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

Monday, September 14, 2015

Jimmy's Update

http://soddymountainhawkwatch.blogspot.com/p/landmarks.html
                        
9/13/2015, Sunday afternoon
4 BW
1 BE (Bald Eagle)

70 to 72 Degrees, with N to NW winds varied, brisk at ground level, but not moving the clouds much.
Good scattered clouds, and a remarkably clear airspace to 100K.  First time ever we recorded it so far. 
12:30 to 5:15 pm

Clay Seneker (thanks so much), Jimmy and Cynthia Wilkerson

A tremendous thank you to those who are helping us this year, and often arrive earlier, or stay later!!!





_______________________________________________

Jimmy's TN-bird Report
- an update to the present, totals -

9/14/2015
Monday

Soddy Mtn Hawk Watch
near Soddy Daisy Tn., Hamilton co.

Soddy Mtn Hawk Watch has operated 4 days in Fall, September 2015.  We have
logged in 24.50 hours and seen the following species:
 27 Broad-winged Hawks
  2 Osprey
  2 Sharp-shinned Hawks
  2 Cooper's Hawks
  2 Bald Eagles  (1 Adult/1 Immature)
  1 Red-shouldered Hawk (Imma.)
  1 The MYSTERY HAWK, an unidentified buteo --see previous post


We are into our 23rd. year of hawk studies at Soddy Mountain.  Cynthia and I
hope to be able to meet the rigors of hawk watching for at least 2 more years.
It sure would be nice to have about 4 or 5 younger dedicated individuals to
carry on in future years.  Hawk studies have always been a part of The Tennessee
Ornithological Society since the 1950's!  Check out past "The Migrant" records.
Hawk watches do not have to be located at just Soddy Mtn.  You could start a watch
anywhere in the state.  When Broad-winged Hawks are migrating, they do so on a
very broad front.  I have counted hawks from the shade tree in my front yard while
sitting in my rocking chair sipping iced tea (waiting for a bedroom suite to be
delivered.)

This season Cynthia and I have opted to spend less days/hours on the hawk watch
hopefully reserving our strengths for later in the month when count totals are
likely to be higher.  If you plan to visit please call Jimmy at 423-305-2766 we
will be there to meet you if you just let us know!!!

As Cynthia always closes her blogspot: "KEEP LOOKING UP".


1. Blog - http://soddymountainhawkwatch.blogspot.com

2. New Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/Soddy-Mountain-Hawk-Watch-1608121316117914/timeline
 

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