October 30, 1999

Hi folks, sometimes hawk-watching is a bust or boom phenomena. Today was

a definite bust. No migrating hawks were seen, although there were a few

hunting kestrels and a harrier in the area just hanging around. Very few

migrants of any kind but the most interesting birds were a group of 7

magnificent frigatebirds (the magnificent seven?), a species absent from

the point for nearly a month now. No doubt they had been blown inland by

today's stiff south wind. We had some brief rain in mid-afternoon and

ever-changing clouds. This is only the second time we've been shut-out

this year, the other day was August 23. The count for yesterday is posted

below, thanks to Bob Gallaway for filling in.

October 30: no raptors

October 29:

10 Turkey Vulture

2 White-tailed Kite

13 Northern Harrier

5 Sharp-shinned Hawk

4 Cooper's Hawk

11 Broad-winged Hawk

1 Red-tailed Hawk

6 American Kestrel

2 Unid. accipiter

6 Unid. raptor

60 Total Hawks

Until tomorrow,

Kyle McCarty

Official counter

Smith Point Hawk Watch is made possible by donations from Exxon,

Hawkwatch International, Houston O.G., Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, and

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Computer donated by Texas Partners in Flight and Compaq. Thank you all.

--

If you need help or have a problem or question with the list,

contact <TEXBIRDS-request@LIST.AUDUBON.ORG>.