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 13, 2014

Wave after Wave of Red-tailed Hawks

As Bill Haley continues to man the hawk watch in this cold weather, he reports that the Red-tailed Hawks are coming through in consistently small groups.  On a humorous note, he found he saw them each time his pastor called. And has decided he would be delighted for his pastor to call more often if he so desired. LOL

The report for 11/11/14 is:

6 Sharp-shinned
1 Coopers
23 Red-tailed
1 Red -shouldered
2 Northern Harriers - 1 M, 1 F

Jimmy and I have been hard at work trying to get all my plants situated into a new hoop house, needing to complete shelving before that could be done.  Knowing this very cold front was approaching, I regretted that we couldn't spend at least one day with Bill.  I have braved the cold and winds up there one November, many years ago when I was much younger and it was extremely difficult, so I doubt I could withstand many hours. We used to discuss how we might get a source of warmth up there.  Cuddos to Bill for any time he is spending there now!!!

But if you are in a warm place, and have an hour or two, don't forget to

Keep Looking UP!!! 

You just might see your own little group of migrating raptors - Red-tails, Turkey Vultures, Accipiters, and Eagles. They are still on the move.

Oh BTW, I heard Sandhills yesterday.  Couldn't place the direction of their movement, but they should be moving south.

Thanks for checking in.
C

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