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

Thursday, November 30, 2023

As Bill Said, He might make it up a few times more

Bill decided it was just too nice not to spend a little time on the watch as he gets a chance. Cold weather approaching might send some birds south. I know Nashville Radar shows large flocks moving through their area. Here's what Bill saw on Wednesday the 29th. NOvember 29,'23

Saturday, November 18, 2023

CONSIDERING ENDING THE SEASON, FEW BIRDS MOVING THESE DAYS

Thursday November 16, 2023 --In Texas they report one of the greatest years they have ever had. Seems just enough snow fell into the western flyway to push tons of migrants through early. They closed their watch this week, however. The warmth up north and all across the east has not pushed late raptors across our watch such that Bill can see them. Lot's of time spent, but disappointing results in comparison to the past. Here's his report:

Monday, November 13, 2023

Sunday Brings A New Wave

Power shut off my computer, and it took a bit to get it back up, and then get the program I use to post reports back up. But We are proud to give you Sunday's Report:

Saturday, November 11, 23

We add 32 raptors today from Saturday's report: