Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus)

This is the Austin Area Rare Bird Alert. This update is as of 12/18/2015. 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 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 12/15.

Rarities found this week

• Two WHITE-TAILED KITES were well described from Earhardt Rd, Bastrop, 12/13.
• A WHITE-TAILED HAWK was described from the Balcones Canyonlands CBC near 1431 and 345, Travis, 12/14.
• A ZONE-TAILED HAWK was well described from Inks Lake Fish Hatchery,Burnet, 12/10.
• RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were seen at Webberville Park, Travis, 12/13 and Earhart Rd., Bastrop, 12/13, and Hornsby Bend, Travis, 12/12.
• There are many PYRRHULOXIAS in the circle. Individual birds were seen at near Hamilton Pool Rd. Travis, 12/15, Hornsby Bend, Travis, 12/13, and near Pace Bend Park, Travis, 12/13.

Continuing Birds from Previous Weeks

• A CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD continued at a private residence in New Braunfels, Comal, 12/12.
• A GREAT KISKADEE continued at Berry Springs Park in Georgetown, Williamson, 12/14.
• A COMMON LOON continued at Soil Conservation Site 2 Reservoir in Leander, Williamson, 12/12.

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.