Hello, everyone.

Now that we're past the solstice, geese are getting their flight feathers
back, and before you know it, the Hawk Watch season will be starting. I am
already receiving inquiries from volunteers, which is wonderful, and I want
to invite you all to help out this year. The more volunteers we have, the
better our coverage. It would be ideal to have at least two people there on
several days, so we can station someone at the hawk watch meadow and someone
at the Point, to compare sightings and help us confirm that we're watching
from the best spot (or not). This year, we'll watch from September 5 through
Thanksgiving weekend.

If you can commit to a regular day, that will be super, but even if you can
come out only once or twice all season, that will be very helpful. You DON'T
need to be an "expert"--most of us learned by doing--but if you are new to
birding, I suggest you come out with a more experienced person to get the
hang of it. Unlike some other hawk watches, you don't have to ID a
fast-moving silhouette a mile away. Raptors at Turkey Point almost always
fly close enough for you to ID them with field marks. Sometimes the
Broadwings are pretty high up, and Sharpies can also come through high, but
more often than not you'll be treated to an up-close and stunning view. I've
had a Merlin perch in the snag behind the picnic tables, and one year we had
a Short-eared Owl glide through. As the season progresses, we'll get
Northern Goshawks, Golden Eagles, even the occasional Mississippi Kite. Who
knows--maybe this year we'll see one of the wandering spoonbills!

Sean McCandless will start us off with his traditional Hawk Watch Kickoff at
Turkey Point on Saturday, September 5. This trip always has lots of
migrating warblers and other birds, so it's a great trip and lots of fun,
plus an easy half-day walk of about two miles round trip. Meet at the Turkey
Point Parking Lot at 7:00 a.m.  From I-95, take exit 100 south. Continue
south past Route 40 and through the town of North East, on Rt. 272, about 11
miles.  The road ends at the parking lot. 

To sign up for the Hawk Watch, or to get more information, please feel free
to e-mail me or call 410-398-2603. Please pass this request on to other
birders, too. Thanks!

Pat Valdata
Hawk Watch Coordinator
Cecil County Bird Club
Elkton, MD