Project Partners: Gulf Coast Bird Observatory
Hawk Watch International
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
One of the most spectacular sites in nature is to see the sky full of migrating hawks soaring their way to central and South America for winter. At the peak of fall migration, it's not unusual to see over 5,000 Broad-winged Hawks on a single day. At the same time, other migrants like hummingbirds, swallows, butterflies and dragonflies are in such abundance, they lure your attention from the kettling hawks. You can witness this and much more at the Smith Point Hawk Watch Tower in Chambers County, Texas!
Originating as a part-time all-volunteer effort in 1992, the Smith Point Hawk Watch has expanded to a full-time, three-month long count. The Gulf Coast Bird Observatory and our partners, Hawk Watch International, Texas Parks & Wildlife, Reliant Energy, and ConocoPhillips invite you to visit the Hawk Watch. The Hawk Watch at Candy Abshier WMA operates annually from August 15 to November 15. Counters and volunteers will be on the tower daily from 8 AM to 4 PM. You are invited to come out as often as you can. We are in need of tower volunteers to help give the official counters a couple of days off each week. Focusing your eyes on the sky all day looking for raptors necessitates an occasional break. If you can help by taking one day a week, or even a couple of days a month, it would be great! To volunteer, contact John Arvin at (979) 480-0999.
How To Get To The Smith Point Hawk Watch Tower at Candy Abshier WMA:
To reach Smith Point from Houston take I-10 east to the Texas Hwy 61 exit. Turn south on Hwy 61. In a few miles it changes number to FM 562 and continues south to Smith Point. FM 1985, which continues past Anahuac NWR, branches left off FM 562 just past the small community of Double Bayou. Stay right to continue to Smith Point. Once in Smith Point continue on 562 past a small store/gas station. The Spoonbill is to the right at the end of Hawkins Camp Road and the hawk tower is just past the intersection of 562 and Hawkins Camp where a sign directs you to the left and into the large parking area.
