When The Hawks Aren't Flying

Sometimes, you just have a little time to spend on the watch.  It used to be quite a drive for some of us. It is up a mountain side after all. But even with Bill being closer than when he lived near town, there just aren't enough hours in the day.  So will the hours you choose be the same as the hawks choose? Not always, of course. So some days the data reflects that. And only that. And THAT is the nature of our data.  Any data is DATA.  Even when the numbers are ZERO.  The hours were spent seeing what was moving at that point in time. It's good data even when the count is 0. Like I always say- DATA IS DATA EVEN WHEN IT IS ZERO.

Here's the report:

Sharpies Keep Growing Their Numbers!

 Thurs. October 7, 2026.   I love seeing the SS hawks #s increasing  by leaps and bounds.  Not that they don't most years. But it's is obvious quite early this year to me. Maybe I never noticed so much. Shame on me.  

Here is the report for a great raptor day. We might get another in before the left overs from the Hurricane to our south bring us rain. Today and maybe some tomorrow before it gets to us. Remember: no watch time in the rain.

A Practical WARNING For Hawkwatchers Everywhere!!!

Tuesday, October 6, 2026

I am just going to let Bill's report speak to the very important warning we give to come prepared to watch hawks. I don't think I gave it enough messaging yet this year.  Regardless of your age or health, being prepared with food and especially hydration is a must for sitting in our hot sun on that hill. And then actually consume it.  Here's the story for Tuesday, and Bill's admonishment. Much love to our long time friend, Ruth Ann Henry and a hawk-watch enthusiast who comes every year, but succumbed to the heat. I have been there, myself. The sweat from my entire body just dried up and I felt it. Thankfully, Jimmy and either Bill or Harold (? not sure which) were aware that meant I was about to have a heat stroke. I was prepared, I just got too busy watching hawks and forgot my water.  But for all day, water may not be enough. Something with electrolytes became my go to after that.

Here's the Report:

After Some Rains - Early October

October 5, '26 - Monday. 

The long awaited rain, and a little reduction in heat starts a hope for continued variety in possibly a little easier time sitting out on the watch. Alas, it was back to blue skies as the clouds moved away. 

Welcome to the visitors!  Anupa Doraiswami and K.V. Pratap please come again. I hope you enjoyed your visit.  

Here's the report:

Clouds Rolled In and Bill Added His First Red-tailed Hawk

Fri 10 2 26 - Friday's clouds were exactly what you like to see, at least what we were seeing in the valley. Tall and billowing, make a great background for the high ones that stream through with purpose, or gather in thermals so small you can't see them with a naked eye. So glad for this day of Hawks he could actually see. 

Here's the report:

October Already, Needing Rain

Bill has continued to brave the Blue skies, with a slight repreave from the heat. Thursday opened a new month. And Bill's favorite time to hawk watch. He likes the variety of hawks species far better than the masses of BWs. Time to check each bird out. To watch it's behavoir, flight habit, wing positions, and learn it's silouette. He did much of that years ago. But each year we would all renew our license to judge by studying each bird as closely as the flight would allow. There is always room to learn.........Great to see Beth Barron up for a second trip. Hope she was able to see another species or two. Always welcome! Here's the report for the first day of October 26'.

Peregrin Falcon Makes an Appearance

The BW numbers will slow now. Large numbers moved South early this year according to many watchers. The Nor'Easter which went up the eastern coast pushed them a little west of us. Holly Taylor up in Putnam Co. TN around Clarkville reported a huge push of BWs, showing videos online of a pure river of BWs migrating by them a few days ago. I mentioned it looked like being in Corpus Christi. While Corpus Christi racked up 80.000 plus 2 days in a row. There are no shortages of BW hawks. They just have not made a huge showing over Soddy Mountain while Bill was able to be there. Thankfully, he's had a steady stream of help and visitors, and that is very motivating, and fun. And he's had enough hawks to help people get to see them. Even with some variety. Today's count is pretty much a good example. And just seeing the hawks, and getting to know them is often better than a thousand BWs. Here's the report: