R there still Sharpie (Hawks) in Texas - saw one tonight????

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Ken&Sheryle - TX
Posts: 649
Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2004 2:21 pm
Location: Helotes/Texas

Tonight I was watching the only two baby martins come home for the evening and fortunately they were inside their gourd. We saw a small 'sharpie' hawk fly through our backyard however I thought they were not in Texas @ this time of the year.

Are they migrating back to Texas?????

Thanks for ya'll help.

Have a Blessed Day!!!!
Martin's Rule!!!!!!!!!
Scully
Posts: 2009
Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2004 5:35 pm
Location: Texas/San Antonio

A Sharpie in July would be unusual.

If it was late dusk and you live in Northern San Antonio or Helotes close to the Hill Country one possible explanation would be a Chuck-Will's-Widow. These Whippoorwill relatives are about as big as a pigeon and can look rather hawk-like in flight through the trees. Theyt feed upon flying insects, mostly at dusk and dawn.

Mike Scully
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Sharp-shinned Hawks (Accipiter striatus) have been found to reside year round in New Mexico and in northern Arkansas, but as far as one residing in Texas during the month of August, I have yet to hear of a confirmed year round resident. Sharp-shinned will return to Texas starting in late December, early January. (about the time martins start showing back up)

I honestly think you may have seen a Coopers Hawk.
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