This is the Austin Area Rare Bird Alert. This update is as of 1/15/2016. Send interesting sightings, complete with species name, location, and contact information to Nate McGowan at natemcgowanbirds@gmail.com.

Rarities found this week

• A CASSIN’S VIREO was described from Jasek Acres, Guadalupe, 1/10.
• A CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD was photographed at a private residence in Austin, Travis, 1/8.
• A RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER was photographed at Nalle Bunny Run (private access),Travis, 1/10.
• A HARRIS’S HAWK was described from CR 615 in Fayette County, 1/9.
• An INDIGO BUNTING was photographed at Southeast Metro Park in Austin, Travis, 1/12.
• A ROSS’S GOOSE was photographed at Hornsby Bend, Travis, 1/9.
• An AMERICAN BITTERN was photographed at Lake Pflugerville, Travis, 1/11.
• A LESSER YELLOWLEGS was described in Thrall, Williamson, 1/10.
• A ZONE-TAILED HAWK was photographed at Walnut Creek WWTP, Travis, 1/9.
• EASTERN TOWHEES were seen at McKinney Falls and Reimer’s Ranch, Travis, 1/8.
• Two GREATER SCAUP were reported from Devine Lake Park, Williamson, 1/13.
• A LEAST GREBE was well described from Devine Lake Park, Williamson, 1/13.
• Three RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were seen at Bagdad Heritage Trail, Williamson, 1/12.
• There are many PYRRHULOXIAS in the circle. Birds were seen at Webberville Park, Travis, 1/12, the Home Depot parking lot at Woodward and I-35, Travis, 1/11, Nalle Bunny Run (private access), Travis, 1/10, and Hornsby Bend, Travis, 1/10.

Continuing Birds from Previous Weeks

• A MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD continued on York Creek Rd., Hays, 1/12.
• A BLACK PHOEBE continued at Barkley Meadows, Travis, 1/10.
• A GREAT KISKADEE continued at Berry Springs Park in Georgetown Wlliamson, 1/10.
• An ALLEN’S HUMMINGBIRD continued at a private residence in west Austin, Travis, 1/10.
• RUSTY BLACKBIRDS continued at Hornsby Bend, Travis, 1/12 and Earhardt Rd., Bastrop, 1/11.
• A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER continued near Alum Creek at Bastrop State Park, Bastrop, 1/9.

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.