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Subject:

2007 Hawk Watch

From:

Patricia Valdata

Reply-To:

Patricia Valdata

Date:

Sat, 21 Jul 2007 13:41:08 -0400

With Labor Day only a few weeks away, it's time for me to ask for volunteers
for the 2007 Turkey Point Hawk Watch.

For those of you who are new to the area, Turkey Point is at the tip 
of Elk Neck
at the head of the Chesapeake Bay. It's easy to find at the end of MD 272,
about 9 miles south of the charming town of North East (Exit 100 on I-95).
The Hawk Watch site is an easy, 3-4 mile hike from the parking lot,
along a very birdy trail that is full of migrants every fall. We don't get
the sheer numbers seen at Cape May or Hawk Mountain, but we get
close-up views that you rarely see at those sites. We also see Golden Eagles
several times a season, and we've had a couple of uncommon visitors, like
Mississippi Kite and Short-eared Owl.

We observe every morning from 8 or 9 until noon or 1 p.m. This year I am
hoping for volunteers for an afternoon shift, especially during the peak
Broadwing time (mid-September) and during the first three weeks of
October. Our data are reported to the Hawk Migration Association
of North America (HMANA) using a form that's on their web site.
There's a porta-potty near the lighthouse, but you'll need to carry in
snacks or lunch and beverage.

I'll be scheduling the observers, and while it is great to have people who can
volunteer for a day of the week all season, I am happy to schedule people
on a more occasional basis. You do not have to an expert birder to do 
this count--
we are delighted to have beginners helping out! It's a great way to 
learn how to
distinguish these beautiful birds as they fly overhead. if you are 
new to hawk watching,
I'll make sure there's an experienced observer there with you.

Please let me know via email when you'd like to help out. If you know 
someone who
might like to help who does not have email access, please pass this 
message along.
They can reach me by calling 410-398-2603. Thanks very much!

--Pat

Pat Valdata, Elkton, MD | 
"I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by."
--Douglas Adams