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 13 October 1998/ Season Totals

Turkey Vulture   16/  111
Black Vulture   9/  49
Osprey   5/  61
Swallow-tailed Kite   0/  59
White-tailed Kite   0/  25
Mississippi  Kite   0/  2359
Northern Harrier   6/  189
Sharp-shinned Hawk   177/  3108
Cooper's Hawk   167/  1039
Unid. Accipiter   0/  164
Red-shouldered Hawk   1/  36
Broad-winged Hawk   497/  14961
Swainson's Hawk   2/  32
Red-tailed Hawk   1/  15
Unid. Buteo   0/  26
American Kestrel   88/  1112
Merlin   0/  26
Peregrine Falcon   0/  83
Unid. Falcon   0/  13
Crested Caracara   0/  3
Unid. Raptor   0/  85
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GRAND TOTALS   869/  23,460

The day was cool and pleasant with winds from the NE shifting to the NW.
Like clockwork the Broad- Wings picked up at 0830 standard time affording
splendid looks at the black and white buteos.  To sum it up, large
numbers of Kestrels and Coopers were the defining characteristics as
stated by Master Hawkwatcher Dick Benoit.  As a rule of thumb, if Dick
shows up at the tower, expect a good flight.  Until tomorrow may the
Great Spirit be with you,  Richard

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