Common Pauraque from the archives of Nate McGowan

The Austin area Rare Bird Alert is a service of the Travis Audubon Society. This update is as of 3/19/2015. 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 3/17. This is a potential first ABA record, although provenance has been questioned.
• At least one, and possibly two WHOOPING CRANES continued at Granger Lake, Williamson, 3/19. The bird(s) is being seen in the Sore Finger area.

Rarities Found This Week

• A SAGE THRASHER was well described on the edge of the RBA circle at White Rock Park in La Grange, Fayette, 3/14.
• A COMMON PAURAQUE was heard on private property in Bastrop County, 3/19.
• A PROTHONOTARY WARBLER was early, heard singing at Webberville Park, Travis, 3/18.
• HUTTON’S VIREOS have had a good week in the circle, with birds being seen at Warbler Woods, Guadalupe, 3/17 (photographed), 2 birds at Barton Creek Habitat Preserve, Travis, 3/14 (photographed), St. Edwards Park, Travis, 3/15, and 2 birds from Fulton Ranch Rd., Hays, 3/13.
• VERMILION FLYCATCHERS were reported from Windy Point on Lake Travis, Travis, 3/17 (photographed) and Cedar Breaks Park on Lake Georgetown, Williamson, 3/14.

Continuing Birds from Previous Weeks

• A BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER continued at John Stokes San Marcos River Park, Hays, most recently 3/16.
• EASTERN TOWHEES continued at a private office complex in west Travis, 3/13 and at Warbler Woods, Guadalupe, 3/15.
• A WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH continued at Max Starkes Park in Seguin, Guadalupe, 3/17.
• Individual CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRDS continued on private property in New Braunfels, Comal, 3/17 and a private residence in central Austin, Travis, 3/15. Both birds have been well photographed.
• A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER continued at CRs 428 and 361 in Williamson, 3/17.
• A GREAT KISKADEE continued at Berry Springs Park in Georgetown, Williamson, 3/19.
• RUSTY BLACKBIRDS continued at Hornsby Bend, Travis, 3/14.

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.