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

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Conditions Not So Good

Hawks may not be so inclined to move over the next two days.  It's entirely socked in here this morning at the house.  We expect rain to the west by days end.  If they move they may move along a N/S line.  Most open skies may be E of us.  But if they make their Westerly turn near our watch, we could see them slipping in to rest on the plateau to sit out the rains in the early afternoon. Not the best conditions...but it all depends on where the hawks are and  how dense the clouds.  Midday may allow for some viewing.  Probably a short day today. Tommorow, we are taking a break for the rain.

10:00 am update - Due to rain in the valley, where it continues to be entirely socked in, we have not left for the hill.  There appears to be such a small window for hawk flight it is discrectionary to wait. If conditions don't improve, we may not use the gas today for a couple of hours of viewing.  If you made your way there anyway.  Please let us know what you see, even if it is nothing.  All reports have value.

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