Geography/Habitat: Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens) is uncommon to locally common along the Texas coast year round. Most inland records are post-breeding dispersal of juveniles, but they predominantly stick to the coastal areas. There are records in all regions of Texas, but the Western and Panhandle areas have limited sightings with the exceptions of the West Texas reservoirs. Outside of Texas, … Read More
Smith Point Hawk Watch 8/29/19 (30 raptors)
Bob reports 30 migrating raptors today. Broad-winged Hawk 2 Swainson’s Hawk 2 Cooper’s Hawk 1 Mississippi Kite 16 Swallow-tailed Kite 6 Bald Eagle 1 (adult) Other birds included 10 Roseate Spoonbills, lots of Blue Grosbeaks and Eastern Kingbirds, 2 Yellow Warblers, 2 Upland Sandpipers, and 2 Black-necked Stilts. Marvin Masters helped out today. Thanks Marvin!
Smith Point Hawk Watch 8/28/19 (34 raptors)
Bob reports 34 migrating raptors today. Broad-winged Hawk 7 Swainson’s Hawk 12 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 Cooper’s Hawk 4 Mississippi Kite 6 Osprey 2 White-tailed Kite 1 Also 28 Anhingas and 16 Magnificent Frigatebirds.
Smith Point Hawk Watch 8/27/19 (6 raptors)
Joe reports 6 migrating raptors today. Broad-winged Hawk 1 Cooper’s Hawk 4 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 Also some local Cooper’s Hawks, Turkey and Black Vultures. Non-raptors included 4 Wood Storks, 9 American White Pelicans, 26 Magnificent Frigatebirds, and 6 Olive-sided Flycatchers. Thanks for doing the count today Joe and giving Bob a day off!
Smith Point Hawk Watch 8/26/19 (0 raptors)
Bob reports no migrating raptors today. The swallows kept him occupied along with 6 Roseate Spoonbills and 2 Wood Storks.
Smith Point Hawk Watch 8/25/19 (7 raptors)
Bob reports 7 migrating raptors today. Broad-winged Hawk 2 Mississippi Kite 1 Swallow-tailed Kite 4 Slow day but 10 Magnificent Frigatebirds made the day.
Smith Point Hawk Watch 8/24/19 (12 raptors)
Bob reports 12 migrating raptors today. Broad-winged Hawk 5 Swainson’s Hawk 2 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 Mississippi Kite 2 Swallow-tailed Kite 1 Joe Kennedy helped out today. Thanks Joe! Also seen were 8 Olive-sided Flycatchers (!), 6 Common Nighthawks and some Roseate Spoonbills.
Smith Point Hawk Watch 8/23/19 (0 raptors)
Bob reports no migrating raptors today. He only got in about 2.5 hours between rain showers and nothing was moving.
Smith Point Hawk Watch 8/22/19 (25 raptors)
Bob reports 25 migrating raptors today. Broad-winged Hawk 6 Swainson’s Hawk 3 Cooper’s Hawk 2 Mississippi Kite 10 Swallow-tailed Kite 2 White-tailed Kite 2 Also first of the season Wood Storks (2) and Anhingas (7). Thanks to Sara Harrison who helped out today!
Smith Point Hawk Watch 8/21/19 (16 raptors)
Bob reports 16 migrating raptors today. Broad-winged Hawk 5 Swainson’s Hawk 5 Cooper’s Hawk 2 Mississippi Kite 3 Swallow-tailed Kite 1 The highlight of the day was four Olive-sided Flycatchers sitting up on the various perches sticking above the oak mottes. Smith Point is the best place I know to see an Olive-sided Flycatcher in the fall. They just love … Read More
Smith Point Hawk Watch 8/20/19 (21 raptors)
Tad reports 21 migrating raptors today. Broad-winged Hawk 2 Swainson’s Hawk 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 Mississippi Kite 1 Swallow-tailed Kite 16 Marvin Masters and Tad Finnell had the watch today giving Bob his day off. Storms systems surrounded the tower most of the day but very little rain fell. Highlight was the first group of nine Swallow-tailed Kites coming in … Read More
Smith Point Hawk Watch 9/19/19 (6 raptors)
Bob reports 6 migrating raptors today. Broad-winged Hawk 1 Swainson’s Hawk 1 Swallow-tailed Kite 3 White-tailed Kite 1 First White-tailed Kite of the season but the three Swallow-tails in the sky together was the highlight. Still need a 21 inch tv for the trailer so Bob can watch football this fall! Anybody?