Soddy Mountain Hawk Watch: A Wonderful Watch Celebration!

SITE DESCRIPTION

SITE DESCRIPTION:
"The Soddy Mountain hawk lookout is located in southeast Tennessee on the eastern face of Walden's Ridge (the Cumberland Escarpment) in Hamilton County, a short distance north of the town of Soddy-Daisy, TN. It lies at the eastern terminus of Jones Gap Road atop a bluff overloooking Hwy. 111 and the beautiful Tennessee River Valley to the east. The hawk lookout location is state-owned land, and there are currently no restroom or eating facilities nearby. Hawk watchers are advised to bring their own folding lawn chair, sunscreen, a hat, and drinking water, as well as binoculars and a field guide. Caution should be used at all times, especially if children are present, as there is no fence to prevent a fall off the nearby 75 foot bluff. The hawk lookout proper is level ground." *

No Shelter is available, and parking is on a level below the lookout grounds. The climb to the watch site is up a steep bank about 8' high. Other helpful tools might include an umbrella or spotting scope, although on a good day, you might not find time to use either.*

Courtesy of William G. (Bill) Haley, compiler and author of the brochure, Soddy Mountain Hawk Lookout, produced for TOS.

Saturday, September 16, 2017

A Wonderful Watch Celebration!

Falconer Johnson, Brought his first year adult Red-tailed Hawk

The Nature Nuts kicked off the day with an appreciation Cake for Mr. Bill Haley, and Falconer, Mr. Johnson and his Red-tailed Hawk entertained listeners young and old. Some of the children then investigated the watch site with all of it's bugs and butterflies, spiders and flowers, and amazing views, and took pictures of everything.
Later, at 2, Happinest Rehab arrived with Alix Parks and Sherry Teas, to release 5 rehabbed hawks into the wild. Their sponsors for the day, Pandora Motorcycles came up riding on bikes and many of our families came as well. Almost all of the hawk team was there, including our newest veteran from SC, and it seemed like a big family reunions. Until the guys have time to put together the numbers for the last few days and get them to me, pictures will just have to do. Enjoy!

Large claws and Pinkish under-tail...Immature changing to Adults
have this lightness in their tails, which
you can see in flight

Upper wing in great contrast to very light under-wing, and all over dark upper body Compared to Very light all over under body and legs. Dark upper tail is red, and underneath it almost looks light coral.

A single Immature Tail Feather Remains

Belly-band, these feather bands, can be high or low or anywhere in between on the chest or belly.
Also note the white patches on the forewing. In the air they show up like headlights.