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?
Smith Point Hawk Watch 8/18/19 (0 raptors)
Bob reports no migrating raptors today. Strong south winds kept the birds down. Five Magnificent Frigatebirds made the day.
Smith Point Hawk Watch 8/17/19 (17 raptors)
Bob reports 17 migrating raptors today. Swainson’s Hawk 6 Cooper’s Hawk 1 Mississippi Kite 4 Swallow-tailed Kite 5 Northern Harrier 1 Strong south winds retarded the flight but 19 flyover Wilson’s Phalaropes and a single Dickcissel were nice fall migrants. Thanks to Joe Kennedy for his help today and for visitor’s David Sarkozi and John Berner.
Smith Point Hawk Watch 8/16/19 (29 raptors)
Slow day after the big start yesterday. Only 29 birds today. Broad-winged Hawk 20 Swainson’s Hawk 3 Mississippi Kite 3 Swallow-tailed Kite 2 Osprey 1 Bob reports the tv in the trailer is on the fritz. Any one want to donate a small one to his cause?
Smith Point Hawk Watch 8/15/19 (737 raptors)
Well we’re off to a great start! Bob counted 737 raptors on the first day of the count. Broad-winged Hawk 15 Swainson’s Hawk 2 Mississippi Kite 716 Swallow-tailed Kite 4 Other birds included a couple of local Cooper’s Hawks, a local Red-shouldered Hawk, three Magnificent Frigatebirds and lots of White Ibis. Come on down and enjoy the count!
Smith Point Hawk Watch 11/15/18 (809 raptors)
Bob reports 809 migrating raptors today. Broad-winged Hawk 134 Red-tailed Hawk 186 Swainson’s Hawk 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 2 Harris’s Hawk 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 7 Cooper’s Hawk 14 Turkey Vulture 444 Black Vulture 9 Osprey 1 Northern Harrier 9 A spectacular last day of the count. Highest ever one day Red-tailed count by far. We’ve only had five years with more … Read More
Smith Point Hawk Watch 11/14/18 (2237 raptors)
Bob reports 2237 migrating raptors today. Broad-winged Hawk 698 Red-tailed Hawk 74 Red-shouldered Hawk 3 Sharp-shinned Hawk 12 Cooper’s Hawk 9 Turkey Vulture 1410 Black Vulture 13 American Kestrel 1 Peregrine Falcon 1 Northern Harrier 16 Other birds of note: 2 Whooping Cranes seen twice, 350 Snow Geese, 6 Great Blue Herons in a kettle, 53 Sandhill Cranes, pipits, bluebirds,Song … Read More
Smith Point Hawk Watch 11/13/18 (169 raptors)
Tad reports 169 migrating raptors today. Broad-winged Hawk 1 Red-tailed Hawk 6 Sharp-shinned Hawk 5 Cooper’s Hawk 3 Turkey Vulture 114 Black Vulture 24 American Kestrel 10 Merlin 1 Osprey 1 Northern Harrier 4 A day of very strong north winds and cold temperatures. At midday sleet fell on the tower. The strong north wind caused a mudflat extending 50 … Read More
Smith Point Hawk Watch 11/12/18 (4 raptors)
Bob reports 4 migrating raptors today. American Kestrel 1 Northern Harrier 3 Other birds of note: 3 Common Loons, 1400 Snow Geese, and a Chuck-will’s-widow. Count interuppted by rain numerous times. 3 more days. Note that with the time change this weekend Bob is now at the tower from 7:00am until 3:00pm instead of 8:00 to 4:00. The Smith Point … Read More