Hazel Bazemore Hawk Watch

Corpus Christi, Texas (Nueces County)

All reports are posted daily to the following newsgroups: 
BirdHawk, TexBirds, BirdChat, TexasBirdChat
   

So, just how do we count all those hawks!?
 

Swallow-tailed Kites = 2
Mississippi Kites = 921
Cooper's Hawks = 3
Broad-winged Hawks = 29
White-tailed Hawks = 1
Merlins = 1
Peregrine Falcons = 1
Unknown Buteos = 1
Total = 959

Nice clouds, declining humidity, and steady raptor movement make for an excellent day of hawkwatching. Diversity is on the upswing as well. Double digit species days (in regards to migrating Raptors) are quickly approaching. Very fun times on the hill.

So come and join us...

Hazel Rocks...

Dane

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Thanks, Dane!

Cheers,
Patty

September 02, 2008:

Broad-winged Hawk: 10
Mississippi Kite: 236
Swallow-tailed Kite: 1
American Kestrel Female: 1
Merlin: 1
Unknown Raptor: 1
Total: 250

We had a good look at a Harris Hawk and several other local birds. Great spotting by Lynn on a Mississippi Kettle! Hazel is starting to see more diversity every day as we head into September.

Thanks to our volunteers and guests! You all make the slow hours so much more enjoyable.

Leslie

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Thanks, Leslie!

Cheers,
Patty 

September 03, 2008:

Swallow-tailed Kites = 2
White-tailed Kites = 1
Mississippi Kites = 1435
Northern Harriers = 1
Sharp-shinned Hawks = 1
Cooper's Hawks = 1
Red-shouldered Hawks = 1
Broad-winged Hawks = 18
Swainson's Hawks = 1
American Kestrels = 4
Unknown Raptors =2
Total = 1467

Excellent diversity. Once again we had 5 Red-shouldered Hawks in the sky simultaneously. A migrating adult Red-shouldered Hawk was given the business by our 2 resident adults. We also have 2 local immie Red-shouldered Hawks, and they were watching and learning from a higher altitude. The vocalizations were quite intense. In fact, we had 2 Eastern Screech-Owls respond in kind to the calls of the Buteos. Very awesome!

Our 3rd White-tailed Kite of the Season. Yesssss!!! Great teamwork by Libby and Bob on this excellent Raptor.

Speaking of great teamwork, very strong efforts put forth by Leslie and James, as well as by Libby and Bob. The early skies were difficult, but we were able to find some birds anyway. And the Mississippi Kites just kept on coming...

Four American Kestrels. I am sure the dragonflies were quite happy when 3 of these fantastic falcons went on through. We had 1 female kestrel act like she might stick around. We have had a wintering female kestrel each of the 4 seasons I have done at Hazel. It looks like we will probably make it 5 in a row (at least we hope!).

Nice flights of Anhingas, American White Pelicans, Wood Storks, and Dickcissels. We also had several Baltimore Orioles and an adult male Indigo Bunting.

Perhaps it goes without saying, but I will say it anyway:

Hazel Rocks!

Dane

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Thanks, Dane! You can never say it enough, Hazel really does rock! Warblers and hummingbirds are starting to show up all over the area. What fun to wearily head home after a long day at work, only to see one of those perky little birds dart in front of one's path to catch a quick bug.

Cheers,
Patty 

September 04, 2008:

Mississippi Kite: 344
Cooper's Hawk: 1
Red-Shouldered Hawk: 1
Broad-winged Hawk: 50
Red-tailed Hawk: 1
Amer Kestrel: 6
Prairie Falcon: 1

Total: 404

Girls day on the hill. My most comfortable day with a cool north/northeast wind most of the day and temps nowhere near 100 like earlier in the week. Best visibility as well - we could see clearly to the horizon and there was none of that blue goo we've come to expect. Our morning began with two Cooper's, two Broad-wings, two Red-tails and a small Kite lift-off. Birds were steady all day and its awesome to start seeing Broadies mixed in with the Missie groups. We keep cheering on the Broadies but will certainly miss the kites too.

And no, I didn't forget our first Prairie - this one tried to sneak by while we were watchin' other stuff but Bob snatched it from the sky before it could get past.

We were surprised with a yummy lunch when Dane showed up and made grilled chicken tacos for us girls and some of our best volunteers. He just wants us to give him more days off! With that kind of service we might be tempted.

Libby

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Thanks, Libby! Hey, there's nothing wrong with a little creative bribery, especially if it involves copious amounts of chocolate (or free food; we're not picky, heh!)!

Cheers,
Patty  

September 5, 2008:

Osprey: 1
White-tailed Hawk: 1
Mississippi Kite: 25
Coopers Hawk: 2
Red-shouldered Hawk: 1
Broad-winged Hawk: 116
American Kestral Male: 1
Unknown Accipiter: 1

Total: 148

It was a beautiful day to HawkWatch today with plenty of cloud cover. Kites are slacking off and broadies are starting to come in in small streams. We had great local escort action by two adult Red-Shouldered hawk on a third adult and a juvie White-tailed Hawk on another juvie.

We had Great-crested Flycatcher and Wilsons Warbler at Hazel for the first time this year and have had a pair of very pink spoonbills on the pond. The Zone-tail also made one quick appearance.

Thanks for all the spotting by Karen, Bob, Jo, and Mike and to our visitors from Katy, Texas. Our locals gave everyone some great, low, looks.

Leslie

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Thanks, Leslie!

Cheers,
Patty 

September 6, 2008:

Turkey Vultures = 1
Ospreys = 7
Mississippi Kites = 17
Broad-winged Hawks = 41
Red-tailed Hawks = 2
Unknown Raptors = 2
Total = 70

A pleasant day with nice clouds - but not too many Raptors going through. Our best Osprey day so far, and we counted our first TV of the Season.

Other highlights included an excellent look at our local Zone-tailed Hawk, and a migrating Red-tailed Hawk (immie) that gave us a couple of point-blank looks. Awesome!

A point of interest that I have been meaning to mention; for the past few weeks we have had an immie Broad-winged Hawk acting very local. This Broad-winged has provided escort-service for numerous migrating Broad-winged Hawks. Adding to the intrigue is an adult Broad-winged Hawk that has been acting local for the past 10 days or so as well. These 2 Birds have been seen together several times, and appear to be quite friendly. During my first 4 Seasons at Hazel, I do not recall any Broad-winged Hawk hanging around for more than 3 to 5 days. We will see what happens.

Non-Raptor highlights included Groove-billed Ani, Great-crested Flycatcher, Wilson's Warbler, and Long-billed Thrasher. Also an awesome Roseate Spoonbill that wowed us as it circled around in a perfect viewing sky - a very pretty sight indeed.

Hazel Rocks...

Dane

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Thanks, Dane! Got some more photos from the hill from Lynn Guerra and his quick snapping camera! PHOTO 1 - PHOTO 2 - PHOTO 3 ... Thanks, Lynn!!

Cheers,
Patty

September 7, 2008:

White-tailed Kite: 1
Mississippi Kite: 22
Red-Shouldered Hawk: 1
Broad-winged Hawk: 72
Amer. Kestrel: 3
Peregrine Falcon: 2

Total: 101

Another comfortable day on the platform with cooling northeast breezes most of the day. Area storms south of us late in the day had raptors dodging east and west to avoid rain. The platform had nearly 45 seconds of rain - just a little rinse off.

We had three really low passes by the Zone-tailed today, escorts by the local Red-shouldereds, Peregrines and Broad-wings. The action is picking up at Hazel!

Libby

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Thanks, Libby! With Ike threatening to bear down on the northwestern Gulf, migration and life should get a little more interesting by this next weekend.

Cheers,
Patty  

September 8, 2008:

Broad-winged Hawk: 30
Osprey: 2
Mississippi Kite: 1
American Kestrel: 1

Total: 34

We had a minor lift of this morning with great looks at a dozen Broadies in the first hour. Migration slowed down from there, with a slight pick up right before a storm blew in at 2:00. We had Zone-tailed Hawk and Harris Hawk today as well as Olive Sparrow, Yellow-breasted Chat and a Willow/Alder Flycatcher. Thanks to everyone who came out!

Leslie

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Thanks, Leslie. Hurricane Ike is pressing on the western Gulf Coast and has us all in an uproar of preparation. Still early to know exactly where it's going, but Corpus Christi seems to be in many of the models' bullseyes since the weekend. Everyone in the potential path of this storm, be careful and be safe.

Cheers,
Patty

September 9, 2008: 

Broad-winged Hawks = 5

Total = 5

Our day was cut a little short due to storms. Local Zone-tailed Hawk observed. Local Broad-winged Hawk(s) seen several times.

Yellow-breasted Chat, Canada Warbler, and Baltimore Oriole observed.

Even on a slow day,

Hazel Rocks...

Dane

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Thanks, Dane. Evacuations have started around here. Hurricane Ike is about three days out.

Cheers,
Patty

September 10, 2008:

Broad-winged Hawk: 21
Red-tailed Hawk: 1
Red-Shouldered Hawk: 1
Mississippi Kite: 3
Northern Harrier: 1

Total: 27

Day cut a little short due to the need to prep for Hurricane Ike. But even in a hurricane....
.....Hazel Rocks.

Dane

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Thanks, Dane. Hazel rocks even more in inclement weather! We're all watching and waiting, and our hearts are with our upper coast neighbors as they now bear the apparent brunt of Ike's landfall. Everyone in and around ground zero; be safe ...

Cheers,
Patty

September 11, 2008 (We Will Never Forget):  

Broad-winged Hawk: 25
Red-tailed Hawk: 1
Mississippi Kite: 1

Total: 27

We were only able to watch for two and one-half hours today before the Park folks showed up and gave us five minutes to leave. So we went home and finished prep for the hurricane except for the time I spent stomping my feet cuz we were missing birds.

Libby

September 12, 2008:

Broad-winged Hawk: 1237
Red-Shouldered Hawk: 1
White-tailed Hawk: 1
Harris' Hawk: 1
Mississippi Kite: 133
Swallow-tailed Kite: 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk: 1
Cooper's Hawk: 1
Amer. Kestrel: 2
Northern Harrier: 1

Total: 1379

Your counters invaded the new home of Clay, Debbie and Gracie Taylor today in order to get a count of raptors from the same sky as Hazel. As you can see, a bang-up day for Broadies - awesome to see our first respectable sized kettles. A kettle of 355 was the largest for the day. Kites were coming through alone and mixed with broadie groups. The Swallow-tail was with a group of 19 Missies, the Harris' streamed by in a group of Missies and Broadies, and the (immie) White-tail and (adult) Red-shoulder received escorts from the locals. Oh!, and the Sharpie stooped on the Coopers during their pass-through. An incredible day with 6 or 7 low passes by the Zone-tail (Jo Creglow finally broke the jinx and got to see it).

In the future, we may have to bribe the county folks into closing the park a little more often as the Taylors took really good care of us for the day - grilled burgers, homemade brownies, chairs in the shade on arrival, Swarovski optics to try out, etc. etc.

Taylor Home Rocks!

Libby

September 13, 2008:

Broad-winged Hawk: 143
Swainsons Hawk: 9
Mississippi Kite: 19
Osprey: 2
Northern Harrier: 1 (brown)
White-tailed Hawk: 1 (juv)

Total: 175

It was a HOT HOT HOT day of hawkwatching at the alternative site at the Taylor residence. Thanks to Clay, Debie and Grace for sharing their driveway, sprinkler and home.

We had Broadies lift of this morning, but they had trouble getting up and going as a west wind kept pushing them towards the water. Two hours later the first batch of birds finally cleared. We had a slow, but steady stream of birds for the rest of the day, including the biggest day for Swainsons Hawk so far.

Thanks to those who stuck out the hot day with us. We're still waiting for Hazel to open back up.

Leslie

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What a great crew we have! Toughing out those rough conditions, forced to eat homemade burgers, brownies (gotta get in that chocolate ration, ya know!) ... yeah, it's a tough job, but our gang is up to the challenge! Ya outdid yourselves, kiddos, all of y'all! Hugs and thanks to the Taylor family!

Cheers,
Patty  

September 14, 2008:

Broad-winged Hawks = 188
Swainson's Hawks = 7
Mississippi Kites = 10
Cooper's Hawks = 1
Peregrine Falcons = 1
Northern Harriers = 1
Unknown Raptors = 1
Total = 209

The Peregrine was quite feisty - this Falcon dove on a Wood Stork!

Raptor movement was pretty steady until the front moved in.

We did an overall Bird species count, and tallied 37 species(Hawkwatch was shortened to 5.5 Hours due to storms).

Very nice Dickcissel movement - we counted over 400 for the day.

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were very active, taking full advantage of the feeders the Taylors have placed in their yard.

Speaking of the Taylor family, we want to thank Gracie, Debbie, UCON Jack(is it UCON or Yukon?), and Clay for their hospitality to the Hawkwatchers and Friends. We had some very nice days counting Raptors, and enjoying their beautiful home and yard. You'all are awesome!

The Taylor Home rocks!

Dane

P.S. We assume Hazel will be opened today(09/15/08). Will keep you posted.

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Thanks crew and Taylors! Lots of hummers are in. The annual HummerBird Festival in Rockport sadly had to be cancelled due to Hurricane Ike and the then-likelihood of bug-out. But the birds came on in and are feasting at every feeder they can find, even at our humble home. The yardie kittens are quite bemused by the strange little noisy flying things that they instinctively already know are out of their reach.

Cheers,
Patty  

September 15, 2008:

Broad-winged Hawk: 2,013
Red-tailed Hawk: 1
Swainsons Hawk: 3
Red-shouldered Hawk: 3
Unknown Buteo: 1
Mississippi Kite: 158
Sharp-shinned Hawk: 5
Coopers Hawk: 12
Unknown Accipiter: 2
American Kestrel Male: 2
American Kestrel Female: 4
American Kestrel Unknown: 36
Osprey: 13
Northern Harrier: 11
Zone-tailed Hawk: 2
Crested Caracara: 1
White-tailed Hawk: 1
Unknown Raptor: 6
Harris Hawk: 1
Merlin: 3

Total: 2,278

Wow! Hazel delivered a spectacular day of Hawkwatching! The weather was cloudy, with a north wind that sent birds gliding past the platform for an exciting, fast paced day. For the second time this season we had two Zone-tailed Hawks over the platform at the same time. One used the strong winds to rise and fall without flapping, cleaning his talons, or eating something on the fly, we couldn't tell, but it was spectacular to see. We counted a third Zone-tail moving through later for three Zone-tails in one day! A juvenile Red-tailed Hawk also amused us by picking up and dropping a stick repeatedly on the golf course. Dane thought the Red-tail was eating something from the stick, but we're still a bit baffled by this behavior. Finally, we had a Broadie set down in the park. We were even able to get a couple in the scope after they dove into the trees for the night. The numbers above tell the rest of the story.

Thanks to everyone who came out to spot. The birds came from every direction and whizzed right on by. Every pair of eyes was a great, and much appreciated, help.

Leslie

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John Economidy points out Hawk Ridge now has their first major broadwing flight pass through. Give or take five days or so ... they should be here! Get ready; we're about to leap into the peak passage period, right up to our necks!! Be prepared for set downs and lift offs. If we get reports early enough, we'll post and let you know, but just be aware, we're now "in the zone" for those extras.

Also, John E, you were right, my friend. My eyes hiccuped on the Sept. 5th count for the cumulative and I plugged the white-tailed hawk seen that day into the white-tailed kite slot. This only applied to the season-totals-to-date section; the daily report is correct. The seasonal cumulative count below has been adjusted with today's report. Sorry about that, all!

I must not be eating enough chocolate today ...

Cheers,
Patty  

September 16, 2008 (Diez y Seis):

Okay, gang, we had a couple small problems with the real reports for Sept. 16th and 17th, so I couldn't update until today. We're good to go now, so here's the actual 16th numbers. I'll re-post the report for the 17th that erroneously got sent for the wrong day yesterday, and we'll finish up with the report for 18th.

09/16/08

Broad-winged Hawk: 8561
Swainson's Hawk: 3
Red-Shouldered: 2
White-tailed Hawk: 1
Harris' Hawk: 1
Unid. Buteo: 2
Mississippi Kite: 159
Swallow-tailed Kite: 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk: 7
Cooper's Hawk: 32
Unid. Accipiter: 3
Amer. Kestrel: 75
Peregrine Falcon: 1
Merlin: 1
Osprey: 7
Northern Harrier: 13
Unknown Raptors: 26

Total: 8896

Can you say diversity? Fourteen species of migrating raptors yesterday. Wow!

Can you say perfect weather? Quite cool temps and mostly North winds. Yes!

Can you say awesome guests and volunteers? Thanks to one and all!

Can you say visiting Hawkwatchers? A warm Corpus Christi welcome to our displaced Friends from the Smith Point Hawkwatch. Kevin George and Bob Baez will be spending some time at our Hawkwatch until their situation is sorted out in Chambers County. We wish all folks affected by Ike, a speedy recovery.

So, if it sounds like the perfect time to visit Hazel - it is. Nice weather, nice skies, lot of eyes on the skies. Come and see us, because:

Hazel Rocks...

Dane

Sorry Patty - I left out 26 Unknown Raptors. Thanks ...

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Can you say awesome hawkwatch crew? Yes! Six cheers and twelve rounds of REAL chocolate (not that Hershey veg-oiled cut-rate stuff they're pawning off these days) to all of our valiant crew. Thanks, guys! You all do yeoman's work and we love ya love ya love ya all for it!!

Bear with me for this report; since we had to re-calc some totals, I'm not including season-to-date tallies for this day. I'll pick up that tally again with the report for the 17th, coming up shortly.

Cheers,
Patty

September 17, 2008:

The following report was erroneously reported as the 16th's report. It's not, it's the report for Sept. 17th. I'm re-running it, to put the right date on it, and also report the correct season-to-date by species tallies recap at the end.

09/17/08

Broad-winged Hawk: 17,641
Red-tailed Hawk: 2
Swainsons Hawk: 11
White-tailed Hawk: 1
Unknown Buteo: 4
Coopers Hawk: 28
Sharp-Shinned Hawk: 13
Unknown Accipiter: 2
Mississippi Kite: 101
Swallow-tailed Kite: 2
Northern Harrier: 6
American Kestrel: 52
Peregrine Falcon: 8
Merlin: 2
Unknown Falcon: 1
Osprey: 8
Bald Eagle: 2
Unknown Raptor: 6

Total: 17,890

Biggest day yet for Broad-wings, over 11,000 from 5:00-6:00! Great flying conditions for the third day in the row with a nice variety of birds throughout they day. Can't thank our volunteers and visitors from Smith Point enough for all the spotting

Leslie

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Thanks, Leslie! Reports are coming in for major flights at our other watershed US watches ... they're a'coming, and by the weekend, we should be righteously covered in big kettles, all through next week! Whoo-hoo! Head for the hills, gang, we're heading into the peak passage period!

Cheers,
Patty 

September 18, 2008: 

Broad-winged Hawks = 12,626
Red-tailed Hawks = 1
Swainson's Hawks = 4
Turkey Vultures = 1
Mississippi Kites = 62
Swallow-tailed Kites = 1
Sharp-shinned Hawks = 21
Cooper's Hawks = 7
American Kestrels = 20
Peregrine Falcons = 1
Merlins = 1
Ospreys = 2
Northern Harriers = 10
White-tailed Hawks = 2
Unknown Raptors = 6
Total = 12,765

Obviously another awesome day. Mostly North winds and cooler temps (for us anyway). We also have excellent coverage - lots of eyes to the skies.

A huge thanks to the Kilgore family for housing our visiting Hawkwatchers (Bob Baez and Kevin George). Thank you Carol!!!

Hazel Rocks...

Dane

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Thanks, Dane! We are so thrilled to have Smith Point folks on hand, but so, so sorry their own site was so devastated by Hurricane Ike. Not the conditions we'd wanted to get you guys to visit, but thanks for helping out, and huge hugs to Carol for taking such good care of them.

The cooler weather and post-hurricane front brought so much sky traffic! Mexican snout butterflies continue to rain down like leaves all over the area as they head south. All kinds of butterflies are coming through and the hummingbirds continue to pack into feeders three and four deep as they fuel up in their southward trek. You'll see it all at the hawkwatch site; we have diversity four ways from Sunday and all our feathered, furred and other visitors are coming together as migration steps up to the next level. Don't miss a minute of it!

Cheers,
Patty

September 19, 2008:

Broad-winged Hawk: 5085
Red-tailed Hawk: 2
Swainson's Hawk: 7
Red-shouldered Hawk: 1
Unid Buteo: 3
Mississippi Kite: 24
Sharp-shinned Hawk: 9
Cooper's Hawk: 5
Unid Accipiter: 2
American Kestrel: 10
Peregrine Falcon: 2
Merlin: 1
Northern Harrier: 2
Bald Eagle: 1
Unid Raptor: 9

Total: 5163

They made us wait 'til the end of the day today. At three minutes to five we had seen about 450 Broadies for the day - then 4500 blasted in by six. A couple thousand spent the night in the Polliwog Pond area so we expect a small though distant east lift-off in the morning. Come see us!

Libby

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Thanks, Libby.

The daily reports don't come to me in time to let you all know of possible liftoffs or set downs ahead of time, but as we're entering into the peak passage period, let me remind everyone of a good rule of thumb: anticipate every morning could have a liftoff and every evening could have a set down, at least for the next seven days. So, if you're in our area, and aren't sure, come on out anyway and you might be surprised with a larger event than expected! We've all seen that before, heaven knows; certain numbers set down the night before, and then a whole bunch more show up just before dark when the hill's been cleared and no one knows, or others that came in out of sight farther north, east or west decide to sort themselves out and come to within the park's range overnight. And wow, the next morning, where did all those hawks come from at lift off!? <grin!> Besides, the counters always enjoy your company and frankly, can really use the help in tracking all of those individual flights and kettles that start out small and build into a bigger flight during lift offs. Likewise, at the end of the day, sometimes the last-minute "oh-no-the-thermals-are-dying!" flights come in from a few different directions at once. Not always in big numbers (sometimes in big numbers!), but it's so helpful to have as many eyes in the skies as possible to help the counters keep track of them. So, word up: be ready to count them, and they shall come!

The cool weather has been an absolute blessing this week. It's getting a little warmer each day now, but nothing like the temps we're used to for this time of September. Temps are still in the 80's, creeping to the low 90's they say, but still heavenly comfortable!

Cheers,
Patty  

September 20, 2008:

Broad-winged Hawk: 23052
Red-tailed Hawk Immature: 2
Swainsons Hawk: 11
Turkey Vulture: 3
Mississippi Kite: 14
Sharp-shinned Hawk: 9
Coopers Hawk: 22
Unknown Accipiter: 1
Male Kestrel: 1
Unknown Kestrel: 17
Immature Peregrine Falcon: 1
Unknown Peregrine Falcon: 5
Osprey: 4
Northern Harrier Brown: 1
Merlin: 2
Crested Caracara: 1
White-tailed Hawk: 1
Unknown Raptor: 2

Total: 23149

Our first day over 20000 birds! Raptors came in steadily throughout the day. Glad our visitors from San Antonio and Rockport could share in this big day. Thanks for joining and thanks for all the spotting help. Dane also had a Calliope Hummingbird in the park. See you soon!

Leslie

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We're in the zone now!

Leslie also sent some more data on those eagles from the other two days (Sept. 17th and 19th) in terms of age; all three were logged in as non-adults. Thanks, Leslie!!

Cheers,
Patty

September 21, 2008:

Broad-winged Hawk: 19255
Dark morph Broad-winged Hawk: 1
Swainsons Hawk: 9
Intermediate morph Swainsons Hawk: 1
Red-shouldered Hawk: 1
Unknown Buteo: 2
Turkey Vulture: 3
Mississippi Kite: 23
Sharp-shinned Hawk: 5
Coopers Hawk: 8
Unknown Accipiter: 3
American Kestrel Unknown: 16
Female American Kestrel: 3
Adult Peregrine: 3
Unknown Peregrine: 4
Osprey: 4
Adult Female Northern Harrier: 1
Brown Northern Harrier: 2
Prairie Falcon: 1
Unknown Raptor: 5

Total: 19350

Bob Creglow picked out the dark morph Broadie from a kettle of 3,000+ and the intermediate morph Swainson. Birds came through steadily, though not as many as yesterday. Thanks to all our spotters!

Hazel Rocks

Leslie

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Thanks, Leslie! Good to see the dark morphs are now winging in, too. That means their Saskatchewan population is on the move, and if the weather cooperates, we should see a decent accounting of them overhead, along with the regular plumaged broadies. This week is when it REALLY starts to get fun!

Cheers,
Patty

September 22, 2008: 

Broad-winged Hawk: 4460
Red-tailed Hawk: 2
Swainsons Hawk: 10
Unknown Buteo: 2
Turkey Vulture: 1
Mississippi Kite: 25
Sharp-shinned Hawk: 25
Coopers Hawk: 23
Unknown Accipiter: 1
American Kestrel: 8
Peregrine Falcon: 9
Merlin: 1
Osprey: 1
Northern Harrier: 2

Total: 4570

The morning started with the single Merlin of the day passing right in front of the platform at eye level. A bit later a Coopers Hawk buzzed the platform looking for breakfast and went down in the trees past the bird feeder on the mesquite. The platform excitement continued into mid-morning when we witnessed a two on one Peregrine dog fight to the northeast. We also had great looks at a group of American White Pelican, around 250 birds. Finally, we watched the local Coop chase a White-winged Dove around the pond unsuccessfully and then continue hunting around the park. As you can see, though our numbers were relatively low today, there was plenty to keep all entertained. The skies have been perfect for Hawkwatching with plenty of cloud cover, so come out and join us!

Hazel Rocks!

Leslie

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Thanks, Leslie! Weather is coming in Tuesday from a low pressure system off the south Texas coast near Brownsville (not a hurricane!). Weather systems back up hawks, so once this clears off around Wednesday, we're expecting clearer skies and nice flights while the hawks catch back up to their migration schedule. The upcoming Celebration of Flight (Thursday through Sunday) is slated to have great weather, and you know what that means! It means come on out to the hill!

Cheers,
Patty

September 23, 2008:

Broad-winged Hawk: 3980
Unknown Buteo: 1
Mississippi Kite: 4
Swallow-tailed Kite: 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk: 6
Unknown Accipiter: 3
American Kestrel: 2
Peregrine Falcon: 6
Merlin: 2
Osprey: 3
Northern Harrier: 3
Unknown Raptor: 1

Total: 4013

Rain shut the big groups of Broad-wings down at Hazel for the day. With the help of Mary and Pat from Jersey we were able to count a few distant kettles to the west. There were also plenty of passerines that popped out of the brush around the platform in between showers: Wilsons Warbler, Northern Parula, Blue-winged Warbler, American Redstart and Olive Sparrow. Around noon the out of towners that just came in to Corpus Christi this week got the pleasant surprise of two Swallow-tailed Kites passing low over the platform. Finally, we had a Merlin swoop right in front of the platform with a recently caught, and still flapping, Barn Swallow. We watched to Merlin fly across the park and the swallow eventually disappeared from the Merlin's talons. Maybe the swallow flapped his or her way free. We hope for clear skies and more birds tomorrow.

Hazel Rocks!

Leslie

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Thanks, Leslie! Weather continues in the area but should clear by Wednesday and the weekend is promised by our local weather folks to be "the best one in ages!".

Cheers,
Patty 

September 24, 2008:

Broad-winged Hawk: 25689
Swainsons Hawk: 11
Unknown Buteo: 1
Turkey Vulture: 2
Mississippi Kite: 43
Sharp-shinned Hawk: 16
Coopers Hawk: 17
Unknown Accipiter: 2
American Kestrel: 9
Peregrine Falcon: 5
Merlin: 4
Osprey: 6
Northern Harrier: 1
Gyrfalcon: 1

Total: 25807

An excellent day, with the obvious highlight being a spectacular Gyrfalcon (spectacular Gyrfalcon -that is redundant). I am fairly certain there will be plenty of future dialogue concerning this Bird, but let me add this - awesome, incredibly awesome!

And oh yes;

Hazel Rocks...

Dane

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Thanks, Dane! And that reported gyr brings us to 23 species for the season so far. Now, hang on! I can already hear the screaming! Yes, the likelihood of a gyr winging over our watch is very, very remote. They just do not migrate this far south. BUT, as we know, ranges are fluid, always adjusting and changing, and some individual birds will just do what they want or weather leads them to do, regardless of the dynamics of the species or populations. So, we're not going to immediately dismiss out of hand any "there's no way!" sightings, because each sighting that brings up queries deserves to be reviewed.

As soon as I received the report this morning (9/25), I immediately called my Master Falconer close friend, Dr. Robert Benson, to find out if any gyrs or gyr crosses might've slipped their jesses in or around our area, or even further north. He said no, no missing bird reports have been sent out this year. Last year, there was a report of a gyr-peregrine cross that slipped its jesses, but that bird was so young and inexperienced, it was only seen once shortly after escape, then never again, despite a web of spotters and falconers canvassing throughout the area to try and locate and re-capture it and is presumed dead. Even if it had miraculously survived and learned to hunt on its own, it would've been in second year molt right now, and its plumage was much lighter, more true to a typical gyr plumage, unlike the much darker and streakier plumage of the bird sighted over the watch. Benson also noted that this is the period of heavy molt, so it's unlikely any falconry birds are flying down here right now anyway.

I did chuckle to myself as I realized I had to add the gyr to our watch's taxo list. A gyr would be a truly remarkable spot for this far south. As noted, the sighting is still being evaluated and raptor experts have been consulted, but until we have a final ruling on it from the raptor gurus, we'll go ahead and list the bird as a reported gyr for now.

Clay Taylor of Swarovski, bless his heart, was on site at the time of the sighting, and he got photos! Initial thumbs of the photos have been posted along with his excellent field report below to the Texas Hawk Watches web site. Full res shots will be posted when they arrive. In the meantime, here's Clay's report on the sighting:

Indeed!! Thanks to Clay, Dane and the rest of the crew for a real heads-up on this one, and double thanks to Clay for getting those photos!! Regardless of what the final determination is, it made for a terrifically exciting day!

UPDATE: Brian Wheeler and John Economidy have examined the images and both comment the field marks indicate this is a peregrine, not a gyr. John Econimidy notes:

Brian Wheeler (Wheeler's Raptors of Western North America) reviewed the photos as well, and says:

Thanks so much, John and Brian!!

An interesting and very educational experience for us all! Let's all learn from it, and carry the knowledge forward. 

Okay, now, go see for yourselves ... the photos are up.

Cheers,
Patty: 

September 25, 2008: 

Broad-winged Hawk: 86353
Swainson's Hawk: 11
Red-shouldered Hawk: 1
Turkey Vulture: 23
Mississippi Kite: 15
Sharp-shinned Hawk: 25
Coopers Hawk: 33
Unknown Accipiter: 1
American Kestrel: 9
Peregrine Falcon: 5
Merlin: 2
Osprey: 3
Harris Hawk: 1
Unknown Raptor: 4

Total: 86486

Great way to kick of the celebration of flight! Here's the breakdown for the big hours of Broad-wings: 4074 from 0900-1000; 17609 from 1100-1200; 5126 from 1300-1400; 14959 from 1400-1500; 30482 from 1500-1600 and 9305 from 1600-1700. Maybe we can break 100000 tomorrow!

Thanks to our guests and volunteers for their spotting and other support.

Hazel Rocks!

Leslie

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Thanks, Leslie! Yay, the report is in same day, and thanks to the time breakouts (way to go, crew!) maybe we'll get a shot at a decent liftoff Friday morning! So get yourselves to Hazel if you're in the area bright and early tomorrow morning!!

Cheers,
Patty  

September 26, 2008:

Broad-winged Hawk: 43291
Red-tailed Hawk: 2
Swainson's Hawk: 18
Red-shouldered Hawk: 2
Harris' Hawk: 1
White-tailed Hawk: 1
Unid. Buteo: 2
Turkey Vulture: 42
Mississippi Kite: 19
Sharp-shinned Hawk: 63
Cooper's Hawk: 38
Unid. Accipiter: 5
American Kestrel: 47
Peregrine Falcon: 6
Merlin: 1
Unid Falcon: 2
Osprey: 12
Northern harrier: 5
Unid Raptor: 2

Total: 43559

Finally a reappearance of the local Zone-tailed Hawk - he really wowed the crowd. Five dark morph chocolate drops (dark-morph broadwinged hawks).

Awesome work by the crew and volunteers. Lots of visitors from afar - come see us.

Libby & Dane

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Thanks, Libby and Dane! No time for color - we're heading for the hill and an early morning liftoff! Everything's chasing everything and the weather is GREAT! Come on out, we've got spots on the hill for everyone!

Cheers,
Patty  

September 27, 2008:

Broad-winged Hawk: 63538
Red-tailed Hawk: 1
Swainsons Hawk: 27
Red-shouldered Hawk: 2
Unknown Buteo: 2
Turkey Vulture: 31
Mississippi Kite: 20
Swallow-tailed Kite: 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk: 73
Coopers Hawk: 58
Unknown Accipiter: 5
American Kestrel: 45
Peregrine Falcon: 8
Merlin: 4
Osprey: 10
Northern Harrier: 4
Crested Caracara: 1
Harris Hawk: 2
White-tailed Hawk: 2
Unknown Kite: 1
Bald Eagle: 1
Unknown Raptor: 5

Total: 63841

The Bald Eagle was an adult caught as it flew past the radio tower. We had three dark morph broadies. Two from 1000-1100 and one from 0900-1000. 29008 birds from 1100-1200 was the big kettle hour for the day. 17751 from 0900-1000 was the runner up.

Leslie

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Leslie, thanks a million! The Celebration of Flight continues and despite hurricanes, higher gas prices and airline crankiness, folks turned out in great numbers! The hawks and hawk watchers fought hazy blue skies in the afternoon after the morning's clouds faded away. A Cooper's hawk provided a brief moment of excitement when it dive-bombed a nearby feeder, sending doves and green jays scattering. Except for one bemused green jay that remained on the feeder after the blitz, displaying an almost-human body language of "what the heck was that?!" Sunday is the last day of the Celebration, with our traditional Native American blessing starting at 11:00am. Watch continues on regular schedule through November 15th, of course.

We're keeping the chocolate nice and cold, and let me tell ya, if you've been seeing the hourly breakouts of those major flight periods, then know that the chocolate has been working just fine, thank you very much! Each time we've passed out rations, kettles just break out all over the place. It's now a race for toleration; how much can we eat to keep them coming? <laugh!> Come out and help us find out!

Cheers,
Patty

September 28, 2008:

Broad-winged Hawk: 28311
Red-tailed Hawk: 2
Swainsons Hawk: 22
Unknown Buteo: 5
Turkey Vulture: 26
Black Vulture: 5
Mississippi Kite: 23
Sharp-shinned Hawk: 113
Coopers hawk: 54
Unknown Accipiter: 16
American Kestrel: 52
Peregrine Falcon: 5
Merlin: 4
Unknown Falcon: 1
Osprey: 9
Northern Harrier: 4
Prairie Falcon: 1
Crested Caracara: 1
White-tailed Hawk: 1
White-tailed Kite: 1
Unknown Raptor: 8

Total: 28664

There were 3663 broadies from 0900-1000 with one dark morph, one dark morph from 1300-1400 with a kettle of 382, and two dark morphs during the biggest hour from 1600-1700 with 13971 broadies. Dane and Kevin spotted the adult White-tailed Kite while counting lift off birds in the west at the top of the hill. We didn't get the 100000 broadie day we were hoping for, but we had a steady flow of accipiters and falcons coming through during the entire watch and some really beautiful kettles.

Leslie

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Good job, Leslie and crew; the breakouts of time and flights is so helpful!

Sometimes, things become so expected, so anticipated, so much a regular part of events, it can be very easy to take them for granted. Eight years ago, the Corpus Christi Hawk Watch established a very special relationship with a group of local Native Americans from what is now known as the Gulf Coast Indian Confederation. Bill and I are charter members of the group; a goodly portion of native blood flows through our veins as well as that of the other heritages our ancestors provided. Early discussions with members one evening about the hawk watch led to further discussions of how we could integrate the two groups of folks who honor birds of prey - natives and hawk watchers. The result of the meetings of the cultures produced the first ever Native American blessing ceremony for a hawk watch, conducted on the Corpus Christi Hawkwatch site on October 1st, 2000. Today, that relationship with the GCIC has become one of the hallmarks of our watch, and admittedly the most asked about and anticipated event of our Celebration of Flight festival during the peak passage period of migration. This morning, elders and family members from the Confederation turned out en masse in regalia to dance and sing and drum in the ninth annual blessing ceremony of the watch and participants. The magic of the event and spirituality of the blessing could be felt long after the last reverberation of the drums faded into the air. Larry Running Turtle conducted the blessing and also held a special pipe ceremony for us; and as always happens each year the blessing is given, right on schedule, hawks appeared literally overhead, almost as if they were drawn in by the sounds of the heartbeats of mother earth, the native drums. The cry of "hawks!" went up, and in his invocation, as observers began looking up and pointing, Running Turtle stopped his prayer and with a big smile said, "Oh, you don't have to tell me; I know ... the hawks are overhead!" Everyone nodded and grinned, and Running Turtle smiled and nodded, then continued the prayers and blessings for the hawks, the watch and everyone involved in the study and love of raptors. A truly sacred event that brings us together in commonality from so many different interests.

And while we're talking about special things, another sweet moment occurred this afternoon that brought us all back to our roots of birding and hawkwatching. Some folks from the Austin, Texas camera club the Shutterbugs found their way to the hill and just happened to be on site when a group of several thousands of broadwinged hawks soared overhead, happily low enough that they were easily observable with the naked eyes. This is a story of serendipity at its best ... the group was in Rockport for a photographic field trip. Now, mind you, these are photographers, not birders. They visited some galleries and businesses as well as the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. In the course of conversations with local folks and refuge staff, the members were told about the fall migration and the wonderful hawk migration that was going on at Hazel Bazemore County Park. Directions soon ensued, and several members decided to make the trek to the watch to see for themselves. They found us, we chatted with them and discovered this was their first visit to the site and first exposure to hawk watching, so Steve from Seguin and others immediately took off binoculars and offered them to the ladies and their first round of hawkwatching was underway! Others pitched in to help spot hawks, and then, here came their first big eyeball-visible kettle! What a sight it was! After a day of peering through binos and scopes, watching the broadies sailing by at heights and distances that sometimes made it a real chore to follow them, as if it were a special order, this group dropped down against the puffy white clouds in plain sight, and kettled around long enough to give everyone excellent views, and wrap our two newest hawkwatchers into the magic of the experience! At the end of the flight, as the last hawk winged its way southward over the platform, one lady reluctantly pulled her borrowed binos down and threw her arms around Steve in a spontaneous expression of joy and wonder, and with tears in her eyes, said this was one of the most wonderful and wondrous things she had ever seen in her life! We know exactly what she means. We've all been there, in that magic first moment when the hawks are overhead in one unbelievable flight and we're trying so hard to wrap our minds around what we're seeing, and then it comes clear ... and the joy, and wonder, and magic of the experience picks us up and carries us with the hawks as they soar out of sight. We all thrilled to their excitement, and our entire group of crew, volunteers and visitors all cheered and clapped along with them as two new hawkwatchers were born. Maybe next fall, the Shutterbugs will decide to make Hazel Bazemore County Park a stop for a fall field trip!

Mary and Pat from Pennsylvania helped spot in most of those groups today, as all of the other days they've been on the hill. Tony stayed home this year (we miss ya, Tony!); you only get this one season off, Tony; we'll expect you back on the hill with them next season! Peter from Arizona was spinning the clickers and Gil, a new hawkwatcher, put his eyes to work with the crew this week, too! Kevin and Bob from the Smith Point watch were really baptized in fire; they both say they've never seen so many hawks at one time (and we haven't even had a six-figure day yet). After one twenty minute stream, Kevin finally dropped his binos and shook his head, muttering "I just don't believe this!" Oh yeah, we know what you mean! It's a pretty amazing experience, even when you're right in the middle of those ten and twenty minute flights, praying the blood will stay in your arms long enough to finish the count, putting that crash course in learning to count in higher increments to the test. Kevin and Bob are such a wonderful asset to the regular crew, especially during this peak period, I'm not so sure we're going to let them go back to Smith Point next season once the site is cleared from Hurricane Ike's devastation and reopened.

Well, that's enough for now. More adventure and excitement awaits on the hill for the next shift, and it's time to get ready to go to the hill! (And, don't forget the chocolate!)

Cheers,
Patty 

September 29, 2008: 

Broad-winged Hawk: 4628
Swainson's Hawk: 20
Red-Shouldered Hawk: 2
Harris' Hawk: 1
Unid. Buteo: 1
Turkey Vulture: 14
Black Vulture: 1
Mississippi Kite: 5
Sharp-shinned Hawk: 38
Cooper's Hawk: 25
Unid. Accipiter: 5
American Kestrel: 24
Peregrine Falcon: 1
Osprey: 1
Norther Harrier: 1
Bald Eagle: 1
Unid. Raptor: 7

Total: 4775

An ozone action day made for difficult spotting today but allows us a little extra time to visit with all our friends. The first (and only) four digit kettle came in right down the middle shortly after 11:00 as has been their habit the last few days - whoopee for us! This was about 1850 broadies with an even dozen dark morphs mixed in. It was followed by about 500 more "stragglers" with another five dark so we finished with 17 chocolate drops today. (and I'm pretty sure I only ate 11 pieces of chocolate).

The bald eagle was between 10:00 and 11:00 and was a scope bird spotted by Dane circling the eastern ridge for a bit and then sailing out of sight.

**A note for the record books**: The 9-25 "gyrfalcon" sighting will be changed on our data sheets to an "Unidentified large falcon". We bow to the experts in this regard. We thank all of you for viewing the photos and using your considerable ID skills learned over the years on our bird. Mostly, we thank Clay Taylor for being a "Johnny-on-the-spot" photographer so everyone had something to review. Now we've got great memories AND photos!

Libby

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The reported gyr sighting has proven to be a marvelously educational and positive exercise for all of us, made especially so by Clay Taylor's terrific photos. I add our thanks as well to everyone who took time to sound in on this. The best lesson to come out of it is the reminder to never take anything for granted, and always be looking. One never knows what might decide to cross a plane of sight, and we can only hope someone will be around to see it!

Welcome to the folks from Minnesota who dropped by the hill today after reading Joel Simon's article on the hawkwatch in Birder's World. Glad it brought you to the hill!

Cheers,
Patty 

September 30, 2008:

Broad-winged Hawk: 5087 (10 dark)
Swainson's Hawk: 16
White-tailed Hawk: 2
Unid. Buteo: 2
Turkey Vulture: 73
Mississippi Kite: 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk: 54
Cooper's Hawk: 21
Unid. Accipiter: 6
American Kestrel: 42
Peregrine Falcon: 3
Merlin: 5
Osprey: 2
Northern Harrier: 1
Bald Eagle: 1
Unid. Raptor: 6

Total: 5322

Our second hazy blue day with not a cloud in sight - not even an itty bitty falling apart whispy thing. We were able to see about a 1250 broadie liftoff and the 1100-1200 hour brought us another 650 broadies with three dark morphs mixed in. The bald eagle was in the same hour - an adult that was actually lost in the "goo" far west over the gravel pit. You know the skies are a hawkwatcher's nightmare when the eagles are disappearing on you. We had some slow hours midday and they started picking up again around 1600. From then through 1800 brought us 3100 more broadies including 7 chocolate drops.

Come see us when you can and please please please bring us a cloud!

Thanks!

Libby

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Thanks, Libby!! Those hazy skies are supposed to clear out to drier and cooler skies with the passing of a little itsy bitsy teeny weeny "front" -- the weather guys are barely even calling it that. Winds Wednesday should be NE in the morning and possibly shifting to more southerly in the afternoon, which could produce more clouds. Or not. You know Texas weather! We'll just have to get out underneath it and see what develops!

Cheers,
Patty   

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