Smith Point Hawk Watch

9/18/08

We had little information about the area around Smith Point until today when John was able to access the area and assess the damage.  He reports that the destruction is incredible but the hawk watch tower is still standing.  The debris was up to the lower level of the tower so he was unable to actually climb it and see if it is still solid.  He was happy to report that Joe and Annette Whitehead, the couple who have provided housing to our hawk watchers for many years, are fine after riding out the storm.  We are unsure of availability of housing for the hawk watchers at this point so we do not know if the Smith Point Hawk Watch can resume after clean up operations are complete.  After fleeing to Dallas to ride out the storm, Kevin and Bob, have gone south and are helping out at the Hazel Bazemore Hawk Watch in Corpus Christi. Please check our website tomorrow (Friday) for more information and some photos of the area.

9/19/08 Update

We regret that due to damage and debris from Hurricane Ike, the Smith Point Hawk Watch is cancelled for the remainder of this season.  We ask that people do not attempt to access the area until further notice.  The amount of debris in the area containing parts of houses, appliances, wood with nails, dead animals, etc. make entry dangerous at this point.  We are unsure if the tower is sound so it is unadvisable to attempt to climb it.  See photos below.

Below is the site of the Spoonbill.  All that remains are the cement pads for trailers, the small shed, and the dock awning.  The main building was completely swept away by surge.