Smith Point Hawk Watch 8/7/16 (6 raptors)

Bob reports: Broad-winged Hawk 2 Red-tailed Hawk 1 Swainson’s Hawk 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Swallow-tailed Kite 1 10 Wood Storks and no visitor’s. Bob’s getting lonely!

Smith Point Hawk Watch 8/6/16 (0 raptors)

Joe Kennedy reports no countable birds today. 3 local young broad-wings were around several times, a couple of cooper’s and an osprey. Red-shouldered called. One young red-tail and a couple of caracara. 12 white pelicans, 9 wood storks, and 20 white ibis

Smith Point Hawk Watch 8/3/16 (14 raptors)

Hello all, Bob reports the following on this fine hot August day: Broad-winged Hawk 9 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Cooper’s Hawk 1 Mississippi Kite 1 Swallow-tailed Kite 2 Plus 74 Wood Storks and a large alligator in the pond.

Smith Point Hawk Watch (8/2/16) 12 raptors

Howdy all, Bob reports the following: 7 Broad-winged Hawk 1 Swainson’s hawk 1 Cooper’s Hawk 2 Swallow-tailed Kites 1 Osprey Also of note, 4 Roseate Spoonbills and 48 Wood Storks.

Smith Point Hawk Watch 8/1/16 (4 raptors)

Howdy all, Bob reports 4 countable Broad-winged Hawks on this first day of the count. Additional entertainment included an adult White-tailed Hawk, a juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk, and an Osprey. On the non-raptor front he had 20 Magnificent Frigatebirds and 2 Wood Storks. The count has begun! Come on out and enjoy it with us! Sue

Oystercatcher Diaries 2016: Field Week 13

By Susan Heath Not much happening out there these days. With Captain Tim, Alan Wilde, Amanda Hackney, Brittany Stamps and I made the rounds to check on the oystercatchers. Most pairs were hanging out on their territories sleeping or dining. The tide was too high to find any on reefs so we didn’t get any exciting resights of the non-breeders. … Read More

Smith Point Hawk Watch starts tomorrow!

Howdy y’all, It’s July 31st and you know what that means? The Smith Point Hawk Watch starts tomorrow! We brought the trailer over last Friday and got everything at the tower set up. Bob Baez has returned as counter for this 20th season. To celebrate our 20th season, we have some great t-shirts with artwork by Cin-Ty Lee featuring the … Read More

Beach Nesting Birds Project 2016: Update 7

By Amanda Anderson Even though it’s getting late in the season, the birds are still getting down and dirty in the hot, dry Texas summer. Least Terns, Black Skimmers, and Wilson’s Plovers are pretty rowdy at yet another chickpalooza happening in Freeport and Matagorda. The Least Tern colony at Matagorda is hopping with near fledged and two downy chicks (pictured … Read More

Oystercatcher Diaries 2016: Field Week 12

By Susan Heath Surprise, surprise, surprise! I love late season surprises and we got a big one on Friday. Brittany Stamps, our GCBO summer intern, and I met John Wright and Alan Wilde at John’s house to do another oystercatcher survey. We usually end our surveys in June but this year there were still two pairs incubating nests and one … Read More