This is the Austin Area Rare Bird Alert. This update is as of 5/26/2016. Send interesting sightings, complete with species name, location, and contact information to Arman Moreno at armanmorenobirds@gmail.com.

Rarities found this week

• Two CASPIAN TERNS visited Hornsby Bend, Travis, on 5/20. Both birds were observed on the drying basins before circling the ponds and continuing north.
• A BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO was a great find at Commons Ford Park west of Austin, Travis, on 5/17. More impressively, it stuck around through at least 5/19 and stayed within the same vicinity (just east of the creek just before and after the foot bridge). Five days later, another bird was found along the Colorado River at Roy Guerrero Park in Central Austin, Travis, 5/22.
• A BUFF-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD was photographed at McKinney Roughs Nature Park off of Hwy 71 between east of Del Valle in Bastrop County, on 5/15. No reports since but not sure how often this park is birded. Another bird was reported on 5/26 from Warbler Woods, Guadalupe, feeding in an orchid tree.
• A BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER was found (seen and heard) on private property off FM 967 just west of Buda, Hays, on 5/21.
• A female HEPATIC TANAGER was an astounding find at a private residence in West Austin, Travis, on 5/22. The bird was observed very briefly, and not seen again. One photograph was obtained. This represents a potential first county record.
• A SCARLET TANAGER was also found at Commons Ford Park, west Austin, Travis, on 5/17. Interestingly, this bird also hung around for 3 days, until at least 5/19 and was also observed along the same stretch of creek as the cuckoo.

Continuing Birds from Previous Weeks

• A BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER continued at Hornsby Bend, Travis, through at least 5/22.
• It’s been a good migration for DUNLINS. As many as 5 on one day were reported from Hornsby Bend, Travis, last week, with at least one continuing through 5/24.
• A GREAT KISKADEE continues at Berry Springs Park, Williamson, last reported on 5/24.
• An AUDUBON’S ORIOLE returned briefly to a private feeder in West Austin, Travis on 5/21. The bird has not been seen again. There are a few records of AUOR from the Austin circle but this is apparently a first Travis County record.

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 armanmorenobirds@gmail.com.

Arman Moreno
Rare Bird Alert Compiler
Travis Audubon Society

To view our archive of previous RBA reports, click here.