Townsend’s Warbler from the archives of Nate McGowan

The Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 4/2/2015. Send interesting sightings – complete with species name, LOCATION, and contact information – to Nathan McGowan at natemcgowanbirds@gmail.com.

Exceptional Birds in the Circle

• A STRIPED SPARROW was photographed and audio recorded at CR 428 east of CR 361, Williamson, 1/11. The most recent positive report is from 3/27. This is a potential first ABA record, although provenance has been questioned.
• A TOWNSEND’S WARBLER was an exceptional find at West Bouldin Creek Greenbelt, Travis, 3/29.

Rarities Found This Week

• Two WHITE-TAILED KITES were a great find near Slough Pond in Temple, Bell, 4/1.
• A BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER was reported from Bastrop State Park., Bastrop, 4/1.
• Two GREATER SCAUP were reported from Lake Kyle Soil Conservation Site 2 Reservoir, Hays, 3/31. The birds were photographed.
• VERMILION FLYCATCHERS were reported from private property near San Gabriel Oaks, Williamson, 3/29 and from Lake Georgetown, Williamson, 3/28.
• A ZONE-TAILED HAWK was seen at Westcave Preserve, Travis, 3/29.
• A HOODED MERGANSER was late near Thrall, Williamson, 3/29.
• A HUTTON’S VIREO was reported from Commons Ford, Travis, 3/28.
• YELLOW-THROATED WARBLERS were reported from Commons Ford, Travis, 3/27-28, and from Nalle Bunny Run (private access), Travis, 3/28.

Continuing Birds from Previous Weeks

• A BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER continued at John Stokes San Marcos River Park, Hays, most recently 3/30.
• A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER continued at CRs 428 and 361 in Williamson, 3/27.
• A VERMILION FLYCATCHER continued on Lake Creek Trail, Williamson, 4/1.
• A GREAT KISKADEE continued at Berry Springs Park in Georgetown, Williamson, 3/28.
• EASTERN TOWHEES continued at a private office complex in west Austin, Travis, 3/30 and at Warbler Woods, Guadalupe, 3/28.

Reports for the Austin area RBA cover a 60 mile radius, centered on the Capitol in downtown Austin. Bird sightings mentioned here have been filtered and scrutinized by the compiler and are believed to be genuine. 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 email to natemcgowanbirds@gmail.com.

Nate McGowan
Rare Bird Alert Compiler
Travis Audubon Society

To view our archive of previous RBA reports, click here.