Corpus Christi HawkWatch, TX
Daily 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. Weather Permitting
About the Site
Corpus Christi is called the “birdiest” city for a reason! Aside from the incredible diversity of waterfowl, shorebirds, and songbirds, Corpus Christi receives some of the highest numbers of migrating raptors in North America! HawkWatch International took over the count from volunteers in 1997, where we recorded more than 841,000 migrants, which immediately ranked this flight as the largest ever recorded in the United States and Canada! The next year, the count rose to an even higher total of 992,950 migrants and included 28 species, one of the most diverse assemblages ever recorded at a North American migration site! Then in 2004, the count exceeded 1 million migrants, which is the first time any site-specific count in North America outside of Mexico reached that milestone.
Long-term Raptor
Count Data
FAQ’s
Why are you counting raptors?
Corpus Christi HawkWatch sees significant numbers of migrating raptors each fall and a wide diversity of species not counted at other hawkwatches. Because raptors sit at the top of the food chain, they are more sensitive to environmental changes. This makes them excellent biological indicators of ecosystem health. Through migration counts at our network of sites, we’re able to keep a pulse on the health of raptor populations and our shared environment. In addition to conducting our own conservation work, we share our data with state and federal agencies to help guide their conservation efforts.
What will I see at the site?
Up to 30 raptor species have been documented, with annual counts ranging between 445,000 to more than 1,000,000 migrants each fall. The spectacular Broad-winged Hawk flight comprises 88–98% of the total count annually. Corpus Christi is one of the only HawkWatch in North America where you have a chance to see Swallow-tailed Kites, White-tailed Kites, Mississippi Kites, Zone-tailed Hawks, Short-tailed Hawks, White-tailed Hawks, and Harris’s Hawks.
How do I get to the site?
The Corpus Christi HawkWatch is located within Hazel Bazemore County Park, which sits at a horseshoe bend on the southern bank of the Nueces River about 17 miles west of Corpus Christi near the town of Calallen. To find 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. To go to the HawkWatch site, 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).
Where should I stay when I visit the site?
There is no camping in the Hazel Bazemore County Park, but there are plenty of lodging options in and around the Calallen and Corpus Christi areas. The Corpus Christi Best Western will offer a discounted stay if you ask for the HawkWatch discount on the phone.
Do I need to register before I visit?
We ask that ONLY organized groups of more than 6 individuals register before coming. You can request a timeslot here:Â https://form.jotform.com/HawkWatchInternational/schedule-your-migration-visit
The Site at a Glance
Our Partners
The Corpus Christi HawkWatch would not be possible without the support of our partners. Thank you for investing in long-term raptor research, education, and conservation.
Join our Community of Raptor Conservationists
Curious what the crew is up to? Have questions about the local weather or the recent flight? Join our community of raptor conservationists in the Friends of Corpus Christi Facebook Group!