White-tailed Hawk

This is the Austin Area Rare Bird Alert. This update is as of 12/11/2015. Send interesting sightings, complete with species name, location, and contact information to Nate McGowan at natemcgowanbirds@gmail.com.

Exceptional birds in the RBA circle

• A juvenile BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE was an outstanding find at Granger Lake, Williamson, on 11/29. The bird was most recently reported 12/4 from the Granger Lake Dam area and overlook.
• A juvenile BROWN BOOBY continued at Windy Point on Lake Travis, Travis. The bird has been perched on a buoy between Bob Wentz County Park and Mansfield Dam; it was most recently reported 12/7.

Rarities found this week

• A WHITE-TAILED HAWK was photographed off of Turnersville Rd. in southern Travis, 12/9.
• A ZONE-TAILED HAWK was seen at Aquarena Springs, Hays, 12/5.
• A SAY’S PHOEBE was seen in NE Travis, 12/5.
• A PAINTED BUNTING was late at Platt Lane, Travis, 12/5.
• A COMMON LOON was reported from Soil Conservation Site 2 Reservoir in Leander,Williamson, 12/9.
• A group of RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were seen at a private residence near Utley, Bastrop, 12/8 and two birds were seen near Earhardt Rd and FM 969, Bastrop, 12/6.
• There are many PYRRHULOXIAS in the circle. An individual bird was seen at Hornsby Bend, Travis, 12/7, two birds at Reimer’s Ranch, Travis, 12/5, and two birds at the Capitol Metro ponds in Leander, Williamson, most recently 12/5.

Continuing Birds from Previous Weeks

• A CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD continued at a private residence in New Braunfels,Comal, 12/8.
• A GREAT KISKADEE continued at Berry Springs Park in Georgetown, Williamson, 12/7.
• A RED-THROATED LOON continued on private property in Bell County, 12/4.

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.