Rpt Date:   November 02, 1997
Site:       Hazel Bazemore County Park
            Corpus Christi, Nueces County, TX
            27 deg. 51.936"  by  97 deg. 38.560"
Reports:    Patty Beasley (transcriber)
Counter:    Joel Simon (Hawk Watch Int'l)
            (site manned 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Aug 15-Nov 15)
Sponsors:   Hawk Watch International
Support:    Hawk Migration Association of North America
            Audubon Outdoor Club of Corpus Christi
            H.E. Butt, Inc.
            Central Power & Light Company
 
SPECIES             11/02    SEASON
Black vulture       27       340
Turkey vulture      183      9,620
Osprey              0        80
Swallow-tail kite   0        7
White-tail kite     1        4        (9-15, 10-24, 10-26, 11-2)
Miss. kite          0        2,965
Northern harrier    5        72
Sharp-shin hawk     31       897
Cooper's hawk       10       367
Harris' hawk        0        4        (9-20, 9-27, 10-27, 11-1)
Red-shoulder hawk   7        66
Broadwing hawk      3        823,650
Swainson's hawk     1        296
White-tail hawk     0        4
Red-tail hawk       19       90       (3 Krider's subspecies)
Ferruginous hawk    1        1        (11-2)
Zone-tail hawk      1        2        (10-02, 11-2)
Rough-legged hawk   0        1        (09-27)
Golden eagle        0        1        (10-27)
Caracara            0        9        (all adults so far)
Amer. kestrel       1        186
Merlin              0        25
Peregrine falcon    2        71       (together, dog-fighting on way over)
Prairie falcon      0        8
Unk accipiter       5        289
Unk. buteo          0        17
Unk. falcon         0        14
Unk. raptor         1        215
Total:              298      839,301
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Definitely a quality day in species. The zone-tailed hawk makes two now for the season; it moved through in the first hour with a few turkey vultures.

The white-tailed kite came through in the second hour. The ferruginous popped up overhead at 3:30pm and stayed for several minutes, affording observers excellent views for our first one of the season. Two peregrines entertained the hill with their dog-fighting antics while making their way overhead.

Ever have the feeling that life is conspiring against you sometimes? Well, I complained that the first zone-tailed hawk didn't even have the good grace to come through on a weekend where we could all see it, so the word must've gotten out, and this one did ... and darn if Bill and I didn't miss this second one, too! Then, the WTKI comes through; we're still not at the hill cause we're still trying to catch up on errands and stuff that have been put off for the last 3 months (wonder why? <grin!>). I finally talk Bill into running out for "just a little while, and I'll bet we get a peregrine!" We go, for a little while, but no peregrine. Lotsa geese. Lotsa sandies (sandhill cranes). LOTS of spiders ballooning their way wherever spiders balloon to this time of year (mostly on our binoculars and faces!). But, no peregrine. Ah well, luck of the draw. We have to leave for other appointments, and not two hours later, the ferruginous comes through. Oh, did I mention ... TWO peregrines come through, too, AFTER we lea
ve. It's a conspiracy; that's what it is. It's gotta be! (I also hereby put the rest of you zone-tailed hawks on notice --- we're not giving up yet!!! We'll get one of you on our life list yet!!!)

OTHERS:  16 anhingas; 83 sandhill cranes; 6 white pelicans; 338 white-fronted geese, one Asteroeampa celtis (which was kind enough to land on the shoulder of one of our observers and pose for confirmed ID!).