As the originator of this thread, let me try to club it to death.

We have heard, over here on the Eastern Shore, about the storkoid tendencies
of new world vultures. Admittedly, some of us had to wait until one of you
Big City Birders crossed the bridge and read it out loud for us.

Note: I never claimed that I thought the were related to hawks or falcons.
As far as including them in a list of diurnal raptors, I think that has been
covered in detail in the previous posts.

However, George seems to take umbrage with my referring to the "Hawk
Watch"...

The event was named by the staff at the Eastern Neck National Wildlife
Refuge. To quote from their official website:

"Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge is one of over 500 National Wildlife
Refuges throughout the United States. The Refuge System is administered by
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a branch of the Department of the
Interior"

AND the Dept of the Interior is a Department of the United States
Government, which we all know is all wise and infallible.

Therefore I would suggest that each of you look deep into your heart before
you question whether or not we had us a hawk watch.

It may not be right, but it IS official.

Peter

Seriously though, come on over and we'll show you some birds.

-----Original Message-----
From: Maryland Birds & Birding [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of George M. Jett
Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2004 7:03 AM
To: 
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Eastern Neck Hawk Watch - Saturday October 23


Jerry

Vultures are still more related to storks then hawks or falcons in spit of
the tradition.  It is not just because they eat dead things.  Many hawks
will also when hungry.  The subject line is "Eastern Neck Hawk Watch".  They
ain't hawks.

Raptors is not a taxonomical term.  I think hawk watchers need something to
count while they are waiting for a hawk or falcon to fly by, and they are
easy to recognize.  (Where is Steve Huy when you need him?)

The past time of counting hawks and falcons also started long before the
scientist moved vultures.  I say put them all alphabetical until the
scientist can figure out the real order.

Regards

George
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gerald & Laura Tarbell" <>
To: <>
Sent: Monday, October 25, 2004 9:03 PM
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Eastern Neck Hawk Watch - Saturday October 23


> George said: Vultures are not raptors.
>
> However, they are being listed on every hawk count in the country,
> including
> both Hawk Mountain and Cape May.
>    Jerry
>