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Texas Rare Bird Alerts

Lower Rio Grande Valley RBA
Coastal Bend RBA
Abilene area Bird Report
Northeast Texas RBA
Heart-of-Texas RBA (College Station)
San Antonio RBA
Wichita Falls RBA
Austin RBA
Waco RBA

RBA

* Texas

* Statewide July 23, 2001, TXST00723.01

Birds mentioned:

COREY'S SHEARWATER

LEACH'S STORM PETREL*

BAND-RUMPED STORM PETREL

RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD*

MASKED DUCK*

YELLOW-GREEN VIREO*

- Transcript

Number: (713) 369-9673 Sighting Reports: (281) 992-2757 WWW: http://texasbirding.simplenet.com/rba.htm Compiler: Sheridan Coffey - mail to: [email protected] Coverage: Texas Statewide Transcriber: Sheridan Coffey

Thank you for calling the Texas Rare Bird Alert, sponsored by the Houston Audubon Society. This update was made Monday, July 23, 2001, at 9:00 PM. To report your bird sightings, please call 281-992-2757.

Highlights of this tape: RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD*,LEACH'S STORM PETREL*, MASKED DUCK* and YELLOW-GREEN VIREO*

In the Rio Grande Valley a YELLOW-GREEN VIREO* (Vireo flavoviridis) is still being seen and heard at Sabal Palms on the dirt trail close to the beginning of the big boardwalk, or just beyond. This is possibly a breeding bird. Please do not use tapes to call it in! Two pelagic trips out of the Brownsville Birding Festival produced some nice birds, including a RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD* (Phaeton aetherus) on the 18th. Other species seen included LEACH'S STORM PETREL* (Oceanodroma leucorhoa), BAND-RUMPED STORM PETREL (Oceanodroma castro), COREY'S SHEARWATER (Calonectris diomeda) and SOOTY (Sterna fuscata) and BRIDLED TERNS (Sterna anaethetus).Most birds were seen in Mexican waters..For other Valley specialties, please call the Rio Grande Valley hotline at (956) 969-2731.

A female MASKED DUCK*(Nomonyx dominicus) has been on the pond on the south side of A1 Hill Road between Rockport and Aransas Pass. To get to the pond from Rockport, take the 35 bypass towards Corpus Christi. A1 Hill Road is the second turn on the right just past the flashing yellow lights at the Hwy 188 (Sinton road) junction. Drive ¾ mile (past Julie's Backyard Bistro) and you will see the pond on the left - about 1/4 mile before the road ends at FM 1069. The bird was seen both Saturday and Sunday.

Thank you for calling the Texas Rare Bird Alert

- End Transcript

* Denotes Texas Review Species, sighting reports should be sent to
Mark Lockwood
Secretary, Texas Bird Records Committee
6710 Lancret Hill Drive
Austin, Texas 78745
[email protected]

Top of Page

* RBA

* Texas
* North Central Texas
* July 18, 2001
* TXNT0718.01

Hotline: Texas, North Central
Date: July 18, 2001,
Number: Internet only at this time
Compiler: Sheridan Coffey, [email protected]
Coverage: North Central Texas

This is the Wednesday, July 18, 2001, update of the North Central Texas Rare
Bird Alert. The alert is sponsored by Fort Worth Audubon.

For information on field trips or meetings in Fort Worth for information on
field trips or meetings call Fort Worth Audubon 817-237-9747.

All locations, unless otherwise noted, can be found in the following books:
Birding Texas, by Roland Wauer and Mark Elwonger, or Birders Guide to Texas,
by Ed Kutac

* Texas Review species.
Please report to:
Mark Lockwood
Secretary, Texas Bird Records Committee
6710 Lancret Hill Drive
Austin, Texas 78745
[email protected]

Visit the Texas Bird Records Committee at <http://members.tripod.com/~tbrc/>

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dallas County:
Shorebirds are arriving in the area. Southside Water Treatment Plant in
Dallas has been active with Western, Semipalmated, Least, and Stilt
Sandpiper. Short-billed Dowitchers, American Avocets and Black-necked Stilts
have been reported, including several juvenile Black-necked Stilts. A Glossy
Ibis was found with a White-faced Ibis on July 16th. A Bank Swallow was seen
the same day. A small lake on Luna Road in Carrolton has had a good number of
shorebirds, including both Yellowlegs and most of the above named shorebirds.
Also a good number of Least Terns are present on this lake, from 12 to 15. To
reach this lake exit Luna Rd from I-635. Go north. The lake is approximately
1 mile north of the intersection of Luna and Valley View on the left.

Rains/Van Zandt County:
Caspian Terns were seen on Lake Tawakoni this week by a Greenville birder,
but no date was given. Today, July 18th, Tree and Bank Swallows were observed
at the Lake. On Sunday, July 15th an Osprey was seen below the dam on the
river. A Least Flycatcher was also seen in the park area east of Holiday
Marina. Two Crested Caracaras were found flying in the fields just east of
Will's Point.

Tarrant County:
Shorebird numbers have been on the low side at Village Creek Drying Beds, but
a few are being seen, including Spotted, Solitary, and Least Sandpipers. A
Common Moorhen was seen Saturday, July 7th on the East side of the beds.
Nesting Mississippi Kites are being observed in Bedford at intersection of
Pecan Circle and Scenic Hills Dr (north of Harwood Rd, west of HWY 121, east
of Central)

Sheridan Coffey
Euless, Tx
[email protected]

- End Transcript

Top of Page

- RBA
* Texas
* Lower Rio Grande Valley
* July 10, 2001
* TXRG0107.10

- Birds mentioned
Brown Booby* Texas Review Species
Magnificent Frigatebird
Wood Stork
Black Phoebe
Yellow-green Vireo* Texas Review Species

- Transcript

hotline: Texas Rio Grande Valley
number: 956-969-2731
compiler: Father Tom Pincelli, mailto:[email protected]
coverage: Lower Rio Grande Valley, Falcon Lake to Boca Chica
transcriber: David Sarkozi, mailto:[email protected]
www: http://www.texasbirding.net/rba.htm

Greetings this is the Rio Grande Valley Audubon Alert for Tuesday July 10,
2001 sponsored by the Frontera Audubon Society of South Texas and the
Valley Chamber of Commerce.

The Brown Booby* (Sula leucogaster) was seen again yesterday on Monday off
South Padre Island. The best way to find this bird because its being seen
along the ship channel, is to contact Colley's Fin-to-Feathers Tour at
739-BIRD. Magnificent Frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens) are also being
seen in the same area.

Yellow-green Vireo* (Vireo flavoviridis) continues at the Sabal Palm Grove
in Brownsville. It's typically being seen at the end if the Resaca near the
open deck.

Wood Storks (Mycteria americana) are present at Llano Grande in Weslaco.

Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) is present in Anzulduas County Park near
the boat ramp. Another Black Phoebe at the Sabal Palm Grove near the Resaca
blind.

We thank you for calling the Audubon Alert if you have any questions or
would like to leave a message please feel free to do so at the sound of the
tone also ask you leave your name and phone number in case we have to get
back with you and good birding.

- End transcript

* Denotes Texas Review Species, sighting reports should be sent to the
Texas Bird Records Committee, Mark Lockwood, Texas Bird Records Committee
Secretary, 6710 Lancret Hill Drive, Austin, Texas 78745, (512)326-4381
mailto:[email protected]

Top of Page

- RBA
* Texas
* Heart-of-Texas
* March 30, 2001
* TXHE0103.30

- Birds mentioned

Common Loon
Green Heron
Sandhill Crane
Long-billed Dowitcher
Short-eared Owl
Buff-bellied Hummingbird
Cave Swallow
Dark-eyed Junco
Lapland Longspur
Chestnut-collared Longspur
Painted Bunting
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin

- Transcript

Number: None
Compiler: Bert Frenz, mailto:[email protected]
Coverage: Central Brazos Valley, 10 counties near College Station
Transcriber: Bert Frenz
RBA web site: http://www.birdware.com/Lists/rba/_us/tx/heart/rba.htm

This is the Heart-of-Texas Rare Bird Alert sponsored by the Rio Brazos
Audubon Society updated as of Friday, March 30.

The Heart-of-Texas RBA covers ten counties surrounding College Station
(Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Lee, Leon, Madison, Milam, Robertson,
Waller, Washington).

After a two-month hiatus while the compiler was out of the country,
the RBA reports are back on-line. After catching up with my e-mail,
here is a summary of the most significant sightings since 6 January.

The report of two COMMON LOONS off Welch Park at Lake Somerville,
Burleson County, on 17 February (Chris Merkord, Jennifer Reidy,
Tyson Hart) provides only our second historical record for the
month of February.

Likewise, only our second record for January for GREEN HERON is
one reported by Keith Arnold at Country Club Lake, Brazos County,
on 23 January.

SANDHILL CRANES were reported in much larger than usual numbers.
Although more common in Waller County, where Fred Collins reported
200+ on his farm, the only winter resident crane population in the
rest of the RBA area has traditionally been around Buffalo Ranch in
the Brazos River bottoms of Burleson County. This year Cathy Liles
counted 764 cranes flying over the nearby Turf Farms at roost time,
5:00-5:30. This winter, another resident flock was reported by Ed
Scearce in the FM 1227 and SH 105 area near Navasota. The flock was
first noticed in early January and counted 120-150 on 21 January by
Darrell Vollert. The flock appears to be roosting near Allenfarm in
southern Brazos County and foraging in a feedlot in eastern Washington
County. The flock was last reported on 17 February by Robert and
Kathy Reeves, but may be included in Darrell Vollert's sightings on
10 March when he saw 15 at Washington-on-the-Brazos SHP, 50+ at FM
1155 and FM 912, and 50+ at Hughes Lake, all in Washington County.

The only prior winter records for LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER in the
Post Oak Savannas of the Central Brazos Valley are 16-20 January 1974
and 21 December 1985. This winter, on 20 February, Ellen Ratoosh
reported eight along the Bee Creek floodplain in Emerald Forest
subdivision of College Station, Brazos County.

A SHORT-EARED OWL observed by Dan Wilkerson near the TMPA power
plant on County Road 190, about 2 miles from Hwy. 30, provided
the first Grimes County record for the species.

BUFF-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRDS have again returned to the Brazos
Valley, with one in Marcia Effinger's yard in Washington County since
24 March and 1-2 in Sue and Billie Bernard's yard in northern Austin
County since 4 March. Margaret Cook also reported one in her north
Austin County yard since 9 March. This one is new to the RBA survey,
but she says she has had buff-bellies in her yard each spring and
summer since 1995.

CAVE SWALLOWS returned to Brazos County on 18 February, according
to Karl Kosciuch. On 7 March, Ellen Ratoosh watched one over the pond
on Hwy 50 just north of the intersection with Hwy 60, providing us
with the first Burleson County record of the species.

A very good winter for sparrows (except Lincoln's), this was
especially true for DARK-EYED JUNCOS, a species that was
noticeably scarce the past few winters. Curiously, the ratio of
OREGON FORM to Slate-colored form was substantially higher this
season. In fact, on 10 March when Darrell Vollert took his
birdwatching class to Washington-on-the-Brazos SHP, Washington County,
they found 20 Dark-eyed Juncos and all of them were the Oregon form.

Although it's been a few months since these sightings, it should be
noted that LAPLAND LONGSPURS were seen by Ellen Ratoosh and
Cathy Liles in the Brazos River bottoms of Burleson County on 10 and
20 January. Even more unusual was the hundreds of CHESTNUT-COLLARED
LONGSPURS that Barbara Ballentine and Jeremy Hyman found on 8 January
at CR 422 and FM 487 just before Davilla, Milam County. These
provided a first county record and the first Brazos Valley record
since 1972.

Mike Manson reported a female or first-year PAINTED BUNTING that
visited a feeder throughout the second half of January off Lightsey
Road in west Brazos County and also a male on 27-28 January and
several times the following week at Carter Lake, Brazos County.
Painted Buntings are extremely rare in winter; the only other winter
area record is one on the College Station CBC on 20 December 1986.

The 19 March arrival of a YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD, observed by
Kimberlee Dickerson at the A&M dairy farm, College Station, becomes
the earliest date on record for this uncommon migrant; the previous
one being 5 April.

After a hiatus of many years, PURPLE FINCHES were easily found in
East Texas this winter. Here in the Central Brazos Valley, we
received the following reports: (1 male, 1 female) 8 January (Darrell
Vollert), Rucker Street, Brenham, Washington County; (1) 9 January
(Darrell Vollert), Chappell Hill, Washington County; (1 male)
16 January (Ellen Ratoosh), Emerald Forest subdivision, College
Station, Brazos County; (3) 11 February (Mike Manson), Lick Creek
Park, College Station, Brazos County.

PINE SISKINS were particularly common this winter with resident
flocks at backyard feeders of Darrell Vollert in Chappell Hill, Fred &
Mary Brandt in Chappell Hill, Margie Young in Brenham, Ellen Ratoosh
in College Station and undoubtedly elsewhere. They were also reported
at Polk's Lake and Washington-on-the-Brazos SHP. The most recent
report is 28 March in Chappell Hill.

The complete Rio Brazos Audubon Society field trip listing can be viewed at
http://www.bio.tamu.edu/users/griffing/rbas/fldtrp.htm

The "Checklist and Seasonal Distribution - Birds of the Central Brazos
Valley, Texas" is available. Send $1.00 and a self-addressed stamped
(33 cents) business envelope to Jim Anding, Rio Brazos Audubon Society
5060 Cole Lane, College Station, TX 77845

- End Transcript

Top of Page

- RBA

* Texas
* San Antonio
* January 15, 2001
* TXSA0101.15

- Transcript

Number:      (210) 308-6788
Compiler:    Ernie Roney
Coverage:    San Antonio Area
Transcriber: Georgina Schwartz mailto:[email protected]

[Transcriber's Note: The following is not a necessarily a word-for-word
transcription of the SAAS tape. The transcription does contain all of the
bird sighting information from the tape. For information on club activities,
call the tape directly at the number given above, or visit our web site
http://www.electrotex.com/saas]

- Begin Transcript

"Some of the recent local bird sightings are as follows.

On the 8th of January at the San Antonio Botanical Center there were a
Least Grebe, Common Moorhen, and a Long-billed Thrasher.

On the 13th at Smithson Valley there were 2 Rufous Hummingbirds
and also on the 13th at the Olmos Basin, two Red-shouldered Hawks were
reported.

At Mitchell lake on the 14th they had Hooded Mergansers, Bonaparte's
Gulls, Buffleheads, Northern Pintails, and Vermilion Flycatchers.

Also on the 14th at Brackenridge Park at Avenue A there were 2
Blue-headed Vireos, Cedar Waxwings and American Robins as well as
Dark-eyed Juncos.

The new Comanche Lookout Park at the corner of Nacogdoches and Judson
Roads might be an interesting place to start birding. We just had some
reports of Spotted Towhees, a Gnatcatcher and some Scrub Jays there.

Also at Hidden Valley Recreational Park (in south Bexar County) there
were Harris's Sparrow and both Belted and Green Kingfishers.

In other areas around the state, there is a report of Long-eared Owls
being seen near Carrollton, Texas. Call our tape and leave your
telephone number if you want details on where to find these birds.

Also there are reports of Mountain Bluebirds being seen near Bandera."

- End Transcript

Top of Page

* RBA

* Texas
* Austin
* July 14, 2001
* TXAU9909.09

- Birds mentioned (Noteworthy species in UPPER-CASE)

ANHINGA
American Kestrel
WILLET
CASPIAN TERN
LEAST TERN
BLACK SKIMMER
Ringed Kingfisher
GREEN VIOLET-EAR
Yellow-headed Blackbird

- Transcript

RBA access number: (512) 926-8751 [Press “5” to listen]
Compiler/Transcriber: Jeff Hanson
Email Address: [email protected]

Howdy, this is the Saturday, July 14th update of the Austin-Area
Rare Bird Alert; a service of the Travis Audubon Society.

On the 14th:
The Hornsby Bend Monthly Survey turned up a single male
YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD.

On the 12th:
Rita Hagan reports getting very close and good looks at an
AMERICAN KESTREL, seen on a balcony at 6th and Congress, in downtown
Austin. This is likely the same bird that was reported hanging
around the Capitol Grounds a few weeks ago. From her description,
this was a female bird.
This is the most recent day in which the GREEN VIOLET-EAR was
confirmed to be still coming to the Snowden residence in Volente, in
northwest Austin.

On the 10th:
Peg Wallace located an adult BLACK SKIMMER on Pond 1 East, at
Hornsby Bend, in Austin. Though it was there for the entire day,
this bird ultimately proved to be a one-day wonder.

On the 8th:
Brush Freeman reported a WILLET among the more expected
species, in the Drying Basins, at Hornsby Bend.
Brush also located a male RINGED KINGFISHER, along with two (2)
LEAST TERN and a single CASPIAN TERN, at the LCRA North Shore Park
on Lake Bastrop. If that weren’t enough, he also had a flock of 54
WOOD STORK and a single ANHINGA circling near the Colorado River,
where it meets FM 969, in Utley (Bastrop Co).

On the 6th:
Mark Klym reports seeing a rather large kettle of at least 160
WOOD STORK, during the mid-morning, over south Austin.

Many thanks to all who submitted their sightings. In the
meantime...
… BIRD ON!

- End Transcript

* Denotes Texas Review Species, sighting reports should be sent to the
Texas Bird Records Committee, Mark Lockwood, Texas Bird Records Committee
Secretary, 6710 Lancret Hill Drive, Austin, Texas 78745, (512)326-4381
mailto:[email protected]

Top of Page

- RBA

* Texas
* Waco
* October 11, 2000
* TXWA00010.11

- Birds mentioned
Osprey
Swainson’s Hawk
Sabine’s Gull
Rufous Hummingbird
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Barn Swallow
Cave Swallow
Philadelphia Vireo

- Transcript

Number: (254) 299-8175
Compiler: E.G. White-Swift [email protected]
Coverage: Waco Area

Transcriber: E.G. White-Swift mailto:[email protected]
website: http://www.dallas.net/~birding/ctas.htm

This is the Tuesday, October 11th , update of Waco area birding reports
sponsored by the Central Texas Audubon Society.

The last few days have been one of the best birding periods in the Waco
area in recent memory. A broad cold front that dropped local
temperatures by 30 degrees last Wednesday was accompanied by strong
northerly winds. Just to the south of Waco bands of cold rain formed a
barrier for migrants resulting in an incredible fallout of birds in
Central Texas. I’ve received a barrage of daily reports of unusual
birds from observers willing to brave a few hours of cold winds.

Late Tuesday afternoon, October 11, Frank Bumgardner and John Muldrow
found the second VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW this fall at the Waco Metropolitan
Area Regional Sewerage System ponds located along the Brazos River off
FM434 1/2 mile east of Loop 340. This bird had not previously been
recorded in the county until one was photographed by John Muldrow on
September 6 of this year. Those photos have been submitted to the
Central Texas Audubon Society’s records committee for consideration for
adding this species to the county’s checklist. Today’s bird, located
flying over the third pond, was not only brightly plumaged but was
notably different from the previous swallow in that it has some out of
place feathers on its left wing. It is possible that this bird, with
its wing problem, may be present for several days at the pond. It is
worth noting that other Violet-green Swallows were observed at Hornsby
Bend in Austin this week, as well as previously this fall.

Last Thursday, October 5, John Muldrow found a juvenile SABINE’S GULL
off the Airport Beach area at Lake Waco. John also found the two
previous records for this gull in McLennan County in October 1990 and
October 1991. This gull has not been refound around the lake and most
likely moved out of the area on the strong winds last Friday. It is
worth noting that other observers have found Sabine’s Gulls on other
north Texas lakes this fall.

Also late this afternoon, 10/11/00, Frank and John had excellent looks
at a PHILADELPHIA VIREO along the road to the Waco sewer ponds. The
bird was found in the wooded area on the southeast side of the road to
the ponds between the first sharp curves. There are spring records for
this vireo in Waco, but no previous fall records. There were a lot of
migrant warblers in the same area.

Saturday, October 7, was swallow day in the Waco area. John and Frank
estimated that there were as many as 100,000 BARN SWALLOWS on the north
side of Lake Waco from Flat Rock Park to Airport Beach Park. There are
no extra zeros in this number, and it may even be a low estimate. The
swallows were observed on the ground, on the grass, on bushes, sitting
on every available limb and flying over the lake. As many as a thousand
Barn Swallows were found at the sewer ponds this weekend as well, many
just resting on the drying beds, as well as swallows by the hundreds and
thousands everywhere one looked in the McClennan County. As dramatic
as this fallout of swallows was for observers, this was a catastrophic
weekend for Barn Swallows in the Central Flyway. Our local Texas Parks
& Wildlife specialist reports that she has received reports of
widespread problems for Barn Swallows with this massive cold front.
They were in migration and she has heard that they have been dying from
Nebraska on down the Central Flyway. Earlier last week the fall out was
been from San Marcos and south. The birds were seeking shelter on
building frames and under porch roofs. There is not much food for them
during migration after the sustained drought in Texas and cold, wet
weather is taking its toll as well.

Also found at Lake Waco on Saturday were 9 CAVE SWALLOWS, a species just
added to the McLennan County checklist this year based on observations
of several individuals at both Lake Waco and the Waco sewer ponds in
recent years. In addition, several TREE SWALLOWS, an uncommon fall
migrant here, were found at both Flat Rock Park on Lake Waco by Frank
and John and at the Waco sewer ponds by Al Bjelland this weekend. A few
late Northern Rough-winged Swallows were also found at both locations,
as well.

As if the swallows were not enough, this was also the weekend for
SWAINSON’S HAWKS in Central Texas. It began on Thursday, October 5 with
a report from Don and Pam Moes of a kettle of 50-70 Swainson’s Hawks
feeding in freshly plowed fields along along US Hwy 84 four miles west
McGregor in southwestern McLennan County. On Friday morning, John
Muldrow observed between 2,000 and 2,500 Swainson’s kettling over Lake
Waco which is bordered on its east side by an major outcrop of Austin
chalk that provide excellent thermals for migrants that converge on the
confluence of the Bosque and Brazos rivers in west Waco. On Sunday,
E.G. White-Swift had more than 350 Swainson’s feeding in freshly plowed
fields over the Brazos River bottomlands on Steiner Road (locally known
as the Burrowing Owl road). 0.9 miles south of the junction of Renner
and Francis Roads in southeastern McLennan County. Late Sunday
afternoon, Bobby Valentine reported at least 5 kettles of Swainson’s
Hawks kettles, 200 to 300 hawks in a kettle, streaming over his home
about ten miles west of McGregor near Olgesby in eastern Coryell County.

Other notable raptors this weekend were as many as 8 OSPREY on Lake Waco
and several more on Tradinghouse Reservoir is eastern McLennan County.
This is a very high count for Ospreys in the county. American Kestrals
were everywhere this weekend in much higher numbers than normal winter
populations and large numbers of Northern Harriers were found hunting
area pastures. A Peregrine Falcon was observed on Saturday, 10/7/00,
chasing crows, harriers and unsuccessfully hitting on and knocking down
an American Widgeon off Flat Rock Park at Lake Waco.

Two RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS continue to come to the Barnard’s feeding
station in Gatesville in Coryell County. They have been present at this
station every day since their arrival on July 20. Another Rufous has
been coming to a feeder in west Waco since September 23. Once a rare
migrant visitor, this species is now becoming a rare but regular winter
visitor in the county.

The second injured immature fall plumage MOURNING WARBLER of the season
was taken to a local rehabilitor today after crashing into a window in
the 2800 block of Live Oak Street in west Waco. A very uncommon fall
migrant, it is unlikely that it will survive its severe head trauma and
join another specimen found below a storefront window at the Waco Office
Depot on September 20 that has been donated to the Strecker Museum
collection at the Baylor University.

Other birds found during the migrant fallout this past weekend in much
greater numbers than wintering or migrating populations normally
observed in the area were: Belted Kingfishers, Loggerhead Shrikes,
Eastern Phoebes, Orange-crowned Warblers, Nashville Warblers, Wilson’s
Warblers, Common Yellowthroat, Indigo Buntings, Dickcissels,
Clay-colored Sparrows, Savannah Sparrows and thousands and thousands of
Monarch Butterflies.

First reports of wintering migrants arriving in the last week include
Herring Gull, Bonaparte’s Gull, Northern Flicker, House Wren, Brown
Thrashers, Hermit Thrush and Lincoln’s Sparrows. Lingering nesters
still in the area include Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and Scissor-tailed
Flycatchers.

If you have information to add to this report, please leave a message
after the tone. Thanks for calling.

- End Transcript

E.G. [email protected]……(254) 420-1543
Central Texas Audubon Society
Waco, Texas

Top of Page

Date: April 8, 2001
Number: 915-691-8981
Coverage: Abilene, Taylor Co and surrounding counties
Compiler: Lorie Black [email protected]

This is the Sunday, April 8th, update of Abilene area birding, sponsored by the Big Country Audubon Society.

The LEWIS'S WOODPECKER* was seen again on the 7th near the northeast entrance to the Abilene State School.

Three CINNAMON TEAL were seen on Ben Richey Dr in south Abilene on the 7th. Also on the 7th, CASSIN'S SPARROWS were seen and heard on Boy's Ranch Rd just off of Ben Richey Dr. A VERMILION FLYCATCHER was seen on Boy's Ranch Rd on the 3rd.

Sightings from Oakwood Trails (Abilene) on the 7th include OSPREY, SWAINSON'S HAWK, RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, BLACK-BELLED WHISTLING-DUCKS, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS (MYRTLE'S & AUDUBON'S), ORANGE CROWNED WARBLERS, NASHVILLE WARBLER, BULLOCK'S ORIOLE and BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS.

Recent sightings from Kirby Lake include EARED GREBES and RUDDY DUCKS. A
EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE was seen at Kirby on the 3rd.

Ten WILLETS were seen on a pond near US 83/84 and Bell Plain Rd south of Abilene on the 2nd.

If you have information to add to this report, please leave a message after the tone. Thanks for calling.

Top of Page

- RBA

* Texas
* Coastal Bend
* March 13, 2001
* TXCB0103.13

- Birds mentioned
Northern Gannet
Swallow-tailed Kite
Stilt Sandpiper
Long-billed Dowitcher
Bonaparte's Gull
California Gull
Great Black-backed Gull* Texas Review Species
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Nashville Warbler
Tropical Parula
Yellow-throated Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Louisiana Waterthrush

- Transcript

Number: (361) 883-7410
Compiler: Kent Taylor mailto:[email protected]
Coverage: Texas Coastal Bend
Transcriber: David Sarkozi mailto:[email protected]

Howdy, welcome to the Tuesday March 13, 2001 update of the Coastal Bend
Rare Bird Alert sponsored by the Audubon Outdoor Club of Corpus Christi.

Spring Migration has offically begun in the Coastal Bend. On the Eleventh
there were two Swallow-tailed Kites (Elanoides forficatus) at Polly Wog Ponds.

At the Elliot Landfill in Corpus Christi there continues a first summer
Great Black-backed Gull* (Larus marinus) and a first year basic California
Gull (Larus californicus).

Bluecher Park near downtown Corpus Christi has Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma
rufum), Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), Black-and-white Warbler
(Mniotilta varia), and Yellow-throated Warbler (Dendroica dominica).

Twenty-six Northern Gannets (Morus bassanus) were seen at Malicite Beach on
Padre Island National Seashore.

Mel Cooksey had Nashville Warbler (Vermivora ruficapilla) in his little
yard on North Padre Island.

At Port Aransas Mel has a Louisiana Waterthrush (Seiurus motacilla) at
Paradise Pond.

At Port Aranasas Jetty Mel report 150 plus or minus Bonaparte's Gulls
(Larus philadelphia), and numerous juvenile Northern Gannets (Morus bassanus).

There were 40-50 Stilt Sandpipers (Calidris himantopus) and two hundred
dowitcher species, mostly Long-billed Dowitchers (Limnodromus scolopaceus)
at the Aransas Wetland Overlook.

And finally Dr. Robert Benson had a singing Tropical Parula (Parula
pitiayumi) in the Woodlot at the end of the jogging trail on the campus of
Texas AM University in Corpus Christi.

Thanks for calling the Coastal Bend Rare Birds Alert. To leave a message
begin speaking after the tone. Be sure to leave your name and telephone
number. Good Day and Good Birding.

- End Transcript

* Denotes Texas Review Species, sighting reports should be sent to the
Texas Bird Records Committee, Mark Lockwood, Texas Bird Records Committee
Secretary, 6710 Lancret Hill Drive, Austin, Texas 78745, (512)326-4381
mailto:[email protected]

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* RBA
* Texas
* Wichita Falls
* March 23, 2001
* TXWF0103.23

- Birds mentioned

Golden Eagle
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Eurasian Collared Dove

- Transcript

Number: None
Compiler: John M. Cys, [email protected] Coverage: Wichita Falls Area (including Clay and Archer Counties)
Transcriber: John M. Cys
RBA web site: None

This is the Wichita Falls Area Rare Bird Alert sponsored by the North Texas Bird and Wildlife Club updated as of Friday, March 23, 2001.

The Wichita Falls Area RBA is currently a purely Electronic E-RBA. Contributions can be made by E-mail to myself, John M. Cys, at [email protected] or by telephone (940/691-5702). This RBA covers the greater Wichita Falls area, specifically Archer, Clay, and Wichita Counties, Texas.

On Thursday, March 22nd, one very early (perhaps the earliest for the checklist area) male YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD and one GOLDEN EAGLE were observed at Lake Buffalo, northwest of Iowa Park.

Also late Thursday afternoon at a Wichita Falls residence one EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE was observed.

- End Transcript

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RBA: North-east Texas, March 18, 2001

NETFO hotline
Number: 903-839-4804
Coverage: North-east Texas
Compiler/transcriber: Peter Barnes, [email protected]

Today, March 18, I observed a drake CINNAMON TEAL at the north unit of Richland Creek WMA, off Highway 287 in Freestone County. The refuge is closed and largely under water. However, the bird was seen from Highway 287, about 200 yards east of the intersection with FM488. It was with a female Blue-winged Teal. Birding just outside Richland Creek WMA from Hwy 287 and 488 was fairly productive, yielding 1 COMMON LOON, 1 OSPREY, 1 BALD EAGLE, 2 RED-BREASTED and 11 HOODED MERGANSERS, 1 AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER, 2 HERRING GULLS, 1 BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, and singing NORTHERN PARULAS.

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