This report is not part of the official hawk watch count for the Hawk Watch International Fall 1998 migration period covering August 15 through November 15, 1998.

It is provided for informational and archival purposes as an early migration monitor.

TexBirders and BirdHawkers,

Boy, is it hot or what?

Bill and I popped over to Hazel Bazemore County Park (western Nueces
County, west of Corpus Christi, TX) today for a few hours, to see what was
going on. Bill barely got out of the car before he spotted our first
kettle, consisting of 90 anhingas. Some Mississippi kites winged over
shortly afterward. All in all, not a bad way to spend a few hours! Here's
the recap:
 

Time on:        11:30 am CDT
 

11:30 to 12:00 noon:
90 anhingas
7  Mississippi kites (kettle of 6, then a single)
 

12:00 to 1:00 pm:
120 anhingas (single kettle again)
4   black vultures (migrating)
2   un-ID'd raptors
 

4   black vultures (local)
3   turkey vultures (local)
1   white-tailed hawk (local)
1   white ibis immature
 

1:00 to 2:00 pm:
9   Mississippi kites (in singles, 2's and 3's)
 

Time off:       1:45 pm CDT
 
 

Of note, nearly all the MIKI we saw today appeared to be immatures. Two
local birders stopped by to say hi as we packed up and mentioned they saw a
single broadwing hawk at Pollywog Pond (about 4-5 miles northeast of Hazel
Bazemore, as the hawk flies, and a virtual migrant magnet for all sorts,
including raptors). First BWHA I've heard of down here. Anyone else seeing
anything in the Central Texas Coast?
 

Since I have your attention <grin!>, I would also like to put out an
all-call plea for information, help and data for anyone tracking raptors
and/or working hawk watches in any of the Gulf of Mexico states and Mexico.
As of this summer, I've inherited the editor position for the Hawk
Migration Association of North America. John Economidy of San Antonio did
an exemplary job pulling the duty for the last ten years as Texas Regional
editor, and leaves very big shoes to fill with his retirement and move
towards working on raptor field guides in between his regular job as an
attorney. I'll just be walking along in his shadow for awhile, trying to
find my way. The region has now increased to include all of the Gulf of
Mexico states. So, I am trying right now just to find out where the other
hawk watches are along the Gulf states and Mexico and get a database of
contacts established. Please, please drop me a note off-line if you are
coordinating or know of anyone participating in a Gulf Coast states hawk
watch, no matter the size or scope. I will be eternally grateful to
everyone who responds and will try not to be too much of a pest <grin!>.
 

Just a couple more quickies:
 

The Coastal Bend Hawk Watch at Hazel Bazemore County Park officially kicks
off on August 15 and runs through November 15th, with counters Joel Simon
and Glenn Swartz once again on the hill for Hawk Watch International.
Directions and info on the park are on our web pages, at:
 

        http://www.electrotex.com/aoc/hawkwatch.htm
 

Also, a reminder of the "Celebration of Flight" that Joel Simon has
organized; it will be held September 25 through October 4 and will feature
talks by some of the biggies (Brian Wheeler, Pete Dunne, the Peregrine Fund
and Steve Hoffman of Hawk Watch International). These talks will require an
entry fee to help cover costs of bringing in the speakers, and help fund
continuing efforts in hawk watching in the Corpus Christi area. Last
Chance, Forever, the raptor rehabilitators from San Antonio, will also be
on hand with some of their raptor ambassadors and education programs for
area schoolkids. Further information can be found on our web page at:
 

        http://www.electrotex.com/aoc/HawkWatch98/flight98.htm
 

Keep those liquids and sunscreen flowing; it's gonna be another hot one
this fall.
 

Cheers,
Patty Beasley