Sage Thrasher © Derek Bakken (Creative Commons)

The Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 3/12/2015. Send interesting sightings – complete with species name, LOCATION, and contact information – to Nathan McGowan at natemcgowanbirds@gmail.com.

Exceptional Birds in the Circle

• A STRIPED SPARROW was photographed and audio recorded at CR 428 east of CR 361, Williamson, 1/11. The most recent positive report is from 3/11. This is a potential first ABA record, although provenance has been questioned.

Rarities Found This Week

• A RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER was photographed at Palmetto State Park, Gonzalez, 3/7.

Continuing Birds from Previous Weeks

• A SAGE THRASHER continued at Flying X Ranch, Burnet, 3/8.
• A BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER continued at John Stokes San Marcos River Park, Hays, most recently 3/11.
• An EASTERN TOWHEE continued at a private office complex in west Travis, 3/11.
• A well photographed ALLEN’S HUMMINGBIRD continues at a private residence in west Austin, Travis, 3/11. The bird has been present since at least December.
• Individual CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRDS continued on private property in New Braunfels, Comal, 3/11 and a private residence in central Austin, Travis, 3/10. Both birds have been well photographed.
• A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER continued at CRs 428 and 361 in Williamson, 3/8.
• PYRRHULOXIAS continued at McNeil and Merrytown Rds., Travis, 3/7 and Emma Long Park, Travis, 3/10.
• A GREAT KISKADEE continued at Berry Springs Park in Georgetown, Williamson, 3/9.

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.