Bob reports no migrating raptors today. It was a slow day with strong south winds that retarded any flight. Three local Crested Caracaras kept Bob entertained though. Some visitor’s reported three Swallow-tailed Kites in the area but they never came by the tower. Kathy Adams Clark brought her North American Nature Photo Association class by which was fun and there … Read More
Smith Point Hawk Watch 8/18/18 (38 raptors)
Bob reports 38 migrating raptors today. Broad-winged Hawk 22 Red-tailed Hawk 3 Swainson’s Hawk 6 Red-shouldered Hawk 2 Cooper’s Hawk 4 Swallow-tailed Kite 1 Other birds of note: 150 Wood Storks put on quite a show, 1 Solitary Sandpiper, a few Upland Sanpipers, 1 Yellow Warbler, 2 Blue Grosbeaks, a female Summer Tanager, a few Purple Martins, 1 Great crested … Read More
Smith Point Hawk Watch 8/17/18 (30 raptors)
Bob reports 30 migrating raptors today. Broad-winged Hawk 18 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Cooper’s Hawk 2 Mississippi Kite 6 Swallow-tailed Kite 3 Non-migrating raptors included two Crested Caracaras, one White-tailed Hawk, and one Red-tailed Hawk. Other birds of note: seven Wood Storks, 20 American White Pelicans, two Olive-sided Flycatchers and an Eastern Kingbird. The Smith Point Hawk Watch is funded entirely … Read More
Smith Point Hawk Watch 8/16/18 (16 raptors)
Bob reports 16 migrating raptors today. Red-tailed Hawk 2 Swainson’s Hawk 1 Cooper’s Hawk 4 Mississippi Kite 8 Swallow-tailed Kite 1 Other birds of note included one Olive-sided Flycatcher, 30 Wood Storks, and Bank Swallows and Purple Martins. Also there is a pond a little east of Smith Point on the north side of the road that held over 100 … Read More
Smith Point Hawk Watch 8/15/18 (17 raptors)
Bob reports 17 migrating raptors today. Woohoo! First double digit day. They are coming folks! Mississippi Kite 6 Swallow-tailed Kite 11 The Swallow-tailed Kites put on quite a show with eight of them lingering over the tower for about 40 minutes. You can’t beat that show! Other birds included 6 Anhinga (first of those for the season), 36 Wood Storks … Read More
Smith Point Hawk Watch 8/14/18 (9 raptors)
Tad reports nine migrating raptors today. Swainson’s Hawk 1 Cooper’s Hawk 1 Mississippi Kite 5 Swallow-tailed Kite 2 Very breezy all day long. Huge numbers of swallows riding the breeze and a good passerine movement early. At 9:00 28 Wood Storks flew in and spent the day trying to get lift with their numbers increasing to over 150. At 9:30 … Read More
Smith Point Hawk Watch 8/13/18 (4 raptors)
Bob reports five migrating raptors today. Broad-winged Hawk 2 Swallow-tailed Kite 3 Other birds of note – 2 Olive-sided Flycatchers and 37 Wood Storks. Thanks for your help today Sara! The Smith Point Hawk Watch is funded entirely through donations and grants. If you would like to make a contribution, you can do so on our website. We appreciate the … Read More
Smith Point Hawk Watch 8/12/18 (4 raptors)
Bob reports four migrating raptors today. Swainson’s Hawk 1 Swallow-tailed Kite 3 Other birds of note – four Purple Martins and four Magnificent Frigatebirds. Visitor’s today were from Tennessee, Austin, and Houston. The Smith Point Hawk Watch is funded entirely through donations and grants. If you would like to make a contribution, you can do so on our website. We … Read More
Smith Point Hawk Watch 8/11/18 (1 raptor)
Joe reports one lone Cooper’s Hawk for the day. Other birds seen but not counted included two Turkey Vultures, five Black Vultures, one young Cooper’s Hawk, one Broad-winged Hawk, and four White-tailed Hawks. Lots of rain again but only one small storm required tower abandonment. A big alligator walked out of the pond and headed across the parking lot to … Read More
Smith Point Hawk Watch 8/10/18 (1 raptor)
Bob reports one lone Broad-winged Hawk for the day. There were showers all around which likely retarded the flight. Six Wood Storks and seven Magnificent Frigatebirds kept him entertained though. Local raptors included a Cooper’s Hawk, a White-tailed Hawk and a Red-shouldered Hawk. Visitor’s from Michigan and Spain today! Also Jana Whittle stopped by to keep Bob company for a … Read More
Smith Point Hawk Watch 8/9/18 (6 raptors)
Bob reports 6 migrating raptors today with the bulk of them being Swallow-tailed Kites! Swainson’s Hawk 1 Swallow-tailed Kite 5 There was a lot of thunder and lightning to watch but none directly impacting those on the tower. Marvin Masters and Sara Harrison stayed most of the day to help spot birds. Thanks y’all! The Smith Point Hawk Watch is … Read More
Smith Point Hawk Watch 8/8/18 (2 raptors)
Bob reports 2 migrating raptors today. Swainson’s Hawk 1 Swallow-tailed Kite 1 Local raptors included a Cooper’s Hawk and a Red-shouldered Hawk. Three Wood Storks made an appearance as well. And so did Dave Hanson! Also, we are short on funds this year folks so donations are very welcome. You can donate directly on our website. Many thanks!