Smith Point Hawk Watch is located in Chambers County, Texas. The count is
conducted from a watchtower situated in the Candy Abshier Wildlife
Management Area. From I-10 take Hwy. 61 south (exit 512 from W, exit 513
from E) to FM 562. Follow 562 approximately 20 miles into Smith Point.
Hawk Watch signs are posted and will lead you to the watch tower.

Totals for 26 September 1998/ Season Totals

Turkey Vulture   0/  4
Black Vulture   0/  9
Osprey   1/  20
Swallow-tailed Kite   1/  58
White-tailed Kite   1/  19
Mississippi Kite   18/  2146
Northern Harrier   10/  88
Sharp-shinned Hawk   303/  1364
Cooper's Hawk   8/  298
Unid. Accipiter   5/  122
Red-shouldered Hawk   0/  30
Broad-winged Hawk   31/  5488
Swainson's Hawk   0/  9
Red-tailed Hawk   0/  9
Unid. Buteo   0/  17
American Kestrel   48/  450
Merlin   4/  14
Peregrine Falcon   13/  23
Unid. Falcon   0/  10
Crested Caracara   0/  1
Unid. Raptor   0/  33
--------------------------------------------
GRAND TOTALS   443/ 10,179

Overcast skies & early morning rain showers neither stopped the Sharpies
from flying nor the visitors from arriving to the Point. The first hour
was great for both, while the second hour left everyone, birds and people
alike, a little wet. We got a great look at a Cooper's spreading his
wings out to dry in a nearby tree. Things slowed down for a while with
lots of birds flying back & forth (how many times???). For those visitors
who persevered & stuck around for the afternoon, it was definitely
worthwhile. Full of falcons-- Peregrines right over the tower, Merlins
looking to pick fights, and Kestrels zipping all over the place! Then the
highlight of the day, seen by only a diehard few-- a Swallow-tailed Kite
was spotted by Jose Hernandez at 3:05. It was flying low, to the North,
and headed straight for the tower. Not only did it give us a great view
the first time around, after heading out over the water it doubled back &
let us gaze to our hearts' content. Despite the icky weather &
not-so-stunning totals, it was a great day to be at Smith Point. Hope you
all enjoyed your visits & come see us again.........rebecca

Rebecca Smith & Richard Gibbons, Smith Point Hawk Watchers for the
Gulf Coast Bird Observatory http://www.nol.net/~criley
SPHW is sponsored by GCBO, Ornithology Group-ONC, TPWD, HawkWatch Int'l.,
and the Exxon Baytown
Use of computer provided by Tx PIF, TPWD, and Compaq Computer Corp