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.

Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk
Falconer Mr. Johnson's Red-tail

Wednesday, November 4, 2026

A Very Special Report

 November 3, 2026 - Tuesday

A unique Fall day ahead of rains coming our way pushed some new raptors through by the watch.  The first Golden Eagle of the Year, and Black Vultures on the move expands our count a bit! 

Here's the report-



Tuesday, November 3, 2026

It's November! And It's Beautiful

Bill is back from his travels.  And after having some rain, there were a few hawks on the move. November reports will depend on the weather. But we expect some beautiful days for a bit.  Will the Raptors seek a more southerly location? We will see.

Here is the report:


 

Thursday, October 29, 2026

A Short Pause After Being Almost Skunked

 October 28, 26

Bill is taking a few days to sell his beautiful goods and paintings. So today's post was the last until November.  Yikes.  It's on top of us -came too soon for me.  

Here's the report:



Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Closest Merlin and Vultures on the Move

Temps are still dropping a bit at night.  Fall colors are not a total loss.  Trees still holding their leaves  are beginning to show some color.  Almost Halloween! How so fast?  

Here's the report:


 

Sunday, October 25, 2026