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Texas Coastal Bend Fall Hawkwatch

At least 95% of the North American population of Broad-winged Hawks (Buteo platypterus) fly over the area in monster flights called kettles. Single kettles of 10,000 hawks are routine, and over 100,000 hawks have been recorded on several days. The largest area flight recorded was October 4-5, 1977 when a monster cold front brought in 750,000 Broad-winged Hawks for an overnight roost.

Historically, the largest flights of hawks arrive at Corpus Christi, Texas between September 18 to September 25, although large flights regularly occur from mid-August to mid-October. Generally, the peak of the Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) migration is in late August, followed by Broad-winged Hawks the last two weeks in September and smaller numbers of Swainson's Hawks (Buteo swainsoni) in early October. Flocks of Mississippi Kites, Anhingas (Anhinga anhinga), and Wood Storks (Mycteria americana) are often seen in the midst of the Broad-wing kettles. Weather in the northern and eastern United States is a big factor in determining the actual dates of the flights.

Other bird of prey species seen include, Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura), Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus), White-tailed Kite (Elanus caeruleus), Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus), Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus), Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii), Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus), Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), White-tailed Hawk (Buteo albicaudatus), Harris' Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus), Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), Crested Caracara (Polyborus plancus), American Kestrel (Falco sparverius), Merlin (Falco columbarius), and Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus). Rarely seen are Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), American Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus), Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis), Zone-tailed Hawk (Buteo albonotatus), and Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus).

The park is also a good spot for other birds. Resident birds include Grove-billed Ani (Crotophaga sulcirostris), Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus), Green Jay (Cyanocorax yncas), and Greater Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus). Large flocks of American White Pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos), Anhingas, and Wood Storks are seen each year. Other birds include Roseate Spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja), Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris), Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus), Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus), Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus), Brown-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus tyrannulus), Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens), Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea), and Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula).

The hawkwatch is free and open to the public. Observers should bring binoculars, cap, sunscreen, lawn chair, and water. Restrooms are within easy walking distance. Restaurants and motels are nearby. Park policy prohibits camping, firearms, and alcoholic beverages.