[MDOsprey] Turkey Point Hawk Watch- Want to Count??

leslie fisher (gonbrdn@dol.net)
Tue, 03 Aug 1999 13:23:30 -0400 

VOLUNTEER COUNTERS NEEDED FOR HAWK WATCH

The Cecil Bird Club is searching for hawk watchers to come out and share in the
excitement of the 1999 Turkey Point Hawk Watch, which was established in 1994 by
Cecil founding president Gary Griffith and veteran hawk watcher Charles Gant. In
the past, hawk watchers have had breath taking looks of raptors in their often “
naked eye “ flight path across the point, while enjoying the beautiful scenery of
the peninsula. Already I am thinking of gusty fall days, with one Red-tail after
another soaring over the point, wings set against the buffeting wind. Who can
forget the excitement when someone yells “ PEREGRINE!!!”, the sense of awe when
the sky is filled with migrating raptors.  If hawk watching is your game, you
need to join us at Turkey Point this fall.  The season will begin on Sept. 1st,
through the 3rd week in November.

   Our best season to date has been 5,000 raptors with much less than full time
coverage, and we suspect that being strategically located on a peninsula, the
numbers could be much higher, perhaps even significant, with regular volunteer
coverage.  Therefore, we invite you to join us at the Turkey Point Hawk
Watch..... on a regular basis, for a few hours, for a day, once a week, come as
you can, whatever!!  We look forward to seeing you.  I encourage all who can
commit to a specific date(s) to contact me, Leslie Fisher, as I will be
co-ordinating volunteers.  A regular core of counters would be wonderful.  Call
410-658-2427 or e-mail gonbrdn@dol.net. It would be equally welcome for spur of
the moment visitors to report data, should they find no counter present.  Ron K.,
builder of the new sign will also be data compiler, and will submit to HMANA at
the end of the season.  Call Ron at 302-738-4345, or e-mail lrkmak@compuserv.com
with your data.

Marcia Whitmyre has made my job easier for me by having written complete
information on Turkey Point for our web site, WWW.UDEL.EDU/CECILBIRDS    . I`ve
taken license by using excerpts from the web page to give you some additional
information.( Thanks Marcia, see ya at the Hawk Watch.)

Turkey Point is located in Cecil County, in the northeast corner of Maryland.
The Point is a peninsula of land between the Elk and Northeast Rivers, at the
head of the Chesapeake Bay.  The peninsula is roughly triangular, with the point
facing south, and this shape funnels and concentrates migrating birds, which are
often reluctant to cross the water
To reach Turkey Point, take I-95 or Route 40 into Cecil County.  Exit at Rt. 272
south and enter the town of North East.  Continue straight through town and
remain on 272 south.  Continue past the main part of Elk Neck State Park (camping
area, day use areas and administrative offices) and past the community of
Chesapeake Isle.  Rt. 272 ends and the Turkey Point parking lot. Park here and
follow the trail 0.9 miles to the second meadow.

  Look for the sign and people staring into the sky!!  We hope to see you during
the 1999 Turkey Point hawk watching season.
Leslie Fisher
( My apologies for any multiple posts )