Soddy Mountain Hawk Watch

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.

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

6 Bald Eagles

Bill said in a phone conversation that the days had been quite nice lately, temps wise, fallish overall, and nice. I have been sick but trying to keep the reports up. This is so far Bill's second best TV year. If it keeps up, it has a chance to be his best. After the sad BW season, it's refreshing. But the stinky little beetles...eewwww. YUCK Here's Monday's report- 11 18 24:

Sunday, November 17, 2024

Sunday 11 17 24

After a few days off, Bill picks up a few hours following church. Here's the Sunday report:

Thursday, November 14, 2024

Sandhill Cranes and Pelicans on The Report

I love the days when Sandhills, Pelicans and other large migrating birds can be seen. So fun being where these can be seen from a Hawkwatch. Here is Wednesday's report:

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Tuesday 11 -12 -24

Fall has finally arrived. Some cool nights, leaves almost off many trees. Brisk winds continue into Wednesday when I am posting this. Let's see what the Report is for Tuesday, clue- Red-tails take the prize:

Monday, November 11, 2024

Monday 11 11 24, Veteran's Day and A Good Hawk Day

Still warm during the days in November. Hawks are being seen in various areas still making the shift south as slowly colder weather creeps into the states north of us. I even saw one watch counted 2 BW's this late. Wow. But the real numbers are all the way into Mexico and Panama, as well as Costa Rica. Migrating masses have passed into the southern climes now, and even the numbers down there are not in the hundreds of thousands anymore. Here's Bill's report:

Bill Noticed He Had the Largest Count For the Nation, Except Corpus Christi

Saturday's numbers were the highest count for the day, anywhere other than Corpus Christi, TX. That's quite an honor. Snow, cold, storms to our west, plus this front pushing in for Sunday, to bring our rains on Monday, had those birds centered on our watch! Great news! Something to get excited over, for sure. Nicole went up on Sunday and got a few more birds in before this front hit, so she helped us cross the 2000 bird marker for this season. Her 2,000th bird? Well, ck out her report!

Largest Single Day This Season

Until Saturday, the largest single day, this season, was 377 migrants. But Saturday's super turnout of Turkey Vultures made for an exciting day! Long time in coming for our watch this year, our new largest day is 512 Raptors in one day. I will post this report from Bill, and later get up a new report from Nicole for Sunday, which also brings great news. Our new Season Total at this point, is 1,999. What will our 2,000th bird be? Here's November 9, 24's report: