Greetings,

             Unofficial count to date:

             Northern Harriers- 7

             Mississippi Kites- 54

             Swallow-tailed Kites- 25

             White-tailed Kites- 2

             Cooper's Hawks- 3

             Red-shouldered Hawks- 1

             Red-tailed Hawks- 1

             Broad-winged Hawks- 222

             Swanson's Hawks- 12

             American Kestrels- 3

             Unidentified- 13

     The hawk watch is in full swing with both Wendy Beard and Zack Smith on

board.

Wendy is an enthusiastic watcher from Hawk Mountain in Pennsylvania and Zack

is from California, with experience as a lead counter from Vera Cruz, Mexico

where they experience millions of hawks each spring and fall. You will find

these counters interesting people.  However, to keep them fresh we would like

to relieve them two days a week so that one of them is there when the other

is relieved.  We are trying to have at least one competent volunteer to

assist the remaining watcher on Fridays through Mondays. I will cover

Saturdays but the other days are still open.  I am setting up a calendar for

the season, so will you please contact me and I will notify them when they

can expect relief. Thanks to Bill, Mary, Adele, John, Bruce, and Cecilia who

have helped to date.

     There is a temporary detour to the site, but yesterday I found if you

take exit 810, on Interstate 10, which is 563 south through Anahuac and

continue until you see the intersection with arrows pointing to Smith Point

at Double Bayou, it will detour you to the old route on 562.  From Anahuac

the Smith  Point Arrow at Double Bayou is about 6 miles.

     Well I hope you visit the tower as an observer or counter, but if the

wind is more than 7 mph and you are dressed cool with water, it can be a

pleasant time even when the sun of Texas.  The mosquitos to date have been 0.

                                           Hopefully,

                                           Dick Benoit