killdeer
3 Spotted Sandpiper
450 Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
30 White-winged Dove
10 Mourning Dove
2 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 Downy Woodpecker
1 Northern Flicker
2 Crested Caracara
1 American Kestrel
1 Monk Parakeet
3 Eastern Phoebe
3 Couch’s Kingbird — Three typical Couch’s Kingbirds were seen simultaneously along the hiking/biking trail north of the side trail to the “secret beach”. We had excellent views at close range of the birds perched in trees near an open meadow area. The birds had bright yellow bellies with the yellow color extending well up onto their chests. Their bills were relatively large. No white was seen on their tails. Their heads and the very upper part of their chests were gray.
1 Western Kingbird — This bird was seen in the same general area as the Couch’s Kingbirds described above. It was differentiated from the Couch’s Kingbirds by its black tail that showed white on the outer tail feathers… seen while it was perched and while it was in flight. The yellow color on this bird was limited to the belly area and did not extend onto the chest. The head and chest were gray.
17 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
1 Loggerhead Shrike
1 Blue-headed Vireo
8 Blue Jay
4 American Crow
1 Northern Rough-winged Swallow
5 Carolina Chickadee
4 Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
3 House Wren
6 Carolina Wren
1 Bewick’s Wren
2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
5 Northern Mockingbird
11 European Starling
4 Orange-crowned Warbler
3 Nashville Warbler
1 Black-throated Green Warbler
4 Lincoln’s Sparrow
8 Northern Cardinal
11 Red-winged Blackbird
10 Common Grackle
15 Great-tailed Grackle
3 Lesser Goldfinch
3 House Sparrow
Ken Zaslow says:
October 8, 2015 at 12:16 pm
Addendum: The October 6th field trip to Brushy Creek Park was led by Dan Callaway.
Ken Zaslow says:
October 8, 2015 at 12:07 pm
Brushy Creek Lake Pk, Williamson, Texas, US
Oct 6, 2015 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: Twelve birders attended the weekly Tuesday morning bird walk by Travis Audubon Society. We walked east through the wooded area then followed the lake shore going west. Weather — calm, clear, 59-72 degrees.
33 species (+4 other taxa)
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 4
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 8
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 3
White-winged Dove 15
Mourning Dove 3
Belted Kingfisher 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
Loggerhead Shrike 2
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 3
swallow sp. 3
Carolina Chickadee 3
Black-crested Titmouse 2
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 4
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 6
Nashville Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 1
sparrow sp. 5
Northern Cardinal 3
Red-winged Blackbird 8
Great-tailed Grackle 50
House Finch 6
Lesser Goldfinch 1
11 birders visited Hornsby Bend on Tuesday, Sept. 22. Mild temperatures, mostly sunny. Yellow Warblers stole the show. We started at the birding shelter and the area down to Upper Island View was the place to be. After that we checked out pond 3, but it was slow. There is a little shorebird habitat forming there. Finally we checked the end of 1W which is also beginning to dry out just a little, but it was not productive.
Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, Texas, US
Sep 22, 2015 7:32 AM – 10:17 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.1.2 Build 27
43 species (+2 other taxa)
Blue-winged Teal 11
Northern Shoveler 1
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Great Blue Heron 1
Green Heron 2
Turkey Vulture 3
Killdeer 1
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Baird’s Sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 3
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 40
White-winged Dove 4
Mourning Dove 1
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Chimney Swift 6
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Monk Parakeet 5
Eastern Phoebe 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 2
White-eyed Vireo 6
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2
Barn Swallow 6
Carolina Chickadee 1
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 7
Eastern Bluebird 2
European Starling 4
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Nashville Warbler 2
Yellow Warbler 25
Summer Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 12
Red-winged Blackbird 15
Great-tailed Grackle 13
Lesser Goldfinch 1
Ken Zaslow says:
September 15, 2015 at 5:46 pm
St. Edwards Pk (NW Austin), Travis, Texas, US
Sep 15, 2015 7:15 AM – 9:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Eleven people participated on this TAS field trip to St. Edwards Park. The day was cloudy and humid with calm to light winds less than 5mph. Beginning temperature was 73 degrees; ending temperature was 76 degrees.
20 species (+4 other taxa)
Black Vulture 45
Turkey Vulture 2
pigeon/dove sp. 6 Flyover
Eastern Screech-Owl 2 Heard only
Chimney Swift 7
hummingbird sp. 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1 Heard only
Downy Woodpecker 1
Olive-sided Flycatcher 1
Willow Flycatcher 1 Heard only
Eastern Phoebe 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
White-eyed Vireo 9
Carolina Chickadee 8
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 4
Carolina Wren 10
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4
Northern Mockingbird 1 Heard only in the parking lot before the trip began
Summer Tanager 1 Heard only
Northern Cardinal 14
Baltimore Oriole 6
Lesser Goldfinch 12
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
September 9, 2015 at 2:46 am
This trip was led by Dan Callaway.
Cedar Breaks Park, Williamson, Texas, US
Sep 8, 2015 7:15 AM – 9:15 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.4 mile(s)
Comments: Five birders gathered at the Lake Georgetown spillway and dam for a Travis Audubon Society sunrise bird walk. Weather– 76-87 degrees, clear, and slight south breeze.
32 species (+2 other taxa)
Great Blue Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 14
American Avocet 11 One flock circled and landed along the north shore as seen from the dam.
Killdeer 2
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 50
Inca Dove 2
White-winged Dove 22
Mourning Dove 7
Eastern Screech-Owl 1
Chimney Swift 1
hummingbird sp. 3
Belted Kingfisher 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
White-eyed Vireo 1
American Crow 1
Barn Swallow 12
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 4
Rock Wren 3
Canyon Wren 4
Carolina Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 5
Lark Sparrow 8
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 6
Summer Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 4
House Finch 4
Lesser Goldfinch 16
House Sparrow 2
Judith Bailey says:
September 8, 2015 at 7:44 pm
On Saturday morning, 9/5/2015, a big group of new birders walked Berry Springs and had great success finding a variety of expected species and several surprises as well. The Great Kiskadee continues to delight with his raucous calls and multiple flyovers; and, most got good looks at the Eastern Kingbird sitting high in the sunlight. The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron put on a show catching and swallowing a giant crawfish!
Many thanks to Michael, George, Laurie and Ronnie for their excellent spotting and guidance.
Co-leaders: Virginia Rose and Judith Bailey
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
Pied-billed Grebe
Little Blue Heron
Green Heron
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Red-shouldered Hawk
Swainson’s Hawk
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Common Nighthawk
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Common Nighthawk
Chimney Swift
Hummingbird species
Belted Kingfisher
Golden-fronted Woodpecker, distinguished from Red-bellied Woodpecker by entirely
black inner tail feathers
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Great Crested Flycatcher
Great Kiskadee
Eastern Kingbird
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Blue Jay
American Crow
Barn Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Black-crested Titmouse
Canyon Wren
Carolina Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Eastern Bluebird
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Summer Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Common Grackle
Great-tailed Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Orchard Oriole
Ken Zaslow says:
August 18, 2015 at 5:06 pm
Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, Texas, US
Aug 18, 2015 7:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Eleven people participated on this TAS field trip to Hornsby Bend. We birded the area around ponds 1A, 1B, and 2 and walked for a short distance on the River Trail near the Upper Island View cutoff. Beginning temperature was 79 degrees; ending temperature was 84 degrees. The sky was partly cloudy with variable winds from calm to 10 mph.
39 species (+4 other taxa)
Egyptian Goose 1 The bird was seen at a close distance by everyone in our group on the road between pond 1A and 1B. It was also seen flying over ponds 1A and 1B. It was a large goose-like bird with a whitish head and a circular brownish patch around the eyes. The bill was pink with a black tip. The legs and feet were pink. In flight the wings showed a large patch of white secondary covert feathers on the leading edge, and black primaries and secondaries on the trailing edge. The body was grayish and the the tail was black.
Great Blue Heron 2
Cattle Egret 4
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Sharp-shinned/Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 50
Spotted Sandpiper 6
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 1
Upland Sandpiper 2 Heard only
Least Sandpiper 70
Wilson’s Phalarope 1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 45
Eurasian Collared-Dove 1
White-winged Dove 20
Mourning Dove 8
Common Nighthawk 1 Initially it was seen roosting on a telephone wire by the road near the greenhouse. It was then chased by smaller birds and the distinctive white band was seen on its wings.
hummingbird sp. 2
Monk Parakeet 3
Empidonax sp. 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 12
White-eyed Vireo 1 Heard only
Purple Martin 18
Barn Swallow 20
Cliff Swallow 8
Cave Swallow 30
swallow sp. 30
Carolina Chickadee 2
Carolina Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 65
Yellow Warbler 3
Summer Tanager 1 Heard only
Northern Cardinal 4
Painted Bunting 1 Female
Red-winged Blackbird 70
Great-tailed Grackle 28
House Finch 1 Female
House Sparrow 4
Ken Zaslow says:
May 20, 2015 at 10:41 pm
This trip TAS trip took place on Tuesday, May 19th
Commons Ford Pk, Travis, US-TX
May 19, 2015 7:00 AM – 10:15 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Five people participated on this Travis Audubon field trip to Commons Ford Ranch Park. Despite brief intermittent showers, the birds were vocal and active and the prairie wildflowers were gorgeous. This made for an enjoyable morning of birding. Starting temperature was 74 degrees; ending temperature was 77 degrees. The sky was variably cloudy and winds were calm to light.
41 species (+3 other taxa)
Wood Duck 2
duck sp. 7 Flyover
Northern Bobwhite 2 Heard only
Wild Turkey 5
Great Blue Heron 2
Green Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 3
White-winged Dove 4
Mourning Dove 5
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2 Heard only
Great Horned Owl 1
Chuck-will’s-widow 1 Heard only, in the parking lot area before the trip began
Chimney Swift 4
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1 Heard only
Empidonax sp. 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Ash-throated Flycatcher 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Western Kingbird 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 2 One pair was seen on a nest
White-eyed Vireo 4
Red-eyed Vireo 5 A family group of 4 were seen together in a Pecan tree along the creek
Barn Swallow 3
Carolina Chickadee 2
Black-crested Titmouse 5
Carolina Wren 4
Bewick’s Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Eastern Bluebird 4
Northern Mockingbird 2
Northern Parula 3
Yellow-throated Warbler 1 This bird is already well documented. It was heard singing from Cypress trees in the area near the boathouse at the creek entrance into Lake Austin.
Field Sparrow 1 Heard only, near the upper entrance before the trip began
Lark Sparrow 4
Northern Cardinal 10
Blue Grosbeak 1
Painted Bunting 4
Dickcissel 12
Great-tailed Grackle 2
Brown-headed Cowbird 4
Orchard Oriole 1
House Finch 8
Lesser Goldfinch 15
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
May 20, 2015 at 10:34 pm
This trip was led by Dan Callaway on May 12th
Booty’s Road Park, Williamson, US-TX
May 12, 2015 7:00 AM – 9:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Three hardy birders arrived to brave the elements and participate in the Travis Audubon field trip. Light rain peppered down until about 7:45, then all the hungry birds came out looking for breakfast. Warblers zipped back and forth across the trail to feed in the junipers, hackberries, oaks and pecans. Except for the few we could identify, there must have been 15-20 other “yellow” ones flitting around. Weather– overcast, occ. drizzle, calm wind, and 61 degrees.
29 species (+2 other taxa)
Commons Ford Pk, Travis, US-TX
May 19, 2015 7:00 AM – 10:15 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Five people participated on this Travis Audubon field trip to Commons Ford Ranch Park. Despite brief intermittent showers, the birds were vocal and active and the prairie wildflowers were gorgeous. This made for an enjoyable morning of birding. Starting temperature was 74 degrees; ending temperature was 77 degrees. The sky was variably cloudy and winds were calm to light.
41 species (+3 other taxa)
Wood Duck 2
duck sp. 7 Flyover
Northern Bobwhite 2 Heard only
Wild Turkey 5
Great Blue Heron 2
Green Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 3
White-winged Dove 4
Mourning Dove 5
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2 Heard only
Great Horned Owl 1
Chuck-will’s-widow 1 Heard only, in the parking lot area before the trip began
Chimney Swift 4
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1 Heard only
Empidonax sp. 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Ash-throated Flycatcher 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Western Kingbird 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 2 One pair was seen on a nest
White-eyed Vireo 4
Red-eyed Vireo 5 A family group of 4 were seen together in a Pecan tree along the creek
Barn Swallow 3
Carolina Chickadee 2
Black-crested Titmouse 5
Carolina Wren 4
Bewick’s Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Eastern Bluebird 4
Northern Mockingbird 2
Northern Parula 3
Yellow-throated Warbler 1 This bird is already well documented. It was heard singing from Cypress trees in the area near the boathouse at the creek entrance into Lake Austin.
Field Sparrow 1 Heard only, near the upper entrance before the trip began
Lark Sparrow 4
Northern Cardinal 10
Blue Grosbeak 1
Painted Bunting 4
Dickcissel 12
Great-tailed Grackle 2
Brown-headed Cowbird 4
Orchard Oriole 1
House Finch 8
Lesser Goldfinch 15
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
May 20, 2015 at 8:57 pm
This trip to Booty’s Road Park was led by Dan Callaway on May 12th.
Booty’s Road Park, Williamson, US-TX
May 12, 2015 7:00 AM – 9:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Three hardy birders arrived to brave the elements and participate in the Travis Audubon field trip. Light rain peppered down until about 7:45, then all the hungry birds came out looking for breakfast. Warblers zipped back and forth across the trail to feed in the junipers, hackberries, oaks and pecans. Except for the few we could identify, there must have been 15-20 other “yellow” ones flitting around. Weather– overcast, occ. drizzle, calm wind, and 61 degrees.
29 species (+2 other taxa)
Lake Creek Trail (Williamson Co.), Williamson, US-TX
May 5, 2015 6:40 AM – 9:44 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.8
43 species
18 participants. Windy and overcast.
Blue-winged Teal 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 6
Snowy Egret 7
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 6
Black Vulture 2
Killdeer 4
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 20
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) X
White-winged Dove 20
Common Nighthawk 1
Chimney Swift 5
Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Western Kingbird 2
Eastern Kingbird 2
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 2
White-eyed Vireo 3
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 4
Purple Martin 3
Barn Swallow 8
Cliff Swallow 10
Carolina Wren 3
Bewick’s Wren 1
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 15
Cedar Waxwing 50
Tennessee Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 10
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1
Red-winged Blackbird 5
Common Grackle 11
Great-tailed Grackle 15
House Finch 3
Lesser Goldfinch 2
House Sparrow X
Roy Guerrero Park, Travis, US-TX
Apr 28, 2015 6:30 AM – 11:05 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Comments: Fourteen people were on this Travis Audubon trip to Roy Guerrero Park on a chilly and windy day. Despite the weather conditions we had an excellent variety of birds including Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Ringed Kingfisher, Bald Eagle, and a good number of Flycatchers and Kingbirds. The beginning temperature was 67 degrees and the ending temperature was 64 degrees. Winds were from the north at 10-20 mph and the sky was cloudy for most of the morning.
59 species (+5 other taxa)
Wood Duck 1
Mallard (Domestic type) 3
Blue-winged Teal 14
Double-crested Cormorant 13
Snowy Egret 1
Little Blue Heron 1 Flyover at the playscape area parking lot.
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 2
Black Vulture 4
Turkey Vulture 7
Bald Eagle 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 4
Killdeer 5
Spotted Sandpiper 10
Least Sandpiper 3
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 30
White-winged Dove 15
Mourning Dove 9
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2 HO
Chimney Swift 2
Ringed Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Monk Parakeet 1 Flyover vocalizing
Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill’s Flycatcher) 1
Least Flycatcher 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Couch’s Kingbird 1
Western Kingbird 4
Eastern Kingbird 2
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 4
White-eyed Vireo 5
Red-eyed Vireo 1 Heard only early
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 4
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 6
Purple Martin 3
Barn Swallow 30
Cliff Swallow 200
swallow sp. 50
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
Carolina Wren 6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Swainson’s Thrush 5 Heard only
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 25
Cedar Waxwing 250
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
American Redstart 1
Yellow Warbler 2
Summer Tanager 4
Northern Cardinal 20
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1
Indigo Bunting 1
Painted Bunting 7
Red-winged Blackbird 3
Great-tailed Grackle 20
Brown-headed Cowbird 7
Orchard Oriole 3
oriole sp. 1 Possibly a Baltimore Oriole
House Finch 2
Lesser Goldfinch 4
House Sparrow 5
Ray Steelman says:
April 21, 2015 at 8:30 pm
Thirteen birders participated in this Travis Audubon trip to Berry Springs Park and Booty’s Road Park in Georgetown. The weather was just about perfect for birding ranging with clear blue skies and temps from the low fifties and climbing to the lower seventies by the time we were done. The mornings list of birds follows:
Georgetown- Berry Springs Park, Williamson, US-TX
Apr 21, 2015 6:50 AM – 10:17 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.8
52 species (+1 other taxa)
Wood Duck 2
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Little Blue Heron 1
Cattle Egret 1
Green Heron 1
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 1
Black Vulture 5
Turkey Vulture 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 15
Eurasian Collared-Dove 1
White-winged Dove 32
Mourning Dove 2
Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 4
Eastern Phoebe 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Western Kingbird 2
Eastern Kingbird 3
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 4
White-eyed Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 1
Purple Martin 2
Carolina Chickadee 1
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 1
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 2
Eastern Bluebird 5
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 1
Cedar Waxwing 100
Nashville Warbler 2
Chipping Sparrow 4
Lark Sparrow 2
Savannah Sparrow 3
Grasshopper Sparrow 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 1
Harris’s Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow 4
Summer Tanager 4
Northern Cardinal 5
Red-winged Blackbird 140
Great-tailed Grackle 40
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
Orchard Oriole 2
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
US-TX-Georgetown-1604 Bootys Crossing Rd, Williamson, US-TX
Apr 21, 2015 11:05 AM – 11:54 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.8
11 species
Turkey Vulture 4
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Western Kingbird 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 25
Rock Wren 1 Heard only
Canyon Wren 2
Nashville Warbler 1
Summer Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 1
House Finch 1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
April 14, 2015 at 9:58 pm
This trip was led by Dan Callaway.
Eastside Metropolitan Pk, Travis, US-TX
Apr 14, 2015 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: This was a Travis Audubon field trip. Six birders walked the Frisbee golf trail, then back by the large pond and through the woods along the hog trap lane and back by the little secluded woody pond. The north wind kept the birds hidden, but we did manage to tally about 40 species. Weather– 61-63 degrees, overcast and wind 10-15.
38 species (+3 other taxa)
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 3
Wood Duck 2
Mallard (Domestic type) 2
Blue-winged Teal 3
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Egret 3
Little Blue Heron 1
Cattle Egret 25
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 3
White-winged Dove 6
Mourning Dove 13
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Crested Caracara 1
Eastern Phoebe 4
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 3
White-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 3
Barn Swallow 1
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 5
House Wren 1 hidden but singing
Carolina Wren 4
Bewick’s Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Eastern Bluebird 5
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 7
Cedar Waxwing 8
Black-and-white Warbler 1 hidden and singing
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 singing and in breeding plummage
Chipping Sparrow 26
Lark Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 12
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Great-tailed Grackle 1
blackbird sp. 200 several large flocks flying over
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
April 14, 2015 at 9:55 pm
This field trip was led by Dan Callaway and took place on March 31, 2015.
Windemere Park, Travis, US-TX
Mar 31, 2015 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Seven people participated on this Travis Audubon field trip. The group started at the secluded pond south of the downstream part of the trail, then birded downstream almost to the bridge, and then upstream west of the playground. Weather — 66-74 degrees, overcast, south wind 10-15.
35 species (+1 other taxa)
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 1
Turkey Vulture 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
American Coot 2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 16
White-winged Dove 45
Mourning Dove 3
Great Horned Owl 1 On the nest high in a tree south of the pond.
Chimney Swift 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Eastern Phoebe 3
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 3
Purple Martin 10
Barn Swallow 6
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 4
House Wren 2
Carolina Wren 5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 6
Brown Thrasher 1
Northern Mockingbird 6
European Starling 15
Cedar Waxwing 200
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 26
Song Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 12
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Common Grackle 3
Great-tailed Grackle 20
American Goldfinch 8
House Sparrow 15
Dennis Palafox says:
April 5, 2015 at 11:58 pm
Twelve of us birded Camp Mabry on Saturday, April 4. Although the breezy conditions may have limited the number of birds we saw, we ended up with 33 species. Some highlights included a pair of black-bellied whistling ducks on the shoreline of the southern most pond. We also saw 1 yellow-throated warbler and beaucoups cedar waxwings. Fun was had by all! A list of species seen follows:
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
33 species
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 2
Wood Duck 4
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Egret 1
Green Heron 1
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
White-winged Dove 15
Mourning Dove 7
Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
White-eyed Vireo 6
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 4
Barn Swallow 2
Carolina Chickadee 7
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 8
Carolina Wren 7
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 8
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 1
Cedar Waxwing 200
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Yellow-throated Warbler 1
Chipping Sparrow 7
Lark Sparrow 10
Savannah Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 8
Great-tailed Grackle 3
Deb Wallace says:
March 25, 2015 at 1:55 pm
Twelve of us went down to bird San Marcos on Tuesday. We started at John Stokes Park, where everyone got good looks at the continuing Black-throated Gray Warbler. We then went over to the Meadows Center (Aquarena) wetlands. There were good birds there as well, but not in great numbers. The Vermilion Flycatcher was a nice highlight.
Mar 24, 2015
Stokes Park
Traveling
0.5 miles
90 Minutes
Observers: 12
All birds reported? Yes
Comments:
Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.8
3 Double-crested Cormorant
3 Great Blue Heron
1 Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
6 Black Vulture
1 Red-shouldered Hawk
2 Mourning Dove
1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 Downy Woodpecker
1 Eastern Phoebe
1 White-eyed Vireo
1 Blue-headed Vireo
1 American Crow
24 Cave Swallow
5 Carolina Chickadee
3 Black-crested Titmouse
4 Carolina Wren
1 Golden-crowned Kinglet
4 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
3 Orange-crowned Warbler
1 Nashville Warbler
12 Yellow-rumped Warbler
1 Black-throated Gray Warbler — Continuing bird
2 Black-and-white Warbler
8 Northern Cardinal
1 Great-tailed Grackle
Mar 24, 2015
Aquarena Springs
Traveling
0.5 miles
90 Minutes
Observers: 12
All birds reported? Yes
Comments:
Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.8
5 Gadwall
7 Pied-billed Grebe
7 Double-crested Cormorant
1 Great Blue Heron
50 Black Vulture
1 Osprey
2 Red-shouldered Hawk
35 White-winged Dove
1 Belted Kingfisher
2 Golden-fronted Woodpecker
1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
1 Downy Woodpecker
2 Eastern Phoebe
1 Vermilion Flycatcher
2 White-eyed Vireo
2 Carolina Chickadee
3 Carolina Wren
1 Bewick’s Wren
1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
4 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
5 Northern Mockingbird
1 Orange-crowned Warbler
12 Yellow-rumped Warbler
1 Black-and-white Warbler
1 Common Yellowthroat
1 Chipping Sparrow
1 Song Sparrow
1 Lincoln’s Sparrow
1 Great-tailed Grackle
8 American Goldfinch
1 House Sparrow
Ray Steelman says:
March 17, 2015 at 7:22 pm
Fifteen birders joined us on this trip to Lake Creek Trail in Jollyville, Williamson County on March 17th. The weather was overcast and in the mid sixties with little to no wind. Although there were few surprises we had a good number of birds to enjoy including a pair of red-shouldered hawks actively building s nest. A list of species follows:
Lake Creek Trail (Williamson Co.), Williamson, US-TX
Mar 17, 2015 7:20 AM – 10:43 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.2 mile(s)
Comments: Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.8
48 species (+1 other taxa)
Gadwall 6
American Wigeon 4
Lesser Scaup 6
Double-crested Cormorant 4
Great Blue Heron 4
Great Egret 5
Snowy Egret 2
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 4
Cooper’s Hawk 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 3
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 3
Greater Yellowlegs 4
Least Sandpiper 15
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 7
White-winged Dove 11
Mourning Dove 3
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 2 Heard only
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 4
Barn Swallow 1
Carolina Chickadee 8
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 3
Carolina Wren 3
Bewick’s Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 10
Cedar Waxwing 30
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 20
Spotted Towhee 2
Chipping Sparrow 10
Vesper Sparrow 2
Savannah Sparrow 20
Song Sparrow 4
Northern Cardinal 14
Red-winged Blackbird 20
Great-tailed Grackle 20
House Finch 4
Lesser Goldfinch 2
American Goldfinch 6
House Sparrow 8
It was a good sparrow day (14 species) for the 13 of us that went out to bird the Flying X tract of Balcones Canyonlands NWR. It was cold and drizzly, but we quit minding so much when we got good looks at the Sage Thrasher perched in a small tree. The Grasshopper Sparrow was a popular find, too!
Mar 8, 2015
Flying X Ranch
Traveling
1.5 miles
150 Minutes
Observers: 13
All birds reported? Yes
Comments:
Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.8
12 Northern Bobwhite
1 Great Blue Heron
1 Northern Harrier
1 American Kestrel
4 Killdeer
3 White-winged Dove
30 Mourning Dove
1 Loggerhead Shrike
2 American Crow
1 Common Raven
3 Bewick’s Wren
1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
1 Eastern Bluebird
100 American Robin
3 Northern Mockingbird
1 Sage Thrasher — Continuing bird
20 Cedar Waxwing
1 Orange-crowned Warbler
5 Spotted Towhee
3 Rufous-crowned Sparrow
1 Canyon Towhee
3 Chipping Sparrow
12 Field Sparrow
12 Vesper Sparrow
1 Black-throated Sparrow
1 Savannah Sparrow
1 Grasshopper Sparrow
8 Song Sparrow
5 Lincoln’s Sparrow
2 White-throated Sparrow
24 Harris’s Sparrow
18 White-crowned Sparrow
8 Northern Cardinal
Terry Banks says:
March 11, 2015 at 11:16 pm
Inks Lake State Park, Burnet, US-TX
Mar 10, 2015 7:15 AM – 1:15 PM
Protocol: Traveling
3.5 mile(s)
Comments: 14 members of Travis Audubon participated in this field trip to Inks Lake. It was cool in the morning – about 50 degrees Farenheit, slightly overcast with minimal wind. We started out birding at the Ranger’s stations, exploring the rocky outcroppings and reeds along the water. We then went on a 3 mile hike through rocky, hilly, hill country habitat that was expansive and lovely. Next we scoped out both the North and South piers of the lake. Finally we visited the new and excellent bird blind.
59 species (+2 other taxa)
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 6
Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) 4
Gadwall (Anas strepera) 4
Mallard (Domestic type) (Anas platyrhynchos (Domestic type)) 6
Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) 2
Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) 5
Redhead (Aythya americana) 2
Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) 1
Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) 6
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) 2
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) 4
Common Loon (Gavia immer) 1 We saw one loon three different times at different parts of the lake. This could have been the same loon or several loons, but we will only count one since we only saw one at any given time.
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) 15
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) 8
American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) 6
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 5
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) 25
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 5
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) 4
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 2
Sora (Porzana carolina) 1 Although not seen, a sora was heard in the reeds by the water in front of the ranger’s station.
American Coot (Fulica americana) 35
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 2
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) 1
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 29
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) 100
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 5
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Picoides scalaris) 4
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 5
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 1 heard only
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) 3
Purple Martin (Progne subis) 35
Cliff/Cave Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota/fulva) 3
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 5
Black-crested Titmouse (Baeolophus atricristatus) 15
Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus) 1 During the hike above the pecan trail we saw a rock wren. There was no doubt about this grey wren with it’s large bill, speckled wings, striped black and white vent and medium sized tail. It was hopping around on the rocks with Black Throated Sparrows and Rufous Crowned sparrows. Although I did not get a photo on the 10th, I did get a fair picture on the 6th of March and can send this picture to anyone who would like to scrutinize it. In addition, I have some excellent photos of this bird at Inks Lake about 6 months to a year ago. I am seeing rock wrens with regularity – every time I come to Inks Lake and hike above the Pecan flats trail I have seen them within the last 1-2 years.
Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus) 1
Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris) 2 singing back and forth in the reeds in front of the ranger’s station
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 3
Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) 10
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) 2
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 8
Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata) 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 10
Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) 2
Rufous-crowned Sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps) 6
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) 12
Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) 6
Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) 10
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) 4
White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) 2
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 30
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 100
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) 7
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 1
Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) 25
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 1
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Jeff patterson for Jean says:
March 10, 2015 at 10:17 pm
In spite of having numerous “drop-outs” for my “make-up” Mitchell Lake field trip, due to conflicts, injury or illness, the trip was held yesterday, Mar. 7. The weather was great and we birded for several hours at Mitchell Lake. After lunch we went to another spot in San Antonio, Judson Nature Trail in Olmos Basin Park, where I understand the local Audubon group leads regular bird walks. We picked up several species that we hadn’t gotten at Mitchell Lake, and by the conclusion of our birding in San Antonio, we had 59 species. Everyone seemed pleased with the trip and both spots were new to some in our group.
Good birding,
Jean
virginia rose says:
March 8, 2015 at 12:16 am
Six of us enjoyed a cold, but thankfully dry, morning at Windermere Park in Pflugerville. Red shouldered hawk put on a nest-building clinic, but we were not particularly impressed with this individual’s technique. Sticks too short and tossed in haphazardly in a questionable forked branch. 🙂
red shouldered hawk
brown thrasher
hermit thrush
dark-eyed junco
Cooper’s hawk
titmouse species
Carolina chickadee
Carolina wren
Ruby-crowned kinglet
blue jay
eastern bluebird
eastern phoebe
white-winged dove
mourning dove
house sparrow
white-throated sparrow
American goldfinch
red-winged blackbird
European starling
great-tailed grackle
swallow species
northern flicker
northern cardinal
northern mockingbird
red-bellied woodpecker
orange-crowned warbler
yellow-rumped warbler
great blue heron
American crow
brown thrasher
Ken Zaslow says:
March 3, 2015 at 8:24 pm
Eleven people participated on this TAS field trip to ponds in South Travis County. We visited 2 retention ponds at the Southpark Meadows Shopping Center and walked on an adjacent trail through a section of the Slaughter Creek Greenbelt. We then birded 3 ponds located in the Onion Creek community located east of I-35 at the Onion Creek Parkway and I-35. We walked on a nice trail that goes around the two retention ponds within this community at Bradshaw Road and Plantation Drive. Due to deteriorating weather conditions we did not stop to bird in the Turnersville Road area. Separate eBird reports are listed below for the Southpark Meadows and the Onion Cree Development areas.
Austin–Southpark Meadows Ctr., Travis, US-TX
Mar 3, 2015 7:00 AM – 8:30 AM
Comments: The weather was a variable combination of light rain, fog, and overcast skies. Winds were light at less than 5 mph. Temperatures remained in the mid-40’s
38 species (+1 other taxa)
Gadwall 3
American Wigeon 13
Blue-winged Teal 2
Northern Shoveler 8
Ring-necked Duck 3
Bufflehead 2
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Osprey 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 9
American Coot 50
Killdeer 1
Wilson’s Snipe 1
White-winged Dove 1
Mourning Dove 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Loggerhead Shrike 1
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 8
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 3
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 3
Bewick’s Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Northern Mockingbird 3
American Pipit 40
Cedar Waxwing 25
Yellow-rumped Warbler 12
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 4
Great-tailed Grackle 6
House Finch 3
American Goldfinch 8
Onion creek club inc, onion creek parkway, austin, tx, Travis, US-TX
Mar 3, 2015 9:06 AM – 10:21 AM
42 species (+2 other taxa)
Gadwall 2
American Wigeon 55
Mallard 1
Mallard (Domestic type) 1
Blue-winged Teal 2
Northern Shoveler 3
Redhead 1
Ring-necked Duck 20
Lesser Scaup 2
Bufflehead 6
Ruddy Duck 7
Pied-billed Grebe 12
Double-crested Cormorant 8
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 1 On way to turnersville pond
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 1
Killdeer 3
White-winged Dove 5
Mourning Dove 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
American Kestrel 1 On way to turnersville pond
Eastern Phoebe 1
American Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 1
Marsh Wren 1
Carolina Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Eastern Bluebird 2
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 20
Yellow-rumped Warbler 10
Vesper Sparrow 3
Savannah Sparrow 6
Song Sparrow 3
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 1
Red-winged Blackbird 150
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 1
Brewer’s Blackbird 3
Great-tailed Grackle 10
House Sparrow 3
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
February 24, 2015 at 7:31 pm
This trip was led by Dan Callaway.
Lake Pflugerville, Travis, US-TX
Feb 24, 2015 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Comments: Two people participated on this TAS field trip on a cold morning. Temperature 29 degrees, north wind 10 to 15 mph
34 species (+1 other taxa)
Blue-winged Teal 1
Northern Shoveler 4
Northern Pintail 15
Green-winged Teal 5
Canvasback 6
Redhead 8
Lesser Scaup 30
Bufflehead 2
Pied-billed Grebe 12
Neotropic Cormorant 1
Double-crested Cormorant 12
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 6
Northern Harrier 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Virginia Rail 1 Heard only
Sora 1 Heard only
American Coot 700
Killdeer 10
Wilson’s Snipe 10
Ring-billed Gull 100
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 30
Mourning Dove 40
Loggerhead Shrike 1
American Crow 1
European Starling 150
American Pipit 5
Common Yellowthroat 1
Savannah Sparrow 14
Swamp Sparrow 3
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 20
Great-tailed Grackle 50
House Sparrow 2
Deb Wallace says:
February 24, 2015 at 2:32 pm
Winter was back for this trip to Commons Ford. 13 of us came out to bird and were pleasantly surprised that the rain stopped and the wind died down, although the sun stayed hidden. It was a good walk. We had 10 species of sparrows, but the highlights were the 16 Wild Turkey (some displaying) and the Ringed Kingfisher.
Feb 22, 2015
Commons Ford Pk
Traveling
2.5 miles
210 Minutes
Observers: 12
All birds reported? Yes
Comments:
Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.8
4 Wood Duck
2 Mallard (Domestic type)
16 Wild Turkey
5 Great Blue Heron
1 Osprey
1 Cooper’s Hawk
1 Red-shouldered Hawk
2 Red-tailed Hawk
8 Ring-billed Gull
20 White-winged Dove
3 Mourning Dove
1 Ringed Kingfisher
1 Belted Kingfisher
5 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
1 Downy Woodpecker
4 Eastern Phoebe
1 Blue Jay
5 Western Scrub-Jay
6 Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
4 Carolina Wren
3 Bewick’s Wren
7 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
1 Eastern Bluebird
6 Northern Mockingbird
50 Cedar Waxwing
60 Yellow-rumped Warbler
4 Spotted Towhee
25 Chipping Sparrow
6 Field Sparrow
1 Vesper Sparrow
12 Savannah Sparrow
4 Fox Sparrow
7 Song Sparrow
15 Lincoln’s Sparrow
5 Harris’s Sparrow
18 White-crowned Sparrow
12 Northern Cardinal
10 Red-winged Blackbird
1 Eastern Meadowlark
1 Great-tailed Grackle
8 House Finch
30 Lesser Goldfinch
9 American Goldfinch
Terry Banks says:
February 20, 2015 at 6:26 pm
Pedernales Falls SP (HOTE 050), Blanco, US-TX
Feb 17, 2015 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Comments: This was an Audubon Field Trip to Pedernales Falls State Park led by Terry Banks and attended by Ray and Ginny Steelman, Joe Hood, Laura Danysh, Milton (her friend), Allison M., Eric and Shey Wicklund and David Stekoll. It was an overcast, cold 31 degrees when we arrived at the Ranger’s Station and birds that had been singing the week before during the nice weather were quiet and skulking. It was overcast and there was a bit of wind that made the day a little chillier than the actual temperature. We started out at the bird blind. We arrived before the park volunteer that feeds the birds had arrived, but the birds were there, nevertheless, waiting in hungry anticipation. A vocal mob of Western Scrub Jays seemed to be impatiently demanding their food, and Northern Cardinals were numerous – At any given time there were about 30 at the blind. Black Crested Titmice flew in and out, and House Finches were common. After the park host fed the birds even more birds came in, and all of us enjoyed watching what one of us called “Bird TV”. Later we took a walk on the horse trail behind the bird blind – I was trying to locate a Hutton’s vireo I had located the week before, but this day there was no vireo of any description. We walked to the pond that is along the path and spooked 4 Gadwalls. We also took a walk along the Pedernales River, finding a few birds here as well. The park was lovely and everyone enjoyed the scenic beauty. Our group was happy and gregarious and we had a very nice time birding. After the excursions at the park, 5 of us enjoyed a really nice lunch at Rolling in Thyme and Dough in Dripping Springs.
36 species
Gadwall (Anas strepera) 4 flushed from the duck pond along the horse trail
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) 10
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 2
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) 1 Flying over the Pedernales River
Inca Dove (Columbina inca) 4
Common Ground-Dove (Columbina passerina) 2 A pair of Common Ground Doves came to the bird blind and stayed in the back of the blind by the water feature.
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) 20
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes aurifrons) 2 One seen at the bird blind, another seen at the Pedernales River Trail
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Picoides scalaris) 5
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 1
Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriway) 4 Seen by Eric and Shey when they were driving into the park
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 1
Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica) 12
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 1 heard only
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 2
Black-crested Titmouse (Baeolophus atricristatus) 10
Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus) 1 One seen well in the bird blind
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 1 heard only
Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) 10
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) 10 We studied the Ruby Crowned Kinglets extra scrupulously because we were trying to find a Hutton’s Vireo’s, but all of the studied birds were unmistakably the Kinglets. We either heard the Kinglet Vocalization, saw the birds well, or were able to verify the species by the foraging behavior.
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 3
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 3
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 20
Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata) 1
Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) 3 Heard along the horse trail and seen at the bird blind
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) 5 seen with the flock of juncos
Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) 3
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) 1 by the duck pond
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 1 seen along the Pedernales River
Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) 3 Two seen well at the bird blind
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) 20 A flock of Juncos and Chipping Sparrows flew over the road – they had been roosting in nearby trees and unfortunately only three people in one of our cars got to see the flock. They were mostly the Slate-colored, but I did not see all members of the flock well.
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 30
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 30
Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) 2
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 2
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Deb Wallace says:
February 11, 2015 at 4:05 am
It felt like Spring today when 11 of us birded Commons Ford Ranch Park. We had some nice sparrows and woodpeckers and ended up with 42 species.
Feb 10, 2015
Commons Ford Pk
Traveling
2.2 miles
210 Minutes
Observers: 11
All birds reported? Yes
Comments:
Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.8
2 Pied-billed Grebe
1 Double-crested Cormorant
3 Great Blue Heron
1 Great Egret
2 Turkey Vulture
1 Red-shouldered Hawk
2 Red-tailed Hawk
1 American Coot
1 Killdeer
50 White-winged Dove
1 Mourning Dove
1 Belted Kingfisher
1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
7 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
1 Downy Woodpecker
6 Eastern Phoebe
1 American Crow
2 Carolina Chickadee
8 Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
3 Carolina Wren
2 Bewick’s Wren
3 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
3 Eastern Bluebird
1 American Robin
5 Northern Mockingbird
15 European Starling
10 Cedar Waxwing
2 Orange-crowned Warbler
50 Yellow-rumped Warbler
2 Spotted Towhee
6 Field Sparrow
8 Vesper Sparrow
2 Savannah Sparrow
2 Fox Sparrow
7 Song Sparrow
4 Lincoln’s Sparrow
2 Harris’s Sparrow
8 White-crowned Sparrow
12 Northern Cardinal
30 Red-winged Blackbird
4 House Finch
15 Lesser Goldfinch
10 American Goldfinch
Ken Zaslow says:
February 3, 2015 at 6:16 pm
Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, US-TX
Feb 3, 2015 7:30 AM – 10:15 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Nine people participated in this TAS field trip to Hornsby Bend on a cool, cloudy morning that ended with light rainfall. The temperature remained between 41-43 degrees and winds were calm. The birding around ponds 1 and 2 was pretty quiet, but things picked up on the River Trail on the west side of pond 3 where there was a lot of passerine activity.
49 species (+2 other taxa)
Gadwall 7
American Wigeon 5
Northern Shoveler 17
Green-winged Teal 20
Canvasback 1
Ring-necked Duck 1
Bufflehead 1
Ruddy Duck 5
Snowy Egret 3
Osprey 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Sora 1 Heard calling from a marshy area at the southern edge of Pond 3
American Coot 5
Killdeer 10
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Least Sandpiper 45
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 17
Mourning Dove 12
Ringed Kingfisher 1 Heard from the River Trail calling by the Colorado River west of Pond 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
Blue-headed Vireo 1
American Crow 4
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 4
Carolina Wren 5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 5
Eastern Bluebird 8
Hermit Thrush 2
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 8
Orange-crowned Warbler 4
Pine Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 25
Savannah Sparrow 4
Song Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 15
Red-winged Blackbird 85
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 6
Rusty Blackbird 7 Seen early in the morning in the company of Red-winged Blackbirds in the area around the CER parking lot and later in the morning on the western edge of Pond 3. The birds had unmarked tan breasts and a distinctive head pattern with rusty crown and pale supercilium. The iris was pale.
Common Grackle 3
Great-tailed Grackle 10
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Lesser Goldfinch 1 Heard only
American Goldfinch 2
House Sparrow 5
Barkley Meadows, Travis, US-TX
Jan 20, 2015 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Sixteen birders gathered for the Travis Audubon Society field trip. We covered the parking lot, picnic area, the trail downstream along Onion Creek, then back to the large pond east of the parking lot. Weather– fog early, then sunny and calm, temp- 40-66.
59 species (+1 other taxa)
Wood Duck 2
Gadwall 7
American Wigeon 40
Northern Shoveler 5
Northern Pintail 2
Green-winged Teal 8
Canvasback 4
Redhead 8
Ring-necked Duck 6
Lesser Scaup 15
Bufflehead 12
Ruddy Duck 50
Pied-billed Grebe 3
Double-crested Cormorant 35
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 2
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 3
Osprey 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 100
Least Sandpiper 2
Ring-billed Gull 6
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 75
White-winged Dove 2
Mourning Dove 24
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 3
Crested Caracara 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Loggerhead Shrike 1
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 10
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 4
Carolina Wren 5
Bewick’s Wren 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Eastern Bluebird 2
Hermit Thrush 1
Northern Mockingbird 5
European Starling 30
American Pipit 20
Cedar Waxwing 50
Orange-crowned Warbler 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 25
Vesper Sparrow 20
Savannah Sparrow 15
Song Sparrow 3
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 4
Northern Cardinal 15
Red-winged Blackbird 180
Common Grackle 100
Great-tailed Grackle 60
House Finch 10
Lesser Goldfinch 2
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 1
Ray Steelman says:
January 13, 2015 at 10:07 pm
Today we led a group of nine birders to the Granger area under overcast skies with temps ranging from a chilly 35 degrees up to a not so balmy 29. We searched the location of the recently reported striped sparrow but did not find it, however we did locate a red-headed woodpecker as a consolation prize. Highlights were several sand-hill cranes near Thrall, great looks at a very cooperative burrowing owl and good looks a several flocks of horned larks as well as distant views of a group of McCowns longspurs. We had a total of 52 species including a hundred or more great-tailed grackles in the parking lot of our Round Rock meetup location that are not included on the eBird report. The following is a complete list of birds seen :
Granger Lake Area (HOTE 031), Williamson, US-TX
Jan 12, 2015 9:50 PM – 2:50 AM
Protocol: Traveling
25.0 mile(s)
Comments: Travis Audubon field trip to the Granger in Williamson County, TX. Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.8
50 species (+1 other taxa)
Gadwall 9
American Wigeon 5
Mallard 3
Northern Shoveler 4
Green-winged Teal 4
Ring-necked Duck 1
Double-crested Cormorant 10
Great Blue Heron 3
Black Vulture X
Turkey Vulture X
Northern Harrier 3
Red-tailed Hawk 8
Sandhill Crane 60
Killdeer 40
Greater Yellowlegs 3
Ring-billed Gull 2
Eurasian Collared-Dove 6
Inca Dove 1
White-winged Dove 1
Mourning Dove 50
Burrowing Owl 1
Red-headed Woodpecker 1 Seen well by nine people in our group, photo upon request, all red head black back with white in wings bright white chest and belly. Observed along CR 361 near CR 428 in Hare, Williamson County, TX.
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Crested Caracara 5
American Kestrel 6
Eastern Phoebe 2
Loggerhead Shrike 5
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 4
Horned Lark 30
Carolina Chickadee 2
Carolina Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 40
McCown’s Longspur 20
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Vesper Sparrow 30
Savannah Sparrow 12
Fox Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 1
Harris’s Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow 12
Northern Cardinal 25
Red-winged Blackbird 22
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 300
Brewer’s Blackbird 40
Common Grackle 50
Brown-headed Cowbird 40
10 folks showed up to bird Circle Acres at 8 a.m., but some of us early birds birded Roy Guerrero for 30 minutes while we waited.
That checklist is below. Scroll down to see the checklist for Circle Acres itself.
Circle Acres is a 10 acre piece of land owned by Ecology Action and they are happy for birders to visit. It is a nice adjunct to Roy Guerrero, with a woodland wetland, and a fence row.
Austin–Roy Guerrero Pk, Travis, US-TX
Jan 6, 2015 7:38 AM – 8:05 AM
Protocol: Stationary
Comments: Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.5.3
22 species (+1 other taxa)
Black Vulture 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Ring-billed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 10
White-winged Dove 1
Mourning Dove 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Monk Parakeet 17
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 3
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 1
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
European Starling 4
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 1
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Great-tailed Grackle 1
American Goldfinch 1
Austin–Circle Acres, Travis, US-TX
Jan 6, 2015 8:06 AM – 10:12 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.6 mile(s)
Comments: Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.5.3
34 species (+1 other taxa)
Mallard 11
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
White-winged Dove 5
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 1
Crested Caracara 1
Monk Parakeet 5
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 1
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 1
House Wren 2
Carolina Wren 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Eastern Bluebird 1
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 4
Spotted Towhee 1
Chipping Sparrow 3
Field Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 3
White-throated Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 5
Red-winged Blackbird 23
Common Grackle 8
Great-tailed Grackle 1
House Finch 2
Lesser Goldfinch 1
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 1
Deb Wallace says:
December 8, 2014 at 1:24 am
On Tuesday, December 2nd, 10 of us went out to bird Doeskin Ranch at the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge. While we were looking for sparrows, the American Robins stole the show. Hundreds of them descended on Doeskin shortly after we arrived. They were chattering, singing and playing so that we could barely hear anything else! It was magical and became pretty hilarious, as they stayed all morning. We also had some nice sparrows, including Le Conte’s!
wallacel
Dec 2, 2014
Balcones Canyonlands NWR–Doeskin Ranch
Traveling
3 miles
240 Minutes
Observers: 10
All birds reported? Yes
Comments:
Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.7.6
1 Turkey Vulture
1 Sharp-shinned Hawk
1 Red-tailed Hawk
1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
1 American Crow
3 Common Raven
4 Carolina Chickadee
5 Black-crested Titmouse
2 Carolina Wren
1 Bewick’s Wren
4 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
2 Hermit Thrush
750 American Robin
7 Northern Mockingbird
30 Cedar Waxwing
10 Spotted Towhee
40 Chipping Sparrow
10 Field Sparrow
12 Vesper Sparrow
5 Savannah Sparrow
1 Grasshopper Sparrow
1 Le Conte’s Sparrow
7 Song Sparrow
12 Lincoln’s Sparrow
5 White-throated Sparrow
1 White-crowned Sparrow
2 Northern Cardinal
200 Red-winged Blackbird
1 House Finch
4 American Goldfinch
Deb Wallace says:
December 8, 2014 at 1:10 am
We had 19 folks show up on Sunday, the 30th, for the November Commons Ford Ranch monthly bird walk. It was a little more intense than our regular walks, as we were looking for the rarities that had been reported on during Thanksgiving week. While we didn’t find any Purple Finches, we did get good looks at the Palm Warbler and we had some other nice birds. A good time was had by all! The bird list is as follows:
wallacel
Nov 30, 2014
Commons Ford Pk
Traveling
2 miles
210 Minutes
Observers: 19
All birds reported? Yes
Comments:
Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.7.6
6 Wood Duck
1 Pied-billed Grebe
1 Double-crested Cormorant
1 Great Blue Heron
1 Black Vulture
1 Turkey Vulture
2 Osprey
1 Sharp-shinned Hawk
2 Cooper’s Hawk
2 Red-tailed Hawk
1 American Kestrel
1 American Coot
1 Ring-billed Gull
200 White-winged Dove
3 Mourning Dove
1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
2 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
1 Downy Woodpecker
2 Eastern Phoebe
1 Blue Jay
1 American Crow
1 Carolina Chickadee
2 Black-crested Titmouse
3 Carolina Wren
1 Bewick’s Wren
2 House Wren
2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
12 Eastern Bluebird
1 Hermit Thrush
5 Northern Mockingbird
15 Cedar Waxwing
8 Yellow-rumped Warbler
1 Palm Warbler — Brownish bird with yellow under tail coverts, light eyebrow and bobbing tail. Foraging on ground.
3 Spotted Towhee
1 Rufous-crowned Sparrow
3 Chipping Sparrow
3 Vesper Sparrow
2 Savannah Sparrow
1 Fox Sparrow
4 Song Sparrow
6 Lincoln’s Sparrow
1 White-throated Sparrow
3 Harris’s Sparrow
6 White-crowned Sparrow
6 Northern Cardinal
15 Red-winged Blackbird
6 Great-tailed Grackle
15 House Finch
12 Lesser Goldfinch
24 American Goldfinch
Judith Bailey says:
December 7, 2014 at 2:18 am
Virginia Rose and Judith Bailey led the Beginner’s Bird Walk at Brushy Creek Lake Park on 12-6-2014; 15 other birders joined the fun. We had a good variety of passerines and waterfowl. We saw or heard 35 species with the highlights being a Merlin harassing Meadowlarks in the field, a Belted Kingfisher close to shore and an Osprey hovering over the lake looking for prey. Many thanks to Michael and George for the share observations.
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
Lesser Scaup
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Merlin
American Coot
Killdeer
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Loggerhead Shrike
Blue Jay
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Carolina Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Meadowlark sp.
Great-tailed Grackle
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
Ray Steelman says:
November 25, 2014 at 10:17 pm
Today (11-25) Ginny and Ray Steelman led eight fellow birders to Tejas Camp in Williamson County followed by a quick trip to Meadow Lake Park in Round Rock in search of the reported Western Grebes that five us us decided to try. Unfortunately we struck out on the Grebes but did find several species of waterfowl. Tejas yielded nine species of sparrows including eight fox sparrows and seven Harris’ Sparrows and two Golden-crowned Kinglets. The weather was chilly in the AM and mid sixties after lunch under cloudless skies. The total species list was sixty three:
Nov 25, 2014
Tejas Camp (Williamson Co.) (HOTE 030)
Traveling
3 miles
240 Minutes
Observers: 8
All birds reported? Yes
Comments:
Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.8
1 Double-crested Cormorant
X Black Vulture
X Turkey Vulture
1 Sharp-shinned Hawk
1 Red-shouldered Hawk
2 Red-tailed Hawk
1 Crested Caracara
1 American Kestrel
1 Spotted Sandpiper
8 White-winged Dove
10 Mourning Dove
1 Belted Kingfisher
2 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
1 Downy Woodpecker
1 Northern Flicker
3 Eastern Phoebe
3 Blue Jay
5 American Crow
8 Carolina Chickadee
1 Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
3 Carolina Wren
1 Bewick’s Wren
1 House Wren
1 Winter Wren
2 Golden-crowned Kinglet
6 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
2 Eastern Bluebird
75 American Robin
5 Northern Mockingbird
1 Yellow-rumped Warbler
5 Spotted Towhee
6 Field Sparrow
5 Vesper Sparrow
1 Savannah Sparrow
8 Fox Sparrow
1 Song Sparrow
5 Lincoln’s Sparrow
5 White-throated Sparrow
7 Harris’s Sparrow
8 White-crowned Sparrow
12 Northern Cardinal
100 Red-winged Blackbird
1 House Finch
5 Lesser Goldfinch
5 American Goldfinch
Meadow Lake, Williamson, US-TX
Nov 25, 2014 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.8
19 species
Gadwall 1
American Wigeon 1
Canvasback 90
Ring-necked Duck 8
Lesser Scaup 2
Bufflehead 20
Ruddy Duck 25
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 6
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 15
Snowy Egret 2
Turkey Vulture 5
Cooper’s Hawk 1
American Coot 55
Ring-billed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 20
Loggerhead Shrike 1
Great-tailed Grackle 6
Dennis Palafox says:
November 24, 2014 at 3:45 am
Dennis Palafox and Jane Tillman lead a group of 12 hearty souls on a field trip to Laguna Gloria and Mayfield Preserve on November 22, 2014, from 7:30 to about 11:00. The distance walked was approximately 0.5 miles at each location. Weather was overcast and drizzly with an occasional rain shower. We saw 30 species at Laguna Gloria and 19 species at Mayfield Preserve. We were also treated to some beautiful fall colors. A list of the birds seen at each location follows.
Laguna Gloria
Wood Duck 3
Mallard (Domestic type) 6
Great Egret 1
Osprey 2
American Coot 1
Spotted Sandpiper 1
White-winged Dove 70
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 1
Carolina Chickadee 1
Black-crested Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 3
Bewick’s Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 15
Orange-crowned Warbler 3
Common Yellowthroat 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 2
Great-tailed Grackle 15
House Finch 6
Lesser Goldfinch 3
House Sparrow 15
Mayfield Preserve
Great Blue Heron 1
White-winged Dove 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
American Crow 10
Carolina Chickadee 3
Black-crested Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Hermit Thrush 2
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 2
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Northern Cardinal 2
House Finch 1
Lesser Goldfinch 6
American Goldfinch 12
Ken Zaslow for Terry Banks says:
November 20, 2014 at 10:34 pm
Reimer Ranch, Travis, US-TX
Nov 18, 2014 10:35 AM – 1:35 PM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Thirteen people participated on this scheduled Travis Audubon field trip.
One of the first birds seen was a delightful Canyon Towhee that was found by Buffie
Eicher. This bird was hanging around the entrance station with other
sparrows such as Rufous crowned, Lincoln’s, White Crowned, and Chipping
Sparrows. After birding this very birdy entrance we drove to the
Equestrian trail to try to find the Long Billed or Curve Billed Thrasher
(I forget) that was hanging around at the area. All 13 of us traipsed
around the dry creekbed and by the parking lot trying to find the bird,
but probably frightened the bird off – there were other sparrows and
quite a few of the colorful Western Scrub Jays, but no Thrasher.
Undaunted we drove to the river and had a nice picnic lunch along the
river. Although this area was not as birdy as it could have been, it
was a beautiful place and we walked along the river for about an hour
just enjoying the seclusion and beauty of this place along the
Pedernales River.
31 species (+3 other taxa)
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) 30
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 5
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 2 A light pair circling above
the river and property, flying close together.
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 1
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 1 heard only by the river
Melanerpes sp. (Melanerpes sp.) 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Picoides scalaris) 1
Merlin (Falco columbarius) 1 Unfortunately not every one in the
group got to see this bird that made a quick fly by while half of us
were taking a bathroom break. Many a good bird sightings can be missed
by taking this break. You have to ask – bathroom or birding?
Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica) 5
Cave Swallow (Petrochelidon fulva) 1
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 2
Black-crested Titmouse (Baeolophus atricristatus) 2
Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus) 2 heard only
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) 1
Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) 6
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) 4
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 10
Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) 4
Spotted/Eastern Towhee (Rufous-sided Towhee) (Pipilo
maculatus/erythrophthalmus) 2
Rufous-crowned Sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps) 4 Both seen at close
range and heard from a distance.
Canyon Towhee (Melozone fusca) 2
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) 20 This number is an estimate
– sparrows seemed to be everywhere and chipping were common. There were
probably more than this.
Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) 30 Again, an estimate. Field
Sparrows were also common.
Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus) 4
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) 1
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 4 Both vocalizing and seen from a
distance across the river.
Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) 1
White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) 30 Along with the
Chipping and Field, one of the most numerous birds – often either
singing or vocalizing with chip notes.
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 2
Western/Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta/magna) 20 flying
about the property but not vocalizing
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 2
Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) 6
jeff patterson for Christian Walker says:
November 15, 2014 at 7:48 pm
Hello,
I led the Hornsby Bend bird walk with Jean Martin, Stan Van Standt and others
this morning and we found a lot of birds. The ponds were relatively quiet, but
Platt Lane was super busy. Some in our group took a picture of a female Purple
Finch which I did not see?jealous. Definitely the highlight of the day, but
other good birds along Platt were both Blue-headed and White-eyed Vireos, good
numbers of sparrows including 2 Dark-eyed Juncos, great looks at a
Golden-crowned Kinglet, and a Cave Swallow along the river. Platt was amazingly
birdy – we spent two hours just walking from the abandoned house to the river.
The ponds had good numbers of ducks, mainly shovelers, with 2 Bufflehead, some
Lesser Scaup, and a Ring-necked Duck. Also great looks at Wilson?s Snipes.
Good birding,
Christian Walker
Austin 512 431 2495
Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, US-TX
Nov 15, 2014 7:20 AM – 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Leading the Hornsby Bend bird walk with Jean Martin. Overcast,
0-5 mph E, around 45 degrees F.
42 species (+2 other taxa)
Gadwall 8
American Wigeon 4
Northern Shoveler 650
Green-winged Teal 90
Ring-necked Duck 1
Lesser Scaup 10
Bufflehead 2
Ruddy Duck 30
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Black Vulture 2
American Coot 3
Killdeer 13
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 30
Wilson’s Snipe 4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 2
Mourning Dove 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Crested Caracara 1
American Kestrel 1
Monk Parakeet 13
Eastern Phoebe 7
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 4
Loggerhead Shrike 1
Blue Jay 1
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
Carolina Wren 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Eastern Bluebird 2
Hermit Thrush 2
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 15
American Pipit 3
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 25
Savannah Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 6
Red-winged Blackbird 35
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 3
Great-tailed Grackle 35
House Sparrow 2
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
November 12, 2014 at 3:18 am
This trip was led by Dan Callaway.
Northeast Metro Park (Travis Co.), Travis, US-TX
Nov 11, 2014 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Twelve birders braved the 46 degree, cloudy, windy day. The arctic cold front hit about 6 a.m. dropping the temp quickly from a nice 63 degrees. This was a Travis Audubon field trip that was supposed to last 4 hours. Most folks left at 10. The leader continued by driving by the ponds and ball fields for a half hour.
27 species (+2 other taxa)
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 13
Turkey Vulture 5
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 55
White-winged Dove 75
Mourning Dove 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 2
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 8
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Eastern Bluebird 2
American Robin 1
European Starling 25
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 35
White-throated Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 3
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 1
Great-tailed Grackle 200
House Finch 1
Ray Steelman says:
October 28, 2014 at 6:38 pm
Sixteen birders ventured to Lake Devine in Leander, Williamson County under overcast skies and temperatures in the mid to upper 60’s. Although the morning started off slow we were able to to find a total of forty-one species including several newly arriving ducks. The ebird list is detailed below:
Devine Lake Pk, Williamson, US-TX
Oct 28, 2014 8:19 AM – 10:19 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.8
41 species
Gadwall 2
American Wigeon 12
Blue-winged Teal 25
Green-winged Teal 10
Redhead 20
Ring-necked Duck 6
Ruddy Duck 5
Pied-billed Grebe 4
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
White-faced Ibis 5
Black Vulture 4
Turkey Vulture 4
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 3
American Coot 100
Killdeer 18
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Least Sandpiper 8
Wilson’s Snipe 15
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 15
Eurasian Collared-Dove 1
Mourning Dove 5
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 1
Bewick’s Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Northern Mockingbird 10
European Starling 7
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Great-tailed Grackle 8
House Finch 2
Lesser Goldfinch 7
Dennis Palafox lead a group of 13 birders on a field trip to Camp Mabry on October 19, 2014, from 7:45 to about 11:10. The distance walked was approximately 1.5 miles. Weather was partly cloudy with a light southerly breeze. In addition to seeing 35 bird species a highlight of the trip was an area with frostweed that attracted a large number of butterflies including Dusky Blue Groundstreak, Monarchs (12), Queen, Painted Lady, Hackberry Emperors (12), Tawny Emperors, Question Mark, Variegated Fritillary, Gulf Fritillary, and Sulphur species. A list of the birds seen follows:
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Green Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 2
Wood Duck 3
Blue-winged Teal 1
Cooper’s Hawk 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Coot 1
White-winged Dove 5
Mourning Dove 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker (HO) 1
Eastern Phoebe 10
Blue Jay 7
American Crow (HO) 1
Carolina Chickadee 4
Black-crested Titmouse 4
Carolina Wren 5
Bewick’s Wren 1
House Wren 2
Ruby-crowned kinglet (HO) 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (HO) 2
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 5
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Nashville Warbler 2
Lark Sparrow 2
Lincoln Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 10
Meadowlark sp. 1
Great-tailed Grackle 20
House Sparrow 1
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
October 21, 2014 at 9:45 pm
Georgetown- Berry Springs Park, Williamson, US-TX
Oct 21, 2014 7:45 AM – 12:45 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Travis Audubon Society super-Tuesday field trip. Sixteen birders amassed together to enjoy a morning of birding. This trip was scheduled long before the rarity had been sighted, a Great Kiskadee. Therefore all 32 ears had been pre-tuned in anticipation. Weather- clear and calm, 54 to 78 degrees.
40 species (+5 other taxa)
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 2
Turkey Vulture 3
Accipiter sp. 1
Killdeer 4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 25
Inca Dove 4
White-winged Dove 75
Mourning Dove 6
Red-bellied Woodpecker 8
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 4
Crested Caracara 2
small falcon sp. 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
Great Kiskadee 1 About 9 a.m. we all heard it calling and a few saw it. At 12:10, it returned to the area above the lake and perched in the top of a pecan tree. It was yellow underneath, rust colored on the back and wings. It had a heavy black line through the eye and a black cap. the eyebrow was white and met in the back of the head. White or very light yellow throat.
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 9
Loggerhead Shrike 2
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 6
Common Raven 1
Carolina Chickadee 12
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 1
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 3
Carolina Wren 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 7
Eastern Bluebird 18
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 7
European Starling 6
Orange-crowned Warbler 3
Nashville Warbler 1
Chipping Sparrow 6
Song Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
White-crowned Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 5
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 5
Common Grackle 25
Great-tailed Grackle 5
House Finch 7
Lesser Goldfinch 16
Ken Zaslow says:
October 14, 2014 at 10:00 pm
Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, US-TX
Oct 4, 2014 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Thirteen people joined this TAS bird walk at Hornsby Bend on a glorious Autumn morning. We birded the ponds area as well as a short trip to the Upper Island viewing spot. The beginning temperature was 55 degrees and the ending temperature was 68 degrees. The sky was sunny and perfectly clear and the winds ranged from calm to 10mph. Aside from the birds listed below there were a great number of butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies present. We did not see the previously reported Red-necked Phalarope.
47 species (+3 other taxa)
Roy Guerrero Park, Travis, US-TX
Oct 7, 2014 7:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Comments: Twelve people participated on this Travis Audubon Society field trip to Roy Guerrero Park. The weather was warm with temperatures ranging from 73 degrees at the beginning to 85 degrees at the end. The day began with an overcast sky and progressed to mostly sunny conditions by mid-morning. Winds were light from 5-10 mph. Highlights were the variety of woodpeckers, raptors and wading birds seen.
47 species (+4 other taxa)
Wood Duck 2
Mallard (Domestic type) 2
Green-winged Teal 7
Pied-billed Grebe 3
Double-crested Cormorant 7
cormorant sp. 1
Great Blue Heron 6
Great Egret 14
Snowy Egret 18
Little Blue Heron 3
White Ibis 1
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 3
Osprey 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 3
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 1
Killdeer 6
Spotted Sandpiper 5
Least Sandpiper 17
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 230
White-winged Dove 25
Mourning Dove 18
Chimney Swift 2
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 4
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 6
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 4
Northern Flicker 1
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Couch’s Kingbird 4 The birds were clearly visible about 60 feet away at the top of a cluster of trees on the trail between the “secret” beach area and the Longhorn Dam area. They had gray heads, bright green backs and brownish tails. The underside was bright yellow and the yellow reached all the way up to top of the breast adjacent to the white throat. The bill was black and large. We had excellent binocular and scope views.
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 2
Loggerhead Shrike 1
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 3
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 3
House Wren 2
Carolina Wren 7
Bewick’s Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Northern Mockingbird 9
European Starling 5
Nashville Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 9
Great-tailed Grackle 21
House Finch 4
Lesser Goldfinch 1
Deb Wallace says:
September 23, 2014 at 6:43 pm
The first day of Fall is a great time to bird Commons Ford Ranch Park. Eight of us came out and had a great time. While not everyone heard the Eastern Whip-poor-wills, all did see the Canada Warbler! We had 32 species, including 6 Warbler species.
St. Edwards Pk (NW Austin), Travis, US-TX
Sep 16, 2014 7:30 AM – 9:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Thirteen people participated on this Travis Audubon field trip. The birds were hard to find today except for the ever present vocalizing Wrens, Cardinals, and White-eyed Vireos. The weather was typical of mid-September in Austin with sunny skies and temperatures from the upper 70’s to the mid 80’s. The wind was calm.
25 species (+1 other taxa)
Green Heron 1
Black Vulture 3
Mississippi Kite 1 Seen flying high over the parking lot at the end of the trip
Sharp-shinned/Cooper’s Hawk 1 Seen at a distance flying over Bull Creek
Broad-winged Hawk 1 Seen flying high over the parking lot at the end of the trip
White-winged Dove 16
Chimney Swift 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1 Heard only
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
White-eyed Vireo 19
Red-eyed Vireo 1 Heard only
Blue Jay 1 Heard only
Carolina Chickadee 3
Black-crested Titmouse 4
Carolina Wren 14
Bewick’s Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 5
Northern Mockingbird 1
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 1
Field Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 22
Common Grackle 2 Seen flying over the parking lot before the trip began
Lesser Goldfinch 7
Judith Bailey says:
September 10, 2014 at 1:35 am
On Saturday, 9-6-14, the first fall Beginning Birders’ Walk at Riata Pond started at 7:30 AM; 14 people gathered to look for our feathered friends. We had good scope views of a Great Blue, a Green and 3 Yellow-crowned Night-Herons. A Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and a Yellow Warble were easily seen; plus, a White-eyed Vireo showed it’s self up close so everyone got to see it’s white eye. But, the best birds of the day were 3 Baltimore Orioles that popped up as we were heading to the parking lot. 32 species were seen.
Judith Bailey and Virginia Rose
Mallard (F)
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
Black Vulture
Cooper’s Hawk
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Red-bellied Woodpecker (H)
Downy Woodpecker
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
White-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Carolina Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Yellow Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Painted Bunting (F)
Great-tailed Grackle
Baltimore Oriole
Lesser Goldfinch (H)
House Sparrow
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
September 9, 2014 at 9:11 pm
Champion Park (Williamson Co.), Williamson, US-TX
Sep 9, 2014 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: A group of 12 birders from Travis Audubon Society gathered at the entrance to the park and hiked Brushy Creek trail upstream to the dam overlooking the small lake. Weather was calm and clear with temp ranging from 73 to 83 degrees.
36 species (+2 other taxa)
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 12
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 2 Juvenile determined by noticing the legs being black in front and light green behind.
Green Heron 1
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 5
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Killdeer 2
White-winged Dove 40
Mourning Dove 7
Chimney Swift 3
hummingbird sp. 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Merlin 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
White-eyed Vireo 4
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 3
Barn Swallow 1
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
Carolina Wren 5
Bewick’s Wren 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 One good birder reported seeing this bird. It is not uncommon to begin seeing this species here by mid-September according to the local checklist.
Northern Mockingbird 5
Yellow Warbler 7
Lark Sparrow 4
Northern Cardinal 3
Baltimore Oriole 4
House Finch 1
Lesser Goldfinch 8
House Sparrow 7
14 participants attended the first two hour Tuesday of the fall. Some members got there early and had a nice Red-shouldered Hawk in the scope for those who got there closer to 7:30. Yellow Warblers on the move, and good diversity of species. Birded the ponds, then down by pond 3, then Upper Island View.
Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, US-TX
Aug 26, 2014 7:00 AM – 10:24 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Comments: Travis Audubon 2 hr Tuesday. 14 people Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.5.3
57 species (+4 other taxa)
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 11
Blue-winged Teal 2
Great Egret 2
Snowy Egret 1
Cattle Egret 37
Green Heron 4
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Black-necked Stilt 5
Killdeer 25
Spotted Sandpiper 6
Upland Sandpiper 1
Stilt Sandpiper 1
Baird’s Sandpiper 3
Least Sandpiper 40
Pectoral Sandpiper 2
Western Sandpiper 1
peep sp. 175
Wilson’s Phalarope 3
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 125
White-winged Dove 6
Mourning Dove 10
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Chimney Swift 2
Black-chinned Hummingbird 2
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 2
Crested Caracara 2
Monk Parakeet 1
Empidonax sp. 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 7
Loggerhead Shrike 2
White-eyed Vireo 5
Blue Jay 2
Purple Martin 2
Barn Swallow 150
Cave Swallow 2
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
Carolina Wren 6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Eastern Bluebird 1
Northern Mockingbird 5
European Starling 12
Yellow Warbler 4
Northern Cardinal 5
Painted Bunting 2 One female and one juvie
Red-winged Blackbird 40
Common Grackle 2
Great-tailed Grackle 30
Orchard Oriole 3
House Finch 1
Lesser Goldfinch 2
House Sparrow 1
Shelia Hargis says:
August 17, 2014 at 8:23 pm
On August 17, 2014, Laurie Foss and I were joined by 10 great birders for a wonderful morning birding Commons Ford Park. Cloud cover and a light wind made the day quite pleasant. Young birds challenged us both by sight and sound. And even as our breeding birds were still busy raising their young, other species were already on their way south. We had an early Wilson’s Warbler and three Yellow Warblers. It was grand!
Below is our list of species. The breeding codes don’t show up in the email format yet, so if you’re interested in seeing all the info for the species, follow the link at the bottom.
Shelia Hargis
Commons Ford Pk, Travis, US-TX
Aug 17, 2014 7:07 AM – 10:57 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.25 mile(s)
Comments: Travis Audubon monthly field trip.Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.7.6
34 species (+5 other taxa)
Northern Bobwhite 1 Seen in the field near the Chimney Swift tower.
Green Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 3
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1 Both RTHA’s were flying near each other near the river. One was ID’d to subpecies. One was not.
Red-tailed Hawk (Fuertes’s) 1 Was able to ID one RTHA to subspecies. Mostly white underneath, black trailing edge on wings, black tips on primaries, black “commas”, dark patagial marks, brown hood (unable to determine if complete hood or not), no belly band, red tail.
White-winged Dove 20
Mourning Dove 20
Greater Roadrunner 2
Chimney Swift 30
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 4
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 2
Melanerpes sp. 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 5
Eastern Phoebe 4
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
White-eyed Vireo 8 2 begging from an adult.
American Crow 1
Purple Martin 2
Barn Swallow 15
Cliff/Cave Swallow 200
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 3
Carolina Wren 9
Bewick’s Wren 3 Immature still with yellow gape.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 8
Northern Mockingbird 5
Northern Parula 1 Heard only once right before we ended the field trip at the parking lot.
Yellow Warbler 3
Wilson’s Warbler 1 Chunky body, short tail, bright yellow underside, black cap. Foraging quickly near the top of a tree near a Lesser Goldfinch. ID confirmed by several experienced birders.
Field Sparrow 2
Lark Sparrow 4
Summer Tanager 10 One adult male observed eating a wasp. His tail was very short as if he had lost his tail feathers and new ones were starting to grow.
Northern Cardinal 13
Blue Grosbeak 1
Orchard Oriole 1
House Finch 12
Lesser Goldfinch 35 Two begging from adult.
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Deb Wallace says:
May 27, 2014 at 5:01 pm
Seventeen of us went out to bird Commons Ford Ranch Park. The birds were good, but we spent quite some time oohing and aahing over how wonderful the prairie looked! And it was the place to be for Painted Buntings!
May 6, 2014
Commons Ford Pk
Traveling
3 miles
240 Minutes
Observers: 11
All birds reported? Yes
Comments:
Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.7.1
2 Wood Duck
3 Northern Bobwhite
2 Wild Turkey
4 Great Blue Heron
1 Green Heron
4 Black Vulture
2 Turkey Vulture
1 Red-tailed Hawk
4 White-winged Dove
10 Mourning Dove
1 Chuck-will’s-widow
4 Chimney Swift
2 Ruby-throated Hummingbird
3 Golden-fronted Woodpecker
3 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
1 Downy Woodpecker
5 Eastern Phoebe
2 Great Crested Flycatcher
3 Western Kingbird
4 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
3 White-eyed Vireo
1 Blue Jay
8 Barn Swallow
3 Carolina Chickadee
4 Black-crested Titmouse
3 Carolina Wren
6 Bewick’s Wren
2 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
2 Eastern Bluebird
18 Northern Mockingbird
20 Cedar Waxwing
3 Northern Parula
1 Wilson’s Warbler
1 Rufous-crowned Sparrow
4 Clay-colored Sparrow
8 Lark Sparrow
1 Savannah Sparrow
2 Summer Tanager
20 Northern Cardinal
12 Painted Bunting
1 Dickcissel
7 Great-tailed Grackle
2 Bronzed Cowbird
6 Orchard Oriole
3 House Finch
25 Lesser Goldfinch
Deb Wallace says:
May 27, 2014 at 4:56 pm
Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge is gorgeous in the springtime. Ten of us birded it on April 13th and had nice birds, including the stars of the Refuge – Golden-cheeked Warbler and Black-capped Vireo!
Apr 13, 2014
Balcones Canyonlands NWR–Simons Tract
Traveling
0.25 miles
30 Minutes
Observers: 10
All birds reported? Yes
Comments:
Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.7.1
1 Red-tailed Hawk
1 Eastern Screech-Owl
2 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
2 Vermilion Flycatcher
2 White-eyed Vireo
2 Northern Mockingbird
6 Lark Sparrow
5 White-crowned Sparrow
Ken Zaslow says:
May 20, 2014 at 7:44 pm
Webberville Park (Big & Little) (HOTE 035), Travis, US-TX
May 20, 2014 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: Twelve people participated on this TAS field trip to the big Webberville Park in eastern Travis County. The weather for mid-May was very pleasant with beginning temperature of 70 degrees and ending temperature of 75 degrees. The sky was partly cloudy and winds were variable from 5 to 20 mph. We had good looks at many of the local summer residents such as Summer Tanager, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Painted Bunting, Eastern Kingbird, Great-crested Flycatcher, and Dicksissel. Prothonotary Warbler was not seen or heard.
40 species (+3 other taxa)
Wood Duck 4
Cattle Egret 9
Green Heron 3
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 1
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Killdeer 3
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 7
Eurasian Collared-Dove 2
White-winged Dove 27
Mourning Dove 6
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2
Greater Roadrunner 1
Common Nighthawk 1 Seen at Little Webberville Park at about 6:40 a.m. before the trip began.
hummingbird sp. 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 3
Crested Caracara 3
Olive-sided Flycatcher 1
Empidonax sp. 2
Eastern Phoebe 3
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Eastern Kingbird 2
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 7
White-eyed Vireo 3
American Crow 3
Barn Swallow 4
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 5
Carolina Wren 6
Eastern Bluebird 4
Northern Mockingbird 7
European Starling 4
Lark Sparrow 5
Summer Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 11
Painted Bunting 4
Dickcissel 3
Great-tailed Grackle 5
Brown-headed Cowbird 3
Orchard Oriole 1
House Finch 1
Dennis Palafox says:
May 6, 2014 at 1:19 pm
Dennis Palafox lead a group of 9 birders on a field trip to Camp Mabry on May 3, 2014, from 7:45 to about 11:10. The distance walked was approximately 1 mile. It was a good day birding as we saw 50 species. A peninsula into the largest pond on the property was very productive. A highlight of the trip was a very cooperative Prothonotary Warbler who allowed us to take many photos. A list of the birds seen follows:
Sat., May 3
Beautiful day at Berry Springs! George Kerr and Virginia Rose and eight others enjoyed this pretty pecan grove and saw nearly 50 birds! Best sighting may have been a red-shouldered hawk flying low with a 2-foot dangling snake over our heads.
Brown headed cowbird
Pied-billed grebe
Duck species
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Green Heron
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Mississippi Kite
Red-shouldered Hawk
Killdeer
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Archilochus species
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
White-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Purple Martin
Barn Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Titmouse species
Carolina Wren
Eastern Bluebird
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Nashville Warbler
American Redstart (just V & G)
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Clay-colored Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Summer Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Painted Bunting (just G)
Red-winged Blackbird
Great-tailed Grackle
Orchard Oriole
Lesser Goldfinch
House Sparrow
House finch
Roy Guerrero Park, Travis, US-TX
Apr 29, 2014 6:30 AM – 10:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.5 mile(s)
Comments: Fifteen people participated on this TAS field trip to Roy Guerrero Park. It was a beautiful Spring day with temperatures between 65-75 degrees. The sky was sunny and the winds which were from the north varied from 5-15 mph.
67 species (+5 other taxa)
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 1
Blue-winged Teal 17
Northern Shoveler 8
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Great Blue Heron 4
Great Egret 2
Snowy Egret 1
Little Blue Heron 1
Cattle Egret 22
Green Heron 1
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 5
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Spotted Sandpiper 6
Lesser Yellowlegs 1
Least Sandpiper 9
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 30
Eurasian Collared-Dove 1
White-winged Dove 10
Mourning Dove 8
Common Nighthawk 1 Heard in the parking lot before the trip started
Chimney Swift 7
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Crested Caracara 2
Monk Parakeet 6
Empidonax sp. 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 5
Western Kingbird 4
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 3
White-eyed Vireo 5
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 12
Purple Martin 6
Barn Swallow 5
Cliff Swallow 35
Cave Swallow 12
swallow sp. 25
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 3
Carolina Wren 23
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 5
Eastern Bluebird 1
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 9
American Pipit 14
Cedar Waxwing 45
Black-and-white Warbler 1 Heard only
Nashville Warbler 2
Chipping Sparrow 2
Clay-colored Sparrow 19
Lark Sparrow 2
Savannah Sparrow 4
White-crowned Sparrow 2
Summer Tanager 2
Northern Cardinal 33
Indigo Bunting 1
Painted Bunting 10
Red-winged Blackbird 4
Great-tailed Grackle 9
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Baltimore Oriole 1
blackbird sp. 45 Flying over
Lesser Goldfinch 7
American Goldfinch 25
Ray and Ginny Steelman says:
April 22, 2014 at 8:43 pm
Today April 21 we led 10 other birders along Booty’s Road Park in Georgetown. We had excellent weather with moderate temps and low wind. Highlights included an air show put on by several migrating hawks including a broad-winged hawk doing aerobatics while feeding on the wing and a great views of a flyover peregrine falcon. At Georgetown Dam we had both rock and canyon wrens, a rufous-crowned sparrow and nesting northern-rough-winged swallows. We had a total of 46 species as follows:
45 species (+1 other taxa) total
1 Great Blue Heron
1 Little Blue Heron
15 Black Vulture
5 Turkey Vulture
1 Sharp-shinned Hawk
1 Cooper’s Hawk
1 Broad-winged Hawk
1 Red-tailed Hawk
1 Peregrine Falcon
1 Spotted Sandpiper
5 White-winged Dove
12 Mourning Dove
2 Black-chinned Hummingbird
1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 Peregrine Falcon
1 Eastern Phoebe
1 Great Crested Flycatcher
8 White-eyed Vireo
1 Warbling Vireo
8 Red-eyed Vireo
1 Blue Jay
2 American Crow
18 Northern Rough-winged Swallow
7 Cliff Swallow
4 Carolina Chickadee
4 Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
1 Rock Wren
2 Canyon Wren
3 Carolina Wren
2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
1 Northern Mockingbird
25 Cedar Waxwing
1 Black-and-white Warbler
1 Orange-crowned Warbler
3 Nashville Warbler
2 Spotted Towhee
1 Rufous-crowned Sparrow
4 Lark Sparrow
1 Savannah Sparrow
1 Lincoln’s Sparrow
1 White-throated Sparrow
23 Northern Cardinal
1 Blue Grosbeak
2 Great-tailed Grackle
1 Brown-headed Cowbird
3 House Finch
11 Lesser Goldfinch
George Kerr says:
April 19, 2014 at 11:22 pm
Hornsby Bend, April 19
Claude Morris and I led 17 birders on the monthly Hornsby walk. It was a beautiful, sunny day that started out slightly cool with ground fog that quickly burned off. Except for the pecans, all the trees were freshly and fully leafed out making the woods a vibrant green. We puzzled over a warbler song that we heard many times until we finally got a cooperative Nashville Warbler. Other highlights were Cedar Waxwings close up, singing Summer Tanagers, Indigo Bunting (female), White-eyed Vireo singing in plain view, singing Red-eyed vireo briefly seen, Eastern Kingbird, fairly close Wilson’s Snipe, and a group of Least and Pectoral Sandpipers that did not mind that we were no more than 20 feet away. We dipped on several expected as well as hoped-for species, but still tallied 54.
Blue-winged Teal
Northern Shoveler
Ruddy Duck
Eared Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Snowy Egret
Cattle Egret
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Red-shouldered Hawk
Swainson’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
American Coot
Greater Yellowlegs
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper
Wilson’s Snipe
Franklin’s Gull
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Owl species (large)
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Kingbird
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Loggerhead Shrike
White-eyed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Purple Martin
Cliff Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Carolina Wren
Eastern Bluebird
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Orange-crowned Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Savannah Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow (HO)
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Indigo Bunting
Red-winged Blackbird
Great-tailed Grackle
House Finch
House Sparrow
Ken Zaslow for Terry Banks says:
April 16, 2014 at 9:42 pm
Bastrop and Buescher State Parks, Bastrop, US-TX
Apr 15, 2014 6:45 AM – 2:15 PM
Protocol: Traveling
15.0 mile(s)
Comments: 12 members of Travis Audubon participated in this field trip. It was an unusually cool day for mid-April – the day before it
had been windy and raining, and on our birding day the temperature was about 39degrees Fahrenheit in the morning. It did warm up to about 66 degrees, and it was a sunny day with 5-10mph winds in, I believe, a Northeasterly direction. We started birding at the campgrounds. Here we walked about the grounds finding many singing Northern Parulas and a few singing/vocalizing Great Crested Flycatchers. White Eyed vireos, Carolina Wrens, and Northern Cardinals were also common songsters. We then birded the area around Buescher Pond. We found a few Blue Winged Teal and Some Wood ducks, a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers that may have been nesting in the area, Yellow Rumped Warblers, and more Northern Parulas. Compared to other visits, the bird activity was rather slow, but we did enjoy good looks at the Northern Parulas. We then drove down the park road that stretches between Buescher and Bastrop state parks, stopping several times during this 12 mile road and listening for and looking at birds. We saw several Broad Winged, Red Tailed and Red Shouldered Hawks and a few other raptors. We hiked a little of the hiking trail, stopped at Alum Creek Road, and finally ended up at Bastrop State Park where we lunched and birded the Copperas Creek Camping area. The remains of many burned out Pine Trees from the 2011 fire still populate the hills of Bastrop State park and many in our group found the area a bit depressing. However, we did note that there are many areas of rejuvenation and there are hundreds of fledgling pine trees sprouting up and doing well thanks to the efforts of volunteers. Wildflowers were also in abundance, especially in one field by Alum Creek Road. All in all, it was a pleasant, educational, and worthwhile field trip.
53 species
Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) 4
Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) 16
Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) 6 Found in a wildflower field by
Alum Creek Road. Several Toms displayed to a small group of females.
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 2
Great Egret (Ardea alba) 1
Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) 12
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) 10
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 10
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) 1
Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) 2
Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) 1
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) 5
Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) 6
Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) 1
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 4
American Coot (Fulica americana) 1
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 1
Franklin’s Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan) 300 As we were birding Alum
Creek Road a large group of nonvocalizing Franklins Gulls appeared from
across the road, flying at tree level.
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) 2
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 5
Inca Dove (Columbina inca) 2
Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) 2
Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) 6
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 6
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) 2
Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriway) 1
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 1
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) 2
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus) 2
White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus) 10
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) 1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 5
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 10
Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) 2
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 10
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) 10 Actually, we did not
carefully visualize the Titmice, so the titmice present could have been
hybrids.
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 10
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) 6
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) 6
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 2
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 50
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) 2 heard only
Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla) 4
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) 10
Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus) 4 In previous years I have heard
perhaps hundreds of Pine Warblers in the Bastrop area of the park
complex. However, during this fieldtrip I heard or saw only a handfull
of these birds – one can surmise that their population has crashed due
to the devastation of their habitat.
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 4
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) 4
Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) 3 Males heard singing and seen
flying about in various areas. No females were seen @ this time.
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 30
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) 10
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 3
Dennis Palafox says:
April 13, 2014 at 9:55 pm
Hornsby Bend
April 12, 2014 7:45 am to 11:30 am
Weather – partly cloudy to cloudy
Strong southerly breeze
Temps mid 60s to high 70s
38 species
I lead a group of fourteen members of the Hays County Master Naturalists on a morning of birding at Hornsby Bend. For some members this was their first birding experience while others were extremely knowledgeable about birds and the flora of Hornsby Bend. We birded ponds 1 and 2 and the Colorado River Trail south of pond 2. One highlight of the trip was an Archilocus sp. nest in a branch over the river trail. Red-eyed and white-eyed vireos, Nasheville warblers, and summer tanagers were very vocal. A list of the species seen or heard follows:
It was a lovely day in San Marcos. 14 of us birded the Aquarena Spring Lake area with a stop on the way home at Kyle Lake. FOS Great Crested Flycatcher and Summer Tanager were very nice! Kyle Lake had good birds, but too much wind!
Apr 8, 2014
Aquarena Springs
Traveling
4 miles
240 Minutes
Observers: 14
All birds reported? Yes
Comments:
Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.7.1
1 Wood Duck
4 Gadwall
6 Blue-winged Teal
3 Pied-billed Grebe
4 Double-crested Cormorant
1 Great Blue Heron
1 Great Egret
2 Little Blue Heron
4 Green Heron
2 Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
30 Black Vulture
6 Turkey Vulture
1 Osprey
1 Cooper’s Hawk
3 Red-shouldered Hawk
6 American Coot
3 White-winged Dove
6 Mourning Dove
1 Chimney Swift
1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird
1 Black-chinned Hummingbird
3 hummingbird sp.
3 Golden-fronted Woodpecker
1 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
1 Downy Woodpecker
3 Eastern Phoebe
1 Great Crested Flycatcher
4 White-eyed Vireo
6 Barn Swallow
3 Cliff Swallow
5 Black-crested Titmouse
2 Carolina Wren
1 Bewick’s Wren
2 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
7 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
1 Hermit Thrush
3 Northern Mockingbird
100 Cedar Waxwing
6 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
1 Common Yellowthroat
4 Clay-colored Sparrow
1 Summer Tanager
12 Northern Cardinal
3 Red-winged Blackbird
5 Great-tailed Grackle
1 Brown-headed Cowbird
Apr 8, 2014
Soil Conservation Site 2 Reservoir / Lake Kyle
Traveling
0.5 miles
45 Minutes
Observers: 14
All birds reported? Yes
Comments: Very windy and sunny
4 Gadwall
8 Blue-winged Teal
6 Northern Shoveler
4 Green-winged Teal
9 Lesser Scaup
6 Ruddy Duck
4 Pied-billed Grebe
3 Double-crested Cormorant
1 Great Blue Heron
2 Killdeer
1 Lesser Yellowlegs
10 Upland Sandpiper
2 Purple Martin
4 Barn Swallow
1 Eastern/Western Meadowlark
Judith Bailey says:
April 8, 2014 at 1:05 am
TAS Beginner’s Bird Walk
Lake Creek Trail
4-5-2014
20 hardy birders walked on a blustery morning looking for migrants and late leaving winter birds. We saw Ruby-crowned Kinglets sizzling in the trees, a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron sitting on a post, a small flock of American Goldfinches with one bright yellow male ready for breeding and a Great Crested Flycatcher that showed up as we gathered in the parking lot to leave. Leaders: George Kerr, Judith Bailey and Michael Pfeil.
Blue-winged Teal
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Cattle Egret
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
Cooper’s Hawk
Killdeer
Greater Yellowlegs
Least Sandpiper
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Great Crested Flycatcher
White-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Barn Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Carolina Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Savannah Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Great-tailed Grackle
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
April 2, 2014 at 2:41 am
The following eBird report is from Dan Callaway who led this trip to East Metropolitan Park.
Eastside Metropolitan Pk, Travis, US-TX
Apr 1, 2014 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Fourteen Travis Audubon members participated in a birding field trip at East Metro Park. We traversed the woodland habitat by following frisbee golf trails from one to seven, then returned to the parking lot by way of the large pond. Some folks continued along the brushy inlet of the small pond. Weather- 70’s, overcast, and south breeze.
49 species (+3 other taxa)
Blue-winged Teal 4
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 1
Cattle Egret 3
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 4
White-winged Dove 2
Mourning Dove 12
Inca Dove 1
Greater Roadrunner 1
hummingbird sp. 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 2
Pileated Woodpecker 2
Crested Caracara 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
White-eyed Vireo 7
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 4
Purple Martin 1
Carolina Chickadee 8
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 9
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 5
Bewick’s Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 7
Eastern Bluebird 10
Northern Mockingbird 6
European Starling 10
Cedar Waxwing 8
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 12
Spotted Towhee 1
Chipping Sparrow 20
Lark Sparrow 6
Song Sparrow 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 7
Swamp Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 2
Harris’s Sparrow 3
White-crowned Sparrow 12
Northern Cardinal 24
Red-winged Blackbird 150
Common Grackle 3
Brown-headed Cowbird 3
blackbird sp. 250
House Finch 4
Ken Zaslow says:
March 27, 2014 at 4:09 am
Emma Long Metropolitan Park, Travis, US-TX
Mar 25, 2014 7:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
6.0 mile(s)
Comments: Twelve people participated on this TAS Tuesday field trip to Emma Long Park. We birded the Turkey Creek Trail, the park’s shoreline along Lake Austin, and the one mile long Lakefront Nature Trail.
41 species (+1 other taxa)
Mute Swan 1
Mallard (Domestic type) 1
Common Loon 1 This fairly large and heavy bird was seen on Lake Austin adjacent to the section of the park devoted to camping trailers and close to the parking area and sign for the Shoreline Nature Trail. It had a typical loon profile, held its head level to the water, and appeared to be a juvenile first summer bird based on the whitish edges on its scapular feathers that created a distinctive pattern on the birds back. The heavy bill was silver colored and had a slightly curved culmen and a pointed tip. It’s neck showed a jagged border between the light and dark areas. The bird spent much of the time on the surface of the water interspersed with periods when it would dive below the water presumably to feed. Photos were taken by Lee Wallace.
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Blue Heron 2
Green Heron 1
Black Vulture 5
Turkey Vulture 6
Osprey 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
White-winged Dove 6
Mourning Dove 5
Belted Kingfisher 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 3
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
White-eyed Vireo 19
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 2
Western Scrub-Jay 1 Heard only
Purple Martin 2
Barn Swallow 5
Carolina Chickadee 10
Black-crested Titmouse 8
Carolina Wren 7
Bewick’s Wren 1 Heard only
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 23
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 17
Hermit Thrush 1 Heard only
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 5
Cedar Waxwing 21
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Northern Parula 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 19
Golden-cheeked Warbler 11
Northern Cardinal 31
Great-tailed Grackle 17
American Goldfinch 3 Heard only
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
March 21, 2014 at 1:30 pm
Champion Park (Williamson Co.), Williamson, US-TX
Mar 18, 2014 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Eleven members of the Travis Audubon Society birded this park from the parking lot upstream along Brushy Creek to the lake dam, then return. Weather- 48 to 60 degrees, South wind 15-20 mph, and clear. Sunrise 7:40. Additional birds seen on the previous day’s scouting were Ring-necked Duck, Yellow-crowned Night-heron, Common Raven, Cliff Swallow, and Savannah Sparrow.
39 species (+2 other taxa)
Gadwall 1
American Wigeon 2
Mallard (Domestic type) 3
Northern Shoveler 16
Green-winged Teal 3
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Double-crested Cormorant 25
Great Blue Heron 4
Great Egret 5
Snowy Egret 1
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 1
White-winged Dove 8
Mourning Dove 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
White-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 3
Carolina Chickadee 7
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 4
Bewick’s Wren 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 14
Eastern Bluebird 1
American Robin 2
Northern Mockingbird 4
Cedar Waxwing 65
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Northern Parula 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 35
Lark Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 4
Northern Cardinal 16
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Great-tailed Grackle 25
House Finch 12
American Goldfinch 45
Ken Zaslow for Terry Banks says:
March 15, 2014 at 6:11 pm
Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, US-TX
Mar 15, 2014 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.25 mile(s)
Comments: Sixteen people including 4 visitors from London, England participated on this monthly Travis Audubon Society bird walk at Hornsby Bend. The highlights of the trip for many were the sightings of a Possum and baby wild hog piglets. The sky was very overcast with variable clouds and there was intermittent mild to moderate rainfall. Temperature was in the low 60’s Fahrenheit and winds were calm.
50 species (+5 other taxa)
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 2 Seen by some over Pond 2
Wood Duck 1
Gadwall 14
American Wigeon 29
Blue-winged Teal 8
Northern Shoveler 52
Green-winged Teal 27
Canvasback 1
Ring-necked Duck 6
Lesser Scaup 2
Bufflehead 1
Ruddy Duck 14
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Egret 2
Turkey Vulture 1
hawk sp. 2 Two unidentifiable hawks (possibly Red-shouldered Hawks) were seen at the very beginning of the trip
American Coot 35
Killdeer 10
Spotted Sandpiper 4
Least Sandpiper 85
Pectoral Sandpiper 9
Wilson’s Snipe 28
Ring-billed Gull 1
White-winged Dove 2
Mourning Dove 5
Belted Kingfisher 1 Heard only
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Downy Woodpecker 2
Eastern Phoebe 2
Loggerhead Shrike 1
American Crow 1
Purple Martin 19
Tree Swallow 4
Cliff/Cave Swallow 6
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 4
Carolina Wren 8
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 6
Eastern Bluebird 2
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 14
Yellow-rumped Warbler 5
Chipping Sparrow 4
Field Sparrow 3
Savannah Sparrow 17
Song Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 35
Red-winged Blackbird 95
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
blackbird sp. 200
House Finch 7
Lesser Goldfinch 1 Heard only
House Sparrow 7
Ken Zaslow for Terry Banks says:
March 14, 2014 at 4:23 pm
Inks Lake State Park, Burnet, US-TX
Mar 13, 2014 7:40 AM – 12:40 PM
Comments: Ten people participated on this TAS field trip to Inks Lake State Park and to the adjacent Inks Lake National Fish Hatchery in Burnet. The bird list is divided into two parts. The beginning temperature was about 32 degrees Fahrenheit in the morning, calm wind and sunny – it warmed up to a pleasant 65 degrees by the end of our trip. We started birding around the Headquarters Grounds and spent about an hour doing so. Then we took a 2 mile hike along the Pecan Flats trail, stopping frequently to look at the various birds we had along the way.
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 4
Mallard (Domestic type) (Anas platyrhynchos (Domestic type)) 2
Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) 8
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) 4
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) 3
American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) 4
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 1
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) 8
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 4
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) 2
American Coot (Fulica americana) 12
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 6
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) 20
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 10
Inca Dove (Columbina inca) 2
Common Ground-Dove (Columbina passerina) 3
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Picoides scalaris) 1
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 3
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) 1
Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) 6
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 2
Black-crested Titmouse (Baeolophus atricristatus) 8
Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps) 2
Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus) 2 Two individuals were seen well by all members of the party. Pictures are available on request. Birds were gray speckled on wings, gray cap with faint white supercillium, long, straight bill, white streaky breast with pale buff on belly and flanks and striped undertail coverts. The two individuals were foraging close together and acted like a breeding pair.
It is interesting to note that Canyon Wrens, which are usually found at the park, were not seen or heard vocalizing.
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 2
Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) 15
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) 5
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 10
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 12
Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata) 2
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 8
Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) 4
Rufous-crowned Sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps) 6
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) 1
Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) 2
Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus) 1
Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) 10
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) 1
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 3
Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) 6
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) 1
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 20
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 10
Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) 10
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) 10
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 2
Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) 10
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 2
Inks Lake Natl. Fish Hatchery, Burnet, US-TX
Mar 13, 2014 11:45 AM – 12:45 PM
Canvasback (Aythya valisineria) 1
Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) 1 This was the female bird that has been overwintering at the fish hatchery all winter. Pictures are available on request.
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) 4
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) 1
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) 1
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 2
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 10
Golden-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes aurifrons) 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) 1
Purple Martin (Progne subis) 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 8
Deb Wallace says:
March 12, 2014 at 2:22 pm
Despite the early start (no matter what the Spring Forward clock said!) 10 of us showed up to bird Commons Ford. The highlight of the day was the pair of Ringed Kingfishers, who appeared to be working on a nest!
Commons Ford Pk, Travis, US-TX
Mar 9, 2014 7:27 AM – 10:57 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Cold, damp, and breezy Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.7.1
47 species
Wood Duck 2
Wild Turkey 4
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Double-crested Cormorant 30
Great Blue Heron 6
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 2
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 4
Killdeer 2
Ring-billed Gull 8
White-winged Dove 50
Mourning Dove 10
Ringed Kingfisher 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 5
Blue Jay 15
Western Scrub-Jay 2
American Crow 2
Common Raven 1
Carolina Chickadee 2
Black-crested Titmouse 5
Carolina Wren 2
Bewick’s Wren 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Eastern Bluebird 4
Northern Mockingbird 3
Cedar Waxwing 20
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 24
Spotted Towhee 2
Chipping Sparrow 1
Field Sparrow 6
Vesper Sparrow 4
Lark Sparrow 4
Savannah Sparrow 25
Lincoln’s Sparrow 3
White-throated Sparrow 4
Northern Cardinal 5
Red-winged Blackbird 20
American Goldfinch 20
Deb Wallace says:
March 12, 2014 at 2:18 pm
There were 15 people birding Commons Ford Ranch Park on Tuesday, February 25th. The day was cool and misty, but the crowd had a sunny disposition. Commons Ford will do that for you!
Commons Ford Pk, Travis, US-TX
Feb 25, 2014 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Overcast and misty Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.7.1
47 species (+1 other taxa)
Wood Duck 2
Gadwall 2
Wild Turkey 5
Pied-billed Grebe 4
Double-crested Cormorant 20
Great Blue Heron 8
Great Egret 1
Osprey 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 6
Killdeer 1
White-winged Dove 75
Mourning Dove 6
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 4
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 3
Carolina Chickadee 3
Black-crested Titmouse 6
Carolina Wren 4
Bewick’s Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
American Robin 10
Northern Mockingbird 8
European Starling 6
Cedar Waxwing 40
Yellow-rumped Warbler 30
Spotted Towhee 6
Chipping Sparrow 8
Field Sparrow 6
Vesper Sparrow 7
Savannah Sparrow 8
Song Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 3
White-throated Sparrow 5
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 15
Western Meadowlark 1
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 8
Great-tailed Grackle 1
House Finch 4
Lesser Goldfinch 12
American Goldfinch 1
Ray and Ginny Steelman says:
March 11, 2014 at 5:54 pm
Lake Creek Trail, Williamson County
Fourteen birders attended this “Two Hour Tuesday” under overcast skies and light to moderate winds with temps in the mid fifties to mid sixties.
We tallied a respectable 49 species with good looks at several dark-eyed juncos including a few Oregon subspecies. The ebird report follows:
Lake Creek Trail (Williamson Co.), Williamson, US-TX
Mar 11, 2014 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.5 mile(s)
49 species (+1 other taxa)
Gadwall 2
American Wigeon 20
Blue-winged Teal 5
Northern Shoveler 4
Green-winged Teal 1
Ring-necked Duck 3
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 3
Black Vulture 4
Turkey Vulture 2
Cooper’s Hawk 3
Red-shouldered Hawk 3
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 8
Greater Yellowlegs 9
Least Sandpiper 15
White-winged Dove 10
Mourning Dove 5
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 4
Loggerhead Shrike 2
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 1
Barn Swallow 3
Carolina Chickadee 1
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 3
Bewick’s Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Eastern Bluebird 1
Northern Mockingbird 4
Cedar Waxwing 25
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 8
Chipping Sparrow 4
Field Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Dark-eyed Junco 5
Northern Cardinal 8
Red-winged Blackbird 20
Common Grackle 50
Great-tailed Grackle 25
House Finch 6
Lesser Goldfinch 2
House Sparrow 15
Judith Bailey says:
March 1, 2014 at 11:02 pm
TAS Beginner’s Bird Walk
Walnut Creek Nature Preserve
3-1-2014
A foggy morning didn’t deter sixteen birders from exploring a new venue along Walnut Creek. Down around the first curve, we had good looks at a Field and Lincoln’s Sparrow; then, farther along the trail we had scope views of a male and female Downy near a male Red-bellied Woodpecker. The biggest surprise of the day was a 6 or 7, Black-bellied Whistling-Duck flyover. Many thanks to George and Michael.
Judith Bailey and Virginia Rose, Co-leaders.
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
Field Sparrow
Cooper’s Hawk (seen by Ross)
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Killdeer
White-throated Sparrow
Rock Pigeon
Great-tailed Grackle
White-winged Dove
Lesser Goldfinch
Mourning Dove
American Goldfinch
Red-bellied Woodpecker
House Sparrow
Downy Woodpecker
House Finch
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Titmouse species
Carolina Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Ray and Ginny Steelman says:
February 18, 2014 at 8:13 pm
We led a group of 12 birders to Tejas Camp in Williamson County and a brief stop to a small pond along Ronald Regan Blvd. The weather was pleasantly warm with temps staring in the mid 50’s warming to the mid 70’s under slightly overcast skies. We saw 44 species of birds highlights being a group of about 15 wild turkey’s (two of which were displaying males) great looks at a golden-crowned kinglet, and a very cooperative greater roadrunner that was showing off near the parking lot. We also encountered an armadillo that came upon us as we walked the trail. The trip list as submitted to ebird follows:
Williamson, Williamson, US-TX
Feb 18, 2014 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
8.0 mile(s)
44 species
On Sat. 2-15, Ingrid Huskey and I led 11 birders on the monthly TAS Hornsby Walk. It was a beautiful, sunny, spring-like day, starting out at 41 degrees, but with no wind, and rapidly warming to the mid-60’s with a slight breeze. Not a lot of bird activity, but we tallied 55 species nonetheless. Several Purple Martins were seen at the CER (per Kevin the first arrivals were on 2-13). The Vermilion was briefly seen, perched low at the waters edge next to the concrete structure that juts out into the NW end of Pond 2. It failed to pose per usual. Instead it bolted across the pond and disappeared into the rising sun. Best bird was Sora, at least two of which were heard multiple times laughing back and forth in the reeds on the south side of the dike that borders the north side of Pond 3. One of the Sora stepped out into the open and sauntered a few feet along the water’s edge before vanishing back into the reeds.
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Northern Shoveler
Green-winged Teal
Bufflehead
Ruddy Duck
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Northern Harrier
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Crested Caracara
American Kestrel
Sora
American Coot
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Wilson’s Snipe
White-winged Dove
Ringed Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
Vermilion Flycatcher
Loggerhead Shrike
American Crow
Purple Martin
Carolina Chickadee
Titmouse hybrid
Carolina Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Orange-crowned Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Field Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Meadowlark species
Common Grackle
Great-tailed Grackle
House Finch
House Sparrow
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
February 4, 2014 at 9:05 pm
This TAS trip was led by Dan Callaway and a copy of his eBird posting is below.
Lake Pflugerville, Travis, US-TX
Feb 4, 2014 8:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: A small group of 8 birders braved the 40 degree weather to bird around the north end of the lake. The drizzle had pretty much ended by the time we started. This was a Travis Audubon Society 2-hour Tuesday field trip. After the end of the two hours, I spent the next half hour scanning the south side and on either side of the bridge, to get a total count of water birds including one Canvasback that we did not see earlier. We tried to call up Sora, Marsh Wren, and Swamp Sparrow in the reedy edges to no avail.
23 species (+2 other taxa)
Mallard (Domestic type) 16
Green-winged Teal 8
Canvasback 1
Lesser Scaup 1
Ruddy Duck 1
Pied-billed Grebe 22
Double-crested Cormorant 35
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Northern Harrier 1
American Coot 175
Killdeer 3
Least Sandpiper 6
Wilson’s Snipe 2
Ring-billed Gull 225
Mourning Dove 1
Crested Caracara 1
Loggerhead Shrike 1
American Pipit 1
Common Yellowthroat 2
Savannah Sparrow 16
Song Sparrow 2
Red-winged Blackbird 5
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 12
Great-tailed Grackle 150
Virginia Rose, Judith Bailey, George Kerr, Shirley LaVergne, and fourteen others birded Big Webberville on Saturday, February 1, 2014. Best bird was the immature bald eagle flying low and giving us good looks. Best surprise attendee was Stan Van Sandt! Great seeing you, Stan.
Eastern phoebe
Northern cardinal
Northern mockingbird
Carolina chickadee
Blue Jay
Black vulture
Turkey vulture
European starling
Great-tailed grackle
Red-tailed hawk
Bald eagle
House sparrow
White-throated sparrow
White-crowned sparrow
Yellow-rumped warbler
Carolina wren
Ruby-crowned kinglet
Great blue heron
Great egret
Neotropic cormorant
Double-crested cormorant
Lesser scaup
Gadwall
Eastern bluebird
American crow
Downy woodpecker
Red-bellied woodpecker
Pileated woodpecker
Ladder-backed woodpecker
Yellow-shafted flicker
Red-winged blackbird
American pippit
Mourning dove
White-winged dove
Shelia Hargis says:
February 2, 2014 at 11:21 pm
Eight hardy birders joined Laurie Foss and me for the monthly field trip to Commons Ford. It was cold and windy and got colder and windier as the morning progressed. But we hung in there and saw some good birds anyway. Below is our bird list.
Commons Ford Pk, Travis, US-TX
Feb 2, 2014 7:34 AM – 10:35 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.7.1
45 species (+2 other taxa)
Gadwall 8
Bufflehead 1
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Double-crested Cormorant 30
Great Blue Heron 6
Great Egret 2
Black Vulture 6
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Coot 2
Killdeer 4
Ring-billed Gull 15
White-winged Dove 75
Mourning Dove 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 4
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 6
Blue Jay 10
American Crow 4
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 12
Carolina Wren 7
Bewick’s Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Eastern Bluebird 5
American Robin 40
Northern Mockingbird 1
Cedar Waxwing 75
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Pine Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 40
Spotted Towhee 2
Field Sparrow 4
Savannah Sparrow 8
Song Sparrow 4
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 15
Red-winged Blackbird 220
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 20
House Finch 7
Lesser Goldfinch 1
American Goldfinch 10
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
BirdAnswers says:
January 31, 2014 at 5:41 am
Lance,
I am a volunteer with Travis Audubon that helps answer question such as the one you posted about the possibility of seeing a Bald Eagle on FM 969. It is quite possible that the bird you saw could have been a Bald Eagle as several pairs are nesting in the general area, the nearest ones being close to Webberville Park, which is a little farther east along FM 969. Of course, it is also likely that you saw a Crested Caracara as they are very common in the area. Without a little more information, it is hard to say for sure which one you saw, but maybe you will be lucky and see it again if you are in the area and be able to get a positive ID.
Lance says:
January 30, 2014 at 10:59 pm
Would it have been possible to have seen a Bald Eagle at the intersection of FM. 969 and FM. 973 near Lake Long.
I saw a large raptor flying very low, maybe 3-5 feet above the ground, through lightly wooded forest. It was dark bodied with a white head.
Possibly a Crested Caracara instead? This was on 1-20-2014 at about 8am I don’t recall seeing a white tail. It caught my attention while I was
approaching the intersection and I knew it wasn’t a vulture, but it was a very large bird. Any ideas or other sightings. It was at the opposite
end of FM. 973 from the Hornsby Bend Treatment Plant.
Thanks
Lance
Ken Zaslow says:
January 30, 2014 at 5:12 pm
Bauerle Ranch Park, Travis, US-TX
Jan 30, 2014 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Seven people participated on this TAS field trip to the Slaughter Creek Greenbelt at Bauerle Ranch. The beginning temperature was 37 degrees and the ending temperature was 46 degrees. The sky was overcast and winds were 10-15mph.
34 species (+2 other taxa)
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 7
Gadwall 8
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Great Blue Heron 1 At the end of the trip several of us saw the bird fly into the Bauerle Pond area.
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Heard only
White-winged Dove 27
Inca Dove 1
Crested Caracara 2
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 7
Carolina Chickadee 6
Black-crested Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 9
Bewick’s Wren 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 10
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 9 Flying over and vocalizing
Cedar Waxwing 15
Orange-crowned Warbler 5
Yellow-rumped Warbler 11
Spotted Towhee 1
Field Sparrow 5
Savannah Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 4
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
sparrow sp. 15
Northern Cardinal 19
Great-tailed Grackle 3
blackbird sp. 25 Flying over
House Finch 1 Heard only
American Goldfinch 10 Flying over and vocalizing
House Sparrow 4 Seen and heard in the parking area near the trail entrance.
Ken Zaslow says:
January 21, 2014 at 7:36 pm
Travis County, Travis, US-TX
Jan 21, 2014 7:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
14.0 mile(s)
Comments: Eleven people participated on this TAS field trip to bird South Travis County Ponds. The weather was blustery with north winds from 10-20mph. Temperature ranged from 48 to 55 degrees and the sky was clear and sunny. We birded the series of retention ponds on the southwest side of the Southpark Meadows Shopping Center, three ponds in the Onion Creek development east of I-35, and several ponds in the mostly rural Turnersville Road and North Turnersville Road area of southern Travis County.
54 species (+4 other taxa)
Gadwall 55
American Wigeon 110
Blue-winged Teal 4
Northern Shoveler 25
Northern Pintail 27
Green-winged Teal 21
Canvasback 3
Ring-necked Duck 36
Bufflehead 39
Ruddy Duck 4
Pied-billed Grebe 7
Double-crested Cormorant 11
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 3
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 3
Northern Harrier 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 4
American Coot 35
Killdeer 8
Greater Yellowlegs 2
Least Sandpiper 11
Wilson’s Snipe 2
Ring-billed Gull 7
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 5
White-winged Dove 14
Mourning Dove 1
Great Horned Owl 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 5
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Loggerhead Shrike 2
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 6
Carolina Chickadee 1 Heard only
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
Carolina Wren 2
Bewick’s Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 2
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 12
Vesper Sparrow 4
Savannah Sparrow 5
White-crowned Sparrow 6
sparrow sp. 15
Northern Cardinal 4
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 15
Brewer’s Blackbird 19
Great-tailed Grackle 27
Brown-headed Cowbird 14
blackbird sp. 45
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 5
Ken Zaslow (12-17-2013 trip report) says:
January 20, 2014 at 4:17 am
Bauerle Ranch Park, Travis, US-TX
Dec 17, 2013 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: 12 people participated in today’s TAS field trip to the Slaughter Creek Greenbelt at the Bauerle Ranch Park in south Austin. The morning began cold with a temperature of 35 degrees but quickly warmed after the sun rose over the horizon. Ending temperature was 59 degrees. The sky was clear and winds were calm. We walked a loop in the northwest section of the park with the birdiest area being the pond along the Bauerle Creek Trail.
35 species (+1 other taxa)
Gadwall 3
Double-crested Cormorant 7
Turkey Vulture 1
Northern Harrier 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Heard only
White-winged Dove 48
Mourning Dove 3
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 3
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2 Heard only
Crested Caracara 1
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 14
American Crow 1 Seen shortly before the trip began
Carolina Chickadee 9
Black-crested Titmouse 6
Carolina Wren 11
Bewick’s Wren 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 15
Hermit Thrush 1 Heard only
Northern Mockingbird 6
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 12
Spotted Towhee 3
Chipping Sparrow 3
Field Sparrow 5
Savannah Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 3
Lincoln’s Sparrow 4
sparrow sp. 10
Northern Cardinal 9
Great-tailed Grackle 5
Lesser Goldfinch 9
American Goldfinch 11
House Sparrow 2
Dennis Palafox says:
January 15, 2014 at 3:51 am
Dennis Palafox lead a group of 11 people who birded Camp Mabry on January 11, 2014 from 7:45 to about 10:45. The distance walked was approximately 1 mile. The morning started a bit chilly, about 52 degrees. The water on the larger pond was smooth as glass and lighting was excellent for pictures of ducks, grebes, cormorants and herons. The golden-crowned kinglets were numerous on the west side of the pond. Probably one of the most interesting things observed were clouds of cedar pollen blowing from Ashe juniper trees. According to the American Statesman, the cedar pollen count for the day broke a 16-year record that day! Many of us were sneezing and sniffling as the trip continued. Several participants expressed an interest in returning to Camp Mabry in the spring because of the varied habitat (ponds, creeks, woodlands and a grassy field) in the area. A list of the birds seen follows:
Wood duck
Gadwall
Ring-necked duck
Bufflehead
Pied-billed grebe
Double-crested cormorant
Great blue Heron
Great egret
Red-shouldered hawk
American coot
Ring-billed gull
White-winged dove
Great-horned owl
Red-bellied woodpecker
Eastern phoebe
Blue jay
American crow
Carolina chickadee
Tufted x Black-crested titmouse hybrid
Carolina wren
Golden-crowned kinglet
Ruby-crowned kinglet
Northern mockingbird
Yellow-rumped warbler
Savannah sparrow
Northern cardinal
House finch
American goldfinch
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
January 14, 2014 at 7:54 pm
Windemere Park, Travis, US-TX
Jan 14, 2014 8:00 AM – 10:15 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Seventeen people participated on this Travis Audubon field trip. There is a wide concrete path along upper Gilleland Creek that stretches from Heatherwilde Blvd to Grand Avenue Parkway. A small reed-fringed pond is located on the south side of the creek and adjacent to the waste-water treatment plant. Weather- clear, 40-50 degrees, slight south breeze.
37 species (+2 other taxa)
Wood Duck 2
duck sp. 35
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 4
White-winged Dove 50
Mourning Dove 15
Red-bellied Woodpecker 6
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 2
Crested Caracara 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Loggerhead Shrike 1
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 18
Carolina Chickadee 8
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
Carolina Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 16
Northern Mockingbird 8
European Starling 10
Cedar Waxwing 125
Orange-crowned Warbler 6
Yellow-rumped Warbler 45
Spotted Towhee 1
Savannah Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow 2
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Northern Cardinal 14
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Great-tailed Grackle 6
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 1
Ray and Ginny Steelman says:
January 7, 2014 at 10:40 pm
Today we led 9 intrepid birders on a trip through the Granger Lake area. The morning was cold with temps in the lower 20’s but fortunately very light winds. Highlights included: merlin, adult bald eagle, a flock of horned larks and a very cooperative common yellowthroat that put on a great show for us. The following is a complete list of birds that managed to find us:
Gadwall
Mallard
Ring-necked Duck
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Red-tailed Hawk
Crested Caracara
American Kestrel
Merlin
American Coot
Killdeer
Rock Pigeon
Eurasian Collared-Dove
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Great Horned Owl
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Loggerhead Shrike
American Crow
Horned Lark
Carolina Chickadee
Carolina Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
American Pipit
Orange-crowned Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Spotted Towhee
Field Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Harris’s Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Eastern Meadowlark
Brewer’s Blackbird
Common Grackle
Great-tailed Grackle
American Goldfinch
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
December 12, 2013 at 7:50 pm
Dan Callaway led this trip which was sponsored by Travis Audubon and the City of Pflugerville. The Horned Grebe that had been seen on 12/9 was not seen.
Lake Pflugerville, Travis, US-TX
Dec 10, 2013 4:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: A small party of 4 birders toured the North shore of the lake and along the Becker Farm bridge. Most of the viewing was directly into the sun from all vantage points. This was a field trip sponsored by Travis Audubon Society and the City of Pflugerville, and a follow-up to the class and trip last Saturday, the 7th.
13 species
Canvasback 6
Ring-necked Duck 40
Bufflehead 2
Pied-billed Grebe 5
Great Egret 1
American Coot 250
Killdeer 8
Wilson’s Snipe 1
Ring-billed Gull 50
Mourning Dove 12
European Starling 10
Red-winged Blackbird 40
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
December 10, 2013 at 1:18 am
Dan Callaway found a Horned Grebe on Lake Pflugerville today. See his eBird checklist below.
Lake Pflugerville, Travis, US-TX
Dec 9, 2013 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Scouting to prepare for Travis Audubon Society / Pflugerville field trip on Tues, the 10th, at 4 pm. Weather – 36 degrees, north wind 10-12, overcast, drizzly mist.
14 species (+2 other taxa)
Northern Shoveler 2
Green-winged Teal 5
Canvasback 8
Ruddy Duck 6
Pied-billed Grebe 4
Horned Grebe 1 This small waterfowl had a full white cheek, throat and breast with small beak. The black/white line of separation extended straight back from the eye. The top of the head was black as well as the back and back of the neck. The side was grayish/black. The beak was not large enough to be a loon. I used 8-power binoculars. The bird was swimming among coots about 100 yards from shore. It was located east of the Becker Farm bridge and seen easily from the north shore. It was observed at 9:30 and again at 11:00 am.
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
American Coot 250
Killdeer 2
Forster’s Tern 2
American Pipit 15
sparrow sp. 1
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 25
Great-tailed Grackle 5
Ken Zaslow says:
December 6, 2013 at 12:18 pm
This is an addendum to yesterdays Hornsby Bend trip list:
A Loggerhead Shrike was also seen and our group consisted of 11 people from the Wimberly Birding Society.
Ken Zaslow says:
December 5, 2013 at 6:39 pm
Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, US-TX
Dec 5, 2013 8:30 AM – 11:15 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: I led a group of 7 enthusiastic birders from the Wimberly Birding Society on this trip to Hornsby Bend. We birded the ponds and the southeast section of the River Trail. Despite unfavorable weather conditions we all had a good time and saw some excellent birds. Trip highlights were Vermilion Flycatcher, Pine Warbler, Eared Grebes and a beautiful raft of Bufflehead Ducks. Beginning temperature was 48 degrees, and ending temperature was 44 degrees. Winds were brisk at 15-20 mph from the north. The sky was partly cloudy.
41 species (+2 other taxa)
Northern Shoveler 37
Green-winged Teal 41
Lesser Scaup 1
Bufflehead 7
Ruddy Duck 51
Eared Grebe 5
Double-crested Cormorant 4
Black Vulture 6
Turkey Vulture 3
Osprey 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 9
Killdeer 5
Spotted Sandpiper 3
Least Sandpiper 19
Wilson’s Snipe 2
White-winged Dove 12
Mourning Dove 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
woodpecker sp. 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Vermilion Flycatcher 1 This well documented male bird was seen in its usual location on the south side of Pond 2 near the greenhouse.
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 12
Eastern Bluebird 2
Northern Mockingbird 2
American Pipit 1
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Pine Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 5
Savannah Sparrow 8
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 7
Red-winged Blackbird 3
Great-tailed Grackle 5
American Goldfinch 1
Deb Wallace says:
December 4, 2013 at 8:21 pm
12 of us had a glorious sparrow morning in nice weather. We had 13 sparrow species, icluding Le Conte’s and Grasshopper, which were lifers for some. They were also very cooperative for the photo folks in the group. The species list is below.
Balcones Canyonlands NWR–Doeskin Ranch, Burnet, US-TX
Dec 3, 2013 7:15 AM – 10:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.5 mile(s)
32 species (+1 other taxa)
Sandhill Crane 10
Mourning Dove 4
Inca Dove 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 4
American Kestrel 2
Eastern Phoebe 2
American Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 6
Black-crested Titmouse 4
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Northern Mockingbird 2
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Spotted Towhee 15
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 5
Chipping Sparrow 15
Field Sparrow 20
Vesper Sparrow 5
Lark Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 18
Grasshopper Sparrow 8
Le Conte’s Sparrow 6
Song Sparrow 3
Lincoln’s Sparrow 12
White-throated Sparrow 4
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 15
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 12
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch 12
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
November 26, 2013 at 10:41 pm
Northeast Metro Park (Travis Co.), Travis, US-TX
Nov 26, 2013 7:30 AM – 10:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Eight people braved the cold, windy conditions to participate on this Travis Audubon Society field trip. Weather- 33-41 degrees, overcast, North wind 15-25 mph.
40 species (+1 other taxa)
Gadwall 12
Bufflehead 2
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 12
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 30
White-winged Dove 75
Mourning Dove 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 12
Downy Woodpecker 3
Eastern Phoebe 4
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 10
American Crow 10
Carolina Chickadee 10
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 5
Carolina Wren 6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 20
Eastern Bluebird 6
Hermit Thrush 2
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 50
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 20
Chipping Sparrow 7
Vesper Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 10
Red-winged Blackbird 5
Brewer’s Blackbird 30
Common Grackle 2
Great-tailed Grackle 50
Brown-headed Cowbird 200
American Goldfinch 1
Ray Steelman says:
November 19, 2013 at 7:09 pm
Eighteen people participated in this TAS field trip along Lake Creek Trail. The weather was pleasant with temps near 60 and light to moderate winds. We covered about four miles and spotted 43 species of birds. The highlight was great scope views of a Great Horned Owl being harassed by a group American Crows. The Blue-headed Vireo spotted the day before was not relocated. The ebird report is as follows:
Lake Creek Trail (Williamson Co.), Williamson, US-TX
Nov 19, 2013 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
4.0 mile(s)
43 species
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Greater Yellowlegs 4
Least Sandpiper 9
Wilson’s Snipe 1
White-winged Dove 100
Great Horned Owl 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Loggerhead Shrike 1
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 5
Carolina Chickadee 2
Black-crested Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 3
Bewick’s Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 6
American Robin 2
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 30
American Pipit 1
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 10
Spotted Towhee 1
Chipping Sparrow 4
Savannah Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird 45
Great-tailed Grackle 100
House Finch 10
Lesser Goldfinch 1
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 10
Ken Zaslow says:
November 16, 2013 at 6:52 pm
Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, US-TX
Nov 16, 2013 7:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.25 mile(s)
Comments: Sixteen people participated in this Travis Audubon Society monthly bird walk at Hornsby Bend. We birded around the headquarters building, all of the ponds, and walked the southeastern section of the River Trail. Windy conditions (15-20 mph) resulted in decreased species and numbers of birds being seen compared to the scouting trip done one day earlier. Highlights included a beautiful male Cinnamon Teal and the male Vermilion Flycatcher that continues to be seen between Pond 2 and the Greenhouse. The Rusty Blackbirds noted on 11/15 were not seen today.
50 species (+4 other taxa)
Gadwall 5
Mallard (Domestic type) 1
Cinnamon Teal 1
Northern Shoveler 175
Green-winged Teal 27
Redhead 1
Lesser Scaup 7
Bufflehead 3
Ruddy Duck 45
Eared Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 50 Includes a large group that flew over the ponds
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 24
Turkey Vulture 3
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 30
Killdeer 5
Spotted Sandpiper 3
Least Sandpiper 40
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 5
White-winged Dove 3
Mourning Dove 4
Inca Dove 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 6
American Kestrel 2
Monk Parakeet 7
Eastern Phoebe 3
Vermilion Flycatcher 1 This adult male bird was seen in its usual location on telephone wires running along the road between Pond 2 and the Greenhouse.
Blue Jay 2 Heard only
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 6
Eastern Bluebird 2
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 75
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Savannah Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 2 Heard only
Northern Cardinal 8
Red-winged Blackbird 35
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 9
Great-tailed Grackle 25
Brown-headed Cowbird 450 A large flock was seen in the field next to the headquarters building
House Finch 6
Lesser Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 3
Ken Zaslow says:
November 5, 2013 at 5:22 pm
Platt Lane (Travis Co.), Travis, US-TX
Nov 5, 2013 7:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Twenty people participated on this TAS field trip to the Platt Lane area at Hornsby Bend. We birded from the beginning of Platt Lane to the xeric area along the River Trail. Beginning temperature was 68 degrees and ending temperature was 74 degrees. The sky was cloudy to partly cloudy with light winds from the south.
36 species (+5 other taxa)
Gadwall 3
American Wigeon 5
Ring-necked Duck 11
Lesser Scaup 1
duck sp. 9 Flyovers
Pied-billed Grebe 3
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Turkey Vulture 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 3
American Coot 10
Killdeer 8
White-winged Dove 40
Mourning Dove 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Downy Woodpecker 4
Crested Caracara 2
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 6
Loggerhead Shrike 1
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 7
Cliff/Cave Swallow 45
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 4
House Wren 1 Heard only
Carolina Wren 8
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 6
Eastern Bluebird 3
Northern Mockingbird 7
European Starling 350
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
White-crowned Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 14
Red-winged Blackbird 35
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 11
Great-tailed Grackle 17
grackle sp. 15 Flyovers
House Finch 2
House Sparrow 3
Judith Bailey says:
November 3, 2013 at 12:33 am
At Riata Pond, Virginia Rose, Shirley LaVergne and Judith Bailey lead twenty beginning birders in search of local and winter residents; 32 species were found. A punk-rock, male Belted Kingfisher entertained with fly-byes and then posed on an overhead wire. Other highlights were a bush full of juvenile White-crowned Sparrows, a bright look at a Loggerhead Shrike, a Carolina and House Wren sharing a small shrub, and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet flashing his ruby feathers at another RKC invading his territory. A good time was had by all.
Greater White-fronted Goose
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Turkey Vulture
Red-shouldered Hawk (heard only)
Red-tailed Hawk
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher, male
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
Loggerhead Shrike
Blue Jay
Carolina Chickadee
Titmouse species
Carolina Wren
House Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Yellow-rumped Warbler
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Great-tailed Grackle
House Finch
House Sparrow
Ken Zaslow says:
October 29, 2013 at 9:10 pm
The following eBird reports were created by Terry Banks who was the leader on this trip which took place on Tuesday, October 22nd.
Blanco SP & Nature Trail, Blanco, US-TX
Oct 22, 2013 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Fifteen people participated on this trip. It was a beautiful sunny day – about 65 degrees fahrenheit without a noticeable wind. There had been rain the night before.
31 species (+1 other taxa)
Muscovy Duck (Domestic type) (Cairina moschata (Domestic type)) 4
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) 3
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 2
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) 20
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 10
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) 1 seen by two members of the party
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) 1
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) 10
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 40
Inca Dove (Columbina inca) 3
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) 3 Ruby throats were in various areas of the park but especially by the feeder @ the park entrance.
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes aurifrons) 3
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Picoides scalaris) 1
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 5
White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus) 1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 2
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 1
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 6
Black-crested Titmouse (Baeolophus atricristatus) 4
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) 4
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) 3
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 8
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 10
Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata) 4
Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla) 1
Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) 1
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 15
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 6
Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) 15
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 25
Susan Evan’s property on the Blanco River, Hays, US-TX
Oct 22, 2013 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Comments: We birded mostly from Susan’s porch and a short walk around the property.
15 species
We had a great turn out of approximately 24 people who participated in today’s field trip to to Divine Lake Park in Leander, Williamson County. The weather was over cast, breezy and damp with temps in the low 70’s. The day started off slowly but picked up as the morning advanced and we ended up with a total of 45 species including six raptors.
45 species seen or heard at Devine Lake Park on 10/29/13.
10 American Wigeon
15 Blue-winged Teal
2 Northern Pintail
1 Green-winged Teal
12 Redhead
1 Lesser Scaup
1 Ruddy Duck
1 Pied-billed Grebe
25 American White Pelican
1 Great Blue Heron
15 Great Egret
7 Snowy Egret
1 Black Vulture
20 Turkey Vulture
2 Northern Harrier
1 Sharp-shinned Hawk
1 Cooper’s Hawk
2 Red-shouldered Hawk
2 Red-tailed Hawk
1 American Kestrel
1 American Coot
1 Black-bellied Plover
25 Killdeer
8 Greater Yellowlegs
18 Least Sandpiper
4 Wilson’s Snipe
30 Eurasian Collared-Dove
1 White-winged Dove
35 Mourning Dove
2 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 Downy Woodpecker
2 Eastern Phoebe
1 Loggerhead Shrike
4 Blue Jay
1 Carolina Wren
1 House Wren
4 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
2 Northern Mockingbird
20 European Starling
2 Orange-crowned Warbler
3 Northern Cardinal
2 Eastern Meadowlark
4 Great-tailed Grackle
1 House Finch
10 Lesser Goldfinch
Lee and Deb Wallace says:
October 23, 2013 at 11:44 pm
On Sunday, October 20th, 16 of us participated in the monthly Commons Ford bird walk. The cold and the fog finally gave way to a beautiful birding day. We were able to get great looks and had mini identification clinics for a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and a Ringed Kingfisher, both of which were life birds for several in the group. The perched Ospreys and Great-horned Owl were also big hits. The eBird list follows:
Commons Ford Pk, Travis, US-TX
Oct 20, 2013 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
2.5 mile(s)
32 species (+2 other taxa)
Wood Duck 4
Pied-billed Grebe 1
cormorant sp. 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 3
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Coot 1
White-winged Dove 50
Mourning Dove 6
Great Horned Owl 1
Ringed Kingfisher 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 3
Blue Jay 11
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 6
Black-crested Titmouse 4
Carolina Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Northern Mockingbird 12
Vesper Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 10
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 9
Great-tailed Grackle 7
House Finch 6
Lesser Goldfinch 2
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Kenneth Zaslow says:
October 15, 2013 at 7:23 pm
Roy Guerrero Park, Travis, US-TX
Oct 15, 2013 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.8 mile(s)
Comments: Approximately 14 people participated on this TAS field trip to Roy Guerrero Park. We birded the area around the Playscape and Pavilion, the Country Club Creek Trail and a section of the Butler Hike and Bike Trail below the Longhorn Dam. Highlights included sightings of an immature Bald Eagle, Ringed Kingfisher, and Couch’s Kingbird. The morning was mostly cloudy with beginning temperature of 73 degrees and ending temperature of 79 degrees. Winds varied from calm to about 10mph.
44 species (+3 other taxa)
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 9
Blue-winged Teal 11
duck sp. 5
Double-crested Cormorant 14
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 5
Snowy Egret 35
Osprey 1
Cooper’s Hawk 2 1 adult and 1 juvenile
Bald Eagle 1 A juvenile bird with a dark body and white on its underwing coverts and axillaries was seen flying near the Colorado River below the Longhorn Dam. Photos were taken by Lee Wallace.
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Killdeer 5
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Rock Pigeon 175
White-winged Dove 25
Mourning Dove 19
Chimney Swift 5
Ringed Kingfisher 1 Seen and heard while it was flying over the Colorado River, downstream from the Longhorn Dam.
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 7
Downy Woodpecker 4
Eastern Phoebe 3
Couch’s Kingbird 2
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
Loggerhead Shrike 2
Blue Jay 9
American Crow 5
Cliff/Cave Swallow 4
Carolina Chickadee 11
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 7
House Wren 4
Carolina Wren 12
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Eastern Bluebird 5
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 14
European Starling 19
Orange-crowned Warbler 6
Nashville Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 2
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 17
Great-tailed Grackle 18
House Finch 4
Lesser Goldfinch 14
Virginia Rose and Judith Bailey and fourteen others, including one of Virginia’s current English students, birded the beautiful Berry Springs on Saturday, October 5. Best bird may have been the red-shouldered hawks giving us frequent good sightings.
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Red-shouldered Hawk
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Western Kingbird
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Titmouse species
Carolina Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Eastern Bluebird
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Northern Cardinal
Great-tailed Grackle
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
House Sparrow
Lee and Deb Wallace says:
October 9, 2013 at 1:29 am
15 of us had a chilly, but nice morning birding at Commons Ford. The prairie is recovering well from the controlled burn and lots of plants are blooming. We had some nice birds and a good time. The ebird list follows.
Commons Ford Pk, Travis, US-TX
Oct 8, 2013 7:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
40 species (+4 other taxa)
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Ken Zaslow for Terry Banks says:
October 7, 2013 at 3:23 pm
The following eBird report was created by Terry Banks who was the leader for this trip.
Reimer Ranch, Travis, US-TX
Oct 1, 2013 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Comments: This was a Travis Audubon Field Trip. The morning was cool (about 65 degrees fahrenhiet) and very foggy, but afternoon temperatures rose into the 90’s. The group spent most of our time walking along the trail that parallels the Pedernales River.
36 species (+1 other taxa)
Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) 1
Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) 1 Heard only
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 2
Green Heron (Butorides virescens) 1
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) 30
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 10
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) 1
Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) 2 flying with a kettle of vultures
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 1
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 3
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 10
Common Ground-Dove (Columbina passerina) 2 heard only
Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio) 1
Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) 2 heard early in the morning hooting back and forth.
Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) 2
hummingbird sp. (Trochilidae sp.) 1
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes aurifrons) 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Picoides scalaris) 5
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 4
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus) 3
Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius) 1
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 2 seen flying with a kettle of vultures
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 2
Black-crested Titmouse (Baeolophus atricristatus) 2
Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus) 4
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) 1
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 5
Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) 1
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 1
Rufous-crowned Sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps) 15 As with my report of 9/30, Rufous crowned sparrows were seen in many areas along the river trail and in many different places in this very large park. Many times were did not see the bird but heard their “dee dee dee dee” alarm call. Pictures can be provided if required.
Canyon Towhee (Melozone fusca) 2 seen at the barn in the park
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 40
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 1
Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) 10
Ken Zaslow for Terry Banks says:
September 28, 2013 at 8:21 pm
The following eBird report was created by Terry Banks who was the leader for this trip.
Colorado Bend State Park, Bend, Texas, San Saba, US-TX
Sep 24, 2013 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
4.0 mile(s)
Comments: Twelve people participated on this Travis Audubon Field Trip. The morning was a cool 58-60 degrees Fahrenheit which rose to 90 degrees Fahrenheit by 1200 noon. It was sunny and still very green from the rains a few days before the field trip, and the Colorado River was muddy and flowing swiftly, much higher than it had been the previous months. We started out on the Spicewood Springs trail, walked some of the Spicewood Canyon Trail, and a brief portion of the River Trail.
40 species (+3 other taxa)
Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) 1
Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) 12 flying high above the water
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 2
Great Egret (Ardea alba) 1
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) 10
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 4
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) 1
Zone-tailed Hawk (Buteo albonotatus) 3 We spotted two Zone Tailed Hawks in two separate trees across the river from the boat dock. Shortly afterward we spotted a 3rd Zone Tailed Hawk sitting in a tree along the Spicewood Springs Trail. The birds were vocalizing back and forth. Photographs are available of the Zone Tail sitting alone the Spricewood Springs Trail.
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) 2
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 10
Inca Dove (Columbina inca) 4
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) 1 A solitary Yellow-billed Cuckoo was spotted by one member of our party while the rest of us were eating lunch. It was foraging around in a tree by the picnic table.
Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) 1
Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio) 2 A screech owl was heard vocalizing and seen shortly afterwards near the Ranger’s station. A second screech owl was heard by a member of our party who had camped in another area during the night.
Common Poorwill (Phalaenoptilus nuttallii) 1 Actually, the only thing I am certain of is that i flushed a nightjar species with my car as I was driving the dirt road to the park. It appeared small, so I am hazarding a guess that it was a Common Poorwill. I record it because I want to note the presence of a nightjar this late in the year.
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Picoides scalaris) 10
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens) 10
Empidonax sp. (Empidonax sp.) 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus) 1
White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus) 3
Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius) 1
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 1
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 2
swallow sp. (Hirundinidae sp.) 2 Two swallows were noted flying about and going into holes near the rocky ledge on the other side of the river. Although their were obviously swallows, it was hard to see them well at the distance from which we were watching.
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 6
Black-crested Titmouse (Baeolophus atricristatus) 6
Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus) 3
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) 1
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 10
Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 2
Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla) 2
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) 1
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) 2
Rufous-crowned Sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps) 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) 1
Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) 1
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 20
Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea) 3
Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) 10
passerine sp. (Passeriformes sp.) 6 There were about 6 yellow warbler like birds that flitted along the willows on the Spicewood Springs Trail, but the vegetation was so dense that we only got brief looks.
Ken Zaslow says:
September 17, 2013 at 7:46 pm
St. Edwards Pk (NW Austin), Travis, US-TX
Sept 17, 2013 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Comments: Twenty-two people participated on this Travis Audubon bird walk to St.Edwards Park in NW Austin. We were rewarded with sightings of many neotropical migrants as well as local breeding birds. Skies were clear and sunny with high humidity and calm winds. Temperatures ranged from the upper 70’s to the upper 80’s by the time we finished in mid-morning.
34 species (+2 other taxa)
Great Egret 1
Cattle Egret 47
Black Vulture 32
Turkey Vulture 5
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Heard from the parking lot before the trip began
White-winged Dove 55 Two separate groups flying over
Mourning Dove 3
Chimney Swift 3
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Melanerpes sp. 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1 Heard only
Olive-sided Flycatcher 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Empidonax sp. 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
White-eyed Vireo 12
Yellow-throated Vireo 1 Heard only
American Crow 2 Heard only
Carolina Chickadee 6
Black-crested Titmouse 3
Carolina Wren 7
Bewick’s Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4
Eastern Bluebird 2
Louisiana Waterthrush 1
Mourning Warbler 3
Wilson’s Warbler 1
Summer Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 27
Great-tailed Grackle 11 Flying over
Baltimore Oriole 3
House Finch 1
Lesser Goldfinch 4
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
September 16, 2013 at 11:23 pm
Champion Park (Williamson Co.), Williamson, US-TX
Sept 10, 2013 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Seventeen people participated in this Travis Audubon “Two-hour Tuesday” field trip. The group birded along the Brushy Creek Trail from the parking lot to the dam of Brushy Creek Lake. Weather- overcast with some fog, temp- 75 to 82, wind- rather calm.
47 species
Wood Duck 2
Blue-winged Teal 1
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 3
Snowy Egret 3
Little Blue Heron 2
Tricolored Heron 2
Cattle Egret 10
Green Heron 2
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 1
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Killdeer 1
White-winged Dove 20
Mourning Dove 30
Chimney Swift 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Eastern Phoebe 4
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Loggerhead Shrike 1
White-eyed Vireo 6
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 2
Barn Swallow 2
Cliff Swallow 20
Carolina Chickadee 12
Black-crested Titmouse 10
Bewick’s Wren 3
Carolina Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 This bird was among a feeding flock of chickadees and titmice and was noted by several in our group. The local checklist does indicate this winter resident as rare for Sept 1-10, then increasing throughout the month.
Eastern Bluebird 3
American Robin 35 This bird does reside here in the summer, but the abundance seen today was more like what we’d see in winter. Very unusual but the dominance of individuals seem to be obstructing our view of other birds.
Northern Mockingbird 12
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 1
Wilson’s Warbler 1
Lark Sparrow 3
Summer Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 6
Great-tailed Grackle 4
Baltimore Oriole 5
House Finch 2
Lesser Goldfinch 5
Shelia Hargis says:
September 14, 2013 at 1:37 pm
Laurie Foss and I led a birding by kayak field trip at Lake Bastrop on 9/7/13. We were joined by a great group of birding friends. This was International Vulture Awareness Day and we were able to appreciate many Black Vultures at a couple of roost sites around the north shore of the lake. Here’s our eBird list for the day:
Lake Bastrop (Bastrop Co.), Bastrop, US-TX
Sep 7, 2013 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
5.25 mile(s)
Comments: Travis Audubon field trip on Lake Bastrop for International Vulture Awareness Day. Marti and John Wilbur, Bruce and Erik Atwell. Partly cloudy with light winds. HOT! Kayaking on the north edge of the lake, we put in and took out at the LCRA North Shore Park.
39 species (+1 other taxa)
Wood Duck 5
Neotropic Cormorant 6
Double-crested Cormorant 30 A high-flying “v” formation containing all 30 birds
Anhinga 1
Great Blue Heron 9
Great Egret 11
Little Blue Heron 1
Tricolored Heron 3
Green Heron 23 They were everywhere! We covered 5 miles of the edge of the lake. Many were juvenile birds.
Black-crowned Night-Heron 3 There is a cove with a winter roost that they are apparently using for breeding
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 2
Black Vulture 165
Turkey Vulture 6
Osprey 1
Bald Eagle 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Sora 2 One visualized and one calling nearby
American Coot 6
Forster’s Tern 1
Mourning Dove 1
Inca Dove 1
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
Belted Kingfisher 3 At different locations on the lake – two seen together and one by itself.
Red-bellied Woodpecker 9
Downy Woodpecker 2
Pileated Woodpecker 2
Least Flycatcher 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 2
White-eyed Vireo 27
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 12
Carolina Chickadee 7
Tufted Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 11
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 14
Yellow Warbler 1
Pine Warbler 9
Northern Cardinal 13
Red-winged Blackbird 2
Baltimore Oriole 9
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Shelia Hargis says:
September 14, 2013 at 1:26 pm
Thank you to everyone who joined us for a Purple Martin Party this summer! Extra points if you joined us for more than one! I watched the roost 10+ times and I was still awestruck after each one. The birds were incredible. Mark your calendar to join us next year for another summer of martin fun.
Richard Moya Park
Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013
8:00-10:00 a.m.
Virginia Rose and Judith Bailey aided by George Kerr, Andrea Walsh, and fourteen others birded Richard Moya on the first Saturday in September. Beautiful morning, warm, humid and still. Best bird may have been the red shouldered hawk flying directly in front of us and only fifteen feet off the ground. Mr. Wilson’s last minute appearance was fun, too. Twenty-eight birds.
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Red-shouldered Hawk
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Western Kingbird
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
White-eyed Vireo
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Titmouse species
Carolina Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Eastern Bluebird
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Wilson’s Warbler
Summer Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Great-tailed Grackle
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
House Sparrow
Ken Zaslow says:
August 27, 2013 at 5:37 pm
Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, US-TX
Aug 27, 2013 7:30 AM – 9:50 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: 22 people participated in this TAS field trip to Hornsby Bend. Time was spent birding the ponds and a short section of the River Trail. The weather was overcast skies with light winds and temperatures in the upper 70’s to low 80’s. The water level at the ponds was high limiting the habitat for shorebirds. Despite that we had nice sightings of Wilson’s Phalaropes, Long-billed Dowatchers, and Black-necked Stilts among other birds. A special treat was coming upon a sizable group of Yellow Warblers while driving on the road between Pond 1B and Pond 2.
36 species (+4 other taxa)
Blue-winged Teal 2
Great Egret 1 Flyover
Snowy Egret 1
Little Blue Heron 1
Cattle Egret 1
Green Heron 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 14
Killdeer 12
Black-necked Stilt 3
Spotted Sandpiper 4
Least Sandpiper 55
Long-billed Dowitcher 2
Wilson’s Phalarope 2
White-winged Dove 7
Mourning Dove 4
hummingbird sp. 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Crested Caracara 2
Monk Parakeet 1
Empidonax sp. 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 2
White-eyed Vireo 3
American Crow 2
Barn Swallow 45
Cliff Swallow 9
Cliff/Cave Swallow 10
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 4
Carolina Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 6
Eastern Bluebird 2 Seen in the parking lot area before the trip began
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 15
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 9
Northern Cardinal 6
Red-winged Blackbird 27
Great-tailed Grackle 30
House Sparrow 12
Shelia Hargis says:
June 25, 2013 at 1:12 am
Twelve intrepid birders joined me for a weekend (June 15 & 16) at the coast for our annual birding by kayak adventure in the Corpus Christi area. I had very high expectations for our visit to Shamrock Cove in Corpus Christi bay, but Mother Nature had other ideas. On Saturday morning, the wind was much stronger than it seemed when we started out. Some of us had the good sense to stop before crossing the bay. Others of us, myself included, didn’t! We all survived, so all’s well that ends well, right? We all got a great upper body workout for sure! You can see some photos of us at https://plus.google.com/photos/104857685363900679676/albums/5889822396217066641, compliments of Ken Johnson, our local kayak guide. After we ended our kayaking for the day, most of our group visited Turnbull Birding Center in Port Aransas. Then later in the day, some of us visited Suter National Wildlife Refuge while others visited the botanical gardens, both in Corpus.
Everyone had a good time, and we did pretty good on birds too. Here’s the bird list for our trip:
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
Mottled Duck
Neotropic Cormorant
American White Pelican
Brown Pelican
Least Bittern
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Tricolored Heron
Reddish Egret
Cattle Egret
Green Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
White Ibis
Roseate Spoonbill
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Red-shouldered Hawk
Swainson’s Hawk
American Coot
American Oystercatcher
Black-necked Stilt
Willet
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Least Tern
Caspian Tern
Forster’s Tern
Royal Tern
Sandwich Tern
Black Skimmer
Rock Pigeon
Eurasian Collared-Dove
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Inca Dove
Common Ground-Dove
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Great Crested Flycatcher
Brown-crested Flycatcher
Great Kiskadee
Couch’s Kingbird
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
White-eyed Vireo
Purple Martin
Barn Swallow
Carolina Wren
Northern Mockingbird
Long-billed Thrasher
European Starling
Lark Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Painted Bunting
Red-winged Blackbird
Great-tailed Grackle
Bronzed Cowbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
House Sparrow
Shelia Hargis says:
June 12, 2013 at 11:00 am
Fifteen enthusiastic birders joined Laurie Foss and me for our annual Birding Cow Creek Rd by Bike field trip on June 8, 2013. The weather was wonderful – it was actually COOL in the morning! There was water in the creek, and the birds were great as usual. The highlight (and life bird for some) was the immature Golden-cheeked Warbler we saw in a tree overhanging the road. Coming in as a close second were the two baby Killdeer following the parent around along the creek edge.
Here are the birds we saw:
Northern Bobwhite
Wild Turkey
Great Blue Heron
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Red-shouldered Hawk
Killdeer
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Common Ground-Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Greater Roadrunner
Chimney Swift
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Crested Caracara
Eastern Phoebe
Ash-throated Flycatcher
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
White-eyed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Western Scrub-Jay
American Crow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Barn Swallow
Cave Swallow
Cliff/Cave Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Black-crested Titmouse
Canyon Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Carolina Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Northern Mockingbird
Black-and-white Warbler
Golden-cheeked Warbler
Rufous-crowned Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
Summer Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Blue Grosbeak
Painted Bunting
Brown-headed Cowbird
Orchard Oriole
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
Dennis Palafox says:
June 11, 2013 at 2:39 am
On June 9, 2013, I lead a group of 10 people at Westcave Preserve. There was a threat of thunderstorms before we started. We heard some thunder and it sprinkled on us for a few minutes as we walked to and from the grotto, which was very beautiful and lush. It remained overcast until the very end of the trip. The wildflowers on the property were spectacular. A list of birds we saw or heard follows:
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 2
White-winged Dove 4
Mourning Dove 5
Inca Dove 1
Yellow-billed cuckoo 2
Chimney Swift 3
Black-chinned Hummingbird 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Empidonax sp 2 (thought we heard Acadian and Alder songs but they didn’t respond to recordings)
Eastern Phoebe 1
Ash-throated Flycatcher 1
White-eyed Vireo 4
Bell’s Vireo 1
Yellow-throated Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Western Scrub-Jay 2
Carolina Chickadee 5
Black-crested Titmouse 2
Canyon Wren 3
Carolina Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Northern Mockingbird 3
Northern Parula 1
Summer Tanager 4
Cassin’s Sparrow 1
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 2
Lark Sparrow (nesting) 7
Grasshopper Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 7
Blue Grosbeak 3
Painted Bunting 4
Lesser Goldfinch 3
Kenneth Zaslow says:
June 4, 2013 at 4:28 pm
Webberville Park (Big & Little) (HOTE 035), Travis, US-TX
Jun 4, 2013 7:00 AM – 9:15 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.25 mile(s)
Comments: Thirteen people participated on this TAS field trip to Big Webberville Park. The day started off with some ground fog and a temperature of 68 degrees. The remainder of the trip had sunny skies, calm winds, and an ending temperature of 80 degrees. The best bird was a singing Prothonotary Warbler that gave us multiple great looks as it foraged on both sides of the Colorado River in the vicinity of the observation deck. Other notable sightings included Pileated Woodpecker, Great-crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Painted Bunting.
36 species (+2 other taxa)
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 2
Snowy Egret 1
Green Heron 1
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 1
Black Vulture 15
Turkey Vulture 7
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Heard only
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 1
Rock Pigeon 55
White-winged Dove 1
Mourning Dove 11
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 6
Downy Woodpecker 5
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 3
Great Crested Flycatcher 3
Eastern Kingbird 3
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 4
White-eyed Vireo 2 heard only
American Crow 6
Purple Martin 1
Carolina Chickadee 7
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 5
Carolina Wren 7
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Eastern Bluebird 4
Northern Mockingbird 6
Prothonotary Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 18
Painted Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Great-tailed Grackle 5
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
House Finch 1 Heard only
Deb Wallace says:
May 21, 2013 at 11:48 pm
On Tuesday, May 21st, 14 of us birded the wonderful Commons Ford Park. It was a bit muggy, but we had some good birds and the prairie was gorgeous.
On Sunday, May 12th, 15 of us went out to bird the Simons Tract on the Balcones Canyonlands NWR. It was a good day, if a little breezy. We had some nice birds with the highlights being the Orchard Orioles attending a nest where we parked to carpool at Doeskin and the Great-horned Owl nestlings on Simons – very appropriate for Mother’s Day!
Simons Tract:
1 Northern Bobwhite
1 Great Blue Heron
8 Turkey Vulture
1 Crested Caracara
2 Killdeer
7 Mourning Dove
1 Inca Dove
1 Common Ground-Dove
2 Yellow-billed Cuckoo
1 Greater Roadrunner
3 Great Horned Owl
2 Black-chinned Hummingbird
1 Eastern Phoebe
5 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
2 Western Kingbird
1 White-eyed Vireo
1 Common Raven
3 Carolina Chickadee
1 Black-crested Titmouse
2 Bewick’s Wren
2 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
4 Northern Mockingbird
7 Clay-colored Sparrow
1 Field Sparrow
12 Lark Sparrow
2 Grasshopper Sparrow
2 White-crowned Sparrow
2 Summer Tanager
5 Northern Cardinal
2 Blue Grosbeak
8 Painted Bunting
50 Dickcissel
2 House Finch
4 Lesser Goldfinch
Ronnie Kramer says:
May 12, 2013 at 10:18 pm
I led 10 others to Copperfield Nature Trails. 15 warblers made it a great day.
Copperfield Nature Trail (Travis Co.), Travis, US-TX
May 12, 2013 6:50 AM – 12:48 PM
Protocol: Traveling
4.0 mile(s)
Comments: Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.5.3
56 species (+2 other taxa)
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Kenny Anderson says:
May 10, 2013 at 5:16 am
The Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 12:15 on 5/10/13. Send interesting sightings- complete with species name, LOCATION, and contact information- to Kenny Anderson at kennya290@gmail.com
-Rarities Found This Week-
Two Piping Plovers were a terrific find at Stillhouse Hollow Lake- Union Grove on 5/5 in Bell County.
A Swallow-tailed Kite was near the river in eastern Bastrop County on 5/4.
A Bastrop County residence was lively with a female Black-throated Blue Warbler on 5/4, a Cerulean Warbler on 5/6, a Veery and a Gray-cheeked Thrush on 5/6, and a continuing Red-breasted Nuthatch.
A male Blackpoll Warbler was a two-day spectacle at Richard Moya Park on 5/5,6 in Travis County and a female Blackpoll at Brushy Creek Trail in Cedar Park in Williamson County 5/5.
A MacGillivray’s Warbler was a nice find at Roy Guerrero Park in Austin on 5/5 and a MacGillivray’s Warbler was at Warbler Woods on 5/5 in Guadalupe County.
A Black-billed Cuckoo was near the intersection of 4th and Ave. A in the Elgin area of Bastrop County on 5/3.
Brown-crested Flycatcher has returned to Richard Moya Park 5/8 and three were detected in Bastrop State Park on 5/4.
Cooperative Black-headed Grosbeaks at St. Edwards Park in Travis County were photographed by several people 5/5-7. A Red-breasted Nuthatch was present at same park on 5/5.
Wood Thrush was at Cypress Creek Park on Lake Travis in Travis County 5/5 and Booty’s Road Park in Williamson County on 5/6,7.
A Veery and a Gray-cheeked Thrush were at Willis Creek WMA on 5/3 and two Red-breasted Nuthatches on 5/5 in Williamson County.
Veery was also seen at the Colorado River Nature Preserve on 5/8,9.
Gray-cheeked Thrush: was photographed at West Bouldin Greenbelt on 5/4 (Travis), was seen at the Colorado River Preserve in Austin 5/8, photographed at a Sunset Valley home 5/7 (Travis).
A Blue-winged Warbler was at St. Edwards Park in Travis County on 5/5 and a Blue-winged Warbler at a Gonzales County home 5/1.
Golden-winged Warblers: a male at West Bouldin Greenbelt (Travis) on 5/5, a female at West Bouldin Greenbelt on 5/9, a male at Warbler Woods on 5/4 (Guadalupe), and a male photographed at a Gonzales County home 5/9.
Scarlet Tanager: a female at Willis Creek WMA in Williamson 5/5 and a male photographed at the Colorado River Nature Preserve 5/9.
Lazuli Buntings: 1 male photographed at a Gonzales County home 5/2, a male at Back Door Springs along Barton Creek on 5/4 (Travis), a male photographed at Roy Guerrero Park on 5/5, a male on the “Big Tree” trail on CR347 in Williamson County 5/5, a male on the San Gabriel River boat ramp 5/3 (Williamson).
Kenneth Zaslow says:
May 7, 2013 at 7:09 pm
This trip was led by Dan Callaway who had to leave early for work and Ken Zaslow.
Georgetown- Berry Springs Park, Williamson, US-TX
May 7, 2013 7:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.5 mile(s)
Comments: Eleven people participated on this TAS field trip to Berry Springs Park and Preserve in Williamson County. The weather was perfect with sunny skies, light winds, low humidity and temperatures ranging from the high 40’s to the high 70’s. Highlight of the day was our encounter with a large mixed flock of warblers and vireos that included Backburnian, Black-throated Green, Nashville, Yellow, and Wilson’s warblers and Red-eyed, White-eyed and Warbling vireos.
53 species (+3 other taxa)
Wood Duck 1
Great Blue Heron 3
Great Egret 2
Green Heron 1
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 2
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 3
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
White-winged Dove 2
Mourning Dove 1
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2
Common Nighthawk 1
Red-headed Woodpecker 1 This bird has been regular in the park since the 2012 Christmas bird count. All of us saw it in the trees west of and across the slough from the small Birthday Pavilion.
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Downy Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 1
Empidonax sp. 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 3
Eastern Kingbird 2
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 2
White-eyed Vireo 5
Warbling Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 3
swallow sp. 7
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 4
Carolina Wren 6
Eastern Bluebird 8
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 3 A nest with chicks was located under the roof of the small Birthday Pavilion.
Nashville Warbler 3
Common Yellowthroat 2
Blackburnian Warbler 2 Seen on the granite trail along Berry Creek west of the boardwalk
Yellow Warbler 7
Black-throated Green Warbler 3
Wilson’s Warbler 1
Chipping Sparrow 1
Clay-colored Sparrow 11
Lark Sparrow 6
Savannah Sparrow 1
Grasshopper Sparrow 5
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Summer Tanager 3
Northern Cardinal 9
Dickcissel 3
Red-winged Blackbird 15
Common Grackle 2
Great-tailed Grackle 5
Orchard Oriole 1
American Goldfinch 1
Ken Zaslow says:
May 1, 2013 at 12:55 pm
Warbler Woods, Guadalupe, US-TX
Apr 30, 2013 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: Fourteen people participated on this TAS field trip to Warbler Woods in Guadalupe County. We began the day by birding around the main house followed by walks on trails that covered most of the areas and habitats on the property. From 11:00am to 2:30pm most of the group spent their time birding in the comfort of the area around the beautiful Warbler Central Pond in the backyard. Highlight species were Chuck-wills widow seen on the Nightjar Pass trail, Barred Owl seen in Don’s Woods near the edge of the Second Field, and Blackburnian and Blue-winged Warblers seen in the afternoon at the Warbler Central Pond. Nashville Warblers were plentiful and were seen/heard in many locations.
52 species (+2 other taxa)
Northern Bobwhite 2 Heard only
Black Vulture 7
Turkey Vulture 2
White-winged Dove 25
Mourning Dove 17
Inca Dove 1
Common Ground-Dove 5
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2
Barred Owl 1
Chuck-will’s-widow 1
Chimney Swift 7
Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 4
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Empidonax sp. 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
White-eyed Vireo 15
Blue-headed Vireo 1 Heard only
Purple Martin 1
Barn Swallow 7
Carolina Chickadee 5
Black-crested Titmouse 6
House Wren 1 Heard only
Bewick’s Wren 2 Heard only
Carolina Wren 7
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 7
Long-billed Thrasher 3 Heard only
Cedar Waxwing 3
Blue-winged Warbler 1
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Tennessee Warbler 1
Orange-crowned Warbler 4
Nashville Warbler 7
Northern Parula 1
Blackburnian Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Yellow-breasted Chat 1 Heard only
Clay-colored Sparrow 10
Lark Sparrow 14
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
Summer Tanager 2 Heard only
Northern Cardinal 23
Indigo Bunting 2
Painted Bunting 3
Dickcissel 5 Heard only
Great-tailed Grackle 7
Brown-headed Cowbird 8
House Finch 1
Lesser Goldfinch 9
House Sparrow 3
Terry Banks says:
April 29, 2013 at 6:10 pm
Hopefully this is a more readable entry than my last entry:
at Hills Neighborhood, Travis, US-TX
Apr 29, 2013 7:15 AM – 11:15 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Comments: 10 birders participated in this Travis Audubon Field trip to the Great Hills Greenbelt. It was a sunny day with temperatures ranging from 67 degrees Fahrenheit in the morning to 75 degrees Fahrenheit by midmorning. We walked about 3 miles through the greenbelt.
34 species (+1 other taxa)
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 1
Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) 1
Sharp-shinned/Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter striatus/cooperii) 1
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) 20
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 2
Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) 5
Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) 1 One Black Chinned Hummingbird was spotted by a member of our party as it flew to its nest.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 2 heard only
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 1 heard only
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) 2
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus) 1 seen flying high above the greenbelt
White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus) 10
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 10
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) 5
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 5
Black-crested Titmouse (Baeolophus atricristatus) 5
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) 1 heard only
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 10
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 5
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) 1
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 3
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 5
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) 1 One seen foraging on the creek.
Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata) 3
Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla) 5 Most of the birds were singing, but we did spot Nashville Warblers several times.
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) 1 heard only
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens) 1
Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens) 1
Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida) 10 seen briefly flying from the ground to the trees
Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) 1
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 20
Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris) 2 A male and female were spotted foraging along the path
Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius) 1 one male spotted at the top of a Cottonwood Tree
Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) 10
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 30
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Deb Wallace says:
April 25, 2013 at 1:44 am
Eleven birders came out to walk the diverse Gainer tract on the Refuge. We were able to get a couple of life birds for some of the participants and a good time was had by all.
Balcones Canyonlands NWR Gainer Tract, Burnet, US-TX
Apr 14, 2013 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
34 species (+1 other taxa)
A group of eleven birders visited Booty’s Road and Rivery Parks in Georgetown today (April 16th). Highlights included a singing summer tanager as well as a herd only golden-cheeked warbler. The following is the ebird report for each location:
Rivery Park, Williamson, US-TX
Apr 16, 2013 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
26 species (+1 other taxa)
Redhead 1
Snowy Egret 1
Broad-winged Hawk 1
Swainson’s Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Inca Dove 1
Chimney Swift 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Western Kingbird 1
White-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 2
Common Raven 1
Cliff Swallow 20
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
Canyon Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 1
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 2
Cedar Waxwing 25
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 2
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Lesser Goldfinch 2
Booty’s Road Park, Williamson, US-TX
Apr 16, 2013 7:30 AM – 11:00 AM
34 species (+1 other taxa)
Double-crested Cormorant 4
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 10
Turkey Vulture 20
Cooper’s Hawk 1 nesting
White-winged Dove 3
Mourning Dove 3
Greater Roadrunner 1 herd only
Black-chinned Hummingbird 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Western Kingbird 1
White-eyed Vireo 3
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 35
Barn Swallow 3
Cliff Swallow 3
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 5
Canyon Wren 2
Bewick’s Wren 1
Carolina Wren 2
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 2
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Nashville Warbler 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 5
Golden-cheeked Warbler 1 herd only
Lark Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 6
Great-tailed Grackle 3
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
House Finch 6
Lesser Goldfinch 4
Kenny Anderson says:
April 13, 2013 at 5:55 am
-Rarities Found This Week-
A male Cerulean Warbler was reliably reported from a central Austin home on 4/7 in Travis County. A male Cerulean Warbler was nicely described at Seider’s Springs Park along Shoal Creek in Austin on 4/10. I did not endeavor to try to figure out if this is a single bird.
A Zone-tailed Hawk was seen at the Balcones Canyonlands NWR headquarters on 4/11 in northwestern Travis County.
20 alternate-plumage Hudsonian Godwits at Union Grove in Bell County on 4/11 is a good count on an early date.
A Blue-winged Warbler at a Bastrop County home on 4/12 was a nice yard bird.
3 Common Loons linger on Lake Travis in Travis County, birds are being seen from Windy Point. Last update on 4/12 indicated birds were nearing high breeding plumage.
Laggard Sprague’s Pippits were at Commons Ford Park (1 on 4/7) and Bob Wentz Windy Point (1 on 4/6).
A Snowy Plover continued at Lake Travis on 4/7; low lake level could be enticing to the species to over-summer. Updates encouraged.
Commons Ford Park held 2 LeConte’s Sparrows on 4/7 and a single on 4/12. The Prairie Restoration Organization held a “Big Day in the Park” on 4/7, positive results already are being seen from their efforts.
An American Woodcock in Bastrop State Park (4/7) doing the wounded-wing display, carrying on strongly suggests an attempt to breed locally.
2 Buff-breasted Sandpipers on the ball fields at Southeast Metro Park were a nice April find. 4/8
Reports for the Austin area RBA cover a 60 mile radius, centered from the Capitol in downtown Austin. Bird sightings mentioned here have been filtered and scrutinized by the compiler and are believed to be genuine. When documentation or photographs were provided that is mentioned, along with the other information about the bird(s) being seen. For questions or updates about birds mentioned here or to report rare or unusual bird sightings in the Austin area, please send an e-mail to kennya290@gmail.com
Kenny Anderson
Austin
Deb Wallace says:
April 10, 2013 at 1:43 am
On Tuesday, April 9th, a group of thirteen went briding the Aquarena/Spring Lake Preserve in San Marcos. We had a nice mix of birds and thoroughly enjoyed our morning! The ebird list follows:
Aquarena Springs, Hays, US-TX
Apr 9, 2013 7:15 AM – 11:15 AM
Protocol: Traveling
4.0 mile(s)
49 species (+2 other taxa)
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 2
Cackling/Canada Goose 1
Gadwall 8
Blue-winged Teal 4
Ring-necked Duck 2 2 female. brownish cap, white eye ring, blue/gray
bill with white ring and black tip
Pied-billed Grebe 4
Double-crested Cormorant 9
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 1
Little Blue Heron 1
Cattle Egret 50
Green Heron 4
Black Vulture 15
Turkey Vulture 12
Osprey 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Sora 1
American Coot 14
White-winged Dove 16
Mourning Dove 7
Barred Owl 1
Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
hummingbird sp. 4
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 4
Couch’s Kingbird 2
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 2
White-eyed Vireo 2
Common Raven 1
Purple Martin 2
Carolina Chickadee 7
Black-crested Titmouse 3
Bewick’s Wren 1
Carolina Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Northern Mockingbird 5
Cedar Waxwing 25
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 10
Spotted Towhee 1
Clay-colored Sparrow 4
Lincoln’s Sparrow 6
Northern Cardinal 8
Red-winged Blackbird 1
House Finch 3
Lesser Goldfinch 3
American Goldfinch 20
The Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 8:30 on April 5, 2013. Send interesting sightings- complete with species name, LOCATION, and contact information- to Kenny Anderson at kennya290@gmail.com
-Rarities Found past two Weeks-
A Whimbrel at Slough Pond in Bell County on 3/22 was a nice Central Texas find.
A Horned Grebe (3/23) and photographed Chestnut-collared Longspurs (3/23-29) were at at Bob Wentz County Park/ Windy Point in Travis County. 2 Snowy Plovers were photographed on 3/30 at Windy Point. Common Loon continues at Lake Travis with latest word 4/4.
A Zone-tailed Hawk was seen near River Place Boulevard and Bullick Hollow in western Travis County on 4/2.
A Black-headed Grosbeak and a Broad-tailed Hummingbird were at a Blanco County residence on 3/22.
A migratory female Black-capped Vireo was found on 3/24 at West Bouldin Greenbelt in South Austin. The bird was photographed on 3/26. (Travis)
A migratory Golden-cheeked Warbler was photographed at the Lake Creek Trail in Williamson County on 3/23.
A Blue-winged Warbler at an Utley home on 3/25 was a nice find (Bastrop).
Virginia Rails were detected in Travis County at the Colorado River Wildlife Preserve on 3/31 and at Hornsby Bend’s Platt Pond 4/5.
A female Eastern Towhee was described at the Slaughter Creek Trail, off of 1826, in Travis County on 3/28 in Travis County.
An American Bittern at Laguna Gloria on 4/2,3 was a good Travis County bird.
A Yellow-headed Blackbird was photographed at a Bell County home on 4/4.
Hutton’s Vireo was reported from Warbler Woods in Guadalupe County on 3/22-4/5.
Reports for the Austin area RBA cover a 60 mile radius, centered from the Capitol in downtown Austin. Bird sightings mentioned here have been filtered and scrutinized by the compiler and are believed to be genuine. When documentation or photographs were provided that is mentioned, along with the other information about the bird(s) being seen. For questions or updates about birds mentioned here or to report rare or unusual bird sightings in the Austin area, please send an e-mail to kennya290@gmail.com
Kenny Anderson
Austin
Kenneth Zaslow says:
April 2, 2013 at 9:36 pm
Eighteen people participated in today’s field trip to Northeast Metro Park. Dan Callaway led the trip and provided the eBird report that is copied below.
Northeast Metro Park (Travis Co.), Travis, US-TX
Apr 2, 2013 7:30 AM – 11:15 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Travis Audubon field trip. Weather— occ.light rain, cloudy, 65-72. We began at the trailhead and followed the creek to the end passing through pecan bottoms and woody edges.
49 species (+2 other taxa)
duck sp. 3
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 2
Northern Harrier 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 1
Rock Pigeon 150
White-winged Dove 25
Mourning Dove 14
Barred Owl 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 4
Eastern Phoebe 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 5
Loggerhead Shrike 2
White-eyed Vireo 10
Blue-headed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 5
Barn Swallow 1
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 3
Red-breasted Nuthatch 3 Seen easily by all as they fed along the bark of large pecan trees.
Brown Creeper (Eastern) 1 Seen by a few birders in same area as the nuthatches.
Carolina Wren 10
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 15
Eastern Bluebird 2
Hermit Thrush 1
Northern Mockingbird 15
European Starling 30
American Pipit 15
Cedar Waxwing 15
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Orange-crowned Warbler 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler 20
Chipping Sparrow 1
Clay-colored Sparrow 1
Lark Sparrow 20
Savannah Sparrow 30
Grasshopper Sparrow 6
Lincoln’s Sparrow 6
White-throated Sparrow 8
White-crowned Sparrow 14
Northern Cardinal 40
Red-winged Blackbird 150
Common Grackle 50
Great-tailed Grackle 30
House Finch 2
Kenneth Zaslow says:
March 26, 2013 at 8:23 pm
Emma Long Metropolitan Park, Travis, US-TX
Mar 26, 2013 7:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
5.5 mile(s)
Comments: 12 people participated on this Travis Audubon Society field trip to Emma Long Park in west Austin. We spent the first 2.5 hours birding the first half of the Turkey Creek trail. Initially bird song was rather muted due to the cold temperatures, but bird vocalization and activity picked up as the morning progressed. We spent the final, very productive 2.0 hours of the trip birding the lakefront area of the park, including its 1 mile long nature trail. Highlights included Golden-cheeked Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Northern Parula, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, and Swainsons Hawk. Beginning temperature was a cold 31 degrees. Ending temperature was a pleasant 61 degrees. The sky was sunny and winds were calm.
42 species (+2 other taxa)
Mute Swan 3
Wood Duck 2
Gadwall 1
Mallard (Domestic type) 2
Lesser Scaup 1
Pied-billed Grebe 9
American White Pelican 71 Flying over
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 14
Turkey Vulture 7
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Swainson’s Hawk 1 Flying over
American Coot 4
Killdeer 1
White-winged Dove 2
Mourning Dove 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Heard only
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 3 Heard only
Eastern Phoebe 3
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
White-eyed Vireo 11
American Crow 3
Purple Martin 4
Barn Swallow 6
Carolina Chickadee 12
Black-crested Titmouse 17
Bewick’s Wren 2 Heard only
Carolina Wren 7
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 21
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 14
Eastern Bluebird 2
Hermit Thrush 2
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 35
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Northern Parula 3 Seen and heard along the 1 mile nature trail in the lakefront section of the park
Yellow-rumped Warbler 9
Yellow-throated Warbler 2 We had excellent views of two very distinctive Yellow-throated Warblers that were “working” the large Bald Cypress and Sycamore trees along the shore of Lake Austin in Emma long Park. The birds had white wingbars, an extensive bright yellow throat, white belly with black streaks on the sides, white undertail coverts, black face with a strong white eyebrow, a gray back and dark crown. Photos were taken by Roger Smith, Ronnie Kramer and Ray Steelman. There were Yellow-rumped Warblers of differing plumages in the same vicinity which clearly were identifiable as a different species.
Golden-cheeked Warbler 8 Seven birds were seen and/or heard along and in the vicinity of the Turkey Creek Trail. One bird was heard singing while we walked on the 1 mile nature trail in the lakefront portion of the park.
Field Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 23
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 2
Great-tailed Grackle 10
Kenny Anderson says:
March 22, 2013 at 6:47 am
The Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon
Society. This update is as of 9:45 on 3/21/2013. Send interesting
sightings- complete with species name, LOCATION, and contact
information- to Kenny Anderson at kennya290@gmail.com
-Rarities Found This Week-
A Black-headed Grosbeak was at a feeder at a home in southwestern
Bastrop County on 3/21.
A Black-headed Grosbeak was photographed at a feeder in Blanco County on 3/10.
A Hutton’s Vireo was nicely described and singing on the Travaasa
Hotel property in Travis County on 3/13.
A storm on 3/19 prompted some interesting migrants to drop out,
including a Lapland Longspur on CR352 in Williamson County (Late
Date). A Yellow-throated Warbler (local breeder but tricky migrant) at
Sunset Valley, and a Black-capped Vireo (difficult migrant) at Commons
Ford in Travis County.
Warbler Woods also reported a Black-capped Vireo 3/12 (not suitable
breeding habitat) Guadalupe County
An American Bittern was detected at the Colorado River Wildlife
Sanctuary on the Lower Colorado River in Austin on 3/16,17.
The same trip that produced a Williamson County Lapland Longspur had 3
lingering Horned Larks on CR352 and a single on CR436. A Red-headed
Woodpecker continues at the Macedonia Cemetery as of 3/20.
A Common Loon was photographed at Stillhouse Lake’s River’s Bend Park
on 3/7 (Bell county). Two Common Loons were at Canyon Lake in Comal
County on 3/21. An alternate plumage Common Loon in Austin on the
Lady Bird Lake portion of the Lower Colorado River was a snazzy sight
on 3/21.
A Common Gallinule on Waller Creek in Austin is a strange place to
have a bird and it has lingered. 3/6-21.
-Continuing From Previous Week-
The last Whooping Crane report I have seen from the Granger Lake area
came on 3/9. Two birds were reported from Friendship Park in
Williamson County. This has been an amazing story.
A wintering Prairie Warbler at a Gonzales County home remained 3/11-17
(great yard bird).
Berry Springs Park continues to host a Red-headed Woodpecker 3/7,13.
A White Ibis below the Longhorn Dam in Austin had reports on 3/15-20.
A Peregrine Falcon, maybe two, continue to be seen around the downtown
Austin area, University of Texas Tower, and Roy Guerrero Park. Last
report came 3/20 from below Longhorn Dam. Consistent reports of birds
on the Frost Bank Building and UT Tower have me desiring future
updates.
Ronnie Kramer says:
March 13, 2013 at 10:05 pm
On March 9, 2013, Shirley LaVergne and I led 7 others down Copperfiedl Nature Trail in Northeast Austin. We tallied 32 for the day.
Copperfield Nature Trail (Travis Co.), Travis, US-TX
Mar 9, 2013 6:52 AM – 10:22 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
32 species (+1 other taxa)
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) 2
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) 2
Great Egret (Ardea alba) 1
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 3
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) 1
American Coot (Fulica americana) 1
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) 100
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) 40
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 7
Inca Dove (Columbina inca) 1
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) 1 Yellow-billed Cuckoo heard only, unmistakable. Listened for mimicking northern mockingbird, but none heard. Reviewed BirdTunes in the field to confirm. Bird gave the accelerating series of stecatto notes followed by the decelerating series of clock clock clock notes. Later listened to suggested vocalizations of common ground-dove, roadrunner, and yellow-breasted chat. None of these compared with the heard vocalizations.
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 4
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) 1
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 2
Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius) 1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 4
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 2
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 7
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) (Baeolophus bicolor x atricristatus) 1
Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) 1
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) 5
Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) 1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 1
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 2
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 3
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 500
Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata) 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 35
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 14
Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) 50
Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) 2
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Ken Zaslow says:
March 13, 2013 at 12:41 am
The following eBird report is from Dan Callaway who led a TAS Two-hour Tuesday trip to Hutto Lake Park on March 12th. Seventeen people participated on the trip.
Hutto Lake Park, Williamson, US-TX
Mar 12, 2013 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Travis Audubon field trip. Weather – clear, temp- 40-55 degrees, calm to S breeze 15 mph.
36 species (+3 other taxa)
Mallard (Domestic type) 7
Ring-necked Duck 3
Pied-billed Grebe 5
Double-crested Cormorant 12
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 1
Turkey Vulture 2
Northern Harrier 1
Accipiter sp. 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 32
Killdeer 8
Wilson’s Snipe 5
Rock Pigeon 1
Eurasian Collared-Dove 2
White-winged Dove 3
Mourning Dove 9
Belted Kingfisher 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Loggerhead Shrike 2
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 1
Barn Swallow 7
House Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 35
American Pipit 5
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 12
Savannah Sparrow 16
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 5
Red-winged Blackbird 65
Western Meadowlark 1
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 7
Great-tailed Grackle 45
House Finch 1
House Sparrow 1
Kenny Anderson says:
March 7, 2013 at 5:15 pm
The Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 11:00 on March 7, 2013. Send interesting sightings- complete with species name, LOCATION, and contact information- to Kenny Anderson at kennya290@gmail.com
-Rarities Found This Week-
Somewhat an exceptional find in the time-of-year category is a Least Bittern found at Laguna Gloria in Austin on 2/27. The bird was photographed on 3/1,2 in Travis County.
A Calliope Hummingbird was photographed at an Austin home on 3/1.
Only one Whooping Crane report from Granger Lake came on 3/3 with 2 birds on CR352 (Williamson County)
Prairie Falcon remains in the Granger area as of 3/3, with a report of one at CR354 and CR350.
Buff-bellied Hummingbird continues at Hornsby Bend with records on 3/2,3. Unfortunately a fire on the compost drying beds has the entire facility closed until further notice.
A nice description of a possible Golden Eagle came from the area of the Pennybacker Bridge in west Austin on 2/27.
White Ibis remains below Longhorn Dam on 3/1- juvenile plumage is being replaced with adult white feathers.
Red-headed Woodpecker on 3/2 at Berry Springs Park in Georgetown is a nice lingering bird. (Willliamson County)
Fairly short list for the week; is this computer working? Make my day, get out and find something.
Reports for the Austin area RBA cover a 60 mile radius, centered from the Capitol in downtown Austin. Bird sightings mentioned here have been filtered and scrutinized by the compiler and are believed to be genuine. When documentation or photographs were provided that is mentioned, along with the other information about the bird(s) being seen. For questions or updates about birds mentioned here or to report rare or unusual bird sightings in the Austin area, please send an e-mail to kennya290@gmail.com
Kenny Anderson
Austin
Peter English says:
March 6, 2013 at 9:37 pm
Today on the UT campus we found a Common Gallinule about 25 ft from where it was found in the Fall. It is along Waller Creek immediately in front of the Creekside Residence Hall (CRH) – if you want to go see it , the best plan is to stand on the dorm side of the creek near the footbridge and look back south on the creek. There is a white-bark tree fallen/overhanging the creek and it is under there most of the time that we observed it.
It has been doing something that I have never seen before: the creek has clearly eroded laterally into the bank, but from the bank it appears to be right at water level and not really all that far back – the Gallinule goes back into this eroded space and has spent 20 minutes or more up in there. I suspect that it is feeding, because it did that when there was no particular reason to hide. Later it went up in there when a group of students arrived, so also uses the area to hide. It also spends some time out in the creek, but never did any eating while out in the creek.
Haven’t seen the pair of Peregrines on the UT tower since 2/20.
Ray Steelman says:
March 5, 2013 at 5:57 pm
Five intrepid birders braved the 25-40 mph winds at Lake Creek Trail today (3/5) and found 42 wind blown bird species. The high-lite was great views of a winter wren as it worked a stone wall looking for insects. The ebird list follows
Lake Creek Trail (Williamson Co.), Williamson, US-TX
Mar 5, 2013 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
42 species
Gadwall 39
American Wigeon 27
Northern Shoveler 6
Northern Pintail 1
Green-winged Teal 1
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 2
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Killdeer 6
Greater Yellowlegs 6
Wilson’s Snipe 2
Rock Pigeon 2
White-winged Dove 20
Mourning Dove 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
Blue Jay 8
American Crow 3
Winter Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 1
Carolina Wren 1
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 25
Cedar Waxwing 5
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 8
Chipping Sparrow 3
Field Sparrow 5
Savannah Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 5
Lincoln’s Sparrow 6
Northern Cardinal 8
Red-winged Blackbird 6
Great-tailed Grackle 200
House Finch 4
Lesser Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 8
Judith Bailey, Virginia Rose and George Kerr says:
March 3, 2013 at 8:17 pm
The Beginner’s Bird Walk at Berry Springs got off to a cold start, 36 degrees; but, a little chill in the air didn’t deter 18 hearty birders including 4 first-timers. We were rewarded with 42 species. The male Red-headed Woodpecker cooperated so that all got good looks through the scope. Other highlights were Golden-crowned Kinglet, Pine Warbler and a Northern Flicker.
TAS BEGINNER’S BIRDERS WALK
BERRY SPRINGS, 3-2-2013
Wood Duck
Gadwall
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Swallow species
Carolina Chickadee
Black-crested Titmouse
Carolina Wren
House Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
American Pipit
Cedar Waxwing
Pine Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Meadowlark species
Common Grackle
Great-tailed Grackle
Pine Siskin
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch
Ken Zaslow says:
February 27, 2013 at 3:40 am
This eBird report and checklist is from Dan Callaway. Nine people participated today on this TAS trip that Dan led to East Metropolitan Park. A highlight for many of the participants was a Greater Roadrunner that was singing/vocalizing while perched fairly high in a tree. Everyone had good looks at this very cooperative bird.
Travis County, Travis, US-TX
Feb 26, 2013 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: All birding took place within the boundary of East Metro Park, 3 miles SE of Manor. Woodland included Post Oak, mesquite, hackberry, and huisache. Also one 5 acre pond and a one acre pond, and open parkland with scattered post oak. Weather- clear, west wind 10-15 mph, temp- 38-63 degrees.
44 species (+2 other taxa)
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 12
Turkey Vulture 3
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Rock Pigeon 2
White-winged Dove 2
Mourning Dove 5
Greater Roadrunner 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 2
Eastern Phoebe 2
American Crow 12
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 4
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
House Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 1
Carolina Wren 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Eastern Bluebird 4
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 5
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 4
Cedar Waxwing 2
Pine Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 10
Spotted Towhee 1
Chipping Sparrow 12
Field Sparrow 2
Savannah Sparrow 15
Song Sparrow 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 6
White-throated Sparrow 2
White-crowned Sparrow 4
Northern Cardinal 25
Red-winged Blackbird 12
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 12
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 2
House Sparrow 2
Ken Zaslow says:
February 22, 2013 at 7:12 pm
The following two checklists are from Terry Banks. On February 19th she led a field trip to both the Inks Lake State Park and the Inks Lake National Fish Hatchery in Burnet County.
Inks Lake State Park, Burnet, US-TX
Feb 19, 2013 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Protocol: Traveling
3.5 mile(s)
Comments: 13 participants met at Inks Lake to participate on a Travis Audubon bird hike. We first birded around the HQ, then we went to the picnic area by the water. Afterwards we took a 3.3 mile hike on the Pecan Flats trail. It was a beautiful day – sunny and warm – about 65 degrees Fahrenheit with just a mild wind.
49 species (+1 other taxa)
Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens) 30 flying high over the water
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 5
Mallard (Domestic type) (Anas platyrhynchos (Domestic type)) 10
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) 3
Common Loon (Gavia immer) 1 foraging on the lake
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) 1
Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) 1
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) 6
American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) 1
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 1
Great Egret (Ardea alba) 1
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) 1
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) 10
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 1
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) 3
American Coot (Fulica americana) 12
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) 1
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 10
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) 5
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) 10
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 10
Inca Dove (Columbina inca) 2
Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) 1 Roadrunner was heard only – “singing”.
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Picoides scalaris) 4
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 1
Black-crested Titmouse (Baeolophus atricristatus) 10
Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps) 1
Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus) 1 One rock wren stayed close to us and sang. It was well visualized by everyone in the groups. There are several photographs available for this bird.
Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) 20
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) 10
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 3
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 5
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 15
Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata) 1
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) 1 Heard only
Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus) 1 One bird singing in the trees by the picnic area.
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 10
Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) 1
Rufous-crowned Sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps) 10
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) 2
Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) 2
Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) 6
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) 2
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 10 One male cardinal was attacking the mirror of one of our cars.
Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) 5
Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) 10
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 4
Inks Lake Natl. Fish Hatchery, Burnet, US-TX
Feb 19, 2013 1:45 PM – 2:30 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.25 mile(s)
Comments: 10 members of Travis Audubon walked the area around the Fish Hatchery ponds. This was a continuation of the Inks Lake Field trip.
17 species (+1 other taxa)
The Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 4:25 on February 21, 2013. Send interesting sightings- complete with species name, LOCATION, and contact information- to Kenny Anderson at kennya290@gmail.com
-Rarities Found This Week-
An Allen’s Hummingbird was confirmed via video-stills of the spread tail on 2/15/2013. The bird was first seen at an Austin home on 12/12/12; the bird has departed as of 2/16/13. This is likely the first documented record of the species in Travis County and is the second Allen’s Hummingbird to be documented through photographs of the tail (retrix 2 shape, retrix 5 size) in the 60 mile radius covered in this Winter.
A White-tailed Hawk was photographed on 2/14,16 from 1101 and Kohlenberg Road at the Mesquite Creek WMA near the Comal and Guadalupe County lines. Possibly the same bird reported on 1/31 in nearby Hays County at Old Bastrop Highway and Davis RR.
Whooping Cranes at Granger Lake are a remarkable story. This week 2 reports on 2/18 of 10 Whooping Cranes opens the possibility that the 8 wintering birds were joined by northbound migrants. Other reports are 2 adults on CR356 2/18, 2 birds at Granger Lake on 2/16, 3 birds on CR352 and 971 on 2/16, 3 birds at Sore Finger on 2/16, and 4 Whoopers on CR354 on 2/20.
Zone-tailed Hawk, a juvenile this time, was photographed below Mansfield Dam in Travis County on 2/16. An adult was seen on 1/13 and 2/12.
A Zone-tailed Hawk continues at Palmetto State Park in Gonzales County on 2/18. The bird was seen near the overflow parking for RV campsites 1-19. Bird was reported 1/12.
A Horned Grebe in Travis County is a good bird; on 2/17 there was one on Lake Travis at Windy Point.
A Roseate Spoonbill at Salt Lake in Guadalupe County was a nice February find 2/17,18.
A Common Nighthawk at Warbler Woods on 2/18 and a continuing Curve-billed Thrasher (tricky bird in the circle) 2/18 Guadalupe County
-Continuing From Previous Week-
Buff-bellied Hummingbird continues to excite at Hornsby Bend’s Platt Lane 2/15-18. Travis Co.
A Broad-tailed Hummingbird was described and video taped at an Austin residence 2/13,17
Red-headed Woodpeckers are at Williamson County’s Macedonia Cemetery 2/19 and Berry Springs Park 2/15-18.
A Prairie Warbler lingers at a Gonzales County home 2/16,18.
Reports for the Austin area RBA cover a 60 mile radius, centered from the Capitol in downtown Austin. Bird sightings mentioned here have been filtered and scrutinized by the compiler and are believed to be genuine. When documentation or photographs were provided that is mentioned, along with the other information about the bird(s) being seen. For questions or updates about birds mentioned here or to report rare or unusual bird sightings in the Austin area, please send an e-mail to kennya290@gmail.com
Kenny Anderson
Austin
Ken Zaslow says:
February 18, 2013 at 10:43 pm
Travis County, Travis, US-TX
Feb 12, 2013 7:30 AM – 10:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
22.0 mile(s)
Comments: Eleven people participated on this Travis Audubon Society field trip to visit ponds in southern Travis County. We birded two large retention ponds on the western edge of the Southpark Meadows shopping center, three ponds in the Onion Creek development east of I-35 and south of Slaughter Lane, several ponds along both North Turnersville Road and Turnersville Road, and one pond on the north side of FM1327 on property owned by the Texas Disposal Systems Exotic Game Ranch and Pavilion. Highlights were the many duck species seen, especially multiple Hooded Mergansers. The day began in heavy mist with some fog which cleared leaving cloudy skies with calm winds and pleasant temperatures. Beginning temperature was 49 degrees; ending temperature was 59 degrees.
65 species (+2 other taxa)
Gadwall 33
American Wigeon 47
Blue-winged Teal 5
Northern Shoveler 21
Northern Pintail 29
Green-winged Teal 17
Canvasback 8
Redhead 10
Ring-necked Duck 54
Lesser Scaup 12
Bufflehead 43
Hooded Merganser 11
Ruddy Duck 8
Pied-billed Grebe 5
Double-crested Cormorant 15
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 6
Black Vulture 1
Northern Harrier 3
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 9
American Coot 60
Killdeer 17
Lesser Yellowlegs 1
Least Sandpiper 11
Long-billed Dowitcher 2
Ring-billed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon 17
White-winged Dove 4
Mourning Dove 42
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 2
Crested Caracara 1
American Kestrel 2
Eastern Phoebe 1 Heard only
Loggerhead Shrike 5
American Crow 7
Purple Martin 5
Cave Swallow 1
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 1
Bewick’s Wren 2
Carolina Wren 3 Heard only
Eastern Bluebird 2
Northern Mockingbird 10
European Starling 8
American Pipit 3
Cedar Waxwing X Heard only
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 15
Chipping Sparrow 1
Field Sparrow 1
Vesper Sparrow 8
Savannah Sparrow 19
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
White-crowned Sparrow 16
Northern Cardinal 14
Red-winged Blackbird 300
Eastern Meadowlark 7 Singing in various locations
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 120
Brewer’s Blackbird 59
Common Grackle 5
Great-tailed Grackle 27
Brown-headed Cowbird 12
House Finch 3
House Sparrow 7
Kenny Anderson says:
February 15, 2013 at 3:40 am
The Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 8:45 on February 14, 2013. Send interesting sightings- complete with species name, LOCATION, and contact information- to Kenny Anderson at kennya290@gmail.com
-Rarities Found This Week-
A Virginia Rail has been seen/heard along the creek just north of the pond at Mabel Davis Park in Austin 2/6-8 (Travis)
An alternate plumage Franklin’s Gull was scoped from Blue Goose Road at the Austin Landfill in Travis County on 2/9
I am curious about a few unconfirmed reports of a Pacific Loon from Canyon Lake’s Potters Creek Park in Comal County; does anyone have any information or details?
-Continuing From Previous Week-
Whooping Cranes at Granger Lake and the surrounding agricultural area were updated with 1 seen from Willis Creek Park on 2/8,10, 7 from Granger Dam Road 2/8, and 3 seen on CR 352 south of Alligator Road 2/9.
A Prairie Falcon was briefly viewed on Harry Lind Road in Travis County on 2/9.
A Zone-tailed Hawk was just below Mansfield Dam again on 2/12 in Travis County. A Red-breasted Merganser and 2 Common Goldeneyes are also below the dam.
Buff-bellied Hummingbird is reliable at Hornsby Bend in Travis County near the Platt lane River Trailhead 2/9,10
Broad-tailed Hummingbirds continuing at two residences in Austin had an update 2/13.
2 Red-breasted Mergansers and a Common Loon were reported on Lake Travis from Windy Point in Travis County.
2 Peregrine Falcons were seen at the University of Texas on 2/9- birds have been in the downtown Austin area for a while- updates encouraged.
A Curve-billed Thrasher remains at Warbler Woods in Guadalupe County 2/13.
The section of the Lower Colorado River around the Longhorn Dam in Austin continues to have a White Ibis (2/8,11), Couch’s Kingbirds (2/12-14), Least Grebe, and Ringed Kingfishers (2/12).
2 Couch’s Kingbirds are at Riverbend Park in Smithville (2/14) and Ringed Kingfisher was a flyby at Bob Bryant Park in Bastrop (2/12) in Bastrop County.
Reports for the Austin area RBA cover a 60 mile radius, centered from the Capitol in downtown Austin. Bird sightings mentioned here have been filtered and scrutinized by the compiler and are believed to be genuine. When documentation or photographs were provided that is mentioned, along with the other information about the bird(s) being seen. For questions or updates about birds mentioned here or to report rare or unusual bird sightings in the Austin area, please send an e-mail to kennya290@gmail.com
Kenny Anderson
Austin
Deb Wallace says:
February 6, 2013 at 1:44 am
It was a very cold, rainy morning on January 15th, but 12 of us went to Commons Ford Ranch anyway! We ended up with a decent number of species, including great looks at a Red-breasted Nuthatch.
Commons Ford Pk, Travis, US-TX
Jan 15, 2013 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.5 mile(s)
48 species
A group of 15 birders endured high winds to bird Commons Ford Ranch and check out the prairie restoration effort on Sunday, January 13th. We had some nice birds, including 5 species of Woodpeckers.
Commons Ford Pk, Travis, US-TX
Jan 13, 2013 7:45 AM – 11:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
51 species
Gadwall 20
Ring-necked Duck 1
Pied-billed Grebe 3
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 4
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Coot 30
Ring-billed Gull 20
White-winged Dove 100
Mourning Dove 1
Greater Roadrunner 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 1
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 2
Black-crested Titmouse 2
Bewick’s Wren 1
Carolina Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Eastern Bluebird 2
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 2
Cedar Waxwing 16
Yellow-rumped Warbler 50
Spotted Towhee 1
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 1
Field Sparrow 3
Vesper Sparrow 3
Savannah Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 1
House Finch 2
Lesser Goldfinch 1
American Goldfinch 1
Ray Steelman says:
February 5, 2013 at 9:22 pm
The following is a list of birds seen or herd on our Tejas Camp trip on Feb 5. We want to thank everyone for joining us, there were lots of good birds and the weather was very cooperative. We hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did. We ended with a total species count of 52 with the highlights being the hairy woodpecker, red-breasted nuthatch, and great looks at several fox sparrows.
Wild Turkey 1 Herd Only
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 5
Turkey Vulture 3
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Herd Only
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Kestrel 1
Killdeer 2
Lesser Yellowlegs 1
Rock Pigeon 10
Mourning Dove 3
Inca Dove 1 Herd Only
Common Ground-Dove 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Hairy Woodpecker 1
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 6
American Crow 3
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 3
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
House Wren 2
Bewick’s Wren 4
Carolina Wren 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Eastern Bluebird 6
Hermit Thrush 2
American Robin 5
Northern Mockingbird 3
Loggerhead Shrike 1 seen as we were leaving along the road
Cedar Waxwing 15
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 15
Spotted Towhee 6
Field Sparrow 15
Vesper Sparrow 10
Lark Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 12
Fox Sparrow 4
Song Sparrow 11
Lincoln’s Sparrow 15
White-throated Sparrow 6
White-crowned Sparrow 15
Northern Cardinal 40
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Lesser Goldfinch 10
American Goldfinch 10
Judith Bailey, Virginia Rose and George Kerr says:
February 3, 2013 at 2:53 am
On 2-2-2013, fourteen birders met at NE METROPOLITAN PARK eager to find feathered winter residents; watching us arrive was a sharp Loggerhead Shrike; along the creek we saw 34 other species with the highlights being a White-throated Sparrow, five Red-breasted Nuthatches and fifteen or so American Pipits. A good time was had by all.
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Northern Harrier
Red-shouldered Hawk
Crested Caracara
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe (H)
Loggerhead Shrike
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren (H)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
American Pipit
Cedar Waxwing
Yellow-rumped Warbler
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Meadowlark species
Great-tailed Grackle
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
Ken Zaslow says:
January 31, 2013 at 10:55 pm
This list is being submitted on behalf of Dan Callaway and Terry Banks.
Lake Pflugerville, Pflugerville, TX, Travis, US-TX
Jan 29, 2013 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Dan Callaway lead this Travis Audubon Field trip. Approximately 25 people showed up, many of whom had scopes and helped to locate various waterfowl. It was a warm, humid, windy morning – towards the end of the trip the winds that gusted around us were strong; 30 mile-an-hour winds were predicted for the day, and we felt these winds were about that speed. Birds had a hard time soaring; one Northern Harrier seemed to have difficulty staying up, and the several Ring Billed Gulls circling the lake had difficulty staying over the water.
36 species (+2 other taxa)
Gadwall 15
American Wigeon 3
Mallard (Domestic type) 2
Northern Shoveler 5
Northern Pintail 7
Green-winged Teal 4
Canvasback 30
Redhead 10
Ring-necked Duck 2
Lesser Scaup 4
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 10 seen flying over the lake
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Turkey Vulture 3
Northern Harrier 1
Virginia Rail 1 This bird was heard only responding to a Virginia Rail Recording.
Sora 1 Like the Virginia Rail, the sora was heard only responding to the recording of the Sora.
American Coot 1000 It was difficult to get an accurate estimate of this very numerous bird. They were everywhere on the lake.
Killdeer 10
Least Sandpiper 5
Wilson’s Snipe 1 one seen flying away from our crowd of people
Ring-billed Gull 8
Rock Pigeon 25
Mourning Dove 10
Peregrine Falcon 2 These two birds flew briefly over the lake and then disappeared.
Loggerhead Shrike 3
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 20
American Pipit 20
Common Yellowthroat 2 heard only
Savannah Sparrow 15
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Swamp Sparrow 1 This bird popped up and down on the grass stalks replying and chipping to the IPOD Swamp Sparrow. Most of the attendees got a good look at this bird.
White-crowned Sparrow 15
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 12
Great-tailed Grackle 50
Kenny Anderson says:
January 25, 2013 at 6:01 am
The Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 10:38 on January 24, 2013. Send interesting sightings- complete with species name, LOCATION, and contact information- to Kenny Anderson at kennya290@gmail.com
-Rarities Found This Week-
I received belated report of a Zone-tailed Hawk mixed in with Turkey Vultures at Palmetto State Park on 1/12 in Gonzales County.
2 Peregrine Falcons were observed at the Oakwood Cemetery near Martin Luther King and I-35 in Austin on 1/21. I had dismissed a separate animated verbal account of courtship behavior of the species in the same area by another observer; I would be interested in follow-ups by folks in that area.
A Yellow Warbler was photographed at Decker lake on 1/20 in Travis County.
There was a Texbirds report of a male Purple Finch at Hornsby Bend on 1/23- a species seldom seen in the county, with few reports from the circle- or am I just missing something.
-Continuing From Previous Week-
Whooping Cranes, only one update, 8 birds at Granger Lake on 1/18 in Williamson County.
A difficult to see Prairie Falcon was seen harassing the blackbirds in the Carlson area. Seen from Wells School Road 1/20.
A wintering Buff-bellied Hummingbird continues at Hornsby Bend’s Platt Lane with reports on 1/17-22.
A Prairie Warbler has found home at a Gonzales County residence with latest updates 1/20-22.
A Broad-tailed Hummingbird has been photographed and remains at an Austin yard 1/23.
A Bastrop County White-breasted Nuthatch on Sayersville Road continued on 1/18.
Berry Springs Park in Williamson county had continuing reports of White-breasted Nuthatch on 1/20, Red-headed Woodpecker on 1/17,21,24, and Vermilion Flycatcher on 1/18.
The Longhorn Dam area in Austin remains a nice winter spot to bird with up to 4 Couch’s Kingbirds on 11/18,23, a juvenile White Ibis on 1/23, 2 Ringed Kingfishers on 1/22
Warbler Woods has a Curve-billed Thrasher remaining as of 1/24 in Guadalupe County.
Reports for the Austin area RBA cover a 60 mile radius, centered from the Capitol in downtown Austin. Bird sightings mentioned here have been filtered and scrutinized by the compiler and are believed to be genuine. When documentation or photographs were provided that is mentioned, along with the other information about the bird(s) being seen. For questions or updates about birds mentioned here or to report rare or unusual bird sightings in the Austin area, please send an e-mail to kennya290@gmail.com
Kenny Anderson
Austin
jeff patterson for sam fason says:
January 24, 2013 at 12:27 am
On January 13th I led a Travis Audubon Society Field Trip to Granger Lake. Despite the howling wind that persisted all day, we came away with some good birds. Highlights were:
All 8 Whooping Cranes. starting at 7:45, within 5 minutes, all 8 birds flew over Sore Finger WMA headed north. The birds were seen well from CR 352 throughout the morning as well. The Burrowing Owl on CR 357 was sitting back up on the concrete pile today, after being MIA for about a month We had an adult Bald Eagle from the Granger Dam. A nice Common Loon was on the lake, viewed from Friendship Park A LeConte’s Sparrow offered good views to everyone at Friendship Park Horned Larks were abundant, with birds being seen on CR 360, CR 359, Aubrey Messer Rd, and Alligator Road. The adult Red-headed Woodpecker continues at Macedonia Cemetery, seen very well. A White-eyed Vireo was a nice surprise at Willis Creek Park, heard by all and seen by several. Surprisingly, this was flagged by ebird. Also, a Fox Sparrow singing his full song at Willis Creek Park was a treat A Merlin with a freshly killed Meadowlark gave a brief but fantastic look on CR 360 A lowlight of the day was the lack of Longspurs or Mountain Plovers, but with the strong wind I was not hopeful. The wind also seemed to keep the Short-eared Owls down at dawn, none flying at Sore Finger this AM (although Ray Steelman had one fly in front of his car on 971 this morning around 7, though). After 2:00, most people peeled off to go home, but I went to Northeast Travis County with Karen Collins and Terry Banks. Longspurs were the original target, but the wind was even harsher than it was out at granger, so we only tried for maybe 30 minutes on Wells Road and Lane, Carlson Lane, and Felder Road. However, Carlson Lane was very productive. Best birds were definitely the Red-naped Sapsucker who only flew in when we were just getting ready to leave, and a nice female Eastern Towhee that responded to Screech Owl tape and gave us some good looks, albeit brief. Also,13 Sandhill Cranes flew over Carlson.
Good Birding,
Sam Fason, Austin\
jeff patterson says:
January 23, 2013 at 12:34 pm
The Field Trip Committee, along with continuing and prospective Field Trip Leaders were treated to an appreciation event on January 14, 2013 at the TAS offices. Jeff Patterson opened the evening by thanking everyone for making his job as committee chair a pleasure. He was followed by a field trip leader training presentation provided by Barry Lyon and Victor Emanuell. Thanks to all of the fantastic field trip leaders who attended, and to Jeff, Barry and Victor for their time and efforts.
Ken Zaslow says:
January 22, 2013 at 8:56 pm
Platt Lane (Travis Co.), Travis, US-TX
Jan 22, 2013 7:45 AM – 10:45 AM
Comments: Nine people took advantage of this TAS Tuesday field trip to bird Platt Lane and the northern section of the River Trail on a beautiful January morning. Highlights included the over-wintering Buff-bellied Hummingbird, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, numerous sparrows and ducks, and great looks at well over 100 American White Pelicans in the air and on the Colorado River. The sky was sunny, winds were calm, and the morning temperature ranged from 46 degrees to 61 degrees.
57 species (+2 other taxa)
Gadwall 25
American Wigeon 23
Northern Pintail 4
Green-winged Teal 2
Ring-necked Duck 8
Lesser Scaup 14
Bufflehead 3
Ruddy Duck 1
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 30
American White Pelican 135
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 1
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 3
Osprey 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 3
American Coot 11
Killdeer 6
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 1 Heard only
Least Sandpiper 5
White-winged Dove 3
Mourning Dove 1
Buff-bellied Hummingbird 1 The bird was seen actively drinking from the Hummingbird feeder located just inside the entrance to the northern section of the River Trail where it was also observed roosting in the adjacent shrubs and small trees. Less frequently it was seen drinking from the Hummingbird feeder at the abandoned house at the entrance to the River Trail. It is the same bird that has been noted in this location since mid-December and details of its plumage have been submitted previously.
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 1 Heard only
Crested Caracara 3
American Kestrel 2
Eastern Phoebe 3
Loggerhead Shrike 1
American Crow 5
Carolina Chickadee 9
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 6
House Wren 2
Carolina Wren 7
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 5
Hermit Thrush 3
Northern Mockingbird 5
Cedar Waxwing 25 Flyover
Yellow-rumped Warbler 50
Vesper Sparrow 10
Savannah Sparrow 18
Song Sparrow 2 Heard only
Lincoln’s Sparrow 12
White-throated Sparrow 2
White-crowned Sparrow 23
Northern Cardinal 19
Red-winged Blackbird 47
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 15
Common Grackle 1
Great-tailed Grackle 12
House Finch 2
Kenny Anderson says:
January 18, 2013 at 7:11 am
The Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 12:30 on January 18, 2013. Send interesting sightings- complete with species name, LOCATION, and contact information- to Kenny Anderson at kennya290@gmail.com
Whooping Cranes wintering at Granger Lake in Williamson County continue to thrill and wonder Central Texas birders. A report of all 8 seen as a fly-over at Sore Finger WMA, along with a photograph on 1/13 is truly a highlight of 2013. Other reports of a group of 2 Whooping Cranesforaging along 971and CR352 from the Travis Audubon field trip on 1/12, 3 birds on the same field 1/13.
An adult Zone-tailed Hawk was seen well mixed in with Turkey Vultures below the Mansfield Dam in Travis County on 1/13.
A Calliope Hummingbird is photographed using a South Austin feeder at a private residence 1/17.
2 Harris’s Hawks are working the area north of the Formula 1 track in Elroy. Birds were first encountered on the Austin CBC and have continued to be seen/photographed near the Fagerquist and Elroy intersection. Latest reports are 1/12(photo) and 1/15.
A wintering Hornsby Bend Buff-bellied Hummingbird is utilizing the Platt Lane River Trail origination/trail head- and feeders placed there to keep it around. Bird is seen reliably with reports 1/1/12-17.
A Red-naped Sapsucker was photographed in the Carlson area on 1/13 (Travis).
The Hornsby Bend survey on 1/14 also tallied a female Common Goldeneye on pond 2, a Peregrine Falcon being irregularly seen working the ponds, and a lingering Vermilion Flycatcher near Pond 2.
A Rusty Blackbird has been seen in a mixed blackbird flock in the administration parking lot of Hornsby Bend 1/14,16.
Common Goldeneye, a drake was seen on the Lower Colorado River from the Colorado River Nature Preserve at 183 in Austin on 1/16- first photographed 1/1.
Vermilion Flycatchers are also being seen at Decker Lake’s Walter Long Park east of the boat launch 1/16 (Travis)and Berry Springs Park in Williamson County 1/17, Hornsby Bend 1/12.
Red-headed Woodpeckers are being seen at the Macedonia Cemetery in Williamson County 1/10 and Berry Springs Park in Williamson County 1/17.
Say’s Phoebes, the only two I have heard of in the area, are being seen at Granger Lake with the latest report on 1/10 from the Travis Audubon Field trip.
An American Bittern was seen again at Decker Lake- the bird flushed from the western most portion of the parking lot on 1/16.
A Summer Tanager was photographed at a Lakeway home in Travis County on 1/13.
A juvenile White Ibis and Couch’s Kingbirds are being seen near the Longhorn Dam area- latest word 1/12,14.
2 Couch’s Kingbirds reported from Big Webberville Park in eastern Travis County 1/11. This species has become regular in Travis County as a breeding resident. Roy Guerrero Park and Big Webberville Park are two of the more reliable locations for them.
It has been a good start to the year, I would like to hear what you are finding.
Reports for the Austin area RBA cover a 60 mile radius, centered from the Capitol in downtown Austin. Bird sightings mentioned here have been filtered and scrutinized by the compiler and are believed to be genuine. When documentation or photographs were provided that is mentioned, along with the other information about the bird(s) being seen. For questions or updates about birds mentioned here or to report rare or unusual bird sightings in the Austin area, please send an e-mail to kennya290@gmail.com
Kenny Anderson
Austin
Kenny Anderson says:
January 11, 2013 at 5:01 am
The Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 10:00 on January 10, 2013. Send interesting sightings- complete with species name, LOCATION, and contact information- to Kenny Anderson at kennya290@gmail.com
– This Week-
A White-tailed Hawk was on CR345, just south of CR346 in Williamson County on 1/10.
Prairie Falcon was photographed on Alligator Road in Bell County on 1/4.
A Prairie Falcon was on Harry Lind Road between Carlson Road and Lund Carlson in Travis County on 1/10.
Ferruginous Hawk continues on Loop Road / Shipp Lake area in Bastrop County 1/6.
Whooping Cranes at Granger Lake remain with reports of 3 seen from Sore Finger WMA on 1/4 and 2 seen from Willis Creek on 1/6.
A nice description of a male Calliope Hummingbird at an Austin home 1/7 (Travis)
Buff-bellied Hummingbird continues at Hornsby Bend’s Platt Lane trailhead 1/4,5,10
A White-breasted Nuthatch was observed on Old Sayers Road in Bastrop County 1/6.
2 Harris’s Hawks were photographed on 15 and seen 1/6 on Fagerquist Road near Elroy in Travis County.
A Broad-tailed Hummingbird was photographed at Laguna Gloria in Austin 1/6,7
A Rusty Blackbird was described at Hornsby Bend on 1/9.
A male Red-naped Sapsucker continues on Carlson Lane in the Carlson area of Northeast Travis County. 1/5,6
Hornsby Bend is also hosting Vermilion Flycatcher around Pond 2, Western Sandpiper on Pond 1 West, and 2 Common Goldeneyes photographed on Pond 2.
Red-headed Woodpecker continues at Berry Springs Park in Williamson County 1/4,5
A Reddish Egret lingers at Canyon Lake in Comal County- seen from Potter’s Creek Park on 1/6.
Couch’s Kingbirds, Least /Grebe, Greater Scaup, and White Ibis are around the Longhorh Dam on the Lower Colorado River in Austin.
A Gray Catbird was reported at St. Edward’s Park in Austin on 1/6.
Reports for the Austin area RBA cover a 60 mile radius, centered from the Capitol in downtown Austin. Bird sightings mentioned here have been filtered and scrutinized by the compiler and are believed to be genuine. When documentation or photographs were provided that is mentioned, along with the other information about the bird(s) being seen. For questions or updates about birds mentioned here or to report rare or unusual bird sightings in the Austin area, please send an e-mail to kennya290@gmail.com
Kenny Anderson
Austin
Ray Steelman says:
January 10, 2013 at 10:19 pm
On Jan 10 I led 7 other birders to the Granger Lake area. We had a beautiful day after two days of rain. Highlights of the trip were two whooping cranes, red-headed woodpecker, two Say’s phoebes and a merlin. We totaled 65 species.
Gadwall 10
American Wigeon 2
Ring-necked Duck 5
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 15
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 2
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 10
Northern Harrier 5
Bald Eagle 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 15 1-Kreiders
Red-tailed Hawk (Harlan’s) 1
American Coot 5
Whooping Crane 2 Foraging along Route 971, seen well by all observers.
Killdeer 2
Greater Yellowlegs 3
Ring-billed Gull 3
Forster’s Tern 5
Rock Pigeon 30
White-winged Dove 25
Mourning Dove 50
Red-headed Woodpecker 1 First year male, pecan grove near Macedonia Cemetery. Seen well by all observers.
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 1
Crested Caracara 3
American Kestrel 10
Merlin 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
Say’s Phoebe 2
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
Loggerhead Shrike 4
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 15
Horned Lark 1
Carolina Chickadee 7
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 2
Brown Creeper 1
Carolina Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Eastern Bluebird 5
American Robin 2
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 15
American Pipit 1
Cedar Waxwing 10
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 12
Chipping Sparrow 12
Field Sparrow 7
Vesper Sparrow 8
Lark Sparrow 5
Savannah Sparrow 35
Harris’s Sparrow 2
White-crowned Sparrow 6
Northern Cardinal 7
Red-winged Blackbird 25
Eastern Meadowlark 1
Western Meadowlark 1
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 175
Brewer’s Blackbird 10
Great-tailed Grackle 15
Brown-headed Cowbird 6
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 5
Kenny Anderson says:
January 4, 2013 at 10:28 pm
The Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 3:30 on January 4,2013. Send interesting sightings- complete with species name, LOCATION, and contact information- to Kenny Anderson at kennya290@gmail.com
NO POSITIVE REPORTS OF FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER since 12/26/12
-Rarities Found This Week-
A confirmation of a Rough-legged Hawk (dark form) was made on 1/1/13 at Riverbend Park in Bastrop County- a highly probable earlier sighting came in from nearby Loop Road about a week ago.
A juvenile Ferruginous Hawk was behind Lowe’s in Bastrop on 12/29,30.
Zone-tailed Hawks were described on 12/28 in Austin. An adult was studied at Camp Mabry’s Ponds and a juvenile was on Dunlap Road in east Austin.
Black Phoebe was reported on the Guadalupe River in Guadalupe County on 12/29/12.
A Calliope Hummingbird has been at a South Austin residence 1/1/13.
The Granger CBC reported 5 Whooping Cranes, Red-headed Woodpecker, Nashville Warbler, and Dickcissel as highlights. 12/29/12 A count week Common Goldeneye on 12/28 on Granger Lake.
Lost Pines CBC had a report of Painted Bunting at the Utley Cemetery12/29/12.
An Anna’s Hummingbird is at a Blanco County home 12/28/12- 1/1/13.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird reports come from a Blanco home having 2 males 12/28, a west Austin residence photographed on 1/2/13, 2 birds at a central Austin residence 1/2/13.
Common Goldeneyes in Austin are around with a female continuing at Hornsby Bend’s Pond 2 and a male and female photographed around the Longhorn Dam 12/30/12-1/1/13.
Rusty Blackbird was reported at a Bastrop County home 12/29/12.
-Continuing From Previous Week-
Whooping Cranes at Granger Lake, seen from Friendship Park 12/29-1/2. 2-5 birds.
Harris’s Hawk was photographed on Fagerquist Road in the Elroy area of Travis County 12/29 and seen from Kellam Road and Elroy road on 12/30.
Buff-bellied Hummingbird continued at the Platt Lane trail head of Hornsby Bend 12/29-1/1.
A Prairie Warbler is spending the winter at a Gonzales County home 12/24-1/2.
A Curve-billed Thrasher was photographed at Warbler Woods 12/30/12 in Guadalupe County.
Vermilion Flycatchers: Berry Springs Park in Williamson County 1/3, Granger Lake on 1/1 in Williamson County, Decker Lake 12/29 in Travis County.
Red-headed Woodpecker continues at Berry springs in Williamson County 1/1/13.
White Ibis, a juvenile, lingers around the Longhorn Dam in Austin 1/1/13.
At least one Western Sandpiper is at Hornsby Bend’s 1 west as of 1/1/13.
Reports for the Austin area RBA cover a 60 mile radius, centered from the Capitol in downtown Austin. Bird sightings mentioned here have been filtered and scrutinized by the compiler and are believed to be genuine. When documentation or photographs were provided that is mentioned, along with the other information about the bird(s) being seen. For questions or updates about birds mentioned here or to report rare or unusual bird sightings in the Austin area, please send an e-mail to kennya290@gmail.com
Kenny Anderson
Austin
Kenny Anderson says:
December 28, 2012 at 6:01 am
The Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 10:45 on December 27, 2012. Send interesting sightings- complete with species name, LOCATION, and contact information- to Kenny Anderson at kennya290@gmail.com
A Fork-tailed Flycatcher continues to delight many birders near the McKinney Falls State Park entrance. It was found on the Austin CBC on December 25 and was seen this week 12/22-26. No reports from today. (Travis County) Bird is seen on McKinney Falls Parkway and Dee Gabriel Collins Road. Many observers/photos Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, up to 7 have been seen with the Fork-tailed (high number of winter birds)
A Prairie Falcon is a real find on the western portion of Loop Road in eastern Bastrop County on 12/24. A Ferruginous Hawk was reported in the same area on Loop Road in Bastrop County earlier in the week.
Whooping Cranes in Williamson County’s Granger Lake area were reported on 12/26,27 (2 and 3 birds respectively). Friendship Park was the origin of the December 26 sighting.
California Gull photographed at Black Rock Park on the western shore of Lake Buchanan in Burnett County is a bird rarely reported in the area. The same trip sounded amazing with Cedar Point yielding: 3 Dunlins at Cedar Point Recreation Center, 7 Black-bellied Plovers, 2 American Avocets, 85 Dowitcher species, and 22 Western Grebes at Black Rock Park.
2 Harris’s Hawks are being seen near the intersection of Elroy Road and Fagerquist in Travis County 12/22-27. Numerous observers/photos
A Buff-bellied Hummingbird has been frequenting the Platt Lane trail head at Hornsby Bend, now visiting two feeders. 12/21 (Travis) Many observers/photos
19 Cackling Geese is a huge number in the circle; birds were photographed above Longhorn Dam on Lady Bird Lake portion of the Lower Colorado River on 12/21. (Travis County)
A Broad-tailed Hummingbird was photographed at an Austin residence on 12/23.
A Zone-tailed Hawk was seen near the Phi Kappa Pi house on Highway 123 ~6 miles south of San Marcos in Guadalupe County (just barely over Hays County line) 12/21
Reddish Egret continues at Cranes Mill Park on Canon Lake in Comal County 12/23.
Tri-colored Heron is a strange sight in the area in December. The bird has been photographed on 12/22-25 above and below the Longhorn Dam.
A juvenile White Ibis continue in the Longhorn Dam area 12/19-23.
Up to 3 Western Sandpiper are at Hornsby Bend with last report 12/24.
Common Goldeneye: a female at Hornsby last 12/24 and a female at Lady Bird on 12/22.
Vermilion Flycatchers: Hornsby Bend bird near Pond 2 west side 12/24 and Decker Lake in Travis County 12 24-27.
Kenny Anderson says:
December 21, 2012 at 2:25 am
The Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 7:35 on December 20,2012. Send interesting sightings- complete with species name, LOCATION, and contact information- to Kenny Anderson at kennya290@gmail.com
-Exceptional Sighting-
The Austin Christmas Bird count had Fork-tailed Flycatcher as the highlight bird. On 12/15 the bird was photographed on a power wire at 8100 Colton Bluff SpringsRoad; it was associating with Scissor-tailed Flycatchers. 12/16 the bird was re-located across from McKinney Falls State Parks entrance on McKinney Falls Parkway. Again the bird was with the Scissor-tails, seen from the Right-of-Way working for insects in a ravine. Subsequent locations it has been seen are on Dee Gabriel Collins Road west of Taqueria Volcan and near the house with the Coldwell-Banker sign on McKinney Falls Parkway, between William Cannon Drive and D.G. Collins Road(north side of road). 12/15-20 Travis County
-Rarities Found This Week-
A Harris’s Hawk was also found on the Austin CBC; it was seen in the Elroy area on 12/15 and 16. The bird was photographed on Fagerquist Road both days. Late in the evening of 12/15 a Harris’s Hawk was described on a pole along Highway 71 at Onion Creek. Harris’s don’t stray into the circle often, so I would like any updates on this bird.
I have only seen one Whooping Crane report from Granger Lake where 2 birds were seen on the megafield south of Alligator Road in Williamson County 12/15.
Buff-bellied Hummingbird did its job continuing in the Platt Lane portion of Hornsby Bend for the CBC. Updates came 12/14-17 from the trailhead where the bird catches insects and visits two feeders in the area.
The only Say’s Phoebe report I have heard from the 60 mile Audubon circle came 12/16 from below the Granger Lake Dam.
A Western Sandpiper was studied at Hornsby Bend on 12/15.
A Long-billed Curlew was reported on Pond 1 West on 12/14 at Hornsby Bend.
An American Bittern was on Lady Bird Lake near the Metz Park boat ramp on 12/15.
Rusty Blackbirds continue to be occasionally seen at Hornsby Bend. They are seen around 1 West, between 1 East and Pond 2, and near the CER Building. 12/15 last report.
A Curve-billed Thrasher is at Warbler Woods 1213-15 in Guadalupe County (photographed)
A White Ibis (juvenile) is working the Lower Colorado River above and below Longhorn Dam 12/15-20.
Vermilion Flycatchers: Hornsby Bend 12/15, Slough Pond/ Shallow Ford Road area in Bell County12/15, and Decker Lake in Travis County 12/18.
jeff patterson says:
December 19, 2012 at 2:28 am
On December 9th, Craig Rasmussen and Jeff Patterson led 12 participants in two groups to Tejas Camp on Lake Georgetown. We split into two groups and traversed the trails on the north and south side of the San Gabriel River, hiking about 3.5 miles. Highlights were 13 species of sparrow (participants seemed to enjoy the Le Conte’s and Fox Sparrows particularly) and a quick, but definitive sighting of an American Woodcock. Bird list follows:
Accipiter species
American Crow
American Goldfinch
American Kestrel
American Robin
American Woodcock
Bewick’s Wren
Black Vulture
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Carolina Chickadee
Carolina Wren
Chipping Sparrow
Common Ground-Dove
Common Raven
Downy Woodpecker
duck sp.
Eastern Bluebird
Eastern Phoebe
Meadowlark Species
Field Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow
Great Blue Heron
Harris’s Sparrow
Hermit Thrush
House Wren
Inca Dove
Killdeer
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Le Conte’s Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Loggerhead Shrike
Mourning Dove
Northern Cardinal
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)
Northern Mockingbird
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-winged Blackbird
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Spotted Towhee
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse
Turkey Vulture
Vesper Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Wild Turkey
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
jeff patterson says:
December 10, 2012 at 11:09 pm
Victor Emanuel, Barry Lyon and Cullan Hanks led 10 participants to the Attwater National Wildlife Refuge and Eagle Lake area on December 2, 2012. Highlights of the trip were great looks at Spraugue’s Pipits, beautiful views of White-tailed Hawks, 50 Anhinga thermally upward, chasing (and finding) Le Conte’s Sparrows and Sedge Wrens through the brush and a slowly soaring Bald Eagle right overhead. Birdlist follows:
American Coot
American Crow
American Goldfinch
American Kestrel
American Pipit
American Robin
American White Pelican
Anhinga
Bald Eagle
Black Vulture
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Brown-headed Cowbird
Carolina Chickadee
Carolina Wren
Cassin’s Sparrow (heard only)
Cave Swallow
Common Yellowthroat
Cooper’s Hawk
Crested Caracara
Double-crested Cormorant
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Meadowlark
Eastern Phoebe
European Collared Dove
Field Sparrow
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Greater Yellowlegs
Great-tailed Grackle
House Sparrow
House Wren
Killdeer
Le Conte’s Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Loggerhead Shrike
Mourning Dove
Neotropic Cormorant
Northern Cardinal
Northern Flicker
Northern Harrier
Northern Mockingbird
Orange-crowned Warbler
Pied-billed Grebe
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-winged Blackbird
Rock Dove
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Savannah Sparrow
Sedge Wren
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Snow Goose
Snowy Egret
Song Sparrow
Spotted Towhee
Sprague’s Pipit
Tufted Titmouse
Turkey Vulture
Vesper Sparrow
White Ibis
White -tailed Hawk
White-crowned Sparrow
White-eyed Vireo
White-throated Sparrow
White-winged Dove
Wilson’s Snipe
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Deb Wallace says:
December 5, 2012 at 10:38 pm
On a beautiful Fall monring, 10 of us met to bird Doeskin Ranch. It was a nice, but dry walk. We had some good birds, including a large flock of American Goldfinch and Pine Siskin that landed all around us to feed. It was a pretty sight. We also popped over to the headquarters area for a brief look. We had 35 species for the day.
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Turkey Vulture
American Kestral
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Common Ground-Dove
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Western Scrub-Jay
Carolina Chickadee
Black-crested Titmouse
Carolina Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Northern Mockingbird
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Rufous-crowned Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Lincoln’s sparrow
Northern Cardinal
House Finch
Pine Siskin
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
Judith Bailey, Virginia Rose, Shirley LaVergne says:
December 3, 2012 at 1:20 pm
Fourteen birders came to Hornsby Bend Saturday morning, 12-1-12, to see waterfowl and other winter residents.They weren’t disappointed; 34 species were seen. Highlights were White-faced Ibis, Eared Grebe, Bufflehead, Ring-necked Duck and Common Goldeneye
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Lesser Scaup
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Ruddy Duck
Eared Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
White-faced Ibis
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Cooper’s Hawk
American Coot
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Wilson’s Snipe
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Eastern Phoebe (H)
Blue Jay
Tufted Titmouse
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
American Pipit
Vesper Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Great-tailed Grackle
Ken Zaslow says:
November 27, 2012 at 10:39 pm
The list below is being submitted on behalf of Dan Callaway who led this TAS bird walk at Champion Park. There were 20 participants.
Champion Park (Williamson Co.), Williamson, US-TX
Nov 27, 2012 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Travis Audubon met for a morning of birding called Two-hour Tuesday that went 3 hours. Twenty folks braved the 40 degree cloudy, breezy weather. Birds weren’t out to feast until after about 9 a.m. We walked the trail from the parking lot to the lake, then returned. The area around the footbridge became extremely active. No Green Kingfisher that I had during scouting two weeks ago.
50 species (+1 other taxa)
Gadwall 15
American Wigeon 8
Northern Shoveler 1
Ring-necked Duck 15
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 25
Anhinga 1 Flying overhead along Brushy Creek in good view seen by many.
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 3
Snowy Egret 6
Black Vulture 15
Turkey Vulture 5
Northern Harrier 1
Bald Eagle 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 5
Ring-billed Gull 4
Rock Pigeon 8
White-winged Dove 10
Mourning Dove 15
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue-headed Vireo 1
American Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 1
House Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 3
Carolina Wren 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 5
Eastern Bluebird 5
Hermit Thrush 2
American Robin 50
Northern Mockingbird 6
American Pipit 1
Cedar Waxwing 25
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 30
Chipping Sparrow 1
Vesper Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 3
Lincoln’s Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 10
Great-tailed Grackle 30
House Finch 10
Pine Siskin 6
Lesser Goldfinch 10
American Goldfinch 20
Kenny Anderson says:
November 23, 2012 at 10:53 pm
The Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 4:30 on November 23, 2012. Send interesting sightings- complete with species name, LOCATION, and contact information- to Kenny Anderson at kennya290@gmail.com
I have gotten a bit behind in updating the rarities for the area and am including everything I have received since the last publication. I’ll try to stay on top of it, hopefully have some nice finds to further prompt me. Please excuse any omissions I may have made- it hasbeen a busy week.
-Rarities Found This Week-
An Anna’s Hummingbird at Texas State University’s Supple Science Building marks the third year in a row this species has been on the Hays County campus. 11/16.
2 Surf Scoters and a Red-breasted Merganser were highlights at Devine Lake in Williamson County on 11/13.
A Rose-breasted Grosbeak on the Hornsby Bend survey was a nice find on 11/10 in Travis County.
American Bittern, which has been at the Lake Creek Trail in Williamson County, was last reported on 11/12. Last year a wintering American Bittern moved around from small ponds in an area in Travis County just 7 miles away. Further updates on the Lake Creek Trail bird are encouraged.
A male Red-naped Sapsucker continues on Carlson Lane in northeast Travis County. (11/23)
A Red-breasted Merganser (female) was reported on the San Marcos River in Gonzales County on 11/13.
A Red-headed Woodpecker in Williamson County’s Berry Springs Park is a nice find 11/17-21.
Rusty Blackbirds are tricky in the area, but Hornsby Bend again has some with 1-4 birds being reported from Pond 1 West on 11/17-21.
A young Vermilion Flycatcher was photographed on Shallow Ford Road in Bell County on 11/18. A young Vermilion Flycatcher is reliably reported at Berry Springs Park in Georgetown on 11/17 in Wilco.
A Black-throated Green Warbler at Warbler Woods in Guadalupe County is a nice find.
-Continuing From Previous Week-
Reports for the Austin area RBA cover a 60 mile radius, centered from the Capitol in downtown Austin. Bird sightings mentioned here have been filtered and scrutinized by the compiler and are believed to be genuine. When documentation or photographs were provided that is mentioned, along with the other information about the bird(s) being seen. For questions or updates about birds mentioned here or to report rare or unusual bird sightings in the Austin area, please send an e-mail to kennya290@gmail.com
Kenny Anderson
Austin
Ken Zaslow says:
November 20, 2012 at 7:51 pm
Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, US-TX
Nov 20, 2012 7:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Comments: 19 people joined this TAS field trip to Hornsby Bend on a beautiful sunny morning with mild temperatures and calm winds. We birded the ponds and short sections of the River trail and the Platt Lane area. Highlights were the sight of a Greater White-fronted Goose flying over our heads and 4 Rusty Blackbirds seen at the southeast corner of Pond 1 West.
58 species (+2 other taxa)
Greater White-fronted Goose 1 The bird was first seen by Ray Steele and then by our whole group as it flew over us while we were at the Hornsby settlement ponds. The bird had a characteristic goose-like shape with a long, straight neck, stout body, and legs tucked under its body. It had a grayish-brown color with distinctive dark horizontal barring on its belly.
American Wigeon 19
Blue-winged Teal 4
Northern Shoveler 375
Green-winged Teal 45
Redhead 4
Ring-necked Duck 21
Lesser Scaup 5
Bufflehead 4
Ruddy Duck 70
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Eared Grebe 1
Black Vulture 5
Turkey Vulture 40
Northern Harrier 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 26
Killdeer 21
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 55
Wilson’s Snipe 25
Rock Pigeon 5
Eurasian Collared-Dove 1
White-winged Dove 11
Mourning Dove 8
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
American Kestrel 3
Monk Parakeet 4
Eastern Phoebe 5
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
House Wren 4
Carolina Wren 5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 12
Eastern Bluebird 2
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 3
American Pipit 7
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Pine Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 6
Chipping Sparrow 5
Field Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 15
Lincoln’s Sparrow 4
White-throated Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 7
Red-winged Blackbird 14
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 23
Rusty Blackbird 4 The birds were seen in the short vegetation near the water in the southeast corner of Pond 1 West. They were very cooperative and did not flush providing close-up views for everyone in our group. Both male and female birds were in the small flock. All the birds had thin, pointy bills and very pale eyes. The females had a rusty crown with a strong buffy supercilium, rusty coloration on their back, and a gray rump. The males were much darker overall with rusty tips on the coverts and tertials. Photos were taken by Lee Wallace and Roger Smith. A Rusty Blackbird was seen and photographed in the same location 3 days earlier by Jeff Whitlock.
Great-tailed Grackle 11
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch 5
House Sparrow 4
Ken Zaslow says:
November 17, 2012 at 8:15 pm
Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, US-TX
Nov 17, 2012 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.25 mile(s)
Comments: 5 people participated on this TAS bird walk on a beautiful day at Hornsby Bend. We birded the ponds as well sections of the River Trail at the Upper Island overlook and at Platt Lane. Beginning temperature was 45 degrees; ending temperature was 64 degrees. The sky was clear and sunny with calm winds. A portion of the morning was accompanied by the sounds of car engines from the F1 racetrack several miles away.
59 species (+2 other taxa)
11 people went on the TAS field trip to the Pedernales Falls State Park on November 13th that was led by Terry Banks. Terry compiled the eBird report below and it is being submitted on her behalf.
Pedernales Falls SP (HOTE 050), Blanco, US-TX
Nov 13, 2012 7:45 AM – 11:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: When we arrived at the ranger’s station, approx 20 Snow Geese – mixed white and blue morph – flew over.
The first spot we birded was at the bird blinds where we spent about an hour, moving from one bird blind to the other. The hungry flocks of birds quickly consumed the bird food the park volunteer put out for them. Then we took a walk through the field close to the horse barn. Here we spotted a distant raptor that we could not identify with our binoculars, so a member of our party walked to the car to obtain his scope. While we waited we noted a white patch on the otherwise dark raptor. When the scope was finally trained on the bird we identified a dark juvenile Northern Harrier a second before it flew away.
We then took a walk along the horse trail and noted many foraging passerines. The horse trail leads to a shallow depression that in wet years has a pond and may contain waterfowl. There was a little water in the pond this time, but not enough to be attractive to waterfowl. We did hear some song sparrows here, however, and a walk through the mixed grassy/shrubby area revealed many hiding sparrows most of which we could not identify because of their stealth. Above the pond was a raised berm area, and here we found many more sparrows, blue birds, lesser goldfinches, and were surprised by an early pair of Cedar Waxwings.
After the horse trails we took a very brief walk along the swimming area of the Pedernales River. We spent very little time here and only found a few birds – some Ladder Backed Woodpeckers working the Cypress trees along the river, a pair of Eastern Phoebes, a singing Canyon Wren, a Bewick’s wren and a Rufous Crowned Sparrow.
40 species
Snow Goose 20
Black Vulture 1
Northern Harrier 1
Killdeer 1
White-winged Dove 30
Inca Dove 2
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 4
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Phoebe 8
Western Scrub-Jay 8
Carolina Chickadee 4
Black-crested Titmouse 8
Canyon Wren 2
House Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 3
Carolina Wren 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 15
Eastern Bluebird 4
Hermit Thrush 3
American Robin 30
Northern Mockingbird 3
Cedar Waxwing 2
Orange-crowned Warbler 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 5
Spotted Towhee 4
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 1
Chipping Sparrow 10
Field Sparrow 2
Savannah Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 4
Lincoln’s Sparrow 4
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Northern Cardinal 20
Red-winged Blackbird 1
House Finch 2
Lesser Goldfinch 10
House Sparrow 30
Craig Rasmussen says:
November 13, 2012 at 4:53 pm
The Nature Conservancy – Love Creek Preserve 10 birders and 38 species of birds. Highlights were: sparrows, bluebirds, robin and other uplands birds on the ridge crest, great looks at a calling Canyon Wren and towards the end two cooperative Hutton’s Vireos.
Kenny Anderson says:
November 9, 2012 at 3:32 am
Two Surf Scoters were reported from a Williamson County pond; they were seen from Devine Lake Park on 11/5,6.
An remarkably cooperative and photogenic American Bittern is being seen at Lake Creek Trail in Williamson County on 11/4-8.
A Zone-tailed Hawk was viewed from a Bastrop County home on 11/3.
A male Red-naped Sapsucker was photographed on Carlson Lane in northeast Travis County on 11/3.
A visit to Canyon Lake’s Canyon Park yielded a Reddish Egret and two Common Loons on 11/3.
An immature Vermilion Flycatcher continues at and near Slough Pond in Bell County. If it is not seen at the pond a search along Shallow Ford Road from Slough Pond toward Temple Lions Park to the north has been productive.
A sub-adult Yellow-headed Blackbird was viewed in a mega-flock of blackbirds at Hornsby Bend on 11/3.
Four Wilson’s Phalaropes were at Hornsby Bend on 11/2.
Red-breasted Nuthatches are being reported at multiple locations, with multiple birds (up to 4) at several locations. Over 50 Pine Siskins were at Commons Ford Park on 11/4.
Reports for the Austin area RBA cover a 60 mile radius, centered from the Capitol in downtown Austin. Bird sightings mentioned here have been filtered and scrutinized by the compiler and are believed to be genuine. When documentation or photographs were provided that is mentioned, along with the other information about the bird(s) being seen. For questions or updates about birds mentioned here or to report rare or unusual bird sightings in the Austin area, please send an e-mail to kennya290@gmail.com
Kenny Anderson
Austin
Ken Zaslow says:
November 6, 2012 at 6:37 pm
Bauerle Ranch Park, Travis, US-TX
Nov 6, 2012 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.25 mile(s)
Comments: 12 people participated on this Travis Audubon Society field trip to the Slaughter Creek Greenbelt at Bauerle Ranch Park. The weather was perfect with clear skies, light winds about 5mph, and moderate temperatures between the upper 50’s and the mid 60’s. Highlights included both Spotted and Eastern Towhee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, and Blue-headed Vireo.
32 species (+2 other taxa)
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 2 Heard only
Killdeer 1 Seen flying over the park
White-winged Dove 85
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 3
Crested Caracara 2 Seen at the trail entrance shortly after the trip was over
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 21
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 4
House Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 2
Carolina Wren 8
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 11
Hermit Thrush 2
Northern Mockingbird 4
Orange-crowned Warbler 8
Yellow-rumped Warbler 4
Spotted Towhee 4
Eastern Towhee 1 The Eastern Towhee was seen in a mixed flock of birds present in low vegetation along the Bauerle Creek Trail about 100 yards west of the Percival trail. An Eastern Screech-Owl recording was used to attract a mixed group of birds that included the Towhee. It had a dark brown head and back with rufous sides and a white belly. It lacked wing bars, but did have a clearly visible white patch at the base of the primaries. Several of us in the group had good looks at the bird including Deb Wallace, Ray Steele and me. A male spotted Towhee was present in the same group of birds and the two Towhees were seen simultaneously making for an excellent comparison study. Photos were not taken.
Chipping Sparrow 5
Song Sparrow 4
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 15
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 1
Great-tailed Grackle 9
House Finch 7
Lesser Goldfinch 6
House Sparrow 5
Deb Wallace says:
November 5, 2012 at 2:39 pm
October 9th Trip to Aquarena Springs and Spring Lake Preserve (Late Report!)
10 of us went down to Aquarena to bird and see the changes made to the area. We were lucky enough to have the Head of Facilities, C.J. Hall, let us into the closed areas and onto the Wetlands Boardwalk. He walked with us for a bit and told us about the work that had been done. It’s pretty cool. I highly recommend a visit, as it should be open by now.
We had a good time and saw some nice birds. Lee’s list follows:
Oct 9, 2012 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
37 species (+1 other taxa)
Wood Duck 2
Least Grebe 2
Pied-billed Grebe 8
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Green Heron 1
Black Vulture 75
Turkey Vulture 12
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Northern Harrier 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
American Coot 2
Rock Pigeon 2
White-winged Dove 4
Mourning Dove 1
Chimney Swift 10
hummingbird sp. 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 5
Couch’s Kingbird 6
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
Blue Jay 2
Carolina Chickadee 1
Black-crested Titmouse 7
Canyon Wren 3
House Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Northern Mockingbird 4
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Orange-crowned Warbler 6
Nashville Warbler 2
Clay-colored Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 15
Great-tailed Grackle 24
Lesser Goldfinch 6
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Judith Bailey, Virginia Rose, Shirley LaVergne, George Kerr says:
November 4, 2012 at 12:37 am
TAS BEGINNING BIRDERS WALK
RICHARD MOYA PARK
11-3-12
On a foggy Saturday morning, 16 intrepid birders showed up to look for some of our winter feathered friends. We spotted 30 species; highlights were several Red-breasted Nuthatches, a Blue-headed Vireo and the resident Eastern Bluebirds.
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Black-crested Titmouse
Black-crested X Tufted Hybrid Titmouse
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Great-tailed Grackle
Oriole species
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
House Sparrow
Kenny Anderson says:
November 2, 2012 at 4:22 am
The Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 10:00 on Novenber 1, 2012. Send interesting sightings- complete with species name, LOCATION, and contact information- to Kenny Anderson at kennya290@gmail.com
-Rarities Found This Week-
A Prairie Falcon was seen from Sunshine Road where it crosses the Little River in Bell County, there were 2 Red-headed Woodpeckers present as well. Photographs of the falcon and one juvenile woodpecker were obtained on 10/28.
A Harris’s Hawk was reported from Hornby Bend’s Platt Lane on 10/27 in Travis County.
A Red-naped Sapsucker was at Buescher State Park near the dam on 10/28 in Bastrop County.
An Ash-throated Flycatcher was described at Hornsby Bend at the end of the Platt Pond Trail on 10/28.
Up to three Broad-tailed Hummingbirds have been at a Blanco County home 10/26.
A Swainson’s Thrush has been at a Bastrop County home 10/29-11/1 and an American Woodcock on 10/27.
2 Reddish Egrets were reported at Canyon Lake’s Potter’s Creek Park in Comal County on 10/29.
A Vermilion Flycatcher was nice at Slough Pond in Bell County on 10/30-11/1.
A Tri-colored Heron lingers in the area below Longhorn Dam with a report on 10/25 (Travis County)
A few warblers continue to come through: Wilson’s Warbler at Little Webberville on 10/31, Tennessee Warbler at Dick Nichols on 10/27, and a American Redstart at a Bastrop County reside
Reports for the Austin area RBA cover a 60 mile radius, centered from the Capitol in downtown Austin. Bird sightings mentioned here have been filtered and scrutinized by the compiler and are believed to be genuine. When documentation or photographs were provide, that is mentioned, along with the other information about the bird(s) being seen. For questions or updates about birds mentioned here or to report rare or unusual bird sightings in the Austin area, please send an e-mail to kennya290@gmail.com
Kenny Anderson
Austin
Claude Morris says:
October 30, 2012 at 10:29 pm
Colorado River Park, Travis, US-TX
Oct 27, 2012 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Protocol: Area
5.0 ac
Today on the fifth Colorado River Park bird walk we found some of the winter birds have arrived. Northern Flicker, American Robin, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglet and three species of native sparrows were included in our list of 31 species plus some ducks.
The best surprise of the morning was a flyby from a Merlin. Love to see the falcons.
The weather today was chilly and blustery. Early in the morning we had several flights of ducks pass over and one large flock of Greater White-fronted Geese. I think the cold wind kept us from finding some of the regulars like Mockingbirds and Eurasian Collared Doves.
31 species (+1 other taxa)
Greater White-fronted Goose 50
duck sp. 60
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 10
Turkey Vulture 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 3
Killdeer 1
Mourning Dove 2
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Northern Flicker 2
Crested Caracara 1
Merlin 1
American Crow 9
Carolina Chickadee 23
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Eastern Bluebird 3
American Robin 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 12
Savannah Sparrow 9
Lincoln’s Sparrow 4
White-crowned Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 8
Red-winged Blackbird 100
Great-tailed Grackle 50
Brown-headed Cowbird 6
House Finch 3
Kenny Anderson says:
October 26, 2012 at 2:33 am
The Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 8:55 on October 25, 2012. Send interesting sightings- complete with species name, the LOCATION, and contact information- to Kenny Anderson at kennya290@gmail.com
-Rarities Found This Week-
There was a Bastrop County White-tailed Kite fly-over and Palm Warbler on 10/21.
Little Webberville Park in Travis County had two hatch year Red-naped Sapsuckers on 10/20,22. One seen on 10/23.
Bronzed Cowbird was photographed at Hornsby Bend on 10/20; perhaps the same bird as reported on September 15th. There is an enormous flock of blackbirds it can mix with.
2 Horned Larks were in northeastern Travis County on Felder Lane west of 973 on 10/20.
A Magnolia Warbler was viewed at a central Austin home on 10/23.
The West Bouldin Greenbelt in south Austin had a continuing Magnolia Warbler on 10/23 and a Tennessee Warbler on 10/25.
Good birds for Bastrop County were Mountain Plovers (2) and Chestnut Collared Longspurs (8) on 10/19. The longspurs continued with 5 on 10/20.
Ken Zaslow says:
October 23, 2012 at 7:22 pm
Webberville Park (Big & Little) (HOTE 035), Travis, US-TX
Oct 23, 2012 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: Twelve people participated in today’s bird walk at Big Webberville Park. Beginning temperature was 68 degrees and ending temperature was 73 degrees. Skies were partly cloudy and winds were calm. Highlights today were 5 Woodpecker species, and multiple Scissor-tailed Flycatchers and Couch’s Kingbirds in excellent light.
35 species (+1 other taxa)
Wood Duck 5
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 2
Black Vulture 27
Turkey Vulture 9
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Killdeer 4 Seen on the soccer field when exiting the park
Eurasian Collared-Dove 1 Seen at the soccer field when exiting the park
White-winged Dove 2 Seen just outside the park entrance when exiting the park
Mourning Dove 11
Red-bellied Woodpecker 7
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 2
Crested Caracara 25
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
Couch’s Kingbird 3 We all had excellent looks at the birds in perfect morning light while they perched at the top of trees located in the large field west of the boat ramp. They were typical Tyrannus Kingbirds with bright yellow bellies and undertail coverts. The yellow extended far up onto the breast and the throat was pale gray. The tails of these birds did not have white edges. They stayed in the area for over an hour and were in trees along the hedgerow when we left. Photos were taken by Lee Wallace.
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 15
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 7
Barn Swallow 3
Carolina Chickadee 5
Carolina Wren 7
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Eastern Bluebird 6
Northern Mockingbird 3
Orange-crowned Warbler 3
Chipping Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 9
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 5
Great-tailed Grackle 35
House Finch 7
Kenny Anderson says:
October 19, 2012 at 6:12 pm
The Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 12:34 on October 19, 2012. Send interesting sightings- complete with species name, include LOCATION and contact information- to Kenny Anderson at kennya290@gmail.com
-Exception Sighting-
A Ruddy Ground-Dove is being seen at Crescent Bend Nature Park in Schertz. This bright male has been photographed near the park’s intersection of Omar and Bluegill Streets. Details of sightings of this snazzy bird should be sent to the Texas Bird Records Committee. (Bexar County 10/5-18)
-Rarities Found This Week-
A White-tailed Kite was photographed on 10/16 from the Nalle Bunny Run Preserve in Travis County. The bird was a fly-over migrant.
A Blue-winged Warbler was seen at Crescent Bend Nature Park on 10/7, a nice addition to a Ruddy Ground-Dove sighting.
The Hornsby Bend Survey that was on 10/13, turned up some interesting finds: Upland Sandpiper, Ovenbird and a Blue Grosbeak.
A Mississippi Kite was seen from a west Austin home on 10/13 (Travis County)
The West Bouldin Greenbelt in South Austin has hosted a Magnolia Warbler 10/14-19. A Red-eyed Vireo on 10/14 and a report of a Philadelphia Vireo on 10/18.
A Curve-billed Thrasher was seen at Warbler Woods on 10/3 in Guadalupe County.
Several reports of Red-breasted Nuthatches from private homes in the circle indicate early predictions of an irruptive year are going to be correct. How about one for my house?
-Escaped Exotic-
A Demoiselle Crane was photographed on a west Austin homes property on 10/1, must have been fun to look out the window and see that.
Reports for the Austin area RBA cover a 60 mile radius, centeredfrom the Capitol in downtown Austin. The circle extends north to Belton (Bell County), south to Leesville (Gonzales County), east to SomervilleWMA (Lee Burleson County), and west to Blumenthal (Gillespie County).Birdsightings mentioned here have been filtered and scrutinized by the compiler and are believed to be genuine. When documentation or photographs were provide, that is mentioned along with the other information about the bird(s) being seen.For questions or updates about birds mentioned here or to report rare or unusual bird sightings in the Austin area, please send an e-mail to kennya290@gmail.com
Kenny Anderson
Austin
Judith Bailey, Virginia Rose, Shirley LaVergne says:
October 6, 2012 at 1:37 am
BEGINNING BIRDERS’ WALK BRUSHY CREEK PARK
This morning 24 birders show up for an avian adventure; approximately half were NEW bird watchers. We walked about 1 mile aver a two-hour period. Three highlights for the morning: two immature Bald Eagles soaring, an Osprey hovering overhead with breakfast in its talons and a kettle of unidentified hawks swirling before streaming south.
Northern Shoveler
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
American White Pelican
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Cattle Egret
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Cooper’s Hawk
American Coot
Rock Pigeon
Morning Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Eastern Phoebe
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Black-crested Titmouse
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Nashville Warbler
American Redstart
Northern Cardinal
Kenny Anderson says:
October 5, 2012 at 2:56 am
The Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9:30 on October 4, 2012. Send interesting sightings- complete with species name, LOCATION, and contact information- to Kenny Anderson at kennya290@gmail.com
I was wishing I had more time on Saturday and Sunday (28th and 29th) as birding seemed excellent in the hours I was out. Rain and a weak front had the woods hopping with migrants and returning wintering birds. There were very few reports to sort through though.
-Rarities Found This Week-
A well-described Mottled Duck made a brief stay at Hornsby Bend on 9/30 in Travis County.
A Chestnut-sided Warbler was viewed at a north Austin home on 9/28.
-Continuing Birds From Previous Week-
The West Bouldin Greenbelt in South austin continued to host a Magnolia Warbler and a Yellow-throated Vireo on 9/29,30. (Travis)
Reports for the Austin area RBA cover a 60 mile radius, centeredfrom the Capitol in downtown Austin. The circle extends north to Belton (Bell County), south to Leesville (Gonzales County), east to SomervilleWMA (Lee Burleson County), and west to Blumenthal (Gillespie County).Birdsightings mentioned here have been filtered and scrutinized by the compiler and are believed to be genuine. When documentation or photographs were provide, that is mentioned along with the other information about the bird(s) being seen.For questions or updates about birds mentioned here or to report rare or unusual bird sightings in the Austin area, please send an e-mail to kennya290@gmail.com
Kenny Anderson
Austin
Ken Zaslow says:
September 18, 2012 at 6:26 pm
St. Edwards Pk (NW Austin), Travis, US-TX
September 18, 2012 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: Nine people participated in this TAS field trip to St. Edwards Park on a beautiful day with sunny skies and mild temperatures.
18 species (+3 other taxa)
duck sp. 2
Black Vulture 15
Turkey Vulture 7
White-winged Dove 6
Mourning Dove 1
dove sp. 18 Distant flyovers
Chimney Swift 1
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 3
Belted Kingfisher 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
White-eyed Vireo 14
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 3
Carolina Chickadee 1
Black-crested Titmouse 5
Carolina Wren 12
Summer Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 16
Painted Bunting 1
Great-tailed Grackle 1
Lesser Goldfinch 4
Deb Wallace says:
September 17, 2012 at 1:00 am
Seventeen of us birded Doeskin Ranch on Sunday, September 9th. It was a pleasant day. Unfortunately, the creek was dry, but there was a little water in the pond. We had fun and saw some nice birds. The list follows:
Turkey Vulture
Swainson’s Hawk
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Common Ground-Dove
Great Horned Owl
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Empidonax sp.
White-eyed Vireo
Western Scrub-Jay
American Crow
Barn Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Black-crested Titmouse
Bewick’s Wren
Carolina Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Northern Mockingbird
Mourning Warbler
American Redstart
Wilson’s Warbler
Rufous-crowned Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
Summer Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Dickcissel
Baltimore Oriole
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
Ken Zaslow says:
September 11, 2012 at 6:24 pm
This report is being posted on behalf of Dan Callaway for his September 11th TAS field trip to Hutto.
Hutto Hippo Crossing, Williamson, US-TX
Sep 11, 2012 7:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Area covered included Hutto Lake Park and Brushy Creek.
36 species (+3 other taxa)
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Green Heron 2
Turkey Vulture 2
Red-tailed Hawk 2 one of the 2 we believe was a Kriders
Killdeer 15
Least Sandpiper 4
Rock Pigeon 3
White-winged Dove 28
Mourning Dove 42
Chimney Swift 2
hummingbird sp. 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 1
Empidonax sp. 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
Loggerhead Shrike 2
American Crow 1
Barn Swallow 24
swallow sp. 26
Carolina Chickadee 3
Carolina Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Northern Mockingbird 18
European Starling 22
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Nashville Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 1
Canada Warbler 1
Wilson’s Warbler 7
Northern Cardinal 6
Dickcissel 16
Great-tailed Grackle 75
Brown-headed Cowbird 14
House Finch 5
House Sparrow 20
admin says:
September 3, 2012 at 8:09 pm
Colorado River Park, Travis, US-TX
Aug 25, 2012 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Protocol: Area
5 Ac.
The neighborhood bird walk in the Colorado River Park produced a couple of surprises. We found a Tricolored Heron that gave us lots of opportunity to get good looks. It is always nice to get one this far upstream.
Another bird that is always a treat was an Inca dove. These are not unusual to our neighborhood but we just too not get many.
Some of the better birds of the day included Green Herons and two Hummingbird. Last month we recorded three species of Doves in the park, today we had four to round out our list of 32 species
I want to thank Nancy Manning for joining in the walk this morning.
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3
-Claude Morris
Ken Zaslow says:
August 21, 2012 at 6:16 pm
Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, US-TX
Aug 21, 2012 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.25 mile(s)
Comments: Six people enjoyed a beautiful early morning at the Hornsby Bend ponds with the emphasis on shorebird identification. Beginning temperature was 74 degrees. The sky was cloudy to partly sunny with light winds from the north at about 5 to 10 mph.
31 species
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 6
Wood Duck 2
Blue-winged Teal 11
Northern Shoveler 7
Snowy Egret 3
Little Blue Heron 2
Green Heron 2
White Ibis 6
Black Vulture 1
American Coot 15
Killdeer 12
Black-necked Stilt 2
Spotted Sandpiper 5
Solitary Sandpiper 4
Lesser Yellowlegs 2
Least Sandpiper 40
Pectoral Sandpiper 1
Stilt Sandpiper 1
Rock Pigeon 14
White-winged Dove 3
Mourning Dove 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Crested Caracara 10 Seen on the ground in the field north of pond 1 east
Western Kingbird 2
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 12
Barn Swallow 3
European Starling 13
Northern Cardinal 2 Heard in the headquarters parking lot
Red-winged Blackbird 85
Great-tailed Grackle 65
House Sparrow 5
Ken Zaslow says:
May 22, 2012 at 4:22 pm
Webberville Park (Big & Little) (HOTE 035), Travis, US-TX
May 22, 2012 7:15 AM – 9:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: Fourteen people enjoyed good looks at many of the local nesting species during this TAS field trip to Big Webbervile Park. Some highlights include close-up views of Prothonotary Warbler, Pileated Woodpecker, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Eastern and Western Kingbird, Great-crested Flycatcher, Eastern Wood-Peewee, Eastern Bluebird and Lark Sparrow. The weather was pleasant with sunny skies and calm winds. Beginning temperature was 68 degrees and ending temperature was 80 degrees. The adverse effect of last years drought was seen in the Pecan grove with many trees completely dead and many others with damage to their outer canopies.
40 species (+2 other taxa)
Great Blue Heron 4
Great Egret 1 Seen by leader before the trip began.
Cattle Egret 1
Green Heron 2
Black Vulture 14
Turkey Vulture 19
Killdeer 2
Eurasian Collared-Dove X Heard only
White-winged Dove 28
Mourning Dove 10
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 3
Chimney Swift 1 Seen by leader before the trip began
hummingbird sp. 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 7
Downy Woodpecker 2
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Western Kingbird 3
Eastern Kingbird 5
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 3
White-eyed Vireo 2
Warbling Vireo 3
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 4
Barn Swallow 3
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 5
Carolina Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Eastern Bluebird 4
Northern Mockingbird 6
Prothonotary Warbler 2 Seen by the observation platform overlooking the river
Lark Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 8
Painted Bunting 1 Heard only
Common Grackle 1
Great-tailed Grackle 3
Bronzed Cowbird 2
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
House Finch 3
Ken Zaslow says:
May 16, 2012 at 8:14 pm
Nine people went on this bird walk at Commons Ford Ranch Park on May 15th.
Commons Ford Pk, Travis, US-TX
May 15, 2012 6:45 AM – 10:15 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Although migrant birds were scarce, the 9 people participating on this TAS field trip to the Commons Ford Ranch Park enjoyed hearing and seeing a nice variety of nesting species. Highlights included excellent views of recently fledged baby
Comments(411)
James Giroux says:
November 21, 2023 at 5:27 pmNine birders joined Shelia and me at two Hays County locations: Blanco Shoals Natural Area, and Aquarena Springs. Our winter sparrows have not quite kicked in yet, but we still saw some good birds and some interesting bird behavior. At Blanco, we saw a nice group of eight Wood Ducks, and at least a dozen Blue Jays preparing for winter. The Jays were continuingly flying across our path, seemingly in one direction, carrying some type of food item towards the river.
When we reached Aquarena Springs it began to drizzle and the birding slowed down a bit. Just when Shelia called it quits, she spotted the bird of the day – a Brown Creeper.
Blanco Shoals
Checklist Comments: Travis Audubon field trip. Overcast and somewhat foggy, 59 – 64 degrees F, light mist toward the end, 0 – 10 MPH wind from the SSE.
29 species (+1 other taxa)
Wood Duck 8 Group of eight swam together with at least two males and four females.
White-winged Dove 63
Mourning Dove 1
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Neotropic Cormorant 8
Black Vulture 10
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker (Northern) 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2 Male flew out of a bare tree and shortly after that, a female flew into the same tree.
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 4
Blue Jay 18 Numerous birds flew past carrying acorns or something of a similar size.
American Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 8
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 10
Carolina Wren 12 Two counter-sang on two separate occasions. Two pair vocalized on two separate occasions.
European Starling 35
Northern Mockingbird 8
American Robin 20
House Sparrow 8 A group ate ragweed seeds.
House Finch 9 Two sang.
Vesper Sparrow 2
Red-winged Blackbird 60
Great-tailed Grackle 9 Three males displayed to each other on the top of an apartment roof.
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 17 About fifteen birds flitted in one tree.
Northern Cardinal 11
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S154930635
Aquarena Springs
Checklist Comments: Travis Audubon field trip. Overcast, 63 degrees F, light mist, 3 MPH wind from the E.
15 species
Wood Duck 5 Two pair perched on dead stumps in water or floated nearby.
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Egret (American) 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 20
Osprey 1 Bird dove into the water, floated there for about a minute, and then flew up and away.
Belted Kingfisher 1
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Brown Creeper 1
Carolina Wren 2
Northern Mockingbird 2
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Common Yellowthroat 1
Rich Kostecke says:
November 19, 2023 at 3:23 pmI led 16 birders on a field trip to Granger Lake Friendship Park (Williamson County) with most of the group joining me for a Mountain Plover chase along WilCo CR 360 when we were done at Friendship. We tallied 52 species highlights being American Avocets and Long-billed Dowitchers at Friendship Park and distant scope views of 4 Mountain Plover along CR 360.
Blue-winged Teal 1
American Wigeon 1
Northern Pintail 2
duck sp. 25
Pied-billed Grebe 3
Eurasian Collared-Dove 4
Mourning Dove 3
American Coot 330
American Avocet 2
Killdeer 5
Mountain Plover 4
Long-billed Dowitcher 6
Wilson’s Snipe 2
Greater Yellowlegs 3
Least Sandpiper 18
Franklin’s Gull 22
Ring-billed Gull 41
Double-crested Cormorant 9
Snowy Egret 1
Great Egret 7
Great Blue Heron 3
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 1
Northern Harrier 5
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Crested Caracara 2
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
Loggerhead Shrike 1
American Crow 7
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
Horned Lark 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Carolina Wren 2
Bewick’s Wren 2
European Starling 7
Northern Mockingbird 4
American Robin 2
House Sparrow 2
American Pipit 2o
White-crowned Sparrow 10
Vesper Sparrow 8
Savannah Sparrow 36
Song Sparrow 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 3
Eastern Meadowlark 18
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 1
Red-winged Blackbird 100
blackbird sp. 200
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 9
Northern Cardinal 6
Rachel Zierzow says:
November 7, 2023 at 1:51 pmLaguna Gloria field trip- November 1, 2023
Co-leaders: Richard Deulofeut and Rachel Zierzow
Sunny and cold, 39 degrees at the start. Very birdy with sunny treetops covered in birds. One of the highlights was seeing a Common Loon fly by at close range (30 feet away) when we were down by the lake (Colorado River). Also a Golden-crowned Kinglet called brightly from the trees near the mansion at the start of the walk. A common yellowthroat was skulking in the reeds along the lakeshore and two belted kingfishers were seen flying around the lake area with lily pads.
Wood Duck 4
American Wigeon 1
Pied-billed Grebe 1
White-winged Dove 4
Common Loon 1
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 4
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 4
Carolina Chickadee 5
Black-crested Titmouse 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 5
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Carolina Wren 3
House Finch 7
Lesser Goldfinch 3
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
Red-winged Blackbird 2
Great-tailed Grackle 2
Orange-crowned Warbler 4
Common Yellowthroat 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Northern Cardinal 6
Total species: 28
eBird Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S153525607
Rachel Zierzow says:
November 7, 2023 at 1:43 pmJoint Travis-Bastrop Audubon field trip to Bastrop State Park
October 27, 2023
Co-leaders: Louise Ridlon and Rachel Zierzow
We walked the paved sidewalk trails going through the former golf course that has now been restored (post-fire) to woodland/prairie. Warm and humid weather after a few days of rain. Overall pretty quiet morning, but we were glad to see a large flurry of pine warblers way up in the tall pines.
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 1
American Kestrel 2
Eastern Phoebe 7
American Crow 4
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 2
Tree Swallow 3
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 0
Barn Swallow 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
House Wren 2
Carolina Wren 4
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 9
House Finch 2
Lesser Goldfinch 1
White-throated Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Spotted Towhee 1
Great-tailed Grackle 3
Pine Warbler 16
Northern Cardinal 7
TOTAL SPECIES: 24
eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S153164412
Rachel Zierzow says:
November 7, 2023 at 1:32 pmBarton Springs Bird Walk- October 25, 2023
Co-leaders: Rachel Zierzow & Chris Gunter
11 Attendees
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 2
White-winged Dove 15
Common Nighthawk 1
Killdeer 3
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Monk Parakeet 33
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 7
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 1
Black-crested Titmouse 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Carolina Wren 3
European Starling 30
Northern Mockingbird 5
House Finch 15
Lesser Goldfinch 3
Great-tailed Grackle 30
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 6
This was the second monthly bird walk at Barton Springs pool. It was very overcast and about 77 degrees at the start. We met at the South Gate and birded the immediate area while introducing each other. We heard a Ruby-crowned Kinglet in the small oak near the South Gate entrance. Then a pair of Red-bellied Woodpeckers flew to one of the big pecan trees. We then proceeded down to the pool where we got great looks at a Double-crested Cormorant that was swimming/hunting in the pool near the diving board and spring outflow. As we were watching the cormorant, we heard a Carolina Wren and saw several Great-tailed Grackles— one that posed for us on the diving board. We got the spotting scope on the Spotted Sandpiper which was on the rocky shore at the west end of the pool. Then we walked around the pool to the west end of the pool and got great close up looks of the sandpiper. A Common Nighthawk called overhead, and we figured it was active because of the dense clouds. Then we backtracked to the South Gate and turned right onto the trail the parallels Barton Creek. It rained a little but we carried on.There was an Orange-crowned Warbler right after we crossed the foot bridge. It was very birdy as we got closer to Barton Hills Drive with lots of Northern Cardinals (at least 4 males), Black-crested Titmice, a Carolina Chickadee, Lesser Goldfinch, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, and many House Finches. Fun was had by all and we ended up with 25 species on our bird list!
Program Manager says:
October 23, 2023 at 11:42 amLocation: SE Greenway at Mueller
Date: Oct 21, 2023
Time: 8 to 10 am
Number of people: approximately 14 including the leads
Laura Tull and Chuck Seidel co-led this trip. Weather was good and they were able to see the below species.
Common Grackle – 9
Northern Mockingbird – 4
Brown-headed Cowbird – 1
Lesser Goldfinch – 5
House Finch – 7
Red-winged Blackbird – 15
Snowy Egret -1
Pied-billed Grebe – 5
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck – 1
Mallard Duck – 1
Great Egret – 1
Great Blue Heron -1
Ruddy Duck -1
American Coots -10
American Crow – 4
Killdeer – 6
Lincoln Sparrow – 3
Eastern Meadowlark -1
Monk Parakeet – 7
19 species
Rich Kostecke says:
October 22, 2023 at 10:29 amWe had a lovely joint TAS/Highland Lakes Birding and Wildlflower Society field trip to Spicewood Ranch in Burnet County on 10/21/23. A told of 19 of us explored the restored prairie and shurbland and woodland along Alligator Creek. The birding was somewhat slow, as it can be at this time of year after the breeding birds have left and the winter birds are only just beginning to arrive. Perhaps the best bird Was a Lark Bunting that some of the group got to see. Otherwise, it was nice to see some of our winter sparrows and winter species like Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Spotted Towhee, Yellow-dumped Warbler, and Orange-crowned Warbler.
Spicewood Ranch tracts (private, no access), Burnet, Texas, US
Oct 21, 2023 8:06 AM – 11:40 AM
Protocol: Traveling
4.893 mile(s)
34 species (+1 other taxa)
White-winged Dove 1
Mourning Dove 14
Black Vulture 17
Turkey Vulture 10
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 3
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
Loggerhead Shrike 1
Carolina Chickadee 11
Black-crested Titmouse 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 5
Carolina Wren 4
Bewick’s Wren 7
European Starling 2
Northern Mockingbird 5
Eastern Bluebird 4
House Sparrow 2
House Finch 4
Lesser Goldfinch 4
Chipping Sparrow 3
Lark Sparrow 3
White-throated Sparrow 1
Vesper Sparrow 3
Spotted Towhee 8
Western Meadowlark 1
Eastern Meadowlark 1
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 6
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Orange-crowned Warbler 5
Nashville Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Northern Cardinal 15
Jeffrey Jackson says:
October 19, 2023 at 10:05 pmOn October 18th, Jeffrey Jackson, and Suzie McCann led 13 birders at Reimers Ranch. A total of 34 species were observed (full list below). Some highlights include a covey of Northern Bobwhite, Black-throated Sparrow, and Clay-colored Sparrow. We ended our walk with excellent views of a Verdin in the parking lot.
Milton Reimers Ranch Park, Travis, Texas, US
Oct 18, 2023 7:23 AM – 10:03 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.821 mile(s)
34 species
Northern Bobwhite 6
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 6
Eastern Screech-Owl 1
Great Horned Owl 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 3
Crested Caracara 1
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Loggerhead Shrike 1
American Crow 3
Common Raven 2
Black-crested Titmouse 4
Verdin 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Canyon Wren 1
Carolina Wren 2
Bewick’s Wren 4
Northern Mockingbird 5
House Finch 5
Lesser Goldfinch 7
Clay-colored Sparrow 1
Field Sparrow 14
Black-throated Sparrow 3
Lark Sparrow 2
White-crowned Sparrow 4
Vesper Sparrow 3
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 3
Spotted Towhee 4
Western Meadowlark 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Northern Cardinal 7
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S152541314
Celeste Treadway says:
October 15, 2023 at 9:26 amChris Gunter and Celeste Treadway led 10 TAS members on a walk at Baker Sanctuary on Saturday, October 14th. We had a beautiful, sunny, cool morning. Slow birding activity overall, but a cold front overnight brought large numbers of migrating Turkey vultures, Broad-winged and Swainson’s Hawks overhead, and we got nice looks at a handsome male Spotted Towhee.
Baker Sanctuary, Travis, Texas, US
Oct 14, 2023 7:58 AM – 9:58 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: TAS guided walk of upland/entry areas, 10 participants + 2 leaders. We had a beautiful, clear and crisp morning. Overall birding was slow, but we got great looks at several large groups of migrating raptors overhead, and nice long looks at a male Spotted Towhee.
17 species
White-winged Dove 8
Mourning Dove 1
Turkey Vulture 50
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Broad-winged Hawk 50
Swainson’s Hawk 10
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Carolina Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 2
American Robin 2
Lesser Goldfinch 1
Grasshopper Sparrow 1
Spotted Towhee 1
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Northern Cardinal 5
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S152294372
Celeste Treadway says:
October 13, 2023 at 11:58 amAnna Stalcup writes: “Five Travis Audubon members joined 3 Bexar Audubon birders at Mitchell Lake Audubon Center on October 11th. It was a cloudy day but the rain held off and it was comfortable weather. Over 100 beautiful White Pelicans and seven species of ducks had already arrived for the season! It was hard to count all the herons, egrets, and cormorants flying around. Mitchell Lake reminds me of a huge Hornsby Bend although there weren’t many shorebirds on this trip due to the water level. There are also many trails with songbirds.It was a very pleasant walk and a nice introduction to the area.”
Mitchell Lake Audubon Center (HOTE 103), Bexar, Texas, US
Oct 10, 2023 8:10 AM – 11:13 AM
Protocol: Traveling
5.64 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Travis Audubon/BAS Outing
42 species (+1 other taxa)
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 2
Blue-winged Teal 90
Northern Shoveler 30
Gadwall 7
American Wigeon 6
Ring-necked Duck 30
Ruddy Duck 50
Least Grebe 6
Pied-billed Grebe 3
White-winged Dove 50
Mourning Dove 38
Chimney Swift 1
Black-chinned Hummingbird 1 Female
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 2
American Coot 175
Killdeer 13
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Neotropic Cormorant 70
American White Pelican 120
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 25
Snowy Egret 40
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 2
White Ibis 1
White-faced Ibis 5
Turkey Vulture 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Eastern Phoebe 4
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 40
Black-crested Titmouse 1
Barn Swallow 40
Cliff Swallow 5
Cave Swallow 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
European Starling 40
Northern Mockingbird 14
House Sparrow 6
House Finch 24
Lincoln’s Sparrow 5
Red-winged Blackbird 250
Great-tailed Grackle 50
Common Yellowthroat 5
Northern Cardinal 5
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S151900085
admin says:
September 29, 2023 at 11:17 amBarton Springs Bird Walk- September 27, 2023
7:30-10:30 am
Co-leaders: Rachel Zierzow & Chris Gunter
11 Attendees
This was the first monthly bird walk at Barton Springs pool. We met at the South Gate and proceeded down to the pool where we got great looks at an immature Green Heron and Spotted Sandpiper, both on the rocky shore at the west end of the pool. We saw two water snakes, one which approached the Green Heron who hopped to safety at the last moment! We then got great looks (and photos) of 5 Couch’s Kingbirds high in the trees on the west end. Next, we backtracked to the South Gate and turned right onto the trail that parallels Barton Creek. It was full of Northern Mockingbirds (~20). We also saw three kinds of sparrows that we were able to show in the spotting scope (Lincoln’s, Lark, and Clay-Colored). We also lucked out with two immature Nashville Warblers, a male Wilson’s, and an immature Dickcissel! Fun was had by all and we ended up with 27 species (see attached e-bird trip list).
White-winged Dove. 30
Mourning Dove 2
Chimney Swift 1
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 2
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Green Heron. 1
Turkey Vulture. 1
Sharp-shinned/Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker. 2
Least Flycatcher 1
Couch’s Kingbird 5
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
White-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 10
Carolina Chickadee 1
Black-crested Titmouse 3
Cliff/Cave Swallow 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Carolina Wren 6
Northern Mockingbird 20
House Finch 6
Lesser Goldfinch 1
Clay-colored Sparrow 1
Lark Sparrow 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Great-tailed Grackle 1
Nashville Warbler 2
Wilson’s Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 8
Dickcissel 1
Celeste Treadway says:
September 24, 2023 at 2:11 pmField trip committee members Mary Ann Robalino and Brooke Scheibe, accompanied by Ryan Dees from Austin Parks and Recreation Department, led a group of 11 birders at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery on September 23rd for a combined birding/native plant/history walk. They had a lovely morning, and folks really enjoyed learning about the history and notable people buried there, and about native vs non-native species.
While it wasn’t a super birdy morning, with only 16 species, the group got great looks at some a couple very cooperative Lark Sparrows and a beautiful Red Bellied Woodpecker.
Austin Memorial Park Cemetery
Sep 23, 2023
8:04 AM
Traveling
1.00 miles
113 Minutes
All birds reported? Yes
Comments: Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 2.20.1 Build 2.20.4
21 White-winged Dove
1 Mourning Dove
4 Turkey Vulture
1 Cooper’s Hawk
1 Red-tailed Hawk
1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 Eastern Phoebe
3 Blue Jay
1 Black-crested Titmouse
1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
1 Bewick’s Wren
13 Northern Mockingbird
12 House Finch
6 Lesser Goldfinch
2 Lark Sparrow
24 Great-tailed Grackle
Number of Taxa: 16
Jordan Weingarten says:
September 19, 2023 at 7:08 amMonday, September 18, was the first “Third Monday” beginners walk. Led by Jordan Weingarten (a relative beginner himself) with co-leaders Celeste Treadway, Jessica Womack, and John Bloomfield, leaders outnumbered the others 4 to 3. But we had beautiful weather at Commons Ford Ranch where we saw:
30 White-winged Doves
2 Mourning Doves
14 Chimney Swifts
3 Turkey Vultures
3 Mississippi Kites
1 Cooper’s Hawk
1 Red-bellied Woodpecker (heard only)
1 Downy Woodpecker
2 Ladder-backed Woodpeckers
2 Least Flycatchers
1 Eastern Phoebe
2 Great Crested Flycatchers
2 Scissor-tailed Flycatchers
6 White-eyed Vireos (one or two actually seen)
2 Blue Jays
1 American Crow
3 Common Raven
3 Carolina Chickadees
2 Back-crested Titmice
15 Cliff/Cave Swallows
2 Blue-gray Gnatcatchers
4 Carolina wrens
10 northern mockingbirds
1 Eastern Bluebird (heard only)
1 House Finch
20 Lesser Goldfinch
2 Lark Sparrows
1 Orchard Oriole (adult male)
1 Black-and-white Warbler
1 Nashville Warbler
1 Common Yellowthroat (heard only)
1 Wilson’s Warbler
3 Summer Tanager
Celeste Treadway says:
September 2, 2023 at 4:37 pm6 members of Travis Audubon led the monthly Beginner Bird walk at Brushy Creek Lake Park on Saturday, September 2nd. 34 people enjoyed a beautiful morning; leaders George Kerr and Leslie Menikoff took a group down the main trail to the west, under the Parmer Bridge; Mary Ann Robalino and Mike Pfeil took a group up on top of the dam and then back down to the lake shore; Celeste Treadway and Brooke Scheibe took a group straight to the lake, then wound back up along tree line at western end of lake. Highlights included some gorgeous Yellow Warblers, and a Green Heron that allowed us to observe it hunting from just a few feet away. 32 species total (see below). The Beginner Bird walk is held on the first Saturday of every month, at different locations, and is free and open to all.
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 4
Mallard (Domestic type) 5
White-winged Dove 6
Mourning Dove 3
Killdeer 1
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 3
Green Heron 2
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 1
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Eastern Phoebe 1
Western Kingbird 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
White-eyed Vireo 1
Barn Swallow 3
Cliff Swallow 6
Carolina Wren 2
Bewick’s Wren 1
European Starling 12
Northern Mockingbird 2
American Robin 10
House Finch 2
Lesser Goldfinch 6
Orchard Oriole 2
Great-tailed Grackle 20
Yellow Warbler 3
Northern Cardinal 2
Celeste Treadway says:
March 24, 2023 at 9:05 amJennifer Bristol, Mary Ann Robalino, and Caitlen Hill from PARD led 13 birders on a walk at Evergreen Cemetery on Saturday, March 18. They saw 21 species of birds in a very chilly hour. Jennifer observed that new folks on the walk came from a variety of places in Austin, including a mother/daughter team from Lakeway that she enjoyed chatting with. The best bird was a solo Cedar Waxwing that showed up on cue just before the walk finished, and posed for a woman who was a really wanting to see a Waxwing. After the walk was finished, some of the participants then headed over to Oakwood Cemetery to see an unusually beautiful bloom of bluebonnets at that cemetery.
3303 E 17th St, Austin US-TX 30.28024, -97.70081
Mar 18, 2023
8:38 AM
Traveling
0.50 miles
120 Minutes
All birds reported? Yes
Comments: Unusual to only see one Cedar waxwing.
Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 2.17.1 Build 2.17.3
2 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
15 White-winged Dove
1 Great Egret
1 Turkey Vulture
1 Red-shouldered Hawk
2 Red-bellied Woodpecker
2 Blue Jay
4 American Crow
4 Carolina Chickadee
2 Black-crested Titmouse
1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
2 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
2 Carolina Wren
1 Northern Mockingbird
1 Hermit Thrush
1 Cedar Waxwing
2 Great-tailed Grackle
1 Orange-crowned Warbler
8 Yellow-rumped Warbler
4 Northern Cardinal
admin says:
March 10, 2023 at 11:19 amCynthia, George, John, Leslie, Mike, Wendy and Lance led the Beginners’ Bird walk at Camp Mabry on Saturday March 4th. They ended up with 44 participants. We split into smaller groups and across all the groups we saw a total of 38 species. One group got to see an Osprey catch a fish in the pond and a number of people got to see a pair of Wood Ducks. The species list is below.
Wood Duck
Egyptian Goose
Pied-billed Grebe
White-winged Dove
Ring-billed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Osprey
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Crested Caracara
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
Barn Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Carolina Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Northern Mockingbird
Cedar Waxwing
American Goldfinch
Lesser Goldfinch
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Great-tailed Grackle
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Dennis Palafox says:
February 26, 2023 at 8:37 pmMary Ann Robalino and I lead a group of 8 birders on Presidents Day to Green Gate Farms in Bastrop County. The trip was postponed due to the ice storm and the weather was perfect. Erin Flynn who owns the organic farm with her husband Skip Connet spoke to us briefly about the farm and how surrounding land on Wilbarger Bend is being acquired by commercial interests. We birding the 32-acre farm along the Colorado River for 3 hours. We observed 53 species highlighted by Bald Eagles, White Pelicans, 8 species of sparrows, and various raptors. It’s a fantastic place to bird. A good time was had by all!
Species Count
Wood Duck 2
Gadwall 3
Northern Pintail 10
Green-winged Teal 4
Eurasian Collared-Dove 1
Mourning Dove 20
Killdeer 1
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Double-crested Cormorant 10
American White Pelican 21
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 10
Turkey Vulture 2
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Bald Eagle 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 7
Merlin 1
Eastern Phoebe 4
Loggerhead Shrike 2
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 10
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted Titmouse 1
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 6
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 5
Bewick’s Wren 2
Northern Mockingbird 2
Eastern Bluebird 2
American Robin 2
Cedar Waxwing 2
American Pipit 2
House Finch 3
Chipping Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow 3
Harris’s Sparrow 4
White-throated Sparrow 3
Vesper Sparrow 2
Savannah Sparrow 15
Song Sparrow 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 5
Eastern Meadowlark 4
Red-winged Blackbird 20
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 20
Northern Cardinal 18
Rich Kostecke says:
February 24, 2023 at 7:06 pmI led the 2nd of my two February field trips to Granger Lake, Sorefinger Wildlife Area, Williamson County, to search for Short-eared Owls. I had 6 participants this morning. Unfortunately, no Short-eared Owl this trip. The grasslands the owls use were burned a week ago, and there was not much grass cover left for them. Conditions were also cool with the passing of a cold front, and bird activity was generally slow. However, as highlights, we did have a somewhat early Barn Swallow, big flocks of Northern Pintail, interesting cloud formations, and what will be a bumper crop of bluebonnets when they bloom here soon. Our full list of 23 species:
Gadwall 6
Northern Pintail 150
Green-winged Teal 18
Mourning Dove 6
American Coot 21
Killdeer 2
Wilson’s Snipe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 6
American White Pelican 1
Turkey Vulture 3
Northern Harrier 3
Red-tailed Hawk 3
Great Horned Owl 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 1
American Kestrel 4
Loggerhead Shrike 1
American Crow 1
Barn Swallow 1
Savannah Sparrow 15
Western Meadowlark 2
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 15
Red-winged Blackbird 13
Brewer’s Blackbird 1
Matthew Law says:
February 14, 2023 at 1:29 pmMatthew Janson and I birded the park at Walter E. Long Lake on Saturday, February 11, 2023, with 5 attendees. Unfortunately a lot of late cancellations, but with a small group, we got some more 1×1 time with the birders than usual. Weather was mostly clear, 38-49 degrees F, NNW 11-13 mph winds. In addition to scoping several waterfowl (though perhaps not quite as many species as we expected) we strolled the shoreline and observed the most active areas. Another highlight was a bobcat stalking the perimeter of the woods on the west end!
43 Species observed
+1 other taxa
569 individuals
8 Northern Shoveler
1 Gadwall
25 Lesser Scaup
40 Bufflehead
50 Ruddy Duck
2 Pied-billed Grebe
2 Eared Grebe
5 White-winged Dove
3 Mourning Dove
1 Sora
>>>> Alarm and descending calls heard from within sizable patch of reeds just east of the docks.
250 American Coot
2 Killdeer
1 Spotted Sandpiper
20 Ring-billed Gull
1 Forster’s Tern
>>>> Seen early flying over the lake; contrasted its shape and flight style vs nearby RBGUs.
15 Double-crested Cormorant
8 Black Vulture
3 Turkey Vulture
1 Osprey
1 Cooper’s Hawk
>>>> Soaring very high.
1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
>>>> Very confiding female.
1 Eastern Phoebe
2 Blue Jay
6 American Crow
4 Carolina Chickadee
1 Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
3 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
2 Carolina Wren
3 European Starling
2 Northern Mockingbird
25 American Robin
8 Cedar Waxwing
30 American Pipit
>>>> Active group moving about the west half of the park.
2 American Goldfinch
2 White-throated Sparrow
>>>> Calling from west end thicket.
2 Savannah Sparrow
4 Song Sparrow
2 Lincoln’s Sparrow
1 Swamp Sparrow
3 Red-winged Blackbird
2 Orange-crowned Warbler
2 Common Yellowthroat
18 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
4 Northern Cardinal
Rich Kostecke says:
February 12, 2023 at 11:35 amOn the morning of 12 February 2023, 8 intrepid birders met me out at Granger Lake Sore Finger Wildlife Area, braving the cold and the very early pre-sunrise meeting time, to have a shot at seeing Short-eared Owl. We started off the morning hearing 3 Great Horned Owls. We could hear geese and ducks nearby but never really saw them. We did see the silhouettes of 100s of gulls as they broke roost and lifted off the lake. Eventually we got some light and the Northern Harriers woke up and started cruising the grasslands. But, no Short-eared owls. We started walking the grassland, taking in 100s of Double-crested Cormorants lifting off the lake and heading north (a few Ring-billed Gulls and White Pelicans mixed in too). Finally, a Short-eared Owl popped up, giving everyone decent if brief views. Our full list below. Afterwards, we did try some nearby county roads for Mountain Plovers, longspurs, and such, but no luck as the ag fields were quite quiet.
Eurasian Collared-Dove 1
Mourning Dove 1
Killdeer 1
Ring-billed Gull 350
Double-crested Cormorant 333
American White Pelican 3
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Northern Harrier 6
Red-tailed Hawk 3
Great Horned Owl 3
Short-eared Owl 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy/Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Crested Caracara 2
Loggerhead Shrike 1
American Crow 2
Northern Mockingbird 1
Vesper Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 8
Western Meadowlark 2
Eastern Meadowlark 6
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 12
Red-winged Blackbird 5
Brown-headed Cowbird 10
Brewer’s Blackbird 5
Northern Cardinal 3
Celeste Treadway says:
January 23, 2023 at 3:46 pmChris Gunter and Celeste Treadway led the monthly Baker Sanctuary hike on Sunday, January 22nd. Our group of 14 had a beautiful hike on this clear, cold’ish morning, taking the North Loop trail to the Canyon Trail, and stopping by the Cowbird cage meadow to spot some Dark-eyed Juncos feeding on the ground. Ruby-crowned Kinglets dominated the day, popping up at multiple spots along our hike. Golden-crowned Kinglets were heard, but never seen. A juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk did a flyover at the far north end of the Canyon trail. And the resident Eastern Phoebe made an appearance at both beginning and end of our walk, posing nicely for some photo ops.
Baker Sanctuary, Travis, Texas, US
Jan 22, 2023 7:39 AM – 11:09 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.387 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Monthly group hike at Baker Sanctuary, led by Chris Gunter and Celeste Treadway. Did the North loop to Canyon Trail this month. Beautiful day– cold in the morning but warmed up a little, clear blue skies, very light breeze.
18 species
White-winged Dove 1
Black Vulture 5
Turkey Vulture 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
American Crow 3
Carolina Chickadee 1
Black-crested Titmouse 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 10
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Bewick’s Wren 3
Hermit Thrush 1
Lesser Goldfinch 2
Chipping Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco 3
Spotted Towhee 1
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 3
Lance Felber says:
January 8, 2023 at 5:26 pmChris, George, Leslie, Mike, Robert and I led 42 participants divided into 3 groups at Commons Ford for the January Beginners’ Bird Walk. We stayed dry and ended up with 41 species across the groups:
Mourning Dove
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Black Vulture
Cooper’s Hawk
Sharp-shinned Hawk
American Kestrel
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
American Crow
Common Raven
Carolina Chickadee
Black-crested Titmouse
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
House Wren
Carolina Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Northern Mockingbird
Eastern Bluebird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Spotted Towhee
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Rich Kostecke says:
November 23, 2022 at 2:41 pmOn 23 November, 5 participants joined me for a field trip to Granger Lake Friendship Park. We observed 45 species with the highlight being 2 Red-breasted Merganser (rare but annual for Williamson County). Other good birds included an adult Bald Eagle and Golden-crowned Kinglets. After Friendship Park, most of the group visited the “elbow” of CR 360 to look for Mountain Plovers. With some persistence, we were able to find a small group of plovers as they took flight and then settled back down into the tilled field. We were then able to get good scope views of these birds which blend into their surroundings amazingly well.
Our list from Friendship Park:
Gadwall 4
Green-winged Teal 37
Redhead 12
Red-breasted Merganser 2 Photo
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Eurasian Collared-Dove 2
Mourning Dove 2
American Coot 97
Killdeer 2
Least Sandpiper 3
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Ring-billed Gull 3
gull sp. 70
Forster’s Tern 3
Double-crested Cormorant 167
Neotropic Cormorant 3
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 2
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Northern Harrier 2
Bald Eagle 1
Red-tailed Hawk 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Crested Caracara 2
American Kestrel 2
Loggerhead Shrike 2
American Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
House Wren 1
European Starling 1
Northern Mockingbird 3
American Pipit 5
American Goldfinch 3
White-crowned Sparrow 5
Vesper Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 3
Eastern Meadowlark 1
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 11
Red-winged Blackbird 1
blackbird sp. 26
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 5
Northern Cardinal 7
Our list from Williamson CR 360:
Mountain Plover 7 NW of elbow
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Kestrel 2
American Pipit 4
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 3
Jeffrey Jackson says:
November 21, 2022 at 4:46 pmOn November 16th, Jeffrey Jackson and John Bloomfield led 6 birders at Reimers Ranch. A total of 32 species were observed with highlights being Verdin and Black-throated Sparrows (full list below).
Milton Reimers Ranch Park, Travis, Texas, US
Nov 16, 2022 7:34 AM – 9:47 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.274 mile(s)
32 species (+1 other taxa)
Mourning Dove 4
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 6
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 1
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Loggerhead Shrike 1
American Crow 8
Common Raven 2
Verdin 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Carolina Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 2
Northern Mockingbird 3
American Robin 70
House Finch 8
Lesser Goldfinch 2
Field Sparrow 2
Black-throated Sparrow 3
Lark Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow 17
Vesper Sparrow 3
Savannah Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Canyon Towhee 1
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 2
Spotted Towhee 5
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 22
Red-winged Blackbird 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 6
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S122512182
Celeste Treadway says:
November 16, 2022 at 1:24 pmOn Saturday November 12th, Jennifer Bristol and Brooke Scheibe led an “encore” walk at the IOOF Cemetery in Georgetown. The first walk on October 29th had such a long waiting list that Jennifer and Brooke generously agreed to lead a second walk for people on the wait list. Thank you Jennifer and Brooke!
Jennifer shared: “Fourteen participants and 2 co-leaders braved the cold to enjoy 22 species; most of the species were seen along the edges of the cemetery, however the flashiest bird was the male Eastern Bluebird perched on a start white headstone. It was a very fun morning, with most of the participants coming from Austin or Pflugerville, and one participant coming from Burnet.”
I O O F Cemetery, Georgetown
Nov 12, 2022
8:22 AM
Traveling
1.03 miles
110 Minutes
All birds reported? Yes
Comments: Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 2.13.2 Build 2.13.20
2 Double-crested Cormorant
5 Black Vulture
1 Turkey Vulture
1 Cooper’s Hawk
1 Red-shouldered Hawk
1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
3 Blue Jay
6 Carolina Chickadee
2 Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
5 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
1 Carolina Wren
10 European Starling
8 Northern Mockingbird
1 Eastern Bluebird
2 House Finch
2 Lesser Goldfinch
6 Chipping Sparrow
1 White-crowned Sparrow
1 Eastern Meadowlark
100 Common Grackle
12 Great-tailed Grackle
2 Northern Cardinal
Number of Taxa: 22
Jeffrey Jackson says:
November 4, 2022 at 9:17 pmOn November 2nd, Jeffrey Jackson, and Richard Deulofeut led 14 birders at Reimers Ranch. A total of 34 species were observed (full list below), with highlights being Verdin, Northern Flicker, and Black-throated Sparrows.
Milton Reimers Ranch Park, Travis, Texas, US
Nov 2, 2022 7:25 AM – 10:25 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.664 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Audubon field trip. Mid 50Fs, E 2 mph winds, overcast skies. Surprisingly little fog at the pavilion.
34 species (+2 other taxa)
Gadwall 4
duck sp. 1
Mourning Dove 4
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 5
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1
Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) 1
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 5
Loggerhead Shrike 1
American Crow 4
Common Raven 2
Carolina Chickadee 5
Black-crested Titmouse 5
Verdin 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 8
Canyon Wren 2
Carolina Wren 4
Bewick’s Wren 5
Northern Mockingbird 8
American Robin 135
Sprague’s Pipit 1 Flyover (Jeff only)
House Finch 15
Lesser Goldfinch 2
Chipping Sparrow 2
Field Sparrow 6
Black-throated Sparrow 4 Two pairs in two distinct locations
Lark Sparrow 2
Dark-eyed Junco 1
White-crowned Sparrow 12
Vesper Sparrow 15
Song Sparrow 2
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 8
Spotted Towhee 12
Eastern Meadowlark 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 3
Northern Cardinal 16
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S121739656
Celeste Treadway says:
November 2, 2022 at 10:33 amThe monthly Baker Sanctuary walk was led by Chris Gunter and Celeste Treadway on Tuesday, November 1, with 5 participants joining. We hiked the uplands areas on both North and South sides of sanctuary, hoping to find some wintering sparrows. We had pretty slow birding, but enjoyed a beautiful morning nonetheless. Got decent looks at a very vocal Spotted Towhee in the area of the (former) steward’s residence on the South side.
Baker Sanctuary, Travis, Texas, US
Nov 1, 2022 7:59 AM – 10:58 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.044 mile(s)
14 species
Mourning Dove 1
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
American Crow 7
Carolina Chickadee 2
Black-crested Titmouse 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 8
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 4
American Robin 41
Spotted Towhee 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Northern Cardinal 6
Celeste Treadway says:
October 31, 2022 at 5:37 amJennifer Bristol and Mary Ann Robalino led a group of 15 at the IOOF Cemetery in Georgetown on Saturday, October 29.
Mary Ann submitted the following report:
“Our birding trip to the IOOF cemetery in Georgetown was delightful. Beautiful brisk weather and a lovely group of birders, including some beginners. 24 species sighted as well as a bit of discussion about the importance of native plants for birds.
I had already submitted my eBird list and guess what happened: we spotted 3 white crowned sparrows and were delighted by a Cooper’s hawk swooping right above our heads! This kind of surprise ending to a walk happens frequently. Oohs and aahs abounded!”
51 White-winged Dove
10 Mourning Dove
2 Black Vulture
6 Turkey Vulture
1 Sharp-shinned Hawk
1 Coper’s Hawk
1 Red-tailed Hawk
2 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 Eastern Phoebe
4 Blue Jay
3 American Crow
12 Carolina Chickadee
1 Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
5 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
5 European Starling
6 Northern Mockingbird
3 Eastern Bluebird
20 Cedar Waxwing
20 House Finch
13 Lesser Goldfinch
1 Eastern Meadowlark
2 Great-tailed Grackle
3 White-crowned Sparrow
1 Orange-crowned Warbler
2 Yellow-rumped Warbler
2 Northern Cardinal
Richard Deulofeut says:
October 17, 2022 at 9:52 pmA group of eight brave birders weathered the morning storms this morning at Roy Guerrero. We were gifted a two-hour reprieve from the rain and some great birding ensued with 43 species observed!
62 degrees F, NNE 11 mph winds. Overcast throughout with rain abating right after the start and returning as we finished. We focused on the playground area, overlook, and edge woods around the start of the main trail.
Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Park, Travis, US Oct 17, 2022 7:30 AM – 9:36 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
Blue-winged Teal 3
Mallard 2
Northern Pintail 1
Green-winged Teal 2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 5
White-winged Dove 4
Mourning Dove 8
Killdeer 1
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 6
Snowy Egret 12
Little Blue Heron 1
Green Heron 1
Black Vulture 10
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Belted Kingfisher 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Crested Caracara (Northern) 1
Eastern Phoebe 4
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 4
American Crow 6
Carolina Chickadee 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 3
European Starling 3
Northern Mockingbird 8
Eastern Bluebird 6
American Robin 60
House Finch 6
Lesser Goldfinch 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Orange-crowned Warbler 4
Nashville Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 12
Northern Cardinal 18
Full list with media here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S120837280
Rich Kostecke says:
October 12, 2022 at 11:46 amA single participant joined me on a trip to Lake Georgetown Russell Park this morning. I think the hiking may have scared folks off. Anyway, we had a nice morning, tallying 39 species. No Brown Booby, but we did refind the white morph juvenile Reddish Egret, had a nice mix of raptors (including several Merlin as well as side by side views of Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawk in flight), and several winter arrivals (Orange-crowned Warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Lincoln’s Sparrows).
Green-winged Teal 6
White-winged Dove 1
Mourning Dove 2
American Coot 4
Killdeer 29
Least Sandpiper 6
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Forster’s Tern 3
Great Blue Heron 3
Great Egret 1
Reddish Egret 1 Continuing white morph
Black Vulture 15
Turkey Vulture 24
Osprey 1
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
American Kestrel 4
Merlin 2
Eastern Phoebe 2
American Crow 3
Carolina Chickadee 1
Black-crested Titmouse 7
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Canyon Wren 1
House Wren 2
Carolina Wren 6
Bewick’s Wren 2
Northern Mockingbird 5
Eastern Bluebird 1
House Finch 1
Lesser Goldfinch 8
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Common Yellowthroat 1
Northern Cardinal 9
Rich Kostecke says:
October 5, 2022 at 12:13 pmI led a field trip to Devine Lake in Leander this morning. It was a small turnout (2 participants), likely because of the short notice, but the group ballooned up to about 7 as other wandering groups of birders joined us. Highlights were the 100+ Great Egrets that were concentrating in the dwindling pools of water, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, a good movement of Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, and a few heard only American Pipit (a tad early, but previously reported from the site for that past week).
Devine Lake Pk, Williamson, Texas, US
Oct 5, 2022 7:25 AM – 10:55 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.461 mile(s)
39 species (+1 other taxa)
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 18
Blue-winged Teal 70
Mallard (Domestic type) 3
Green-winged Teal 1
Pied-billed Grebe 10
White-winged Dove 4
Mourning Dove 11
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2
Killdeer 18
Least Sandpiper 38
Pectoral Sandpiper 1
Wilson’s Snipe 2
Greater Yellowlegs 4
American White Pelican 1
Great Blue Heron 5
Great Egret 99
Snowy Egret 11
Cattle Egret 2
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 2
Turkey Vulture 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 34
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 4
Carolina Chickadee 1
Black-crested Titmouse 2
Barn Swallow 8
Carolina Wren 2
European Starling 3
Northern Mockingbird 5
American Pipit 2 Continuing, early movement this year
House Finch 4
Lesser Goldfinch 3
Lark Sparrow 4
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Common Yellowthroat 2
Northern Cardinal 10
Rich Kostecke says:
September 28, 2022 at 5:54 pmI had an emergency pop up at literally the last moment, so did not make it out to Granger Lake–Willis Creek Park this morning (28 Sept) for the field trip I supposed to lead. However, the group (9 participants) chose to lead themselves and found 34 species including several migrants.
Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors) 3
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) 13
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 2
Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) 1
Sora (Porzana carolina) 2 Heard in watery area by the little peninsula – several vocalizing by boat dock about 0705
American Coot (Fulica americana) 2
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 1
Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) 3
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 3
Great Egret (Ardea alba) 2
Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) 1
Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) 1
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) 2
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 2
Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius) 1 Most likely female
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 1
Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) 2 2 hooting back and forth, probably male and female – one had a deeper voice
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Dryobates scalaris) 1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 1 Heard “clear vocalization”
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 4
White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus) 1
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 2
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 1
Black-crested Titmouse (Baeolophus atricristatus) 1
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 3
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 2
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 1
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) 50
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) 1
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 5
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) 1 Female with streaked breast, grosbeak bill, white supercillium and malar, white wingbar
Dickcissel (Spiza americana) 2
Terry Banks says:
September 26, 2022 at 3:50 pmMilton Reimers Ranch Park–Entrance road & booth, Travis, Texas, US
Sep 24, 2022 6:56 AM – 10:07 AM
Protocol: Traveling
4.563 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: This was a TAS Youth bird walk. 12 enthusiastic participants enjoyed birding, looking at lizards, and even skipping rocks on the Pedernales. Pleasant in the morning but warming up by 10:00.
30 species (+1 other taxa)
Common Ground Dove (Columbina passerina) 1
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 12
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris/alexandri) 2
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 1
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) 1
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 1
Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) 1 Hooting at 0710
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes aurifrons) 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Dryobates scalaris) 2
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) 1
Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus) 1
White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus) 5
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 1
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 1
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 3
Black-crested Titmouse (Baeolophus atricristatus) 3
Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps) 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 4
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 4
Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) 12
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 2
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 5
Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) 3
Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) 5
Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) 2
Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus) 4
Rufous-crowned Sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps) 2
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) 1
Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) 1
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 15
Jeffrey Jackson says:
September 22, 2022 at 6:47 pmOn September 21st, Jeffrey Jackson, Terry Banks, Amy Roush and Lance Felber led 15 birders at Reimers Ranch. A total of 30 species were observed (full list below), with highlights being Verdin, Baltimore Oriole, and Black-throated Sparrows.
Milton Reimers Ranch Park, Travis, Texas, US
Sep 21, 2022 7:18 AM – 10:06 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.668 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: This was a Travis Audubon field trip lead by Jeffrey Jackson . Cool in the morning but too warm and Sunny by noon. Our group was enthusiastic and we enjoyed verdins, black-throated, lark and field sparrows and we heard a lot of birds that we did not see.(A lot of us did, however, get good looks of the normally elusive white-eyed vireos. )Thanks to Jeffrey, and Lance and Amy for co-leading , and thanks to the enthusiastic participants !
30 species (+1 other taxa)
Common Ground Dove 2
Mourning Dove 10
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 6
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Crested Caracara (Northern) 1
White-eyed Vireo 10
American Crow 2
Common Raven 2
Carolina Chickadee 3
Black-crested Titmouse 3
Verdin 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Canyon Wren 4
Carolina Wren 4
Bewick’s Wren 10
Northern Mockingbird 2
House Finch 4
Lesser Goldfinch 10
Field Sparrow 5
Black-throated Sparrow 6
Lark Sparrow 5
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 3
Baltimore Oriole 1
Summer Tanager 2
Northern Cardinal 8
Dickcissel 1
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S119144791
John Bloomfield says:
September 21, 2022 at 3:51 pmSkip Mencio and I took a small group down to Warbler Woods in Cibolo on September 21. While the birding was slow (no warblers) we got good looks at Loggerhead Shrikes and Crested Caracaras and an aerial display from Cooper’s and Red-shouldered Hawks tangling with one another. It’s always a treat at Warbler Woods. Here is our checklist:
White-winged Dove 7
Mourning Dove 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Black Vulture 4
Turkey Vulture 3
Cooper’s Hawk 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 3
Downy Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 2
Eastern Phoebe 3
White-eyed Vireo 12
Loggerhead Shrike 2
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 6
Black-crested Titmouse 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 5
Carolina Wren 9
Bewick’s Wren 1
Northern Mockingbird 5
House Sparrow 5
House Finch 4
Lesser Goldfinch 2
Summer Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 21
Celeste Treadway says:
September 18, 2022 at 4:42 pmChris Gunter and Celeste Treadway led a group of 10 hikers on Baker Sanctuary’s North Loop trail on Sunday, September 18th. The weather was beautiful, and lots of plants were observed flowering again after the recent rains. The birding itself was pretty slow, but we got good looks at a gorgeous adult male Summer Tanager eating some sort of large bug, and had numerous singing White-eyed Vireo and Bewick’s Wrens. We will continue to lead hikes monthly at Baker, exploring a different trail each month.
Baker Sanctuary, Travis, Texas, US
Sep 18, 2022 7:19 AM – 10:49 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Monthly Baker walk led by Chris Gunter and Celeste Treadway. Clear and sunny, minimal breeze. Not very birdy, but lots of beautiful flowering plants blooming after recent rains. Hiked the North loop trail (extending north to Red Wagon estates end of sanctuary).
16 species (+2 other taxa)
White-winged Dove 25
Chimney Swift 5
hummingbird sp. 2
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
flycatcher sp. (Tyrannidae sp.) 1
White-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 1
Carolina Chickadee 2
Black-crested Titmouse 8
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4
Carolina Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 2
American Robin 12
Lesser Goldfinch 2
Summer Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 4
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S118988992
Celeste Treadway says:
September 17, 2022 at 1:32 pmJennifer Bristol and Mary Ann Robalino led 16 birders on a walk at Oakwood Cemetery on Saturday, September 17th. Caitlen Hill from Austin PARD joined them to add information about this historic cemetery. Mary Ann shared this report:
“This morning was a bit overcast but breezy and lively with birds. The highlight for me was the red bellied woodpecker. Handsome fellow pecking around on one of Oakwood’s many majestic oak trees. Some of us were able to see a Nashville warbler, there were many blue jays, a couple of Chimney Swifts and a couple of Coopers Hawks.
We had a nice group of experienced and beginning birders plus our very own Caley Zuzula!
Thanks to Jackie Davis for keeping the E Bird list. Thanks to everyone who came out and asked great questions!”
Oakwood Cemetery, Austin, Travis, Texas, US
Sep 17, 2022 8:13 AM – 10:19 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.815 mile(s)
20 species
White-winged Dove 3
Common Nighthawk 1
Chimney Swift 6
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Monk Parakeet 5
Blue Jay 8
Carolina Chickadee 4
Black-crested Titmouse 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4
Bewick’s Wren 1
European Starling 2
Northern Mockingbird 10
House Finch 3
Baltimore Oriole 2 Female
Nashville Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 2
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S118909997
Rich Kostecke says:
September 13, 2022 at 12:02 pmSeven of us birded Friendship Park at Granger Lake (Williamson Co.) on the morning of 9/13/22. It was a lovely, calm, still morning. Bird activity was a tad slow, but we still had some nice observations. Highlights included Roseate Spoonbills, Tricolored Heron, Black and Forster’s Terns, fly-over Upland Sandpipers and Dickcissels, lots of Yellow Warblers, and a pair of Baltimore Oriole.
Blue-winged Teal 1
Eurasian Collared-Dove 3
White-winged Dove 3
Mourning Dove 4
Killdeer 3
Upland Sandpiper 5
Black Tern 18
Forster’s Tern 11
Great Blue Heron 4
Great Egret 2
Snowy Egret 1
Tricolored Heron 1
Roseate Spoonbill 3
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 6
Osprey 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Loggerhead Shrike 1
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 7
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 1
Barn Swallow 4
Cave Swallow 1
swallow sp. 16
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 8
European Starling 2
Northern Mockingbird 4
House Sparrow 12
Lark Sparrow 2
Baltimore Oriole 2
Yellow Warbler 16
Northern Cardinal 8
Dickcissel 6
Terry Banks says:
August 29, 2022 at 11:51 amHornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, Texas, US
Aug 27, 2022 6:45 AM – 9:31 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.886 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: This was a Travis Audubon Youth Bird walk. 22 people attended including youth birders, parents, and Travis Audubon Volunteers. It was warm and humid but recent rains after a long drought had added a bit of green color to Hornsby.
31 species
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) 29
Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors) 20
Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus) 1
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 1
Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) 1
American Coot (Fulica americana) 1
Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) 12
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 5
Upland Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda) 16
Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) 150
Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos) 25
Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) 10
Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri) 3
Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) 10
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) 6
Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) 1
Great Egret (Ardea alba) 1
Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) 1
Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) 6
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus) 12
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) 20
Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) 1
Cave Swallow (Petrochelidon fulva) 100
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 1
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) 2
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 100
Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) 100
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) 4
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 2
Dickcissel (Spiza americana) 1
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S117637704
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)
Celeste Treadway says:
August 6, 2022 at 1:10 pmThe monthly Beginner’s Bird Walk was held on Saturday, August 6th at Roy G Guerrero Metro Park (Grove Blvd entrance). We had a wonderful morning! Cloud cover gave us a break from the recent brutal heat, and the birds seemed to be enjoying the slightly cooler weather as well. With ~34 people total in three small groups, we got a total of 40 species. The trail down to Secret Beach, and the river overlook near the playground were especially fun spots to see lots of good birds today. The Beginner’s Bird walk is held on the first Saturday of every month, is always free, and loaner binoculars are available to use. All levels of experience are welcome!
Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Metropolitan Park, Austin US-TX 30.24467, -97.70068, Travis, Texas, US
Aug 6, 2022 7:39 AM – 9:47 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.989 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: TAS Beginner’s Bird walk at Roy G. Weather was warm but overcast, with partial cloud cover giving us a nice break from the heat. Very little wind. Three groups, led by George Kerr/Amy Roush, Advait Marathe, and Celeste Treadway/Skip Mencio. Starting at Grove Blvd Trailhead, the groups went in different directions, but all incorporated the trail down to Secret Beach, which was a nice birdy section today.
39 species (+2 other taxa)
Wood Duck 4 hen and 3 young
White-winged Dove 6
Mourning Dove 6
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 2 Females or juveniles
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Neotropic Cormorant 9
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 3
Little Blue Heron 1
Cattle Egret 1 Seen by George and Amy’s group
Green Heron 5
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Heard only
Downy Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 2
Least Flycatcher 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Ash-throated Flycatcher 1 Overall drab Myiarchus, paler/less extensive yellow underside than GCFL, and slightly smaller bill. Did not vocalize.
Great Crested Flycatcher 1 Identified by Advait’s group, vocalized
Couch’s Kingbird 3 Yellow underside extending up breast, and lack of white outer tail feathers, distinguished from Western. Also heard vocalizing, buzzy “kweerz” call.
Western Kingbird 1
White-eyed Vireo 3 Heard in several places. Juvenile seen (not vocalizing).
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 5
Purple Martin 8
Barn Swallow 20
Cliff Swallow 20 Identified by George and Amy’s group
Carolina Wren 3
European Starling 30
Northern Mockingbird 15
Eastern Bluebird 3 ID’d by George and Amy’s group
American Robin 1
House Finch 5
Lesser Goldfinch 2 Heard
Lark Sparrow 5
Great-tailed Grackle 2
Summer Tanager 1 female, ID’d by Advait’s group
Northern Cardinal 12
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S116426410
Terry Banks says:
June 5, 2022 at 3:56 pmColorado Bend SP (HOTE 019), San Saba, Texas, US
Jun 1, 2022 7:24 AM – 11:27 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.273 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Park pleasant in the morning. Lots of good sightings of blue grosbeaks, painted buntings and others. A lot of birds were only heard. This was a Travis Audubon field trip with 8 enthusiastic and skilled participants. The combination of great birds, a lovely morning in this beautiful park, and a great group of people made this a really enjoyable trip!
33 species
Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) 1 Seen on park road
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 5
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) 4
Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) 2
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 3
Great Egret (Ardea alba) 1
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) 8
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 15
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Dryobates scalaris) 2
Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) 2
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) 3
Black-capped Vireo (Vireo atricapilla) 6
White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus) 25
Yellow-throated Vireo (Vireo flavifrons) 2
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) 8
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 3
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 6
Black-crested Titmouse (Baeolophus atricristatus) 5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 6
Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus) 2
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 5
Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) 10
Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) 2
Rufous-crowned Sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps) 3
Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius) 1
Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla) 2
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) 1
Golden-cheeked Warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia) 3 Heard singing and also begging young chip call.
Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) 5
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 15
Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea) 4
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) 2
Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris) 10
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S111887085
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)
Richard Deulofeut says:
May 30, 2022 at 11:01 amOn May 27th, Terry Banks and Richard Deulofeut led 6 birders at Southeast Greenway. A total of 31 species were observed (full list below), with highlights being nesting pied-billed grebes.
Southeast Greenway, Mueller
Friday, May 27th 6:39 AM – 9:05 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.02 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Milton Reimers Ranch Park, Travis, Texas, US
May 18, 2022 7:28 AM – 10:28 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.907 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Audubon field trip to Reimers Ranch. High 70Fs, S 11 mph winds, partly cloudy skies.
31 species
The E-Bird list for the morning:
7 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
3 Mallard (Domestic type)
5 Pied-billed Grebe
2 Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
2 White-winged Dove
15 Mourning Dove
4 Chimney Swift
1 hummingbird sp.
10 American Coot
2 Killdeer
1 Snowy Egret
2 Green Heron
1 Turkey Vulture
1 Cooper’s Hawk
1 Red-tailed Hawk
1 Downy Woodpecker
4 Western Kingbird
2 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
2 Blue Jay
2 American Crow
1 Carolina Chickadee
4 Purple Martin
20 Barn Swallow
2 Cliff Swallow
1 Cave Swallow
25 European Starling
2 Northern Mockingbird
2 House Sparrow
12 House Finch
1 Lesser Goldfinch
10 Red-winged Blackbird
1 Common Grackle
6 Great-tailed Grackle
Celeste Treadway says:
May 20, 2022 at 3:01 pmOn May 18th, Jeffrey Jackson and Richard Deulofeut led 7 birders at Reimers Ranch. A total of 36 species were observed (full list below), with highlights being Black-throated Sparrow and Verdin.
Milton Reimers Ranch Park, Travis, Texas, US
May 18, 2022 7:28 AM – 10:28 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.907 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Audubon field trip to Reimers Ranch. High 70Fs, S 11 mph winds, partly cloudy skies.
36 species
Mourning Dove 5
Chimney Swift 4
Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 9
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 3
Crested Caracara (Northern) 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
White-eyed Vireo 4
Bell’s Vireo 3
Yellow-throated Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Black-crested Titmouse 1
Verdin 2
Barn Swallow 1
Cliff Swallow 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4
Canyon Wren 1
Carolina Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 5
Northern Mockingbird 4
Lesser Goldfinch 6
Field Sparrow 10
Black-throated Sparrow 4
Lark Sparrow 7
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 8
Brown-headed Cowbird 12
Northern Parula 1
Summer Tanager 3
Northern Cardinal 9
Blue Grosbeak 1
Painted Bunting 8
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S110573971
Celeste Treadway says:
May 8, 2022 at 12:01 pmJennifer Bristol, Mary Ann Robalino, and Danielle Belleny led a group of 16 participants in historic Evergreen Cemetery on May 7th. Mary Ann shared:
“What a special morning it was birding at this beautiful east side cemetery! The weather was lovely and the sun was bright.
Everyone registered came, including a nine year old.
The highlights were nesting Mississippi Kites. We saw them soaring, sitting at the tops of trees, and one pair sitting on their nest.
The second highlight was a Swainson’s hawk which we saw in the last few minutes of the hike. An Eastern Bluebird and a Western Kingbird were also spotted in the last few minutes.
Along for the hike was Danielle Belleny who is a birder and who has family buried in Evergreen. She was a fantastic resource and a great birder!
As we were winding down, several folks came into the cemetery to visit loved ones; we were reminded of how important it is to maintain a respectful voice volume even though it is hard not to get excited when viewing a great bird.”
The eBird list for the morning:
78721, Austin US-TX 30.27937, -97.69980
May 7, 2022
8:18 AM
Traveling
1.05 miles
131 Minutes
All birds reported? Yes
Comments: Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 2.13.1 Build 2.13.13
10 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
1 Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
5 White-winged Dove
1 Chimney Swift
1 Black-chinned Hummingbird
1 Great Egret
1 Snowy Egret
5 Black Vulture
3 Mississippi Kite
2 Red-shouldered Hawk
1 Swainson’s Hawk
1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 Western Kingbird
1 White-eyed Vireo
1 Yellow-throated Vireo
5 Blue Jay
3 American Crow
2 Carolina Chickadee
1 Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
1 Purple Martin
1 Carolina Wren
1 European Starling
1 Northern Mockingbird
1 Eastern Bluebird
1 Great-tailed Grackle
1 Great-tailed Grackle (Great-tailed)
2 Northern Cardinal
Number of Taxa: 27
Celeste Treadway says:
April 24, 2022 at 11:12 amOn April 20th, Jeffrey Jackson, John Bloomfield, and Skip Mencio led 15 birders at Reimers Ranch. A total of 46 species were observed (full list below), with highlights being Zone-tailed Hawk and Black-capped Vireo.
Milton Reimers Ranch Park, Travis, Texas, US
Apr 20, 2022 7:25 AM – 10:42 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.73 mile(s)
46 species (+1 other taxa)
White-winged Dove 2
Mourning Dove 4
Chimney Swift 2
Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 19
Turkey Vulture 11
Zone-tailed Hawk 1 Great views flew directly overhead. All dark hawk with yellow cere and legs
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 2
Ash-throated Flycatcher 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1 Heard only
Black-capped Vireo 1
White-eyed Vireo 1
Bell’s Vireo 2
Yellow-throated Vireo 2
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Common Raven 1
Black-crested Titmouse 2
Verdin 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2
Barn Swallow 2
Cliff Swallow 1
swallow sp. 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4
Canyon Wren 1
Carolina Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 2
Northern Mockingbird 1
Swainson’s Thrush 1
Lesser Goldfinch 4
Clay-colored Sparrow 4
Field Sparrow 10
Lark Sparrow 10
White-crowned Sparrow 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 4
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 2
Spotted Towhee 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 5
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Nashville Warbler 2
Summer Tanager 2
Northern Cardinal 17
Blue Grosbeak 1
Painted Bunting 2
Dickcissel 1
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S107538308
Rich Kostecke says:
April 16, 2022 at 3:59 pmVidhya Sundar and I co-led a Birdathon field trip with 10 participants to Granger Lake on 16 April, stopping at Friendship Park, Willis Creek Wildlife Management Area and the CR 347 primitive boat ramp area. It was a lovely spring morning with highlights being 100s of Franklin’s Gulls, an overflight of White-faced Ibis, a stunning male Indigo Bunting, and Pileated Woodpeckers among the 63 bird species we saw/heard. Below is a link to our trip report.
https://ebird.org/tripreport/48133
Lance Felber says:
April 4, 2022 at 3:35 pmGeorge, Glen, Leslie, Lucy, Mike, Tracy and I led 36 people split into 3 groups at Camp Mabry on Saturday 4/2 for the monthly Beginners’ Bird Walk. We had several flyovers including a Broad-winged Hawk as we were wrapping up. We saw a couple of species nest building (Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and White-eyed Vireo) .Wood ducks and Blue-winged Teal were on the ponds.
Wood Duck
Blue-winged Teal
Pied-billed Grebe
White-winged Dove
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Hummingbird sp.
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Black Vulture
Red-shouldered Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Crested Caracara
Eastern Phoebe
White-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
Purple Martin
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Carolina Wren
Northern Mockingbird
Savannah Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Great-tailed Grackle
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Celeste Treadway says:
April 4, 2022 at 2:25 pmChris Gunter and Celeste Treadway led a group of 11 at Baker Sanctuary on March 29th, exploring the North Loop and old quarry area. It was an extremely windy day, not ideal conditions for seeing birds, so we worked hard for the 15 species on our list! We did hear numerous Golden-Cheeked Warblers singing, and managed to get sightings of two individuals. Despite the less-than-ideal birding conditions, we all had a lovely time hiking and enjoying the outdoor time.
White-winged Dove 2
hummingbird sp. 1
Turkey Vulture 13
White-eyed Vireo 1
Carolina Chickadee 2
Black-crested Titmouse 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 5
Carolina Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 1
Lesser Goldfinch 1
Field Sparrow 1
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Golden-cheeked Warbler 7
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 7
Terry Banks says:
March 28, 2022 at 5:19 pmSubject: eBird Report – Pedernales Falls State Park (HOTE 050), Mar 25, 2022
Date: Mon, 28 Mar 2022 21:36:15 +0000
From: do-not-reply@ebird.org
To: 55bluebirds@att.net
Pedernales Falls State Park (HOTE 050), Blanco, Texas, US
Mar 25, 2022 8:09 AM – 3:06 PM
Protocol: Traveling
10.012 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: This is the report of a Travis Audubon Field
Trip to Pedernales State Park. First we walked along the Hackenburg
Loop Trail where we found many great birds including Golden-Cheeked and
Black and White Warblers, Rufous-Crowned Sparrows, Northern Roughwing
Swallows, Belted Kingfishers, A Raven harassing a Crested Caracara,
Numerous blue-gray gnatcatchers, and a lone Cedar Waxwing, just to name
a few. Then we went to the bird blind where we saw ruby and
black-throated hummingbirds, ladder backed woodpeckers, a nashville
warbler, and several species of sparrows. For lunch we went to the
picnic grounds and picked up a few more species – lark and chipping
sparrows. Finally, we walked on the Twin Falls Trail. This trail used
to be more lush but now looked stressed – dry and probably affected by
last year’s freeze. It was midday at that time, but we saw very few
species along that trail – although we did hear one lone Golden-cheeked
warbler singing. I listed all the golden cheeked warblers that we saw
and heard according to where and when we saw them. The park is very
dry but it was a beautiful, sunny day! We had a great group of
talented, enthusiastic birders on our trip!
38 species
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) 4
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) 4
Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) 8
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 1
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) 6
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 7
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 1
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Dryobates scalaris) 6
Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus) 1
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 2
Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) 1
White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus) 5
Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma woodhouseii) 4
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 2
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 10
Black-crested Titmouse (Baeolophus atricristatus) 15
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) 5
Vocalizing their buzzy song, flying swiftly above the water feeding on
hoards of insects that were flying above the water.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula) 7
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 30
Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus) 4
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) 1
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 2
Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) 15
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 1
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) 3
Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) 5
Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus) 3
White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) 8
Rufous-crowned Sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps) 5
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) 4
Orange-crowned Warbler (Leiothlypis celata) 1
Nashville Warbler (Leiothlypis ruficapilla) 1
Golden-cheeked Warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia) 11 1) heard from
road at 0845. 2and 3) heard and seen along falls path at 0856 4) singing
on Hackenburg loop trail at 0902. 5) singing on Hackenburg loop trail at
0914 6 on HLT at 0945. 7) along HLT at 1023. 8) at picnic area singing
at 1220. 9) singing off road in trailer area at 2:06. 10) singing off
road in trailer camping at 2:08. 11) singing right above the Twin Falls
at2:35.
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens) 1 When we found
this bird in a tree at the picnic area, I thought it was another
Golden-cheeked warbler and began snapping photos. However, when I got
home and looked at my photos I saw that it was not a GCWA and thought
that it could perhaps be a Townsend’s warbler because of its large ear
patch. However, I was overlooking the more common, obvious species, the
black-throated Green. I asked Jeff Patterson and Jane Tillman what they
thought about this warbler, and they both pointed out the white, not
yellow coloring on the breast and the yellow in the vent area which is
more diagnostic of a Black-throated green warbler rather than a Townsends.
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 20
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S105560619
Jeffrey Jackson says:
March 21, 2022 at 1:09 pmOn March 16th, Jeffrey Jackson, Suzanne Kho, and Brooke Scheibe led 11 birders at Reimers Ranch. A total of 43 species were observed (full list below), with highlights being Vermilion Flycatcher, Verdin, and Nashville Warbler.
Milton Reimers Ranch Park, Travis, Texas, US
Mar 16, 2022 7:30 AM – 10:09 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
43 species (+1 other taxa)
Northern Bobwhite 3
Wild Turkey 1
Common Ground Dove 1
Mourning Dove 13
Greater Roadrunner 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 6
Belted Kingfisher 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Vermilion Flycatcher 2
Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay 1
American Crow 2
Common Raven 1
Carolina Chickadee 2
Black-crested Titmouse 3
Verdin 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Canyon Wren 5
Carolina Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 3
Northern Mockingbird 1
House Finch 4
Lesser Goldfinch 5
American Goldfinch 2
Chipping Sparrow 40
Field Sparrow 13
Black-throated Sparrow 4 3 individuals seen around the pavilion 1 seen close to the River Trails parking lot
Lark Sparrow 3
White-crowned Sparrow 17
Vesper Sparrow 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 5
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 3
Spotted Towhee 4
Eastern Meadowlark 1
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 21
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
Nashville Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 35
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S104945794
admin says:
March 15, 2022 at 9:19 amList from State Park Field Trip led by Terry Banks:
Palmetto State Park, Gonzales US-TX 29.59399, -97.58628, Gonzales, Texas, US
Mar 13, 2022 8:17 AM – 2:20 PM
Protocol: Traveling
6.335 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: This was a Travis Audubon Field Trip. A cold 28
degrees in morning which quickly warmed up to a lovely warm, sunny
afternoon. We had a wonderful, enthusiastic group of talented birders!
42 species (+1 other taxa)
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) 9
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 5
Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis) 67
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) 1
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) 1
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) 17
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 7
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) 2
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 3
Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus) 3
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 3
White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus) 12
Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius) 3
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 10
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 25
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) 15 Calling all over the place
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) 5
Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) 5 At least a dozen going
under the bridge over the oxbow lake
Cave Swallow (Petrochelidon fulva) 5
Cliff/Cave Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota/fulva) 6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula) 20
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 1
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) 1
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 13
Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) 3
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 8
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) 12
Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) 3
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) 12
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 3
Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) 10
Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) 1
Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) 4 Heard making chup sound
and singing: several in field with cattle
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 11
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) 1
Orange-crowned Warbler (Leiothlypis celata) 5
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) 10
Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus) 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 10
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 25
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S104756534
Lance Felber says:
March 7, 2022 at 11:24 amOn March 5th, Chris, Dawn, George, Glen, Lucy, and myself led 27 participants split into 3 groups at Big Webberville Park for the Beginners’ Bird Walk. Each group saw a little over 30 species, but each saw a few the others didn’t for an overall total of 51 species. The highlights were a pair of Bald Eagles, Osprey, Eastern Bluebirds, migrating Sandhill Cranes and a Say’s Phoebe. We also had good looks at Meadowlarks and various blackbirds. Some people in our group got there first looks at Brewer’s Blackbirds.
Webberville Park (Big)(HOTE 035), Travis, Texas, US
Mar 5, 2022
Goose sp.
White Winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Sandhill Crane
Killdeer
Lesser Yellowlegs
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald eagle
Red Tailed Hawk
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Crested Caracara
Merlin
Eastern Phoebe
Say’s Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Loggerhead Shrike
Blue Jay
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse
Barn Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
House Wren
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
American Pipit
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Western/Eastern Meadowlark
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Brewer’s Blackbird
Common Grackle
Great-tailed Grackle
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Rich Kostecke says:
March 2, 2022 at 9:14 pmI led 11 participants on a field trip to Granger Lake to look for Short-eared Owls this afternoon/evening (3/2/22). First we scoped out the cormorants, ducks, gulls, and terns on the lake from Friendship Park. Most participants got looks at the continuing Surf Scoter and Common Goldeneyes. We then shifted to Sorefinger Wildlife Management Area where we waited for Short-eared Owls to make an appearance. At dusk we managed to get some looks at a few of these ghosts of the prairie. Our list for the afternoon/evening:
9 Northern Shoveler
61 Northern Pintail
40 Redhead
1 Surf Scoter
2 Bufflehead
2 Common Goldeneye
17 Ruddy Duck
1 Pied-billed Grebe
2 Eurasian Collared-Dove
5 Mourning Dove
2 Killdeer
27 Ring-billed Gull
4 Forster’s Tern
64 Double-crested Cormorant
1 Neotropic Cormorant
4 American White Pelican
13 Great Blue Heron
7 Great Egret
23 Turkey Vulture
2 Osprey
6 Northern Harrier
5 Red-tailed Hawk
1 Great Horned Owl
2 Short-eared Owl
1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 Crested Caracara
1 American Kestrel
2 Loggerhead Shrike
1 Northern Mockingbird
4 Savannah Sparrow
2 Western Meadowlark
4 Eastern Meadowlark
15 Western/Eastern MeadowlarkChecklists
250 Red-winged Blackbird
125 blackbird sp.
Rich Kostecke says:
January 6, 2022 at 12:23 pmI led a TAS Wild Weekdays field trip to Booty’s Road Park in Georgetown this morning. There were 10 participants. It was a cool, but sunny morning before the cold front really started blowing in, but we still got some nice birds. we tallied 27 species. Highlights were Canyon and Rock Wrens in the riprap of the dam, which were lifers for several participants. Other highlights included several Osprey, 100s of vultures, and Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned kinglets among other
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 74
Turkey Vulture 121
Osprey 2
Bald Eagle 1 Seen as the field trip was leaving
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy/Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 11
Black-crested Titmouse 7
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 9
Golden-crowned Kinglet 3
Rock Wren 1
Canyon Wren 5
Carolina Wren 5
Northern Mockingbird 1
Eastern Bluebird 2
House Finch 1
Lesser Goldfinch 2
American Goldfinch 13
White-throated Sparrow 4
Savannah Sparrow 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 13
Northern Cardinal 15
Lance Felber says:
January 1, 2022 at 1:43 pmGeorge Kerr, John Bloomfield, Chris Gunter, Glen Novinger and Lance Felber lead 24 participants split into 3 groups. The weather was pleasantly mild, 70’s and cloudy. We saw a Belted Kingfisher, Double-crested Cormorants, a Ring-billed Gull and some of our usual with songbirds. Pie-billed Grebe and Yellow-rumped Warbler were new birds for a couple in our group. The complete list of species is below:
Brushy Creek Lake Pk, Williamson, Texas, US
Jan 1, 2022 7:45 AM – 10:09 AM
33 species (+4 other taxa)
Muscovy Duck (Domestic type)
Mallard (Domestic type)
duck sp.
Pied-billed Grebe
Mourning Dove
White-winged Dove
Spotted Sandpiper
Killdeer
Ring-billed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Carolina Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Northern Mockingbird
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
American Pipit
White-throated Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Great-tailed Grackle
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
Northern Cardinal
Celeste Treadway says:
January 1, 2022 at 11:06 amRobert McLemore and 10 participants had a Wild Weekday at McKinney Roughs Nature Park to try to finish out the year on Thursday, 12/30. While the park was awesome, the river bottom enchanting and the views impressive – the birding was a bit slow with only 25 species. We traveled thru some GREAT woodcock habitat and some had been reported. Unfortunately, none for us. Highlights were some close ups of Downy Woodpeckers, two fussing Bewick’s Wrens, Meadowlarks at the tops of trees as the sunrise made them glow like Christmas ornaments, hyperactive Ruby Crowned Kinglets (anyone ever seen mellow Kinglets?) and some chilling vultures (both species) sitting in the trees watching us climb the hill back out of the river bottom. I think they were just waiting for something to happen to me. Only four sparrow species: Chipping, Song, White-throated (call only), and Field. I enjoyed sharing Doc Stone’s “Baby face” id of the Field Sparrows (I only hope it wasn’t trademarked). It was a great walk with great folks, but the mid 70’s may have dampened the birding.
Complete species list:
Mckinney Roughs Park (HOTE 034), Bastrop, Texas, US
Dec 30, 2021 6:38 AM – 10:44 AM
Protocol: Traveling
4.371 mile(s)
25 species
Northern Shoveler 2
Killdeer 1 Heard at parking area.
Neotropic Cormorant 2
Black Vulture 20
Turkey Vulture 10
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 7
American Crow 6
Carolina Chickadee 8
Tufted Titmouse 12
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Bewick’s Wren 1
Chipping Sparrow 8
Field Sparrow 4
White-throated Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 3
Eastern Meadowlark 8
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 6
Northern Cardinal 4
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S99832176
Celeste Treadway says:
December 30, 2021 at 11:08 amSuzie McCann and Brooke Scheibe led a Wild Weekday walk at Champion Park at Brushy Creek on Wednesday, December 22nd. Suzie shared these comments:
“We had a very nice day. Started a bit chilly but warmed up. No wind which is always nice. The most active spot was around the bathrooms and picnic/play area. Good looks at Eastern Bluebirds, Ladderback and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, and American Robins. A Red-shouldered Hawk stayed around the area for awhile moving between different perches. The trail was good for sparrows, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Chickadees and Titmice. And we had FOS Cedar Waxwings. Half the group turned back for 11:00 but the rest of us made it up on the dam to see the Belted Kingfisher, and someone had a lifer with the Pie-billed Grebe.”
And Brooke shared: “Those with cameras had perfect light to capture the bird. It was so comforting to see the Eastern Phoebe in the park.”
Complete bird list:
Champion Park (Williamson Co.)
Dec 22, 2021
7:46 AM
Traveling
1.68 miles
155 Minutes
All birds reported? Yes
Comments: Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 2.8.0 Build 2.8.12
4 Wood Duck
3 Pied-billed Grebe
10 White-winged Dove
26 Double-crested Cormorant
1 Great Blue Heron
2 Black Vulture
1 Turkey Vulture
1 Red-shouldered Hawk
1 Belted Kingfisher
1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
2 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
1 Eastern Phoebe
5 Blue Jay
2 American Crow
3 Carolina Chickadee
4 Black-crested Titmouse
3 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
1 Carolina Wren
1 Bewick’s Wren
2 Northern Mockingbird
3 Eastern Bluebird
4 American Robin
4 Cedar Waxwing
5 House Finch
4 Lesser Goldfinch
5 American Goldfinch
2 Chipping Sparrow
1 White-throated Sparrow
3 Savannah Sparrow
1 Spotted Towhee
2 Red-winged Blackbird
2 Yellow-rumped Warbler
5 Northern Cardinal
Number of Taxa: 33
Celeste Treadway says:
December 18, 2021 at 9:55 amOn December 15th, Field Trip Leader Jeffrey Jackson led 10 birders on a walk at Reimers Ranch. They had a great time! They saw 29 species with highlights being Eastern Towhee and Canyon Towhee (list below).
This walk is a regularly occurring event on the third Wednesday of each month. See the TAS calendar for details and registration.
Milton Reimers Ranch Park, Travis, Texas, US
Dec 15, 2021 7:25 AM – 9:49 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.96 mile(s)
29 species (+1 other taxa)
Egyptian Goose 2
Common Ground Dove 1
Mourning Dove 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 1
Northern Harrier 1
American Kestrel 1
Loggerhead Shrike 1
Common Raven 2
Carolina Chickadee 1
Verdin 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Canyon Wren 1
House Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 3
House Finch 3
Field Sparrow 7
Black-throated Sparrow 2
White-crowned Sparrow 16
Vesper Sparrow 8
Savannah Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Canyon Towhee 1
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 2
Spotted Towhee 6
Eastern Towhee 1 Continuing female, brownish above no spots on back white at base of primaries
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 5
Northern Cardinal 17
Rich Kostecke says:
December 13, 2021 at 11:33 amI led 7 participants on a field trip to Silverado Springs Park in Cedar Park this morning. Weather was overcast and calm, cool but overly chilly. We tallied 31 species with highlights being a hen Bufflehead, a Virginia Rail giving its grunt calls from the wetland area, and a very confiding American Pipit.
Bufflehead 1
White-winged Dove 1
Mourning Dove 2
Virginia Rail 2 Heard
Ring-billed Gull 3
Great Egret 3
Black Vulture 22
Turkey Vulture 2
woodpecker sp. 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 4
Carolina Chickadee 5
Black-crested Titmouse 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 7
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 10
Bewick’s Wren 1
Northern Mockingbird 3
American Pipit 1
House Finch 14
Lesser Goldfinch 15
Chipping Sparrow 4
Dark-eyed Junco 6
White-crowned Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 7
Lincoln’s Sparrow 11
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Northern Cardinal 14
Rich Kostecke says:
December 8, 2021 at 12:41 pmI led 11 participants on a field trip to Cedar Hollow on Lake Georgetown; a new birding site for pretty much everyone. We had a calm morning that quickly warmed up. We heard or saw 28 species, with good looks at Osprey, an immature Red-shouldered Hawk, American Kestrel, and several sparrow species. Everyone got to hear and perhaps glimpse some quick moving Golden-crowned Kinglets, an irruptive species that seems to be showing particularly well so far this winter. Our list:
Mourning Dove 2
Spotted Sandpiper 3
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 9
Osprey 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
American Crow 3
Carolina Chickadee 3
Black-crested Titmouse 8
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 9
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
House Wren 3
Carolina Wren 3
Bewick’s Wren 2
Northern Mockingbird 1
American Pipit 2
American Goldfinch 8
Chipping Sparrow 6
Field Sparrow 4
White-throated Sparrow 4
Song Sparrow 7
Lincoln’s Sparrow 3
Spotted Towhee 3
Northern Cardinal 18
Celeste Treadway says:
November 20, 2021 at 5:16 pm17 participants joined leaders Jeffrey Jackson and Mary Ann Robalino on November 17th at Reimers Ranch. They had great weather and beautiful scenery. A total of 23 species were observed, full list below. Particularly interesting observations included a couple of Common Ravens molesting a Red-tailed Hawk, and a Verdin building a winter nest to keep warm (not for actual egg laying). The highlight was a group of meadowlarks on a dead tree; brilliant backlighting revealed their beautiful yellow necklaces.
Species list:
2 Common Ground Dove
2 Greater Roadrunner
7 Black Vulture
1 Turkey Vulture
1 Red-tailed Hawk
1 Belted Kingfisher
2 American Kestrel
1 Eastern Phoebe
2 Common Raven
1 Verdin
1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
1 House Wren
2 Carolina Wren
1 Northern Mockingbird
2 House Finch
1 Field Sparrow
2 Black-throated Sparrow
6 White-crowned Sparrow
1 Vesper Sparrow
1 Savannah Sparrow
2 Lincoln’s Sparrow
20 Western/Eastern Meadowlark
4 Northern Cardinal
Rich Kostecke says:
November 19, 2021 at 12:36 pmLance Felber and I had 16 participants for the TAS wild weekday field trip to Devine Lake on 11/19. It was a beautiful if chilly morning. We noted 47 species with the highlights being 10 species of waterfowl including Canvasback and Bufflehead, a Northern Harrier, a Belted Kingfisher, and mixed flocks of expected winter songbirds. Full list below.
Gadwall 5
American Wigeon 25
Mallard 1
Northern Pintail 1
Green-winged Teal 6
Canvasback 36
Redhead 1
Ring-necked Duck 368
Lesser Scaup 2
Bufflehead 22
Pied-billed Grebe 4
White-winged Dove 3
Mourning Dove 1
American Coot 21
Killdeer 5
Greater Yellowlegs 3
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 2
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 9
Northern Harrier 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 3
Black-crested Titmouse 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Carolina Wren 2
Bewick’s Wren 3
Northern Mockingbird 6
House Finch 7
Lesser Goldfinch 2
Chipping Sparrow 1
Field Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow 4
White-throated Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
Spotted Towhee 1
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 2
Red-winged Blackbird 18
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Northern Cardinal 6
John Bloomfield says:
November 17, 2021 at 1:49 pmWe had 15 people on a November 17 Birdability outing to the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment (Aquarena Springs) in San Marcos. The trip was led by Virginia Rose and John Bloomfield. We had 19 species highlighted by a cooperative American Bittern on the boardwalk and a flyover Crested Caracara. More importantly the group had a great time birding and making new friends on a warm November morning.
Chris Gunter says:
November 14, 2021 at 8:21 pmRE: Commons Ford Walk Sunday, November 14, 2021
Eleven birders participated this morning in a three hour walk at Commons Ford. It was a gorgeous day with clear skies, no wind and temperature in the mid-40’s, warming up to the 60’s. We had 29 species, including a small flock of robins and five different sparrows. It was a great morning!
Wood duck
White-winged dove
Double-crested cormorant
Osprey
Sharp-shinned hawk
Red-tailed hawk
Golden-fronted woodpecker
American kestrel
Eastern phoebe
Blue jay
Woodhouse’s scrub-jay
American crow
Tufted x Black-crested titmouse (hybrid)
Ruby-crowned kinglet
Carolina wren
Northern mockingbird
Eastern bluebird
American robin
House finch
Lesser goldfinch
Chipping sparrow
White-crowned sparrow
White-throated sparrow
Song sparrow
Spotted towhee
Western/Eastern meadowlark
Common grackle
Yellow-rumped warbler
Northern cardinal
George Kerr says:
November 7, 2021 at 5:04 pmBeginners Walk – Barkley Meadows – 11/6/21
15 birders (10 participants and 5 leaders) enjoyed a cool, crisp morning with clear blue skies and almost no wind. We split into two groups. Highlights were a flyover of three Anhinga (seen by one group), at least three Yellow-bellied Sapsucker chasing each other for several minutes – flying around through the trees, hopping around on the tree trunks, and vocalizing (seen by the other group), and two flyovers totaling about 45 American White Pelican (at the end of the walk after most birders had already departed). Our species list (both groups combined) follows.
Wood Duck
Lesser Scaup
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Anhinga
American White Pelican
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Red-tailed Hawk
Crested Caracara
Killdeer
Greater Yellowlegs
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Monk Parakeet
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Eastern Phoebe
Loggerhead Shrike
Blue Jay
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Titmouse, Black-crested x Tufted
Carolina Wren
House Wren
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Meadowlark species
Great-tailed Grackle
House Finch
House Sparrow
Celeste Treadway says:
October 31, 2021 at 6:29 pmTAS leaders Dennis Palafox, Janet Davis, Jeff Osborne, and Celeste Treadway guided a Shoal Creek Conservancy walk at Beverly Sheffield Northwest District Park on Saturday, October 30th. The first bird identified was a Great Horned Owl, calling just before sunrise; the most unexpected bird was a beautiful bright red male Summer Tanager, a “rare” sighting at this time of year. Hyperactive Ruby-crowned Kinglets, colorful Red-bellied Woodpeckers, and a bathing Black-throated Green Warbler all added to the enjoyment of a beautiful morning.
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 2
White-winged Dove 30
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 3
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Great Horned Owl 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 2 heard
Eastern Phoebe 3
Blue Jay 12
Carolina Chickadee 10
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Carolina Wren 2
European Starling 1
Northern Mockingbird 6
House Sparrow 5
House Finch 2
Lesser Goldfinch 3
Lincoln’s Sparrow 3
Great-tailed Grackle 30
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Summer Tanager 1 Adult male heard and seen, along creek near baseball field (on opposite bank near houses); blurry photos taken through fence. Jeff Osborne got recording
Northern Cardinal 20
26 species (+1 other taxa)
Celeste Treadway says:
October 31, 2021 at 6:18 pmThe first “Cemetery Birding” walk was led on Saturday, October 30th by Jennifer Bristol, TAS Master Birder Mary Ann Robalino, and PARD staff member Caitlen Hill. Fifteen participants enjoyed a beautiful morning in Oakwood Cemetery, and saw 17 species of birds (list at bottom). One of the participants sent the following email after the walk:
“This is just a quick note to let you know how very much my friend and I enjoyed this walk. It was wonderful, and I strongly support adding more cemetery walks to your schedule.
The guides provided information on the role that cemeteries played in US/Texas history, the habitat function that they play now that many are located within large metropolitan areas, etc. The walk really highlighted the interface between habitat and humans, while still teaching about the birds themselves. It was a delightful reminder of the world around us.
Thank you for all that you and Audubon do for our community!”
Anne
Austin TX
10 White-winged Dove
1 Cooper’s Hawk
1 Red-tailed Hawk
1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 American Kestrel
22 Monk Parakeet
2 Blue Jay
3 Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse
2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
1 Bewick’s Wren
6 European Starling
2 Northern Mockingbird
6 Eastern Bluebird
4 Lesser Goldfinch
12 Chipping Sparrow
1 Great-tailed Grackle
1 Yellow-rumped Warbler
Number of Taxa: 17
admin says:
October 5, 2021 at 1:08 pmBeginner’s Bird Walk
Berry Springs Park, Georgetown, Williamson, Texas, US
Oct 2, 2021 7:33 AM – 10:18 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.053 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Beautiful morning, park was green with a
spacious pecan grove, flowing streams and Berry Creek. It was
absolutely lovely. This was a Travis Audubon Trip consisting of
approximately 22 individuals – we split up into several groups and each
group saw different species.
30 species
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) 2
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) 4
Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) 1
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 1
Great Egret (Ardea alba) 1
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) 1
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) 1
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 1
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) 1
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 3
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Dryobates scalaris) 1
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus) 1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 6
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 2
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 4
Black-crested Titmouse (Baeolophus atricristatus) 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 4
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 1
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 1
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 1
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) 6
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 1
Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) 2
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) 25
Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) 1
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 1
Dickcissel (Spiza americana) 2
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S95478446
Celeste Treadway says:
July 7, 2021 at 9:50 amFirst Beginner’s Bird walk for 2021 at Roy G Guerrero
On Saturday, July 3rd, Travis Audubon held the first Beginner’s Bird walk since the Covid-19 Pandemic shut things down 16 month ago. Twenty participants and 5 trip leaders, divided across three groups, enjoyed different parts of Roy G Guerrero Metropolitan Park. One group explored the Circle Acres section, one group explored the playground area and Montopolis Multi-Use trail, and the third group explored the trail leading to Secret Beach. We were fortunate that the forecasted rain held off for the morning, so we had mostly sunny skies and good visibility for birding. Thank you to Field trip leaders George Kerr, Dennis Palafox, Lance Felber, John Bloomfield, and Celeste Treadway, with additional assistance from Glen and Tracy Novinger.
Highlights of the trip included a concentration of wading birds at the Circle Acres pond, a Red-eyed Vireo observed feeding a fledgling on the Montopolis trail, and at least one Yellow-billed Cuckoo that was unusually active (and visible), and flew in plain view in open areas between trees several times. Combined across our three groups, we saw or heard 38 species of birds— not bad for a hot July morning!
The Beginner’s Bird walk is held the first Saturday of every month, and visits a different location each time. It’s free, it’s fun, and all the cool kids are doing it! Join us for the next one on Saturday, August 7th (location TBD), watch the TAS website for registration!
Our species list for the morning:
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
White-winged Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Neotropic/Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Cattle Egret
Green Heron
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Ladderback Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Western Kingbird
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
White-eyed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse
Barn Swallow
Cliff/Cave Swallow
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
Eastern Bluebird
House Finch
Great-tailed Grackle
Blue Jay
Northern Cardinal
Painted Bunting
Dennis Palafox says:
November 5, 2020 at 5:00 pmCeleste Treadway and I lead a trip to Camp Mabry on November 1, 2020. We had 7 participants on the trip and we followed the TAS Covid-19 protocols. We saw 40 species. The weather was perfect. A list of species seen and their numbers follows:
Species Count
Wood Duck 1
Ruddy Duck 1
Pied-billed Grebe 1
White-winged Dove 6
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 4
Turkey Vulture 6
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 2
American Kestrel 1
Monk Parakeet 5
Eastern Phoebe 6
Blue Jay 7
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 6
Carolina Wren 2
European Starling 15
Northern Mockingbird 4
Hermit Thrush 4
American Robin 20
Chipping Sparrow 8
Field Sparrow 2
Lark Sparrow 1
Vesper Sparrow 4
Savannah Sparrow 5
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Western Meadowlark 2
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Nashville Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 10
Northern Cardinal 2
Total No. of Species 40
Dennis Palafox says:
October 4, 2020 at 9:16 amCeleste Treadway and Dennis Palafox lead what is probably the first Field Trip Committee lead field trip since the Covid-19 pandemic. Five participants joined us on October 3, 2020 for a field trip to Lake Creek Trail East on a glorious fall day! We saw 35 species and 3 additional taxa. Our list follows:
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 2
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Eurasian Collared-Dove 1
White-winged Dove 8
Mourning Dove 6
Chimney Swift 5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 3
Killdeer 5
Neotropic Cormorant 1
Great Egret 5
Snowy Egret 2
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 1
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Empidonax sp. 1
Eastern Phoebe 4
Couch’s Kingbird 2
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 3
Carolina Wren 2
Bewick’s Wren 2
European Starling 20
Northern Mockingbird 6
American Robin 20
House Finch 4
Lesser Goldfinch 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
Great-tailed Grackle 20
Northern Cardinal 6
Judith B Bailey says:
March 10, 2020 at 9:50 pmMARY MOORE SEARIGHT BIRD LIST
3-7-2020
What a turn out: 50 participants for the Beginners’ Bird Walk! Some were “regulars” and the rest new birders including five young girls. The best bird of the day was a Hutton’s Vireo seen by Lance and Mike’s group. The White-eyed Vireo put on a great display defending his new territory. In addition, the featured bird of the day, the Ruby-crowned Kinglet, popped his ruby crest up for all to see!
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret (Early flyover)
Red-shouldered Hawk
Crested Caracara
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Eastern Phoebe
White-eyed Vireo
Hutton’s Vireo
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
Carolina Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
Northern Cardinal
Great-tailed Grackle
Lesser Goldfinch
Judith Bailey says:
February 3, 2020 at 1:13 pmSaturday morning at Commons Ford Ranch was crisp and sunny. Thirty plus birders turned out to look for Le Conte’s Sparrow and other local specialties: Eastern Bluebirds, Eastern Phoebes, and Ladder-backed Woodpeckers. After breaking up into three groups, 34 species were found in total. Interestingly, no European Startling or House Sparrows were seen.
Mallard
Wild Turkey (H)
Double-crested Cormorant
Black Vulture
Osprey
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Ring-billed Gull
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Black-crested Titmouse
Carolina Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Eastern Bluebird
Northern Mockingbird
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
Spotted Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch
Egyptian Goose (introduced species)
Judith B Bailey says:
January 5, 2020 at 7:35 pmThe first Beginners’ Bird Walk of 2020 was great fun! 46 participants, including two from Sweden and two from Australia, showed up to enjoy the bird blinds, trails and open fields of Pedernales Falls S.P.. Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay, Spotted Towhee, Lesser Goldfinch and Black-crested Titmouse were stars of the bird blinds. In addition, some birders had good looks at a Say’s Phoebe and a bobbing, fussy Canyon Wren. All totaled, 33 species were seen.
Rock Pigeon
Eurasian Collard-Dove
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Killdeer
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Say’s Phoebe
Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay
Common Raven
Canyon Wren
Carolina Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Eastern Bluebird
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling (?)
Cedar Waxwing
American Pipit
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Rufous-crowned Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Kristen says:
October 30, 2019 at 3:42 pmI spotted a Black Hawk perched on a street light pole today while driving in north central Austin. I doubted myself at first, thinking it must be a vulture, given they are common. But no doubt, it was a black hawk. I have never seen one. Perhaps it came in with the cold front. Is that possible?
George Kerr says:
July 8, 2019 at 9:21 pmBeginners Walk at Hornsby Bend 7-6-19
39 participants and 3 leaders split into two groups to explore the River Trail. It was warm and muggy, but not hot. Much of the birding was by ear. Two Black Vultures that fledged earlier this spring near the Upper Island View Trail provided close looks. Otherwise, the best action was at Pond 3 where a variety of birds, in particular Black-bellied Whistling Ducks and juvenile Yellow-crowned Night Herons, gave good looks. Our combined list of 43 species list follows.
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
Wood Duck
Mallard
Blue-winged Teal
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Cattle Egret
Green Heron
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Killdeer
Black-necked Stilt
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Monk Parakeet
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Chimney Swift
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Archilochus species
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Couch’s Kingbird
Western Kingbird
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
White-eyed Vireo
Purple Martin
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Titmouse, Black-crested x Tufted
Carolina Wren
Eastern Bluebird
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Northern Parula
Summer Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Indigo Bunting
Painted Bunting
Red-winged Blackbird
Great-tailed Grackle
Terry Banks says:
April 17, 2019 at 3:58 pmDate and Effort
Edit Date and Effort
Sat Apr 13, 2019 7:45 AM
Protocol:
Traveling
Party Size:
7
Duration:
7 hour(s)
Distance:
6.0 mile(s)
Observers:
Terry Banks
Comments:
Rainy, windy overcast and chilly. This was a Travis Audubon Field Trip. In the morning we birded in the Agarita Bird blind, and then we hiked the golden cheek trail .Then we drove to the river and found the yellow throated warblers. Another short walk took us to a small field where we heard grasshopper sparrows singing and we saw a Bald Eagle soaring overhead. Despite the cold, windy and sometimes unpleasant weather, both the birds and participants of this trip were hardy and enthusiastic. An absolutely fantastic group of people at a wonderful place!
Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.9.9
Species
Edit Species List
5 Sat Apr 13, 2019 7:45 AM
Protocol:
Traveling
Party Size:
7
Duration:
7 hour(s)
Distance:
6.0 mile(s)
Observers:
Terry Banks
Comments:
Rainy, windy overcast and chilly. This was a Travis Audubon Field Trip. In the morning we birded in the Agarita Bird blind, and then we hiked the golden cheek trail .Then we drove to the river and found the yellow throated warblers. Another short walk took us to a small field where we heard grasshopper sparrows singing and we saw a Bald Eagle soaring overhead. Despite the cold, windy and sometimes unpleasant weather, both the birds and participants of this trip were hardy and enthusiastic. An absolutely fantastic group of people at a wonderful place!
Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.9.9
Species
Edit Species List
53 species (+2 other taxa) total
30
White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica
4
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura
1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris
1
Black-chinned Hummingbird Archilochus alexandri
10
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird Archilochus colubris/alexandri
2
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
2
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
1
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
1
Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus
1
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis
1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker Melanerpes aurifrons
2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker Dryobates scalaris
3
Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus
5
Ash-throated Flycatcher Myiarchus cinerascens
1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus forficatus
4
Black-capped Vireo Vireo atricapilla
2
White-eyed Vireo Vireo griseus
8
Bell’s Vireo Vireo bellii
1
Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons
2
Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay Aphelocoma woodhouseii
2
Common Raven Corvus corax
1
Purple Martin Progne subis
6
Cliff/Cave Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota/fulva
15
Black-crested Titmouse Baeolophus atricristatus
6
Verdin Auriparus flaviceps
1
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
1
Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus
20
Bewick’s Wren Thryomanes bewickii
30
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea
1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula
3
Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos
20
House Finch Haemorhous mexicanus
6
Pine Siskin Spinus pinus
5
Lesser Goldfinch Spinus psaltria
4
Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodramus savannarum
1
Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina
6
Black-throated Sparrow Amphispiza bilineata
16
Lark Sparrow Chondestes grammacus
10
White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys
1
White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis
1
Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis
3
Lincoln’s Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii
6
Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus
10
Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria virens
1
Scott’s Oriole Icterus parisorum
6
Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater
10
Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia
1
Orange-crowned Warbler Oreothlypis celata
2
Nashville Warbler Oreothlypis ruficapilla
1
Yellow-rumped Warbler Setophaga coronata
3
Yellow-throated Warbler Setophaga dominica
A male and female were foraging in a tree while a third sang in a tree across the river.
4
Golden-cheeked Warbler Setophaga chrysoparia
5
Summer Tanager Piranga rubra
10
Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis
1
Blue Grosbeak Passerina caerulea
Terry Banks says:
April 3, 2019 at 2:18 pmTue Apr 02, 2019 6:54 AM
Protocol:
Traveling
Party Size:
6
Duration:
7 hour(s)
Distance:
6.0 mile(s)
Observers:
Terry Banks
Comments:
This was a Travis Audubon Field Trip. We started out at the nature trail, then went to the bird blind. Afterwards we walked the horse trail and went past the ponds. Finally we picnicked at the picnic area and finally took a short walk down to the swimming area. Animals seen were two Ringtails, a porcupine, and, unfortunately, 7 feral hogs (4 juveniles).
Weather was chilly in the am but beautiful as the day warmed up!
Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.8.15
Species
Edit Species List
41 species (+1 other taxa) total
75
White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica
5
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura
2
Greater Roadrunner Geococcyx californianus
Heard only
4
Black-chinned Hummingbird Archilochus alexandri
5
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird Archilochus colubris/alexandri
3
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias
5
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
8
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
2
Golden-fronted Woodpecker Melanerpes aurifrons
4
Ladder-backed Woodpecker Dryobates scalaris
1
Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway
5
Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe
1
Say’s Phoebe Sayornis saya
20
White-eyed Vireo Vireo griseus
4
Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay Aphelocoma woodhouseii
1
Common Raven Corvus corax
4
Carolina Chickadee Poecile carolinensis
10
Black-crested Titmouse Baeolophus atricristatus
2
Verdin Auriparus flaviceps
One juvenile and one adult
3
Canyon Wren Catherpes mexicanus
2
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
4
Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus
20
Bewick’s Wren Thryomanes bewickii
25
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea
15
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula
4
Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos
40
Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum
10
House Finch Haemorhous mexicanus
2
American Goldfinch Spinus tristis
2
Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina
4
Field Sparrow Spizella pusilla
2
Lark Sparrow Chondestes grammacus
3
Lincoln’s Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii
2
Rufous-crowned Sparrow Aimophila ruficeps
1
Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus
1
Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus
1
Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater
1
Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia
Heard only
3
Orange-crowned Warbler Oreothlypis celata
2
Yellow-rumped Warbler Setophaga coronata
8
Golden-cheeked Warbler Setophaga chrysoparia
GCWA’s in several territories. Most noted in Twin Falls Nature Area (about 6). One heard along horse trail, one heard in picnic area by swimming area, one heard across water in swimming area and a final individual heard and seen by the steps down to the swimming area.
20
Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis
George Kerr says:
February 3, 2019 at 9:50 pmOn the morning of February 2, 2019 we held the monthly Beginners’ Walk. 51 participants plus 4 leaders formed 2 groups and birded Mary Moore Searight Park from the parking lot to the southern end of the park. A morning mist let up just before we started, and there was heavy, low overcast. Temps were mild. Our combined bird list:
Crested Caracara
White-winged Dove
Eastern Phoebe
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Titmouse, Black-crested x Tufted
Carolina Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
House Finch
Terry Banks says:
January 29, 2019 at 9:28 amEnchanted Rock SNA (Gillespie Co), Gillespie County, Texas, US ( Map ) ( Hotspot )
Date and Effort
Edit Date and Effort
Sat Jan 26, 2019 8:08 AM
Protocol:
Traveling
Party Size:
1
Duration:
4 hour(s)
Distance:
2.5 mile(s)
Observers:
Advait Marathe List , Birdie White List , Terry Banks
Comments:
This was a Travis Audubon field trip. The weather was overcast and sometimes drizzly but overall very pleasant!
Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.8.15
Species
Edit Species List
37 species (+1 other taxa) total
5
Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo
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10
Inca Dove Columbina inca
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1
White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica
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4
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura
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2
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
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1
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
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2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius
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5
Ladder-backed Woodpecker Dryobates scalaris
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2
Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway
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6
Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe
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2
Common Raven Corvus corax
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2
Carolina Chickadee Poecile carolinensis
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10
Black-crested Titmouse Baeolophus atricristatus
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1
Verdin Auriparus flaviceps
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2
Canyon Wren Catherpes mexicanus
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3
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
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1
Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus
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15
Bewick’s Wren Thryomanes bewickii
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4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula
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4
Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis
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7
Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos
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2
European Starling Sturnus vulgaris
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2
House Finch Haemorhous mexicanus
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10
Lesser Goldfinch Spinus psaltria
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60
American Goldfinch Spinus tristis
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5
Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina
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8
Field Sparrow Spizella pusilla
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7
Black-throated Sparrow Amphispiza bilineata
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14
Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis
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2
White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis
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2
Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia
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10
Lincoln’s Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii
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2
Rufous-crowned Sparrow Aimophila ruficeps
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8
Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus
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18
Western/Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta/magna
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4
Orange-crowned Warbler Oreothlypis celata
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10
Yellow-rumped Warbler Setophaga coronata
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15
Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis
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George Kerr says:
January 5, 2019 at 5:52 pmOn Jan. 5, 2019 33 birders enjoyed a beautiful, sunny morning, with temps in the 40’s to 60’s, at Pedernales Falls SP. We started at the bird blinds, which per usual, were quite a treat. Spotted Towhees and a colorful Orange-crowned Warbler were highlights. We then took a hike to the duck ponds where we saw a flock of Green-winged Teal circle a couple of times and then land. We also were lucky to see a Says Phoebe perched on a snag in the pond. Amazingly, there was a chorus of frogs. The frogs sang their hearts out, stopped when a Great-blue Heron arrived, and then started up again after the heron left. Coincidence? On the return walk we came across a Verdin and a ball of twigs eight feet or so up in a bare bush that seemed to be last year’s nest. The Verdin approached the nest with soft looking nesting material in its beak, but did not seem to want to enter the nest with all of us watching. Our bird list follows.
Gadwall
Green-winged Teal
Great Blue Heron
Black Vulture
White-winged Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Say’s Phoebe
Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay
Titmouse, Black-crested x Tufted
Verdin
Carolina Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
Cedar Waxwing
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Lincoln’s Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Judith Bailey says:
December 1, 2018 at 5:11 pmBirding at Barkley Meadows Park, 12-1-18, was delightful and fun; raptors, waterfowl and sparrows were the stars of the day. The Osprey put on a show searching the lake for fish and even kiting once; but, no stooping resulted. A Connecticut native new to Austin got a lifer when he saw the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.
Gadwall
Northern Shoveler
Green-winged Teal
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Northern Harrier
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
American Coot
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Monk Parakeet
Belted Kingfisher
Eastern Phoebe
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Loggerhead Shrike
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Northern Mockingbird
American Crow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Meadowlark sp.
Great-tailed Grackle
House Finch
Terry Banks says:
November 7, 2018 at 4:52 pmOn Tuesday, November 6, 2018 11 Travis Audubon members birded Pedernales Falls State Park. The weather was great, the company was great, and we enjoyed seeing many birds including the following species:
38 species (+1 other taxa) total
2 Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata
7 Green-winged Teal Anas crecca
2 Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina
30 white-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica
2 Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura
1 Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias
3 Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
3 Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
1 Zone-tailed Hawk Buteo albonotatus
1 Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon1
1 Golden-fronted Woodpecker Melanerpes aurifrons
2 Ladder-backed Woodpecker Dryobates scalaris
2 Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus
1 American Kestrel Falco sparverius
4 Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe
1 Say’s Phoebe Sayornis saya
5 Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay Aphelocoma woodhouseii
1 Common Raven Corvus corax
6 Carolina Chickadee Poecile carolinensis
8 Black-crested Titmouse Baeolophus atricristatus
4 House Wren Troglodytes aedon
2 Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus
6 Bewick’s Wren Thryomanes bewickii
5 Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula
3 Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus
150 American Robin Turdus migratorius
3 Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos
2 American Pipit Anthus rubescens
4 House Finch Haemorhous mexicanus
3 Lesser Goldfinch Spinus psaltria
10 Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina
1 White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis
1 Vesper Sparrow Pooecetes gramineus
4 Lincoln’s Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii
3 Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus
2 Western/Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta/magna
4 Orange-crowned Warbler Oreothlypis celata
12 Yellow-rumped Warbler Setophaga coronata
8 northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis
Dennis Palafox says:
October 24, 2018 at 12:01 pmJustin Bosler and I lead the monthly bird walk at Hornsby Bend on October 20. There were a total of 14 people on the trip. We ended up with 67 spp on the trip. The Colorado River water level was extremely high due to the releases from upstream reservoirs. A list of species seen follows:
Blue-winged Teal 8
Northern Shoveler 300
Gadwall 14
American Wigeon 1
Green-winged Teal 25
Redhead 3
Lesser Scaup 4
Ruddy Duck 56
duck sp. 12
Least Grebe 2
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Eared Grebe 10
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 30
Mourning Dove 1
American Coot 275
American Avocet 2
Killdeer 11
Least Sandpiper 320
Western Sandpiper 1
Long-billed Dowitcher 4
Red-necked Phalarope 1
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 3
Lesser Yellowlegs 1
Ring-billed Gull 2
gull sp. 1
Double-crested Cormorant 12
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 5
Green Heron 1
White-faced Ibis 33
Black Vulture 20
Turkey Vulture 212
Osprey 1
Northern Harrier 3
Cooper’s Hawk 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 3
Broad-winged Hawk 5
Swainson’s Hawk 25
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 2
American Kestrel 2
Merlin 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 5
American Crow 28
Barn Swallow 75
Carolina Chickadee 10
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 5
House Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 20
American Pipit 1
Savannah Sparrow 8
Eastern Meadowlark 3
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Great-tailed Grackle 25
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Nashville Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Northern Cardinal 7
House Sparrow 1
Dennis Palafox says:
September 16, 2018 at 7:44 amNine of us participate in the September monthly bird walk. We managed to complete the walk before the skies broke lose with a heavy downpour! A list of birds we saw follows:
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 16
Northern Shoveler 1
Gadwall 4
Common Nighthawk 1
Chimney Swift 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2
Black-necked Stilt 5
Killdeer 5
Stilt Sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 150
Pectoral Sandpiper 1
Western Sandpiper 1
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 2
Lesser Yellowlegs 2
Forster’s Tern 1
Anhinga 1
Great Blue Heron 2
Snowy Egret 2
Green Heron 1
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 3
Osprey 2
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 1
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Couch’s Kingbird 2
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 8
White-eyed Vireo 2
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Bank Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 30
Cliff Swallow 2
Cave Swallow 2
Carolina Chickadee 3
Carolina Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 15
Eastern Bluebird 3
European Starling 3
House Finch 2
Orchard Oriole 1
Baltimore Oriole 4
Red-winged Blackbird 5
Great-tailed Grackle 10
Yellow Warbler 4
Summer Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 3
Dennis Palafox says:
September 16, 2018 at 7:40 amNine of us participated in the September monthly bird walk at Hornsby Bend. We were fortunate that the tropical system that came ashore stayed well to the south of Austin be one band hit as we were ending the trip. We ended up seeing 54 species including Couch’s Kingbird, Pileated Woodpecker, and Yellow-bellied Flycatcher.
16 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
1 Northern Shoveler
4 Gadwall
1 Common Nighthawk
1 Chimney Swift
2 Ruby-throated Hummingbird
5 Black-necked Stilt
5 Killdeer
1 Stilt Sandpiper
150 Least Sandpiper
1 Pectoral Sandpiper
1 Western Sandpiper
1 Spotted Sandpiper
2 Greater Yellowlegs
2 Lesser Yellowlegs
1 Forster’s Tern
1 Anhinga
2 Great Blue Heron
2 Snowy Egret
1 Green Heron
3 Black Vulture
3 Turkey Vulture
2 Osprey
1 Cooper’s Hawk
1 Red-shouldered Hawk
1 Red-tailed Hawk
1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
2 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
1 Pileated Woodpecker
1 Crested Caracara
1 Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
2 Eastern Phoebe
2 Great Crested Flycatcher
2 Couch’s Kingbird
8 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
2 White-eyed Vireo
1 Blue-headed Vireo
1 Bank Swallow
30 Barn Swallow
2 Cliff Swallow
2 Cave Swallow
3 Carolina Chickadee
2 Carolina Wren
15 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
3 Eastern Bluebird
3 European Starling
2 House Finch
1 Orchard Oriole
4 Baltimore Oriole
5 Red-winged Blackbird
10 Great-tailed Grackle
4 Yellow Warbler
1 Summer Tanager
3 Northern Cardinal
Judith Bailey says:
August 6, 2018 at 2:51 pmZilker Botanical Bird Walk
Our birding group had a productive morning, 27 species, walking the grounds of the botanical garden in Zilker Park. We had good looks at a group of migrating Orchard Orioles, 2 males, one a first summer juvenile, and three females. At about the same time, a Great Crested Flycatcher and a Western Flycatcher landed in a nearby tree. George Kerr taught us about a behavioral characteristic of the Black-throated Hummingbird: it has a very obvious tail waggle that other hummers don’t have. We observed several females up close wagging away!
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Monk Parakeet
Chimney Swift
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Downy Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Great Crested Flycatcher
Western Kingbird
White-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Purple Martin
Barn Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse hybrid
Carolina Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Northern Cardinal
Great-tailed Grackle
Orchard Oriole
Lesser Goldfinch
Deb Wallace says:
May 10, 2018 at 10:00 amEight of us birded Berry springs Park on a lovely spring morning. The best bird was a pair of Yellow-billed Cuckoos out in the open, affording great looks!
Berry Springs Park, Georgetown, Williamson, Texas, US
May 8, 2018 7:04 AM – 11:09 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.474 mile(s)
37 species (+1 other taxa)
Snowy Egret 3
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 1
Black Vulture 4
Turkey Vulture 5
Mississippi Kite 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
White-winged Dove 2
Mourning Dove 4
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 3
Chimney Swift 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Eastern Phoebe 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 3
Eastern Kingbird 3
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 6
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 1
Barn Swallow 3
Cave Swallow 1
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 3
Carolina Wren 6
Bewick’s Wren 3
Eastern Bluebird 6
Northern Mockingbird 7
European Starling 3
Cedar Waxwing 30
Yellow Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Wilson’s Warbler 2
Lark Sparrow 2
Summer Tanager 2
Northern Cardinal 5
Brown-headed Cowbird 3
Great-tailed Grackle 4
Deb Wallace says:
April 29, 2018 at 4:34 pmMany thanks to Janene Winn for leading a trip to Reimer’s Ranch Park! She took 11 participants. One person drove 75 miles to attend and got three life birds!
Below is the link to the eBird report.
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S44431375
Deb Wallace says:
April 29, 2018 at 4:29 pmDan’s group had a great time at Mill’s Pond in April!
Mills Pond at Wells Branch, Travis, Texas, US
Apr 17, 2018 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Ten birders gathered to survey birds on this Travis Audubon field trip. Thanks to those folks with cameras that captured birds in flight and many birds hidden in tree foliage.
36 species (+3 other taxa)
Muscovy Duck (Domestic type) 1
Wood Duck 1
Great Egret 1
Green Heron 1
Black Vulture 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Franklin’s Gull 12
White-winged Dove 40
Chimney Swift 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Eastern Phoebe 1
yellow-bellied kingbird sp. 1
White-eyed Vireo 1
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 2
Purple Martin 50
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 3
Cedar Waxwing 20
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Nashville Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 4
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Clay-colored Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 6
Great-tailed Grackle 20
House Finch 1
Lesser Goldfinch 2
American Goldfinch 5
House Sparrow 2
Deb Wallace says:
April 29, 2018 at 4:27 pmThe April Tuesday trip to Platt Lane and Hornsby Bend was well attended. We even had visitors from Sweden! We were able to show them several life birds.
Platt Lane (Travis Co.), Travis, Texas, US
Apr 3, 2018 7:21 AM – 9:32 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.766 mile(s)
30 species (+2 other taxa)
Neotropic Cormorant 3
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 11
Cattle Egret 14
Black Vulture 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
White-winged Dove 2
Mourning Dove 3
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Crested Caracara 1
Empidonax sp. 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 3
White-eyed Vireo 4
American Crow 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2
Carolina Chickadee 1
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 1
Carolina Wren 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Eastern Bluebird 2
Northern Mockingbird 1
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Lark Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Vesper Sparrow 2
Savannah Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 18
Red-winged Blackbird 120
Great-tailed Grackle 2
Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, Texas, US
Apr 3, 2018 9:40 AM – 11:28 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.057 mile(s)
34 species
Blue-winged Teal 40
Northern Shoveler 40
Gadwall 2
American Wigeon 1
Lesser Scaup 5
Ruddy Duck 5
Eared Grebe 4
American White Pelican 110
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 5
Osprey 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Swainson’s Hawk 4
American Coot 50
Black-necked Stilt 8
Killdeer 2
Least Sandpiper 60
Pectoral Sandpiper 4
Wilson’s Snipe 2
Spotted Sandpiper 3
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 1
Mourning Dove 1
Chimney Swift 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 2
Purple Martin 30
Barn Swallow 18
European Starling 15
American Pipit 4
Savannah Sparrow 10
Red-winged Blackbird 12
Great-tailed Grackle 2
House Finch 1
House Sparrow 1
Deb Wallace says:
April 29, 2018 at 4:24 pmFebruary is always a good time to visit Mitchell Lake! Our trip had 9 participants and lots of good birds.
Mitchell Lake Audubon Center (HOTE 103), Bexar, Texas, US
Feb 13, 2018 8:30 AM – 1:17 PM
Protocol: Traveling
6.342 mile(s)
66 species (+1 other taxa)
Cinnamon Teal 1
Northern Shoveler 300
Gadwall 8
American Wigeon 6
Northern Pintail 18
Green-winged Teal 100
Ring-necked Duck 6
Lesser Scaup 6
Bufflehead 4
Ruddy Duck 350
Least Grebe 4
Pied-billed Grebe 5
Neotropic Cormorant 1
Double-crested Cormorant 8
American White Pelican 40 0?
Great Blue Heron 12
Great Egret 3
Snowy Egret 1
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 1
Harris’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Coot 40
Black-necked Stilt 24
American Avocet 1
Killdeer 5
Least Sandpiper 75
Long-billed Dowitcher 52
Wilson’s Snipe 5
Spotted Sandpiper 5
Greater Yellowlegs 2
Lesser Yellowlegs 15
Ring-billed Gull 4
White-winged Dove 18
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 6
Crested Caracara 1
Eastern Phoebe 6
Vermilion Flycatcher 2
Great Kiskadee 1
Loggerhead Shrike 2
White-eyed Vireo 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1 Dark brown upper. Pale underneath. Square tail.
Cave Swallow 50
Black-crested Titmouse 2
Verdin 1
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Curve-billed Thrasher 1
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 20
American Pipit 4
Cedar Waxwing 50
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Common Yellowthroat 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 40
White-crowned Sparrow 6
White-throated Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 15
Pyrrhuloxia 1
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 20
Red-winged Blackbird 30
House Finch 4
House Sparrow 1
Deb Wallace says:
April 29, 2018 at 4:18 pm12 people joined us to go south to Guadalupe and Bexar counties on a March Tuesday trip. It was a lovely day and the Eastern Towhee at Crescent Bend was nice,. However, it paled in comparison to the Golden-crowned Sparrow at Warbler Woods. That was a life bird for most of the participants!
Crescent Bend Nature Park (Bexar Co.), Bexar, Texas, US
Mar 13, 2018 8:00 AM – 11:38 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.525 mile(s)
40 species (+1 other taxa)
Gadwall 2
Green-winged Teal 2
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Double-crested Cormorant 24
Great Blue Heron 9
Great Egret 5
Snowy Egret 1
Black Vulture 9
Turkey Vulture 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Inca Dove 3
White-winged Dove 6
Mourning Dove 3
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 3
Eastern Phoebe 2
Great Kiskadee 1
White-eyed Vireo 8
Blue Jay 1
Barn Swallow 1
Carolina Chickadee 4
Black-crested Titmouse 2
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 5
Carolina Wren 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Hermit Thrush 1
Northern Mockingbird 5
Chipping Sparrow 5
Field Sparrow 2
White-crowned Sparrow 4
Vesper Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 8
Spotted Towhee 2
Eastern Towhee 1 Continuing female. Brown head and back. No spots. Rufous flanks. White belly. Seen at newer blind.
Northern Cardinal 30
Red-winged Blackbird 75
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
House Finch 2
Lesser Goldfinch 1
Warbler Woods, Guadalupe, Texas, US
Mar 13, 2018 12:00 PM – 1:23 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.75 mile(s)
16 species
Northern Bobwhite 2
Inca Dove 2
Common Ground-Dove 2
White-winged Dove 1
Mourning Dove 3
White-eyed Vireo 1
Carolina Chickadee 1
Black-crested Titmouse 3
Carolina Wren 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
White-crowned Sparrow 3
Golden-crowned Sparrow 1 Continuing bird. Photo to follow.
Northern Cardinal 15
House Finch 2
Lesser Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 3
Deb Wallace says:
April 29, 2018 at 4:13 pm14 of us birded Commons Ford on our Tuesday walk in January. As usual, the Sedge Wrens were the highlight!
Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park, Travis, Texas, US
Jan 23, 2018 7:35 AM – 11:28 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.344 mile(s)
37 species (+1 other taxa)
Mallard 6
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Double-crested Cormorant 25
Black Vulture 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Coot 1
White-winged Dove 20
Greater Roadrunner 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 4
American Kestrel 2
Eastern Phoebe 7
Blue Jay 6
Carolina Chickadee 3
Black-crested Titmouse 3
House Wren 1
Sedge Wren 2 Continuing birds. Know location along trail from barn to river.
Carolina Wren 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Eastern Bluebird 4
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 6
Cedar Waxwing 50
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 3
Chipping Sparrow 5
Fox Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 7
Lincoln’s Sparrow 5
Spotted Towhee 5
Eastern Towhee 1 Continuing female. Brown head and upper parts. No white on back. White patch on wing. Rufous flank. Seen along trail that runs parallel to river.
Northern Cardinal 3
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 7
Great-tailed Grackle 1
House Finch 2
Lesser Goldfinch 2
Terry Banks says:
March 23, 2018 at 6:23 pmA copy of this submission was sent to 55bluebirds@att.net [edit].
Location
Edit Location
Inks Lake SP (HOTE 021), Burnet County, Texas, US ( Map ) ( Hotspot )
Date and Effort
Edit Date and Effort
Thu Mar 22, 2018 7:31 AM
Protocol:
Traveling
Party Size:
10
Duration:
6 hour(s)
Distance:
3.0 mile(s)
Observers:
Terry Banks
Comments:
This was a Travis Audubon Field Trip. We hiked about 3 miles on the Pecan Flats Trail. Birds were in full song. An absolutely lovely day with a great group of people!
Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.1.3 Build 30
Species
Edit Species List
42 species total
2
Canada Goose Branta canadensis
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10
Blue-winged Teal Spatula discors
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6
Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis
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1
Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps
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2
Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus
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8
American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
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2
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias
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3
Great Egret Ardea alba
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5
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
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3
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
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1
Cooper’s Hawk Accipiter cooperii
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1
Zone-tailed Hawk Buteo albonotatus
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This bird was a surprise! We heard the scream of a raptor, but when we looked up we saw nothing but turkey and black vultures. Then one of the turkey vultures flew over, and we realized it wasn’t a turkey vulture at all but a Zone Tail with its distinctive barred tail and raptor head.
2
American Coot Fulica americana
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4
Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis
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5
White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica
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5
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura
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4
Black-chinned Hummingbird Archilochus alexandri
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3
Ladder-backed Woodpecker Picoides scalaris
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4
Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway
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2
Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe
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4
Cave Swallow Petrochelidon fulva
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4
Carolina Chickadee Poecile carolinensis
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15
Black-crested Titmouse Baeolophus atricristatus
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2
Verdin Auriparus flaviceps
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5
Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus
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15
Bewick’s Wren Thryomanes bewickii
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6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea
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5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula
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4
Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos
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25
Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum
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5
Yellow-rumped Warbler Setophaga coronata
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10
Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina
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6
Field Sparrow Spizella pusilla
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10
Black-throated Sparrow Amphispiza bilineata
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2
Lark Sparrow Chondestes grammacus
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2
Lincoln’s Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii
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8
Rufous-crowned Sparrow Aimophila ruficeps
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2
Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus
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25
Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis
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25
Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus
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2
Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater
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15
Lesser Goldfinch Spinus psaltria
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Edit Species List
Edit Answer
Are you submitting a complete checklist of the birds you were able to identify?
Yes
Deb Wallace says:
January 21, 2018 at 8:39 pm18 of us birded Commons Ford for the first monthly walk of the year. Everyone got looks at a pretty Fox Sparrow and several saw both the Sedge Wren and the Eastern Towhee!
Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park, Travis, Texas, US
Jan 21, 2018 7:43 AM – 11:43 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.884 mile(s)
40 species (+4 other taxa)
Wood Duck 3
Mallard 9
duck sp. 6
Double-crested Cormorant 44
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 3
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Ring-billed Gull 3
White-winged Dove 60
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) 1
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 5
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 5
Black-crested Titmouse 4
Carolina Wren 3
Bewick’s Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Eastern Bluebird 10
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 22
Northern Mockingbird 3
Cedar Waxwing 30
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 5
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon’s) 1
LeConte’s Sparrow 1
Field Sparrow 1
Fox Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow 3
Harris’s Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 6
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Spotted Towhee 2
Eastern Towhee 1 Female. Brown head and upper parts. No white on back. White patch on wing. Rufous flank. Seen along trail that runs parallel to river.
Northern Cardinal 6
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 8
Red-winged Blackbird 3
House Finch 4
Lesser Goldfinch 5
Deb Wallace says:
January 21, 2018 at 8:33 pm17 of us birded Commons Ford for the November walk. We were delighted that the Sedge Wrens had returned. A good time was had by all.
Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park, Travis, Texas, US
Nov 5, 2017 6:29 AM – 11:11 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
40 species (+1 other taxa)
Wood Duck 3
Great Blue Heron 2
Osprey 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
White-winged Dove 50
Mourning Dove 3
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
American Kestrel 1
Merlin (Taiga) 1
Eastern Phoebe 7
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 2
Common Raven 2
Carolina Chickadee 2
Black-crested Titmouse 2
Canyon Wren 1
House Wren 2
Sedge Wren 4 Continuing birds. Along the path from the barn to the river.
Carolina Wren 3
Bewick’s Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Eastern Bluebird 12
Hermit Thrush 1
Northern Mockingbird 3
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 6
LeConte’s Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 2
Savannah Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 7
Spotted Towhee 2
Spotted/Eastern Towhee (Rufous-sided Towhee) 1
Northern Cardinal 7
Great-tailed Grackle 10
House Finch 6
Lesser Goldfinch 15
Deb Wallace says:
January 21, 2018 at 8:30 pm16 of us birded Commons Ford on Tuesday, October 17th. The highlight was the Hepatic Tanager, which was a life bird for many!
Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park, Travis, Texas, US
Oct 17, 2017 1:28 PM – 4:11 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
20 species
Turkey Vulture 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Greater Roadrunner 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
American Kestrel 2
Eastern Phoebe 4
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 2
Black-crested Titmouse 8
Carolina Wren 1
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 1
Spotted Towhee 2
Hepatic Tanager 1 Bird re-found by Arman past house in trees near the covered picnic table. Bird was foraging on Dell side of the fence and then flew over to park side. Bright yellow throat and forehead. Gray cheeks, flanks and back.
Northern Cardinal 4
Lesser Goldfinch 1
George Kerr says:
January 7, 2018 at 4:55 pmOn the morning of January 6, 2018, ten birders visited Pedernales Fall State Park. Most of us met a the “Y in Oak Hill” and car pooled to the park. We drove through dense fog from the west side of Austin all the way to Henly before the fog lifted. For the rest of the morning it was overcast with temps in the 40’s to 50’s. We started out at the bird blinds where we got great, long, upclose looks at 21 species. Then we walked from the blinds to the duck ponds and back, before returning to Austin.
Our park list:
Black Vulture
Killdeer (HO)
White-winged Dove
Common Ground-Dove
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay
Carolina Chickadee
Titmouse species
Titmouse hybrid
Bewick’s Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
Cedar Waxwing
Orange-crowned Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Field Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
House Finch
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
November 15, 2017 at 8:41 amTravis County, TX, US, Travis, Texas, US
Nov 14, 2017 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Comments: Seven birders from the Travis Audubon Society conducted a bird census at Barkley Meadows park in southeast Travis County. Weather– 60-80 degrees, clear, calm with breeze increasing from the south.
46 species (+2 other taxa)
Wood Duck 3
Lesser Scaup 1
duck sp. 6
Pied-billed Grebe 4
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 2
Snowy Egret 1
Black Vulture 6
Turkey Vulture 4
Osprey 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 3
Killdeer 10
Wilson’s Snipe 1
Ring-billed Gull 12
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 15
White-winged Dove 4
Mourning Dove 3
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 3
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 5
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
American Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 2
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Eastern Bluebird 2
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 4
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 20
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 Audubon (with yellow throat)
White-crowned Sparrow 20
Vesper Sparrow 3
Savannah Sparrow 45
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 4
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 15
Red-winged Blackbird 75
Great-tailed Grackle 50
House Finch 6
House Sparrow 2
Dennis Palafox says:
November 12, 2017 at 12:17 pmAllan Seils and I lead a group of 7 birders around the ponds at Camp Mabry on November 11, 2017. What a way to spend Veteran’s Day!
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 2
Sharp-shinned/Cooper’s Hawk 1
Killdeer 2
White-winged Dove 15
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 2
Eastern Phoebe 4
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 4
Carolina Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Eastern Bluebird 5
Northern Mockingbird 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 25
Northern Cardinal 4
Great-tailed Grackle 4
House Finch 2
Ken Zaslow says:
November 7, 2017 at 10:13 pmCommons Ford Pk, Travis, Texas, US
Nov 7, 2017 7:00 AM – 10:40 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.4 mile(s)
39 species (+2 other taxa)
Six people participated on this TAS field trip to Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park.
Wood Duck 2
Osprey 1
Cooper’s Hawk 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Killdeer 1
White-winged Dove 75
Mourning Dove 16
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 3
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 6
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 6
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
Canyon Wren 1
House Wren 4
Sedge Wren 2 Continuing birds heard and briefly seen on the trail in the meadow between the barn and the river.
Carolina Wren 6
Bewick’s Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Eastern Bluebird 10
Hermit Thrush 1
Northern Mockingbird 2
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 12
Field Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 3
Vesper Sparrow 4
Savannah Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 3
Lincoln’s Sparrow 6
Spotted Towhee 2
Northern Cardinal 4
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 2
Red-winged Blackbird 3
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
House Finch 16
Pine Siskin 20
Lesser Goldfinch 11
American Goldfinch 2
Ken Zaslow says:
October 4, 2017 at 6:14 pmRichard Moya Park (HOTE 038), Travis, Texas, US
Oct 3, 2017 7:45 AM – 9:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: Thirteen people participated on this TAS field trip to Richard Moya Park. The birding was fairly quiet for most of the trip, but after we crossed the old Congress Avenue bridge we came upon a nice mixed group of birds with Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, Eastern Bluebirds, House Finches. Barn Swallows, and Cliff Swallows.
24 species
Great Blue Heron 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Heard only
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 15
White-winged Dove 12
Mourning Dove 3
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 7
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 5
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 11
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 7
Barn Swallow 9
Cliff Swallow 4
Carolina Chickadee 2
Carolina Wren 8
Eastern Bluebird 18
European Starling 65
Yellow Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 3
Great-tailed Grackle 60
House Finch 30
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
September 26, 2017 at 7:48 pmMills Pond at Wells Branch, Travis, Texas, US
Sep 26, 2017 7:15 AM – 9:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: 15 people participated on this TAS field trip to Mills Pond Park led by Dan Callaway.
28 species
Wood Duck 1
Great Egret 3
Green Heron 1
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 55
White-winged Dove 18
Chimney Swift 4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 7
American Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 1
Carolina Wren 4
Bewick’s Wren 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 6
American Robin 2
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 10
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Mourning Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Wilson’s Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 45
Great-tailed Grackle 3
Judith Bailey says:
June 4, 2017 at 10:36 amBeginner’s Bird Walk
Camp Mabry
6-3-17
Biggest group of birders ever, 35 adults and 3 children, showed up at Camp Mabry for an early morning walk. A little rain didn’t dampen spirits as we explored the Hill Country like property. We had good scope looks at the Western Kingbirds, Barn Swallows with fledglings, and a juvenile Yellow-crowned Night Heron. The vireos serenaded us; but, were elusive as always. In total, the three groups saw 31 species.
Wood Duck
Great Blue Heron
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Killdeer
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Great Horned Owl (HO)
Chimney Swift
Belted Kingfisher (HO)
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Western Kingbird
White-eyed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo (HO)
Blue Jay
American Crow
Barn Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Titmouse hybrid
Carolina Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (HO)
Eastern Bluebird
Northern Mockingbird
Northern Cardinal
Painted Bunting (HO)
Great-tailed Grackle
House Finch
Ken Zaslow says:
May 23, 2017 at 11:46 amWebberville Park (Big)(HOTE 035), Travis, Texas, US
May 23, 2017 7:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Fourteen people paticipated on this TAS field trip to Big Webberville Park. The sky was overcast for most of the morning. Winds were calm to light and the temperature ranged between 65-70 degress. We saw or heard most of our target Summer breeding birds. A highlight was a Green Kingfisher that perched on open branches of a downed tree across the Colorado River from the fishing platform.
38 species
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 6
Cattle Egret 49
Green Heron 1
Black Vulture 6
Turkey Vulture 9
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Killdeer 1
White-winged Dove 8
Mourning Dove 4
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2
Chimney Swift 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Green Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 2
Olive-sided Flycatcher 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 3
Eastern Kingbird 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 2
White-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 3
Barn Swallow 4
Cliff Swallow 3
Carolina Chickadee 1
Carolina Wren 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Eastern Bluebird 4
Northern Mockingbird 5
Summer Tanager 3
Northern Cardinal 7
Painted Bunting 1
Great-tailed Grackle 3
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
House Sparrow 2
Ken Zaslow says:
May 20, 2017 at 12:00 pmHornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, Texas, US
May 20, 2017 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.75 mile(s)
Comments: Twelve people participated on this TAS monthly field trip at Hornsby Bend. The leaders were Ken Zaslow and Jean Martin. We got lucky and were abe to get 2.5 hours of birding done before a strong thunderstorm sent us back to our cars and ended the trip. We birded in the area around the adminstrative building, Pond 1, Pond 2, and a short section of the River trail by Pond 3. The rain of the previous night brought quite a few interesting migrants down onto the ponds and wooded areas that we explored. See the checklist for details. The temperature was mild in the mid to upper 60’s and the sky was overcast.
52 species
Blue-winged Teal 8
Northern Shoveler 10
Ruddy Duck 9
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
American Coot 5
Black-necked Stilt 4
American Avocet 3 Seen on drying pad by pond 1 East. Distinctive breeding plumage with cinnamon colored head and neck with buffy upper chest. Long and narrow upturned black bill. Black wing with a large white stripe. Long gray legs. Larger than a nearby Willet.
Killdeer 3
Dunlin 1 Seen on drying pad by pond 1East. In breeding plumage with distinctive black belly, long tapered down-curved bill, pale head, whitish chest, and relatively short black legs. Larger than the nearby Semipalmated Sandpipers.
Baird’s Sandpiper 2
Least Sandpiper 6
White-rumped Sandpiper 25
Pectoral Sandpiper 3
Semipalmated Sandpiper 2
Wilson’s Phalarope 80
Spotted Sandpiper 4
Willet 1 Seen on drying pad by pond 1 East. Smaller than nearby American Avocets, larger than nearby Dunlin. Unmistakable bird with upright posture, overall unmarked non-breeding grayish plumage. Straight, long, heavy gray bill with darker tip. Long grayish legs. Opened wings show distinctive white stripe on black pattern.
Lesser Yellowlegs 1
Franklin’s Gull 6
Black Tern 35
Mourning Dove 4
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2
Barred Owl 1
Common Nighthawk 1
Chimney Swift 7
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Pileated Woodpecker 1 Seen and heard while it flew over Pond 3
Crested Caracara 2 Seen before the trip began flying over the fields behind the administrative building
Monk Parakeet 4
Olive-sided Flycatcher 1 Seen from the River Trail by Pond 3
Eastern Phoebe 1
Western Kingbird 4
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 4
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 1
Purple Martin 27
Barn Swallow 5
Cliff Swallow 40
Carolina Chickadee 2
Carolina Wren 4
Eastern Bluebird 2
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 11
Cedar Waxwing 3
Common Yellowthroat 3
American Redstart 1
Magnolia Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 2
Northern Cardinal 4
Great-tailed Grackle 7
House Sparrow 5
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S37008348
Ken Zaslow for Rick Taylor says:
May 16, 2017 at 9:57 pmRick Taylor led this Tuesday morning field trip on May 2nd to the Slaughter Creek Preserve Trail. His eBird report is copied below.
Travis Audubon Super Tuesday, 2 May 2017, 7AM. Slaughter Creek Preserve Trail.
38 species
Wood Duck 4
Northern Bobwhite 1
Great Blue Heron 2
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 1
Mississippi Kite 27
Red-tailed Hawk 2
White-winged Dove 14
Mourning Dove 7
Great Horned Owl 1
Chimney Swift 3
Black-chinned Hummingbird 2
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 3
Crested Caracara 1
Western Kingbird 2
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 4
White-eyed Vireo 5
American Crow 2
Purple Martin 1
Barn Swallow 3
Carolina Chickadee 4
Black-crested Titmouse 5
Carolina Wren 6
Bewick’s Wren 8
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Eastern Bluebird 2
Northern Mockingbird 12
Cedar Waxwing 30
Chipping Sparrow 2
Clay-colored Sparrow 2
Lark Sparrow 5
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 5
Summer Tanager 4
Northern Cardinal 15
Painted Bunting 8
Great-tailed Grackle 3
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
House Finch 2
Lesser Goldfinch 10
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
May 16, 2017 at 9:49 pmDan Callaway led this Tuesday morning field trip to Mills Pond. His eBird report is copied below.
Mills Pond at Wells Branch, Travis, Texas, US
May 16, 2017 6:45 AM – 10:15 AM
Protocol: Transect
0.5 mile(s)
Comments: I led a field trip for Travis Audubon in hopes to find migrating warblers around the pond and along the creek. Weather– cloudy, south breeze, 68-74 degrees.
40 species (+3 other taxa)
Muscovy Duck (Domestic type) 2
Wood Duck 1
Great Egret 2
Green Heron 3
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Inca Dove 1
White-winged Dove 75
Common Nighthawk 1
Chimney Swift 6
hummingbird sp. 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 2
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill’s Flycatcher) 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 1
Purple Martin 45
Barn Swallow 4
Cliff Swallow 1
Carolina Chickadee 2
Carolina Wren 4
American Robin 4
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 15
Mourning Warbler 1 Found by another birder after the group left. It was between the restroom and bird blind low in grape vines.
Common Yellowthroat 1
American Redstart 3
Magnolia Warbler 2
Bay-breasted Warbler 3
Blackburnian Warbler 1
Chestnut-sided Warbler 3
Black-throated Green Warbler 2 One each seen well by the group in two different areas.
Canada Warbler 1
Summer Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 8
Great-tailed Grackle 35
House Finch 1
Lesser Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 12
Ken Zaslow says:
April 25, 2017 at 3:02 pmRoy Guerrero Park, Travis, Texas, US
Apr 25, 2017 7:00 AM – 11:10 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Comments: Seven people participated on this TAS field trip to the Roy Guerrero Colorado River Park. Evidence that we are in the midst of Spring migration is reflected in today’s checklist, and local Summer nesters were seen and heard throughout the park.
47 species (+1 other taxa)
Wood Duck 3
Great Blue Heron 3
white egret sp. 35
Green Heron 1
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
American Coot 1
Killdeer 3
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 35
White-winged Dove 4
Mourning Dove 15
Chimney Swift 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 2
Crested Caracara 1
Monk Parakeet 4
Eastern Phoebe 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Western Kingbird 5
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 9
White-eyed Vireo 9
Red-eyed Vireo 2
American Crow 2
Barn Swallow 2
Cliff Swallow 60
Carolina Chickadee 4
Carolina Wren 5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Eastern Bluebird 2
Swainson’s Thrush 4
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 11
Cedar Waxwing 72
Nashville Warbler 2
Lark Sparrow 2
Summer Tanager 2
Northern Cardinal 35
Indigo Bunting 2
Painted Bunting 2
Great-tailed Grackle 10
Brown-headed Cowbird 4
Orchard Oriole 1
Baltimore Oriole 1
House Sparrow 1
admin says:
April 19, 2017 at 11:30 amOn April 1 the Beginners Walk was held at St. Edwards Park. It was overcast and pleasantly cool. Lots of birds were sighted, including Golden-cheeked Warblers, which were also seen by one group of birders. We were entertained by a very vocal Coopers Hawk that flew back and forth multiple times above our heads through the tree tops. A partially built nest high in a tree seemed to be hers. We also got to see an Eastern Phoebe at its cylindrical shaped nest on the cliff face on the opposite side of the creek. Perhaps most fascinating was a strikingly beautiful Northern Cardinal x Pyrruloxia hybrid that sat out in the open and sang for us (sounded like a cardinal). Our bird list follows:
Great Egret
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Chimney Swift
Archilochus species (hummingbird)
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
White-eyed Vireo
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted x Black Crested Titmouse hybrid
Carolina Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-cheeked Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Northern Cardinal x Pyrrhuloxia hybrid
Lesser Goldfinch
The Beginners Walk is held on the first Saturday of each month. It’s free. It’s fun. Membership is not required. We have loaner binoculars. Birders of all levels are welcome.
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
April 4, 2017 at 2:24 pmNortheast Metro Park (Travis Co.), Travis, Texas, US
Apr 4, 2017 7:30 AM – 11:03 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Dan Callaway led thirteen people on this TAS field trip to Northeast Metro Park. It was a beautiful Spring morning with temperatures ranging from the low 50’s to the low 70’s. The sky was partly cloudy and winds were mild. The most notable bird seen was a lone Upland Sandpiper present on the soccer fields near the main pavillion. We observed it for about 10 minutes before it flew away. Spring had clearly arrived with new plant growth everywhere, fields filled with wildflowers, and many sightings of butterflies, dragonflies, and damselflies. All in all a great day to be outside.
42 species (+2 other taxa)
Blue-winged Teal 2
Ring-necked Duck 2
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 5
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Coot 3
Killdeer 4
Upland Sandpiper 1
Eurasian Collared-Dove 2
White-winged Dove 1
Mourning Dove 3
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
White-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 1
Purple Martin 3
Barn Swallow 3
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
Carolina Wren 10
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Eastern Bluebird 1
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 5
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 3
Chipping Sparrow 6
Lark Sparrow 5
White-crowned Sparrow 8
Savannah Sparrow 4
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 14
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Brewer’s Blackbird 75
Great-tailed Grackle 10
House Finch 2
Cinda Crosley says:
March 30, 2017 at 11:03 amFrom: ebird-checklist@cornell.edu
To: jackcin@juno.com
Subject: eBird Report – Copperfield Nature Trail (Travis Co.), Mar 25, 2017
Date: Sat, 25 Mar 2017 20:50:56 -0400 (EDT)
Copperfield Nature Trail (Travis Co.), Travis, Texas, US
10 participants
Mar 25, 2017 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.1 mile(s)
15 species
Hooded Merganser 3 Continuing birds.
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 1
Black Vulture 4
Turkey Vulture 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2 Heard only
Blue Jay 1
House Wren 1 Heard only
Carolina Wren 2 Heard Only
Northern Mockingbird 1
Cedar Waxwing 15
Northern Cardinal 4
Common Grackle 3
Great-tailed Grackle 1
Lesser Goldfinch 1
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S35420657
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org/tx)
Deb Wallace says:
March 28, 2017 at 3:55 pmThirteen of us birded Crescent Bend Nature Park in Bexar county today. It was a bit overcast and a little breezy, but it was a good group and we had some nice birds, including Zone-tailed Hawk. It was nice to have visitors from Portland, Oregon join us on the walk.
On the way back, we stopped for a brief visit to Warbler Woods to say hello to Don and Susan and show folks another place to bird!
Crescent Bend Nature Park (Bexar Co.), Bexar, Texas, US
Mar 28, 2017 8:07 AM – 12:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
46 species (+1 other taxa)
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 2
Blue-winged Teal 6
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Little Blue Heron 1
Cattle Egret 8
Black Vulture 6
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Zone-tailed Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Inca Dove 2
White-winged Dove 4
Mourning Dove 3
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 3
Belted Kingfisher 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Crested Caracara 4
Eastern Phoebe 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
Loggerhead Shrike 1
White-eyed Vireo 6
Blue Jay 1
Carolina Chickadee 5
Black-crested Titmouse 2
House Wren 3
Carolina Wren 5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Eastern Bluebird 2
Northern Mockingbird 6
European Starling 12
Cedar Waxwing 200
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Chipping Sparrow 3
Lark Sparrow 3
White-throated Sparrow 3
Vesper Sparrow 4
Lincoln’s Sparrow 10
Northern Cardinal 12
Red-winged Blackbird 36
Great-tailed Grackle 3
Brown-headed Cowbird 5
House Finch 3
Warbler Woods, Guadalupe, Texas, US
Mar 28, 2017 12:33 PM – 1:42 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.25 mile(s)
11 species
Black Vulture 15
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
White-winged Dove 5
Mourning Dove 1
White-eyed Vireo 3
Carolina Wren 3
Bewick’s Wren 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 6
Ray Steelman says:
March 22, 2017 at 6:48 amToday 3-21-2017 we guided a seventeen birders on a 3 mile walk along Lake Creek Trail in Williamson County. The weather was ideal for a bird field trip with light to moderate winds and temps in the mid 60’s go low 70’s. The following species were observed by the group:
41 species
Blue-winged Teal 3
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 3
Black Vulture 4
Turkey Vulture 2
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Killdeer 5
Least Sandpiper 30
Greater Yellowlegs 12
White-winged Dove 10
Mourning Dove 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
White-eyed Vireo 8
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 2
Purple Martin 3
Barn Swallow 5
Carolina Chickadee 1
Black-crested Titmouse 1
House Wren 2
Carolina Wren 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Eastern Bluebird 1
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 20
American Pipit 9
Cedar Waxwing 50
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 2
Chipping Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 8
Red-winged Blackbird 100
Great-tailed Grackle 5
House Finch 4
Lesser Goldfinch 3
House Sparrow 4
Ken Zaslow says:
March 18, 2017 at 1:20 pmHornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, Texas, US
Mar 18, 2017 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.5 mile(s)
Comments: Eleven people participated on this monthly bird walk at Hornsby Bend. Overcast sky, light winds, temperature in the upper 60’s to lower 70’s. Best bird was an American Golden-Plover seen on the concrete drying pad across from Pond 1A (close to the entrance to the pond area)
47 species
Gadwall 4
Blue-winged Teal 11
Northern Shoveler 170
Green-winged Teal 42
Lesser Scaup 7
Bufflehead 1
Ruddy Duck 15
Pied-billed Grebe 3
Eared Grebe 7
Great Blue Heron 1
Osprey 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
American Coot 150
Black-necked Stilt 2
American Golden-Plover 1 Seen on the concrete drying pad across the dike from pond 1A (close to the entrance to the pond area)
Killdeer 12
Least Sandpiper 130
Pectoral Sandpiper 6
Long-billed Dowitcher 2
Wilson’s Snipe 2
Greater Yellowlegs 2
Lesser Yellowlegs 2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 3
Mourning Dove 1
Great Horned Owl 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Monk Parakeet 1 Heard only
Eastern Phoebe 2
Loggerhead Shrike 1
White-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 1 Seen in the parking lot at the conclusion of the trip.
American Crow 2
Purple Martin 22
Barn Swallow 4
Carolina Chickadee 1
Carolina Wren 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Eastern Bluebird 2 Seen in the parking lot at the end of the trip.
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 20
American Pipit 4
Cedar Waxwing 25
Savannah Sparrow 14
Red-winged Blackbird 45
Great-tailed Grackle 7
House Finch 2
House Sparrow 2
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S35253558
Ken Zaslow says:
March 7, 2017 at 2:44 pm16 people participated on this TAS field trip.
Emma Long Metropolitan Park, Travis, Texas, US
Mar 7, 2017 7:00 AM – 11:26 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.5 mile(s)
39 species (+1 other taxa)
Northern Pintail 15
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 5
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 3
Ring-billed Gull 15
White-winged Dove 3
Belted Kingfisher 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 2
Peregrine Falcon 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Loggerhead Shrike 1
White-eyed Vireo 1
American Crow 4
Carolina Chickadee 10
Black-crested Titmouse 8
Canyon Wren 1
Carolina Wren 3
Bewick’s Wren 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 5
Eastern Bluebird 3
Hermit Thrush 1
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 5
Cedar Waxwing 15
Black-and-white Warbler 2
Orange-crowned Warbler 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 20
Golden-cheeked Warbler 1
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 4
Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) 1
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 6
Red-winged Blackbird 25
Great-tailed Grackle 52
Lesser Goldfinch 2
Deb Wallace says:
March 7, 2017 at 2:14 pmEleven of us birded Commons Ford Park on March 5th. It was a rainy day, but a singing and visible Northern Parula really brightened things up! Song Sparrows were all over the path to the river and the nesting Great Blue Herons were a big hit.
2 Mallard
3 Great Blue Heron
1 Red-shouldered Hawk
2 Killdeer
40 White-winged Dove
20 Mourning Dove
2 Golden-fronted Woodpecker
1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
2 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
2 American Kestrel
8 Eastern Phoebe
1 White-eyed Vireo
2 American Crow
2 Carolina Chickadee
6 Black-crested Titmouse
3 Carolina Wren
1 Bewick’s Wren
6 Eastern Bluebird
25 American Robin
4 Northern Mockingbird
15 Cedar Waxwing
1 Orange-crowned Warbler
1 Northern Parula — Blue upper parts. Yellow chin and breast with rufous breast band. White eye arcs. Was seen and heard high in sycamores where road crosses the creek.
60 Yellow-rumped Warbler
20 Chipping Sparrow
1 Field Sparrow
4 White-throated Sparrow
12 Song Sparrow
5 Lincoln’s Sparrow
2 Spotted Towhee
12 Northern Cardinal
30 Red-winged Blackbird
15 Great-tailed Grackle
8 House Finch
8 Lesser Goldfinch
Deb Wallace says:
March 7, 2017 at 2:10 pm14 folks birded Guadalupe State Park with us. We had good sparrows and Denise found a Zone-tailed Hawk for us! The singing Canyon Wren was another favorite.
37 Greater White-fronted Goose
3 Gadwall
5 Redhead
7 Black Vulture
2 Turkey Vulture
2 Red-shouldered Hawk
1 Zone-tailed Hawk
5 White-winged Dove
1 Mourning Dove
2 Golden-fronted Woodpecker
2 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
1 Crested Caracara
3 Eastern Phoebe
1 White-eyed Vireo
4 Carolina Chickadee
1 Black-crested Titmouse
4 Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
1 Canyon Wren
2 House Wren
7 Carolina Wren
2 Bewick’s Wren
5 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
5 Eastern Bluebird
1 Hermit Thrush
2 Northern Mockingbird
2 Orange-crowned Warbler
2 Yellow-rumped Warbler
2 Grasshopper Sparrow
50 Chipping Sparrow
3 Field Sparrow
1 White-crowned Sparrow
8 Northern Cardinal
2 House Finch
12 Lesser Goldfinch
2 American Goldfinch
Deb Wallace says:
March 7, 2017 at 2:06 pmThirteen of us birded Commons Ford on January 24th. It was chilly, but it was a good day. The Sedge Wren won the best bird prize. Almost everyone got good looks at the two that popped up for us.
2 Pied-billed Grebe
40 Double-crested Cormorant
4 Great Blue Heron
6 Black Vulture
1 Turkey Vulture
4 Osprey
1 Red-shouldered Hawk
2 Red-tailed Hawk
15 Sandhill Crane
4 Ring-billed Gull
200 White-winged Dove
1 Mourning Dove
1 Belted Kingfisher
1 Golden-fronted Woodpecker
2 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
2 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
1 Downy Woodpecker
1 American Kestrel
4 Eastern Phoebe
1 Loggerhead Shrike
3 American Crow
2 Carolina Chickadee
3 Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
2 House Wren
2 Sedge Wren — Continuing birds. Seen and heard on both sides of the path from the barn to the river.
4 Carolina Wren
2 Bewick’s Wren
1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
6 Eastern Bluebird
150 American Robin
7 Northern Mockingbird
2 European Starling
175 Cedar Waxwing
2 Orange-crowned Warbler
50 Yellow-rumped Warbler
2 Chipping Sparrow
5 White-throated Sparrow
4 Song Sparrow
5 Lincoln’s Sparrow
4 Spotted Towhee
7 Northern Cardinal
3 Red-winged Blackbird
1 House Finch
1 Lesser Goldfinch
3 American Goldfinch
Kenneth Zaslow for Ray and Ginny Steelman says:
February 19, 2017 at 4:03 pmBecause of a weather situation our February 14th Super Tuesday? Tejas Camp field trip ended up becoming a Super Thursday. We were blessed with excellent conditions with temps ranging from 28 degrees at the start and mid 60’s when we concluded at close to noon. Fourteen birders joined us as we scrounged up eleven species of sparrows and forty species overall.
Tejas Camp (Williamson Co.) (HOTE 030), Williamson, Texas, US
Feb 16, 2017 7:13 AM – 11:53 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
40 species
Pied-billed Grebe 3
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Mourning Dove 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 1
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
American Crow 4
Carolina Chickadee 4
Black-crested Titmouse 4
House Wren 2
Carolina Wren 4
Bewick’s Wren 6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Eastern Bluebird 2
Hermit Thrush 2
American Robin 50
Northern Mockingbird 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 7
Chipping Sparrow 7
Field Sparrow 6
Fox Sparrow 2
White-crowned Sparrow 3
Harris’s Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 6
Vesper Sparrow 30
Savannah Sparrow 12
Song Sparrow 25
Lincoln’s Sparrow 10
Spotted Towhee 11
Northern Cardinal 8
Red-winged Blackbird 40
Lesser Goldfinch 6
American Goldfinch 6
Terry Banks says:
January 31, 2017 at 4:33 pmJan 31, 2017 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
20.0 mile(s)
Comments: This was a Travis Audubon Field trip consisting of 12 birders from the Austin area. The day was sunny – cool in the morning (40 degrees Fahrenheit) but quickly turned warm – about 75 degrees by 1:30 pm.
34 species
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) 2
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 1
Great Egret (Ardea alba) 1
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) 4
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 2
Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) 3 Three individuals seen along Park Road 1C. One was seen high in a tree above Alum Creek Road. Another individual was seen about a mile after the first bird. The third bird was seen by Gotier Trace Road closer to Bastrop State Park. The picture below is of the individual see by Gotier Trace Road.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 4
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) 2
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 4
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 2
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) 1
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) 1
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 2
Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius) 1 Buescher only
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 5
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 1
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 4
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) 1 Only in Bastrop State Park.
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 10
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) 1 One spotted in Buescher state park.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) 5
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) 4
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 50
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 1
American Pipit (Anthus rubescens) 1
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 50
Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata) 2
Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus) 5
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 25
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) 15 Chipping sparrows were both in Buescher and Bastrop State Park.
Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) 2 Seen only in Bastrop State Park
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 20
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 5
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S34076287
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Dennis Palafox says:
January 28, 2017 at 3:41 pmDennis Palafox and Cinda Crosley co-lead a trip to Camp Mabry with help from Lino Mendiola (official spotting scope carrier) for a group of 15 birders. We saw a total of 36 species on day that started cloudy and cold but gave way to bright, sunny day. Highlights of the trip were 3 stunning male Buffleheads, one very cooperative Audubon’s Yellow-rumped Warbler, and a Double-crested Cormorant that swallowed an 8-inch fish whole! We also had healthy discussions trying to determine the differences between Golden-fronted and Red-bellied Woodpeckers and Yellow-shafted vs Red-shafted Northern Flickers. A list of species seen follows:
Ring-necked Duck 7
Lesser Scaup 11
Bufflehead 3
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Double-crested Cormorant 12
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 2
Osprey 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Coot 1
White-winged Dove 30
Belted Kingfisher – HO 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1
Merlin 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 3
Carolina Chickadee 7
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 5
Carolina Wren 8
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 10
Eastern Bluebird – HO 3
Hermit Thrush – HO 3
American Robin – HO 4
Cedar Waxwing 15
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 25
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon’s) 1
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 10
Great-tailed Grackle 1
Lesser Goldfinch – HO – 2
Kenneth Zaslow for Ray and Ginny Sreelman says:
January 17, 2017 at 8:45 pmToday (1-17-2017) we led a group of twelve hardy birders to the Granger Lake area of Williamson County. The weather was far from ideal with intermittent showers and even a thunder storm. In spite of the adverse conditions we amassed a total of sixty-four species. Highlights included an unexpected zone-tailed hawk, a white-breasted nuthatch, and great looks at three separate burrowing owls. The following is the eBird report for the day.
Granger Lake Area (HOTE 031), Williamson, Texas, US
Jan 17, 2017 8:21 AM – 12:37 PM
Protocol: Traveling
40.0 mile(s)
59 species (+4 other taxa)
Gadwall 4
American Wigeon 10
Mallard 8
Northern Shoveler 5
Northern Pintail 9
Lesser Scaup 3
Hooded Merganser 4
Ruddy Duck 2
duck sp. 12
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 30
American White Pelican 8
Great Blue Heron 4
Great Egret 2
Black Vulture 12
Turkey Vulture 8
Osprey 1
Northern Harrier 2
Red-tailed Hawk 4
American Coot 2
Killdeer 25
Long-billed Dowitcher 4
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Bonaparte’s Gull 1
Ring-billed Gull 1
Forster’s Tern 2
Mourning Dove 25
Burrowing Owl 3
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
January 10, 2017 at 9:23 pmTwelve people participated on this TAS field trip led by Dan Callaway. It was a blustery morning with a constant wind between 15-20 mph. Temperatures ranged between 57 to 65 degrees with mostly sunny skies.
Lake Pflugerville, Travis, Texas, US
Jan 10, 2017 7:45 AM – 10:08 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.6 mile(s)
32 species (+1 other taxa)
Canvasback 8
Redhead 12
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Double-crested Cormorant 1
American Bittern 1 Continuing bird flushed from the reeds in the wetland at the northwest corner of the lake.
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Turkey Vulture 4
Virginia Rail 1 Continuing bird heard vocalizing in the reeds in the wetland at the northwest corner of the lake.
Sora 1
American Coot 150
Killdeer 3
Least Sandpiper 2
Wilson’s Snipe 5
Ring-billed Gull 4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 30
Mourning Dove 4
Crested Caracara 3
Eastern Phoebe 2
Loggerhead Shrike 2
Cave Swallow 4
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 30
American Pipit 5
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 3
Savannah Sparrow 15
Lincoln’s Sparrow 5
Swamp Sparrow 7
Red-winged Blackbird 4
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 5
Great-tailed Grackle 30
House Sparrow 4
George Kerr says:
January 7, 2017 at 5:49 pmBeginners’ Walk to Pedernales Falls State Park
January 7, 2017
Three birders braved 20 degrees (at the start) to check out the bird blinds, the Falls vista, and a very pleasant, no wind, in the sun, walk along the river with beautiful clear, flowing water in the “swimming area”. For the day we tallied 24 species, and a momma hog with a slew of piglets.
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture*
American Kestrel
White-winged Dove
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay
Common Raven*
Titmouse species (Black-crested or Hybrid strongly favoring Black-crested)
Carolina Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling*
Cedar Waxwing
Spotted Towhee
Vesper Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
House Sparrow*
* Not in park
Deb Wallace says:
December 13, 2016 at 3:53 pmThirteen birders showed up for the Commons Ford monthly bird walk on Sunday, December 11th. It was chilly and damp, but hearing and seeing the 4 sedge wrens cheered folks up nicely. We also had 4 woodpecker species as a bonus.
Commons Ford Pk
Dec 11, 2016
6:49 AM
Traveling
2.00 miles
240 Minutes
All birds reported? Yes
Comments: Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.4.0 Build 107
6 Wood Duck
4 Mallard
2 Great Egret
1 Osprey
1 Sharp-shinned Hawk
1 Cooper’s Hawk
1 Red-shouldered Hawk
1 Red-tailed Hawk
3 Killdeer
200 White-winged Dove
2 Mourning Dove
1 Great Horned Owl
1 Belted Kingfisher
2 Golden-fronted Woodpecker
1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
1 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
1 Downy Woodpecker
2 American Kestrel
4 Eastern Phoebe
4 American Crow
3 Carolina Chickadee
3 Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
2 House Wren
4 Sedge Wren — Tiny wren with short bill. Streaked back. Continuing birds seen on both sides of the road leading from the barn to the river.
3 Carolina Wren
6 Eastern Bluebird
4 Northern Mockingbird
75 Yellow-rumped Warbler
1 White-crowned Sparrow
1 White-throated Sparrow
4 Song Sparrow
3 Lincoln’s Sparrow
2 Spotted Towhee
5 Northern Cardinal
30 Red-winged Blackbird
6 House Finch
5 Lesser Goldfinch
Number of Taxa: 37
Deb Wallace says:
December 7, 2016 at 2:15 pmFourteen folks came out to bird Doeskin Ranch at the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge. It was chilly, but sunny for a bit. As if the very cooperative Le Conte’s and Grasshopper Sparrows weren’t enough, everyone got decent looks at the American Woodcock that we flushed by the creek!
Balcones Canyonlands NWR–Doeskin Ranch
Dec 6, 2016
7:00 AM
Traveling
1.80 miles
220 Minutes
All birds reported? Yes
Comments: Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.4.0 Build 107
4 Black Vulture
1 Turkey Vulture
2 Red-tailed Hawk
1 American Woodcock
1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
2 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
1 Crested Caracara
2 American Kestrel
3 Eastern Phoebe
2 American Crow
1 Common Raven
4 Carolina Chickadee
2 Black-crested Titmouse
2 House Wren
3 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
5 Eastern Bluebird
40 American Robin
2 Northern Mockingbird
4 Grasshopper Sparrow
2 Le Conte’s Sparrow
10 Chipping Sparrow
1 Lark Sparrow
1 White-crowned Sparrow
1 White-throated Sparrow
1 Vesper Sparrow
2 Savannah Sparrow
3 Song Sparrow
5 Lincoln’s Sparrow
4 Spotted Towhee
2 Northern Cardinal
3 House Finch
6 Lesser Goldfinch
Number of Taxa: 32
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
November 29, 2016 at 1:01 pmOnion Creek Greenway–Barkley Meadows, Travis, Texas, US
Nov 29, 2016 7:15 AM – 10:35 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Twenty-three people participated on this TAS field trip to Barkley Meadows. Over-wintering ducks and sparrows were varied and plentiful. A highlight was the sighting of two Anhingas that circled overhead and landed in a row of trees at the southwestern end of the pond.
61 species (+2 other taxa)
Gadwall 3
American Wigeon 2
Canvasback 4
Redhead 10
Ring-necked Duck 4
Bufflehead 2
Ruddy Duck 29
Pied-billed Grebe 8
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Anhinga 2 Two birds were seen circling overhead and they eventually landed in a row of trees at the southwestern end of the pond. In flight their wings were noted to be located midway between the tip of the bill and the end of the tail. The birds were black with long necks and long pointed bills. The tail was long and fan shaped. Photos were taken by several of the observers, including Lee Wallace.
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 1
Little Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 5
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 1
Northern Harrier 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Coot 90
Killdeer 4
Least Sandpiper 9
Wilson’s Snipe 4
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 10
White-winged Dove 2
Mourning Dove 6
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Crested Caracara 1
Monk Parakeet 10
Eastern Phoebe 4
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 10
Loggerhead Shrike 1
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 1
House Wren 2
Carolina Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Eastern Bluebird 1
American Robin 4
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 5
American Pipit 4
Cedar Waxwing 10
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 12
White-crowned Sparrow 6
White-throated Sparrow 1
Vesper Sparrow 2
Savannah Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 6
Red-winged Blackbird 275
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 6
Common Grackle 7
Great-tailed Grackle 12
House Finch 5
House Sparrow 1
Deb Wallace says:
November 27, 2016 at 5:30 pmOn Tuesday, November 22nd, thirteen of us birded Crescent Bend Nature Park in Schertz. We had a great time and nice birds, including Summer Tanager, Green Kingfisher and Merlin.
Crescent Bend Nature Park (Bexar Co.)
Nov 22, 2016
7:25 AM
Traveling
1.50 miles
271 Minutes
All birds reported? Yes
Comments: Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.4.0 Build 107
2 Double-crested Cormorant
1 Great Blue Heron
1 Great Egret
4 Black Vulture
2 Turkey Vulture
1 Sharp-shinned Hawk
1 Cooper’s Hawk
2 Red-shouldered Hawk
1 Red-tailed Hawk
2 Killdeer
32 White-winged Dove
5 Mourning Dove
2 Belted Kingfisher
1 Green Kingfisher
2 Golden-fronted Woodpecker
2 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
2 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
1 Downy Woodpecker
2 Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)
1 Crested Caracara
2 American Kestrel
1 Merlin
7 Eastern Phoebe
2 Couch’s Kingbird
1 Loggerhead Shrike
1 Blue-headed Vireo
3 Carolina Chickadee
1 Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
4 House Wren
5 Carolina Wren
8 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
2 Eastern Bluebird
1 Hermit Thrush
1 American Robin
6 Northern Mockingbird
1 Orange-crowned Warbler
3 Pine Warbler
9 Yellow-rumped Warbler
1 Song Sparrow
3 Lincoln’s Sparrow
1 Summer Tanager
6 Northern Cardinal
45 Red-winged Blackbird
6 Great-tailed Grackle
24 House Finch
8 Lesser Goldfinch
Number of Taxa: 46
Ray Steelman says:
November 17, 2016 at 3:29 pmOn Tuesday the 15th we led a group of sixteen birders under clear sky’s and moderate winds. We walked two miles at a moderate pace and recorded a total of 38 species as detailed below.
38 species (+1 other taxa)
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 3
Turkey Vulture 1
Accipiter sp. 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Least Sandpiper 5
White-winged Dove 150
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Monk Parakeet 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 12
American Crow 5
Carolina Chickadee 4
Black-crested Titmouse 1
House Wren 3
Carolina Wren 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 5
Eastern Bluebird 1
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 50
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 15
Dark-eyed Junco 1
White-crowned Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 3
Red-winged Blackbird 7
Great-tailed Grackle 12
House Finch 9
Lesser Goldfinch 1
American Goldfinch 3
House Sparrow 18
Ken Zaslow says:
November 11, 2016 at 9:50 pmMitchell Lake Audubon Center (HOTE 103), Bexar, Texas, US
Nov 11, 2016 7:47 AM – 1:08 PM
Protocol: Traveling
3.5 mile(s)
Comments: Eight people participated on this make-up TAS field trip to the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center that was was originally scheduled for November 1st. The day began with overcast skies and a brief period of light rain. That afforded us the opportunity to watch a Long-billed Thrasher take a “leaf bath” while we watched from the visitor center’s covered porch. In addition to the wonderful birds that we saw on the property, we observed a large and very diverse number of butterfly species when we walked along the dike from the picnic area to Mitchell Lake.
56 species
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 40
Egyptian Goose 1
Gadwall 50
American Wigeon 8
Northern Shoveler 6
Green-winged Teal 4
Canvasback 1
Redhead 22
Ring-necked Duck 4
Bufflehead 2
Ruddy Duck 2
Least Grebe 6
Pied-billed Grebe 4
Neotropic Cormorant 75
Double-crested Cormorant 75
Anhinga 2
American White Pelican 250
Great Blue Heron 3
Great Egret 45
Snowy Egret 6
Turkey Vulture 3
Osprey 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 3
American Coot 50
Spotted Sandpiper 3
Inca Dove 1
White-winged Dove 20
Belted Kingfisher 2
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Crested Caracara 2
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 8
Vermilion Flycatcher 1
Loggerhead Shrike 3
White-eyed Vireo 3
Blue-headed Vireo 2
Carolina Chickadee 1
Black-crested Titmouse 2
Verdin 4
Carolina Wren 3
Bewick’s Wren 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Long-billed Thrasher 1
Northern Mockingbird 8
Orange-crowned Warbler 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 6
White-crowned Sparrow 6
Song Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 10
Great-tailed Grackle 4
House Finch 4
House Sparrow 20
Judith Bailey says:
November 7, 2016 at 11:19 amTravis Audubon Beginner’s Bird Walk
Northeast Metro Park
11-5-16
A hearty group of birders gather to search for winter birds along Gilleland Creek. The only winter visitors were Yellow-rumped Warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and an elusive Hermit Thrush. We did have a good variety of our local residents. The big surprise was a Peregrine Falcon! All got good looks through Lino’s scope.
Double-crested Cormorant
American Coot*
Great Blue Heron*
Great Egret*
Red-shouldered Hawk (H)
American Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
Killdeer
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher*
Downy Woodpecker (H)
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Loggerhead Shrike*
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Carolina Wren (H)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Hermit Thrush
Savannah Sparrow*
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Great-tailed Grackle
* Seen at pond
Ray Steelman says:
October 26, 2016 at 2:07 pmEleven birders attended our Oct 24th Devine Lake Field trip, the weather was excellent for birding and forty species were tallied.
Gadwall 75
American Wigeon 15
Mallard (Domestic type) 4
Blue-winged Teal 2
Northern Shoveler 2
Redhead 6
Ring-necked Duck 2
Ruddy Duck 2
Pied-billed Grebe 8
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 2
Turkey Vulture 2
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Coot 200
Killdeer 10
Wilson’s Snipe 2
Eurasian Collared-Dove 1
White-winged Dove 14
Mourning Dove 37
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 5
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 2
Black-crested Titmouse 5
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Northern Mockingbird 8
European Starling 30
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Great-tailed Grackle 8
Lesser Goldfinch 7
Deb Wallace says:
October 11, 2016 at 3:31 pmEleven of us came out to bird Commons Ford Park on Tuesday, October 4th. It was a pleasant day and the prairie is seeding out nicely. the best bird had to be the Merlin, which got everyone talking.
Commons Ford Pk
Oct 4, 2016
6:59 AM
Traveling
1.50 miles
180 Minutes
All birds reported? Yes
Comments: Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.2.6 Build 75
4 Wood Duck
8 Wild Turkey
2 Great Blue Heron
1 Great Egret
1 Green Heron
1 Turkey Vulture
2 Cooper’s Hawk
1 Red-shouldered Hawk
25 White-winged Dove
4 Chimney Swift
1 Belted Kingfisher
1 Golden-fronted Woodpecker
2 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
2 Downy Woodpecker
1 American Kestrel
1 Merlin
8 Eastern Phoebe
2 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
1 American Crow
2 Black-crested Titmouse
1 Canyon Wren
3 Carolina Wren
2 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
1 Eastern Bluebird
3 Northern Mockingbird
4 Northern Cardinal
8 House Finch
10 Lesser Goldfinch
Number of Taxa: 28
Ken Zaslow says:
October 11, 2016 at 2:14 pmRoy Guerrero Park, Travis, Texas, US
Oct 11, 2016 7:30 AM – 11:15 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.25 mile(s)
Comments: Twelve people participated on this TAS field trip to Roy Guerrero Park. It was a beautiful day with a cloudless blue sky and no wind. Beginning temperature was 54 degrees and ending temperature was 79 degrees.
45 species (+1 other taxa)
Neotropic Cormorant 2
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 6
Snowy Egret 5
Little Blue Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Killdeer 2
Least Sandpiper 2
Spotted Sandpiper 4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 500
White-winged Dove 13
Mourning Dove 11
Belted Kingfisher 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 3
American Kestrel 4
Eastern Phoebe 7
Couch’s Kingbird 4 The birds were seen together at Secret Beach in trees and on telephone wires near the turn in the river. Good scope views showed the birds to have gray heads, black bills, bright yellow bellies with the yellow extending high up onto the chest. Pale grayish throat, greenish back and notched brownish tail. There were no white edges on the tail.
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 4
White-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 4
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2
Cave Swallow 1
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 1
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 7
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
American Robin 18
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 120
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Nashville Warbler 2
Common Yellowthroat 2
Northern Cardinal 7
Common Grackle 151
Great-tailed Grackle 25
House Finch 2
George Kerr says:
October 2, 2016 at 9:32 pmOn the morning of Saturday, October 1, the Beginners’ Walk explored Laguna Gloria and Mayfield Park. Eight participants led by Stan VanSandt and George Kerr enjoyed temps in the low 60’s under mostly cloudy skies. The group practiced its ID skills on 22 species (plus Pea Fowl and domestic type ducks):
Mute Swan
Wood Duck
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Titmouse hybrid
Carolina Wren
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Northern Cardinal
Great-tailed Grackle
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
September 27, 2016 at 11:08 amMills Pond at Wells Branch, Travis, Texas, US
Sep 27, 2016 7:30 AM – 9:59 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Thirteen people participated on this TAS trip led by Dan Callaway to the Mills Pond Recreation Area. The sky was overcast with north winds at about 5-10 mph. Temperature ranged from 66 to 71 degrees. Best birds were a mixed flock of warblers, vireos, gnatcatchers and chickadees seen along the creek about 1/4 mile from the northern end of the pond.
40 species (+1 other taxa)
Muscovy Duck (Domestic type) 1
Wood Duck 1
Great Blue Heron 3
Great Egret 3
Green Heron 1
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 2
Turkey Vulture 1
Mississippi Kite 2
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Killdeer 1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 27
White-winged Dove 23
Chimney Swift 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Crested Caracara 1
Monk Parakeet 3
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 2
Blue-headed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 8
American Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 6
Carolina Wren 5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 17
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Nashville Warbler 3
American Redstart 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Wilson’s Warbler 2
Northern Cardinal 3
Common Grackle 4
Great-tailed Grackle 11
Lesser Goldfinch 2
House Sparrow 2
Ken Zaslow says:
September 20, 2016 at 10:57 amSt. Edwards Pk (NW Austin)
Sep 20, 2016
7:30 AM
Traveling
1.50 miles
140 Minutes
All birds reported? Yes
Comments: Twelve people participated on this TAS trip to St. Edwards Park. Best birds were a Migrating Mississippi Kite and Broad-wing Hawk. Conditions were sunny with a cloudless sky and calm winds. Beginning temperature was 71 degrees, ending temperature was 84 degrees.
Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.2.6 Build 75
1 Great Blue Heron
1 Green Heron
25 Black Vulture
3 Turkey Vulture
1 Mississippi Kite
1 Broad-winged Hawk
1 Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird
1 Belted Kingfisher
2 Eastern Phoebe
5 White-eyed Vireo
1 Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay
3 Carolina Chickadee
3 Black-crested Titmouse
8 Carolina Wren
1 Bewick’s Wren
1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
4 Northern Cardinal
3 House Finch
6 Lesser Goldfinch
Number of Taxa: 19
Ed Fair says:
September 19, 2016 at 10:33 amWe had a great walk at Commons Ford Sunday morning, September 18. The highlight was a Peregrine Falcon.
Commons Ford Pk, Travis, Texas, US
Sep 18, 2016 6:16 AM – 11:46 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.2.6 Build 75
43 species (+3 other taxa)
Wood Duck 1
Mallard (Domestic type) 5
Blue-winged Teal 32
Great Blue Heron 2
Cattle Egret 12
Turkey Vulture 5
Osprey 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
White-winged Dove 8
Mourning Dove 4
Eastern Screech-Owl 2
Great Horned Owl 3
Chimney Swift 20
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
Eastern Phoebe 8
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Western Kingbird 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 6
Loggerhead Shrike 1
White-eyed Vireo 1
American Crow 2
Common Raven 2
Purple Martin 3
Barn Swallow 2
Cave Swallow 3
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 1
Carolina Wren 2
Bewick’s Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Eastern Bluebird 10
Northern Mockingbird 8
European Starling 3
Wilson’s Warbler 1
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 2
Summer Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 2
Orchard Oriole 2
Baltimore Oriole 2
House Finch 3
Lesser Goldfinch 10
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S31640211
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Dennis Palafox says:
September 18, 2016 at 1:22 pmA total of 12 of us birded Camp Mabry on Sunday, September 11. The day before a weak cool front blew through the area so the morning was relatively cool and the the main pond was as smooth as glass. We saw 24 species. Highlights of the trip were four Mississippi Kites that flew one by one over the Camp, several juvenile, male wood ducks, and a yellow-crowned night-heron. A list of the birds we saw follows:
Species Count
Wood Duck 4
Blue-winged Teal 5
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 1
Green Heron 1
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Mississippi Kite 4
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 6
White-winged Dove 1
Mourning Dove 5
Chimney Swift 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Empidonax sp. 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
White-eyed Vireo 5
Blue Jay 8
American Crow 5
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 3
Carolina Wren 8
Northern Cardinal 3
Great-tailed Grackle 1
Baltimore Oriole 3
Lesser Goldfinch 2
Ken Zaslow for Terry Banks says:
September 13, 2016 at 5:54 pmBooty’s Road Park, Williamson, Texas, US
Sep 13, 2016 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: Six people participated on this TAS field trip to Booty’s Road Park. We walked the trail between the parking lot and the base of the Lake Georgetown dam. Best local birds were Canyon Wren and Rock Wren. Best migrants were Yellow Warbler and Wilson’s Warbler. The sky was overcast, winds were calm, and the temperature was stable at about 77 degrees.
23 species (+1 other taxa)
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 30
Turkey Vulture 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Chimney Swift 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Eastern Phoebe 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
White-eyed Vireo 15
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 23
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 5
Rock Wren 2
Canyon Wren 2
Carolina Wren 9
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Northern Mockingbird 4
Yellow Warbler 3
Wilson’s Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 7
House Finch 1
Lesser Goldfinch 1
Ken Zaslow and Jane Tillman says:
September 6, 2016 at 3:44 pmHornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, Texas, US
Sep 6, 2016 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
Comments: 10 people participated on this TAS trip that was led by Jane Tillman and Ken Zaslow. The sky was overcast, winds were calm, and the temperature was in the high 70’s.
31 species
Blue-winged Teal 9
Northern Shoveler 2
Snowy Egret 3
Little Blue Heron 4
White-faced Ibis 21
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Black-necked Stilt 17
Killdeer 8
Stilt Sandpiper 1
Sanderling 1
Least Sandpiper 65
Pectoral Sandpiper 2
Semipalmated Sandpiper 1
Wilson’s Phalarope 10
Spotted Sandpiper 3
Mourning Dove 40
Common Nighthawk 1
Chimney Swift 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Crested Caracara 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 2
American Crow 8
Bank Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 35
Cave Swallow 70
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 6
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Yellow-headed Blackbird 1
Great-tailed Grackle 14
Dennis Palafox for Judith Bailey says:
September 6, 2016 at 12:24 pmBeginner’s Bird Walk – ROY GUERRERO COLORADO RIVER PARK
9-3-16
We observed a variety of local birds, migrating Orioles and Mississippi Kites. The big surprise was a kettle of kites rising and streaming southward. Another highlight was a juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk perched on a big snag, so many in the group got good looks through the scopes. Total for the day: 39 species.
Great Blue Heron
Carolina Chickadee
Great Egret
Carolina Wren
Snowy Egret
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Black Vulture
Eastern Bluebird
Turkey Vulture
Northern Mockingbird
Mississippi Kite
European Starling
Red-shouldered Hawk
Lark Sparrow
Crested Caracara
Summer Tanager
Spotted Sandpiper
Northern Cardinal
Rock Pigeon
Orchard Oriole
White-winged Dove
Baltimore Oriole
Mourning Dove
House Finch
Monk Parakeet
Lesser Goldfinch
Chimney Swift
House Sparrow
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Western Kingbird
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
White-eyed Vireo
American Crow
Barn Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
Judith Bailey says:
September 3, 2016 at 4:50 pmROY GUERRERO COLORADO RIVER PARK
9-3-16
During the Beginner’s Bird Walk, we observed a variety of local birds, migrating Orioles and Mississippi Kites. The big surprise was a kettle of kites rising and streaming southward. Another highlight was juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk perched on a big snag so many in the group got good looks through the scopes. Total for the day: 39 species.
Great Blue Heron Carolina Chickadee
Great Egret Carolina Wren
Snowy Egret Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Black Vulture Eastern Bluebird
Turkey Vulture Northern Mockingbird
Mississippi Kite European Starling
Red-shouldered Hawk Lark Sparrow
Crested Caracara Summer Tanager
Spotted Sandpiper Northern Cardinal
Rock Pigeon Orchard Oriole
White-winged Dove Baltimore Oriole
Mourning Dove House Finch
Monk Parakeet Lesser Goldfinch
Chimney Swift House Sparrow
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Western Kingbird
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
White-eyed Vireo
American Crow
Barn Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
Spider Johnson says:
July 31, 2016 at 2:11 pmI have two Kingfisher sightings of note, both on the Llano River south of Mason, TX. First, I saw a male and female pair of Green Kingfishers on a small limb just above the water about a foot, adjacent to the bank, on July 27, 1980. This was early one morning. The following year on July 4, 1981, I saw a male Ringed Kingfisher at a the same location. These sightings occurred during annual campouts at that Llano river property.
BirdAnswers says:
July 15, 2016 at 3:32 pmHi, William,
It is always neat to see Green Kingfishers in Central Texas. You are correct that they are uncommon, though not rare for parts of the area. They are found throughout the year in Travis County, but much less often in Burnet and Llano Counties (where I see that Horseshoe Bay is located). If you have not reported the Green Kingfisher in eBird Texas, I’d suggest you do so, since it will add to the knowledge about the distribution of the species in this area. If you aren’t a regular eBird user, you may open the web site at http://ebird.org/ebird/tx and set up an account and then enter your sighting of the Kingfisher. It may be questioned, in which case you can append a photo of it. Thank you for bringing it to our attention.
William H Reid says:
July 9, 2016 at 4:08 pmNot sure whether this is noteworthy, but we have several excellent photos of a green kingfisher taken lkast week at our home beside a creek in Horseshoe Bay, about 40 miles west of Austin. I believe that’s an uncommon, but not rare species in our area. Happy to post them if anyone’s interested.
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
June 1, 2016 at 12:38 pmEastside Metropolitan Pk, Travis, Texas, US
May 31, 2016 6:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.3 mile(s)
Comments: Four people participated on this Travis Audubon trip that was led by Dan Callaway. The weather was overcast and humid with temperature around 79 degrees and calm winds.
34 species (+1 other taxa)
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 2
Great Blue Heron 2
Cattle Egret 35
Green Heron 1
Black Vulture 7
Inca Dove 1
Mourning Dove 2
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Eastern Screech-Owl 1
Common Nighthawk 1
Chimney Swift 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 2
White-eyed Vireo 7
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 5
Purple Martin 2
Barn Swallow 1
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 6
Carolina Wren 8
Bewick’s Wren 1
Eastern Bluebird 6
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 7
Lark Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 8
Painted Bunting 5
Dickcissel 1
Great-tailed Grackle 2
Ken Zaslow says:
May 24, 2016 at 3:14 pmWebberville Park (Big)(HOTE 035), Travis, Texas, US
May 24, 2016 6:41 AM – 9:09 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Thirteen people participated on this Travis Audubon field trip to Big Webberville Park. The weather was cloudy to partly sunny with temperatures in the mid-70’s and light winds from the south. We enjoyed seeing and hearing variety of nesting species with particularly good views of Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Kingbird, and Lark Sparrow.
39 species (+2 other taxa)
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 2
Cattle Egret 17
Green Heron 2
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 2
Black Vulture 40
Turkey Vulture 2
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Killdeer 1
White-winged Dove 2
Mourning Dove 5
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 3
Greater Roadrunner 1
Barred Owl 1
Chimney Swift 1
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 2
Crested Caracara 5
Eastern Phoebe 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Eastern Kingbird 2
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 6
Barn Swallow 3
Cliff Swallow 2
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 4
Carolina Wren 4
Bewick’s Wren 1
Eastern Bluebird 5
Northern Mockingbird 6
European Starling 2
Lark Sparrow 3
Summer Tanager 3
Northern Cardinal 5
Painted Bunting 3
Dickcissel 1
Great-tailed Grackle 8
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
House Finch 1
House Sparrow 2
Deb Wallace says:
May 22, 2016 at 2:09 pm17 of us came out to bird Commons Ford Ranch Park on May 17th. It was great fun to show off our birds to a couple visiting from Virginia! The prairie is stunning and the birds were enjoying it, too. The best bird of the day was the Yellow-throated Warbler, which the entire group got to see well.
Commons Ford Pk, Travis, Texas, US
May 17, 2016 6:39 AM – 10:49 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.1.3 Build 30
52 species (+2 other taxa)
Mallard 4
Black Vulture 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Mourning Dove 2
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 4
Chimney Swift 6
Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Empidonax sp. 1
Eastern Phoebe 6
Ash-throated Flycatcher 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Western Kingbird 1
Eastern Kingbird 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 7
White-eyed Vireo 3
Yellow-throated Vireo 1
Warbling Vireo 2
Red-eyed Vireo 4
American Crow 2
Purple Martin 1
Barn Swallow 12
Cliff Swallow 6
Black-crested Titmouse 3
Carolina Wren 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4
Eastern Bluebird 2
Swainson’s Thrush 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
Tennessee Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 1
Northern Parula 3
Yellow Warbler 6
Yellow-throated Warbler 1 Continuing bird.
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Wilson’s Warbler 2
Clay-colored Sparrow 4
Lark Sparrow 3
Savannah Sparrow 5
Summer Tanager 2
Northern Cardinal 7
Blue Grosbeak 3
Painted Bunting 7
Dickcissel 24
Yellow-headed Blackbird 1
Common Grackle 1
Bronzed Cowbird 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
Orchard Oriole 4
Baltimore Oriole 1
House Finch 5
Lesser Goldfinch 12
Dennis Palafox says:
May 15, 2016 at 3:29 pmTen of us had a great day birding Camp Mabry on Saturday May 14, 2016. We saw 39 species including several late migrants. One notable highlight was a yellow-crowned night heron eating a rather larger crayfish. A good time was had by all! The species we saw included:
Wood Duck 4 Juvenile
Northern Shoveler 2
Green Heron 1
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Spotted Sandpiper 1
White-winged Dove 9
Mourning Dove 6
Chimney Swift 4
Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Olive-sided Flycatcher 1
Least Flycatcher 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Western Kingbird 2
White-eyed Vireo 5
Red-eyed Vireo 1 HO
Blue Jay 7
Barn Swallow 6
Cliff/Cave Swallow 10
Carolina Chickadee 7
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
Carolina Wren 6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 10
Northern Waterthrush 1
Common Yellowthroat 2 Male and female
American Redstart 1 Female
Blackburnian Warbler 2
Yellow Warbler 1
Summer Tanager 5
Northern Cardinal 9
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1 Female
Great-tailed Grackle 15
Orchard Oriole 3 1st summer males
Lesser Goldfinch 15
House Sparrow 2
Garner Vogt says:
May 15, 2016 at 1:09 pmSaw an adult Bald Eagle fly out from Fox Park parallel to Granger Lake dam over the lake in Williamson County, today May 15, 2016 at around 10 a.m. Very large bird not a Caracara,
gv
Ken Zaslow says:
May 3, 2016 at 3:04 pmRoy Guerrero Park, Travis, Texas, US
May 3, 2016 6:41 AM – 11:01 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.5 mile(s)
Comments: Eleven people participated on this TAS trip. It was a gorgeous spring day with clear skies, moderate temperatures between 58 degree and 70 degrees and light winds from the northat less than 10 mph. We first birded the play-scape area and the closed road leading towards Hwy.183. Then we birded the trail that passes by the ‘secret beach’ on its way to the closed, washed out pedestrian bridge near the Ann and Roy Butler hike and bike trail. Access to secret beach was severely limited by high water in that area. Our final destination was the overlook view of the Longhorn Dam spillway at the Krieg Field recreation area on South Pleasant Valley Road. To our surprise, water was being released from the dam causing a rapid current with flood conditions downstream. None of the usual wading birds and shorebirds were present because of the high water. Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.1.5 Build 44
44 species (+3 other taxa)
Wood Duck 1
duck sp. 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Snowy Egret 1
Black Vulture 17
Red-shouldered Hawk 3
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 40
White-winged Dove 9
Mourning Dove 4
Chimney Swift 3
Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 3
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 6
Downy Woodpecker 2
Crested Caracara 1
Least Flycatcher 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Western Kingbird 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
White-eyed Vireo 5
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 6
Barn Swallow 2
Cliff Swallow 15
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 3
Sedge Wren 1 The bird was initially brought to our attention by its song. It was visible in an area of tall grass in a depressed ditch like area adjacent to the decomposed granite trail parallel to the north side of Grove Blvd. Approximate GPS coordinates from Google map are 30.245382, -97.701132. It was a small wren with pale sandy coloration, a relatively shortish pointed bill, a very faint white supercilium, white throat, and definite black streaking on its back with the black edged by thin lines of white. Tail cocked at a 45 degree angle in typical wren fashion. The bird’s song matches the song for Sedge Wren on the Bird Tunes app. An attached photo was taken by Lee Wallace.
Carolina Wren 5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 5
Gray Catbird 1
European Starling 6
Cedar Waxwing 40
Nashville Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 2
Yellow-breasted Chat 1
Lark Sparrow 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 3
Summer Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 17
Indigo Bunting 7
Painted Bunting 14
Great-tailed Grackle 6
Baltimore Oriole 1
House Finch 1
House Sparrow 2
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S29381474
Britt says:
May 1, 2016 at 12:26 pmBroad-winged hawk. Sex unconfirmed at this time. Has been living in my neighborhood in Barton Hills, 78704, for a couple weeks
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
April 12, 2016 at 7:47 pmGeorgetown- Berry Springs Park, Williamson, Texas, US
Apr 12, 2016 7:00 AM – 11:21 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Comments: Nine people participated on this TAS trip that was led by Dan Callaway. The sky was cloudy with intermittent light rain and wind from the north at 5-10 mph. The temperature was held steady in the mid 60’s all morning. Our most impressive birds of the day were several large groups of Franklin Gulls that flew over the park heading north. A lingering Great Kiskadee was very vocal throughout the morning and provided us with several sightings.
54 species
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 2
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 3
Cattle Egret 14
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 1
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 2
Cooper’s Hawk 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Franklin’s Gull 300
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 55
White-winged Dove 1
Mourning Dove 7
Red-bellied Woodpecker 6
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 2
Eastern Phoebe 1
Great Kiskadee 1 Continuing bird. Vocalizing. Also seen…brown back, yellow underside, black and white striped head.
Eastern Kingbird 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 4
White-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 4
Purple Martin 1
Barn Swallow 1
Carolina Chickadee 3
Black-crested Titmouse 5
Carolina Wren 4
Bewick’s Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Eastern Bluebird 7
Northern Mockingbird 6
European Starling 4
Cedar Waxwing 27
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Chipping Sparrow 3
Lark Sparrow 3
White-crowned Sparrow 7
Vesper Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 6
Lincoln’s Sparrow 5
Summer Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 27
Dickcissel 1 We heard its characteristic vocalization in the meadow area of the park. It may have been flying over.
Western Meadowlark 1
Eastern Meadowlark 2
Great-tailed Grackle 6
Brown-headed Cowbird 4
Lesser Goldfinch 1
Judith Bailey says:
April 2, 2016 at 8:38 pmBerry Springs Park and Preserve
4-2-2016
Leaders: Virginia Rose, George Kerr and Judith Bailey
This gem of a park never fails to deliver a good variety of birds and usually serves up something special. Today we watched the Great Kiskadee mobbing 2 Barred Owls that appeared to be a nesting pair. What a treat! Eastern Bluebirds added sparkle to the leafless pecan trees. Good morning for a walk in the woods.
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Red-shouldered Hawk (H)
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Barred Owl
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
Great Kiskadee
Blue Jay
American Crow
Barn Swallow
Cave Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Titmouse species (H)
Carolina Wren
House Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Meadowlark species
Common Grackle
Great-tailed Grackle
House Sparrow
Judith Bailey says:
April 2, 2016 at 5:56 pmMcKinney Falls State Park
March 5, 2016
Leaders: Virginia Rose and Judith Bailey
Twenty-three birders gathered at the visitor’s center to start our search for the rare Red-naped Sapsucker. Within minutes, it was spotted across a field pecking in an old tree. Most got good looks and even some saw the bird through the scope. Other highlight was the heron/egret rookery on Onion Creek; nesting birds were busy and loud!
Duck species
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Accipiter species
Red-shouldered Hawk
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Red-naped Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Titmouse hybrid
Carolina Wren
House Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
Cedar Waxwing
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
Chipping Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Great-tailed Grackle
Jane says:
March 29, 2016 at 6:01 pm25 people, maybe 27, showed up for a rather unbirdy field trip to St. Ed’s Park. Best birds were the heard only Yellow-throated Vireo, and a heard only Golden-cheeked Warbler. In fact, many birds were heard only. It was overcast and 61 degrees.
St. Edwards Pk (NW Austin), Travis, Texas, US
Mar 29, 2016 7:19 AM – 9:24 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: Travis Audubon
25 species
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 5
Turkey Vulture 2
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
White-eyed Vireo 5
Yellow-throated Vireo 1 Heard only
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 1
Purple Martin 1
Carolina Chickadee 4
Black-crested Titmouse 3
Carolina Wren 2
Bewick’s Wren 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 10
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Golden-cheeked Warbler 1 Singing
White-throated Sparrow 7 Singing
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 14
House Finch 1
Hermit Thrush 1 – heard only
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S28621139
Ken Zaslow and Dennis Palafox says:
March 19, 2016 at 8:54 pmHornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, Texas, US
Mar 19, 2016 7:30 AM – 11:16 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.5 mile(s)
Comments: Eleven people participated on this Travis Audubon monthly bird walk at Hornsby Bend led by Ken Zaslow and Dennis Palafox. It was a blustery day with beginning temperature 48 degrees and ending temperature 56 degrees. Winds were steady from the north at 20-25 mph with gusts even higher. The day began cloudy with the sky gradually clearing to mostly sunny. A notable early sighting was a lone Scissor-tailed Flycatcher and our final sighting was a large group of Sandhill Cranes flying high over the Center for Environmental Research headquarters after some of our group had left.
52 species (+1 other taxa)
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 4
Gadwall 7
Blue-winged Teal 13
Northern Shoveler 200
Green-winged Teal 15
Lesser Scaup 63
Ruddy Duck 7
Pied-billed Grebe 3
Eared Grebe 17
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 11
Turkey Vulture 6
Osprey 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
American Coot 15
Sandhill Crane 25
Killdeer 3
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 75
Wilson’s Snipe 3
Wilson’s Phalarope 1 Seen in the company of Northern Shovelers swimming in shallow water on the drying beds east of pond 1. Same as the birds seen and photographed recently.
White-winged Dove 3
Mourning Dove 7
Chimney Swift 5
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 3
Eastern Phoebe 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
Loggerhead Shrike 1
White-eyed Vireo 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1
Purple Martin 17
Barn Swallow 30
Cliff Swallow 1
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
Carolina Wren 7
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Eastern Bluebird 1
European Starling 5
American Pipit 2
Cedar Waxwing 10
Yellow-rumped Warbler 35
Chipping Sparrow 7
Savannah Sparrow 11
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 5
Red-winged Blackbird 12
Great-tailed Grackle 2
House Finch 5
House Sparrow 4
How To Build A Cedar Waxwing Bird House | Danol Plan says:
March 16, 2016 at 12:45 am[…] Bird Sightings and Field Trip Reports […]
Ken Zaslow says:
March 15, 2016 at 11:08 pmHornsby Bend (HOTE 037)
Mar 15, 2016
7:30 AM
Traveling
3.00 miles
238 Minutes
All birds reported? Yes
Comments: Fifteen people participated on this TAS field trip. Best birds of the morning were the Wilson Phalaropes and the Eared Grebes.
4 Blue-winged Teal
78 Northern Shoveler
22 Green-winged Teal
60 Lesser Scaup
7 Ruddy Duck
1 Pied-billed Grebe
12 Eared Grebe
6 Double-crested Cormorant
1 Great Blue Heron
3 Black Vulture
2 Turkey Vulture
2 Red-shouldered Hawk
50 American Coot
12 Killdeer
3 Spotted Sandpiper
100 Least Sandpiper
4 Wilson’s Snipe
8 Wilson’s Phalarope — Well seen at the north end of pond 2. Photos taken by Lee Wallace and Joe Hood.
1 Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
6 White-winged Dove
15 Mourning Dove
4 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 American Kestrel
3 Eastern Phoebe
2 Loggerhead Shrike
4 White-eyed Vireo
3 American Crow
20 Purple Martin
1 Carolina Chickadee
1 House Wren
5 Carolina Wren
2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
2 Eastern Bluebird
2 Northern Mockingbird
12 European Starling
5 American Pipit
1 Orange-crowned Warbler
70 Yellow-rumped Warbler
1 Chipping Sparrow
1 White-crowned Sparrow
20 Savannah Sparrow
2 Lincoln’s Sparrow
12 Northern Cardinal
227 Red-winged Blackbird
12 Western/Eastern Meadowlark
35 Common Grackle
10 Great-tailed Grackle
2 Brown-headed Cowbird
200 blackbird sp.
4 House Finch
1 American Goldfinch
2 House Sparrow
Number of Taxa: 52
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
March 1, 2016 at 10:40 pmLake Pflugerville, Travis, Texas, US
Mar 1, 2016 7:18 AM – 9:48 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Dan Callaway led seven people on this TAS field trip to Lake Pflugerville on a blustery day. Early clouds gave way to mostly sunny skies as the group enjoyed a wonderful morning viewing the lake, marsh and surrounding grassland. The marsh was alive with activity as water levels were relatively high providing excellent habitat. Best bird of the day was a gorgeous American Bittern in flight seen well by everyone. Swamp Sparrows were plentiful and were joined in the wetlands by Marsh Wren, Sora and Common Yellowthroat.
Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.1.5 Build 44
39 species (+1 other taxa)
Northern Shoveler 1
Northern Pintail 2
Canvasback 2
Lesser Scaup 9
Pied-billed Grebe 7
Double-crested Cormorant 1
American Bittern 1 We flushed from the marsh a large brownish bird with vertical streaks on its chest and belly and a long pointed straight bill. A photo was taken by Lee Wallace which is attached.
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Sora 2
Common Gallinule 1
American Coot 2000
Killdeer 4
Least Sandpiper 3
Wilson’s Snipe 2
Ring-billed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 15
White-winged Dove 2
Mourning Dove 8
Eastern Phoebe 1
Loggerhead Shrike 1
Purple Martin 8
Marsh Wren 2
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 80
American Pipit 45
Common Yellowthroat 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Savannah Sparrow 15
Song Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 3
Swamp Sparrow 11
Northern Cardinal 3
Red-winged Blackbird 300
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 40
Brewer’s Blackbird 8
Great-tailed Grackle 75
House Finch 2
House Sparrow 1
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S27907689
Jane says:
February 27, 2016 at 7:59 pm30 people attended the Celebrate Urban Birds Field trip to Mayfield Park./Laguna Gloria. We split into three groups with Dennis Palafox, George Kerr and Jane Tillman as the leaders, with assistance from Marc Bernat.
The newly arrived White-eyed Vireo posing in the Mayfield parking lot was a big highlight, and all the groups had some memorable birds such as Red-shouldered Hawk, Osprey and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. There were MANY Yellow-rumped Warblers.
Below are the eBird reports that Jane filed, for her group. Everyone’s list will probably vary slightly.
Austin–Mayfield Park, Travis, Texas, US
Feb 27, 2016 8:10 AM – 8:59 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.25 mile(s)
Comments: Celebrate Urban Birds field trip Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.1.5 Build 44
17 species (+2 other taxa)
Indian Peafowl (Domestic type) 7
Killdeer 1 Heard only
White-winged Dove 2
Mourning Dove 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
White-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 2
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
Carolina Wren 3
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Northern Mockingbird 3
Cedar Waxwing 9
Yellow-rumped Warbler 7
Northern Cardinal 4
Great-tailed Grackle 3
House Finch 1
Lesser Goldfinch 2
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S27846329
Austin–Laguna Gloria, Travis, Texas, US
Feb 27, 2016 9:00 AM – 10:16 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.75 mile(s)
Comments: Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.1.5 Build 44
32 species (+4 other taxa)
Mute Swan 1
Muscovy Duck (Domestic type) 1
Wood Duck 1
duck sp. 1 Domestic
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 2
cormorant sp. 1
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 2
Osprey 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
American Coot 1
White-winged Dove 25
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 1
Carolina Chickadee 1
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
Canyon Wren 1 An odd bird for here, given the habitat. Constantly giving the musical jeert cdll
Carolina Wren 3
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
Cedar Waxwing 50
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 30
Song Sparrow 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
Swamp Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 6
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Great-tailed Grackle 2
House Finch 1
Lesser Goldfinch 2
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S27846424
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Jane says:
February 23, 2016 at 8:46 pmOn Tuesday, Feb. 23 7 birders joined me at Windy Point. After a rainy night we were not expecting much, but were amazed at the number of duck species that were quite active, with Northern Pintails being the highlight. The Merlin was a no-show, but the American Kestrel male ate a lizard while we watched.
Windy Point lived up to its name – it was fairly calm before the field trip, but once 9 a.m. rolled around (a late start to help participants avoid traffic) the wind picked up and increased while we were there. We retreated to a wooded area where we found many Yellow-rumps, and some good sparrows.
Below is the eBird checklist – thanks to Ken Z for keeping the list.
Lake Travis- Bob Wentz Windy Point Pk, Travis, Texas, US
Feb 23, 2016 8:11 AM – 10:59 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: TAS field trip Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.1.5 Build 44
37 species (+3 other taxa)
Gadwall 25
American Wigeon 60
Mallard (Domestic type) 2
Blue-winged Teal 20
Northern Pintail 120
Redhead 100
Bufflehead 6
Ruddy Duck 8
Pied-billed Grebe 5
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 3
Osprey 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 95
Killdeer 3
Ring-billed Gull 1
White-winged Dove 2
Mourning Dove 6
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Carolina Chickadee 1
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 4
Carolina Wren 2
Bewick’s Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
American Pipit 1
Cedar Waxwing 150
Yellow-rumped Warbler 35
Field Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 4
Northern Cardinal 6
Red-winged Blackbird 45
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 20
House Finch 5
Pine Siskin 4
Lesser Goldfinch 1
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S27781717
Terry Banks says:
February 18, 2016 at 5:44 pm15 people participated in the Pedernales Field trip on 2/16/16. We had pleasant weather and many good birds. We birded mainly at the Ranger Station feeder, the bird blinds, and the ponds that are located on the horse trail about a mile from the bird blinds. We also took a short walk on the nature trail to see a beautiful waterfall that is hidden in the forest.
We had a fun-loving group. After our birding we had a delicious lunch at the Dripping Springs local bakery, Rolling in Thyme and Dough.
Thank you to all the enthusiastic, friendly, bird-loving participants of this field trip!
Not everyone got a chance to be in the group photo, but I am attaching a picture of some of our group.
Pedernales Falls State Park (HOTE 050), Blanco, Texas, US
Feb 16, 2016 7:37 AM – 12:20 PM
Protocol: Traveling
9.0 mile(s)
Comments: Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.1.5 Build 44
42 species
Gadwall 11
American Wigeon 10
Blue-winged Teal 2 Not jt
Green-winged Teal 12
Ring-necked Duck 15 Not jt
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Great Blue Heron 2
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 2
Killdeer 3
Greater Yellowlegs 1
White-winged Dove 30
Mourning Dove 1
Greater Roadrunner 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 4
American Kestrel 1 Not jt
Eastern Phoebe 1
Western Scrub-Jay 3
Carolina Chickadee 3
Black-crested Titmouse 9
Canyon Wren 1
Carolina Wren 4
Bewick’s Wren 10
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 6
American Robin 45
Northern Mockingbird 2
Cedar Waxwing 78
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 6
Dark-eyed Junco 7
Vesper Sparrow 1 Not jt
Savannah Sparrow 3
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 2
Spotted Towhee 1
Northern Cardinal 13
House Finch 12
Lesser Goldfinch 3
American Goldfinch 1
View this checklist online at
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S27630164
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Judith Bailey says:
February 13, 2016 at 1:10 amFebruary 6, 2016
Beginner’s Bird Walk at Brushy Creek
What a beautiful morning for birding! A group of 26 birders enjoyed a walk through live oaks and along the creek seeing many of our winter regulars. Even though we didn’t have an eagle sighting, everyone seemed to have a fun time.
Gadwall
Green-winged Teal
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Ring-billed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Blue Jay
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Northern Mockingbird
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
Savannah Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Great-tailed Grackle
Lesser Goldfinch
Ray and Ginny Steelman says:
February 10, 2016 at 1:30 amToday we led a group of fifteen birders on a walk at Tejas Camp in Williamson County. The morning started out chilly with temps in the mid thirties and then warmed up to the low sixties by late morning. We saw more fox sparrows (15-20) then most of us have ever encountered in one place at one time. Harris’ sparrows were also out in force with numbers in the twenties. It was a great group of birds as well as birders and we thank everyone for joining us. A list of birds follows:
32 species (+1 other taxa)
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 3
Osprey 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 1
White-winged Dove 1
Mourning Dove 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
American Crow 6
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 5
Canyon Wren 2
Carolina Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
American Robin 2
Northern Mockingbird 4
Cedar Waxwing 8
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Fox Sparrow 20
Harris’s Sparrow 20
White-throated Sparrow 8
Vesper Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 8
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Spotted Towhee 7
Eastern Towhee 2
Northern Cardinal 8
House Finch 4
Ken Zaslow says:
February 5, 2016 at 5:26 pmThis TAS field trip to Canyon Lake was moved from February 2nd to February 4th because of weather concerns. Those who were able to participate on the alternate date enjoyed a pleasant morning of the birding with notable sightings of Common Loon and Hooded Merganser. Thanks to Julie Crouch for co-leading this trip with me.
eBird Checklist Summary for: Feb 4, 2016
Number of Checklists: 4
Number of Taxa: 50
Checklists included in this summary:
(1): Canyon Lake–Dam & Nature Trl below dam (HOTE 073)
Date: Feb 4, 2016, 7:34 AM
(2): Canyon Lake–Cranes Mill Pk
Date: Feb 4, 2016, 9:47 AM
(3): Canyon Lake–Comal Park
Date: Feb 4, 2016, 11:45 AM
(4): Canyon Lake–Dam & Nature Trl below dam (HOTE 073)
Date: Feb 4, 2016, 2:07 PM
15 Gadwall — (1)
40 Lesser Scaup — (2)
2 Hooded Merganser — (1)
1 Common Loon — (3)
4 Pied-billed Grebe — (2),(3)
2 Double-crested Cormorant — (1),(3)
3 Great Blue Heron — (1),(2)
4 Great Egret — (1),(2)
15 Black Vulture — (2),(3),(4)
5 Turkey Vulture — (2),(3)
3 Osprey — (1),(2),(3)
2 Red-shouldered Hawk — (1)
1 Red-tailed Hawk — (4)
29 American Coot — (2),(3)
5 Killdeer — (1),(2),(3)
2 Spotted Sandpiper — (1)
15 Ring-billed Gull — (2)
4 White-winged Dove — (1),(3)
4 Mourning Dove — (2)
3 Golden-fronted Woodpecker — (1),(2)
1 Ladder-backed Woodpecker — (1)
2 American Kestrel — (2),(3)
6 Eastern Phoebe — (1),(2)
1 Western Scrub-Jay — (2)
4 Common Raven — (1),(2)
3 Carolina Chickadee — (2)
7 Black-crested Titmouse — (1),(2)
1 Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) — (2)
1 Canyon Wren — (1)
8 Carolina Wren — (1),(2)
6 Bewick’s Wren — (2),(3)
2 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher — (2)
14 Ruby-crowned Kinglet — (1),(2)
2 Eastern Bluebird — (2)
15 American Robin — (1)
6 Northern Mockingbird — (1),(2),(3)
7 European Starling — (1)
76 Cedar Waxwing — (1)
2 Orange-crowned Warbler — (1)
2 Pine Warbler — (2)
14 Yellow-rumped Warbler — (1),(2),(3)
4 Chipping Sparrow — (2)
1 White-crowned Sparrow — (1)
9 Vesper Sparrow — (2)
3 Savannah Sparrow — (3)
1 Song Sparrow — (1)
11 Northern Cardinal — (1),(2)
2 House Finch — (2)
1 American Goldfinch — (2)
10 House Sparrow — (1),(2)
Deb Wallace says:
January 26, 2016 at 10:02 pmOn January 26th, 14 of us went out to bird Shield Ranch. It is a lovely property and we are grateful to Laurie Foss and Terri Siegenthaler for sharing it with us.
We found out that most of the Pine Siskins in Travis County appear to have taken up residence there, but the highlight was the Eastern Towhee!
Travis, Texas, US
Jan 26, 2016 7:30 AM – 11:11 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Comments:
Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.1.3 Build 30
34 species (+1 other taxa)
American Wigeon 1
Redhead 30
Ring-necked Duck 90
Northern Bobwhite 8
Black Vulture 5
Turkey Vulture 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Mourning Dove 2
Rufous Hummingbird 2
Crested Caracara 2
American Kestrel 1
Carolina Chickadee 1
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 3
Carolina Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
American Robin 3
Northern Mockingbird 1
Cedar Waxwing 20
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Chipping Sparrow 1
Field Sparrow 4
White-crowned Sparrow 2
Harris’s Sparrow 4
Vesper Sparrow 4
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
Spotted Towhee 1
Eastern Towhee 1
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird 2
House Finch 4
Pine Siskin 50
Lesser Goldfinch 15
American Goldfinch 3
House Sparrow 12
Michael Figg says:
January 25, 2016 at 9:51 pmI spotted a Osprey over central Round Rock in flight with a fish in its talons. It perched on top of a power line pole near Deep Wood Elementary School and then flew off to the west.
Ken Zaslow says:
January 19, 2016 at 8:50 pmNine people participated on this TAS field trip to several South Travis County Ponds. The weather was interesting varying from early morning fog with calm winds, to partly cloudy skies followed by sunshine, to cloudy skies with brisk winds. We saw some great birds with a highlight being 5 Hooded Mergansers seen on a retention pond on Bradshaw Road in the Onion Creek community. A funky looking raptor was probably a Krider’s form of Red-tailed Hawk. See description below.
eBird Checklist Summary for: Jan 19, 2016
Number of Taxa: 59
Checklists included in this summary:
(1): Austin–Southpark Meadows Ctr.
Date: Jan 19, 2016, 7:30 AM
(2): US-TX-Austin-2310 Pebble Beach Dr – 30.1399x-97.7910
Date: Jan 19, 2016, 9:42 AM
(3): US-TX-Austin-10766-10892 Bradshaw Rd – 30.1324x-97.7775
Date: Jan 19, 2016, 10:11 AM
(4): US-TX-Buda-12400-12914 N Turnersville Rd – 30.1041x-97.7824
Date: Jan 19, 2016, 11:20 AM
(5): US-TX-Buda-12400-12914 Turnersville Rd – 30.0930x-97.7899
Date: Jan 19, 2016, 11:35 AM
45 Gadwall — (1),(3),(5)
12 American Wigeon — (1),(2),(4)
1 Mallard (Domestic type) — (2)
1 Blue-winged Teal — (3)
75 Northern Shoveler — (3)
11 Northern Pintail — (1),(2)
11 Green-winged Teal — (2),(3)
18 Redhead — (3),(5)
34 Ring-necked Duck — (1),(2),(4)
2 Lesser Scaup — (1)
9 Bufflehead — (1),(3)
5 Hooded Merganser — (3)
13 Pied-billed Grebe — (1),(3),(5)
16 Double-crested Cormorant — (3)
1 Great Blue Heron — (1)
2 Great Egret — (3),(5)
5 Black Vulture — (1),(3)
2 Turkey Vulture — (3)
1 Cooper’s Hawk — (1)
2 Red-shouldered Hawk — (1),(3)
1 Red-tailed Hawk — (5)
We believe that this bird is a Krider’s form of Red-tailed Hawk. We saw it on Turnersville Road from a distance of about 100 to 150 yards. It was sitting at the top of a short tree to the left of a local pond. GPS coordinates are 30.09075, -97.789661. Several of us had scopes that included a Swarovski 80mm ATM model with a 25-50x wide angle eyepiece. First impression was that the bird appeared large with a stocky, buteo shape. Second impression was that it was very pale with a whitish head, pale tail without discernible reddish color, and a lot of white on back. It was facing away from us and we could not see its front, but the bird did have a definite raptor hooked bill. A photo was taken by Don Behrman.
75 American Coot — (1),(5)
7 Killdeer — (2),(3)
2 Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) — (1)
19 White-winged Dove — (1),(2)
8 Mourning Dove — (3)
2 Belted Kingfisher — (3),(5)
1 Ladder-backed Woodpecker — (2)
5 Crested Caracara — (3),(4),(5)
1 American Kestrel — (4)
1 Eastern Phoebe — (2)
1 Loggerhead Shrike — (5)
6 Blue Jay — (1),(2),(3)
12 American Crow — (1),(3)
1 Carolina Chickadee — (1)
2 Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) — (1)
1 Canyon Wren — (2)
4 Carolina Wren — (1)
1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet — (1)
5 Northern Mockingbird — (1),(3),(5)
5 European Starling — (1),(5)
18 Cedar Waxwing — (1),(2)
1 Orange-crowned Warbler — (3)
20 Yellow-rumped Warbler — (1),(2),(3)
5 Dark-eyed Junco — (1)
9 White-crowned Sparrow — (5)
1 Harris’s Sparrow — (1)
1 Vesper Sparrow — (1)
17 Savannah Sparrow — (1),(3)
2 Song Sparrow — (1)
3 Northern Cardinal — (1),(2)
1 Red-winged Blackbird — (2)
9 Western/Eastern Meadowlark — (3),(5)
15 Brewer’s Blackbird — (5)
155 Great-tailed Grackle — (1),(2)
5 Brown-headed Cowbird — (5)
2 House Finch — (1)
1 Lesser Goldfinch — (1)
7 American Goldfinch — (1)
Pat Nowotny says:
January 13, 2016 at 1:39 amWhereabouts Granger lake was the burrowing owl spotted?
Also below the dam there is a belted kingfisher just FYI
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
January 12, 2016 at 9:10 pmOld Settlers Pond, Williamson, Texas, US
Jan 12, 2016 7:45 AM – 11:55 AM
Protocol: Traveling
4.0 mile(s)
Comments: 13 people participated on this TAS field trip led by Dan Callaway to Old Settlers Park. It was a beautiful morning with a sunny sky and calm winds. The beginning temperature was 37 degrees and the ending temperature was 62 degrees. Our bird walk took us completely around the pond and we also walked the entire loop trail along Chandler’s Creek.
57 species (+3 other taxa)
Gadwall 8
Northern Shoveler 3
Canvasback 3
Lesser Scaup 5
Ruddy Duck 25
Pied-billed Grebe 3
Double-crested Cormorant 6
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 4
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 75
Killdeer 27
Ring-billed Gull 1
White-winged Dove 11
Mourning Dove 7
Red-bellied Woodpecker 6
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 2
Eastern Phoebe 3
Loggerhead Shrike 1
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 7
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 3
Carolina Wren 7
Bewick’s Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 7
Eastern Bluebird 5
Hermit Thrush 3
Northern Mockingbird 9
European Starling 24
American Pipit 20
Cedar Waxwing 30
Orange-crowned Warbler 5
Yellow-rumped Warbler 9
Chipping Sparrow 10
Field Sparrow 4
Lark Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco 8
White-crowned Sparrow 6
Harris’s Sparrow 3
White-throated Sparrow 4
Vesper Sparrow 3
Savannah Sparrow 12
Song Sparrow 1
Spotted Towhee 1
Northern Cardinal 8
Red-winged Blackbird 17
Eastern Meadowlark 1
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 25
Great-tailed Grackle 7
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
blackbird sp. 4000
Lesser Goldfinch 2
American Goldfinch 7
House Sparrow 4
Ray and Ginny Steelman says:
January 6, 2016 at 3:11 pmOn Jan 5th nineteen birders participated in a trip to the Granger Lake are of Milam and Williamson County. We were fortunate to be invited to Alligator Prairie by Nancy Webber who has done a wonderful job in restoring her property back to a native prairie habitat. Before we even got out of our cars we had a LeCont’s sparrow posing in a brush pile a few feet from our cars. A walk around the property yielded four bobwhite and a woodcock as well as three ladder-backed woodpeckers a rarity for Milam County. The Williamson County portion produced a Say’s phoebee seen well by all. Thanks to all the participants for making our Granger Trip a special outing, and a big thanks to all the drivers for sharing their expertise with those in their vehicles and especially to Nancy Webber for sharing her wonderful “front yard” with us.
Ray and Ginny
Granger Lake Area
39 species (+2 other taxa)
Gadwall 5
American Wigeon 10
Mallard 2
Mallard (Domestic type) 4
Northern Shoveler 13
Green-winged Teal 1
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Great Blue Heron 2
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 6
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Sandhill Crane 6
Killdeer 43
Greater Yellowlegs 2
Long-billed Dowitcher 1
Wilson’s Snipe 1
Ring-billed Gull 3
Forster’s Tern 2
Eurasian Collared-Dove 5
Mourning Dove 2
Burrowing Owl 1
American Kestrel 8
Merlin 1
Say’s Phoebe 1
Loggerhead Shrike 2
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 11
American Robin 14
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 40
American Pipit 10
Savannah Sparrow 1
Red-winged Blackbird 50
Eastern Meadowlark 1
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 100
Brewer’s Blackbird 10
Common Grackle 1
Great-tailed Grackle 120
Brown-headed Cowbird 1000
American Goldfinch 2
Alligator Prairie:
32 species
Snow Goose 63
Northern Bobwhite 4
Black Vulture 8
Turkey Vulture 5
Killdeer 2
American Woodcock 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 4
Carolina Wren 2
Bewick’s Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Eastern Bluebird 2
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 8
Northern Mockingbird 4
Cedar Waxwing X
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Le Conte’s Sparrow 2
Dark-eyed Junco 1
White-crowned Sparrow 2
Harris’s Sparrow 4
Vesper Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 4
Deb Wallace says:
December 18, 2015 at 1:55 amDeb Wallace for Laurie Foss:
Dear Birders,
Thank you so much for participating yesterday on the Shield Ranch on behalf of the Westcave Christmas Bird Count. Though the weather started off a little “iffy” with the wind and cloud cover, we finished strong with a beautiful partly cloudy sky and mild temperatures. What a fantastic day to be out looking for birds on a beautiful ranch in the Hill Country of Texas!
Thanks to your efforts, the 29 people who birded on the ranch found 68 species of birds – WOW! At the countdown dinner your results were talked about up and down the table with congratulations and envy. They knew we would end up as the area with the most species seen for the Westcave count (we were!) and they knew we would end up with the best birds too (we did!). The total species count for the Westcave CBC was 111.
On behalf of birds everywhere, I want to personally thank you for spending your day on the Shield Ranch yesterday to count the birds. Your day contributed to an important Citizen Science project that has gone on for over a century, documenting avian population trends throughout the western hemisphere.
Enjoy your holiday season and a pleasant winter whatever your plans!
Below is a list of the species that were seen on the ranch by you on Tuesday, December 15, 2015.
Wood Duck
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Wild Turkey
Pied-billed Grebe
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Common Ground-Dove
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Great Horned Owl
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Crested Caracara
American Kestrel
Eastern Phoebe
Loggerhead Shrike
Blue-headed Vireo
Western Scrub-Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Carolina Chickadee
Black-crested Titmouse
Canyon Wren
House Wren
Carolina Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
Gray Catbird
Cedar Waxwing
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Grasshopper Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-crowned Sparrow
Harris’s Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Rufous-crowned Sparrow
Spotted Towhee
Northern Cardinal
Pyrrhuloxia
Red-winged Blackbird
Western/Eastern Meadowlark
House Finch
Pine Siskin
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
Laurie Foss
Administrative Coordinator for
Shield Ranch and
El Ranchito
Deb Wallace says:
December 17, 2015 at 1:47 amOn November 29th, 9 of us braved the cold and wet to check out the Eckhardt tract at Balcones Canyonlands NWR. The birds mostly had more sense than we did and stayed under cover, but we did get some nice looks at the sparrows we did find. The Harris’s were particularly nice.
Balcones Canyonlands NWR–Shin Oak Obs. Deck (HOTE 024)
Nov 29, 2015
7:30 AM
Traveling
3.50 miles
180 Minutes
All birds reported? Yes
Comments: Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.1.3 Build 30
1 Red-tailed Hawk
1 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
1 Northern Flicker
6 American Crow
3 Carolina Wren
1 Bewick’s Wren
3 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
15 American Robin
2 Orange-crowned Warbler
3 Field Sparrow
10 White-crowned Sparrow
6 Harris’s Sparrow
1 Vesper Sparrow
1 Savannah Sparrow
2 Song Sparrow
3 Lincoln’s Sparrow
3 Spotted Towhee
10 Northern Cardinal
1 Lesser Goldfinch
Deb Wallace says:
December 17, 2015 at 1:43 amThirteen of us came out to see what might be hanging around the prairie in November. We had some nice sparrows. It was chilly, but fun!
Commons Ford Pk, Travis, Texas, US
Nov 15, 2015 6:45 AM – 10:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.5 mile(s)
Comments:
Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.1.3 Build 30
43 species (+3 other taxa)
Wood Duck 8
Mallard (Domestic type) 1
Turkey Vulture 2
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 1
White-winged Dove 75
Mourning Dove 4
Eastern Screech-Owl 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 6
Downy Woodpecker 1
American Kestrel 2
Eastern Phoebe 6
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
Blue Jay 3
Western Scrub-Jay 2
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 1
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
House Wren 1
Sedge Wren 3 Continuing birds
Carolina Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 2
Eastern Bluebird 1
American Robin 50
Northern Mockingbird 5
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 14
Grasshopper Sparrow 1
Field Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Vesper Sparrow 12
Savannah Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 3
Swamp Sparrow 1
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 4
Northern Cardinal 12
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 2
Common Grackle 1
Great-tailed Grackle 4
House Finch 6
Lesser Goldfinch 1
Ken Zaslow for Deb and Lee Wallace says:
December 16, 2015 at 9:40 pmNine people participated on this TAS field trip that was led by Deb and Lee Wallace.
Balcones Canyonlands NWR–Doeskin Ranch
Dec 1, 2015
2.00 miles
210 Minutes
1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
1 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
1 Northern Flicker
2 Crested Caracara
2 Eastern Phoebe
1 American Crow
2 Common Raven
2 Carolina Chickadee
5 Black-crested Titmouse
2 Carolina Wren
1 Bewick’s Wren
2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
10 Eastern Bluebird
1 American Robin
4 Northern Mockingbird
3 Orange-crowned Warbler
7 Field Sparrow
4 Fox Sparrow
2 White-throated Sparrow
2 Song Sparrow
1 Lincoln’s Sparrow
4 Rufous-crowned Sparrow
10 Spotted Towhee
4 Northern Cardinal
8 American Goldfinch
Ken Zaslow says:
December 8, 2015 at 8:01 pmAustin–Bauerle Ranch Park
Dec 8, 2015
Traveling
2.50 miles
Comments: Twelve people participated on this TAS field trip to the Slaughter Creek Greenbelt at the Bauerle Ranch Park. It was a beautiful sunny winter morning with a starting temperature of 45 degrees and an ending temperature of 64 degrees. Winds were calm.
Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.1.3 Build 30
10 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
2 Wood Duck
3 Gadwall
2 Blue-winged Teal
1 Pied-billed Grebe
2 Black Vulture
1 Red-shouldered Hawk
75 White-winged Dove
5 Mourning Dove
1 Golden-fronted Woodpecker
2 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
2 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
3 Eastern Phoebe
1 White-eyed Vireo
1 Blue-headed Vireo
5 Blue Jay
4 Carolina Chickadee
6 Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
1 House Wren
7 Carolina Wren
3 Bewick’s Wren
4 Golden-crowned Kinglet
6 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
2 Eastern Bluebird
1 Hermit Thrush
1 American Robin
2 Northern Mockingbird
5 European Starling
27 Cedar Waxwing
4 Orange-crowned Warbler
15 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
2 Chipping Sparrow
13 Field Sparrow
1 White-crowned Sparrow
1 White-throated Sparrow
2 Vesper Sparrow
1 Song Sparrow
5 Spotted Towhee
6 Northern Cardinal
22 blackbird sp. — Flyover
3 Lesser Goldfinch
7 American Goldfinch
2 House Sparrow
Number of Taxa: 43
Ken Zaslow says:
November 24, 2015 at 8:08 pmOnion Creek Greenway–Barkley Meadows, Travis, Texas, US
Nov 24, 2015 7:13 AM – 10:34 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.2 mile(s)
Comments: Ten people participated on this TAS trip to Barkley Meadows Park. Best birds were a Black Phoebe and a juvenile Bald Eagle.
51 species (+2 other taxa)
Gadwall 4
American Wigeon 3
Canvasback 5
Redhead 4
Ring-necked Duck 12
Lesser Scaup 8
Bufflehead 6
Ruddy Duck 45
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 15
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Turkey Vulture 4 Seen at the end of the trip from the parking lot
Bald Eagle 1 Juvenile bird
American Coot 7
Killdeer 11
Least Sandpiper 4
Wilson’s Snipe 1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 12
Mourning Dove 4
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 4
Black Phoebe 1 This phoebe sized and shaped bird had a black head, chest, back, and tail with a white belly and under-tail coverts. We also heard it vocalize. It was seen in a previously described location at the end of the trail by highway 71.
Eastern Phoebe 4
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
Loggerhead Shrike 1
American Crow 3
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 3
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Eastern Bluebird 7
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 6
American Pipit 4
Pine Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 9
White-crowned Sparrow 2
Vesper Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird 8
Eastern Meadowlark 1
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 11
Great-tailed Grackle 15
House Finch 7
American Goldfinch 6
Ray Steelman says:
November 17, 2015 at 8:36 pmToday 11/17 we led four intrepid birders on a Lake Creek Trail bird walk. The day started off with a driving rain that delayed the start by about a half hour. Once we got started the birding was up to par. The day turned out overcast and cool with moderate winds. After birding for three and a half hours we tallied forty-two species.
42 species
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 8
Snowy Egret 1
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 4
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 38
Least Sandpiper 8
White-winged Dove 30
Mourning Dove 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Phoebe 4
Blue Jay 30
American Crow 5
Carolina Chickadee 4
Black-crested Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 20
Eastern Bluebird 1
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 9
Northern Mockingbird 8
European Starling 100
Orange-crowned Warbler 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 26
Field Sparrow 3
Lark Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco 1
White-throated Sparrow 6
Song Sparrow 4
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Spotted Towhee 2
Northern Cardinal 17
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Great-tailed Grackle 20
House Finch 5
Lesser Goldfinch 3
House Sparrow 4
Stacey says:
November 15, 2015 at 8:39 pmAustin- my own back yard, just north of 183 at Rundberg and Parkfield we have a Great Horned Owl frequenting the branches of our large backyard tree! Very cool to hear him hooting!
RGSteel9 says:
November 12, 2015 at 12:52 amToday 11/11/2015 We lead a Southwester University ecology class of thirteen students along with Professor Bruce Moring on a field trip to Berry Springs Park in Williamson County. Their task was to compile information on birds in their environment. Although birding from 1:30 to 3:30 PM (not the ideal time for locating song birds) we managed to find 25 species including a surprising pine warbler. It was a great group of young adults and hopefully we inspired some new young adults to become kindred spirits.
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 12
Turkey Vulture 15
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 6
White-winged Dove 5
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 4
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
Carolina Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Eastern Bluebird 12
Northern Mockingbird 2
Cedar Waxwing 1
Pine Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 5
Northern Cardinal 2
Great-tailed Grackle 65
Ken Zaslow for Ray and Ginny Steelman says:
November 11, 2015 at 1:38 pmThis TAS trip to Devine Lake Park took place on October 27th and was led by Ray and Ginny Steelman.
Fifteen people participated on this trip to Devine Lake Park in Leander, Williamson County. The weather was ideal and it was a great day to get outside. We tallied 51 species with a good mix of waterfowl and land birds including a surprising vermilion flycatcher. Following is a list of the birds tallied:
Gadwall X
American Wigeon X
Blue-winged Teal 20
Northern Pintail 3
Green-winged Teal 5
Redhead 50
Ring-necked Duck 5
Ruddy Duck 8
Pied-billed Grebe 5
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 4
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 3
Osprey 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
American Coot 165
Killdeer 8
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 1
White-winged Dove 3
Mourning Dove 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1
Eastern Phoebe 4
Vermilion Flycatcher 1 Unmistakeable bird photographed by Joseph Hood by Lee Wallace and added to their eBird report.
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 4
Carolina Chickadee 1
Carolina Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Hermit Thrush 1
Northern Mockingbird 8
European Starling 1
Orange-crowned Warbler 4
Chipping Sparrow 8
Field Sparrow 2
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Vesper Sparrow 2
Savannah Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird 2
Great-tailed Grackle 6
House Finch 3
Lesser Goldfinch 1
Ken Zaslow for Dennis Palafox says:
November 10, 2015 at 11:05 pmMitchell Lake Audubon Center (HOTE 103)
Nov 10, 2015
4.00 miles
300 Minutes
Comments: Thirteen people participated on this Travis Audubon field trip to the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center in San Antonio. The weather was perfect for birding with the temperature between 60-74 degrees, overcast skies, and light winds less than 10mph. Highlights included birds not often seen in Austin such as Green-tailed Towhee, Verdin, and Curve-billed Thrasher.
Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.1.3 Build 30
39 Snow Goose
1 Ross’s Goose
125 Gadwall
7 American Wigeon
1 Mallard (Domestic type)
8 Northern Shoveler
2 Lesser Scaup
150 Ruddy Duck
7 Least Grebe
11 Pied-billed Grebe
5 Eared Grebe
2 Neotropic Cormorant
8 Double-crested Cormorant
75 American White Pelican
6 Great Blue Heron
12 Great Egret
6 Snowy Egret
2 Tricolored Heron
12 Black-crowned Night-Heron
7 Turkey Vulture
1 Red-shouldered Hawk
80 American Coot
30 American Avocet
1 Killdeer
2 Spotted Sandpiper
1 Greater Yellowlegs
1 Lesser Yellowlegs
25 Least Sandpiper
9 White-winged Dove
4 Mourning Dove
3 Belted Kingfisher
2 Golden-fronted Woodpecker
4 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
3 Crested Caracara
1 American Kestrel
5 Eastern Phoebe
3 Loggerhead Shrike
3 White-eyed Vireo
2 American Crow
1 Barn Swallow
17 Cave Swallow
15 swallow sp.
4 Black-crested Titmouse
3 Verdin
1 House Wren
2 Carolina Wren
4 Bewick’s Wren
2 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
3 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
1 Hermit Thrush
12 American Robin
2 Curve-billed Thrasher
12 Northern Mockingbird
30 European Starling
2 Orange-crowned Warbler
2 Common Yellowthroat
14 Yellow-rumped Warbler
1 Chipping Sparrow
7 White-crowned Sparrow
1 Song Sparrow
1 Green-tailed Towhee
14 Northern Cardinal
1 Pyrrhuloxia
55 Red-winged Blackbird
1 Eastern Meadowlark
30 Great-tailed Grackle
14 House Finch
4 Lesser Goldfinch
3 American Goldfinch
10 House Sparrow
Number of Taxa: 70
Ken Zaslow for Dennis Palafox says:
November 10, 2015 at 12:02 amThis TAS field trip was led by Dennis Palafox on November 7, 2015
Four of us took our chances with the weather and birded Laguna Gloria on Saturday, 11/7. We birded for about 1.5 hours before the drizzle turned into a downpour. We spent about another half an hour huddled under a gazebo waiting out the storm. Eventually, we called the trip off about 9:30 , a bit wet and cold as we splashed our way through puddles back to our cars, all the while thinking about warm coffee or hot chocolate. But, before we called it a wrap we saw some pretty interesting birds totaling 20 species as you can see below:
Wood Duck 15
Redhead 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Osprey 6
Mourning Dove 7
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
Blue Jay 1
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 3
Carolina Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
American Robin 2
Northern Mockingbird 2
Common Yellowthroat 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 3
Swamp Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 9
Ken Zaslow says:
October 13, 2015 at 9:49 pmAustin–Roy Guerrero Park
Oct 13, 2015
Traveling
2.50 miles
Comments: 16 people participated on this Travis Audubon field trip to Roy Guerrero Park. We birded three general locations that included the playscape area, the “secret beach” and adjacent hiking/biking trail, and the overlook below the Longhorn Dam. Beginning temperature was 74 degrees; ending temperature was 81 degrees. The sky was mostly sunny with north winds of 5-10 mph.
50 species
3 Pied-billed Grebe
6 Double-crested Cormorant
1 Great Blue Heron
2 Great Egret
5 Snowy Egret
2 Little Blue Heron
15 Black Vulture
4 Turkey Vulture
1 Osprey
1 Cooper’s Hawk
1 Red-shouldered Hawk
1 American Coot
7 Killdeer
3 Spotted Sandpiper
450 Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
30 White-winged Dove
10 Mourning Dove
2 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 Downy Woodpecker
1 Northern Flicker
2 Crested Caracara
1 American Kestrel
1 Monk Parakeet
3 Eastern Phoebe
3 Couch’s Kingbird — Three typical Couch’s Kingbirds were seen simultaneously along the hiking/biking trail north of the side trail to the “secret beach”. We had excellent views at close range of the birds perched in trees near an open meadow area. The birds had bright yellow bellies with the yellow color extending well up onto their chests. Their bills were relatively large. No white was seen on their tails. Their heads and the very upper part of their chests were gray.
1 Western Kingbird — This bird was seen in the same general area as the Couch’s Kingbirds described above. It was differentiated from the Couch’s Kingbirds by its black tail that showed white on the outer tail feathers… seen while it was perched and while it was in flight. The yellow color on this bird was limited to the belly area and did not extend onto the chest. The head and chest were gray.
17 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
1 Loggerhead Shrike
1 Blue-headed Vireo
8 Blue Jay
4 American Crow
1 Northern Rough-winged Swallow
5 Carolina Chickadee
4 Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
3 House Wren
6 Carolina Wren
1 Bewick’s Wren
2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
5 Northern Mockingbird
11 European Starling
4 Orange-crowned Warbler
3 Nashville Warbler
1 Black-throated Green Warbler
4 Lincoln’s Sparrow
8 Northern Cardinal
11 Red-winged Blackbird
10 Common Grackle
15 Great-tailed Grackle
3 Lesser Goldfinch
3 House Sparrow
Ken Zaslow says:
October 8, 2015 at 12:16 pmAddendum: The October 6th field trip to Brushy Creek Park was led by Dan Callaway.
Ken Zaslow says:
October 8, 2015 at 12:07 pmBrushy Creek Lake Pk, Williamson, Texas, US
Oct 6, 2015 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: Twelve birders attended the weekly Tuesday morning bird walk by Travis Audubon Society. We walked east through the wooded area then followed the lake shore going west. Weather — calm, clear, 59-72 degrees.
33 species (+4 other taxa)
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 4
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 8
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 3
White-winged Dove 15
Mourning Dove 3
Belted Kingfisher 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
Loggerhead Shrike 2
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 3
swallow sp. 3
Carolina Chickadee 3
Black-crested Titmouse 2
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 4
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 6
Nashville Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 1
sparrow sp. 5
Northern Cardinal 3
Red-winged Blackbird 8
Great-tailed Grackle 50
House Finch 6
Lesser Goldfinch 1
Jane Tillman says:
September 23, 2015 at 5:17 pm11 birders visited Hornsby Bend on Tuesday, Sept. 22. Mild temperatures, mostly sunny. Yellow Warblers stole the show. We started at the birding shelter and the area down to Upper Island View was the place to be. After that we checked out pond 3, but it was slow. There is a little shorebird habitat forming there. Finally we checked the end of 1W which is also beginning to dry out just a little, but it was not productive.
Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, Texas, US
Sep 22, 2015 7:32 AM – 10:17 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.1.2 Build 27
43 species (+2 other taxa)
Blue-winged Teal 11
Northern Shoveler 1
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Great Blue Heron 1
Green Heron 2
Turkey Vulture 3
Killdeer 1
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Baird’s Sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 3
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 40
White-winged Dove 4
Mourning Dove 1
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Chimney Swift 6
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Monk Parakeet 5
Eastern Phoebe 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 2
White-eyed Vireo 6
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2
Barn Swallow 6
Carolina Chickadee 1
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 7
Eastern Bluebird 2
European Starling 4
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Nashville Warbler 2
Yellow Warbler 25
Summer Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 12
Red-winged Blackbird 15
Great-tailed Grackle 13
Lesser Goldfinch 1
Ken Zaslow says:
September 15, 2015 at 5:46 pmSt. Edwards Pk (NW Austin), Travis, Texas, US
Sep 15, 2015 7:15 AM – 9:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Eleven people participated on this TAS field trip to St. Edwards Park. The day was cloudy and humid with calm to light winds less than 5mph. Beginning temperature was 73 degrees; ending temperature was 76 degrees.
20 species (+4 other taxa)
Black Vulture 45
Turkey Vulture 2
pigeon/dove sp. 6 Flyover
Eastern Screech-Owl 2 Heard only
Chimney Swift 7
hummingbird sp. 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1 Heard only
Downy Woodpecker 1
Olive-sided Flycatcher 1
Willow Flycatcher 1 Heard only
Eastern Phoebe 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
White-eyed Vireo 9
Carolina Chickadee 8
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 4
Carolina Wren 10
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4
Northern Mockingbird 1 Heard only in the parking lot before the trip began
Summer Tanager 1 Heard only
Northern Cardinal 14
Baltimore Oriole 6
Lesser Goldfinch 12
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
September 9, 2015 at 2:46 amThis trip was led by Dan Callaway.
Cedar Breaks Park, Williamson, Texas, US
Sep 8, 2015 7:15 AM – 9:15 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.4 mile(s)
Comments: Five birders gathered at the Lake Georgetown spillway and dam for a Travis Audubon Society sunrise bird walk. Weather– 76-87 degrees, clear, and slight south breeze.
32 species (+2 other taxa)
Great Blue Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 14
American Avocet 11 One flock circled and landed along the north shore as seen from the dam.
Killdeer 2
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 50
Inca Dove 2
White-winged Dove 22
Mourning Dove 7
Eastern Screech-Owl 1
Chimney Swift 1
hummingbird sp. 3
Belted Kingfisher 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
White-eyed Vireo 1
American Crow 1
Barn Swallow 12
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 4
Rock Wren 3
Canyon Wren 4
Carolina Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 5
Lark Sparrow 8
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 6
Summer Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 4
House Finch 4
Lesser Goldfinch 16
House Sparrow 2
Judith Bailey says:
September 8, 2015 at 7:44 pmOn Saturday morning, 9/5/2015, a big group of new birders walked Berry Springs and had great success finding a variety of expected species and several surprises as well. The Great Kiskadee continues to delight with his raucous calls and multiple flyovers; and, most got good looks at the Eastern Kingbird sitting high in the sunlight. The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron put on a show catching and swallowing a giant crawfish!
Many thanks to Michael, George, Laurie and Ronnie for their excellent spotting and guidance.
Co-leaders: Virginia Rose and Judith Bailey
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
Pied-billed Grebe
Little Blue Heron
Green Heron
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Red-shouldered Hawk
Swainson’s Hawk
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Common Nighthawk
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Common Nighthawk
Chimney Swift
Hummingbird species
Belted Kingfisher
Golden-fronted Woodpecker, distinguished from Red-bellied Woodpecker by entirely
black inner tail feathers
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Great Crested Flycatcher
Great Kiskadee
Eastern Kingbird
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Blue Jay
American Crow
Barn Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Black-crested Titmouse
Canyon Wren
Carolina Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Eastern Bluebird
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Summer Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Common Grackle
Great-tailed Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Orchard Oriole
Ken Zaslow says:
August 18, 2015 at 5:06 pmHornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, Texas, US
Aug 18, 2015 7:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Eleven people participated on this TAS field trip to Hornsby Bend. We birded the area around ponds 1A, 1B, and 2 and walked for a short distance on the River Trail near the Upper Island View cutoff. Beginning temperature was 79 degrees; ending temperature was 84 degrees. The sky was partly cloudy with variable winds from calm to 10 mph.
39 species (+4 other taxa)
Egyptian Goose 1 The bird was seen at a close distance by everyone in our group on the road between pond 1A and 1B. It was also seen flying over ponds 1A and 1B. It was a large goose-like bird with a whitish head and a circular brownish patch around the eyes. The bill was pink with a black tip. The legs and feet were pink. In flight the wings showed a large patch of white secondary covert feathers on the leading edge, and black primaries and secondaries on the trailing edge. The body was grayish and the the tail was black.
Great Blue Heron 2
Cattle Egret 4
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Sharp-shinned/Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 50
Spotted Sandpiper 6
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 1
Upland Sandpiper 2 Heard only
Least Sandpiper 70
Wilson’s Phalarope 1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 45
Eurasian Collared-Dove 1
White-winged Dove 20
Mourning Dove 8
Common Nighthawk 1 Initially it was seen roosting on a telephone wire by the road near the greenhouse. It was then chased by smaller birds and the distinctive white band was seen on its wings.
hummingbird sp. 2
Monk Parakeet 3
Empidonax sp. 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 12
White-eyed Vireo 1 Heard only
Purple Martin 18
Barn Swallow 20
Cliff Swallow 8
Cave Swallow 30
swallow sp. 30
Carolina Chickadee 2
Carolina Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 65
Yellow Warbler 3
Summer Tanager 1 Heard only
Northern Cardinal 4
Painted Bunting 1 Female
Red-winged Blackbird 70
Great-tailed Grackle 28
House Finch 1 Female
House Sparrow 4
Ken Zaslow says:
May 20, 2015 at 10:41 pmThis trip TAS trip took place on Tuesday, May 19th
Commons Ford Pk, Travis, US-TX
May 19, 2015 7:00 AM – 10:15 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Five people participated on this Travis Audubon field trip to Commons Ford Ranch Park. Despite brief intermittent showers, the birds were vocal and active and the prairie wildflowers were gorgeous. This made for an enjoyable morning of birding. Starting temperature was 74 degrees; ending temperature was 77 degrees. The sky was variably cloudy and winds were calm to light.
41 species (+3 other taxa)
Wood Duck 2
duck sp. 7 Flyover
Northern Bobwhite 2 Heard only
Wild Turkey 5
Great Blue Heron 2
Green Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 3
White-winged Dove 4
Mourning Dove 5
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2 Heard only
Great Horned Owl 1
Chuck-will’s-widow 1 Heard only, in the parking lot area before the trip began
Chimney Swift 4
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1 Heard only
Empidonax sp. 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Ash-throated Flycatcher 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Western Kingbird 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 2 One pair was seen on a nest
White-eyed Vireo 4
Red-eyed Vireo 5 A family group of 4 were seen together in a Pecan tree along the creek
Barn Swallow 3
Carolina Chickadee 2
Black-crested Titmouse 5
Carolina Wren 4
Bewick’s Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Eastern Bluebird 4
Northern Mockingbird 2
Northern Parula 3
Yellow-throated Warbler 1 This bird is already well documented. It was heard singing from Cypress trees in the area near the boathouse at the creek entrance into Lake Austin.
Field Sparrow 1 Heard only, near the upper entrance before the trip began
Lark Sparrow 4
Northern Cardinal 10
Blue Grosbeak 1
Painted Bunting 4
Dickcissel 12
Great-tailed Grackle 2
Brown-headed Cowbird 4
Orchard Oriole 1
House Finch 8
Lesser Goldfinch 15
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
May 20, 2015 at 10:34 pmThis trip was led by Dan Callaway on May 12th
Booty’s Road Park, Williamson, US-TX
May 12, 2015 7:00 AM – 9:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Three hardy birders arrived to brave the elements and participate in the Travis Audubon field trip. Light rain peppered down until about 7:45, then all the hungry birds came out looking for breakfast. Warblers zipped back and forth across the trail to feed in the junipers, hackberries, oaks and pecans. Except for the few we could identify, there must have been 15-20 other “yellow” ones flitting around. Weather– overcast, occ. drizzle, calm wind, and 61 degrees.
29 species (+2 other taxa)
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 1
Spotted Sandpiper 1
White-winged Dove 4
Mourning Dove 3
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
White-eyed Vireo 8
Yellow-throated Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 4
Cliff/Cave Swallow 4
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 3
Canyon Wren 1
Carolina Wren 3
Swainson’s Thrush 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
Nashville Warbler 1
Hooded Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 3
Wilson’s Warbler 2
Summer Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 22
Painted Bunting 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Orchard Oriole 3
House Finch 1
Lesser Goldfinch 1
Ken Zaslow says:
May 20, 2015 at 9:01 pmCommons Ford Pk, Travis, US-TX
May 19, 2015 7:00 AM – 10:15 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Five people participated on this Travis Audubon field trip to Commons Ford Ranch Park. Despite brief intermittent showers, the birds were vocal and active and the prairie wildflowers were gorgeous. This made for an enjoyable morning of birding. Starting temperature was 74 degrees; ending temperature was 77 degrees. The sky was variably cloudy and winds were calm to light.
41 species (+3 other taxa)
Wood Duck 2
duck sp. 7 Flyover
Northern Bobwhite 2 Heard only
Wild Turkey 5
Great Blue Heron 2
Green Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 3
White-winged Dove 4
Mourning Dove 5
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2 Heard only
Great Horned Owl 1
Chuck-will’s-widow 1 Heard only, in the parking lot area before the trip began
Chimney Swift 4
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1 Heard only
Empidonax sp. 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Ash-throated Flycatcher 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Western Kingbird 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 2 One pair was seen on a nest
White-eyed Vireo 4
Red-eyed Vireo 5 A family group of 4 were seen together in a Pecan tree along the creek
Barn Swallow 3
Carolina Chickadee 2
Black-crested Titmouse 5
Carolina Wren 4
Bewick’s Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Eastern Bluebird 4
Northern Mockingbird 2
Northern Parula 3
Yellow-throated Warbler 1 This bird is already well documented. It was heard singing from Cypress trees in the area near the boathouse at the creek entrance into Lake Austin.
Field Sparrow 1 Heard only, near the upper entrance before the trip began
Lark Sparrow 4
Northern Cardinal 10
Blue Grosbeak 1
Painted Bunting 4
Dickcissel 12
Great-tailed Grackle 2
Brown-headed Cowbird 4
Orchard Oriole 1
House Finch 8
Lesser Goldfinch 15
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
May 20, 2015 at 8:57 pmThis trip to Booty’s Road Park was led by Dan Callaway on May 12th.
Booty’s Road Park, Williamson, US-TX
May 12, 2015 7:00 AM – 9:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Three hardy birders arrived to brave the elements and participate in the Travis Audubon field trip. Light rain peppered down until about 7:45, then all the hungry birds came out looking for breakfast. Warblers zipped back and forth across the trail to feed in the junipers, hackberries, oaks and pecans. Except for the few we could identify, there must have been 15-20 other “yellow” ones flitting around. Weather– overcast, occ. drizzle, calm wind, and 61 degrees.
29 species (+2 other taxa)
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 1
Spotted Sandpiper 1
White-winged Dove 4
Mourning Dove 3
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
White-eyed Vireo 8
Yellow-throated Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 4
Cliff/Cave Swallow 4
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 3
Canyon Wren 1
Carolina Wren 3
Swainson’s Thrush 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
Nashville Warbler 1
Hooded Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 3
Wilson’s Warbler 2
Summer Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 22
Painted Bunting 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Orchard Oriole 3
House Finch 1
Lesser Goldfinch 1
Jane Tillman says:
May 5, 2015 at 7:10 pmLake Creek Trail (Williamson Co.), Williamson, US-TX
May 5, 2015 6:40 AM – 9:44 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.8
43 species
18 participants. Windy and overcast.
Blue-winged Teal 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 6
Snowy Egret 7
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 6
Black Vulture 2
Killdeer 4
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 20
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) X
White-winged Dove 20
Common Nighthawk 1
Chimney Swift 5
Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Western Kingbird 2
Eastern Kingbird 2
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 2
White-eyed Vireo 3
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 4
Purple Martin 3
Barn Swallow 8
Cliff Swallow 10
Carolina Wren 3
Bewick’s Wren 1
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 15
Cedar Waxwing 50
Tennessee Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 10
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1
Red-winged Blackbird 5
Common Grackle 11
Great-tailed Grackle 15
House Finch 3
Lesser Goldfinch 2
House Sparrow X
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23241141
Ken Zaslow says:
April 28, 2015 at 8:47 pmRoy Guerrero Park, Travis, US-TX
Apr 28, 2015 6:30 AM – 11:05 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Comments: Fourteen people were on this Travis Audubon trip to Roy Guerrero Park on a chilly and windy day. Despite the weather conditions we had an excellent variety of birds including Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Ringed Kingfisher, Bald Eagle, and a good number of Flycatchers and Kingbirds. The beginning temperature was 67 degrees and the ending temperature was 64 degrees. Winds were from the north at 10-20 mph and the sky was cloudy for most of the morning.
59 species (+5 other taxa)
Wood Duck 1
Mallard (Domestic type) 3
Blue-winged Teal 14
Double-crested Cormorant 13
Snowy Egret 1
Little Blue Heron 1 Flyover at the playscape area parking lot.
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 2
Black Vulture 4
Turkey Vulture 7
Bald Eagle 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 4
Killdeer 5
Spotted Sandpiper 10
Least Sandpiper 3
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 30
White-winged Dove 15
Mourning Dove 9
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2 HO
Chimney Swift 2
Ringed Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Monk Parakeet 1 Flyover vocalizing
Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill’s Flycatcher) 1
Least Flycatcher 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Couch’s Kingbird 1
Western Kingbird 4
Eastern Kingbird 2
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 4
White-eyed Vireo 5
Red-eyed Vireo 1 Heard only early
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 4
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 6
Purple Martin 3
Barn Swallow 30
Cliff Swallow 200
swallow sp. 50
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
Carolina Wren 6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Swainson’s Thrush 5 Heard only
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 25
Cedar Waxwing 250
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
American Redstart 1
Yellow Warbler 2
Summer Tanager 4
Northern Cardinal 20
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1
Indigo Bunting 1
Painted Bunting 7
Red-winged Blackbird 3
Great-tailed Grackle 20
Brown-headed Cowbird 7
Orchard Oriole 3
oriole sp. 1 Possibly a Baltimore Oriole
House Finch 2
Lesser Goldfinch 4
House Sparrow 5
Ray Steelman says:
April 21, 2015 at 8:30 pmThirteen birders participated in this Travis Audubon trip to Berry Springs Park and Booty’s Road Park in Georgetown. The weather was just about perfect for birding ranging with clear blue skies and temps from the low fifties and climbing to the lower seventies by the time we were done. The mornings list of birds follows:
Georgetown- Berry Springs Park, Williamson, US-TX
Apr 21, 2015 6:50 AM – 10:17 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.8
52 species (+1 other taxa)
Wood Duck 2
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Little Blue Heron 1
Cattle Egret 1
Green Heron 1
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 1
Black Vulture 5
Turkey Vulture 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 15
Eurasian Collared-Dove 1
White-winged Dove 32
Mourning Dove 2
Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 4
Eastern Phoebe 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Western Kingbird 2
Eastern Kingbird 3
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 4
White-eyed Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 1
Purple Martin 2
Carolina Chickadee 1
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 1
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 2
Eastern Bluebird 5
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 1
Cedar Waxwing 100
Nashville Warbler 2
Chipping Sparrow 4
Lark Sparrow 2
Savannah Sparrow 3
Grasshopper Sparrow 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 1
Harris’s Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow 4
Summer Tanager 4
Northern Cardinal 5
Red-winged Blackbird 140
Great-tailed Grackle 40
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
Orchard Oriole 2
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S22983208
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
US-TX-Georgetown-1604 Bootys Crossing Rd, Williamson, US-TX
Apr 21, 2015 11:05 AM – 11:54 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.8
11 species
Turkey Vulture 4
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Western Kingbird 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 25
Rock Wren 1 Heard only
Canyon Wren 2
Nashville Warbler 1
Summer Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 1
House Finch 1
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S22983223
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
April 14, 2015 at 9:58 pmThis trip was led by Dan Callaway.
Eastside Metropolitan Pk, Travis, US-TX
Apr 14, 2015 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: This was a Travis Audubon field trip. Six birders walked the Frisbee golf trail, then back by the large pond and through the woods along the hog trap lane and back by the little secluded woody pond. The north wind kept the birds hidden, but we did manage to tally about 40 species. Weather– 61-63 degrees, overcast and wind 10-15.
38 species (+3 other taxa)
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 3
Wood Duck 2
Mallard (Domestic type) 2
Blue-winged Teal 3
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Egret 3
Little Blue Heron 1
Cattle Egret 25
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 3
White-winged Dove 6
Mourning Dove 13
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Crested Caracara 1
Eastern Phoebe 4
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 3
White-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 3
Barn Swallow 1
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 5
House Wren 1 hidden but singing
Carolina Wren 4
Bewick’s Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Eastern Bluebird 5
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 7
Cedar Waxwing 8
Black-and-white Warbler 1 hidden and singing
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 singing and in breeding plummage
Chipping Sparrow 26
Lark Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 12
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Great-tailed Grackle 1
blackbird sp. 200 several large flocks flying over
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
April 14, 2015 at 9:55 pmThis field trip was led by Dan Callaway and took place on March 31, 2015.
Windemere Park, Travis, US-TX
Mar 31, 2015 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Seven people participated on this Travis Audubon field trip. The group started at the secluded pond south of the downstream part of the trail, then birded downstream almost to the bridge, and then upstream west of the playground. Weather — 66-74 degrees, overcast, south wind 10-15.
35 species (+1 other taxa)
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 1
Turkey Vulture 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
American Coot 2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 16
White-winged Dove 45
Mourning Dove 3
Great Horned Owl 1 On the nest high in a tree south of the pond.
Chimney Swift 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Eastern Phoebe 3
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 3
Purple Martin 10
Barn Swallow 6
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 4
House Wren 2
Carolina Wren 5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 6
Brown Thrasher 1
Northern Mockingbird 6
European Starling 15
Cedar Waxwing 200
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 26
Song Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 12
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Common Grackle 3
Great-tailed Grackle 20
American Goldfinch 8
House Sparrow 15
Dennis Palafox says:
April 5, 2015 at 11:58 pmTwelve of us birded Camp Mabry on Saturday, April 4. Although the breezy conditions may have limited the number of birds we saw, we ended up with 33 species. Some highlights included a pair of black-bellied whistling ducks on the shoreline of the southern most pond. We also saw 1 yellow-throated warbler and beaucoups cedar waxwings. Fun was had by all! A list of species seen follows:
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
33 species
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 2
Wood Duck 4
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Egret 1
Green Heron 1
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
White-winged Dove 15
Mourning Dove 7
Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
White-eyed Vireo 6
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 4
Barn Swallow 2
Carolina Chickadee 7
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 8
Carolina Wren 7
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 8
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 1
Cedar Waxwing 200
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Yellow-throated Warbler 1
Chipping Sparrow 7
Lark Sparrow 10
Savannah Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 8
Great-tailed Grackle 3
Deb Wallace says:
March 25, 2015 at 1:55 pmTwelve of us went down to bird San Marcos on Tuesday. We started at John Stokes Park, where everyone got good looks at the continuing Black-throated Gray Warbler. We then went over to the Meadows Center (Aquarena) wetlands. There were good birds there as well, but not in great numbers. The Vermilion Flycatcher was a nice highlight.
Mar 24, 2015
Stokes Park
Traveling
0.5 miles
90 Minutes
Observers: 12
All birds reported? Yes
Comments:
Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.8
3 Double-crested Cormorant
3 Great Blue Heron
1 Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
6 Black Vulture
1 Red-shouldered Hawk
2 Mourning Dove
1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 Downy Woodpecker
1 Eastern Phoebe
1 White-eyed Vireo
1 Blue-headed Vireo
1 American Crow
24 Cave Swallow
5 Carolina Chickadee
3 Black-crested Titmouse
4 Carolina Wren
1 Golden-crowned Kinglet
4 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
3 Orange-crowned Warbler
1 Nashville Warbler
12 Yellow-rumped Warbler
1 Black-throated Gray Warbler — Continuing bird
2 Black-and-white Warbler
8 Northern Cardinal
1 Great-tailed Grackle
Mar 24, 2015
Aquarena Springs
Traveling
0.5 miles
90 Minutes
Observers: 12
All birds reported? Yes
Comments:
Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.8
5 Gadwall
7 Pied-billed Grebe
7 Double-crested Cormorant
1 Great Blue Heron
50 Black Vulture
1 Osprey
2 Red-shouldered Hawk
35 White-winged Dove
1 Belted Kingfisher
2 Golden-fronted Woodpecker
1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
1 Downy Woodpecker
2 Eastern Phoebe
1 Vermilion Flycatcher
2 White-eyed Vireo
2 Carolina Chickadee
3 Carolina Wren
1 Bewick’s Wren
1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
4 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
5 Northern Mockingbird
1 Orange-crowned Warbler
12 Yellow-rumped Warbler
1 Black-and-white Warbler
1 Common Yellowthroat
1 Chipping Sparrow
1 Song Sparrow
1 Lincoln’s Sparrow
1 Great-tailed Grackle
8 American Goldfinch
1 House Sparrow
Ray Steelman says:
March 17, 2015 at 7:22 pmFifteen birders joined us on this trip to Lake Creek Trail in Jollyville, Williamson County on March 17th. The weather was overcast and in the mid sixties with little to no wind. Although there were few surprises we had a good number of birds to enjoy including a pair of red-shouldered hawks actively building s nest. A list of species follows:
Lake Creek Trail (Williamson Co.), Williamson, US-TX
Mar 17, 2015 7:20 AM – 10:43 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.2 mile(s)
Comments: Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.8
48 species (+1 other taxa)
Gadwall 6
American Wigeon 4
Lesser Scaup 6
Double-crested Cormorant 4
Great Blue Heron 4
Great Egret 5
Snowy Egret 2
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 4
Cooper’s Hawk 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 3
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 3
Greater Yellowlegs 4
Least Sandpiper 15
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 7
White-winged Dove 11
Mourning Dove 3
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 2 Heard only
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 4
Barn Swallow 1
Carolina Chickadee 8
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 3
Carolina Wren 3
Bewick’s Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 10
Cedar Waxwing 30
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 20
Spotted Towhee 2
Chipping Sparrow 10
Vesper Sparrow 2
Savannah Sparrow 20
Song Sparrow 4
Northern Cardinal 14
Red-winged Blackbird 20
Great-tailed Grackle 20
House Finch 4
Lesser Goldfinch 2
American Goldfinch 6
House Sparrow 8
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S22394302
Deb Wallace says:
March 14, 2015 at 12:30 pmIt was a good sparrow day (14 species) for the 13 of us that went out to bird the Flying X tract of Balcones Canyonlands NWR. It was cold and drizzly, but we quit minding so much when we got good looks at the Sage Thrasher perched in a small tree. The Grasshopper Sparrow was a popular find, too!
Mar 8, 2015
Flying X Ranch
Traveling
1.5 miles
150 Minutes
Observers: 13
All birds reported? Yes
Comments:
Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.8
12 Northern Bobwhite
1 Great Blue Heron
1 Northern Harrier
1 American Kestrel
4 Killdeer
3 White-winged Dove
30 Mourning Dove
1 Loggerhead Shrike
2 American Crow
1 Common Raven
3 Bewick’s Wren
1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
1 Eastern Bluebird
100 American Robin
3 Northern Mockingbird
1 Sage Thrasher — Continuing bird
20 Cedar Waxwing
1 Orange-crowned Warbler
5 Spotted Towhee
3 Rufous-crowned Sparrow
1 Canyon Towhee
3 Chipping Sparrow
12 Field Sparrow
12 Vesper Sparrow
1 Black-throated Sparrow
1 Savannah Sparrow
1 Grasshopper Sparrow
8 Song Sparrow
5 Lincoln’s Sparrow
2 White-throated Sparrow
24 Harris’s Sparrow
18 White-crowned Sparrow
8 Northern Cardinal
Terry Banks says:
March 11, 2015 at 11:16 pmInks Lake State Park, Burnet, US-TX
Mar 10, 2015 7:15 AM – 1:15 PM
Protocol: Traveling
3.5 mile(s)
Comments: 14 members of Travis Audubon participated in this field trip to Inks Lake. It was cool in the morning – about 50 degrees Farenheit, slightly overcast with minimal wind. We started out birding at the Ranger’s stations, exploring the rocky outcroppings and reeds along the water. We then went on a 3 mile hike through rocky, hilly, hill country habitat that was expansive and lovely. Next we scoped out both the North and South piers of the lake. Finally we visited the new and excellent bird blind.
59 species (+2 other taxa)
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 6
Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) 4
Gadwall (Anas strepera) 4
Mallard (Domestic type) (Anas platyrhynchos (Domestic type)) 6
Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) 2
Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) 5
Redhead (Aythya americana) 2
Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) 1
Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) 6
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) 2
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) 4
Common Loon (Gavia immer) 1 We saw one loon three different times at different parts of the lake. This could have been the same loon or several loons, but we will only count one since we only saw one at any given time.
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) 15
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) 8
American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) 6
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 5
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) 25
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 5
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) 4
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 2
Sora (Porzana carolina) 1 Although not seen, a sora was heard in the reeds by the water in front of the ranger’s station.
American Coot (Fulica americana) 35
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 2
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) 1
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 29
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) 100
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 5
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Picoides scalaris) 4
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 5
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 1 heard only
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) 3
Purple Martin (Progne subis) 35
Cliff/Cave Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota/fulva) 3
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 5
Black-crested Titmouse (Baeolophus atricristatus) 15
Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus) 1 During the hike above the pecan trail we saw a rock wren. There was no doubt about this grey wren with it’s large bill, speckled wings, striped black and white vent and medium sized tail. It was hopping around on the rocks with Black Throated Sparrows and Rufous Crowned sparrows. Although I did not get a photo on the 10th, I did get a fair picture on the 6th of March and can send this picture to anyone who would like to scrutinize it. In addition, I have some excellent photos of this bird at Inks Lake about 6 months to a year ago. I am seeing rock wrens with regularity – every time I come to Inks Lake and hike above the Pecan flats trail I have seen them within the last 1-2 years.
Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus) 1
Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris) 2 singing back and forth in the reeds in front of the ranger’s station
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 3
Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) 10
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) 2
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 8
Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata) 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 10
Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) 2
Rufous-crowned Sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps) 6
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) 12
Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) 6
Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) 10
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) 4
White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) 2
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 30
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 100
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) 7
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 1
Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) 25
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 1
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S22303039
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Jeff patterson for Jean says:
March 10, 2015 at 10:17 pmIn spite of having numerous “drop-outs” for my “make-up” Mitchell Lake field trip, due to conflicts, injury or illness, the trip was held yesterday, Mar. 7. The weather was great and we birded for several hours at Mitchell Lake. After lunch we went to another spot in San Antonio, Judson Nature Trail in Olmos Basin Park, where I understand the local Audubon group leads regular bird walks. We picked up several species that we hadn’t gotten at Mitchell Lake, and by the conclusion of our birding in San Antonio, we had 59 species. Everyone seemed pleased with the trip and both spots were new to some in our group.
Good birding,
Jean
virginia rose says:
March 8, 2015 at 12:16 amSix of us enjoyed a cold, but thankfully dry, morning at Windermere Park in Pflugerville. Red shouldered hawk put on a nest-building clinic, but we were not particularly impressed with this individual’s technique. Sticks too short and tossed in haphazardly in a questionable forked branch. 🙂
red shouldered hawk
brown thrasher
hermit thrush
dark-eyed junco
Cooper’s hawk
titmouse species
Carolina chickadee
Carolina wren
Ruby-crowned kinglet
blue jay
eastern bluebird
eastern phoebe
white-winged dove
mourning dove
house sparrow
white-throated sparrow
American goldfinch
red-winged blackbird
European starling
great-tailed grackle
swallow species
northern flicker
northern cardinal
northern mockingbird
red-bellied woodpecker
orange-crowned warbler
yellow-rumped warbler
great blue heron
American crow
brown thrasher
Ken Zaslow says:
March 3, 2015 at 8:24 pmEleven people participated on this TAS field trip to ponds in South Travis County. We visited 2 retention ponds at the Southpark Meadows Shopping Center and walked on an adjacent trail through a section of the Slaughter Creek Greenbelt. We then birded 3 ponds located in the Onion Creek community located east of I-35 at the Onion Creek Parkway and I-35. We walked on a nice trail that goes around the two retention ponds within this community at Bradshaw Road and Plantation Drive. Due to deteriorating weather conditions we did not stop to bird in the Turnersville Road area. Separate eBird reports are listed below for the Southpark Meadows and the Onion Cree Development areas.
Austin–Southpark Meadows Ctr., Travis, US-TX
Mar 3, 2015 7:00 AM – 8:30 AM
Comments: The weather was a variable combination of light rain, fog, and overcast skies. Winds were light at less than 5 mph. Temperatures remained in the mid-40’s
38 species (+1 other taxa)
Gadwall 3
American Wigeon 13
Blue-winged Teal 2
Northern Shoveler 8
Ring-necked Duck 3
Bufflehead 2
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Osprey 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 9
American Coot 50
Killdeer 1
Wilson’s Snipe 1
White-winged Dove 1
Mourning Dove 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Loggerhead Shrike 1
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 8
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 3
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 3
Bewick’s Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Northern Mockingbird 3
American Pipit 40
Cedar Waxwing 25
Yellow-rumped Warbler 12
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 4
Great-tailed Grackle 6
House Finch 3
American Goldfinch 8
Onion creek club inc, onion creek parkway, austin, tx, Travis, US-TX
Mar 3, 2015 9:06 AM – 10:21 AM
42 species (+2 other taxa)
Gadwall 2
American Wigeon 55
Mallard 1
Mallard (Domestic type) 1
Blue-winged Teal 2
Northern Shoveler 3
Redhead 1
Ring-necked Duck 20
Lesser Scaup 2
Bufflehead 6
Ruddy Duck 7
Pied-billed Grebe 12
Double-crested Cormorant 8
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 1 On way to turnersville pond
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 1
Killdeer 3
White-winged Dove 5
Mourning Dove 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
American Kestrel 1 On way to turnersville pond
Eastern Phoebe 1
American Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 1
Marsh Wren 1
Carolina Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Eastern Bluebird 2
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 20
Yellow-rumped Warbler 10
Vesper Sparrow 3
Savannah Sparrow 6
Song Sparrow 3
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 1
Red-winged Blackbird 150
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 1
Brewer’s Blackbird 3
Great-tailed Grackle 10
House Sparrow 3
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
February 24, 2015 at 7:31 pmThis trip was led by Dan Callaway.
Lake Pflugerville, Travis, US-TX
Feb 24, 2015 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Comments: Two people participated on this TAS field trip on a cold morning. Temperature 29 degrees, north wind 10 to 15 mph
34 species (+1 other taxa)
Blue-winged Teal 1
Northern Shoveler 4
Northern Pintail 15
Green-winged Teal 5
Canvasback 6
Redhead 8
Lesser Scaup 30
Bufflehead 2
Pied-billed Grebe 12
Neotropic Cormorant 1
Double-crested Cormorant 12
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 6
Northern Harrier 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Virginia Rail 1 Heard only
Sora 1 Heard only
American Coot 700
Killdeer 10
Wilson’s Snipe 10
Ring-billed Gull 100
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 30
Mourning Dove 40
Loggerhead Shrike 1
American Crow 1
European Starling 150
American Pipit 5
Common Yellowthroat 1
Savannah Sparrow 14
Swamp Sparrow 3
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 20
Great-tailed Grackle 50
House Sparrow 2
Deb Wallace says:
February 24, 2015 at 2:32 pmWinter was back for this trip to Commons Ford. 13 of us came out to bird and were pleasantly surprised that the rain stopped and the wind died down, although the sun stayed hidden. It was a good walk. We had 10 species of sparrows, but the highlights were the 16 Wild Turkey (some displaying) and the Ringed Kingfisher.
Feb 22, 2015
Commons Ford Pk
Traveling
2.5 miles
210 Minutes
Observers: 12
All birds reported? Yes
Comments:
Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.8
4 Wood Duck
2 Mallard (Domestic type)
16 Wild Turkey
5 Great Blue Heron
1 Osprey
1 Cooper’s Hawk
1 Red-shouldered Hawk
2 Red-tailed Hawk
8 Ring-billed Gull
20 White-winged Dove
3 Mourning Dove
1 Ringed Kingfisher
1 Belted Kingfisher
5 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
1 Downy Woodpecker
4 Eastern Phoebe
1 Blue Jay
5 Western Scrub-Jay
6 Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
4 Carolina Wren
3 Bewick’s Wren
7 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
1 Eastern Bluebird
6 Northern Mockingbird
50 Cedar Waxwing
60 Yellow-rumped Warbler
4 Spotted Towhee
25 Chipping Sparrow
6 Field Sparrow
1 Vesper Sparrow
12 Savannah Sparrow
4 Fox Sparrow
7 Song Sparrow
15 Lincoln’s Sparrow
5 Harris’s Sparrow
18 White-crowned Sparrow
12 Northern Cardinal
10 Red-winged Blackbird
1 Eastern Meadowlark
1 Great-tailed Grackle
8 House Finch
30 Lesser Goldfinch
9 American Goldfinch
Terry Banks says:
February 20, 2015 at 6:26 pmPedernales Falls SP (HOTE 050), Blanco, US-TX
Feb 17, 2015 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Comments: This was an Audubon Field Trip to Pedernales Falls State Park led by Terry Banks and attended by Ray and Ginny Steelman, Joe Hood, Laura Danysh, Milton (her friend), Allison M., Eric and Shey Wicklund and David Stekoll. It was an overcast, cold 31 degrees when we arrived at the Ranger’s Station and birds that had been singing the week before during the nice weather were quiet and skulking. It was overcast and there was a bit of wind that made the day a little chillier than the actual temperature. We started out at the bird blind. We arrived before the park volunteer that feeds the birds had arrived, but the birds were there, nevertheless, waiting in hungry anticipation. A vocal mob of Western Scrub Jays seemed to be impatiently demanding their food, and Northern Cardinals were numerous – At any given time there were about 30 at the blind. Black Crested Titmice flew in and out, and House Finches were common. After the park host fed the birds even more birds came in, and all of us enjoyed watching what one of us called “Bird TV”. Later we took a walk on the horse trail behind the bird blind – I was trying to locate a Hutton’s vireo I had located the week before, but this day there was no vireo of any description. We walked to the pond that is along the path and spooked 4 Gadwalls. We also took a walk along the Pedernales River, finding a few birds here as well. The park was lovely and everyone enjoyed the scenic beauty. Our group was happy and gregarious and we had a very nice time birding. After the excursions at the park, 5 of us enjoyed a really nice lunch at Rolling in Thyme and Dough in Dripping Springs.
36 species
Gadwall (Anas strepera) 4 flushed from the duck pond along the horse trail
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) 10
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 2
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) 1 Flying over the Pedernales River
Inca Dove (Columbina inca) 4
Common Ground-Dove (Columbina passerina) 2 A pair of Common Ground Doves came to the bird blind and stayed in the back of the blind by the water feature.
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) 20
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes aurifrons) 2 One seen at the bird blind, another seen at the Pedernales River Trail
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Picoides scalaris) 5
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 1
Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriway) 4 Seen by Eric and Shey when they were driving into the park
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 1
Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica) 12
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 1 heard only
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 2
Black-crested Titmouse (Baeolophus atricristatus) 10
Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus) 1 One seen well in the bird blind
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 1 heard only
Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) 10
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) 10 We studied the Ruby Crowned Kinglets extra scrupulously because we were trying to find a Hutton’s Vireo’s, but all of the studied birds were unmistakably the Kinglets. We either heard the Kinglet Vocalization, saw the birds well, or were able to verify the species by the foraging behavior.
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 3
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 3
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 20
Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata) 1
Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) 3 Heard along the horse trail and seen at the bird blind
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) 5 seen with the flock of juncos
Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) 3
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) 1 by the duck pond
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 1 seen along the Pedernales River
Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) 3 Two seen well at the bird blind
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) 20 A flock of Juncos and Chipping Sparrows flew over the road – they had been roosting in nearby trees and unfortunately only three people in one of our cars got to see the flock. They were mostly the Slate-colored, but I did not see all members of the flock well.
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 30
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 30
Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) 2
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 2
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S21980145
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Deb Wallace says:
February 11, 2015 at 4:05 amIt felt like Spring today when 11 of us birded Commons Ford Ranch Park. We had some nice sparrows and woodpeckers and ended up with 42 species.
Feb 10, 2015
Commons Ford Pk
Traveling
2.2 miles
210 Minutes
Observers: 11
All birds reported? Yes
Comments:
Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.8
2 Pied-billed Grebe
1 Double-crested Cormorant
3 Great Blue Heron
1 Great Egret
2 Turkey Vulture
1 Red-shouldered Hawk
2 Red-tailed Hawk
1 American Coot
1 Killdeer
50 White-winged Dove
1 Mourning Dove
1 Belted Kingfisher
1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
7 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
1 Downy Woodpecker
6 Eastern Phoebe
1 American Crow
2 Carolina Chickadee
8 Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
3 Carolina Wren
2 Bewick’s Wren
3 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
3 Eastern Bluebird
1 American Robin
5 Northern Mockingbird
15 European Starling
10 Cedar Waxwing
2 Orange-crowned Warbler
50 Yellow-rumped Warbler
2 Spotted Towhee
6 Field Sparrow
8 Vesper Sparrow
2 Savannah Sparrow
2 Fox Sparrow
7 Song Sparrow
4 Lincoln’s Sparrow
2 Harris’s Sparrow
8 White-crowned Sparrow
12 Northern Cardinal
30 Red-winged Blackbird
4 House Finch
15 Lesser Goldfinch
10 American Goldfinch
Ken Zaslow says:
February 3, 2015 at 6:16 pmHornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, US-TX
Feb 3, 2015 7:30 AM – 10:15 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Nine people participated in this TAS field trip to Hornsby Bend on a cool, cloudy morning that ended with light rainfall. The temperature remained between 41-43 degrees and winds were calm. The birding around ponds 1 and 2 was pretty quiet, but things picked up on the River Trail on the west side of pond 3 where there was a lot of passerine activity.
49 species (+2 other taxa)
Gadwall 7
American Wigeon 5
Northern Shoveler 17
Green-winged Teal 20
Canvasback 1
Ring-necked Duck 1
Bufflehead 1
Ruddy Duck 5
Snowy Egret 3
Osprey 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Sora 1 Heard calling from a marshy area at the southern edge of Pond 3
American Coot 5
Killdeer 10
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Least Sandpiper 45
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 17
Mourning Dove 12
Ringed Kingfisher 1 Heard from the River Trail calling by the Colorado River west of Pond 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
Blue-headed Vireo 1
American Crow 4
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 4
Carolina Wren 5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 5
Eastern Bluebird 8
Hermit Thrush 2
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 8
Orange-crowned Warbler 4
Pine Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 25
Savannah Sparrow 4
Song Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 15
Red-winged Blackbird 85
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 6
Rusty Blackbird 7 Seen early in the morning in the company of Red-winged Blackbirds in the area around the CER parking lot and later in the morning on the western edge of Pond 3. The birds had unmarked tan breasts and a distinctive head pattern with rusty crown and pale supercilium. The iris was pale.
Common Grackle 3
Great-tailed Grackle 10
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Lesser Goldfinch 1 Heard only
American Goldfinch 2
House Sparrow 5
Craig Rasmussen says:
January 27, 2015 at 11:39 pmTravis Audubon field trip to Mother Neff State Park on Jan 27, 2015
45 species
See ebird list at: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S21568092
Kenneth Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
January 20, 2015 at 10:03 pmThis TAS field trip was led by Dan Callaway
Barkley Meadows, Travis, US-TX
Jan 20, 2015 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Sixteen birders gathered for the Travis Audubon Society field trip. We covered the parking lot, picnic area, the trail downstream along Onion Creek, then back to the large pond east of the parking lot. Weather– fog early, then sunny and calm, temp- 40-66.
59 species (+1 other taxa)
Wood Duck 2
Gadwall 7
American Wigeon 40
Northern Shoveler 5
Northern Pintail 2
Green-winged Teal 8
Canvasback 4
Redhead 8
Ring-necked Duck 6
Lesser Scaup 15
Bufflehead 12
Ruddy Duck 50
Pied-billed Grebe 3
Double-crested Cormorant 35
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 2
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 3
Osprey 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 100
Least Sandpiper 2
Ring-billed Gull 6
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 75
White-winged Dove 2
Mourning Dove 24
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 3
Crested Caracara 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Loggerhead Shrike 1
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 10
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 4
Carolina Wren 5
Bewick’s Wren 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Eastern Bluebird 2
Hermit Thrush 1
Northern Mockingbird 5
European Starling 30
American Pipit 20
Cedar Waxwing 50
Orange-crowned Warbler 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 25
Vesper Sparrow 20
Savannah Sparrow 15
Song Sparrow 3
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 4
Northern Cardinal 15
Red-winged Blackbird 180
Common Grackle 100
Great-tailed Grackle 60
House Finch 10
Lesser Goldfinch 2
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 1
Ray Steelman says:
January 13, 2015 at 10:07 pmToday we led a group of nine birders to the Granger area under overcast skies with temps ranging from a chilly 35 degrees up to a not so balmy 29. We searched the location of the recently reported striped sparrow but did not find it, however we did locate a red-headed woodpecker as a consolation prize. Highlights were several sand-hill cranes near Thrall, great looks at a very cooperative burrowing owl and good looks a several flocks of horned larks as well as distant views of a group of McCowns longspurs. We had a total of 52 species including a hundred or more great-tailed grackles in the parking lot of our Round Rock meetup location that are not included on the eBird report. The following is a complete list of birds seen :
Granger Lake Area (HOTE 031), Williamson, US-TX
Jan 12, 2015 9:50 PM – 2:50 AM
Protocol: Traveling
25.0 mile(s)
Comments: Travis Audubon field trip to the Granger in Williamson County, TX. Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.8
50 species (+1 other taxa)
Gadwall 9
American Wigeon 5
Mallard 3
Northern Shoveler 4
Green-winged Teal 4
Ring-necked Duck 1
Double-crested Cormorant 10
Great Blue Heron 3
Black Vulture X
Turkey Vulture X
Northern Harrier 3
Red-tailed Hawk 8
Sandhill Crane 60
Killdeer 40
Greater Yellowlegs 3
Ring-billed Gull 2
Eurasian Collared-Dove 6
Inca Dove 1
White-winged Dove 1
Mourning Dove 50
Burrowing Owl 1
Red-headed Woodpecker 1 Seen well by nine people in our group, photo upon request, all red head black back with white in wings bright white chest and belly. Observed along CR 361 near CR 428 in Hare, Williamson County, TX.
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Crested Caracara 5
American Kestrel 6
Eastern Phoebe 2
Loggerhead Shrike 5
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 4
Horned Lark 30
Carolina Chickadee 2
Carolina Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 40
McCown’s Longspur 20
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Vesper Sparrow 30
Savannah Sparrow 12
Fox Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 1
Harris’s Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow 12
Northern Cardinal 25
Red-winged Blackbird 22
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 300
Brewer’s Blackbird 40
Common Grackle 50
Brown-headed Cowbird 40
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S21333851
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Jane Tillman says:
January 8, 2015 at 11:42 pm10 folks showed up to bird Circle Acres at 8 a.m., but some of us early birds birded Roy Guerrero for 30 minutes while we waited.
That checklist is below. Scroll down to see the checklist for Circle Acres itself.
Circle Acres is a 10 acre piece of land owned by Ecology Action and they are happy for birders to visit. It is a nice adjunct to Roy Guerrero, with a woodland wetland, and a fence row.
Austin–Roy Guerrero Pk, Travis, US-TX
Jan 6, 2015 7:38 AM – 8:05 AM
Protocol: Stationary
Comments: Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.5.3
22 species (+1 other taxa)
Black Vulture 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Ring-billed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 10
White-winged Dove 1
Mourning Dove 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Monk Parakeet 17
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 3
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 1
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
European Starling 4
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 1
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Great-tailed Grackle 1
American Goldfinch 1
Austin–Circle Acres, Travis, US-TX
Jan 6, 2015 8:06 AM – 10:12 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.6 mile(s)
Comments: Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.5.3
34 species (+1 other taxa)
Mallard 11
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
White-winged Dove 5
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 1
Crested Caracara 1
Monk Parakeet 5
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 1
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 1
House Wren 2
Carolina Wren 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Eastern Bluebird 1
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 4
Spotted Towhee 1
Chipping Sparrow 3
Field Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 3
White-throated Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 5
Red-winged Blackbird 23
Common Grackle 8
Great-tailed Grackle 1
House Finch 2
Lesser Goldfinch 1
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 1
Deb Wallace says:
December 8, 2014 at 1:24 amOn Tuesday, December 2nd, 10 of us went out to bird Doeskin Ranch at the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge. While we were looking for sparrows, the American Robins stole the show. Hundreds of them descended on Doeskin shortly after we arrived. They were chattering, singing and playing so that we could barely hear anything else! It was magical and became pretty hilarious, as they stayed all morning. We also had some nice sparrows, including Le Conte’s!
wallacel
Dec 2, 2014
Balcones Canyonlands NWR–Doeskin Ranch
Traveling
3 miles
240 Minutes
Observers: 10
All birds reported? Yes
Comments:
Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.7.6
1 Turkey Vulture
1 Sharp-shinned Hawk
1 Red-tailed Hawk
1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
1 American Crow
3 Common Raven
4 Carolina Chickadee
5 Black-crested Titmouse
2 Carolina Wren
1 Bewick’s Wren
4 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
2 Hermit Thrush
750 American Robin
7 Northern Mockingbird
30 Cedar Waxwing
10 Spotted Towhee
40 Chipping Sparrow
10 Field Sparrow
12 Vesper Sparrow
5 Savannah Sparrow
1 Grasshopper Sparrow
1 Le Conte’s Sparrow
7 Song Sparrow
12 Lincoln’s Sparrow
5 White-throated Sparrow
1 White-crowned Sparrow
2 Northern Cardinal
200 Red-winged Blackbird
1 House Finch
4 American Goldfinch
Deb Wallace says:
December 8, 2014 at 1:10 amWe had 19 folks show up on Sunday, the 30th, for the November Commons Ford Ranch monthly bird walk. It was a little more intense than our regular walks, as we were looking for the rarities that had been reported on during Thanksgiving week. While we didn’t find any Purple Finches, we did get good looks at the Palm Warbler and we had some other nice birds. A good time was had by all! The bird list is as follows:
wallacel
Nov 30, 2014
Commons Ford Pk
Traveling
2 miles
210 Minutes
Observers: 19
All birds reported? Yes
Comments:
Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.7.6
6 Wood Duck
1 Pied-billed Grebe
1 Double-crested Cormorant
1 Great Blue Heron
1 Black Vulture
1 Turkey Vulture
2 Osprey
1 Sharp-shinned Hawk
2 Cooper’s Hawk
2 Red-tailed Hawk
1 American Kestrel
1 American Coot
1 Ring-billed Gull
200 White-winged Dove
3 Mourning Dove
1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
2 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
1 Downy Woodpecker
2 Eastern Phoebe
1 Blue Jay
1 American Crow
1 Carolina Chickadee
2 Black-crested Titmouse
3 Carolina Wren
1 Bewick’s Wren
2 House Wren
2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
12 Eastern Bluebird
1 Hermit Thrush
5 Northern Mockingbird
15 Cedar Waxwing
8 Yellow-rumped Warbler
1 Palm Warbler — Brownish bird with yellow under tail coverts, light eyebrow and bobbing tail. Foraging on ground.
3 Spotted Towhee
1 Rufous-crowned Sparrow
3 Chipping Sparrow
3 Vesper Sparrow
2 Savannah Sparrow
1 Fox Sparrow
4 Song Sparrow
6 Lincoln’s Sparrow
1 White-throated Sparrow
3 Harris’s Sparrow
6 White-crowned Sparrow
6 Northern Cardinal
15 Red-winged Blackbird
6 Great-tailed Grackle
15 House Finch
12 Lesser Goldfinch
24 American Goldfinch
Judith Bailey says:
December 7, 2014 at 2:18 amVirginia Rose and Judith Bailey led the Beginner’s Bird Walk at Brushy Creek Lake Park on 12-6-2014; 15 other birders joined the fun. We had a good variety of passerines and waterfowl. We saw or heard 35 species with the highlights being a Merlin harassing Meadowlarks in the field, a Belted Kingfisher close to shore and an Osprey hovering over the lake looking for prey. Many thanks to Michael and George for the share observations.
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
Lesser Scaup
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Merlin
American Coot
Killdeer
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Loggerhead Shrike
Blue Jay
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Carolina Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Meadowlark sp.
Great-tailed Grackle
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
Ray Steelman says:
November 25, 2014 at 10:17 pmToday (11-25) Ginny and Ray Steelman led eight fellow birders to Tejas Camp in Williamson County followed by a quick trip to Meadow Lake Park in Round Rock in search of the reported Western Grebes that five us us decided to try. Unfortunately we struck out on the Grebes but did find several species of waterfowl. Tejas yielded nine species of sparrows including eight fox sparrows and seven Harris’ Sparrows and two Golden-crowned Kinglets. The weather was chilly in the AM and mid sixties after lunch under cloudless skies. The total species list was sixty three:
Nov 25, 2014
Tejas Camp (Williamson Co.) (HOTE 030)
Traveling
3 miles
240 Minutes
Observers: 8
All birds reported? Yes
Comments:
Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.8
1 Double-crested Cormorant
X Black Vulture
X Turkey Vulture
1 Sharp-shinned Hawk
1 Red-shouldered Hawk
2 Red-tailed Hawk
1 Crested Caracara
1 American Kestrel
1 Spotted Sandpiper
8 White-winged Dove
10 Mourning Dove
1 Belted Kingfisher
2 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
1 Downy Woodpecker
1 Northern Flicker
3 Eastern Phoebe
3 Blue Jay
5 American Crow
8 Carolina Chickadee
1 Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
3 Carolina Wren
1 Bewick’s Wren
1 House Wren
1 Winter Wren
2 Golden-crowned Kinglet
6 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
2 Eastern Bluebird
75 American Robin
5 Northern Mockingbird
1 Yellow-rumped Warbler
5 Spotted Towhee
6 Field Sparrow
5 Vesper Sparrow
1 Savannah Sparrow
8 Fox Sparrow
1 Song Sparrow
5 Lincoln’s Sparrow
5 White-throated Sparrow
7 Harris’s Sparrow
8 White-crowned Sparrow
12 Northern Cardinal
100 Red-winged Blackbird
1 House Finch
5 Lesser Goldfinch
5 American Goldfinch
Meadow Lake, Williamson, US-TX
Nov 25, 2014 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.8
19 species
Gadwall 1
American Wigeon 1
Canvasback 90
Ring-necked Duck 8
Lesser Scaup 2
Bufflehead 20
Ruddy Duck 25
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 6
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 15
Snowy Egret 2
Turkey Vulture 5
Cooper’s Hawk 1
American Coot 55
Ring-billed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 20
Loggerhead Shrike 1
Great-tailed Grackle 6
Dennis Palafox says:
November 24, 2014 at 3:45 amDennis Palafox and Jane Tillman lead a group of 12 hearty souls on a field trip to Laguna Gloria and Mayfield Preserve on November 22, 2014, from 7:30 to about 11:00. The distance walked was approximately 0.5 miles at each location. Weather was overcast and drizzly with an occasional rain shower. We saw 30 species at Laguna Gloria and 19 species at Mayfield Preserve. We were also treated to some beautiful fall colors. A list of the birds seen at each location follows.
Laguna Gloria
Wood Duck 3
Mallard (Domestic type) 6
Great Egret 1
Osprey 2
American Coot 1
Spotted Sandpiper 1
White-winged Dove 70
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 1
Carolina Chickadee 1
Black-crested Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 3
Bewick’s Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 15
Orange-crowned Warbler 3
Common Yellowthroat 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 2
Great-tailed Grackle 15
House Finch 6
Lesser Goldfinch 3
House Sparrow 15
Mayfield Preserve
Great Blue Heron 1
White-winged Dove 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
American Crow 10
Carolina Chickadee 3
Black-crested Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Hermit Thrush 2
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 2
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Northern Cardinal 2
House Finch 1
Lesser Goldfinch 6
American Goldfinch 12
Ken Zaslow for Terry Banks says:
November 20, 2014 at 10:34 pmReimer Ranch, Travis, US-TX
Nov 18, 2014 10:35 AM – 1:35 PM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Thirteen people participated on this scheduled Travis Audubon field trip.
One of the first birds seen was a delightful Canyon Towhee that was found by Buffie
Eicher. This bird was hanging around the entrance station with other
sparrows such as Rufous crowned, Lincoln’s, White Crowned, and Chipping
Sparrows. After birding this very birdy entrance we drove to the
Equestrian trail to try to find the Long Billed or Curve Billed Thrasher
(I forget) that was hanging around at the area. All 13 of us traipsed
around the dry creekbed and by the parking lot trying to find the bird,
but probably frightened the bird off – there were other sparrows and
quite a few of the colorful Western Scrub Jays, but no Thrasher.
Undaunted we drove to the river and had a nice picnic lunch along the
river. Although this area was not as birdy as it could have been, it
was a beautiful place and we walked along the river for about an hour
just enjoying the seclusion and beauty of this place along the
Pedernales River.
31 species (+3 other taxa)
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) 30
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 5
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 2 A light pair circling above
the river and property, flying close together.
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 1
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 1 heard only by the river
Melanerpes sp. (Melanerpes sp.) 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Picoides scalaris) 1
Merlin (Falco columbarius) 1 Unfortunately not every one in the
group got to see this bird that made a quick fly by while half of us
were taking a bathroom break. Many a good bird sightings can be missed
by taking this break. You have to ask – bathroom or birding?
Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica) 5
Cave Swallow (Petrochelidon fulva) 1
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 2
Black-crested Titmouse (Baeolophus atricristatus) 2
Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus) 2 heard only
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) 1
Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) 6
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) 4
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 10
Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) 4
Spotted/Eastern Towhee (Rufous-sided Towhee) (Pipilo
maculatus/erythrophthalmus) 2
Rufous-crowned Sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps) 4 Both seen at close
range and heard from a distance.
Canyon Towhee (Melozone fusca) 2
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) 20 This number is an estimate
– sparrows seemed to be everywhere and chipping were common. There were
probably more than this.
Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) 30 Again, an estimate. Field
Sparrows were also common.
Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus) 4
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) 1
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 4 Both vocalizing and seen from a
distance across the river.
Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) 1
White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) 30 Along with the
Chipping and Field, one of the most numerous birds – often either
singing or vocalizing with chip notes.
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 2
Western/Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta/magna) 20 flying
about the property but not vocalizing
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 2
Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) 6
jeff patterson for Christian Walker says:
November 15, 2014 at 7:48 pmHello,
I led the Hornsby Bend bird walk with Jean Martin, Stan Van Standt and others
this morning and we found a lot of birds. The ponds were relatively quiet, but
Platt Lane was super busy. Some in our group took a picture of a female Purple
Finch which I did not see?jealous. Definitely the highlight of the day, but
other good birds along Platt were both Blue-headed and White-eyed Vireos, good
numbers of sparrows including 2 Dark-eyed Juncos, great looks at a
Golden-crowned Kinglet, and a Cave Swallow along the river. Platt was amazingly
birdy – we spent two hours just walking from the abandoned house to the river.
The ponds had good numbers of ducks, mainly shovelers, with 2 Bufflehead, some
Lesser Scaup, and a Ring-necked Duck. Also great looks at Wilson?s Snipes.
Good birding,
Christian Walker
Austin 512 431 2495
Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, US-TX
Nov 15, 2014 7:20 AM – 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Leading the Hornsby Bend bird walk with Jean Martin. Overcast,
0-5 mph E, around 45 degrees F.
42 species (+2 other taxa)
Gadwall 8
American Wigeon 4
Northern Shoveler 650
Green-winged Teal 90
Ring-necked Duck 1
Lesser Scaup 10
Bufflehead 2
Ruddy Duck 30
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Black Vulture 2
American Coot 3
Killdeer 13
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 30
Wilson’s Snipe 4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 2
Mourning Dove 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Crested Caracara 1
American Kestrel 1
Monk Parakeet 13
Eastern Phoebe 7
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 4
Loggerhead Shrike 1
Blue Jay 1
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
Carolina Wren 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Eastern Bluebird 2
Hermit Thrush 2
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 15
American Pipit 3
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 25
Savannah Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 6
Red-winged Blackbird 35
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 3
Great-tailed Grackle 35
House Sparrow 2
Jane Tillman says:
November 12, 2014 at 5:45 pmTwo hour Tuesday on Nov. 4 Onion Creek Greenway–Barkley Meadows, Travis, US-TX
Nov 4, 2014 7:21 AM – 9:54 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.1 mile(s)
Comments: TAS field trip. Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.5.3
38 species (+3 other taxa)
This was a new location for most of the 15 or so folks who participated
Gadwall 3
Blue-winged Teal 8
Ring-necked Duck 1
Pied-billed Grebe 4
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 2
Turkey Vulture 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Buteo sp. 1
American Coot 1
Killdeer 6
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Least Sandpiper 12
Wilson’s Snipe 1
White-winged Dove 3
Mourning Dove 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Crested Caracara 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 6
Carolina Chickadee 1
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 1
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Eastern Bluebird 3
Hermit Thrush 1
Northern Mockingbird 2
American Pipit 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 2
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 2
Great-tailed Grackle 1
House Finch 8
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S20440069
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
November 12, 2014 at 3:18 amThis trip was led by Dan Callaway.
Northeast Metro Park (Travis Co.), Travis, US-TX
Nov 11, 2014 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Twelve birders braved the 46 degree, cloudy, windy day. The arctic cold front hit about 6 a.m. dropping the temp quickly from a nice 63 degrees. This was a Travis Audubon field trip that was supposed to last 4 hours. Most folks left at 10. The leader continued by driving by the ponds and ball fields for a half hour.
27 species (+2 other taxa)
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 13
Turkey Vulture 5
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 55
White-winged Dove 75
Mourning Dove 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 2
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 8
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Eastern Bluebird 2
American Robin 1
European Starling 25
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 35
White-throated Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 3
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 1
Great-tailed Grackle 200
House Finch 1
Ray Steelman says:
October 28, 2014 at 6:38 pmSixteen birders ventured to Lake Devine in Leander, Williamson County under overcast skies and temperatures in the mid to upper 60’s. Although the morning started off slow we were able to to find a total of forty-one species including several newly arriving ducks. The ebird list is detailed below:
Devine Lake Pk, Williamson, US-TX
Oct 28, 2014 8:19 AM – 10:19 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.8
41 species
Gadwall 2
American Wigeon 12
Blue-winged Teal 25
Green-winged Teal 10
Redhead 20
Ring-necked Duck 6
Ruddy Duck 5
Pied-billed Grebe 4
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
White-faced Ibis 5
Black Vulture 4
Turkey Vulture 4
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 3
American Coot 100
Killdeer 18
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Least Sandpiper 8
Wilson’s Snipe 15
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 15
Eurasian Collared-Dove 1
Mourning Dove 5
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 1
Bewick’s Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Northern Mockingbird 10
European Starling 7
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Great-tailed Grackle 8
House Finch 2
Lesser Goldfinch 7
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S20362705
Dennis Palafox says:
October 23, 2014 at 1:44 amDennis Palafox lead a group of 13 birders on a field trip to Camp Mabry on October 19, 2014, from 7:45 to about 11:10. The distance walked was approximately 1.5 miles. Weather was partly cloudy with a light southerly breeze. In addition to seeing 35 bird species a highlight of the trip was an area with frostweed that attracted a large number of butterflies including Dusky Blue Groundstreak, Monarchs (12), Queen, Painted Lady, Hackberry Emperors (12), Tawny Emperors, Question Mark, Variegated Fritillary, Gulf Fritillary, and Sulphur species. A list of the birds seen follows:
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Green Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 2
Wood Duck 3
Blue-winged Teal 1
Cooper’s Hawk 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Coot 1
White-winged Dove 5
Mourning Dove 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker (HO) 1
Eastern Phoebe 10
Blue Jay 7
American Crow (HO) 1
Carolina Chickadee 4
Black-crested Titmouse 4
Carolina Wren 5
Bewick’s Wren 1
House Wren 2
Ruby-crowned kinglet (HO) 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (HO) 2
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 5
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Nashville Warbler 2
Lark Sparrow 2
Lincoln Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 10
Meadowlark sp. 1
Great-tailed Grackle 20
House Sparrow 1
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
October 21, 2014 at 9:45 pmGeorgetown- Berry Springs Park, Williamson, US-TX
Oct 21, 2014 7:45 AM – 12:45 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Travis Audubon Society super-Tuesday field trip. Sixteen birders amassed together to enjoy a morning of birding. This trip was scheduled long before the rarity had been sighted, a Great Kiskadee. Therefore all 32 ears had been pre-tuned in anticipation. Weather- clear and calm, 54 to 78 degrees.
40 species (+5 other taxa)
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 2
Turkey Vulture 3
Accipiter sp. 1
Killdeer 4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 25
Inca Dove 4
White-winged Dove 75
Mourning Dove 6
Red-bellied Woodpecker 8
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 4
Crested Caracara 2
small falcon sp. 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
Great Kiskadee 1 About 9 a.m. we all heard it calling and a few saw it. At 12:10, it returned to the area above the lake and perched in the top of a pecan tree. It was yellow underneath, rust colored on the back and wings. It had a heavy black line through the eye and a black cap. the eyebrow was white and met in the back of the head. White or very light yellow throat.
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 9
Loggerhead Shrike 2
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 6
Common Raven 1
Carolina Chickadee 12
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 1
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 3
Carolina Wren 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 7
Eastern Bluebird 18
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 7
European Starling 6
Orange-crowned Warbler 3
Nashville Warbler 1
Chipping Sparrow 6
Song Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
White-crowned Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 5
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 5
Common Grackle 25
Great-tailed Grackle 5
House Finch 7
Lesser Goldfinch 16
Ken Zaslow says:
October 14, 2014 at 10:00 pmHornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, US-TX
Oct 4, 2014 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Thirteen people joined this TAS bird walk at Hornsby Bend on a glorious Autumn morning. We birded the ponds area as well as a short trip to the Upper Island viewing spot. The beginning temperature was 55 degrees and the ending temperature was 68 degrees. The sky was sunny and perfectly clear and the winds ranged from calm to 10mph. Aside from the birds listed below there were a great number of butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies present. We did not see the previously reported Red-necked Phalarope.
47 species (+3 other taxa)
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 1
Blue-winged Teal 22
Northern Shoveler 35
Green-winged Teal 3
Ruddy Duck 2
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Double-crested Cormorant 1
White-faced Ibis 2
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Swainson’s Hawk 1
American Coot 1
American Avocet 3
Killdeer 27
Spotted Sandpiper 5
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 48
Wilson’s Snipe 1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 17
Mourning Dove 3
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 2
American Kestrel 1
Monk Parakeet 3
Eastern Phoebe 2
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 19
Loggerhead Shrike 2
American Crow 4
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 17
Barn Swallow 6
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 5
Carolina Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Eastern Bluebird 2
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 50
Clay-colored Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 3
Dickcissel 1
Red-winged Blackbird 40
Western/Eastern Meadowlark 35
Great-tailed Grackle 45
blackbird sp. 100
House Sparrow 3
Ken Zaslow says:
October 8, 2014 at 3:09 amRoy Guerrero Park, Travis, US-TX
Oct 7, 2014 7:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Comments: Twelve people participated on this Travis Audubon Society field trip to Roy Guerrero Park. The weather was warm with temperatures ranging from 73 degrees at the beginning to 85 degrees at the end. The day began with an overcast sky and progressed to mostly sunny conditions by mid-morning. Winds were light from 5-10 mph. Highlights were the variety of woodpeckers, raptors and wading birds seen.
47 species (+4 other taxa)
Wood Duck 2
Mallard (Domestic type) 2
Green-winged Teal 7
Pied-billed Grebe 3
Double-crested Cormorant 7
cormorant sp. 1
Great Blue Heron 6
Great Egret 14
Snowy Egret 18
Little Blue Heron 3
White Ibis 1
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 3
Osprey 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 3
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 1
Killdeer 6
Spotted Sandpiper 5
Least Sandpiper 17
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 230
White-winged Dove 25
Mourning Dove 18
Chimney Swift 2
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 4
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 6
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 4
Northern Flicker 1
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Couch’s Kingbird 4 The birds were clearly visible about 60 feet away at the top of a cluster of trees on the trail between the “secret” beach area and the Longhorn Dam area. They had gray heads, bright green backs and brownish tails. The underside was bright yellow and the yellow reached all the way up to top of the breast adjacent to the white throat. The bill was black and large. We had excellent binocular and scope views.
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 2
Loggerhead Shrike 1
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 3
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 3
House Wren 2
Carolina Wren 7
Bewick’s Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Northern Mockingbird 9
European Starling 5
Nashville Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 9
Great-tailed Grackle 21
House Finch 4
Lesser Goldfinch 1
Deb Wallace says:
September 23, 2014 at 6:43 pmThe first day of Fall is a great time to bird Commons Ford Ranch Park. Eight of us came out and had a great time. While not everyone heard the Eastern Whip-poor-wills, all did see the Canada Warbler! We had 32 species, including 6 Warbler species.
Sep 23, 2014
Commons Ford Park
1 Wood Duck
5 Wild Turkey
1 Great Blue Heron
2 Turkey Vulture
2 Cooper’s Hawk
1 Red-shouldered Hawk
1 Red-tailed Hawk
30 White-winged Dove
5 Mourning Dove
2 Eastern Whip-poor-will
5 Chimney Swift
4 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
3 Downy Woodpecker
5 Eastern Phoebe
4 White-eyed Vireo
2 American Crow
6 Carolina Chickadee
12 Black-crested Titmouse
4 Carolina Wren
2 Bewick’s Wren
20 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
7 Northern Mockingbird
1 Orange-crowned Warbler
4 Nashville Warbler
6 Yellow Warbler
1 Black-and-white Warbler
5 Wilson’s Warbler
1 Canada Warbler
6 Lark Sparrow
8 Northern Cardinal
10 House Finch
100 Lesser Goldfinch
Ken Zaslow says:
September 16, 2014 at 8:12 pmSt. Edwards Pk (NW Austin), Travis, US-TX
Sep 16, 2014 7:30 AM – 9:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Thirteen people participated on this Travis Audubon field trip. The birds were hard to find today except for the ever present vocalizing Wrens, Cardinals, and White-eyed Vireos. The weather was typical of mid-September in Austin with sunny skies and temperatures from the upper 70’s to the mid 80’s. The wind was calm.
25 species (+1 other taxa)
Green Heron 1
Black Vulture 3
Mississippi Kite 1 Seen flying high over the parking lot at the end of the trip
Sharp-shinned/Cooper’s Hawk 1 Seen at a distance flying over Bull Creek
Broad-winged Hawk 1 Seen flying high over the parking lot at the end of the trip
White-winged Dove 16
Chimney Swift 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1 Heard only
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
White-eyed Vireo 19
Red-eyed Vireo 1 Heard only
Blue Jay 1 Heard only
Carolina Chickadee 3
Black-crested Titmouse 4
Carolina Wren 14
Bewick’s Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 5
Northern Mockingbird 1
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 1
Field Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 22
Common Grackle 2 Seen flying over the parking lot before the trip began
Lesser Goldfinch 7
Judith Bailey says:
September 10, 2014 at 1:35 amOn Saturday, 9-6-14, the first fall Beginning Birders’ Walk at Riata Pond started at 7:30 AM; 14 people gathered to look for our feathered friends. We had good scope views of a Great Blue, a Green and 3 Yellow-crowned Night-Herons. A Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and a Yellow Warble were easily seen; plus, a White-eyed Vireo showed it’s self up close so everyone got to see it’s white eye. But, the best birds of the day were 3 Baltimore Orioles that popped up as we were heading to the parking lot. 32 species were seen.
Judith Bailey and Virginia Rose
Mallard (F)
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
Black Vulture
Cooper’s Hawk
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Red-bellied Woodpecker (H)
Downy Woodpecker
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
White-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Carolina Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Yellow Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Painted Bunting (F)
Great-tailed Grackle
Baltimore Oriole
Lesser Goldfinch (H)
House Sparrow
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
September 9, 2014 at 9:11 pmChampion Park (Williamson Co.), Williamson, US-TX
Sep 9, 2014 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: A group of 12 birders from Travis Audubon Society gathered at the entrance to the park and hiked Brushy Creek trail upstream to the dam overlooking the small lake. Weather was calm and clear with temp ranging from 73 to 83 degrees.
36 species (+2 other taxa)
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 12
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 2 Juvenile determined by noticing the legs being black in front and light green behind.
Green Heron 1
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 5
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Killdeer 2
White-winged Dove 40
Mourning Dove 7
Chimney Swift 3
hummingbird sp. 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Merlin 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
White-eyed Vireo 4
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 3
Barn Swallow 1
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
Carolina Wren 5
Bewick’s Wren 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 One good birder reported seeing this bird. It is not uncommon to begin seeing this species here by mid-September according to the local checklist.
Northern Mockingbird 5
Yellow Warbler 7
Lark Sparrow 4
Northern Cardinal 3
Baltimore Oriole 4
House Finch 1
Lesser Goldfinch 8
House Sparrow 7
Jane Tillman says:
August 27, 2014 at 4:59 pm14 participants attended the first two hour Tuesday of the fall. Some members got there early and had a nice Red-shouldered Hawk in the scope for those who got there closer to 7:30. Yellow Warblers on the move, and good diversity of species. Birded the ponds, then down by pond 3, then Upper Island View.
Hornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, US-TX
Aug 26, 2014 7:00 AM – 10:24 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Comments: Travis Audubon 2 hr Tuesday. 14 people Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.5.3
57 species (+4 other taxa)
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 11
Blue-winged Teal 2
Great Egret 2
Snowy Egret 1
Cattle Egret 37
Green Heron 4
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Black-necked Stilt 5
Killdeer 25
Spotted Sandpiper 6
Upland Sandpiper 1
Stilt Sandpiper 1
Baird’s Sandpiper 3
Least Sandpiper 40
Pectoral Sandpiper 2
Western Sandpiper 1
peep sp. 175
Wilson’s Phalarope 3
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 125
White-winged Dove 6
Mourning Dove 10
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Chimney Swift 2
Black-chinned Hummingbird 2
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 2
Crested Caracara 2
Monk Parakeet 1
Empidonax sp. 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 7
Loggerhead Shrike 2
White-eyed Vireo 5
Blue Jay 2
Purple Martin 2
Barn Swallow 150
Cave Swallow 2
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
Carolina Wren 6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Eastern Bluebird 1
Northern Mockingbird 5
European Starling 12
Yellow Warbler 4
Northern Cardinal 5
Painted Bunting 2 One female and one juvie
Red-winged Blackbird 40
Common Grackle 2
Great-tailed Grackle 30
Orchard Oriole 3
House Finch 1
Lesser Goldfinch 2
House Sparrow 1
Shelia Hargis says:
August 17, 2014 at 8:23 pmOn August 17, 2014, Laurie Foss and I were joined by 10 great birders for a wonderful morning birding Commons Ford Park. Cloud cover and a light wind made the day quite pleasant. Young birds challenged us both by sight and sound. And even as our breeding birds were still busy raising their young, other species were already on their way south. We had an early Wilson’s Warbler and three Yellow Warblers. It was grand!
Below is our list of species. The breeding codes don’t show up in the email format yet, so if you’re interested in seeing all the info for the species, follow the link at the bottom.
Shelia Hargis
Commons Ford Pk, Travis, US-TX
Aug 17, 2014 7:07 AM – 10:57 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.25 mile(s)
Comments: Travis Audubon monthly field trip.Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.7.6
34 species (+5 other taxa)
Northern Bobwhite 1 Seen in the field near the Chimney Swift tower.
Green Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 3
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1 Both RTHA’s were flying near each other near the river. One was ID’d to subpecies. One was not.
Red-tailed Hawk (Fuertes’s) 1 Was able to ID one RTHA to subspecies. Mostly white underneath, black trailing edge on wings, black tips on primaries, black “commas”, dark patagial marks, brown hood (unable to determine if complete hood or not), no belly band, red tail.
White-winged Dove 20
Mourning Dove 20
Greater Roadrunner 2
Chimney Swift 30
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 4
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 2
Melanerpes sp. 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 5
Eastern Phoebe 4
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
White-eyed Vireo 8 2 begging from an adult.
American Crow 1
Purple Martin 2
Barn Swallow 15
Cliff/Cave Swallow 200
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 3
Carolina Wren 9
Bewick’s Wren 3 Immature still with yellow gape.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 8
Northern Mockingbird 5
Northern Parula 1 Heard only once right before we ended the field trip at the parking lot.
Yellow Warbler 3
Wilson’s Warbler 1 Chunky body, short tail, bright yellow underside, black cap. Foraging quickly near the top of a tree near a Lesser Goldfinch. ID confirmed by several experienced birders.
Field Sparrow 2
Lark Sparrow 4
Summer Tanager 10 One adult male observed eating a wasp. His tail was very short as if he had lost his tail feathers and new ones were starting to grow.
Northern Cardinal 13
Blue Grosbeak 1
Orchard Oriole 1
House Finch 12
Lesser Goldfinch 35 Two begging from adult.
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S19494560
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Deb Wallace says:
May 27, 2014 at 5:01 pmSeventeen of us went out to bird Commons Ford Ranch Park. The birds were good, but we spent quite some time oohing and aahing over how wonderful the prairie looked! And it was the place to be for Painted Buntings!
May 6, 2014
Commons Ford Pk
Traveling
3 miles
240 Minutes
Observers: 11
All birds reported? Yes
Comments:
Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.7.1
2 Wood Duck
3 Northern Bobwhite
2 Wild Turkey
4 Great Blue Heron
1 Green Heron
4 Black Vulture
2 Turkey Vulture
1 Red-tailed Hawk
4 White-winged Dove
10 Mourning Dove
1 Chuck-will’s-widow
4 Chimney Swift
2 Ruby-throated Hummingbird
3 Golden-fronted Woodpecker
3 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
1 Downy Woodpecker
5 Eastern Phoebe
2 Great Crested Flycatcher
3 Western Kingbird
4 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
3 White-eyed Vireo
1 Blue Jay
8 Barn Swallow
3 Carolina Chickadee
4 Black-crested Titmouse
3 Carolina Wren
6 Bewick’s Wren
2 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
2 Eastern Bluebird
18 Northern Mockingbird
20 Cedar Waxwing
3 Northern Parula
1 Wilson’s Warbler
1 Rufous-crowned Sparrow
4 Clay-colored Sparrow
8 Lark Sparrow
1 Savannah Sparrow
2 Summer Tanager
20 Northern Cardinal
12 Painted Bunting
1 Dickcissel
7 Great-tailed Grackle
2 Bronzed Cowbird
6 Orchard Oriole
3 House Finch
25 Lesser Goldfinch
Deb Wallace says:
May 27, 2014 at 4:56 pmBalcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge is gorgeous in the springtime. Ten of us birded it on April 13th and had nice birds, including the stars of the Refuge – Golden-cheeked Warbler and Black-capped Vireo!
Apr 13, 2014
Gainer tract BCNWR
Traveling
3 miles
200 Minutes
Observers: 10
All birds reported? Yes
Comments:
Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.7.1
2 Wild Turkey
2 Black Vulture
1 Turkey Vulture
2 Swainson’s Hawk
1 Red-tailed Hawk
12 White-winged Dove
6 Mourning Dove
2 Black-chinned Hummingbird
5 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
6 White-eyed Vireo
3 Black-capped Vireo
2 American Crow
1 Common Raven
4 Black-crested Titmouse
1 Carolina Wren
3 Bewick’s Wren
1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
4 Northern Mockingbird
2 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
1 Golden-cheeked Warbler
4 Spotted Towhee
2 Rufous-crowned Sparrow
2 Lark Sparrow
3 Savannah Sparrow
5 Lincoln’s Sparrow
3 Summer Tanager
6 Northern Cardinal
Apr 13, 2014
Balcones Canyonlands NWR–Simons Tract
Traveling
0.25 miles
30 Minutes
Observers: 10
All birds reported? Yes
Comments:
Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.7.1
1 Red-tailed Hawk
1 Eastern Screech-Owl
2 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
2 Vermilion Flycatcher
2 White-eyed Vireo
2 Northern Mockingbird
6 Lark Sparrow
5 White-crowned Sparrow
Ken Zaslow says:
May 20, 2014 at 7:44 pmWebberville Park (Big & Little) (HOTE 035), Travis, US-TX
May 20, 2014 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: Twelve people participated on this TAS field trip to the big Webberville Park in eastern Travis County. The weather for mid-May was very pleasant with beginning temperature of 70 degrees and ending temperature of 75 degrees. The sky was partly cloudy and winds were variable from 5 to 20 mph. We had good looks at many of the local summer residents such as Summer Tanager, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Painted Bunting, Eastern Kingbird, Great-crested Flycatcher, and Dicksissel. Prothonotary Warbler was not seen or heard.
40 species (+3 other taxa)
Wood Duck 4
Cattle Egret 9
Green Heron 3
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 1
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Killdeer 3
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 7
Eurasian Collared-Dove 2
White-winged Dove 27
Mourning Dove 6
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2
Greater Roadrunner 1
Common Nighthawk 1 Seen at Little Webberville Park at about 6:40 a.m. before the trip began.
hummingbird sp. 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 3
Crested Caracara 3
Olive-sided Flycatcher 1
Empidonax sp. 2
Eastern Phoebe 3
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Eastern Kingbird 2
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 7
White-eyed Vireo 3
American Crow 3
Barn Swallow 4
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 5
Carolina Wren 6
Eastern Bluebird 4
Northern Mockingbird 7
European Starling 4
Lark Sparrow 5
Summer Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 11
Painted Bunting 4
Dickcissel 3
Great-tailed Grackle 5
Brown-headed Cowbird 3
Orchard Oriole 1
House Finch 1
Dennis Palafox says:
May 6, 2014 at 1:19 pmDennis Palafox lead a group of 9 birders on a field trip to Camp Mabry on May 3, 2014, from 7:45 to about 11:10. The distance walked was approximately 1 mile. It was a good day birding as we saw 50 species. A peninsula into the largest pond on the property was very productive. A highlight of the trip was a very cooperative Prothonotary Warbler who allowed us to take many photos. A list of the birds seen follows:
2 Black-bellied Whistling Duck
2 Blue-winged Teal
1 Snowy Egret
1 Green Heron
1 Black Vulture
3 Turkey Vulture
2 Red-shouldered Hawk
1 Broad-winged Hawk
1 Spotted Sandpiper
10 White-winged Dove
5 Mourning Dove
1 Chimney Swift
2 Archilocus Hummingbird sp. (HO)
2 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
1 Downy Woodpecker
1 Eastern Wood Pewee
1 Least Flycatcher
2 Eastern Phoebe
2 Great-crested Flycatcher
1 Western Kingbird
1 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
5 White-eyed Vireo
2 Red-eyed Vireo
4 Blue Jay
1 American Crow
2 Purple Martin
3 Barn Swallow
2 Cliff Swallow
3 Carolina Chickadee
2 Black-crested Titmouse (HO)
Carolina Wren (HO)
3 Bewick’s Wren
3 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
5 Northern Mockingbird
1 European Starling
1 Prothonotary Warbler
3 Nashville Warbler
1 Yellow Warbler
2 Summer Tanager
2 Chipping Sparrow
4 Clay-colored Sparrow
2 Lark Sparrow
7 Northern Cardinal
1 Painted Bunting
5 Great-tailed Grackle
1 Orchard Oriole
3 House Finch
10 Lesser Goldfinch
3 House Sparrow
virginia rose says:
May 5, 2014 at 1:08 amSat., May 3
Beautiful day at Berry Springs! George Kerr and Virginia Rose and eight others enjoyed this pretty pecan grove and saw nearly 50 birds! Best sighting may have been a red-shouldered hawk flying low with a 2-foot dangling snake over our heads.
Brown headed cowbird
Pied-billed grebe
Duck species
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Green Heron
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Mississippi Kite
Red-shouldered Hawk
Killdeer
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Archilochus species
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
White-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Purple Martin
Barn Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Titmouse species
Carolina Wren
Eastern Bluebird
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Nashville Warbler
American Redstart (just V & G)
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Clay-colored Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Summer Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Painted Bunting (just G)
Red-winged Blackbird
Great-tailed Grackle
Orchard Oriole
Lesser Goldfinch
House Sparrow
House finch
Ken Zaslow says:
April 29, 2014 at 6:42 pmRoy Guerrero Park, Travis, US-TX
Apr 29, 2014 6:30 AM – 10:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.5 mile(s)
Comments: Fifteen people participated on this TAS field trip to Roy Guerrero Park. It was a beautiful Spring day with temperatures between 65-75 degrees. The sky was sunny and the winds which were from the north varied from 5-15 mph.
67 species (+5 other taxa)
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 1
Blue-winged Teal 17
Northern Shoveler 8
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Great Blue Heron 4
Great Egret 2
Snowy Egret 1
Little Blue Heron 1
Cattle Egret 22
Green Heron 1
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 5
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Spotted Sandpiper 6
Lesser Yellowlegs 1
Least Sandpiper 9
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 30
Eurasian Collared-Dove 1
White-winged Dove 10
Mourning Dove 8
Common Nighthawk 1 Heard in the parking lot before the trip started
Chimney Swift 7
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Crested Caracara 2
Monk Parakeet 6
Empidonax sp. 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 5
Western Kingbird 4
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 3
White-eyed Vireo 5
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 12
Purple Martin 6
Barn Swallow 5
Cliff Swallow 35
Cave Swallow 12
swallow sp. 25
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 3
Carolina Wren 23
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 5
Eastern Bluebird 1
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 9
American Pipit 14
Cedar Waxwing 45
Black-and-white Warbler 1 Heard only
Nashville Warbler 2
Chipping Sparrow 2
Clay-colored Sparrow 19
Lark Sparrow 2
Savannah Sparrow 4
White-crowned Sparrow 2
Summer Tanager 2
Northern Cardinal 33
Indigo Bunting 1
Painted Bunting 10
Red-winged Blackbird 4
Great-tailed Grackle 9
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Baltimore Oriole 1
blackbird sp. 45 Flying over
Lesser Goldfinch 7
American Goldfinch 25
Ray and Ginny Steelman says:
April 22, 2014 at 8:43 pmToday April 21 we led 10 other birders along Booty’s Road Park in Georgetown. We had excellent weather with moderate temps and low wind. Highlights included an air show put on by several migrating hawks including a broad-winged hawk doing aerobatics while feeding on the wing and a great views of a flyover peregrine falcon. At Georgetown Dam we had both rock and canyon wrens, a rufous-crowned sparrow and nesting northern-rough-winged swallows. We had a total of 46 species as follows:
45 species (+1 other taxa) total
1 Great Blue Heron
1 Little Blue Heron
15 Black Vulture
5 Turkey Vulture
1 Sharp-shinned Hawk
1 Cooper’s Hawk
1 Broad-winged Hawk
1 Red-tailed Hawk
1 Peregrine Falcon
1 Spotted Sandpiper
5 White-winged Dove
12 Mourning Dove
2 Black-chinned Hummingbird
1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 Peregrine Falcon
1 Eastern Phoebe
1 Great Crested Flycatcher
8 White-eyed Vireo
1 Warbling Vireo
8 Red-eyed Vireo
1 Blue Jay
2 American Crow
18 Northern Rough-winged Swallow
7 Cliff Swallow
4 Carolina Chickadee
4 Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid)
1 Rock Wren
2 Canyon Wren
3 Carolina Wren
2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
1 Northern Mockingbird
25 Cedar Waxwing
1 Black-and-white Warbler
1 Orange-crowned Warbler
3 Nashville Warbler
2 Spotted Towhee
1 Rufous-crowned Sparrow
4 Lark Sparrow
1 Savannah Sparrow
1 Lincoln’s Sparrow
1 White-throated Sparrow
23 Northern Cardinal
1 Blue Grosbeak
2 Great-tailed Grackle
1 Brown-headed Cowbird
3 House Finch
11 Lesser Goldfinch
George Kerr says:
April 19, 2014 at 11:22 pmHornsby Bend, April 19
Claude Morris and I led 17 birders on the monthly Hornsby walk. It was a beautiful, sunny day that started out slightly cool with ground fog that quickly burned off. Except for the pecans, all the trees were freshly and fully leafed out making the woods a vibrant green. We puzzled over a warbler song that we heard many times until we finally got a cooperative Nashville Warbler. Other highlights were Cedar Waxwings close up, singing Summer Tanagers, Indigo Bunting (female), White-eyed Vireo singing in plain view, singing Red-eyed vireo briefly seen, Eastern Kingbird, fairly close Wilson’s Snipe, and a group of Least and Pectoral Sandpipers that did not mind that we were no more than 20 feet away. We dipped on several expected as well as hoped-for species, but still tallied 54.
Blue-winged Teal
Northern Shoveler
Ruddy Duck
Eared Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Snowy Egret
Cattle Egret
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Red-shouldered Hawk
Swainson’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
American Coot
Greater Yellowlegs
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper
Wilson’s Snipe
Franklin’s Gull
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Owl species (large)
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Kingbird
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Loggerhead Shrike
White-eyed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Purple Martin
Cliff Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Carolina Wren
Eastern Bluebird
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Orange-crowned Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Savannah Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow (HO)
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Indigo Bunting
Red-winged Blackbird
Great-tailed Grackle
House Finch
House Sparrow
Ken Zaslow for Terry Banks says:
April 16, 2014 at 9:42 pmBastrop and Buescher State Parks, Bastrop, US-TX
Apr 15, 2014 6:45 AM – 2:15 PM
Protocol: Traveling
15.0 mile(s)
Comments: 12 members of Travis Audubon participated in this field trip. It was an unusually cool day for mid-April – the day before it
had been windy and raining, and on our birding day the temperature was about 39degrees Fahrenheit in the morning. It did warm up to about 66 degrees, and it was a sunny day with 5-10mph winds in, I believe, a Northeasterly direction. We started birding at the campgrounds. Here we walked about the grounds finding many singing Northern Parulas and a few singing/vocalizing Great Crested Flycatchers. White Eyed vireos, Carolina Wrens, and Northern Cardinals were also common songsters. We then birded the area around Buescher Pond. We found a few Blue Winged Teal and Some Wood ducks, a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers that may have been nesting in the area, Yellow Rumped Warblers, and more Northern Parulas. Compared to other visits, the bird activity was rather slow, but we did enjoy good looks at the Northern Parulas. We then drove down the park road that stretches between Buescher and Bastrop state parks, stopping several times during this 12 mile road and listening for and looking at birds. We saw several Broad Winged, Red Tailed and Red Shouldered Hawks and a few other raptors. We hiked a little of the hiking trail, stopped at Alum Creek Road, and finally ended up at Bastrop State Park where we lunched and birded the Copperas Creek Camping area. The remains of many burned out Pine Trees from the 2011 fire still populate the hills of Bastrop State park and many in our group found the area a bit depressing. However, we did note that there are many areas of rejuvenation and there are hundreds of fledgling pine trees sprouting up and doing well thanks to the efforts of volunteers. Wildflowers were also in abundance, especially in one field by Alum Creek Road. All in all, it was a pleasant, educational, and worthwhile field trip.
53 species
Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) 4
Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) 16
Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) 6 Found in a wildflower field by
Alum Creek Road. Several Toms displayed to a small group of females.
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 2
Great Egret (Ardea alba) 1
Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) 12
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) 10
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 10
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) 1
Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) 2
Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) 1
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) 5
Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) 6
Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) 1
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 4
American Coot (Fulica americana) 1
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 1
Franklin’s Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan) 300 As we were birding Alum
Creek Road a large group of nonvocalizing Franklins Gulls appeared from
across the road, flying at tree level.
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) 2
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 5
Inca Dove (Columbina inca) 2
Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) 2
Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) 6
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 6
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) 2
Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriway) 1
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 1
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) 2
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus) 2
White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus) 10
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) 1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 5
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 10
Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) 2
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 10
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) 10 Actually, we did not
carefully visualize the Titmice, so the titmice present could have been
hybrids.
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 10
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) 6
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) 6
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 2
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 50
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) 2 heard only
Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla) 4
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) 10
Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus) 4 In previous years I have heard
perhaps hundreds of Pine Warblers in the Bastrop area of the park
complex. However, during this fieldtrip I heard or saw only a handfull
of these birds – one can surmise that their population has crashed due
to the devastation of their habitat.
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 4
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) 4
Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) 3 Males heard singing and seen
flying about in various areas. No females were seen @ this time.
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 30
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) 10
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 3
Dennis Palafox says:
April 13, 2014 at 9:55 pmHornsby Bend
April 12, 2014 7:45 am to 11:30 am
Weather – partly cloudy to cloudy
Strong southerly breeze
Temps mid 60s to high 70s
38 species
I lead a group of fourteen members of the Hays County Master Naturalists on a morning of birding at Hornsby Bend. For some members this was their first birding experience while others were extremely knowledgeable about birds and the flora of Hornsby Bend. We birded ponds 1 and 2 and the Colorado River Trail south of pond 2. One highlight of the trip was an Archilocus sp. nest in a branch over the river trail. Red-eyed and white-eyed vireos, Nasheville warblers, and summer tanagers were very vocal. A list of the species seen or heard follows:
American Wigeon 4
Blue-winged Teal 3
Northern Shoveler 150
Ruddy Duck 2
Eared Grebe 1
Snowy Egret 2
Black Vulture 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 35
Killdeer 2
Least Sandpiper 50
Pectoral Sandpiper 2
Wilson’s Snipe 5
Franklin’s Gull 15
Mourning Dove 3
Chimney Swift (HO) 1
Archilocus sp. (on nest) 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker (HO) 2
Crested Caracara 1
Monk Parakeet 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 2
White-eyed Vireo 5
Red-eyed Vireo 4
Purple Martin 25
Marsh Wren (HO) 1
Carolina Wren 5
Eastern Bluebird (HO) 1
Northern Mockingbird 2
Cedar Waxwing 10
Nashville Warbler 5
Lark Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 2
Summer Tanager 3
Northern Cardinal 15
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Great-tailed Grackle 20
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Deb Wallace says:
April 8, 2014 at 7:37 pmIt was a lovely day in San Marcos. 14 of us birded the Aquarena Spring Lake area with a stop on the way home at Kyle Lake. FOS Great Crested Flycatcher and Summer Tanager were very nice! Kyle Lake had good birds, but too much wind!
Apr 8, 2014
Aquarena Springs
Traveling
4 miles
240 Minutes
Observers: 14
All birds reported? Yes
Comments:
Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.7.1
1 Wood Duck
4 Gadwall
6 Blue-winged Teal
3 Pied-billed Grebe
4 Double-crested Cormorant
1 Great Blue Heron
1 Great Egret
2 Little Blue Heron
4 Green Heron
2 Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
30 Black Vulture
6 Turkey Vulture
1 Osprey
1 Cooper’s Hawk
3 Red-shouldered Hawk
6 American Coot
3 White-winged Dove
6 Mourning Dove
1 Chimney Swift
1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird
1 Black-chinned Hummingbird
3 hummingbird sp.
3 Golden-fronted Woodpecker
1 Ladder-backed Woodpecker
1 Downy Woodpecker
3 Eastern Phoebe
1 Great Crested Flycatcher
4 White-eyed Vireo
6 Barn Swallow
3 Cliff Swallow
5 Black-crested Titmouse
2 Carolina Wren
1 Bewick’s Wren
2 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
7 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
1 Hermit Thrush
3 Northern Mockingbird
100 Cedar Waxwing
6 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
1 Common Yellowthroat
4 Clay-colored Sparrow
1 Summer Tanager
12 Northern Cardinal
3 Red-winged Blackbird
5 Great-tailed Grackle
1 Brown-headed Cowbird
Apr 8, 2014
Soil Conservation Site 2 Reservoir / Lake Kyle
Traveling
0.5 miles
45 Minutes
Observers: 14
All birds reported? Yes
Comments: Very windy and sunny
4 Gadwall
8 Blue-winged Teal
6 Northern Shoveler
4 Green-winged Teal
9 Lesser Scaup
6 Ruddy Duck
4 Pied-billed Grebe
3 Double-crested Cormorant
1 Great Blue Heron
2 Killdeer
1 Lesser Yellowlegs
10 Upland Sandpiper
2 Purple Martin
4 Barn Swallow
1 Eastern/Western Meadowlark
Judith Bailey says:
April 8, 2014 at 1:05 amTAS Beginner’s Bird Walk
Lake Creek Trail
4-5-2014
20 hardy birders walked on a blustery morning looking for migrants and late leaving winter birds. We saw Ruby-crowned Kinglets sizzling in the trees, a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron sitting on a post, a small flock of American Goldfinches with one bright yellow male ready for breeding and a Great Crested Flycatcher that showed up as we gathered in the parking lot to leave. Leaders: George Kerr, Judith Bailey and Michael Pfeil.
Blue-winged Teal
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Cattle Egret
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
Cooper’s Hawk
Killdeer
Greater Yellowlegs
Least Sandpiper
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Great Crested Flycatcher
White-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Barn Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Carolina Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Savannah Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Great-tailed Grackle
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
April 2, 2014 at 2:41 amThe following eBird report is from Dan Callaway who led this trip to East Metropolitan Park.
Eastside Metropolitan Pk, Travis, US-TX
Apr 1, 2014 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Fourteen Travis Audubon members participated in a birding field trip at East Metro Park. We traversed the woodland habitat by following frisbee golf trails from one to seven, then returned to the parking lot by way of the large pond. Some folks continued along the brushy inlet of the small pond. Weather- 70’s, overcast, and south breeze.
49 species (+3 other taxa)
Blue-winged Teal 4
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 1
Cattle Egret 3
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 4
White-winged Dove 2
Mourning Dove 12
Inca Dove 1
Greater Roadrunner 1
hummingbird sp. 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 2
Pileated Woodpecker 2
Crested Caracara 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
White-eyed Vireo 7
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 4
Purple Martin 1
Carolina Chickadee 8
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 9
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 5
Bewick’s Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 7
Eastern Bluebird 10
Northern Mockingbird 6
European Starling 10
Cedar Waxwing 8
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 12
Spotted Towhee 1
Chipping Sparrow 20
Lark Sparrow 6
Song Sparrow 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 7
Swamp Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 2
Harris’s Sparrow 3
White-crowned Sparrow 12
Northern Cardinal 24
Red-winged Blackbird 150
Common Grackle 3
Brown-headed Cowbird 3
blackbird sp. 250
House Finch 4
Ken Zaslow says:
March 27, 2014 at 4:09 amEmma Long Metropolitan Park, Travis, US-TX
Mar 25, 2014 7:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
6.0 mile(s)
Comments: Twelve people participated on this TAS Tuesday field trip to Emma Long Park. We birded the Turkey Creek Trail, the park’s shoreline along Lake Austin, and the one mile long Lakefront Nature Trail.
41 species (+1 other taxa)
Mute Swan 1
Mallard (Domestic type) 1
Common Loon 1 This fairly large and heavy bird was seen on Lake Austin adjacent to the section of the park devoted to camping trailers and close to the parking area and sign for the Shoreline Nature Trail. It had a typical loon profile, held its head level to the water, and appeared to be a juvenile first summer bird based on the whitish edges on its scapular feathers that created a distinctive pattern on the birds back. The heavy bill was silver colored and had a slightly curved culmen and a pointed tip. It’s neck showed a jagged border between the light and dark areas. The bird spent much of the time on the surface of the water interspersed with periods when it would dive below the water presumably to feed. Photos were taken by Lee Wallace.
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Blue Heron 2
Green Heron 1
Black Vulture 5
Turkey Vulture 6
Osprey 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
White-winged Dove 6
Mourning Dove 5
Belted Kingfisher 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 3
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
White-eyed Vireo 19
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 2
Western Scrub-Jay 1 Heard only
Purple Martin 2
Barn Swallow 5
Carolina Chickadee 10
Black-crested Titmouse 8
Carolina Wren 7
Bewick’s Wren 1 Heard only
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 23
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 17
Hermit Thrush 1 Heard only
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 5
Cedar Waxwing 21
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Northern Parula 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 19
Golden-cheeked Warbler 11
Northern Cardinal 31
Great-tailed Grackle 17
American Goldfinch 3 Heard only
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
March 21, 2014 at 1:30 pmChampion Park (Williamson Co.), Williamson, US-TX
Mar 18, 2014 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Eleven members of the Travis Audubon Society birded this park from the parking lot upstream along Brushy Creek to the lake dam, then return. Weather- 48 to 60 degrees, South wind 15-20 mph, and clear. Sunrise 7:40. Additional birds seen on the previous day’s scouting were Ring-necked Duck, Yellow-crowned Night-heron, Common Raven, Cliff Swallow, and Savannah Sparrow.
39 species (+2 other taxa)
Gadwall 1
American Wigeon 2
Mallard (Domestic type) 3
Northern Shoveler 16
Green-winged Teal 3
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Double-crested Cormorant 25
Great Blue Heron 4
Great Egret 5
Snowy Egret 1
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 1
White-winged Dove 8
Mourning Dove 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
White-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 3
Carolina Chickadee 7
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 4
Bewick’s Wren 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 14
Eastern Bluebird 1
American Robin 2
Northern Mockingbird 4
Cedar Waxwing 65
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Northern Parula 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 35
Lark Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 4
Northern Cardinal 16
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Great-tailed Grackle 25
House Finch 12
American Goldfinch 45
Ken Zaslow for Terry Banks says:
March 15, 2014 at 6:11 pmHornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, US-TX
Mar 15, 2014 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.25 mile(s)
Comments: Sixteen people including 4 visitors from London, England participated on this monthly Travis Audubon Society bird walk at Hornsby Bend. The highlights of the trip for many were the sightings of a Possum and baby wild hog piglets. The sky was very overcast with variable clouds and there was intermittent mild to moderate rainfall. Temperature was in the low 60’s Fahrenheit and winds were calm.
50 species (+5 other taxa)
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 2 Seen by some over Pond 2
Wood Duck 1
Gadwall 14
American Wigeon 29
Blue-winged Teal 8
Northern Shoveler 52
Green-winged Teal 27
Canvasback 1
Ring-necked Duck 6
Lesser Scaup 2
Bufflehead 1
Ruddy Duck 14
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Egret 2
Turkey Vulture 1
hawk sp. 2 Two unidentifiable hawks (possibly Red-shouldered Hawks) were seen at the very beginning of the trip
American Coot 35
Killdeer 10
Spotted Sandpiper 4
Least Sandpiper 85
Pectoral Sandpiper 9
Wilson’s Snipe 28
Ring-billed Gull 1
White-winged Dove 2
Mourning Dove 5
Belted Kingfisher 1 Heard only
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Downy Woodpecker 2
Eastern Phoebe 2
Loggerhead Shrike 1
American Crow 1
Purple Martin 19
Tree Swallow 4
Cliff/Cave Swallow 6
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 4
Carolina Wren 8
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 6
Eastern Bluebird 2
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 14
Yellow-rumped Warbler 5
Chipping Sparrow 4
Field Sparrow 3
Savannah Sparrow 17
Song Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 35
Red-winged Blackbird 95
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
blackbird sp. 200
House Finch 7
Lesser Goldfinch 1 Heard only
House Sparrow 7
Ken Zaslow for Terry Banks says:
March 14, 2014 at 4:23 pmInks Lake State Park, Burnet, US-TX
Mar 13, 2014 7:40 AM – 12:40 PM
Comments: Ten people participated on this TAS field trip to Inks Lake State Park and to the adjacent Inks Lake National Fish Hatchery in Burnet. The bird list is divided into two parts. The beginning temperature was about 32 degrees Fahrenheit in the morning, calm wind and sunny – it warmed up to a pleasant 65 degrees by the end of our trip. We started birding around the Headquarters Grounds and spent about an hour doing so. Then we took a 2 mile hike along the Pecan Flats trail, stopping frequently to look at the various birds we had along the way.
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 4
Mallard (Domestic type) (Anas platyrhynchos (Domestic type)) 2
Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) 8
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) 4
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) 3
American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) 4
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 1
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) 8
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 4
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) 2
American Coot (Fulica americana) 12
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 6
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) 20
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 10
Inca Dove (Columbina inca) 2
Common Ground-Dove (Columbina passerina) 3
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Picoides scalaris) 1
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 3
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) 1
Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) 6
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 2
Black-crested Titmouse (Baeolophus atricristatus) 8
Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps) 2
Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus) 2 Two individuals were seen well by all members of the party. Pictures are available on request. Birds were gray speckled on wings, gray cap with faint white supercillium, long, straight bill, white streaky breast with pale buff on belly and flanks and striped undertail coverts. The two individuals were foraging close together and acted like a breeding pair.
It is interesting to note that Canyon Wrens, which are usually found at the park, were not seen or heard vocalizing.
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 2
Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) 15
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) 5
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 10
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 12
Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata) 2
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 8
Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) 4
Rufous-crowned Sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps) 6
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) 1
Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) 2
Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus) 1
Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) 10
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) 1
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 3
Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) 6
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) 1
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 20
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 10
Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) 10
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) 10
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 2
Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) 10
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 2
Inks Lake Natl. Fish Hatchery, Burnet, US-TX
Mar 13, 2014 11:45 AM – 12:45 PM
Canvasback (Aythya valisineria) 1
Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) 1 This was the female bird that has been overwintering at the fish hatchery all winter. Pictures are available on request.
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) 4
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) 1
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) 1
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 2
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 10
Golden-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes aurifrons) 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) 1
Purple Martin (Progne subis) 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 8
Deb Wallace says:
March 12, 2014 at 2:22 pmDespite the early start (no matter what the Spring Forward clock said!) 10 of us showed up to bird Commons Ford. The highlight of the day was the pair of Ringed Kingfishers, who appeared to be working on a nest!
Commons Ford Pk, Travis, US-TX
Mar 9, 2014 7:27 AM – 10:57 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Cold, damp, and breezy Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.7.1
47 species
Wood Duck 2
Wild Turkey 4
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Double-crested Cormorant 30
Great Blue Heron 6
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 2
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 4
Killdeer 2
Ring-billed Gull 8
White-winged Dove 50
Mourning Dove 10
Ringed Kingfisher 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 5
Blue Jay 15
Western Scrub-Jay 2
American Crow 2
Common Raven 1
Carolina Chickadee 2
Black-crested Titmouse 5
Carolina Wren 2
Bewick’s Wren 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Eastern Bluebird 4
Northern Mockingbird 3
Cedar Waxwing 20
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 24
Spotted Towhee 2
Chipping Sparrow 1
Field Sparrow 6
Vesper Sparrow 4
Lark Sparrow 4
Savannah Sparrow 25
Lincoln’s Sparrow 3
White-throated Sparrow 4
Northern Cardinal 5
Red-winged Blackbird 20
American Goldfinch 20
Deb Wallace says:
March 12, 2014 at 2:18 pmThere were 15 people birding Commons Ford Ranch Park on Tuesday, February 25th. The day was cool and misty, but the crowd had a sunny disposition. Commons Ford will do that for you!
Commons Ford Pk, Travis, US-TX
Feb 25, 2014 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Overcast and misty Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.7.1
47 species (+1 other taxa)
Wood Duck 2
Gadwall 2
Wild Turkey 5
Pied-billed Grebe 4
Double-crested Cormorant 20
Great Blue Heron 8
Great Egret 1
Osprey 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 6
Killdeer 1
White-winged Dove 75
Mourning Dove 6
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 4
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 3
Carolina Chickadee 3
Black-crested Titmouse 6
Carolina Wren 4
Bewick’s Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
American Robin 10
Northern Mockingbird 8
European Starling 6
Cedar Waxwing 40
Yellow-rumped Warbler 30
Spotted Towhee 6
Chipping Sparrow 8
Field Sparrow 6
Vesper Sparrow 7
Savannah Sparrow 8
Song Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 3
White-throated Sparrow 5
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 15
Western Meadowlark 1
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 8
Great-tailed Grackle 1
House Finch 4
Lesser Goldfinch 12
American Goldfinch 1
Ray and Ginny Steelman says:
March 11, 2014 at 5:54 pmLake Creek Trail, Williamson County
Fourteen birders attended this “Two Hour Tuesday” under overcast skies and light to moderate winds with temps in the mid fifties to mid sixties.
We tallied a respectable 49 species with good looks at several dark-eyed juncos including a few Oregon subspecies. The ebird report follows:
Lake Creek Trail (Williamson Co.), Williamson, US-TX
Mar 11, 2014 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.5 mile(s)
49 species (+1 other taxa)
Gadwall 2
American Wigeon 20
Blue-winged Teal 5
Northern Shoveler 4
Green-winged Teal 1
Ring-necked Duck 3
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 3
Black Vulture 4
Turkey Vulture 2
Cooper’s Hawk 3
Red-shouldered Hawk 3
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 8
Greater Yellowlegs 9
Least Sandpiper 15
White-winged Dove 10
Mourning Dove 5
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 4
Loggerhead Shrike 2
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 1
Barn Swallow 3
Carolina Chickadee 1
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 3
Bewick’s Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Eastern Bluebird 1
Northern Mockingbird 4
Cedar Waxwing 25
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 8
Chipping Sparrow 4
Field Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Dark-eyed Junco 5
Northern Cardinal 8
Red-winged Blackbird 20
Common Grackle 50
Great-tailed Grackle 25
House Finch 6
Lesser Goldfinch 2
House Sparrow 15
Judith Bailey says:
March 1, 2014 at 11:02 pmTAS Beginner’s Bird Walk
Walnut Creek Nature Preserve
3-1-2014
A foggy morning didn’t deter sixteen birders from exploring a new venue along Walnut Creek. Down around the first curve, we had good looks at a Field and Lincoln’s Sparrow; then, farther along the trail we had scope views of a male and female Downy near a male Red-bellied Woodpecker. The biggest surprise of the day was a 6 or 7, Black-bellied Whistling-Duck flyover. Many thanks to George and Michael.
Judith Bailey and Virginia Rose, Co-leaders.
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
Field Sparrow
Cooper’s Hawk (seen by Ross)
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Killdeer
White-throated Sparrow
Rock Pigeon
Great-tailed Grackle
White-winged Dove
Lesser Goldfinch
Mourning Dove
American Goldfinch
Red-bellied Woodpecker
House Sparrow
Downy Woodpecker
House Finch
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Titmouse species
Carolina Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Ray and Ginny Steelman says:
February 18, 2014 at 8:13 pmWe led a group of 12 birders to Tejas Camp in Williamson County and a brief stop to a small pond along Ronald Regan Blvd. The weather was pleasantly warm with temps staring in the mid 50’s warming to the mid 70’s under slightly overcast skies. We saw 44 species of birds highlights being a group of about 15 wild turkey’s (two of which were displaying males) great looks at a golden-crowned kinglet, and a very cooperative greater roadrunner that was showing off near the parking lot. We also encountered an armadillo that came upon us as we walked the trail. The trip list as submitted to ebird follows:
Williamson, Williamson, US-TX
Feb 18, 2014 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
8.0 mile(s)
44 species
Gadwall 2
American Wigeon 12
Canvasback 1
Redhead 8
Ring-necked Duck 6
Wild Turkey 15
Black Vulture 6
Turkey Vulture 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Killdeer 6
Wilson’s Snipe 2
Mourning Dove 5
Greater Roadrunner 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Crested Caracara 1
American Kestrel 2
Eastern Phoebe 2
American Crow 4
Carolina Chickadee 6
Black-crested Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 4
Bewick’s Wren 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 8
American Pipit 5
Cedar Waxwing 30
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 1
Spotted Towhee 4
Chipping Sparrow 1
Field Sparrow 5
Vesper Sparrow 25
Savannah Sparrow 23
Fox Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 4
Lincoln’s Sparrow 5
Harris’s Sparrow 5
Northern Cardinal 16
Red-winged Blackbird 4
Eastern Meadowlark 1
American Goldfinch 20
George Kerr says:
February 17, 2014 at 12:15 amOn Sat. 2-15, Ingrid Huskey and I led 11 birders on the monthly TAS Hornsby Walk. It was a beautiful, sunny, spring-like day, starting out at 41 degrees, but with no wind, and rapidly warming to the mid-60’s with a slight breeze. Not a lot of bird activity, but we tallied 55 species nonetheless. Several Purple Martins were seen at the CER (per Kevin the first arrivals were on 2-13). The Vermilion was briefly seen, perched low at the waters edge next to the concrete structure that juts out into the NW end of Pond 2. It failed to pose per usual. Instead it bolted across the pond and disappeared into the rising sun. Best bird was Sora, at least two of which were heard multiple times laughing back and forth in the reeds on the south side of the dike that borders the north side of Pond 3. One of the Sora stepped out into the open and sauntered a few feet along the water’s edge before vanishing back into the reeds.
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Northern Shoveler
Green-winged Teal
Bufflehead
Ruddy Duck
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Northern Harrier
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Crested Caracara
American Kestrel
Sora
American Coot
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Wilson’s Snipe
White-winged Dove
Ringed Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
Vermilion Flycatcher
Loggerhead Shrike
American Crow
Purple Martin
Carolina Chickadee
Titmouse hybrid
Carolina Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Orange-crowned Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Field Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Meadowlark species
Common Grackle
Great-tailed Grackle
House Finch
House Sparrow
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
February 4, 2014 at 9:05 pmThis TAS trip was led by Dan Callaway and a copy of his eBird posting is below.
Lake Pflugerville, Travis, US-TX
Feb 4, 2014 8:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: A small group of 8 birders braved the 40 degree weather to bird around the north end of the lake. The drizzle had pretty much ended by the time we started. This was a Travis Audubon Society 2-hour Tuesday field trip. After the end of the two hours, I spent the next half hour scanning the south side and on either side of the bridge, to get a total count of water birds including one Canvasback that we did not see earlier. We tried to call up Sora, Marsh Wren, and Swamp Sparrow in the reedy edges to no avail.
23 species (+2 other taxa)
Mallard (Domestic type) 16
Green-winged Teal 8
Canvasback 1
Lesser Scaup 1
Ruddy Duck 1
Pied-billed Grebe 22
Double-crested Cormorant 35
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Northern Harrier 1
American Coot 175
Killdeer 3
Least Sandpiper 6
Wilson’s Snipe 2
Ring-billed Gull 225
Mourning Dove 1
Crested Caracara 1
Loggerhead Shrike 1
American Pipit 1
Common Yellowthroat 2
Savannah Sparrow 16
Song Sparrow 2
Red-winged Blackbird 5
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 12
Great-tailed Grackle 150
virginia rose says:
February 4, 2014 at 1:47 amVirginia Rose, Judith Bailey, George Kerr, Shirley LaVergne, and fourteen others birded Big Webberville on Saturday, February 1, 2014. Best bird was the immature bald eagle flying low and giving us good looks. Best surprise attendee was Stan Van Sandt! Great seeing you, Stan.
Eastern phoebe
Northern cardinal
Northern mockingbird
Carolina chickadee
Blue Jay
Black vulture
Turkey vulture
European starling
Great-tailed grackle
Red-tailed hawk
Bald eagle
House sparrow
White-throated sparrow
White-crowned sparrow
Yellow-rumped warbler
Carolina wren
Ruby-crowned kinglet
Great blue heron
Great egret
Neotropic cormorant
Double-crested cormorant
Lesser scaup
Gadwall
Eastern bluebird
American crow
Downy woodpecker
Red-bellied woodpecker
Pileated woodpecker
Ladder-backed woodpecker
Yellow-shafted flicker
Red-winged blackbird
American pippit
Mourning dove
White-winged dove
Shelia Hargis says:
February 2, 2014 at 11:21 pmEight hardy birders joined Laurie Foss and me for the monthly field trip to Commons Ford. It was cold and windy and got colder and windier as the morning progressed. But we hung in there and saw some good birds anyway. Below is our bird list.
Commons Ford Pk, Travis, US-TX
Feb 2, 2014 7:34 AM – 10:35 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.7.1
45 species (+2 other taxa)
Gadwall 8
Bufflehead 1
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Double-crested Cormorant 30
Great Blue Heron 6
Great Egret 2
Black Vulture 6
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Coot 2
Killdeer 4
Ring-billed Gull 15
White-winged Dove 75
Mourning Dove 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 4
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 6
Blue Jay 10
American Crow 4
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 12
Carolina Wren 7
Bewick’s Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Eastern Bluebird 5
American Robin 40
Northern Mockingbird 1
Cedar Waxwing 75
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Pine Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 40
Spotted Towhee 2
Field Sparrow 4
Savannah Sparrow 8
Song Sparrow 4
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 15
Red-winged Blackbird 220
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 20
House Finch 7
Lesser Goldfinch 1
American Goldfinch 10
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S16768119
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
BirdAnswers says:
January 31, 2014 at 5:41 amLance,
I am a volunteer with Travis Audubon that helps answer question such as the one you posted about the possibility of seeing a Bald Eagle on FM 969. It is quite possible that the bird you saw could have been a Bald Eagle as several pairs are nesting in the general area, the nearest ones being close to Webberville Park, which is a little farther east along FM 969. Of course, it is also likely that you saw a Crested Caracara as they are very common in the area. Without a little more information, it is hard to say for sure which one you saw, but maybe you will be lucky and see it again if you are in the area and be able to get a positive ID.
Lance says:
January 30, 2014 at 10:59 pmWould it have been possible to have seen a Bald Eagle at the intersection of FM. 969 and FM. 973 near Lake Long.
I saw a large raptor flying very low, maybe 3-5 feet above the ground, through lightly wooded forest. It was dark bodied with a white head.
Possibly a Crested Caracara instead? This was on 1-20-2014 at about 8am I don’t recall seeing a white tail. It caught my attention while I was
approaching the intersection and I knew it wasn’t a vulture, but it was a very large bird. Any ideas or other sightings. It was at the opposite
end of FM. 973 from the Hornsby Bend Treatment Plant.
Thanks
Lance
Ken Zaslow says:
January 30, 2014 at 5:12 pmBauerle Ranch Park, Travis, US-TX
Jan 30, 2014 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Seven people participated on this TAS field trip to the Slaughter Creek Greenbelt at Bauerle Ranch. The beginning temperature was 37 degrees and the ending temperature was 46 degrees. The sky was overcast and winds were 10-15mph.
34 species (+2 other taxa)
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 7
Gadwall 8
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Great Blue Heron 1 At the end of the trip several of us saw the bird fly into the Bauerle Pond area.
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Heard only
White-winged Dove 27
Inca Dove 1
Crested Caracara 2
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 7
Carolina Chickadee 6
Black-crested Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 9
Bewick’s Wren 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 10
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 9 Flying over and vocalizing
Cedar Waxwing 15
Orange-crowned Warbler 5
Yellow-rumped Warbler 11
Spotted Towhee 1
Field Sparrow 5
Savannah Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 4
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
sparrow sp. 15
Northern Cardinal 19
Great-tailed Grackle 3
blackbird sp. 25 Flying over
House Finch 1 Heard only
American Goldfinch 10 Flying over and vocalizing
House Sparrow 4 Seen and heard in the parking area near the trail entrance.
Ken Zaslow says:
January 21, 2014 at 7:36 pmTravis County, Travis, US-TX
Jan 21, 2014 7:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
14.0 mile(s)
Comments: Eleven people participated on this TAS field trip to bird South Travis County Ponds. The weather was blustery with north winds from 10-20mph. Temperature ranged from 48 to 55 degrees and the sky was clear and sunny. We birded the series of retention ponds on the southwest side of the Southpark Meadows Shopping Center, three ponds in the Onion Creek development east of I-35, and several ponds in the mostly rural Turnersville Road and North Turnersville Road area of southern Travis County.
54 species (+4 other taxa)
Gadwall 55
American Wigeon 110
Blue-winged Teal 4
Northern Shoveler 25
Northern Pintail 27
Green-winged Teal 21
Canvasback 3
Ring-necked Duck 36
Bufflehead 39
Ruddy Duck 4
Pied-billed Grebe 7
Double-crested Cormorant 11
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 3
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 3
Northern Harrier 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 4
American Coot 35
Killdeer 8
Greater Yellowlegs 2
Least Sandpiper 11
Wilson’s Snipe 2
Ring-billed Gull 7
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 5
White-winged Dove 14
Mourning Dove 1
Great Horned Owl 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 5
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Loggerhead Shrike 2
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 6
Carolina Chickadee 1 Heard only
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
Carolina Wren 2
Bewick’s Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 2
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 12
Vesper Sparrow 4
Savannah Sparrow 5
White-crowned Sparrow 6
sparrow sp. 15
Northern Cardinal 4
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 15
Brewer’s Blackbird 19
Great-tailed Grackle 27
Brown-headed Cowbird 14
blackbird sp. 45
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 5
Ken Zaslow (12-17-2013 trip report) says:
January 20, 2014 at 4:17 amBauerle Ranch Park, Travis, US-TX
Dec 17, 2013 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: 12 people participated in today’s TAS field trip to the Slaughter Creek Greenbelt at the Bauerle Ranch Park in south Austin. The morning began cold with a temperature of 35 degrees but quickly warmed after the sun rose over the horizon. Ending temperature was 59 degrees. The sky was clear and winds were calm. We walked a loop in the northwest section of the park with the birdiest area being the pond along the Bauerle Creek Trail.
35 species (+1 other taxa)
Gadwall 3
Double-crested Cormorant 7
Turkey Vulture 1
Northern Harrier 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Heard only
White-winged Dove 48
Mourning Dove 3
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 3
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2 Heard only
Crested Caracara 1
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 14
American Crow 1 Seen shortly before the trip began
Carolina Chickadee 9
Black-crested Titmouse 6
Carolina Wren 11
Bewick’s Wren 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 15
Hermit Thrush 1 Heard only
Northern Mockingbird 6
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 12
Spotted Towhee 3
Chipping Sparrow 3
Field Sparrow 5
Savannah Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 3
Lincoln’s Sparrow 4
sparrow sp. 10
Northern Cardinal 9
Great-tailed Grackle 5
Lesser Goldfinch 9
American Goldfinch 11
House Sparrow 2
Dennis Palafox says:
January 15, 2014 at 3:51 amDennis Palafox lead a group of 11 people who birded Camp Mabry on January 11, 2014 from 7:45 to about 10:45. The distance walked was approximately 1 mile. The morning started a bit chilly, about 52 degrees. The water on the larger pond was smooth as glass and lighting was excellent for pictures of ducks, grebes, cormorants and herons. The golden-crowned kinglets were numerous on the west side of the pond. Probably one of the most interesting things observed were clouds of cedar pollen blowing from Ashe juniper trees. According to the American Statesman, the cedar pollen count for the day broke a 16-year record that day! Many of us were sneezing and sniffling as the trip continued. Several participants expressed an interest in returning to Camp Mabry in the spring because of the varied habitat (ponds, creeks, woodlands and a grassy field) in the area. A list of the birds seen follows:
Wood duck
Gadwall
Ring-necked duck
Bufflehead
Pied-billed grebe
Double-crested cormorant
Great blue Heron
Great egret
Red-shouldered hawk
American coot
Ring-billed gull
White-winged dove
Great-horned owl
Red-bellied woodpecker
Eastern phoebe
Blue jay
American crow
Carolina chickadee
Tufted x Black-crested titmouse hybrid
Carolina wren
Golden-crowned kinglet
Ruby-crowned kinglet
Northern mockingbird
Yellow-rumped warbler
Savannah sparrow
Northern cardinal
House finch
American goldfinch
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
January 14, 2014 at 7:54 pmWindemere Park, Travis, US-TX
Jan 14, 2014 8:00 AM – 10:15 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Seventeen people participated on this Travis Audubon field trip. There is a wide concrete path along upper Gilleland Creek that stretches from Heatherwilde Blvd to Grand Avenue Parkway. A small reed-fringed pond is located on the south side of the creek and adjacent to the waste-water treatment plant. Weather- clear, 40-50 degrees, slight south breeze.
37 species (+2 other taxa)
Wood Duck 2
duck sp. 35
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 4
White-winged Dove 50
Mourning Dove 15
Red-bellied Woodpecker 6
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 2
Crested Caracara 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Loggerhead Shrike 1
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 18
Carolina Chickadee 8
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
Carolina Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 16
Northern Mockingbird 8
European Starling 10
Cedar Waxwing 125
Orange-crowned Warbler 6
Yellow-rumped Warbler 45
Spotted Towhee 1
Savannah Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow 2
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Northern Cardinal 14
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Great-tailed Grackle 6
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 1
Ray and Ginny Steelman says:
January 7, 2014 at 10:40 pmToday we led 9 intrepid birders on a trip through the Granger Lake area. The morning was cold with temps in the lower 20’s but fortunately very light winds. Highlights included: merlin, adult bald eagle, a flock of horned larks and a very cooperative common yellowthroat that put on a great show for us. The following is a complete list of birds that managed to find us:
Gadwall
Mallard
Ring-necked Duck
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Red-tailed Hawk
Crested Caracara
American Kestrel
Merlin
American Coot
Killdeer
Rock Pigeon
Eurasian Collared-Dove
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Great Horned Owl
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Loggerhead Shrike
American Crow
Horned Lark
Carolina Chickadee
Carolina Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
American Pipit
Orange-crowned Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Spotted Towhee
Field Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Harris’s Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Eastern Meadowlark
Brewer’s Blackbird
Common Grackle
Great-tailed Grackle
American Goldfinch
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
December 12, 2013 at 7:50 pmDan Callaway led this trip which was sponsored by Travis Audubon and the City of Pflugerville. The Horned Grebe that had been seen on 12/9 was not seen.
Lake Pflugerville, Travis, US-TX
Dec 10, 2013 4:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: A small party of 4 birders toured the North shore of the lake and along the Becker Farm bridge. Most of the viewing was directly into the sun from all vantage points. This was a field trip sponsored by Travis Audubon Society and the City of Pflugerville, and a follow-up to the class and trip last Saturday, the 7th.
13 species
Canvasback 6
Ring-necked Duck 40
Bufflehead 2
Pied-billed Grebe 5
Great Egret 1
American Coot 250
Killdeer 8
Wilson’s Snipe 1
Ring-billed Gull 50
Mourning Dove 12
European Starling 10
Red-winged Blackbird 40
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
December 10, 2013 at 1:18 amDan Callaway found a Horned Grebe on Lake Pflugerville today. See his eBird checklist below.
Lake Pflugerville, Travis, US-TX
Dec 9, 2013 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Scouting to prepare for Travis Audubon Society / Pflugerville field trip on Tues, the 10th, at 4 pm. Weather – 36 degrees, north wind 10-12, overcast, drizzly mist.
14 species (+2 other taxa)
Northern Shoveler 2
Green-winged Teal 5
Canvasback 8
Ruddy Duck 6
Pied-billed Grebe 4
Horned Grebe 1 This small waterfowl had a full white cheek, throat and breast with small beak. The black/white line of separation extended straight back from the eye. The top of the head was black as well as the back and back of the neck. The side was grayish/black. The beak was not large enough to be a loon. I used 8-power binoculars. The bird was swimming among coots about 100 yards from shore. It was located east of the Becker Farm bridge and seen easily from the north shore. It was observed at 9:30 and again at 11:00 am.
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
American Coot 250
Killdeer 2
Forster’s Tern 2
American Pipit 15
sparrow sp. 1
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 25
Great-tailed Grackle 5
Ken Zaslow says:
December 6, 2013 at 12:18 pmThis is an addendum to yesterdays Hornsby Bend trip list:
A Loggerhead Shrike was also seen and our group consisted of 11 people from the Wimberly Birding Society.
Ken Zaslow says:
December 5, 2013 at 6:39 pmHornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, US-TX
Dec 5, 2013 8:30 AM – 11:15 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: I led a group of 7 enthusiastic birders from the Wimberly Birding Society on this trip to Hornsby Bend. We birded the ponds and the southeast section of the River Trail. Despite unfavorable weather conditions we all had a good time and saw some excellent birds. Trip highlights were Vermilion Flycatcher, Pine Warbler, Eared Grebes and a beautiful raft of Bufflehead Ducks. Beginning temperature was 48 degrees, and ending temperature was 44 degrees. Winds were brisk at 15-20 mph from the north. The sky was partly cloudy.
41 species (+2 other taxa)
Northern Shoveler 37
Green-winged Teal 41
Lesser Scaup 1
Bufflehead 7
Ruddy Duck 51
Eared Grebe 5
Double-crested Cormorant 4
Black Vulture 6
Turkey Vulture 3
Osprey 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 9
Killdeer 5
Spotted Sandpiper 3
Least Sandpiper 19
Wilson’s Snipe 2
White-winged Dove 12
Mourning Dove 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
woodpecker sp. 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Vermilion Flycatcher 1 This well documented male bird was seen in its usual location on the south side of Pond 2 near the greenhouse.
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 12
Eastern Bluebird 2
Northern Mockingbird 2
American Pipit 1
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Pine Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 5
Savannah Sparrow 8
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 7
Red-winged Blackbird 3
Great-tailed Grackle 5
American Goldfinch 1
Deb Wallace says:
December 4, 2013 at 8:21 pm12 of us had a glorious sparrow morning in nice weather. We had 13 sparrow species, icluding Le Conte’s and Grasshopper, which were lifers for some. They were also very cooperative for the photo folks in the group. The species list is below.
Balcones Canyonlands NWR–Doeskin Ranch, Burnet, US-TX
Dec 3, 2013 7:15 AM – 10:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.5 mile(s)
32 species (+1 other taxa)
Sandhill Crane 10
Mourning Dove 4
Inca Dove 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 4
American Kestrel 2
Eastern Phoebe 2
American Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 6
Black-crested Titmouse 4
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Northern Mockingbird 2
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Spotted Towhee 15
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 5
Chipping Sparrow 15
Field Sparrow 20
Vesper Sparrow 5
Lark Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 18
Grasshopper Sparrow 8
Le Conte’s Sparrow 6
Song Sparrow 3
Lincoln’s Sparrow 12
White-throated Sparrow 4
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 15
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 12
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch 12
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
November 26, 2013 at 10:41 pmNortheast Metro Park (Travis Co.), Travis, US-TX
Nov 26, 2013 7:30 AM – 10:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Eight people braved the cold, windy conditions to participate on this Travis Audubon Society field trip. Weather- 33-41 degrees, overcast, North wind 15-25 mph.
40 species (+1 other taxa)
Gadwall 12
Bufflehead 2
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 12
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 30
White-winged Dove 75
Mourning Dove 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 12
Downy Woodpecker 3
Eastern Phoebe 4
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 10
American Crow 10
Carolina Chickadee 10
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 5
Carolina Wren 6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 20
Eastern Bluebird 6
Hermit Thrush 2
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 50
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 20
Chipping Sparrow 7
Vesper Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 10
Red-winged Blackbird 5
Brewer’s Blackbird 30
Common Grackle 2
Great-tailed Grackle 50
Brown-headed Cowbird 200
American Goldfinch 1
Ray Steelman says:
November 19, 2013 at 7:09 pmEighteen people participated in this TAS field trip along Lake Creek Trail. The weather was pleasant with temps near 60 and light to moderate winds. We covered about four miles and spotted 43 species of birds. The highlight was great scope views of a Great Horned Owl being harassed by a group American Crows. The Blue-headed Vireo spotted the day before was not relocated. The ebird report is as follows:
Lake Creek Trail (Williamson Co.), Williamson, US-TX
Nov 19, 2013 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
4.0 mile(s)
43 species
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Greater Yellowlegs 4
Least Sandpiper 9
Wilson’s Snipe 1
White-winged Dove 100
Great Horned Owl 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Loggerhead Shrike 1
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 5
Carolina Chickadee 2
Black-crested Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 3
Bewick’s Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 6
American Robin 2
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 30
American Pipit 1
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 10
Spotted Towhee 1
Chipping Sparrow 4
Savannah Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird 45
Great-tailed Grackle 100
House Finch 10
Lesser Goldfinch 1
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 10
Ken Zaslow says:
November 16, 2013 at 6:52 pmHornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, US-TX
Nov 16, 2013 7:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.25 mile(s)
Comments: Sixteen people participated in this Travis Audubon Society monthly bird walk at Hornsby Bend. We birded around the headquarters building, all of the ponds, and walked the southeastern section of the River Trail. Windy conditions (15-20 mph) resulted in decreased species and numbers of birds being seen compared to the scouting trip done one day earlier. Highlights included a beautiful male Cinnamon Teal and the male Vermilion Flycatcher that continues to be seen between Pond 2 and the Greenhouse. The Rusty Blackbirds noted on 11/15 were not seen today.
50 species (+4 other taxa)
Gadwall 5
Mallard (Domestic type) 1
Cinnamon Teal 1
Northern Shoveler 175
Green-winged Teal 27
Redhead 1
Lesser Scaup 7
Bufflehead 3
Ruddy Duck 45
Eared Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 50 Includes a large group that flew over the ponds
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 24
Turkey Vulture 3
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 30
Killdeer 5
Spotted Sandpiper 3
Least Sandpiper 40
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 5
White-winged Dove 3
Mourning Dove 4
Inca Dove 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 6
American Kestrel 2
Monk Parakeet 7
Eastern Phoebe 3
Vermilion Flycatcher 1 This adult male bird was seen in its usual location on telephone wires running along the road between Pond 2 and the Greenhouse.
Blue Jay 2 Heard only
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 6
Eastern Bluebird 2
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 75
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Savannah Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 2 Heard only
Northern Cardinal 8
Red-winged Blackbird 35
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 9
Great-tailed Grackle 25
Brown-headed Cowbird 450 A large flock was seen in the field next to the headquarters building
House Finch 6
Lesser Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 3
Ken Zaslow says:
November 5, 2013 at 5:22 pmPlatt Lane (Travis Co.), Travis, US-TX
Nov 5, 2013 7:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Twenty people participated on this TAS field trip to the Platt Lane area at Hornsby Bend. We birded from the beginning of Platt Lane to the xeric area along the River Trail. Beginning temperature was 68 degrees and ending temperature was 74 degrees. The sky was cloudy to partly cloudy with light winds from the south.
36 species (+5 other taxa)
Gadwall 3
American Wigeon 5
Ring-necked Duck 11
Lesser Scaup 1
duck sp. 9 Flyovers
Pied-billed Grebe 3
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Turkey Vulture 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 3
American Coot 10
Killdeer 8
White-winged Dove 40
Mourning Dove 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Downy Woodpecker 4
Crested Caracara 2
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 6
Loggerhead Shrike 1
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 7
Cliff/Cave Swallow 45
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 4
House Wren 1 Heard only
Carolina Wren 8
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 6
Eastern Bluebird 3
Northern Mockingbird 7
European Starling 350
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
White-crowned Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 14
Red-winged Blackbird 35
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 11
Great-tailed Grackle 17
grackle sp. 15 Flyovers
House Finch 2
House Sparrow 3
Judith Bailey says:
November 3, 2013 at 12:33 amAt Riata Pond, Virginia Rose, Shirley LaVergne and Judith Bailey lead twenty beginning birders in search of local and winter residents; 32 species were found. A punk-rock, male Belted Kingfisher entertained with fly-byes and then posed on an overhead wire. Other highlights were a bush full of juvenile White-crowned Sparrows, a bright look at a Loggerhead Shrike, a Carolina and House Wren sharing a small shrub, and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet flashing his ruby feathers at another RKC invading his territory. A good time was had by all.
Greater White-fronted Goose
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Turkey Vulture
Red-shouldered Hawk (heard only)
Red-tailed Hawk
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher, male
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
Loggerhead Shrike
Blue Jay
Carolina Chickadee
Titmouse species
Carolina Wren
House Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Yellow-rumped Warbler
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Great-tailed Grackle
House Finch
House Sparrow
Ken Zaslow says:
October 29, 2013 at 9:10 pmThe following eBird reports were created by Terry Banks who was the leader on this trip which took place on Tuesday, October 22nd.
Blanco SP & Nature Trail, Blanco, US-TX
Oct 22, 2013 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Fifteen people participated on this trip. It was a beautiful sunny day – about 65 degrees fahrenheit without a noticeable wind. There had been rain the night before.
31 species (+1 other taxa)
Muscovy Duck (Domestic type) (Cairina moschata (Domestic type)) 4
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) 3
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 2
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) 20
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 10
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) 1 seen by two members of the party
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) 1
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) 10
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 40
Inca Dove (Columbina inca) 3
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) 3 Ruby throats were in various areas of the park but especially by the feeder @ the park entrance.
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes aurifrons) 3
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Picoides scalaris) 1
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 5
White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus) 1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 2
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 1
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 6
Black-crested Titmouse (Baeolophus atricristatus) 4
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) 4
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) 3
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 8
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 10
Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata) 4
Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla) 1
Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) 1
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 15
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 6
Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) 15
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 25
Susan Evan’s property on the Blanco River, Hays, US-TX
Oct 22, 2013 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Comments: We birded mostly from Susan’s porch and a short walk around the property.
15 species
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) 6
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) 3
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens) 2
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 3
Black-crested Titmouse (Baeolophus atricristatus) 3
Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus) 1
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) 2
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 2
Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata) 1
Rufous-crowned Sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps) 1
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 6
Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) 8
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 1
Ray Steelman says:
October 29, 2013 at 6:20 pmWe had a great turn out of approximately 24 people who participated in today’s field trip to to Divine Lake Park in Leander, Williamson County. The weather was over cast, breezy and damp with temps in the low 70’s. The day started off slowly but picked up as the morning advanced and we ended up with a total of 45 species including six raptors.
45 species seen or heard at Devine Lake Park on 10/29/13.
10 American Wigeon
15 Blue-winged Teal
2 Northern Pintail
1 Green-winged Teal
12 Redhead
1 Lesser Scaup
1 Ruddy Duck
1 Pied-billed Grebe
25 American White Pelican
1 Great Blue Heron
15 Great Egret
7 Snowy Egret
1 Black Vulture
20 Turkey Vulture
2 Northern Harrier
1 Sharp-shinned Hawk
1 Cooper’s Hawk
2 Red-shouldered Hawk
2 Red-tailed Hawk
1 American Kestrel
1 American Coot
1 Black-bellied Plover
25 Killdeer
8 Greater Yellowlegs
18 Least Sandpiper
4 Wilson’s Snipe
30 Eurasian Collared-Dove
1 White-winged Dove
35 Mourning Dove
2 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 Downy Woodpecker
2 Eastern Phoebe
1 Loggerhead Shrike
4 Blue Jay
1 Carolina Wren
1 House Wren
4 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
2 Northern Mockingbird
20 European Starling
2 Orange-crowned Warbler
3 Northern Cardinal
2 Eastern Meadowlark
4 Great-tailed Grackle
1 House Finch
10 Lesser Goldfinch
Lee and Deb Wallace says:
October 23, 2013 at 11:44 pmOn Sunday, October 20th, 16 of us participated in the monthly Commons Ford bird walk. The cold and the fog finally gave way to a beautiful birding day. We were able to get great looks and had mini identification clinics for a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and a Ringed Kingfisher, both of which were life birds for several in the group. The perched Ospreys and Great-horned Owl were also big hits. The eBird list follows:
Commons Ford Pk, Travis, US-TX
Oct 20, 2013 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
2.5 mile(s)
32 species (+2 other taxa)
Wood Duck 4
Pied-billed Grebe 1
cormorant sp. 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 3
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Coot 1
White-winged Dove 50
Mourning Dove 6
Great Horned Owl 1
Ringed Kingfisher 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 3
Blue Jay 11
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 6
Black-crested Titmouse 4
Carolina Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Northern Mockingbird 12
Vesper Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 10
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 9
Great-tailed Grackle 7
House Finch 6
Lesser Goldfinch 2
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S15462550
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Kenneth Zaslow says:
October 15, 2013 at 7:23 pmRoy Guerrero Park, Travis, US-TX
Oct 15, 2013 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.8 mile(s)
Comments: Approximately 14 people participated on this TAS field trip to Roy Guerrero Park. We birded the area around the Playscape and Pavilion, the Country Club Creek Trail and a section of the Butler Hike and Bike Trail below the Longhorn Dam. Highlights included sightings of an immature Bald Eagle, Ringed Kingfisher, and Couch’s Kingbird. The morning was mostly cloudy with beginning temperature of 73 degrees and ending temperature of 79 degrees. Winds varied from calm to about 10mph.
44 species (+3 other taxa)
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 9
Blue-winged Teal 11
duck sp. 5
Double-crested Cormorant 14
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 5
Snowy Egret 35
Osprey 1
Cooper’s Hawk 2 1 adult and 1 juvenile
Bald Eagle 1 A juvenile bird with a dark body and white on its underwing coverts and axillaries was seen flying near the Colorado River below the Longhorn Dam. Photos were taken by Lee Wallace.
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Killdeer 5
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Rock Pigeon 175
White-winged Dove 25
Mourning Dove 19
Chimney Swift 5
Ringed Kingfisher 1 Seen and heard while it was flying over the Colorado River, downstream from the Longhorn Dam.
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 7
Downy Woodpecker 4
Eastern Phoebe 3
Couch’s Kingbird 2
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
Loggerhead Shrike 2
Blue Jay 9
American Crow 5
Cliff/Cave Swallow 4
Carolina Chickadee 11
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 7
House Wren 4
Carolina Wren 12
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Eastern Bluebird 5
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 14
European Starling 19
Orange-crowned Warbler 6
Nashville Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 2
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 17
Great-tailed Grackle 18
House Finch 4
Lesser Goldfinch 14
virginia rose says:
October 11, 2013 at 5:03 pmVirginia Rose and Judith Bailey and fourteen others, including one of Virginia’s current English students, birded the beautiful Berry Springs on Saturday, October 5. Best bird may have been the red-shouldered hawks giving us frequent good sightings.
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Red-shouldered Hawk
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Western Kingbird
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Titmouse species
Carolina Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Eastern Bluebird
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Northern Cardinal
Great-tailed Grackle
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
House Sparrow
Lee and Deb Wallace says:
October 9, 2013 at 1:29 am15 of us had a chilly, but nice morning birding at Commons Ford. The prairie is recovering well from the controlled burn and lots of plants are blooming. We had some nice birds and a good time. The ebird list follows.
Commons Ford Pk, Travis, US-TX
Oct 8, 2013 7:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
40 species (+4 other taxa)
Wood Duck 9
Mallard (Domestic type) 1
Pied-billed Grebe 3
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 3
Great Egret 1
Osprey 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
American Coot 1
Killdeer 1
White-winged Dove 75
Mourning Dove 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 3
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 7
Downy Woodpecker 2
American Kestrel 1
Empidonax sp. 1
Eastern Phoebe 30
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 12
White-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 3
swallow sp. 7
Carolina Chickadee 6
Black-crested Titmouse 7
Carolina Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Eastern Bluebird 1
Northern Mockingbird 25
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Nashville Warbler 2
Clay-colored Sparrow 4
Lark Sparrow 6
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 20
Common Grackle 2
Great-tailed Grackle 6
House Finch 12
Lesser Goldfinch 15
View this checklist online at
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S15354554
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Ken Zaslow for Terry Banks says:
October 7, 2013 at 3:23 pmThe following eBird report was created by Terry Banks who was the leader for this trip.
Reimer Ranch, Travis, US-TX
Oct 1, 2013 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Comments: This was a Travis Audubon Field Trip. The morning was cool (about 65 degrees fahrenhiet) and very foggy, but afternoon temperatures rose into the 90’s. The group spent most of our time walking along the trail that parallels the Pedernales River.
36 species (+1 other taxa)
Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) 1
Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) 1 Heard only
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 2
Green Heron (Butorides virescens) 1
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) 30
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 10
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) 1
Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) 2 flying with a kettle of vultures
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 1
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 3
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 10
Common Ground-Dove (Columbina passerina) 2 heard only
Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio) 1
Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) 2 heard early in the morning hooting back and forth.
Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) 2
hummingbird sp. (Trochilidae sp.) 1
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes aurifrons) 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Picoides scalaris) 5
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 4
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus) 3
Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius) 1
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 2 seen flying with a kettle of vultures
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 2
Black-crested Titmouse (Baeolophus atricristatus) 2
Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus) 4
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) 1
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 5
Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) 1
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 1
Rufous-crowned Sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps) 15 As with my report of 9/30, Rufous crowned sparrows were seen in many areas along the river trail and in many different places in this very large park. Many times were did not see the bird but heard their “dee dee dee dee” alarm call. Pictures can be provided if required.
Canyon Towhee (Melozone fusca) 2 seen at the barn in the park
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 40
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 1
Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) 10
Ken Zaslow for Terry Banks says:
September 28, 2013 at 8:21 pmThe following eBird report was created by Terry Banks who was the leader for this trip.
Colorado Bend State Park, Bend, Texas, San Saba, US-TX
Sep 24, 2013 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
4.0 mile(s)
Comments: Twelve people participated on this Travis Audubon Field Trip. The morning was a cool 58-60 degrees Fahrenheit which rose to 90 degrees Fahrenheit by 1200 noon. It was sunny and still very green from the rains a few days before the field trip, and the Colorado River was muddy and flowing swiftly, much higher than it had been the previous months. We started out on the Spicewood Springs trail, walked some of the Spicewood Canyon Trail, and a brief portion of the River Trail.
40 species (+3 other taxa)
Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) 1
Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) 12 flying high above the water
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 2
Great Egret (Ardea alba) 1
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) 10
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 4
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) 1
Zone-tailed Hawk (Buteo albonotatus) 3 We spotted two Zone Tailed Hawks in two separate trees across the river from the boat dock. Shortly afterward we spotted a 3rd Zone Tailed Hawk sitting in a tree along the Spicewood Springs Trail. The birds were vocalizing back and forth. Photographs are available of the Zone Tail sitting alone the Spricewood Springs Trail.
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) 2
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 10
Inca Dove (Columbina inca) 4
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) 1 A solitary Yellow-billed Cuckoo was spotted by one member of our party while the rest of us were eating lunch. It was foraging around in a tree by the picnic table.
Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) 1
Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio) 2 A screech owl was heard vocalizing and seen shortly afterwards near the Ranger’s station. A second screech owl was heard by a member of our party who had camped in another area during the night.
Common Poorwill (Phalaenoptilus nuttallii) 1 Actually, the only thing I am certain of is that i flushed a nightjar species with my car as I was driving the dirt road to the park. It appeared small, so I am hazarding a guess that it was a Common Poorwill. I record it because I want to note the presence of a nightjar this late in the year.
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Picoides scalaris) 10
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens) 10
Empidonax sp. (Empidonax sp.) 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus) 1
White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus) 3
Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius) 1
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 1
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 2
swallow sp. (Hirundinidae sp.) 2 Two swallows were noted flying about and going into holes near the rocky ledge on the other side of the river. Although their were obviously swallows, it was hard to see them well at the distance from which we were watching.
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 6
Black-crested Titmouse (Baeolophus atricristatus) 6
Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus) 3
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) 1
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 10
Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 2
Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla) 2
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) 1
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) 2
Rufous-crowned Sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps) 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) 1
Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) 1
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 20
Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea) 3
Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) 10
passerine sp. (Passeriformes sp.) 6 There were about 6 yellow warbler like birds that flitted along the willows on the Spicewood Springs Trail, but the vegetation was so dense that we only got brief looks.
Ken Zaslow says:
September 17, 2013 at 7:46 pmSt. Edwards Pk (NW Austin), Travis, US-TX
Sept 17, 2013 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Comments: Twenty-two people participated on this Travis Audubon bird walk to St.Edwards Park in NW Austin. We were rewarded with sightings of many neotropical migrants as well as local breeding birds. Skies were clear and sunny with high humidity and calm winds. Temperatures ranged from the upper 70’s to the upper 80’s by the time we finished in mid-morning.
34 species (+2 other taxa)
Great Egret 1
Cattle Egret 47
Black Vulture 32
Turkey Vulture 5
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Heard from the parking lot before the trip began
White-winged Dove 55 Two separate groups flying over
Mourning Dove 3
Chimney Swift 3
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Melanerpes sp. 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1 Heard only
Olive-sided Flycatcher 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Empidonax sp. 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
White-eyed Vireo 12
Yellow-throated Vireo 1 Heard only
American Crow 2 Heard only
Carolina Chickadee 6
Black-crested Titmouse 3
Carolina Wren 7
Bewick’s Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4
Eastern Bluebird 2
Louisiana Waterthrush 1
Mourning Warbler 3
Wilson’s Warbler 1
Summer Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 27
Great-tailed Grackle 11 Flying over
Baltimore Oriole 3
House Finch 1
Lesser Goldfinch 4
Ken Zaslow for Dan Callaway says:
September 16, 2013 at 11:23 pmChampion Park (Williamson Co.), Williamson, US-TX
Sept 10, 2013 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Seventeen people participated in this Travis Audubon “Two-hour Tuesday” field trip. The group birded along the Brushy Creek Trail from the parking lot to the dam of Brushy Creek Lake. Weather- overcast with some fog, temp- 75 to 82, wind- rather calm.
47 species
Wood Duck 2
Blue-winged Teal 1
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 3
Snowy Egret 3
Little Blue Heron 2
Tricolored Heron 2
Cattle Egret 10
Green Heron 2
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 1
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Killdeer 1
White-winged Dove 20
Mourning Dove 30
Chimney Swift 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Eastern Phoebe 4
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Loggerhead Shrike 1
White-eyed Vireo 6
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 2
Barn Swallow 2
Cliff Swallow 20
Carolina Chickadee 12
Black-crested Titmouse 10
Bewick’s Wren 3
Carolina Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 This bird was among a feeding flock of chickadees and titmice and was noted by several in our group. The local checklist does indicate this winter resident as rare for Sept 1-10, then increasing throughout the month.
Eastern Bluebird 3
American Robin 35 This bird does reside here in the summer, but the abundance seen today was more like what we’d see in winter. Very unusual but the dominance of individuals seem to be obstructing our view of other birds.
Northern Mockingbird 12
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 1
Wilson’s Warbler 1
Lark Sparrow 3
Summer Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 6
Great-tailed Grackle 4
Baltimore Oriole 5
House Finch 2
Lesser Goldfinch 5
Shelia Hargis says:
September 14, 2013 at 1:37 pmLaurie Foss and I led a birding by kayak field trip at Lake Bastrop on 9/7/13. We were joined by a great group of birding friends. This was International Vulture Awareness Day and we were able to appreciate many Black Vultures at a couple of roost sites around the north shore of the lake. Here’s our eBird list for the day:
Lake Bastrop (Bastrop Co.), Bastrop, US-TX
Sep 7, 2013 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
5.25 mile(s)
Comments: Travis Audubon field trip on Lake Bastrop for International Vulture Awareness Day. Marti and John Wilbur, Bruce and Erik Atwell. Partly cloudy with light winds. HOT! Kayaking on the north edge of the lake, we put in and took out at the LCRA North Shore Park.
39 species (+1 other taxa)
Wood Duck 5
Neotropic Cormorant 6
Double-crested Cormorant 30 A high-flying “v” formation containing all 30 birds
Anhinga 1
Great Blue Heron 9
Great Egret 11
Little Blue Heron 1
Tricolored Heron 3
Green Heron 23 They were everywhere! We covered 5 miles of the edge of the lake. Many were juvenile birds.
Black-crowned Night-Heron 3 There is a cove with a winter roost that they are apparently using for breeding
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 2
Black Vulture 165
Turkey Vulture 6
Osprey 1
Bald Eagle 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Sora 2 One visualized and one calling nearby
American Coot 6
Forster’s Tern 1
Mourning Dove 1
Inca Dove 1
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
Belted Kingfisher 3 At different locations on the lake – two seen together and one by itself.
Red-bellied Woodpecker 9
Downy Woodpecker 2
Pileated Woodpecker 2
Least Flycatcher 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 2
White-eyed Vireo 27
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 12
Carolina Chickadee 7
Tufted Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 11
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 14
Yellow Warbler 1
Pine Warbler 9
Northern Cardinal 13
Red-winged Blackbird 2
Baltimore Oriole 9
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S15142427
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Shelia Hargis says:
September 14, 2013 at 1:26 pmThank you to everyone who joined us for a Purple Martin Party this summer! Extra points if you joined us for more than one! I watched the roost 10+ times and I was still awestruck after each one. The birds were incredible. Mark your calendar to join us next year for another summer of martin fun.
See https://travisaudubon.org/news-corner/purple-martin-roost-report for a report I wrote about the roost and our efforts to protect it.
Breaking news as of 9/13/13: “Our” martins won an Austin Chronicle award for the Best Nightly Air Show. See http://www.austinchronicle.com/best-of-austin/year:2013/poll:critics/category:outdoors-and-recreation/purple-martins-at-highland-mall-best-nightly-air-show/.
virginia rose says:
September 11, 2013 at 5:52 pmRichard Moya Park
Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013
8:00-10:00 a.m.
Virginia Rose and Judith Bailey aided by George Kerr, Andrea Walsh, and fourteen others birded Richard Moya on the first Saturday in September. Beautiful morning, warm, humid and still. Best bird may have been the red shouldered hawk flying directly in front of us and only fifteen feet off the ground. Mr. Wilson’s last minute appearance was fun, too. Twenty-eight birds.
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Red-shouldered Hawk
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Western Kingbird
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
White-eyed Vireo
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Titmouse species
Carolina Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Eastern Bluebird
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Wilson’s Warbler
Summer Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Great-tailed Grackle
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
House Sparrow
Ken Zaslow says:
August 27, 2013 at 5:37 pmHornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, US-TX
Aug 27, 2013 7:30 AM – 9:50 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: 22 people participated in this TAS field trip to Hornsby Bend. Time was spent birding the ponds and a short section of the River Trail. The weather was overcast skies with light winds and temperatures in the upper 70’s to low 80’s. The water level at the ponds was high limiting the habitat for shorebirds. Despite that we had nice sightings of Wilson’s Phalaropes, Long-billed Dowatchers, and Black-necked Stilts among other birds. A special treat was coming upon a sizable group of Yellow Warblers while driving on the road between Pond 1B and Pond 2.
36 species (+4 other taxa)
Blue-winged Teal 2
Great Egret 1 Flyover
Snowy Egret 1
Little Blue Heron 1
Cattle Egret 1
Green Heron 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 14
Killdeer 12
Black-necked Stilt 3
Spotted Sandpiper 4
Least Sandpiper 55
Long-billed Dowitcher 2
Wilson’s Phalarope 2
White-winged Dove 7
Mourning Dove 4
hummingbird sp. 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Crested Caracara 2
Monk Parakeet 1
Empidonax sp. 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 2
White-eyed Vireo 3
American Crow 2
Barn Swallow 45
Cliff Swallow 9
Cliff/Cave Swallow 10
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 4
Carolina Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 6
Eastern Bluebird 2 Seen in the parking lot area before the trip began
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 15
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 9
Northern Cardinal 6
Red-winged Blackbird 27
Great-tailed Grackle 30
House Sparrow 12
Shelia Hargis says:
June 25, 2013 at 1:12 amTwelve intrepid birders joined me for a weekend (June 15 & 16) at the coast for our annual birding by kayak adventure in the Corpus Christi area. I had very high expectations for our visit to Shamrock Cove in Corpus Christi bay, but Mother Nature had other ideas. On Saturday morning, the wind was much stronger than it seemed when we started out. Some of us had the good sense to stop before crossing the bay. Others of us, myself included, didn’t! We all survived, so all’s well that ends well, right? We all got a great upper body workout for sure! You can see some photos of us at https://plus.google.com/photos/104857685363900679676/albums/5889822396217066641, compliments of Ken Johnson, our local kayak guide. After we ended our kayaking for the day, most of our group visited Turnbull Birding Center in Port Aransas. Then later in the day, some of us visited Suter National Wildlife Refuge while others visited the botanical gardens, both in Corpus.
On Sunday we put in at Hazel Bazemore County Park and kayaked along the Nueces River. Thankfully we had a calm paddle, a drastically different experience from the day before. We heard and saw some good birds too. Photos at https://plus.google.com/photos/104857685363900679676/albums/5890152152488873489.
Everyone had a good time, and we did pretty good on birds too. Here’s the bird list for our trip:
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
Mottled Duck
Neotropic Cormorant
American White Pelican
Brown Pelican
Least Bittern
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Tricolored Heron
Reddish Egret
Cattle Egret
Green Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
White Ibis
Roseate Spoonbill
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Red-shouldered Hawk
Swainson’s Hawk
American Coot
American Oystercatcher
Black-necked Stilt
Willet
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Least Tern
Caspian Tern
Forster’s Tern
Royal Tern
Sandwich Tern
Black Skimmer
Rock Pigeon
Eurasian Collared-Dove
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Inca Dove
Common Ground-Dove
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Great Crested Flycatcher
Brown-crested Flycatcher
Great Kiskadee
Couch’s Kingbird
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
White-eyed Vireo
Purple Martin
Barn Swallow
Carolina Wren
Northern Mockingbird
Long-billed Thrasher
European Starling
Lark Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Painted Bunting
Red-winged Blackbird
Great-tailed Grackle
Bronzed Cowbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
House Sparrow
Shelia Hargis says:
June 12, 2013 at 11:00 amFifteen enthusiastic birders joined Laurie Foss and me for our annual Birding Cow Creek Rd by Bike field trip on June 8, 2013. The weather was wonderful – it was actually COOL in the morning! There was water in the creek, and the birds were great as usual. The highlight (and life bird for some) was the immature Golden-cheeked Warbler we saw in a tree overhanging the road. Coming in as a close second were the two baby Killdeer following the parent around along the creek edge.
Here are the birds we saw:
Northern Bobwhite
Wild Turkey
Great Blue Heron
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Red-shouldered Hawk
Killdeer
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Common Ground-Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Greater Roadrunner
Chimney Swift
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Crested Caracara
Eastern Phoebe
Ash-throated Flycatcher
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
White-eyed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Western Scrub-Jay
American Crow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Barn Swallow
Cave Swallow
Cliff/Cave Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Black-crested Titmouse
Canyon Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Carolina Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Northern Mockingbird
Black-and-white Warbler
Golden-cheeked Warbler
Rufous-crowned Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
Summer Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Blue Grosbeak
Painted Bunting
Brown-headed Cowbird
Orchard Oriole
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
Dennis Palafox says:
June 11, 2013 at 2:39 amOn June 9, 2013, I lead a group of 10 people at Westcave Preserve. There was a threat of thunderstorms before we started. We heard some thunder and it sprinkled on us for a few minutes as we walked to and from the grotto, which was very beautiful and lush. It remained overcast until the very end of the trip. The wildflowers on the property were spectacular. A list of birds we saw or heard follows:
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 2
White-winged Dove 4
Mourning Dove 5
Inca Dove 1
Yellow-billed cuckoo 2
Chimney Swift 3
Black-chinned Hummingbird 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Empidonax sp 2 (thought we heard Acadian and Alder songs but they didn’t respond to recordings)
Eastern Phoebe 1
Ash-throated Flycatcher 1
White-eyed Vireo 4
Bell’s Vireo 1
Yellow-throated Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Western Scrub-Jay 2
Carolina Chickadee 5
Black-crested Titmouse 2
Canyon Wren 3
Carolina Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Northern Mockingbird 3
Northern Parula 1
Summer Tanager 4
Cassin’s Sparrow 1
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 2
Lark Sparrow (nesting) 7
Grasshopper Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 7
Blue Grosbeak 3
Painted Bunting 4
Lesser Goldfinch 3
Kenneth Zaslow says:
June 4, 2013 at 4:28 pmWebberville Park (Big & Little) (HOTE 035), Travis, US-TX
Jun 4, 2013 7:00 AM – 9:15 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.25 mile(s)
Comments: Thirteen people participated on this TAS field trip to Big Webberville Park. The day started off with some ground fog and a temperature of 68 degrees. The remainder of the trip had sunny skies, calm winds, and an ending temperature of 80 degrees. The best bird was a singing Prothonotary Warbler that gave us multiple great looks as it foraged on both sides of the Colorado River in the vicinity of the observation deck. Other notable sightings included Pileated Woodpecker, Great-crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Painted Bunting.
36 species (+2 other taxa)
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 2
Snowy Egret 1
Green Heron 1
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 1
Black Vulture 15
Turkey Vulture 7
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Heard only
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 1
Rock Pigeon 55
White-winged Dove 1
Mourning Dove 11
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 6
Downy Woodpecker 5
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 3
Great Crested Flycatcher 3
Eastern Kingbird 3
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 4
White-eyed Vireo 2 heard only
American Crow 6
Purple Martin 1
Carolina Chickadee 7
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 5
Carolina Wren 7
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Eastern Bluebird 4
Northern Mockingbird 6
Prothonotary Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 18
Painted Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Great-tailed Grackle 5
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
House Finch 1 Heard only
Deb Wallace says:
May 21, 2013 at 11:48 pmOn Tuesday, May 21st, 14 of us birded the wonderful Commons Ford Park. It was a bit muggy, but we had some good birds and the prairie was gorgeous.
4 Wood Duck — (1)
1 Northern Bobwhite — (1)
1 Wild Turkey — (1)
3 Great Blue Heron — (1)
3 Green Heron — (1)
4 Black Vulture — (1)
3 Turkey Vulture — (1)
1 Red-tailed Hawk — (1)
5 White-winged Dove — (1)
4 Mourning Dove — (1)
5 Yellow-billed Cuckoo — (1)
3 Great Horned Owl — (1)
3 Common Nighthawk — (1)
5 Chuck-will’s-widow — (1)
5 Chimney Swift — (1)
2 Ruby-throated Hummingbird — (1)
1 Black-chinned Hummingbird — (1)
6 hummingbird sp. — (1)
2 Ladder-backed Woodpecker — (1)
1 Downy Woodpecker — (1)
1 woodpecker sp. — (1)
8 Eastern Phoebe — (1)
2 Ash-throated Flycatcher — (1)
1 Great Crested Flycatcher — (1)
1 Western Kingbird — (1)
5 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher — (1)
4 White-eyed Vireo — (1)
2 Northern Rough-winged Swallow — (1)
10 Purple Martin — (1)
5 Barn Swallow — (1)
3 Cliff/Cave Swallow — (1)
6 Carolina Chickadee — (1)
4 Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) — (1)
1 Carolina Wren — (1)
2 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher — (1)
5 Eastern Bluebird — (1)
6 Northern Mockingbird — (1)
1 European Starling — (1)
1 Northern Parula — (1)
1 Wilson’s Warbler — (1)
2 Rufous-crowned Sparrow — (1)
1 Field Sparrow — (1)
6 Lark Sparrow — (1)
3 Summer Tanager — (1)
12 Northern Cardinal — (1)
1 Blue Grosbeak — (1)
2 Indigo Bunting — (1)
12 Painted Bunting — (1)
1 Common Grackle — (1)
5 Great-tailed Grackle — (1)
1 Brown-headed Cowbird — (1)
5 Orchard Oriole — (1)
9 House Finch — (1)
4 Lesser Goldfinch — (1)
Deb Wallace says:
May 13, 2013 at 2:20 amOn Sunday, May 12th, 15 of us went out to bird the Simons Tract on the Balcones Canyonlands NWR. It was a good day, if a little breezy. We had some nice birds with the highlights being the Orchard Orioles attending a nest where we parked to carpool at Doeskin and the Great-horned Owl nestlings on Simons – very appropriate for Mother’s Day!
Doeskin:
1 Eastern Bluebird
4 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
1 Brown-headed Cowbird
2 Lark Sparrow
2 Orchard Orioles
Simons Tract:
1 Northern Bobwhite
1 Great Blue Heron
8 Turkey Vulture
1 Crested Caracara
2 Killdeer
7 Mourning Dove
1 Inca Dove
1 Common Ground-Dove
2 Yellow-billed Cuckoo
1 Greater Roadrunner
3 Great Horned Owl
2 Black-chinned Hummingbird
1 Eastern Phoebe
5 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
2 Western Kingbird
1 White-eyed Vireo
1 Common Raven
3 Carolina Chickadee
1 Black-crested Titmouse
2 Bewick’s Wren
2 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
4 Northern Mockingbird
7 Clay-colored Sparrow
1 Field Sparrow
12 Lark Sparrow
2 Grasshopper Sparrow
2 White-crowned Sparrow
2 Summer Tanager
5 Northern Cardinal
2 Blue Grosbeak
8 Painted Bunting
50 Dickcissel
2 House Finch
4 Lesser Goldfinch
Ronnie Kramer says:
May 12, 2013 at 10:18 pmI led 10 others to Copperfield Nature Trails. 15 warblers made it a great day.
Copperfield Nature Trail (Travis Co.), Travis, US-TX
May 12, 2013 6:50 AM – 12:48 PM
Protocol: Traveling
4.0 mile(s)
Comments: Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.5.3
56 species (+2 other taxa)
Green Heron (Butorides virescens) 2
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) 2
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) 1
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 1
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) 3
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) 70
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) 30
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 6
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) 1
Barred Owl (Strix varia) 1
Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) 8
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris/alexandri) 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 3
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 1
Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) 1
Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) 1
Empidonax sp. (Empidonax sp.) 1
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) 2
White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus) 4
Philadelphia Vireo (Vireo philadelphicus) 1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 7
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 2
Purple Martin (Progne subis) 13
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) 21
Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) 1
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 5
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 1
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) 2
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 4
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 9
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 60
Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) 1
Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla) 1
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) 1
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) 3
Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla) 2
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) 5
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) 2
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) 4
Bay-breasted Warbler (Setophaga castanea) 1
Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca) 2
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) 4
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica) 3
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens) 3
Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis) 1
Wilson’s Warbler (Cardellina pusilla) 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) 1
Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) 2
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 15
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) 1
Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris) 4
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) 1
Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) 17
Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius) 3
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 7
Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) 6
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 7
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14088529
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Kenny Anderson says:
May 10, 2013 at 5:16 amThe Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 12:15 on 5/10/13. Send interesting sightings- complete with species name, LOCATION, and contact information- to Kenny Anderson at kennya290@gmail.com
-Rarities Found This Week-
Two Piping Plovers were a terrific find at Stillhouse Hollow Lake- Union Grove on 5/5 in Bell County.
A Swallow-tailed Kite was near the river in eastern Bastrop County on 5/4.
A Bastrop County residence was lively with a female Black-throated Blue Warbler on 5/4, a Cerulean Warbler on 5/6, a Veery and a Gray-cheeked Thrush on 5/6, and a continuing Red-breasted Nuthatch.
A male Blackpoll Warbler was a two-day spectacle at Richard Moya Park on 5/5,6 in Travis County and a female Blackpoll at Brushy Creek Trail in Cedar Park in Williamson County 5/5.
A MacGillivray’s Warbler was a nice find at Roy Guerrero Park in Austin on 5/5 and a MacGillivray’s Warbler was at Warbler Woods on 5/5 in Guadalupe County.
A Black-billed Cuckoo was near the intersection of 4th and Ave. A in the Elgin area of Bastrop County on 5/3.
Brown-crested Flycatcher has returned to Richard Moya Park 5/8 and three were detected in Bastrop State Park on 5/4.
Cooperative Black-headed Grosbeaks at St. Edwards Park in Travis County were photographed by several people 5/5-7. A Red-breasted Nuthatch was present at same park on 5/5.
Wood Thrush was at Cypress Creek Park on Lake Travis in Travis County 5/5 and Booty’s Road Park in Williamson County on 5/6,7.
A Veery and a Gray-cheeked Thrush were at Willis Creek WMA on 5/3 and two Red-breasted Nuthatches on 5/5 in Williamson County.
Veery was also seen at the Colorado River Nature Preserve on 5/8,9.
Gray-cheeked Thrush: was photographed at West Bouldin Greenbelt on 5/4 (Travis), was seen at the Colorado River Preserve in Austin 5/8, photographed at a Sunset Valley home 5/7 (Travis).
A Blue-winged Warbler was at St. Edwards Park in Travis County on 5/5 and a Blue-winged Warbler at a Gonzales County home 5/1.
Golden-winged Warblers: a male at West Bouldin Greenbelt (Travis) on 5/5, a female at West Bouldin Greenbelt on 5/9, a male at Warbler Woods on 5/4 (Guadalupe), and a male photographed at a Gonzales County home 5/9.
Scarlet Tanager: a female at Willis Creek WMA in Williamson 5/5 and a male photographed at the Colorado River Nature Preserve 5/9.
Lazuli Buntings: 1 male photographed at a Gonzales County home 5/2, a male at Back Door Springs along Barton Creek on 5/4 (Travis), a male photographed at Roy Guerrero Park on 5/5, a male on the “Big Tree” trail on CR347 in Williamson County 5/5, a male on the San Gabriel River boat ramp 5/3 (Williamson).
Kenneth Zaslow says:
May 7, 2013 at 7:09 pmThis trip was led by Dan Callaway who had to leave early for work and Ken Zaslow.
Georgetown- Berry Springs Park, Williamson, US-TX
May 7, 2013 7:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.5 mile(s)
Comments: Eleven people participated on this TAS field trip to Berry Springs Park and Preserve in Williamson County. The weather was perfect with sunny skies, light winds, low humidity and temperatures ranging from the high 40’s to the high 70’s. Highlight of the day was our encounter with a large mixed flock of warblers and vireos that included Backburnian, Black-throated Green, Nashville, Yellow, and Wilson’s warblers and Red-eyed, White-eyed and Warbling vireos.
53 species (+3 other taxa)
Wood Duck 1
Great Blue Heron 3
Great Egret 2
Green Heron 1
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 2
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 3
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
White-winged Dove 2
Mourning Dove 1
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2
Common Nighthawk 1
Red-headed Woodpecker 1 This bird has been regular in the park since the 2012 Christmas bird count. All of us saw it in the trees west of and across the slough from the small Birthday Pavilion.
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Downy Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 1
Empidonax sp. 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 3
Eastern Kingbird 2
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 2
White-eyed Vireo 5
Warbling Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 3
swallow sp. 7
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 4
Carolina Wren 6
Eastern Bluebird 8
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 3 A nest with chicks was located under the roof of the small Birthday Pavilion.
Nashville Warbler 3
Common Yellowthroat 2
Blackburnian Warbler 2 Seen on the granite trail along Berry Creek west of the boardwalk
Yellow Warbler 7
Black-throated Green Warbler 3
Wilson’s Warbler 1
Chipping Sparrow 1
Clay-colored Sparrow 11
Lark Sparrow 6
Savannah Sparrow 1
Grasshopper Sparrow 5
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Summer Tanager 3
Northern Cardinal 9
Dickcissel 3
Red-winged Blackbird 15
Common Grackle 2
Great-tailed Grackle 5
Orchard Oriole 1
American Goldfinch 1
Ken Zaslow says:
May 1, 2013 at 12:55 pmWarbler Woods, Guadalupe, US-TX
Apr 30, 2013 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: Fourteen people participated on this TAS field trip to Warbler Woods in Guadalupe County. We began the day by birding around the main house followed by walks on trails that covered most of the areas and habitats on the property. From 11:00am to 2:30pm most of the group spent their time birding in the comfort of the area around the beautiful Warbler Central Pond in the backyard. Highlight species were Chuck-wills widow seen on the Nightjar Pass trail, Barred Owl seen in Don’s Woods near the edge of the Second Field, and Blackburnian and Blue-winged Warblers seen in the afternoon at the Warbler Central Pond. Nashville Warblers were plentiful and were seen/heard in many locations.
52 species (+2 other taxa)
Northern Bobwhite 2 Heard only
Black Vulture 7
Turkey Vulture 2
White-winged Dove 25
Mourning Dove 17
Inca Dove 1
Common Ground-Dove 5
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2
Barred Owl 1
Chuck-will’s-widow 1
Chimney Swift 7
Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 4
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Empidonax sp. 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
White-eyed Vireo 15
Blue-headed Vireo 1 Heard only
Purple Martin 1
Barn Swallow 7
Carolina Chickadee 5
Black-crested Titmouse 6
House Wren 1 Heard only
Bewick’s Wren 2 Heard only
Carolina Wren 7
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 7
Long-billed Thrasher 3 Heard only
Cedar Waxwing 3
Blue-winged Warbler 1
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Tennessee Warbler 1
Orange-crowned Warbler 4
Nashville Warbler 7
Northern Parula 1
Blackburnian Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Yellow-breasted Chat 1 Heard only
Clay-colored Sparrow 10
Lark Sparrow 14
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
Summer Tanager 2 Heard only
Northern Cardinal 23
Indigo Bunting 2
Painted Bunting 3
Dickcissel 5 Heard only
Great-tailed Grackle 7
Brown-headed Cowbird 8
House Finch 1
Lesser Goldfinch 9
House Sparrow 3
Terry Banks says:
April 29, 2013 at 6:10 pmHopefully this is a more readable entry than my last entry:
at Hills Neighborhood, Travis, US-TX
Apr 29, 2013 7:15 AM – 11:15 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Comments: 10 birders participated in this Travis Audubon Field trip to the Great Hills Greenbelt. It was a sunny day with temperatures ranging from 67 degrees Fahrenheit in the morning to 75 degrees Fahrenheit by midmorning. We walked about 3 miles through the greenbelt.
34 species (+1 other taxa)
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 1
Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) 1
Sharp-shinned/Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter striatus/cooperii) 1
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) 20
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 2
Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) 5
Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) 1 One Black Chinned Hummingbird was spotted by a member of our party as it flew to its nest.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 2 heard only
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 1 heard only
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) 2
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus) 1 seen flying high above the greenbelt
White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus) 10
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 10
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) 5
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 5
Black-crested Titmouse (Baeolophus atricristatus) 5
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) 1 heard only
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 10
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 5
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) 1
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 3
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 5
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) 1 One seen foraging on the creek.
Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata) 3
Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla) 5 Most of the birds were singing, but we did spot Nashville Warblers several times.
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) 1 heard only
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens) 1
Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens) 1
Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida) 10 seen briefly flying from the ground to the trees
Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) 1
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 20
Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris) 2 A male and female were spotted foraging along the path
Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius) 1 one male spotted at the top of a Cottonwood Tree
Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) 10
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 30
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13929398
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Deb Wallace says:
April 25, 2013 at 1:44 amEleven birders came out to walk the diverse Gainer tract on the Refuge. We were able to get a couple of life birds for some of the participants and a good time was had by all.
Balcones Canyonlands NWR Gainer Tract, Burnet, US-TX
Apr 14, 2013 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
34 species (+1 other taxa)
Northern Bobwhite 1 heard only
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 8
Swainson’s Hawk 3
Red-tailed Hawk 1
White-winged Dove 5
Mourning Dove 15
hummingbird sp. 2
Eastern Phoebe 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 2
White-eyed Vireo 6
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 2
Black-crested Titmouse 3
Bewick’s Wren 1
Carolina Wren 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Northern Mockingbird 3
Cedar Waxwing 6
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 4
Golden-cheeked Warbler 3 heard only
Yellow-breasted Chat 1 heard only
Spotted Towhee 3
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 1
Chipping Sparrow 8
Field Sparrow 2
Lark Sparrow 10
Lincoln’s Sparrow 3
White-crowned Sparrow 10
Northern Cardinal 12
Brown-headed Cowbird 8
Lesser Goldfinch 2
View this checklist online at
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13798943
Ray Steelman says:
April 16, 2013 at 8:57 pmA group of eleven birders visited Booty’s Road and Rivery Parks in Georgetown today (April 16th). Highlights included a singing summer tanager as well as a herd only golden-cheeked warbler. The following is the ebird report for each location:
Rivery Park, Williamson, US-TX
Apr 16, 2013 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
26 species (+1 other taxa)
Redhead 1
Snowy Egret 1
Broad-winged Hawk 1
Swainson’s Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Inca Dove 1
Chimney Swift 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Western Kingbird 1
White-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 2
Common Raven 1
Cliff Swallow 20
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
Canyon Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 1
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 2
Cedar Waxwing 25
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 2
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Lesser Goldfinch 2
Booty’s Road Park, Williamson, US-TX
Apr 16, 2013 7:30 AM – 11:00 AM
34 species (+1 other taxa)
Double-crested Cormorant 4
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 10
Turkey Vulture 20
Cooper’s Hawk 1 nesting
White-winged Dove 3
Mourning Dove 3
Greater Roadrunner 1 herd only
Black-chinned Hummingbird 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Western Kingbird 1
White-eyed Vireo 3
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 35
Barn Swallow 3
Cliff Swallow 3
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 5
Canyon Wren 2
Bewick’s Wren 1
Carolina Wren 2
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 2
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Nashville Warbler 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 5
Golden-cheeked Warbler 1 herd only
Lark Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 6
Great-tailed Grackle 3
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
House Finch 6
Lesser Goldfinch 4
Kenny Anderson says:
April 13, 2013 at 5:55 am-Rarities Found This Week-
A male Cerulean Warbler was reliably reported from a central Austin home on 4/7 in Travis County. A male Cerulean Warbler was nicely described at Seider’s Springs Park along Shoal Creek in Austin on 4/10. I did not endeavor to try to figure out if this is a single bird.
A Zone-tailed Hawk was seen at the Balcones Canyonlands NWR headquarters on 4/11 in northwestern Travis County.
20 alternate-plumage Hudsonian Godwits at Union Grove in Bell County on 4/11 is a good count on an early date.
A Blue-winged Warbler at a Bastrop County home on 4/12 was a nice yard bird.
3 Common Loons linger on Lake Travis in Travis County, birds are being seen from Windy Point. Last update on 4/12 indicated birds were nearing high breeding plumage.
Laggard Sprague’s Pippits were at Commons Ford Park (1 on 4/7) and Bob Wentz Windy Point (1 on 4/6).
A Snowy Plover continued at Lake Travis on 4/7; low lake level could be enticing to the species to over-summer. Updates encouraged.
Commons Ford Park held 2 LeConte’s Sparrows on 4/7 and a single on 4/12. The Prairie Restoration Organization held a “Big Day in the Park” on 4/7, positive results already are being seen from their efforts.
An American Woodcock in Bastrop State Park (4/7) doing the wounded-wing display, carrying on strongly suggests an attempt to breed locally.
2 Buff-breasted Sandpipers on the ball fields at Southeast Metro Park were a nice April find. 4/8
Reports for the Austin area RBA cover a 60 mile radius, centered from the Capitol in downtown Austin. Bird sightings mentioned here have been filtered and scrutinized by the compiler and are believed to be genuine. When documentation or photographs were provided that is mentioned, along with the other information about the bird(s) being seen. For questions or updates about birds mentioned here or to report rare or unusual bird sightings in the Austin area, please send an e-mail to kennya290@gmail.com
Kenny Anderson
Austin
Deb Wallace says:
April 10, 2013 at 1:43 amOn Tuesday, April 9th, a group of thirteen went briding the Aquarena/Spring Lake Preserve in San Marcos. We had a nice mix of birds and thoroughly enjoyed our morning! The ebird list follows:
Aquarena Springs, Hays, US-TX
Apr 9, 2013 7:15 AM – 11:15 AM
Protocol: Traveling
4.0 mile(s)
49 species (+2 other taxa)
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 2
Cackling/Canada Goose 1
Gadwall 8
Blue-winged Teal 4
Ring-necked Duck 2 2 female. brownish cap, white eye ring, blue/gray
bill with white ring and black tip
Pied-billed Grebe 4
Double-crested Cormorant 9
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 1
Little Blue Heron 1
Cattle Egret 50
Green Heron 4
Black Vulture 15
Turkey Vulture 12
Osprey 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Sora 1
American Coot 14
White-winged Dove 16
Mourning Dove 7
Barred Owl 1
Black-chinned Hummingbird 1
hummingbird sp. 4
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 4
Couch’s Kingbird 2
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 2
White-eyed Vireo 2
Common Raven 1
Purple Martin 2
Carolina Chickadee 7
Black-crested Titmouse 3
Bewick’s Wren 1
Carolina Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Northern Mockingbird 5
Cedar Waxwing 25
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 10
Spotted Towhee 1
Clay-colored Sparrow 4
Lincoln’s Sparrow 6
Northern Cardinal 8
Red-winged Blackbird 1
House Finch 3
Lesser Goldfinch 3
American Goldfinch 20
View this checklist online at
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13689102
Kenny Anderson says:
April 6, 2013 at 2:13 amThe Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 8:30 on April 5, 2013. Send interesting sightings- complete with species name, LOCATION, and contact information- to Kenny Anderson at kennya290@gmail.com
-Rarities Found past two Weeks-
A Whimbrel at Slough Pond in Bell County on 3/22 was a nice Central Texas find.
A Horned Grebe (3/23) and photographed Chestnut-collared Longspurs (3/23-29) were at at Bob Wentz County Park/ Windy Point in Travis County. 2 Snowy Plovers were photographed on 3/30 at Windy Point. Common Loon continues at Lake Travis with latest word 4/4.
A Zone-tailed Hawk was seen near River Place Boulevard and Bullick Hollow in western Travis County on 4/2.
A Black-headed Grosbeak and a Broad-tailed Hummingbird were at a Blanco County residence on 3/22.
A migratory female Black-capped Vireo was found on 3/24 at West Bouldin Greenbelt in South Austin. The bird was photographed on 3/26. (Travis)
A migratory Golden-cheeked Warbler was photographed at the Lake Creek Trail in Williamson County on 3/23.
A Blue-winged Warbler at an Utley home on 3/25 was a nice find (Bastrop).
Virginia Rails were detected in Travis County at the Colorado River Wildlife Preserve on 3/31 and at Hornsby Bend’s Platt Pond 4/5.
A female Eastern Towhee was described at the Slaughter Creek Trail, off of 1826, in Travis County on 3/28 in Travis County.
An American Bittern at Laguna Gloria on 4/2,3 was a good Travis County bird.
A Yellow-headed Blackbird was photographed at a Bell County home on 4/4.
Hutton’s Vireo was reported from Warbler Woods in Guadalupe County on 3/22-4/5.
Reports for the Austin area RBA cover a 60 mile radius, centered from the Capitol in downtown Austin. Bird sightings mentioned here have been filtered and scrutinized by the compiler and are believed to be genuine. When documentation or photographs were provided that is mentioned, along with the other information about the bird(s) being seen. For questions or updates about birds mentioned here or to report rare or unusual bird sightings in the Austin area, please send an e-mail to kennya290@gmail.com
Kenny Anderson
Austin
Kenneth Zaslow says:
April 2, 2013 at 9:36 pmEighteen people participated in today’s field trip to Northeast Metro Park. Dan Callaway led the trip and provided the eBird report that is copied below.
Northeast Metro Park (Travis Co.), Travis, US-TX
Apr 2, 2013 7:30 AM – 11:15 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Travis Audubon field trip. Weather— occ.light rain, cloudy, 65-72. We began at the trailhead and followed the creek to the end passing through pecan bottoms and woody edges.
49 species (+2 other taxa)
duck sp. 3
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 2
Northern Harrier 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 1
Rock Pigeon 150
White-winged Dove 25
Mourning Dove 14
Barred Owl 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 4
Eastern Phoebe 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 5
Loggerhead Shrike 2
White-eyed Vireo 10
Blue-headed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 5
Barn Swallow 1
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 3
Red-breasted Nuthatch 3 Seen easily by all as they fed along the bark of large pecan trees.
Brown Creeper (Eastern) 1 Seen by a few birders in same area as the nuthatches.
Carolina Wren 10
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 15
Eastern Bluebird 2
Hermit Thrush 1
Northern Mockingbird 15
European Starling 30
American Pipit 15
Cedar Waxwing 15
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Orange-crowned Warbler 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler 20
Chipping Sparrow 1
Clay-colored Sparrow 1
Lark Sparrow 20
Savannah Sparrow 30
Grasshopper Sparrow 6
Lincoln’s Sparrow 6
White-throated Sparrow 8
White-crowned Sparrow 14
Northern Cardinal 40
Red-winged Blackbird 150
Common Grackle 50
Great-tailed Grackle 30
House Finch 2
Kenneth Zaslow says:
March 26, 2013 at 8:23 pmEmma Long Metropolitan Park, Travis, US-TX
Mar 26, 2013 7:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
5.5 mile(s)
Comments: 12 people participated on this Travis Audubon Society field trip to Emma Long Park in west Austin. We spent the first 2.5 hours birding the first half of the Turkey Creek trail. Initially bird song was rather muted due to the cold temperatures, but bird vocalization and activity picked up as the morning progressed. We spent the final, very productive 2.0 hours of the trip birding the lakefront area of the park, including its 1 mile long nature trail. Highlights included Golden-cheeked Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Northern Parula, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, and Swainsons Hawk. Beginning temperature was a cold 31 degrees. Ending temperature was a pleasant 61 degrees. The sky was sunny and winds were calm.
42 species (+2 other taxa)
Mute Swan 3
Wood Duck 2
Gadwall 1
Mallard (Domestic type) 2
Lesser Scaup 1
Pied-billed Grebe 9
American White Pelican 71 Flying over
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 14
Turkey Vulture 7
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Swainson’s Hawk 1 Flying over
American Coot 4
Killdeer 1
White-winged Dove 2
Mourning Dove 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Heard only
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 3 Heard only
Eastern Phoebe 3
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
White-eyed Vireo 11
American Crow 3
Purple Martin 4
Barn Swallow 6
Carolina Chickadee 12
Black-crested Titmouse 17
Bewick’s Wren 2 Heard only
Carolina Wren 7
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 21
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 14
Eastern Bluebird 2
Hermit Thrush 2
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 35
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Northern Parula 3 Seen and heard along the 1 mile nature trail in the lakefront section of the park
Yellow-rumped Warbler 9
Yellow-throated Warbler 2 We had excellent views of two very distinctive Yellow-throated Warblers that were “working” the large Bald Cypress and Sycamore trees along the shore of Lake Austin in Emma long Park. The birds had white wingbars, an extensive bright yellow throat, white belly with black streaks on the sides, white undertail coverts, black face with a strong white eyebrow, a gray back and dark crown. Photos were taken by Roger Smith, Ronnie Kramer and Ray Steelman. There were Yellow-rumped Warblers of differing plumages in the same vicinity which clearly were identifiable as a different species.
Golden-cheeked Warbler 8 Seven birds were seen and/or heard along and in the vicinity of the Turkey Creek Trail. One bird was heard singing while we walked on the 1 mile nature trail in the lakefront portion of the park.
Field Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 23
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 2
Great-tailed Grackle 10
Kenny Anderson says:
March 22, 2013 at 6:47 amThe Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon
Society. This update is as of 9:45 on 3/21/2013. Send interesting
sightings- complete with species name, LOCATION, and contact
information- to Kenny Anderson at kennya290@gmail.com
-Rarities Found This Week-
A Black-headed Grosbeak was at a feeder at a home in southwestern
Bastrop County on 3/21.
A Black-headed Grosbeak was photographed at a feeder in Blanco County on 3/10.
A Hutton’s Vireo was nicely described and singing on the Travaasa
Hotel property in Travis County on 3/13.
A storm on 3/19 prompted some interesting migrants to drop out,
including a Lapland Longspur on CR352 in Williamson County (Late
Date). A Yellow-throated Warbler (local breeder but tricky migrant) at
Sunset Valley, and a Black-capped Vireo (difficult migrant) at Commons
Ford in Travis County.
Warbler Woods also reported a Black-capped Vireo 3/12 (not suitable
breeding habitat) Guadalupe County
An American Bittern was detected at the Colorado River Wildlife
Sanctuary on the Lower Colorado River in Austin on 3/16,17.
The same trip that produced a Williamson County Lapland Longspur had 3
lingering Horned Larks on CR352 and a single on CR436. A Red-headed
Woodpecker continues at the Macedonia Cemetery as of 3/20.
A Common Loon was photographed at Stillhouse Lake’s River’s Bend Park
on 3/7 (Bell county). Two Common Loons were at Canyon Lake in Comal
County on 3/21. An alternate plumage Common Loon in Austin on the
Lady Bird Lake portion of the Lower Colorado River was a snazzy sight
on 3/21.
A Common Gallinule on Waller Creek in Austin is a strange place to
have a bird and it has lingered. 3/6-21.
-Continuing From Previous Week-
The last Whooping Crane report I have seen from the Granger Lake area
came on 3/9. Two birds were reported from Friendship Park in
Williamson County. This has been an amazing story.
A wintering Prairie Warbler at a Gonzales County home remained 3/11-17
(great yard bird).
Berry Springs Park continues to host a Red-headed Woodpecker 3/7,13.
A White Ibis below the Longhorn Dam in Austin had reports on 3/15-20.
A Peregrine Falcon, maybe two, continue to be seen around the downtown
Austin area, University of Texas Tower, and Roy Guerrero Park. Last
report came 3/20 from below Longhorn Dam. Consistent reports of birds
on the Frost Bank Building and UT Tower have me desiring future
updates.
Ronnie Kramer says:
March 13, 2013 at 10:05 pmOn March 9, 2013, Shirley LaVergne and I led 7 others down Copperfiedl Nature Trail in Northeast Austin. We tallied 32 for the day.
Copperfield Nature Trail (Travis Co.), Travis, US-TX
Mar 9, 2013 6:52 AM – 10:22 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
32 species (+1 other taxa)
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) 2
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) 2
Great Egret (Ardea alba) 1
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 3
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) 1
American Coot (Fulica americana) 1
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) 100
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) 40
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 7
Inca Dove (Columbina inca) 1
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) 1 Yellow-billed Cuckoo heard only, unmistakable. Listened for mimicking northern mockingbird, but none heard. Reviewed BirdTunes in the field to confirm. Bird gave the accelerating series of stecatto notes followed by the decelerating series of clock clock clock notes. Later listened to suggested vocalizations of common ground-dove, roadrunner, and yellow-breasted chat. None of these compared with the heard vocalizations.
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) 4
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) 1
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 2
Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius) 1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 4
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 2
Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) 7
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) (Baeolophus bicolor x atricristatus) 1
Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) 1
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) 5
Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) 1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 1
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 2
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 3
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 500
Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata) 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 35
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 14
Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) 50
Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) 2
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13345863
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Ken Zaslow says:
March 13, 2013 at 12:41 amThe following eBird report is from Dan Callaway who led a TAS Two-hour Tuesday trip to Hutto Lake Park on March 12th. Seventeen people participated on the trip.
Hutto Lake Park, Williamson, US-TX
Mar 12, 2013 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Travis Audubon field trip. Weather – clear, temp- 40-55 degrees, calm to S breeze 15 mph.
36 species (+3 other taxa)
Mallard (Domestic type) 7
Ring-necked Duck 3
Pied-billed Grebe 5
Double-crested Cormorant 12
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 1
Turkey Vulture 2
Northern Harrier 1
Accipiter sp. 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 32
Killdeer 8
Wilson’s Snipe 5
Rock Pigeon 1
Eurasian Collared-Dove 2
White-winged Dove 3
Mourning Dove 9
Belted Kingfisher 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Loggerhead Shrike 2
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 1
Barn Swallow 7
House Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 35
American Pipit 5
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 12
Savannah Sparrow 16
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 5
Red-winged Blackbird 65
Western Meadowlark 1
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 7
Great-tailed Grackle 45
House Finch 1
House Sparrow 1
Kenny Anderson says:
March 7, 2013 at 5:15 pmThe Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 11:00 on March 7, 2013. Send interesting sightings- complete with species name, LOCATION, and contact information- to Kenny Anderson at kennya290@gmail.com
-Rarities Found This Week-
Somewhat an exceptional find in the time-of-year category is a Least Bittern found at Laguna Gloria in Austin on 2/27. The bird was photographed on 3/1,2 in Travis County.
A Calliope Hummingbird was photographed at an Austin home on 3/1.
Only one Whooping Crane report from Granger Lake came on 3/3 with 2 birds on CR352 (Williamson County)
Prairie Falcon remains in the Granger area as of 3/3, with a report of one at CR354 and CR350.
Buff-bellied Hummingbird continues at Hornsby Bend with records on 3/2,3. Unfortunately a fire on the compost drying beds has the entire facility closed until further notice.
A nice description of a possible Golden Eagle came from the area of the Pennybacker Bridge in west Austin on 2/27.
White Ibis remains below Longhorn Dam on 3/1- juvenile plumage is being replaced with adult white feathers.
Red-headed Woodpecker on 3/2 at Berry Springs Park in Georgetown is a nice lingering bird. (Willliamson County)
Fairly short list for the week; is this computer working? Make my day, get out and find something.
Reports for the Austin area RBA cover a 60 mile radius, centered from the Capitol in downtown Austin. Bird sightings mentioned here have been filtered and scrutinized by the compiler and are believed to be genuine. When documentation or photographs were provided that is mentioned, along with the other information about the bird(s) being seen. For questions or updates about birds mentioned here or to report rare or unusual bird sightings in the Austin area, please send an e-mail to kennya290@gmail.com
Kenny Anderson
Austin
Peter English says:
March 6, 2013 at 9:37 pmToday on the UT campus we found a Common Gallinule about 25 ft from where it was found in the Fall. It is along Waller Creek immediately in front of the Creekside Residence Hall (CRH) – if you want to go see it , the best plan is to stand on the dorm side of the creek near the footbridge and look back south on the creek. There is a white-bark tree fallen/overhanging the creek and it is under there most of the time that we observed it.
It has been doing something that I have never seen before: the creek has clearly eroded laterally into the bank, but from the bank it appears to be right at water level and not really all that far back – the Gallinule goes back into this eroded space and has spent 20 minutes or more up in there. I suspect that it is feeding, because it did that when there was no particular reason to hide. Later it went up in there when a group of students arrived, so also uses the area to hide. It also spends some time out in the creek, but never did any eating while out in the creek.
Haven’t seen the pair of Peregrines on the UT tower since 2/20.
Ray Steelman says:
March 5, 2013 at 5:57 pmFive intrepid birders braved the 25-40 mph winds at Lake Creek Trail today (3/5) and found 42 wind blown bird species. The high-lite was great views of a winter wren as it worked a stone wall looking for insects. The ebird list follows
Lake Creek Trail (Williamson Co.), Williamson, US-TX
Mar 5, 2013 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
42 species
Gadwall 39
American Wigeon 27
Northern Shoveler 6
Northern Pintail 1
Green-winged Teal 1
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 2
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Killdeer 6
Greater Yellowlegs 6
Wilson’s Snipe 2
Rock Pigeon 2
White-winged Dove 20
Mourning Dove 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
Blue Jay 8
American Crow 3
Winter Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 1
Carolina Wren 1
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 25
Cedar Waxwing 5
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 8
Chipping Sparrow 3
Field Sparrow 5
Savannah Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 5
Lincoln’s Sparrow 6
Northern Cardinal 8
Red-winged Blackbird 6
Great-tailed Grackle 200
House Finch 4
Lesser Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 8
Judith Bailey, Virginia Rose and George Kerr says:
March 3, 2013 at 8:17 pmThe Beginner’s Bird Walk at Berry Springs got off to a cold start, 36 degrees; but, a little chill in the air didn’t deter 18 hearty birders including 4 first-timers. We were rewarded with 42 species. The male Red-headed Woodpecker cooperated so that all got good looks through the scope. Other highlights were Golden-crowned Kinglet, Pine Warbler and a Northern Flicker.
TAS BEGINNER’S BIRDERS WALK
BERRY SPRINGS, 3-2-2013
Wood Duck
Gadwall
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Swallow species
Carolina Chickadee
Black-crested Titmouse
Carolina Wren
House Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
American Pipit
Cedar Waxwing
Pine Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Meadowlark species
Common Grackle
Great-tailed Grackle
Pine Siskin
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch
Ken Zaslow says:
February 27, 2013 at 3:40 amThis eBird report and checklist is from Dan Callaway. Nine people participated today on this TAS trip that Dan led to East Metropolitan Park. A highlight for many of the participants was a Greater Roadrunner that was singing/vocalizing while perched fairly high in a tree. Everyone had good looks at this very cooperative bird.
Travis County, Travis, US-TX
Feb 26, 2013 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: All birding took place within the boundary of East Metro Park, 3 miles SE of Manor. Woodland included Post Oak, mesquite, hackberry, and huisache. Also one 5 acre pond and a one acre pond, and open parkland with scattered post oak. Weather- clear, west wind 10-15 mph, temp- 38-63 degrees.
44 species (+2 other taxa)
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 12
Turkey Vulture 3
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Rock Pigeon 2
White-winged Dove 2
Mourning Dove 5
Greater Roadrunner 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 2
Eastern Phoebe 2
American Crow 12
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 4
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
House Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 1
Carolina Wren 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Eastern Bluebird 4
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 5
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 4
Cedar Waxwing 2
Pine Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 10
Spotted Towhee 1
Chipping Sparrow 12
Field Sparrow 2
Savannah Sparrow 15
Song Sparrow 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 6
White-throated Sparrow 2
White-crowned Sparrow 4
Northern Cardinal 25
Red-winged Blackbird 12
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 12
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 2
House Sparrow 2
Ken Zaslow says:
February 22, 2013 at 7:12 pmThe following two checklists are from Terry Banks. On February 19th she led a field trip to both the Inks Lake State Park and the Inks Lake National Fish Hatchery in Burnet County.
Inks Lake State Park, Burnet, US-TX
Feb 19, 2013 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Protocol: Traveling
3.5 mile(s)
Comments: 13 participants met at Inks Lake to participate on a Travis Audubon bird hike. We first birded around the HQ, then we went to the picnic area by the water. Afterwards we took a 3.3 mile hike on the Pecan Flats trail. It was a beautiful day – sunny and warm – about 65 degrees Fahrenheit with just a mild wind.
49 species (+1 other taxa)
Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens) 30 flying high over the water
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 5
Mallard (Domestic type) (Anas platyrhynchos (Domestic type)) 10
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) 3
Common Loon (Gavia immer) 1 foraging on the lake
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) 1
Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) 1
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) 6
American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) 1
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 1
Great Egret (Ardea alba) 1
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) 1
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) 10
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 1
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) 3
American Coot (Fulica americana) 12
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) 1
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 10
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) 5
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) 10
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 10
Inca Dove (Columbina inca) 2
Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) 1 Roadrunner was heard only – “singing”.
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Picoides scalaris) 4
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 1
Black-crested Titmouse (Baeolophus atricristatus) 10
Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps) 1
Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus) 1 One rock wren stayed close to us and sang. It was well visualized by everyone in the groups. There are several photographs available for this bird.
Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) 20
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) 10
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 3
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 5
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 15
Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata) 1
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) 1 Heard only
Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus) 1 One bird singing in the trees by the picnic area.
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 10
Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) 1
Rufous-crowned Sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps) 10
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) 2
Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) 2
Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) 6
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) 2
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 10 One male cardinal was attacking the mirror of one of our cars.
Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) 5
Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) 10
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 4
Inks Lake Natl. Fish Hatchery, Burnet, US-TX
Feb 19, 2013 1:45 PM – 2:30 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.25 mile(s)
Comments: 10 members of Travis Audubon walked the area around the Fish Hatchery ponds. This was a continuation of the Inks Lake Field trip.
17 species (+1 other taxa)
Gadwall (Anas strepera) 5
American Wigeon (Anas americana) 20
Cinnamon Teal (Anas cyanoptera) 2
Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) 6
Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) 14
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) 1
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) 15
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) 1
American Coot (Fulica americana) 2
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 2
Wilson’s Snipe (Gallinago delicata) 2
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 10
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) 1
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) 1
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 1
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) 2
Eastern/Western Meadowlark (Sturnella megna/neglecta) 2
Kenny Anderson says:
February 21, 2013 at 11:25 pmThe Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 4:25 on February 21, 2013. Send interesting sightings- complete with species name, LOCATION, and contact information- to Kenny Anderson at kennya290@gmail.com
-Rarities Found This Week-
An Allen’s Hummingbird was confirmed via video-stills of the spread tail on 2/15/2013. The bird was first seen at an Austin home on 12/12/12; the bird has departed as of 2/16/13. This is likely the first documented record of the species in Travis County and is the second Allen’s Hummingbird to be documented through photographs of the tail (retrix 2 shape, retrix 5 size) in the 60 mile radius covered in this Winter.
A White-tailed Hawk was photographed on 2/14,16 from 1101 and Kohlenberg Road at the Mesquite Creek WMA near the Comal and Guadalupe County lines. Possibly the same bird reported on 1/31 in nearby Hays County at Old Bastrop Highway and Davis RR.
Whooping Cranes at Granger Lake are a remarkable story. This week 2 reports on 2/18 of 10 Whooping Cranes opens the possibility that the 8 wintering birds were joined by northbound migrants. Other reports are 2 adults on CR356 2/18, 2 birds at Granger Lake on 2/16, 3 birds on CR352 and 971 on 2/16, 3 birds at Sore Finger on 2/16, and 4 Whoopers on CR354 on 2/20.
Zone-tailed Hawk, a juvenile this time, was photographed below Mansfield Dam in Travis County on 2/16. An adult was seen on 1/13 and 2/12.
A Zone-tailed Hawk continues at Palmetto State Park in Gonzales County on 2/18. The bird was seen near the overflow parking for RV campsites 1-19. Bird was reported 1/12.
A Horned Grebe in Travis County is a good bird; on 2/17 there was one on Lake Travis at Windy Point.
A Roseate Spoonbill at Salt Lake in Guadalupe County was a nice February find 2/17,18.
A Common Nighthawk at Warbler Woods on 2/18 and a continuing Curve-billed Thrasher (tricky bird in the circle) 2/18 Guadalupe County
-Continuing From Previous Week-
Buff-bellied Hummingbird continues to excite at Hornsby Bend’s Platt Lane 2/15-18. Travis Co.
A Broad-tailed Hummingbird was described and video taped at an Austin residence 2/13,17
Red-headed Woodpeckers are at Williamson County’s Macedonia Cemetery 2/19 and Berry Springs Park 2/15-18.
A Prairie Warbler lingers at a Gonzales County home 2/16,18.
Reports for the Austin area RBA cover a 60 mile radius, centered from the Capitol in downtown Austin. Bird sightings mentioned here have been filtered and scrutinized by the compiler and are believed to be genuine. When documentation or photographs were provided that is mentioned, along with the other information about the bird(s) being seen. For questions or updates about birds mentioned here or to report rare or unusual bird sightings in the Austin area, please send an e-mail to kennya290@gmail.com
Kenny Anderson
Austin
Ken Zaslow says:
February 18, 2013 at 10:43 pmTravis County, Travis, US-TX
Feb 12, 2013 7:30 AM – 10:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
22.0 mile(s)
Comments: Eleven people participated on this Travis Audubon Society field trip to visit ponds in southern Travis County. We birded two large retention ponds on the western edge of the Southpark Meadows shopping center, three ponds in the Onion Creek development east of I-35 and south of Slaughter Lane, several ponds along both North Turnersville Road and Turnersville Road, and one pond on the north side of FM1327 on property owned by the Texas Disposal Systems Exotic Game Ranch and Pavilion. Highlights were the many duck species seen, especially multiple Hooded Mergansers. The day began in heavy mist with some fog which cleared leaving cloudy skies with calm winds and pleasant temperatures. Beginning temperature was 49 degrees; ending temperature was 59 degrees.
65 species (+2 other taxa)
Gadwall 33
American Wigeon 47
Blue-winged Teal 5
Northern Shoveler 21
Northern Pintail 29
Green-winged Teal 17
Canvasback 8
Redhead 10
Ring-necked Duck 54
Lesser Scaup 12
Bufflehead 43
Hooded Merganser 11
Ruddy Duck 8
Pied-billed Grebe 5
Double-crested Cormorant 15
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 6
Black Vulture 1
Northern Harrier 3
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 9
American Coot 60
Killdeer 17
Lesser Yellowlegs 1
Least Sandpiper 11
Long-billed Dowitcher 2
Ring-billed Gull 1
Rock Pigeon 17
White-winged Dove 4
Mourning Dove 42
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 2
Crested Caracara 1
American Kestrel 2
Eastern Phoebe 1 Heard only
Loggerhead Shrike 5
American Crow 7
Purple Martin 5
Cave Swallow 1
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 1
Bewick’s Wren 2
Carolina Wren 3 Heard only
Eastern Bluebird 2
Northern Mockingbird 10
European Starling 8
American Pipit 3
Cedar Waxwing X Heard only
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 15
Chipping Sparrow 1
Field Sparrow 1
Vesper Sparrow 8
Savannah Sparrow 19
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
White-crowned Sparrow 16
Northern Cardinal 14
Red-winged Blackbird 300
Eastern Meadowlark 7 Singing in various locations
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 120
Brewer’s Blackbird 59
Common Grackle 5
Great-tailed Grackle 27
Brown-headed Cowbird 12
House Finch 3
House Sparrow 7
Kenny Anderson says:
February 15, 2013 at 3:40 amThe Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 8:45 on February 14, 2013. Send interesting sightings- complete with species name, LOCATION, and contact information- to Kenny Anderson at kennya290@gmail.com
-Rarities Found This Week-
A Virginia Rail has been seen/heard along the creek just north of the pond at Mabel Davis Park in Austin 2/6-8 (Travis)
An alternate plumage Franklin’s Gull was scoped from Blue Goose Road at the Austin Landfill in Travis County on 2/9
I am curious about a few unconfirmed reports of a Pacific Loon from Canyon Lake’s Potters Creek Park in Comal County; does anyone have any information or details?
-Continuing From Previous Week-
Whooping Cranes at Granger Lake and the surrounding agricultural area were updated with 1 seen from Willis Creek Park on 2/8,10, 7 from Granger Dam Road 2/8, and 3 seen on CR 352 south of Alligator Road 2/9.
A Prairie Falcon was briefly viewed on Harry Lind Road in Travis County on 2/9.
A Zone-tailed Hawk was just below Mansfield Dam again on 2/12 in Travis County. A Red-breasted Merganser and 2 Common Goldeneyes are also below the dam.
Buff-bellied Hummingbird is reliable at Hornsby Bend in Travis County near the Platt lane River Trailhead 2/9,10
Broad-tailed Hummingbirds continuing at two residences in Austin had an update 2/13.
2 Red-breasted Mergansers and a Common Loon were reported on Lake Travis from Windy Point in Travis County.
2 Peregrine Falcons were seen at the University of Texas on 2/9- birds have been in the downtown Austin area for a while- updates encouraged.
A Curve-billed Thrasher remains at Warbler Woods in Guadalupe County 2/13.
The section of the Lower Colorado River around the Longhorn Dam in Austin continues to have a White Ibis (2/8,11), Couch’s Kingbirds (2/12-14), Least Grebe, and Ringed Kingfishers (2/12).
2 Couch’s Kingbirds are at Riverbend Park in Smithville (2/14) and Ringed Kingfisher was a flyby at Bob Bryant Park in Bastrop (2/12) in Bastrop County.
Reports for the Austin area RBA cover a 60 mile radius, centered from the Capitol in downtown Austin. Bird sightings mentioned here have been filtered and scrutinized by the compiler and are believed to be genuine. When documentation or photographs were provided that is mentioned, along with the other information about the bird(s) being seen. For questions or updates about birds mentioned here or to report rare or unusual bird sightings in the Austin area, please send an e-mail to kennya290@gmail.com
Kenny Anderson
Austin
Deb Wallace says:
February 6, 2013 at 1:44 amIt was a very cold, rainy morning on January 15th, but 12 of us went to Commons Ford Ranch anyway! We ended up with a decent number of species, including great looks at a Red-breasted Nuthatch.
Commons Ford Pk, Travis, US-TX
Jan 15, 2013 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.5 mile(s)
48 species
Wood Duck 6
Gadwall 15
American Wigeon 5
Canvasback 3
Pied-billed Grebe 6
Double-crested Cormorant 6
Turkey Vulture 3
Osprey 3
Northern Harrier 1
Cooper’s Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 3
American Coot 30
White-winged Dove 200
Mourning Dove 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 3
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
Western Scrub-Jay 2
American Crow 4
Carolina Chickadee 4
Black-crested Titmouse 8
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 6
Eastern Bluebird 3
Northern Mockingbird 4
Cedar Waxwing 2
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 60
Spotted Towhee 4
Chipping Sparrow 2
Field Sparrow 1
Vesper Sparrow 15
Savannah Sparrow 40
Song Sparrow 3
Lincoln’s Sparrow 5
White-throated Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 15
Red-winged Blackbird 7
Great-tailed Grackle 7
House Finch 4
Pine Siskin 12
Lesser Goldfinch 3
American Goldfinch 15
Deb Wallace says:
February 6, 2013 at 1:37 amA group of 15 birders endured high winds to bird Commons Ford Ranch and check out the prairie restoration effort on Sunday, January 13th. We had some nice birds, including 5 species of Woodpeckers.
Commons Ford Pk, Travis, US-TX
Jan 13, 2013 7:45 AM – 11:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
51 species
Gadwall 20
Ring-necked Duck 1
Pied-billed Grebe 3
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 4
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Coot 30
Ring-billed Gull 20
White-winged Dove 100
Mourning Dove 1
Greater Roadrunner 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 1
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 2
Black-crested Titmouse 2
Bewick’s Wren 1
Carolina Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Eastern Bluebird 2
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 2
Cedar Waxwing 16
Yellow-rumped Warbler 50
Spotted Towhee 1
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 1
Field Sparrow 3
Vesper Sparrow 3
Savannah Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 1
House Finch 2
Lesser Goldfinch 1
American Goldfinch 1
Ray Steelman says:
February 5, 2013 at 9:22 pmThe following is a list of birds seen or herd on our Tejas Camp trip on Feb 5. We want to thank everyone for joining us, there were lots of good birds and the weather was very cooperative. We hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did. We ended with a total species count of 52 with the highlights being the hairy woodpecker, red-breasted nuthatch, and great looks at several fox sparrows.
Wild Turkey 1 Herd Only
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 5
Turkey Vulture 3
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Herd Only
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Kestrel 1
Killdeer 2
Lesser Yellowlegs 1
Rock Pigeon 10
Mourning Dove 3
Inca Dove 1 Herd Only
Common Ground-Dove 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Hairy Woodpecker 1
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 6
American Crow 3
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 3
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
House Wren 2
Bewick’s Wren 4
Carolina Wren 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Eastern Bluebird 6
Hermit Thrush 2
American Robin 5
Northern Mockingbird 3
Loggerhead Shrike 1 seen as we were leaving along the road
Cedar Waxwing 15
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 15
Spotted Towhee 6
Field Sparrow 15
Vesper Sparrow 10
Lark Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 12
Fox Sparrow 4
Song Sparrow 11
Lincoln’s Sparrow 15
White-throated Sparrow 6
White-crowned Sparrow 15
Northern Cardinal 40
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Lesser Goldfinch 10
American Goldfinch 10
Judith Bailey, Virginia Rose and George Kerr says:
February 3, 2013 at 2:53 amOn 2-2-2013, fourteen birders met at NE METROPOLITAN PARK eager to find feathered winter residents; watching us arrive was a sharp Loggerhead Shrike; along the creek we saw 34 other species with the highlights being a White-throated Sparrow, five Red-breasted Nuthatches and fifteen or so American Pipits. A good time was had by all.
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Northern Harrier
Red-shouldered Hawk
Crested Caracara
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe (H)
Loggerhead Shrike
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren (H)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
American Pipit
Cedar Waxwing
Yellow-rumped Warbler
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Meadowlark species
Great-tailed Grackle
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
Ken Zaslow says:
January 31, 2013 at 10:55 pmThis list is being submitted on behalf of Dan Callaway and Terry Banks.
Lake Pflugerville, Pflugerville, TX, Travis, US-TX
Jan 29, 2013 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Dan Callaway lead this Travis Audubon Field trip. Approximately 25 people showed up, many of whom had scopes and helped to locate various waterfowl. It was a warm, humid, windy morning – towards the end of the trip the winds that gusted around us were strong; 30 mile-an-hour winds were predicted for the day, and we felt these winds were about that speed. Birds had a hard time soaring; one Northern Harrier seemed to have difficulty staying up, and the several Ring Billed Gulls circling the lake had difficulty staying over the water.
36 species (+2 other taxa)
Gadwall 15
American Wigeon 3
Mallard (Domestic type) 2
Northern Shoveler 5
Northern Pintail 7
Green-winged Teal 4
Canvasback 30
Redhead 10
Ring-necked Duck 2
Lesser Scaup 4
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 10 seen flying over the lake
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Turkey Vulture 3
Northern Harrier 1
Virginia Rail 1 This bird was heard only responding to a Virginia Rail Recording.
Sora 1 Like the Virginia Rail, the sora was heard only responding to the recording of the Sora.
American Coot 1000 It was difficult to get an accurate estimate of this very numerous bird. They were everywhere on the lake.
Killdeer 10
Least Sandpiper 5
Wilson’s Snipe 1 one seen flying away from our crowd of people
Ring-billed Gull 8
Rock Pigeon 25
Mourning Dove 10
Peregrine Falcon 2 These two birds flew briefly over the lake and then disappeared.
Loggerhead Shrike 3
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 20
American Pipit 20
Common Yellowthroat 2 heard only
Savannah Sparrow 15
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Swamp Sparrow 1 This bird popped up and down on the grass stalks replying and chipping to the IPOD Swamp Sparrow. Most of the attendees got a good look at this bird.
White-crowned Sparrow 15
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 12
Great-tailed Grackle 50
Kenny Anderson says:
January 25, 2013 at 6:01 amThe Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 10:38 on January 24, 2013. Send interesting sightings- complete with species name, LOCATION, and contact information- to Kenny Anderson at kennya290@gmail.com
-Rarities Found This Week-
I received belated report of a Zone-tailed Hawk mixed in with Turkey Vultures at Palmetto State Park on 1/12 in Gonzales County.
2 Peregrine Falcons were observed at the Oakwood Cemetery near Martin Luther King and I-35 in Austin on 1/21. I had dismissed a separate animated verbal account of courtship behavior of the species in the same area by another observer; I would be interested in follow-ups by folks in that area.
A Yellow Warbler was photographed at Decker lake on 1/20 in Travis County.
There was a Texbirds report of a male Purple Finch at Hornsby Bend on 1/23- a species seldom seen in the county, with few reports from the circle- or am I just missing something.
-Continuing From Previous Week-
Whooping Cranes, only one update, 8 birds at Granger Lake on 1/18 in Williamson County.
A difficult to see Prairie Falcon was seen harassing the blackbirds in the Carlson area. Seen from Wells School Road 1/20.
A wintering Buff-bellied Hummingbird continues at Hornsby Bend’s Platt Lane with reports on 1/17-22.
A Prairie Warbler has found home at a Gonzales County residence with latest updates 1/20-22.
A Broad-tailed Hummingbird has been photographed and remains at an Austin yard 1/23.
A Bastrop County White-breasted Nuthatch on Sayersville Road continued on 1/18.
Berry Springs Park in Williamson county had continuing reports of White-breasted Nuthatch on 1/20, Red-headed Woodpecker on 1/17,21,24, and Vermilion Flycatcher on 1/18.
The Longhorn Dam area in Austin remains a nice winter spot to bird with up to 4 Couch’s Kingbirds on 11/18,23, a juvenile White Ibis on 1/23, 2 Ringed Kingfishers on 1/22
Warbler Woods has a Curve-billed Thrasher remaining as of 1/24 in Guadalupe County.
Reports for the Austin area RBA cover a 60 mile radius, centered from the Capitol in downtown Austin. Bird sightings mentioned here have been filtered and scrutinized by the compiler and are believed to be genuine. When documentation or photographs were provided that is mentioned, along with the other information about the bird(s) being seen. For questions or updates about birds mentioned here or to report rare or unusual bird sightings in the Austin area, please send an e-mail to kennya290@gmail.com
Kenny Anderson
Austin
jeff patterson for sam fason says:
January 24, 2013 at 12:27 amOn January 13th I led a Travis Audubon Society Field Trip to Granger Lake. Despite the howling wind that persisted all day, we came away with some good birds. Highlights were:
All 8 Whooping Cranes. starting at 7:45, within 5 minutes, all 8 birds flew over Sore Finger WMA headed north. The birds were seen well from CR 352 throughout the morning as well. The Burrowing Owl on CR 357 was sitting back up on the concrete pile today, after being MIA for about a month We had an adult Bald Eagle from the Granger Dam. A nice Common Loon was on the lake, viewed from Friendship Park A LeConte’s Sparrow offered good views to everyone at Friendship Park Horned Larks were abundant, with birds being seen on CR 360, CR 359, Aubrey Messer Rd, and Alligator Road. The adult Red-headed Woodpecker continues at Macedonia Cemetery, seen very well. A White-eyed Vireo was a nice surprise at Willis Creek Park, heard by all and seen by several. Surprisingly, this was flagged by ebird. Also, a Fox Sparrow singing his full song at Willis Creek Park was a treat A Merlin with a freshly killed Meadowlark gave a brief but fantastic look on CR 360 A lowlight of the day was the lack of Longspurs or Mountain Plovers, but with the strong wind I was not hopeful. The wind also seemed to keep the Short-eared Owls down at dawn, none flying at Sore Finger this AM (although Ray Steelman had one fly in front of his car on 971 this morning around 7, though). After 2:00, most people peeled off to go home, but I went to Northeast Travis County with Karen Collins and Terry Banks. Longspurs were the original target, but the wind was even harsher than it was out at granger, so we only tried for maybe 30 minutes on Wells Road and Lane, Carlson Lane, and Felder Road. However, Carlson Lane was very productive. Best birds were definitely the Red-naped Sapsucker who only flew in when we were just getting ready to leave, and a nice female Eastern Towhee that responded to Screech Owl tape and gave us some good looks, albeit brief. Also,13 Sandhill Cranes flew over Carlson.
Good Birding,
Sam Fason, Austin\
jeff patterson says:
January 23, 2013 at 12:34 pmThe Field Trip Committee, along with continuing and prospective Field Trip Leaders were treated to an appreciation event on January 14, 2013 at the TAS offices. Jeff Patterson opened the evening by thanking everyone for making his job as committee chair a pleasure. He was followed by a field trip leader training presentation provided by Barry Lyon and Victor Emanuell. Thanks to all of the fantastic field trip leaders who attended, and to Jeff, Barry and Victor for their time and efforts.
Ken Zaslow says:
January 22, 2013 at 8:56 pmPlatt Lane (Travis Co.), Travis, US-TX
Jan 22, 2013 7:45 AM – 10:45 AM
Comments: Nine people took advantage of this TAS Tuesday field trip to bird Platt Lane and the northern section of the River Trail on a beautiful January morning. Highlights included the over-wintering Buff-bellied Hummingbird, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, numerous sparrows and ducks, and great looks at well over 100 American White Pelicans in the air and on the Colorado River. The sky was sunny, winds were calm, and the morning temperature ranged from 46 degrees to 61 degrees.
57 species (+2 other taxa)
Gadwall 25
American Wigeon 23
Northern Pintail 4
Green-winged Teal 2
Ring-necked Duck 8
Lesser Scaup 14
Bufflehead 3
Ruddy Duck 1
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 30
American White Pelican 135
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 1
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 3
Osprey 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 3
American Coot 11
Killdeer 6
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 1 Heard only
Least Sandpiper 5
White-winged Dove 3
Mourning Dove 1
Buff-bellied Hummingbird 1 The bird was seen actively drinking from the Hummingbird feeder located just inside the entrance to the northern section of the River Trail where it was also observed roosting in the adjacent shrubs and small trees. Less frequently it was seen drinking from the Hummingbird feeder at the abandoned house at the entrance to the River Trail. It is the same bird that has been noted in this location since mid-December and details of its plumage have been submitted previously.
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 1 Heard only
Crested Caracara 3
American Kestrel 2
Eastern Phoebe 3
Loggerhead Shrike 1
American Crow 5
Carolina Chickadee 9
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 6
House Wren 2
Carolina Wren 7
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 5
Hermit Thrush 3
Northern Mockingbird 5
Cedar Waxwing 25 Flyover
Yellow-rumped Warbler 50
Vesper Sparrow 10
Savannah Sparrow 18
Song Sparrow 2 Heard only
Lincoln’s Sparrow 12
White-throated Sparrow 2
White-crowned Sparrow 23
Northern Cardinal 19
Red-winged Blackbird 47
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 15
Common Grackle 1
Great-tailed Grackle 12
House Finch 2
Kenny Anderson says:
January 18, 2013 at 7:11 amThe Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 12:30 on January 18, 2013. Send interesting sightings- complete with species name, LOCATION, and contact information- to Kenny Anderson at kennya290@gmail.com
Whooping Cranes wintering at Granger Lake in Williamson County continue to thrill and wonder Central Texas birders. A report of all 8 seen as a fly-over at Sore Finger WMA, along with a photograph on 1/13 is truly a highlight of 2013. Other reports of a group of 2 Whooping Cranesforaging along 971and CR352 from the Travis Audubon field trip on 1/12, 3 birds on the same field 1/13.
An adult Zone-tailed Hawk was seen well mixed in with Turkey Vultures below the Mansfield Dam in Travis County on 1/13.
A Calliope Hummingbird is photographed using a South Austin feeder at a private residence 1/17.
2 Harris’s Hawks are working the area north of the Formula 1 track in Elroy. Birds were first encountered on the Austin CBC and have continued to be seen/photographed near the Fagerquist and Elroy intersection. Latest reports are 1/12(photo) and 1/15.
A wintering Hornsby Bend Buff-bellied Hummingbird is utilizing the Platt Lane River Trail origination/trail head- and feeders placed there to keep it around. Bird is seen reliably with reports 1/1/12-17.
A Red-naped Sapsucker was photographed in the Carlson area on 1/13 (Travis).
The Hornsby Bend survey on 1/14 also tallied a female Common Goldeneye on pond 2, a Peregrine Falcon being irregularly seen working the ponds, and a lingering Vermilion Flycatcher near Pond 2.
A Rusty Blackbird has been seen in a mixed blackbird flock in the administration parking lot of Hornsby Bend 1/14,16.
Common Goldeneye, a drake was seen on the Lower Colorado River from the Colorado River Nature Preserve at 183 in Austin on 1/16- first photographed 1/1.
Vermilion Flycatchers are also being seen at Decker Lake’s Walter Long Park east of the boat launch 1/16 (Travis)and Berry Springs Park in Williamson County 1/17, Hornsby Bend 1/12.
Red-headed Woodpeckers are being seen at the Macedonia Cemetery in Williamson County 1/10 and Berry Springs Park in Williamson County 1/17.
Say’s Phoebes, the only two I have heard of in the area, are being seen at Granger Lake with the latest report on 1/10 from the Travis Audubon Field trip.
An American Bittern was seen again at Decker Lake- the bird flushed from the western most portion of the parking lot on 1/16.
A Summer Tanager was photographed at a Lakeway home in Travis County on 1/13.
A juvenile White Ibis and Couch’s Kingbirds are being seen near the Longhorn Dam area- latest word 1/12,14.
2 Couch’s Kingbirds reported from Big Webberville Park in eastern Travis County 1/11. This species has become regular in Travis County as a breeding resident. Roy Guerrero Park and Big Webberville Park are two of the more reliable locations for them.
It has been a good start to the year, I would like to hear what you are finding.
Reports for the Austin area RBA cover a 60 mile radius, centered from the Capitol in downtown Austin. Bird sightings mentioned here have been filtered and scrutinized by the compiler and are believed to be genuine. When documentation or photographs were provided that is mentioned, along with the other information about the bird(s) being seen. For questions or updates about birds mentioned here or to report rare or unusual bird sightings in the Austin area, please send an e-mail to kennya290@gmail.com
Kenny Anderson
Austin
Kenny Anderson says:
January 11, 2013 at 5:01 amThe Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 10:00 on January 10, 2013. Send interesting sightings- complete with species name, LOCATION, and contact information- to Kenny Anderson at kennya290@gmail.com
– This Week-
A White-tailed Hawk was on CR345, just south of CR346 in Williamson County on 1/10.
Prairie Falcon was photographed on Alligator Road in Bell County on 1/4.
A Prairie Falcon was on Harry Lind Road between Carlson Road and Lund Carlson in Travis County on 1/10.
Ferruginous Hawk continues on Loop Road / Shipp Lake area in Bastrop County 1/6.
Whooping Cranes at Granger Lake remain with reports of 3 seen from Sore Finger WMA on 1/4 and 2 seen from Willis Creek on 1/6.
A nice description of a male Calliope Hummingbird at an Austin home 1/7 (Travis)
Buff-bellied Hummingbird continues at Hornsby Bend’s Platt Lane trailhead 1/4,5,10
A White-breasted Nuthatch was observed on Old Sayers Road in Bastrop County 1/6.
2 Harris’s Hawks were photographed on 15 and seen 1/6 on Fagerquist Road near Elroy in Travis County.
A Broad-tailed Hummingbird was photographed at Laguna Gloria in Austin 1/6,7
A Rusty Blackbird was described at Hornsby Bend on 1/9.
A male Red-naped Sapsucker continues on Carlson Lane in the Carlson area of Northeast Travis County. 1/5,6
Hornsby Bend is also hosting Vermilion Flycatcher around Pond 2, Western Sandpiper on Pond 1 West, and 2 Common Goldeneyes photographed on Pond 2.
Red-headed Woodpecker continues at Berry Springs Park in Williamson County 1/4,5
A Reddish Egret lingers at Canyon Lake in Comal County- seen from Potter’s Creek Park on 1/6.
Couch’s Kingbirds, Least /Grebe, Greater Scaup, and White Ibis are around the Longhorh Dam on the Lower Colorado River in Austin.
A Gray Catbird was reported at St. Edward’s Park in Austin on 1/6.
Reports for the Austin area RBA cover a 60 mile radius, centered from the Capitol in downtown Austin. Bird sightings mentioned here have been filtered and scrutinized by the compiler and are believed to be genuine. When documentation or photographs were provided that is mentioned, along with the other information about the bird(s) being seen. For questions or updates about birds mentioned here or to report rare or unusual bird sightings in the Austin area, please send an e-mail to kennya290@gmail.com
Kenny Anderson
Austin
Ray Steelman says:
January 10, 2013 at 10:19 pmOn Jan 10 I led 7 other birders to the Granger Lake area. We had a beautiful day after two days of rain. Highlights of the trip were two whooping cranes, red-headed woodpecker, two Say’s phoebes and a merlin. We totaled 65 species.
Gadwall 10
American Wigeon 2
Ring-necked Duck 5
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 15
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 2
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 10
Northern Harrier 5
Bald Eagle 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 15 1-Kreiders
Red-tailed Hawk (Harlan’s) 1
American Coot 5
Whooping Crane 2 Foraging along Route 971, seen well by all observers.
Killdeer 2
Greater Yellowlegs 3
Ring-billed Gull 3
Forster’s Tern 5
Rock Pigeon 30
White-winged Dove 25
Mourning Dove 50
Red-headed Woodpecker 1 First year male, pecan grove near Macedonia Cemetery. Seen well by all observers.
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 1
Crested Caracara 3
American Kestrel 10
Merlin 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
Say’s Phoebe 2
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
Loggerhead Shrike 4
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 15
Horned Lark 1
Carolina Chickadee 7
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 2
Brown Creeper 1
Carolina Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Eastern Bluebird 5
American Robin 2
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 15
American Pipit 1
Cedar Waxwing 10
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 12
Chipping Sparrow 12
Field Sparrow 7
Vesper Sparrow 8
Lark Sparrow 5
Savannah Sparrow 35
Harris’s Sparrow 2
White-crowned Sparrow 6
Northern Cardinal 7
Red-winged Blackbird 25
Eastern Meadowlark 1
Western Meadowlark 1
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 175
Brewer’s Blackbird 10
Great-tailed Grackle 15
Brown-headed Cowbird 6
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 5
Kenny Anderson says:
January 4, 2013 at 10:28 pmThe Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 3:30 on January 4,2013. Send interesting sightings- complete with species name, LOCATION, and contact information- to Kenny Anderson at kennya290@gmail.com
NO POSITIVE REPORTS OF FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER since 12/26/12
-Rarities Found This Week-
A confirmation of a Rough-legged Hawk (dark form) was made on 1/1/13 at Riverbend Park in Bastrop County- a highly probable earlier sighting came in from nearby Loop Road about a week ago.
A juvenile Ferruginous Hawk was behind Lowe’s in Bastrop on 12/29,30.
Zone-tailed Hawks were described on 12/28 in Austin. An adult was studied at Camp Mabry’s Ponds and a juvenile was on Dunlap Road in east Austin.
Black Phoebe was reported on the Guadalupe River in Guadalupe County on 12/29/12.
A Calliope Hummingbird has been at a South Austin residence 1/1/13.
The Granger CBC reported 5 Whooping Cranes, Red-headed Woodpecker, Nashville Warbler, and Dickcissel as highlights. 12/29/12 A count week Common Goldeneye on 12/28 on Granger Lake.
Lost Pines CBC had a report of Painted Bunting at the Utley Cemetery12/29/12.
An Anna’s Hummingbird is at a Blanco County home 12/28/12- 1/1/13.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird reports come from a Blanco home having 2 males 12/28, a west Austin residence photographed on 1/2/13, 2 birds at a central Austin residence 1/2/13.
Common Goldeneyes in Austin are around with a female continuing at Hornsby Bend’s Pond 2 and a male and female photographed around the Longhorn Dam 12/30/12-1/1/13.
Rusty Blackbird was reported at a Bastrop County home 12/29/12.
-Continuing From Previous Week-
Whooping Cranes at Granger Lake, seen from Friendship Park 12/29-1/2. 2-5 birds.
Harris’s Hawk was photographed on Fagerquist Road in the Elroy area of Travis County 12/29 and seen from Kellam Road and Elroy road on 12/30.
Buff-bellied Hummingbird continued at the Platt Lane trail head of Hornsby Bend 12/29-1/1.
A Prairie Warbler is spending the winter at a Gonzales County home 12/24-1/2.
A Curve-billed Thrasher was photographed at Warbler Woods 12/30/12 in Guadalupe County.
Vermilion Flycatchers: Berry Springs Park in Williamson County 1/3, Granger Lake on 1/1 in Williamson County, Decker Lake 12/29 in Travis County.
Red-headed Woodpecker continues at Berry springs in Williamson County 1/1/13.
White Ibis, a juvenile, lingers around the Longhorn Dam in Austin 1/1/13.
At least one Western Sandpiper is at Hornsby Bend’s 1 west as of 1/1/13.
Reports for the Austin area RBA cover a 60 mile radius, centered from the Capitol in downtown Austin. Bird sightings mentioned here have been filtered and scrutinized by the compiler and are believed to be genuine. When documentation or photographs were provided that is mentioned, along with the other information about the bird(s) being seen. For questions or updates about birds mentioned here or to report rare or unusual bird sightings in the Austin area, please send an e-mail to kennya290@gmail.com
Kenny Anderson
Austin
Kenny Anderson says:
December 28, 2012 at 6:01 amThe Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 10:45 on December 27, 2012. Send interesting sightings- complete with species name, LOCATION, and contact information- to Kenny Anderson at kennya290@gmail.com
A Fork-tailed Flycatcher continues to delight many birders near the McKinney Falls State Park entrance. It was found on the Austin CBC on December 25 and was seen this week 12/22-26. No reports from today. (Travis County) Bird is seen on McKinney Falls Parkway and Dee Gabriel Collins Road. Many observers/photos Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, up to 7 have been seen with the Fork-tailed (high number of winter birds)
A Prairie Falcon is a real find on the western portion of Loop Road in eastern Bastrop County on 12/24. A Ferruginous Hawk was reported in the same area on Loop Road in Bastrop County earlier in the week.
Whooping Cranes in Williamson County’s Granger Lake area were reported on 12/26,27 (2 and 3 birds respectively). Friendship Park was the origin of the December 26 sighting.
California Gull photographed at Black Rock Park on the western shore of Lake Buchanan in Burnett County is a bird rarely reported in the area. The same trip sounded amazing with Cedar Point yielding: 3 Dunlins at Cedar Point Recreation Center, 7 Black-bellied Plovers, 2 American Avocets, 85 Dowitcher species, and 22 Western Grebes at Black Rock Park.
2 Harris’s Hawks are being seen near the intersection of Elroy Road and Fagerquist in Travis County 12/22-27. Numerous observers/photos
A Buff-bellied Hummingbird has been frequenting the Platt Lane trail head at Hornsby Bend, now visiting two feeders. 12/21 (Travis) Many observers/photos
19 Cackling Geese is a huge number in the circle; birds were photographed above Longhorn Dam on Lady Bird Lake portion of the Lower Colorado River on 12/21. (Travis County)
A Broad-tailed Hummingbird was photographed at an Austin residence on 12/23.
A Zone-tailed Hawk was seen near the Phi Kappa Pi house on Highway 123 ~6 miles south of San Marcos in Guadalupe County (just barely over Hays County line) 12/21
Reddish Egret continues at Cranes Mill Park on Canon Lake in Comal County 12/23.
Tri-colored Heron is a strange sight in the area in December. The bird has been photographed on 12/22-25 above and below the Longhorn Dam.
A juvenile White Ibis continue in the Longhorn Dam area 12/19-23.
Up to 3 Western Sandpiper are at Hornsby Bend with last report 12/24.
Common Goldeneye: a female at Hornsby last 12/24 and a female at Lady Bird on 12/22.
Vermilion Flycatchers: Hornsby Bend bird near Pond 2 west side 12/24 and Decker Lake in Travis County 12 24-27.
Kenny Anderson says:
December 21, 2012 at 2:25 amThe Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 7:35 on December 20,2012. Send interesting sightings- complete with species name, LOCATION, and contact information- to Kenny Anderson at kennya290@gmail.com
-Exceptional Sighting-
The Austin Christmas Bird count had Fork-tailed Flycatcher as the highlight bird. On 12/15 the bird was photographed on a power wire at 8100 Colton Bluff SpringsRoad; it was associating with Scissor-tailed Flycatchers. 12/16 the bird was re-located across from McKinney Falls State Parks entrance on McKinney Falls Parkway. Again the bird was with the Scissor-tails, seen from the Right-of-Way working for insects in a ravine. Subsequent locations it has been seen are on Dee Gabriel Collins Road west of Taqueria Volcan and near the house with the Coldwell-Banker sign on McKinney Falls Parkway, between William Cannon Drive and D.G. Collins Road(north side of road). 12/15-20 Travis County
-Rarities Found This Week-
A Harris’s Hawk was also found on the Austin CBC; it was seen in the Elroy area on 12/15 and 16. The bird was photographed on Fagerquist Road both days. Late in the evening of 12/15 a Harris’s Hawk was described on a pole along Highway 71 at Onion Creek. Harris’s don’t stray into the circle often, so I would like any updates on this bird.
I have only seen one Whooping Crane report from Granger Lake where 2 birds were seen on the megafield south of Alligator Road in Williamson County 12/15.
Buff-bellied Hummingbird did its job continuing in the Platt Lane portion of Hornsby Bend for the CBC. Updates came 12/14-17 from the trailhead where the bird catches insects and visits two feeders in the area.
The only Say’s Phoebe report I have heard from the 60 mile Audubon circle came 12/16 from below the Granger Lake Dam.
A Western Sandpiper was studied at Hornsby Bend on 12/15.
A Long-billed Curlew was reported on Pond 1 West on 12/14 at Hornsby Bend.
An American Bittern was on Lady Bird Lake near the Metz Park boat ramp on 12/15.
Rusty Blackbirds continue to be occasionally seen at Hornsby Bend. They are seen around 1 West, between 1 East and Pond 2, and near the CER Building. 12/15 last report.
A Curve-billed Thrasher is at Warbler Woods 1213-15 in Guadalupe County (photographed)
A White Ibis (juvenile) is working the Lower Colorado River above and below Longhorn Dam 12/15-20.
Vermilion Flycatchers: Hornsby Bend 12/15, Slough Pond/ Shallow Ford Road area in Bell County12/15, and Decker Lake in Travis County 12/18.
jeff patterson says:
December 19, 2012 at 2:28 amOn December 9th, Craig Rasmussen and Jeff Patterson led 12 participants in two groups to Tejas Camp on Lake Georgetown. We split into two groups and traversed the trails on the north and south side of the San Gabriel River, hiking about 3.5 miles. Highlights were 13 species of sparrow (participants seemed to enjoy the Le Conte’s and Fox Sparrows particularly) and a quick, but definitive sighting of an American Woodcock. Bird list follows:
Accipiter species
American Crow
American Goldfinch
American Kestrel
American Robin
American Woodcock
Bewick’s Wren
Black Vulture
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Carolina Chickadee
Carolina Wren
Chipping Sparrow
Common Ground-Dove
Common Raven
Downy Woodpecker
duck sp.
Eastern Bluebird
Eastern Phoebe
Meadowlark Species
Field Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow
Great Blue Heron
Harris’s Sparrow
Hermit Thrush
House Wren
Inca Dove
Killdeer
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Le Conte’s Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Loggerhead Shrike
Mourning Dove
Northern Cardinal
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)
Northern Mockingbird
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-winged Blackbird
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Spotted Towhee
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse
Turkey Vulture
Vesper Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Wild Turkey
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
jeff patterson says:
December 10, 2012 at 11:09 pmVictor Emanuel, Barry Lyon and Cullan Hanks led 10 participants to the Attwater National Wildlife Refuge and Eagle Lake area on December 2, 2012. Highlights of the trip were great looks at Spraugue’s Pipits, beautiful views of White-tailed Hawks, 50 Anhinga thermally upward, chasing (and finding) Le Conte’s Sparrows and Sedge Wrens through the brush and a slowly soaring Bald Eagle right overhead. Birdlist follows:
American Coot
American Crow
American Goldfinch
American Kestrel
American Pipit
American Robin
American White Pelican
Anhinga
Bald Eagle
Black Vulture
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Brown-headed Cowbird
Carolina Chickadee
Carolina Wren
Cassin’s Sparrow (heard only)
Cave Swallow
Common Yellowthroat
Cooper’s Hawk
Crested Caracara
Double-crested Cormorant
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Meadowlark
Eastern Phoebe
European Collared Dove
Field Sparrow
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Greater Yellowlegs
Great-tailed Grackle
House Sparrow
House Wren
Killdeer
Le Conte’s Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Loggerhead Shrike
Mourning Dove
Neotropic Cormorant
Northern Cardinal
Northern Flicker
Northern Harrier
Northern Mockingbird
Orange-crowned Warbler
Pied-billed Grebe
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-winged Blackbird
Rock Dove
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Savannah Sparrow
Sedge Wren
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Snow Goose
Snowy Egret
Song Sparrow
Spotted Towhee
Sprague’s Pipit
Tufted Titmouse
Turkey Vulture
Vesper Sparrow
White Ibis
White -tailed Hawk
White-crowned Sparrow
White-eyed Vireo
White-throated Sparrow
White-winged Dove
Wilson’s Snipe
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Deb Wallace says:
December 5, 2012 at 10:38 pmOn a beautiful Fall monring, 10 of us met to bird Doeskin Ranch. It was a nice, but dry walk. We had some good birds, including a large flock of American Goldfinch and Pine Siskin that landed all around us to feed. It was a pretty sight. We also popped over to the headquarters area for a brief look. We had 35 species for the day.
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Turkey Vulture
American Kestral
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Common Ground-Dove
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Western Scrub-Jay
Carolina Chickadee
Black-crested Titmouse
Carolina Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Northern Mockingbird
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Rufous-crowned Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Lincoln’s sparrow
Northern Cardinal
House Finch
Pine Siskin
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
Judith Bailey, Virginia Rose, Shirley LaVergne says:
December 3, 2012 at 1:20 pmFourteen birders came to Hornsby Bend Saturday morning, 12-1-12, to see waterfowl and other winter residents.They weren’t disappointed; 34 species were seen. Highlights were White-faced Ibis, Eared Grebe, Bufflehead, Ring-necked Duck and Common Goldeneye
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Lesser Scaup
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Ruddy Duck
Eared Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
White-faced Ibis
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Cooper’s Hawk
American Coot
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Wilson’s Snipe
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Eastern Phoebe (H)
Blue Jay
Tufted Titmouse
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
American Pipit
Vesper Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Great-tailed Grackle
Ken Zaslow says:
November 27, 2012 at 10:39 pmThe list below is being submitted on behalf of Dan Callaway who led this TAS bird walk at Champion Park. There were 20 participants.
Champion Park (Williamson Co.), Williamson, US-TX
Nov 27, 2012 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Travis Audubon met for a morning of birding called Two-hour Tuesday that went 3 hours. Twenty folks braved the 40 degree cloudy, breezy weather. Birds weren’t out to feast until after about 9 a.m. We walked the trail from the parking lot to the lake, then returned. The area around the footbridge became extremely active. No Green Kingfisher that I had during scouting two weeks ago.
50 species (+1 other taxa)
Gadwall 15
American Wigeon 8
Northern Shoveler 1
Ring-necked Duck 15
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 25
Anhinga 1 Flying overhead along Brushy Creek in good view seen by many.
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 3
Snowy Egret 6
Black Vulture 15
Turkey Vulture 5
Northern Harrier 1
Bald Eagle 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 5
Ring-billed Gull 4
Rock Pigeon 8
White-winged Dove 10
Mourning Dove 15
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue-headed Vireo 1
American Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 1
House Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 3
Carolina Wren 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 5
Eastern Bluebird 5
Hermit Thrush 2
American Robin 50
Northern Mockingbird 6
American Pipit 1
Cedar Waxwing 25
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 30
Chipping Sparrow 1
Vesper Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 3
Lincoln’s Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 10
Great-tailed Grackle 30
House Finch 10
Pine Siskin 6
Lesser Goldfinch 10
American Goldfinch 20
Kenny Anderson says:
November 23, 2012 at 10:53 pmThe Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 4:30 on November 23, 2012. Send interesting sightings- complete with species name, LOCATION, and contact information- to Kenny Anderson at kennya290@gmail.com
I have gotten a bit behind in updating the rarities for the area and am including everything I have received since the last publication. I’ll try to stay on top of it, hopefully have some nice finds to further prompt me. Please excuse any omissions I may have made- it hasbeen a busy week.
-Rarities Found This Week-
An Anna’s Hummingbird at Texas State University’s Supple Science Building marks the third year in a row this species has been on the Hays County campus. 11/16.
2 Surf Scoters and a Red-breasted Merganser were highlights at Devine Lake in Williamson County on 11/13.
A Rose-breasted Grosbeak on the Hornsby Bend survey was a nice find on 11/10 in Travis County.
American Bittern, which has been at the Lake Creek Trail in Williamson County, was last reported on 11/12. Last year a wintering American Bittern moved around from small ponds in an area in Travis County just 7 miles away. Further updates on the Lake Creek Trail bird are encouraged.
A male Red-naped Sapsucker continues on Carlson Lane in northeast Travis County. (11/23)
A Red-breasted Merganser (female) was reported on the San Marcos River in Gonzales County on 11/13.
A Red-headed Woodpecker in Williamson County’s Berry Springs Park is a nice find 11/17-21.
Rusty Blackbirds are tricky in the area, but Hornsby Bend again has some with 1-4 birds being reported from Pond 1 West on 11/17-21.
A young Vermilion Flycatcher was photographed on Shallow Ford Road in Bell County on 11/18. A young Vermilion Flycatcher is reliably reported at Berry Springs Park in Georgetown on 11/17 in Wilco.
A Black-throated Green Warbler at Warbler Woods in Guadalupe County is a nice find.
-Continuing From Previous Week-
Reports for the Austin area RBA cover a 60 mile radius, centered from the Capitol in downtown Austin. Bird sightings mentioned here have been filtered and scrutinized by the compiler and are believed to be genuine. When documentation or photographs were provided that is mentioned, along with the other information about the bird(s) being seen. For questions or updates about birds mentioned here or to report rare or unusual bird sightings in the Austin area, please send an e-mail to kennya290@gmail.com
Kenny Anderson
Austin
Ken Zaslow says:
November 20, 2012 at 7:51 pmHornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, US-TX
Nov 20, 2012 7:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
Comments: 19 people joined this TAS field trip to Hornsby Bend on a beautiful sunny morning with mild temperatures and calm winds. We birded the ponds and short sections of the River trail and the Platt Lane area. Highlights were the sight of a Greater White-fronted Goose flying over our heads and 4 Rusty Blackbirds seen at the southeast corner of Pond 1 West.
58 species (+2 other taxa)
Greater White-fronted Goose 1 The bird was first seen by Ray Steele and then by our whole group as it flew over us while we were at the Hornsby settlement ponds. The bird had a characteristic goose-like shape with a long, straight neck, stout body, and legs tucked under its body. It had a grayish-brown color with distinctive dark horizontal barring on its belly.
American Wigeon 19
Blue-winged Teal 4
Northern Shoveler 375
Green-winged Teal 45
Redhead 4
Ring-necked Duck 21
Lesser Scaup 5
Bufflehead 4
Ruddy Duck 70
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Eared Grebe 1
Black Vulture 5
Turkey Vulture 40
Northern Harrier 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 26
Killdeer 21
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 55
Wilson’s Snipe 25
Rock Pigeon 5
Eurasian Collared-Dove 1
White-winged Dove 11
Mourning Dove 8
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
American Kestrel 3
Monk Parakeet 4
Eastern Phoebe 5
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 2
House Wren 4
Carolina Wren 5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 12
Eastern Bluebird 2
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 3
American Pipit 7
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Pine Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 6
Chipping Sparrow 5
Field Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 15
Lincoln’s Sparrow 4
White-throated Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 7
Red-winged Blackbird 14
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 23
Rusty Blackbird 4 The birds were seen in the short vegetation near the water in the southeast corner of Pond 1 West. They were very cooperative and did not flush providing close-up views for everyone in our group. Both male and female birds were in the small flock. All the birds had thin, pointy bills and very pale eyes. The females had a rusty crown with a strong buffy supercilium, rusty coloration on their back, and a gray rump. The males were much darker overall with rusty tips on the coverts and tertials. Photos were taken by Lee Wallace and Roger Smith. A Rusty Blackbird was seen and photographed in the same location 3 days earlier by Jeff Whitlock.
Great-tailed Grackle 11
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch 5
House Sparrow 4
Ken Zaslow says:
November 17, 2012 at 8:15 pmHornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, US-TX
Nov 17, 2012 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.25 mile(s)
Comments: 5 people participated on this TAS bird walk on a beautiful day at Hornsby Bend. We birded the ponds as well sections of the River Trail at the Upper Island overlook and at Platt Lane. Beginning temperature was 45 degrees; ending temperature was 64 degrees. The sky was clear and sunny with calm winds. A portion of the morning was accompanied by the sounds of car engines from the F1 racetrack several miles away.
59 species (+2 other taxa)
Wood Duck 1
Gadwall 29
American Wigeon 21
Blue-winged Teal 1
Northern Shoveler 400
Green-winged Teal 50
Redhead 7
Ring-necked Duck 17
Lesser Scaup 11
Bufflehead 3
Ruddy Duck 65
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Eared Grebe 2
Double-crested Cormorant 6
White-faced Ibis 2
Black Vulture 8
Turkey Vulture 31
Osprey 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Sora 1
American Coot 28
Killdeer 18
Least Sandpiper 45
Wilson’s Snipe 21
White-winged Dove 24
Mourning Dove 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 6
American Kestrel 2
Monk Parakeet 2
Eastern Phoebe 4
American Crow 3
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 2
House Wren 2
Carolina Wren 6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 8
Eastern Bluebird 3
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 9
American Pipit 8
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Common Yellowthroat 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 3
Chipping Sparrow 6
Savannah Sparrow 11
Song Sparrow 2
Lincoln’s Sparrow 3
White-throated Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 7
Red-winged Blackbird 23
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 11
Great-tailed Grackle 15
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 5
Ken Zaslow says:
November 15, 2012 at 3:44 am11 people went on the TAS field trip to the Pedernales Falls State Park on November 13th that was led by Terry Banks. Terry compiled the eBird report below and it is being submitted on her behalf.
Pedernales Falls SP (HOTE 050), Blanco, US-TX
Nov 13, 2012 7:45 AM – 11:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: When we arrived at the ranger’s station, approx 20 Snow Geese – mixed white and blue morph – flew over.
The first spot we birded was at the bird blinds where we spent about an hour, moving from one bird blind to the other. The hungry flocks of birds quickly consumed the bird food the park volunteer put out for them. Then we took a walk through the field close to the horse barn. Here we spotted a distant raptor that we could not identify with our binoculars, so a member of our party walked to the car to obtain his scope. While we waited we noted a white patch on the otherwise dark raptor. When the scope was finally trained on the bird we identified a dark juvenile Northern Harrier a second before it flew away.
We then took a walk along the horse trail and noted many foraging passerines. The horse trail leads to a shallow depression that in wet years has a pond and may contain waterfowl. There was a little water in the pond this time, but not enough to be attractive to waterfowl. We did hear some song sparrows here, however, and a walk through the mixed grassy/shrubby area revealed many hiding sparrows most of which we could not identify because of their stealth. Above the pond was a raised berm area, and here we found many more sparrows, blue birds, lesser goldfinches, and were surprised by an early pair of Cedar Waxwings.
After the horse trails we took a very brief walk along the swimming area of the Pedernales River. We spent very little time here and only found a few birds – some Ladder Backed Woodpeckers working the Cypress trees along the river, a pair of Eastern Phoebes, a singing Canyon Wren, a Bewick’s wren and a Rufous Crowned Sparrow.
40 species
Snow Goose 20
Black Vulture 1
Northern Harrier 1
Killdeer 1
White-winged Dove 30
Inca Dove 2
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 4
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Phoebe 8
Western Scrub-Jay 8
Carolina Chickadee 4
Black-crested Titmouse 8
Canyon Wren 2
House Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 3
Carolina Wren 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 15
Eastern Bluebird 4
Hermit Thrush 3
American Robin 30
Northern Mockingbird 3
Cedar Waxwing 2
Orange-crowned Warbler 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 5
Spotted Towhee 4
Rufous-crowned Sparrow 1
Chipping Sparrow 10
Field Sparrow 2
Savannah Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 4
Lincoln’s Sparrow 4
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Northern Cardinal 20
Red-winged Blackbird 1
House Finch 2
Lesser Goldfinch 10
House Sparrow 30
Craig Rasmussen says:
November 13, 2012 at 4:53 pmThe Nature Conservancy – Love Creek Preserve 10 birders and 38 species of birds. Highlights were: sparrows, bluebirds, robin and other uplands birds on the ridge crest, great looks at a calling Canyon Wren and towards the end two cooperative Hutton’s Vireos.
Kenny Anderson says:
November 9, 2012 at 3:32 amTwo Surf Scoters were reported from a Williamson County pond; they were seen from Devine Lake Park on 11/5,6.
An remarkably cooperative and photogenic American Bittern is being seen at Lake Creek Trail in Williamson County on 11/4-8.
A Zone-tailed Hawk was viewed from a Bastrop County home on 11/3.
A male Red-naped Sapsucker was photographed on Carlson Lane in northeast Travis County on 11/3.
A visit to Canyon Lake’s Canyon Park yielded a Reddish Egret and two Common Loons on 11/3.
An immature Vermilion Flycatcher continues at and near Slough Pond in Bell County. If it is not seen at the pond a search along Shallow Ford Road from Slough Pond toward Temple Lions Park to the north has been productive.
A sub-adult Yellow-headed Blackbird was viewed in a mega-flock of blackbirds at Hornsby Bend on 11/3.
Four Wilson’s Phalaropes were at Hornsby Bend on 11/2.
Red-breasted Nuthatches are being reported at multiple locations, with multiple birds (up to 4) at several locations. Over 50 Pine Siskins were at Commons Ford Park on 11/4.
Reports for the Austin area RBA cover a 60 mile radius, centered from the Capitol in downtown Austin. Bird sightings mentioned here have been filtered and scrutinized by the compiler and are believed to be genuine. When documentation or photographs were provided that is mentioned, along with the other information about the bird(s) being seen. For questions or updates about birds mentioned here or to report rare or unusual bird sightings in the Austin area, please send an e-mail to kennya290@gmail.com
Kenny Anderson
Austin
Ken Zaslow says:
November 6, 2012 at 6:37 pmBauerle Ranch Park, Travis, US-TX
Nov 6, 2012 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.25 mile(s)
Comments: 12 people participated on this Travis Audubon Society field trip to the Slaughter Creek Greenbelt at Bauerle Ranch Park. The weather was perfect with clear skies, light winds about 5mph, and moderate temperatures between the upper 50’s and the mid 60’s. Highlights included both Spotted and Eastern Towhee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, and Blue-headed Vireo.
32 species (+2 other taxa)
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 2 Heard only
Killdeer 1 Seen flying over the park
White-winged Dove 85
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 3
Crested Caracara 2 Seen at the trail entrance shortly after the trip was over
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 21
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted x Black-crested Titmouse (hybrid) 4
House Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 2
Carolina Wren 8
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 11
Hermit Thrush 2
Northern Mockingbird 4
Orange-crowned Warbler 8
Yellow-rumped Warbler 4
Spotted Towhee 4
Eastern Towhee 1 The Eastern Towhee was seen in a mixed flock of birds present in low vegetation along the Bauerle Creek Trail about 100 yards west of the Percival trail. An Eastern Screech-Owl recording was used to attract a mixed group of birds that included the Towhee. It had a dark brown head and back with rufous sides and a white belly. It lacked wing bars, but did have a clearly visible white patch at the base of the primaries. Several of us in the group had good looks at the bird including Deb Wallace, Ray Steele and me. A male spotted Towhee was present in the same group of birds and the two Towhees were seen simultaneously making for an excellent comparison study. Photos were not taken.
Chipping Sparrow 5
Song Sparrow 4
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 15
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 1
Great-tailed Grackle 9
House Finch 7
Lesser Goldfinch 6
House Sparrow 5
Deb Wallace says:
November 5, 2012 at 2:39 pmOctober 9th Trip to Aquarena Springs and Spring Lake Preserve (Late Report!)
10 of us went down to Aquarena to bird and see the changes made to the area. We were lucky enough to have the Head of Facilities, C.J. Hall, let us into the closed areas and onto the Wetlands Boardwalk. He walked with us for a bit and told us about the work that had been done. It’s pretty cool. I highly recommend a visit, as it should be open by now.
We had a good time and saw some nice birds. Lee’s list follows:
Oct 9, 2012 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 mile(s)
37 species (+1 other taxa)
Wood Duck 2
Least Grebe 2
Pied-billed Grebe 8
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Green Heron 1
Black Vulture 75
Turkey Vulture 12
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Northern Harrier 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
American Coot 2
Rock Pigeon 2
White-winged Dove 4
Mourning Dove 1
Chimney Swift 10
hummingbird sp. 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker 1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 5
Couch’s Kingbird 6
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
Blue Jay 2
Carolina Chickadee 1
Black-crested Titmouse 7
Canyon Wren 3
House Wren 1
Bewick’s Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Northern Mockingbird 4
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Orange-crowned Warbler 6
Nashville Warbler 2
Clay-colored Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 15
Great-tailed Grackle 24
Lesser Goldfinch 6
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Judith Bailey, Virginia Rose, Shirley LaVergne, George Kerr says:
November 4, 2012 at 12:37 amTAS BEGINNING BIRDERS WALK
RICHARD MOYA PARK
11-3-12
On a foggy Saturday morning, 16 intrepid birders showed up to look for some of our winter feathered friends. We spotted 30 species; highlights were several Red-breasted Nuthatches, a Blue-headed Vireo and the resident Eastern Bluebirds.
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Black-crested Titmouse
Black-crested X Tufted Hybrid Titmouse
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Great-tailed Grackle
Oriole species
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
House Sparrow
Kenny Anderson says:
November 2, 2012 at 4:22 amThe Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 10:00 on Novenber 1, 2012. Send interesting sightings- complete with species name, LOCATION, and contact information- to Kenny Anderson at kennya290@gmail.com
-Rarities Found This Week-
A Prairie Falcon was seen from Sunshine Road where it crosses the Little River in Bell County, there were 2 Red-headed Woodpeckers present as well. Photographs of the falcon and one juvenile woodpecker were obtained on 10/28.
A Harris’s Hawk was reported from Hornby Bend’s Platt Lane on 10/27 in Travis County.
A Red-naped Sapsucker was at Buescher State Park near the dam on 10/28 in Bastrop County.
An Ash-throated Flycatcher was described at Hornsby Bend at the end of the Platt Pond Trail on 10/28.
Up to three Broad-tailed Hummingbirds have been at a Blanco County home 10/26.
A Swainson’s Thrush has been at a Bastrop County home 10/29-11/1 and an American Woodcock on 10/27.
2 Reddish Egrets were reported at Canyon Lake’s Potter’s Creek Park in Comal County on 10/29.
A Vermilion Flycatcher was nice at Slough Pond in Bell County on 10/30-11/1.
A Tri-colored Heron lingers in the area below Longhorn Dam with a report on 10/25 (Travis County)
A few warblers continue to come through: Wilson’s Warbler at Little Webberville on 10/31, Tennessee Warbler at Dick Nichols on 10/27, and a American Redstart at a Bastrop County reside
Reports for the Austin area RBA cover a 60 mile radius, centered from the Capitol in downtown Austin. Bird sightings mentioned here have been filtered and scrutinized by the compiler and are believed to be genuine. When documentation or photographs were provide, that is mentioned, along with the other information about the bird(s) being seen. For questions or updates about birds mentioned here or to report rare or unusual bird sightings in the Austin area, please send an e-mail to kennya290@gmail.com
Kenny Anderson
Austin
Claude Morris says:
October 30, 2012 at 10:29 pmColorado River Park, Travis, US-TX
Oct 27, 2012 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Protocol: Area
5.0 ac
Today on the fifth Colorado River Park bird walk we found some of the winter birds have arrived. Northern Flicker, American Robin, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglet and three species of native sparrows were included in our list of 31 species plus some ducks.
The best surprise of the morning was a flyby from a Merlin. Love to see the falcons.
The weather today was chilly and blustery. Early in the morning we had several flights of ducks pass over and one large flock of Greater White-fronted Geese. I think the cold wind kept us from finding some of the regulars like Mockingbirds and Eurasian Collared Doves.
31 species (+1 other taxa)
Greater White-fronted Goose 50
duck sp. 60
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 10
Turkey Vulture 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 3
Killdeer 1
Mourning Dove 2
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Northern Flicker 2
Crested Caracara 1
Merlin 1
American Crow 9
Carolina Chickadee 23
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Eastern Bluebird 3
American Robin 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 12
Savannah Sparrow 9
Lincoln’s Sparrow 4
White-crowned Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 8
Red-winged Blackbird 100
Great-tailed Grackle 50
Brown-headed Cowbird 6
House Finch 3
Kenny Anderson says:
October 26, 2012 at 2:33 amThe Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 8:55 on October 25, 2012. Send interesting sightings- complete with species name, the LOCATION, and contact information- to Kenny Anderson at kennya290@gmail.com
-Rarities Found This Week-
There was a Bastrop County White-tailed Kite fly-over and Palm Warbler on 10/21.
Little Webberville Park in Travis County had two hatch year Red-naped Sapsuckers on 10/20,22. One seen on 10/23.
Bronzed Cowbird was photographed at Hornsby Bend on 10/20; perhaps the same bird as reported on September 15th. There is an enormous flock of blackbirds it can mix with.
2 Horned Larks were in northeastern Travis County on Felder Lane west of 973 on 10/20.
A Magnolia Warbler was viewed at a central Austin home on 10/23.
The West Bouldin Greenbelt in south Austin had a continuing Magnolia Warbler on 10/23 and a Tennessee Warbler on 10/25.
Good birds for Bastrop County were Mountain Plovers (2) and Chestnut Collared Longspurs (8) on 10/19. The longspurs continued with 5 on 10/20.
Ken Zaslow says:
October 23, 2012 at 7:22 pmWebberville Park (Big & Little) (HOTE 035), Travis, US-TX
Oct 23, 2012 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: Twelve people participated in today’s bird walk at Big Webberville Park. Beginning temperature was 68 degrees and ending temperature was 73 degrees. Skies were partly cloudy and winds were calm. Highlights today were 5 Woodpecker species, and multiple Scissor-tailed Flycatchers and Couch’s Kingbirds in excellent light.
35 species (+1 other taxa)
Wood Duck 5
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 2
Black Vulture 27
Turkey Vulture 9
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Killdeer 4 Seen on the soccer field when exiting the park
Eurasian Collared-Dove 1 Seen at the soccer field when exiting the park
White-winged Dove 2 Seen just outside the park entrance when exiting the park
Mourning Dove 11
Red-bellied Woodpecker 7
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 2
Crested Caracara 25
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
Couch’s Kingbird 3 We all had excellent looks at the birds in perfect morning light while they perched at the top of trees located in the large field west of the boat ramp. They were typical Tyrannus Kingbirds with bright yellow bellies and undertail coverts. The yellow extended far up onto the breast and the throat was pale gray. The tails of these birds did not have white edges. They stayed in the area for over an hour and were in trees along the hedgerow when we left. Photos were taken by Lee Wallace.
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 15
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 7
Barn Swallow 3
Carolina Chickadee 5
Carolina Wren 7
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Eastern Bluebird 6
Northern Mockingbird 3
Orange-crowned Warbler 3
Chipping Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 1
Lincoln’s Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 9
Eastern/Western Meadowlark 5
Great-tailed Grackle 35
House Finch 7
Kenny Anderson says:
October 19, 2012 at 6:12 pmThe Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 12:34 on October 19, 2012. Send interesting sightings- complete with species name, include LOCATION and contact information- to Kenny Anderson at kennya290@gmail.com
-Exception Sighting-
A Ruddy Ground-Dove is being seen at Crescent Bend Nature Park in Schertz. This bright male has been photographed near the park’s intersection of Omar and Bluegill Streets. Details of sightings of this snazzy bird should be sent to the Texas Bird Records Committee. (Bexar County 10/5-18)
-Rarities Found This Week-
A White-tailed Kite was photographed on 10/16 from the Nalle Bunny Run Preserve in Travis County. The bird was a fly-over migrant.
A Blue-winged Warbler was seen at Crescent Bend Nature Park on 10/7, a nice addition to a Ruddy Ground-Dove sighting.
The Hornsby Bend Survey that was on 10/13, turned up some interesting finds: Upland Sandpiper, Ovenbird and a Blue Grosbeak.
A Mississippi Kite was seen from a west Austin home on 10/13 (Travis County)
The West Bouldin Greenbelt in South Austin has hosted a Magnolia Warbler 10/14-19. A Red-eyed Vireo on 10/14 and a report of a Philadelphia Vireo on 10/18.
A Curve-billed Thrasher was seen at Warbler Woods on 10/3 in Guadalupe County.
Several reports of Red-breasted Nuthatches from private homes in the circle indicate early predictions of an irruptive year are going to be correct. How about one for my house?
-Escaped Exotic-
A Demoiselle Crane was photographed on a west Austin homes property on 10/1, must have been fun to look out the window and see that.
Reports for the Austin area RBA cover a 60 mile radius, centeredfrom the Capitol in downtown Austin. The circle extends north to Belton (Bell County), south to Leesville (Gonzales County), east to SomervilleWMA (Lee Burleson County), and west to Blumenthal (Gillespie County).Birdsightings mentioned here have been filtered and scrutinized by the compiler and are believed to be genuine. When documentation or photographs were provide, that is mentioned along with the other information about the bird(s) being seen.For questions or updates about birds mentioned here or to report rare or unusual bird sightings in the Austin area, please send an e-mail to kennya290@gmail.com
Kenny Anderson
Austin
Judith Bailey, Virginia Rose, Shirley LaVergne says:
October 6, 2012 at 1:37 amBEGINNING BIRDERS’ WALK BRUSHY CREEK PARK
This morning 24 birders show up for an avian adventure; approximately half were NEW bird watchers. We walked about 1 mile aver a two-hour period. Three highlights for the morning: two immature Bald Eagles soaring, an Osprey hovering overhead with breakfast in its talons and a kettle of unidentified hawks swirling before streaming south.
Northern Shoveler
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
American White Pelican
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Cattle Egret
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Cooper’s Hawk
American Coot
Rock Pigeon
Morning Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Eastern Phoebe
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Black-crested Titmouse
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Nashville Warbler
American Redstart
Northern Cardinal
Kenny Anderson says:
October 5, 2012 at 2:56 amThe Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 9:30 on October 4, 2012. Send interesting sightings- complete with species name, LOCATION, and contact information- to Kenny Anderson at kennya290@gmail.com
I was wishing I had more time on Saturday and Sunday (28th and 29th) as birding seemed excellent in the hours I was out. Rain and a weak front had the woods hopping with migrants and returning wintering birds. There were very few reports to sort through though.
-Rarities Found This Week-
A well-described Mottled Duck made a brief stay at Hornsby Bend on 9/30 in Travis County.
A Chestnut-sided Warbler was viewed at a north Austin home on 9/28.
-Continuing Birds From Previous Week-
The West Bouldin Greenbelt in South austin continued to host a Magnolia Warbler and a Yellow-throated Vireo on 9/29,30. (Travis)
Reports for the Austin area RBA cover a 60 mile radius, centeredfrom the Capitol in downtown Austin. The circle extends north to Belton (Bell County), south to Leesville (Gonzales County), east to SomervilleWMA (Lee Burleson County), and west to Blumenthal (Gillespie County).Birdsightings mentioned here have been filtered and scrutinized by the compiler and are believed to be genuine. When documentation or photographs were provide, that is mentioned along with the other information about the bird(s) being seen.For questions or updates about birds mentioned here or to report rare or unusual bird sightings in the Austin area, please send an e-mail to kennya290@gmail.com
Kenny Anderson
Austin
Ken Zaslow says:
September 18, 2012 at 6:26 pmSt. Edwards Pk (NW Austin), Travis, US-TX
September 18, 2012 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: Nine people participated in this TAS field trip to St. Edwards Park on a beautiful day with sunny skies and mild temperatures.
18 species (+3 other taxa)
duck sp. 2
Black Vulture 15
Turkey Vulture 7
White-winged Dove 6
Mourning Dove 1
dove sp. 18 Distant flyovers
Chimney Swift 1
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 3
Belted Kingfisher 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
White-eyed Vireo 14
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 3
Carolina Chickadee 1
Black-crested Titmouse 5
Carolina Wren 12
Summer Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 16
Painted Bunting 1
Great-tailed Grackle 1
Lesser Goldfinch 4
Deb Wallace says:
September 17, 2012 at 1:00 amSeventeen of us birded Doeskin Ranch on Sunday, September 9th. It was a pleasant day. Unfortunately, the creek was dry, but there was a little water in the pond. We had fun and saw some nice birds. The list follows:
Turkey Vulture
Swainson’s Hawk
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Common Ground-Dove
Great Horned Owl
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Empidonax sp.
White-eyed Vireo
Western Scrub-Jay
American Crow
Barn Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Black-crested Titmouse
Bewick’s Wren
Carolina Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Northern Mockingbird
Mourning Warbler
American Redstart
Wilson’s Warbler
Rufous-crowned Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
Summer Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Dickcissel
Baltimore Oriole
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
Ken Zaslow says:
September 11, 2012 at 6:24 pmThis report is being posted on behalf of Dan Callaway for his September 11th TAS field trip to Hutto.
Hutto Hippo Crossing, Williamson, US-TX
Sep 11, 2012 7:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: Area covered included Hutto Lake Park and Brushy Creek.
36 species (+3 other taxa)
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Green Heron 2
Turkey Vulture 2
Red-tailed Hawk 2 one of the 2 we believe was a Kriders
Killdeer 15
Least Sandpiper 4
Rock Pigeon 3
White-winged Dove 28
Mourning Dove 42
Chimney Swift 2
hummingbird sp. 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 1
Empidonax sp. 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
Loggerhead Shrike 2
American Crow 1
Barn Swallow 24
swallow sp. 26
Carolina Chickadee 3
Carolina Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Northern Mockingbird 18
European Starling 22
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Nashville Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 1
Canada Warbler 1
Wilson’s Warbler 7
Northern Cardinal 6
Dickcissel 16
Great-tailed Grackle 75
Brown-headed Cowbird 14
House Finch 5
House Sparrow 20
admin says:
September 3, 2012 at 8:09 pmColorado River Park, Travis, US-TX
Aug 25, 2012 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Protocol: Area
5 Ac.
The neighborhood bird walk in the Colorado River Park produced a couple of surprises. We found a Tricolored Heron that gave us lots of opportunity to get good looks. It is always nice to get one this far upstream.
Another bird that is always a treat was an Inca dove. These are not unusual to our neighborhood but we just too not get many.
Some of the better birds of the day included Green Herons and two Hummingbird. Last month we recorded three species of Doves in the park, today we had four to round out our list of 32 species
I want to thank Nancy Manning for joining in the walk this morning.
29 species (+3 other taxa)
Snowy Egret 4
Tricolored Heron 1
Cattle Egret 18
Green Heron 3
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Killdeer 3
Spotted Sandpiper 5
Eurasian Collared-Dove 3
White-winged Dove 8
Mourning Dove 2
Inca Dove 1
Chimney Swift 2
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 1
Crested Caracara 1
Empidonax sp. 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
Great Crested Flycatcher 4
White-eyed Vireo 2
American Crow 2
Barn Swallow 3
Cliff Swallow 12
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 4
Carolina Wren 4
Northern Mockingbird 2
Northern Cardinal 15
Great-tailed Grackle 25
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
House Sparrow 3
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3
-Claude Morris
Ken Zaslow says:
August 21, 2012 at 6:16 pmHornsby Bend (HOTE 037), Travis, US-TX
Aug 21, 2012 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.25 mile(s)
Comments: Six people enjoyed a beautiful early morning at the Hornsby Bend ponds with the emphasis on shorebird identification. Beginning temperature was 74 degrees. The sky was cloudy to partly sunny with light winds from the north at about 5 to 10 mph.
31 species
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 6
Wood Duck 2
Blue-winged Teal 11
Northern Shoveler 7
Snowy Egret 3
Little Blue Heron 2
Green Heron 2
White Ibis 6
Black Vulture 1
American Coot 15
Killdeer 12
Black-necked Stilt 2
Spotted Sandpiper 5
Solitary Sandpiper 4
Lesser Yellowlegs 2
Least Sandpiper 40
Pectoral Sandpiper 1
Stilt Sandpiper 1
Rock Pigeon 14
White-winged Dove 3
Mourning Dove 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Crested Caracara 10 Seen on the ground in the field north of pond 1 east
Western Kingbird 2
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 12
Barn Swallow 3
European Starling 13
Northern Cardinal 2 Heard in the headquarters parking lot
Red-winged Blackbird 85
Great-tailed Grackle 65
House Sparrow 5
Ken Zaslow says:
May 22, 2012 at 4:22 pmWebberville Park (Big & Little) (HOTE 035), Travis, US-TX
May 22, 2012 7:15 AM – 9:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: Fourteen people enjoyed good looks at many of the local nesting species during this TAS field trip to Big Webbervile Park. Some highlights include close-up views of Prothonotary Warbler, Pileated Woodpecker, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Eastern and Western Kingbird, Great-crested Flycatcher, Eastern Wood-Peewee, Eastern Bluebird and Lark Sparrow. The weather was pleasant with sunny skies and calm winds. Beginning temperature was 68 degrees and ending temperature was 80 degrees. The adverse effect of last years drought was seen in the Pecan grove with many trees completely dead and many others with damage to their outer canopies.
40 species (+2 other taxa)
Great Blue Heron 4
Great Egret 1 Seen by leader before the trip began.
Cattle Egret 1
Green Heron 2
Black Vulture 14
Turkey Vulture 19
Killdeer 2
Eurasian Collared-Dove X Heard only
White-winged Dove 28
Mourning Dove 10
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 3
Chimney Swift 1 Seen by leader before the trip began
hummingbird sp. 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 7
Downy Woodpecker 2
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Western Kingbird 3
Eastern Kingbird 5
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 3
White-eyed Vireo 2
Warbling Vireo 3
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 4
Barn Swallow 3
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 5
Carolina Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Eastern Bluebird 4
Northern Mockingbird 6
Prothonotary Warbler 2 Seen by the observation platform overlooking the river
Lark Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 8
Painted Bunting 1 Heard only
Common Grackle 1
Great-tailed Grackle 3
Bronzed Cowbird 2
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
House Finch 3
Ken Zaslow says:
May 16, 2012 at 8:14 pmNine people went on this bird walk at Commons Ford Ranch Park on May 15th.
Commons Ford Pk, Travis, US-TX
May 15, 2012 6:45 AM – 10:15 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Although migrant birds were scarce, the 9 people participating on this TAS field trip to the Commons Ford Ranch Park enjoyed hearing and seeing a nice variety of nesting species. Highlights included excellent views of recently fledged baby