This is the Austin Area Rare Bird Alert. This update is as of 1/29/2016. Send interesting sightings, complete with species name, location, and contact information to Nate McGowan at natemcgowanbirds@gmail.com.

Rarities found this week

• A PURPLE FINCH was well described from Lake Creek Park, Williamson, 1/22.
• A WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH was photographed at Riverview Park in Sequin, Guadalupe, 1/28.
• A HUTTON’S VIREO was well described from Laguna Gloria, Travis, 1/25.
• A GRAY CATBIRD was well described from Berry Springs Park in Georgetown, Williamson, 1/25.
• An AMERICAN BITTERN was well described from Bedroll South Detention Pond, Travis, 1/24.
• A ZONE-TAILED HAWK was well described from 290 and 130, Travis, 1/24.
• There are many PYRRHULOXIAS in the circle. Birds were seen at Sayersville Rd., Bastrop, 1/23, Parsons Rd., Travis, 1/24, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Travis, 1/27, Hornsby Bend, Travis, 1/25, Reimer’s Ranch Park,Travis, 1/26,

Continuing Birds from Previous Weeks

• Two PURPLE FINCHES continued seen at a private residence in northwest Travis, 1/26 and an individual bird continued at a private residence in west Travis, 1/25.
• A BLACK PHOEBE continued at Barkley Meadows, Travis, 1/25.
• A GREAT KISKADEE continued at Berry Springs Park in Georgetown Wlliamson, 1/25, and at a private residence in Caldwell County, 1/24.
• An ALLEN’S HUMMINGBIRD continued at a private residence in west Austin, Travis, 1/24.
• RUSTY BLACKBIRDS continued at Earhardt Rd., Bastrop, 1/27.

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.