2022 Celebration of Flight

Join HawkWatch International on September 23-25, 2022, at the Celebration of Flight at the Corpus Christi HawkWatch.

This festival is a celebration of raptor migration of the Corpus Christi HawkWatch at Hazel Bazemore County Park. This is a family-friendly event with free activities in the park that coincide with peak Broad-winged Hawk migration in September. Thanks to our partners Swarovski Optik, Audubon Outdoor Club of Corpus Christi, and the many volunteers who make this festival possible.

Hawk migration is a true spectacle of the natural world and Corpus Christi HawkWatch has the largest and most diverse in the country. All events will be held at Hazel Bazemore County Park and are open to the public free of charge. Volunteers will be on hand to help identify hawks for visitors. 

Vendors, raptor merchandise, and food trucks will be present throughout the festival.

Schedule

Everyday: HawkWatching at the platform starting at 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (but sometimes later!)

Friday, September 23

• 11:00 AM: 36 Years and Counting, HawkWatch International's Migration Network Then and Now, Melissa Halvorsen (HawkWatch International)
• 2:30 PM: Live Raptor Program, Sky Kings Falconry

Saturday, September 24

• 7:00 AM: Guided Bird Walk
• 10:30 AM: Live Raptor Program, Sky Kings Falconry
• 11:30 AM: Raptors 101, Melissa Halvorsen (HawkWatch International)
• 1:30 PM: Raptor ID in Flight, Jessica Taylor (HawkWatch International)
• 3:30 PM Live Raptor Program, Sky Kings Falconry

Sunday, September 25

• 7:00 AM: Guided Bird Walk
• 10:30 AM: Live Raptor Program, Sky Kings Falconry
• 11:30 AM: Migration Informs Conservation: HWI's Kestrel Project, Jessica Taylor (HawkWatch International)
• 1:30 PM: Native American Blessing Ceremony

Event Descriptions

Raptor Education with HawkWatch International: Join HawkWatch International Education and Outreach Director Melissa Halvorsen as she talks about the history of migration at HawkWatch International and our large network of sites. Research Associate Jessica Taylor will be hosting a class on Raptor ID in flight and presenting her Master's research on American Kestrels.

Wildlife Revealed with Sky Kings Falconry: Sky Kings Falconry was founded by in 2009 in order to answer a growing public interest in raptors. Educator Victor Lawrence uses ancient techniques of falconry combined with modern methods to offer highly entertaining and educational programs.

Directions to Hazel Bazemore County Park

Take FM624 west from SH77 for about 1 mile. Take a right onto County Road 69 at the stop light (look for the park sign), which takes you to the park. Go in the park entrance, make a left as soon as you get across the speed bump, and follow the winding road to the crest of the hill (past the restrooms, a covered picnic pavilion and around the next bend).