Hawk Watch

In 1997, encouraged by local enthusiasts, Hawk Watch International (HWI) stepped in and initiated full-season, standardized counts at Hazel Bazemore County Park in Nueces County, which sits at a horseshoe, bend on the southern bank of the Nueces River, just off Farm-to-Market Road 624 and County Road 69. The 1997 count recorded more than 841,000 migrants, which immediately ranked this flight as the largest ever recorded in the United States and Canada! The next year, the count rose to an even higher total of 992,950 migrants and included 28 species, one of the most diverse assemblages ever recorded at a North American migration site! Broad-winged Hawks typically comprise greater than 95% of the total count, but counts of Mississippi Kites, Turkey Vultures, and Swainson's Hawks also typically total in the thousands.

The Corpus Christi Hawkwatch runs from August 15th through November 15th each year and is free to the public. Each fall, birding enthusiasts gather and look to the skies to watch thousands of hawks fly overhead. Over the three-month period, a crew of three people count and record the raptor migration from 8 am to 5 pm, seven days a week at Hazel Bazemore County Park. At the park, visitors will find an outstanding observation platform providing for a clear view of the sky spotted with thousands of raptors. The 77 acre park also offers picnic facilities, swimming, jogging, fishing, biking and a nature trail.

In addition to gathering important scientific data, the Corpus Christi Hawkwatch also provides excellent opportunities for the public to learn about the raptor migration and conservation through on-site informational and educational programs. The public is always welcome to take advantage of the programs available and of course, the great hawk watching at the site.