This is the Austin Area Rare Bird Alert. This update is as of 1/22/2016. Send interesting sightings, complete with species name, location, and contact information to Nate McGowan at natemcgowanbirds@gmail.com.

Rarities found this week

• Two PURPLE FINCHES were seen at a private residence in northwest Travis, 1/20 and an individual bird was seen at a private residence in west Travis, 1/16.
• A ZONE-TAILED HAWK was photographed on River Road in Georgetown,Williamson, 1/16. Another bird was well described at Aquarena Springs, Hays, 1/14.
• A SAY’S PHOEBE was photographed on FM 973 south of FM 969, Travis, 1/19 and two birds were seen in northeast Travis, 1/18.
• There are many PYRRHULOXIAS in the circle. Birds were seen at Roy Guerrero Park, Travis, 1/20, Hornsby Bend, Travis, 1/18,  McKinney Roughs Park, Bastrop, 1/20, the Austin Nature & Science Center, Travis, 1/17, Pace Bend Park, Travis, 1/17, Nalle Bunny Run, Travis, 1/17, and Southeast Metro Park, Travis, 1/17.

Continuing Birds from Previous Weeks

• A BLACK PHOEBE continued at Barkley Meadows, Travis, 1/20.
• A GREAT KISKADEE continued at Berry Springs Park in Georgetown Wlliamson, 1/17.
• An ALLEN’S HUMMINGBIRD continued at a private residence in west Austin, Travis, 1/20.
• An AMERICAN BITTERN continued at Lake Pflugerville, Travis, 1/18.
• RUSTY BLACKBIRDS continued at Hornsby Bend, Travis, 1/17 and Bagdad Heritage Trail, Williamson, 1/16.

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.