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!
Smith Point Hawk Watch 8/7/18 (0 raptors)
Bob reports no migrating raptors today. He was entertained by 28 white pelicans (first of the season), 6 Wood Storks and one local Cooper’s Hawk. Sara Harrison stopped by to say hello – thanks Sara!
Smith Point Hawk Watch 8/6/18 (11 raptors)
Bob reports 11 migrating raptors today including our first Swallow-tailed Kites of the season! Broad-winged Hawk 1 Mississippi Kite 8 Swallow-tailed Kite 2 Bob says the clouds were awesome. There were also 12 frigatebirds. Martin and Sara Harrison volunteered today. Thanks guys!
Smith Point Hawk Watch 8/5/18 (0 raptors)
Bob reports no migrating raptors today. The only raptor he saw one a single local Cooper’s Hawk. It has to get better right?! He was entertained by five Magnificent Frigatebirds, four Wood Storks, and a lot of White Ibis flying to and fro.
Smith Point Hawk Watch 8/4/18 (2 raptors)
Joe reports only two migrating raptors today. They were both Cooper’s Hawks. Some impressive thunderstorm activity with 4 funnels trying to reach the water made for some good entertainment. The first Olive-sided Flycatcher of the season put in an appearance and some Upland Sandpipers passed overhead. Only a taste of things to come! Thanks Joe.
Smith Point Hawk Watch 8/3/18 (8 raptors)
Bob reports 8 migrating raptors today. Broad-winged Hawk 7 Cooper’s Hawk 1 Also 5 Magnificent Frigatebirds and 2 Neotropic Cormorants. Thanks for your help Marvin!
Smith Point Hawk Watch 8/2/18 (9 raptors)
Bob reports 9 migrating raptors today. Broad-winged Hawk 4 Swainson’s Hawk 4 Mississippi Kite 1 Also 13 Wood Storks, 2 adult White-tailed Hawks, an immature Red-shouldered Hawk, and an immature Cooper’s Hawk. Thanks for helping today Sara!
Smith Point Hawk Watch 8/1/18 (7 raptors)
Welcome hawk watch fans! On this hot, hot first day of the count Bob reported 7 birds. Broad-winged Hawk 5 Swainson’s Hawk 1 Mississippi Kite 1 Also 3 Magnificent Frigatebirds, 37 Wood Storks, 31 Anhingas, 50 Black Terns in a feeding flock and 3 Orchard Orioles. Woohoo! It has begun.
Oystercatcher Diaries 2018: Field Week 23
By Susan Heath I headed out for the last trip of the season with Alan Wilde and Wayne O’Quinn. The pair by the boat ramp wasn’t around but we found them much later on a reef down by Harbor Walk. I don’t think I’ve seen them down there before. By now the oystercatchers have begun to roam around because their … Read More
Oystercatcher Diaries 2018: Field Week 22
By Susan Heath On Monday I needed to go out to Bastrop and Drum Bays to install a tide gauge for our intertidal reef project and do a count of the birds on the reefs there. I was joined by Alan Wilde and Woody Woodrow (the FWS sponsor of the reef project). While we were there we checked on the … Read More
Oystercatcher Diaries 2018: Field Week 21
By Susan Heath On Wednesday I headed out to East Matagorda Bay with Robin Bjork (GCBO), Amanda Hackney (Blackcat GIS) and Alan Wilde (GBAMN). I wanted to check on the oystercatchers and get one more look at the chicks out there to verify whether two of the pairs still had three chicks or just two. I also wanted to see … Read More