Double Day Reports - 28th & 29th

Friday, Oct. 28, 2016

I had an evening program tonight, so I flexed some time this morning and went up to the lookout. I was there from 10:15 to 12:30, so added another 2.25 hours. The wind was very light, E 1-3 eventually changing to NE 2-5. It was mostly clear with clouds forming and within minutes dissolving. Barometric pressure was high, 30.32. It was the murkiest day of the fall, terrible visibility of only 5K. 

I counted one migrant Red-tail and saw 3 of the local (uncountable) Red-tails. 

A little later I spotted what at first I thought was another Red-tail over the brow. Only thing was, it flapped it's wings a few times as it soared. I immediately thought Red - shouldered. Sure enough as it got closer I could make out an orange tinge to the breast. As I watched it a Sharp-shin appeared and dove on it. Then there was another Sharpie there, and it wanted to join the fun. The two small hawks took turns diving at the Red shoulder.  It is highly unlikely I would ever have seen either of them if they hadn't decided to have some sport with the larger bird. They persuaded it to head south a little quicker than it originally wanted to, and they all went at the same time. I was able to see the "windows" near the wingtips of the adult Red shoulder. 

That was it. Total:

Sharp-shin 2

Red - shoulder 1

Red-tail 1

I should be up there tomorrow around 9:00, and will hope for a little more wind. Temperature is supposed to be near record mid - 80's, so it is looking like shorts weather. Crazy at the end of October!

Reporting: Bill Haley

_______________________________________

 

Saturday, Oct.  29, 2016

Arrived at 9:00 and stayed until 4:00. It is almost unbelievable how warm it is at the end of October! I was prepared for Broad-wing season - shorts, t-shirt, wide-brimmed hat, sunblock and plenty of water to drink. Glad I came prepared!

When I checked the weather at 3 pm it was 83F,  so I think we broke the record. Tomorrow will be the same.

It seems a lot of hawks are wondering why they need to come south yet,  as it is still unseasonably warm north of us too. Thank goodness a few have "gotten the memo" and are moving past the lookout.

Barometric pressure started high at 30.30 and ended at 30.16. It was blue sky all day, and while visibility wasn't as

bad as yesterday there was still a hazy layer that helped some distant birds to the north blink out and disappear from view. I never found most of them again.

Hawkwatching involves making a series of  conclusions. When I spotted a soaring distant speck I at first jumped to the conclusion it was lighter colored than a vulture, so must be a hawk, maybe a Red-tail gaining altitude. Then it flapped a few times and I jumped to the conclusion it was possibly a Red-shouldered. As it headed in my direction I was getting a head-on view and I was still thinking Red - shoulder. I was expecting to see windows in the wings, but then as it drew near and I finally got a different angle I noticed the tail was quite long.  Hmmmm - it might be time to jump to a different conclusion. As it passed the lookout, I finally got a great look - it was a large female Cooper's Hawk! I'm happy I followed it all the way from a speck to a solid identification. I always tell my hawkwatchers not to be afraid to make a call, and then don't be afraid to change it as you watch the hawk and receive new data. This is why we follow some hawks we are not sure of as long as we can.

Totals, 10/29/16:

Sharp-shin - 7

Cooper's - 1

Red-tail - 5

Also seen: 216 American Robins (largest flock 57), Cedar Wax wings 34, Monarch butterfly 4, a Wandering Glider dragonfly patrolled the lookout near me all day.

Reporting: Bill Haley

 

________________________________

 

 

Thank You Bill for the hours you have dedicated to this season.  We are getting  a great picture of the Whole Season.

 

Our season totals will reflect much better numbers for Sharpies and Coopers this  year.

 

November can yield some good numbers for Vultures and Red-tails.

 

Let me remind you of the TV filming on November 7.  Hope some of you can come by.

 

And where ever you are:

 

KEEP LOOKING UP!!!

 

Jimmy and Cynthia Wilkerson

 

ADDING To OUR TOTALS a little at a time

Red-tailed hawks kite, hang steady in the wind, with their wings drawn in to capture the lift. Generally, it's a hunt mode, and is seen in local birds not ready to move on.

A birding friend sent an e-mail  for a couple hours spent on the watch today:

 Ok to post this excerpt...  "

Oct. 26: Since I was up in Soddy-Daisy today I decided to go by the hawk lookout. When I got there at 11:45 the wind was blowing really hard, maybe 10-15 miles per hour, from the south. There weren’t many clouds and my car thermometer said it was 71 degrees. I wasn’t sure I’d see anything, but wanted to give it a try. I saw a couple of Red-tails, but they were probably local birds. They were kiting on the strong winds and didn’t seem to be going anywhere. I did see a couple of hawks, one Cooper’s Hawk and one Red-tailed Hawk that went south, so figured they could be migrants. I left at 12:45.

 

I read Bill Haley’s account about the Osprey he saw last Sunday and thought of it when I spotted a large bird coming over the ridge. I could tell it had a white head, but as it flew into the strong headwind it was holding its wings very similar to an Osprey. For a minute that is what I thought it was, but it turned out to be an adult Bald Eagle. It soared out over the valley and I watched it for several minutes, till it finally headed back north...."

 

That adds -

Today's totals:

1 Cooper's hawk

1 Red-tailed hawk

____________________]

Total Raptors - 2

 

Thanks...every hour counts.

 

 As we near the November hours, our traditional chart has us expecting to see fewer Bald Eagles until middle of the month. Almost no Osprey. The last of the Sharpies, but Coopers may remain steady, although few in number. This is the onset of Red-shouldered Season. And numbers of Red-tails should pick up a lot! Might spot a Golden, so be diligent. Kestrels will be gone soon. And no Peregrines are expected.  But birds have wings and they  will fly.

This week, my brother was visiting from Raleigh, and as we talked on the deck, a hawk screamed over our heads.  My sister-in-law commented..."It's a "Screamie" exactly as my brother said, "I guess you brought "Screamie" with you.

 They then explained that they had a hawk that had hung around their area at home, and did a lot of that same screaming.  The same sound they use wrongly on TV and film for a Bald Eagle.  It is actually a Red-tailed Hawk.  Since we saw first one, then two and finally 3 Red-tails in the air, really moving on as they circled in large open soaring sweeps,  we initially thought the sound was from one of them.  But as the screams continued, I became aware that the drama we were watching unfold is one we frequently see on the Hill.

  A local Red-tail was in the tallest tree west of our house.  It was calling a territory scream to make sure the migrating hawks would continue on.  Before it was over, we also saw a couple of TV's and our local RT flew out to escort them from his airspace.  Problem was, Kim was describing a dark bird that screamed at her house all summer and fall, but was certain the call was the same.  Once I realized she really wasn't referring to Red-shouldered hawks by mistake, I was delighted that she had either a western RT or a dark phase of some sort hanging around her house.   Hoping my Brother gets a picture one day.

People want to know how it is, that we can count Red-tails, since everyone sees them all winter.  The answer is that locals generally move south, and new Northern birds come in to rule the roost.  Some of the change of control, will yield a good bit of "screaming" to establish authority for new birds.  It may also be what encourages the locals to move south.  Now is when we expect to see this happening in spades. Bill Haley wished me to make sure you also know that the locals make contact with travelers, and some will make a pairing connection.  I guess it depends on which is moving through, males or females..LOL..But that's another story.

I for one am looking forward to adding more RTs to the totals.

Keep an eye out for hawks in your yard.  All of the Raptors moving through in greater numbers this time of year, will also do a bit of early morning or late afternoon hunting before settling in.  You may not have to have binoculars this time of year to -

KEEP LOOKING UP!!!

C & J

These Are the Days

I am posting Bill's remaining scheduled days, with a reminder that Nov. 7th is a scheduled filming day.
Monday, Nov. 7 (arrive around 9:00)

Bill has to switch days with a co worker...Saturday is out.

Sun., Nov. 13 (arrive after 12:45)

Thurs., Nov. 17 (arrive around 9:00)

Fri., Nov. 18 (arrive around 9:00)

Sun., Nov. 20 (arrive after 12:45)

Fri, Nov. 25 (no guarantees when I’ll arrive – massive dose of tryptophan the previous day. LOL!)

Just an FYI...

C

Bill messaged me with a few changes to his calendar:


Cynthia;

I really appreciate you posting the dates I'll be on the lookout, but I need to make some revisions - more for the good than bad.

First the good news: I will be able to cover the lookout this coming weekend, Oct. 29-30. Please keep in mind that Sunday coverage begins after church, around 12:30-12:45. On Saturday I'll arrive at 9:00.

My plans have changed a bit on Sunday, Nov. 20. I will be going to our church's charge conference that afternoon, but just maybe I can squeeze in a couple of hours of hawk watching between church and the afternoon meeting. No guarantees.

Bill Haley

Keep us updated. Thanks!

The new calendar looks like this:

Sat. Oct 29 (Arrive around 9 am)
Sun. Oct 30 (Arrive 12:30-12:45)
Monday, Nov. 7 (arrive around 9:00)

Sun., Nov. 13 (arrive after 12:45)

Thurs., Nov. 17 (arrive around 9:00)

Fri., Nov. 18 (arrive around 9:00)

Sun., Nov. 20 (unsure???)

Fri, Nov. 25 (no guarantees when I’ll arrive – massive dose of tryptophan the previous day. LOL!)

Quality Over Quantitiy

Gulf Fritillary tucked away in the grasses and wildflowers, worn and old

Oct. 23, 2016: Quality over quantity

After the last couple of cold, very windy days on the lookout, it was nice to spend a very pleasant, warmer, and much less windy day  up there this afternoon.

 

I got there at 12:30. Sky was clear, wind from the southeast 1-5, temperature 62 F, visibility 70K,  and barometer of 30.30 and falling. it warmed as the afternoon progressed, ending up at 76F at 5:00. The last pressure reading was 30.19, and the last hour the wind was north 1-5. It was nice shirt sleeve weather. I was on the lookout until 5:30.

It was a day that didn't produce big numbers, but it was still very memorable. Following are the top three sightings, in chronological order:

1). A Merlin at 1:41 came over the north ridge and circled to gain altitude. At first I thought it was a Sharp-shin, but noticed pretty quickly the sharply pointed wings. It came south in a big hurry, passing close enough to display the very dark plumage this small falcon is known for. Any day you see a Merlin is a good day!

2). Next came one of my most surprising and exciting hawk sightings. When I'm on the lookout alone I do a lot of scanning of the sky. I don't want to miss any birds. Luckily for me I was taking a break from scanning when I saw a bird fly in UNDER the lowest black phone cable in front of me. It was rapidly heading my way. I thought "Can that be a hawk?", and I realized it was a Sharpie and it was flying just over the dirt road coming from the pole.  When it reached the mown portion of the lookout it dropped even lower, passing by me below my eye level, and I was SITTING DOWN!

 

He (it must have been a male - I was surprised how small it was) zipped right through the exact spot where Jimmy and Cynthia sat during Broad-winged Hawk season! If they had been there today they would have literally been eyeball-to-eyeball with a Sharpie. In all my time as a hawkwatcher I've never had one pass right down the middle of the lookout at 2 foot altitude only 12 feet away!!! I am glad I didn't have my binoculars up - I didn't need them. Wow! That'll be a story I tell a few times.

3). At 4:27, I looked up the valley to the right of the brow and spotted a large bird gliding south with set wings. It had the shallow M configuration that shouts Osprey, even at very great distances. Now it has been three weeks since we last saw an Osprey, so I went through my mental rolodex and remembered that I'd occasionally seen an eagle holding its wings that way - enough to fool you into thinking it was an Osprey. About that time the bird disappeared behind the brow. I thought it might pop back up, but it didn't do so immediately, so I surmised, "We'll it was probably an eagle flying toward the Rock Creek gorge roost north of us." A minute later I took another look and there it came over the brow, and it still had that M shape! It WAS a late season Osprey, and it was in a full glide the whole time I watched it sail past me down the valley. I had some wonderful looks. It put me in mind of 3 very late afternoon Ospreys I saw at Hawk Mountain, PA  last year. 

Today definitely featured QUALITY over quantity. You just never know what you might see on the lookout.

Totals: Oct. 23, 2016

Osprey - 1

Sharp-shin - 3

Red - shouldered - 1

Red-tailed - 4

Merlin - 1

_________________________

Total hawks - 10

Also: Heard Red-breasted Nuthatches a couple of times. Saw 3 migrant Monarchs.

Reporting: Bill Haley

 

__________________________

 

So sad that our TV crew members were Sick...What great stories they would have had!!!

 

And as always, like with the Osprey, it certainly pays to:

 

KEEP, I SAID KEEEEEEP, LOOKING UP!!!!!

 

Eyes to the sky folks.  It's not too late.

 

Jimmy and Cynthia Wilkerson

 

 

Sandblasted!

 

Oct. 22, 2016 report:

(Saturday)

There was some major erosion going on at the Soddy Mountain hawk lookout today. A strong northwest wind of 10-20 MPH this afternoon, with some gusts even stronger, sandblasted me pretty well at times. It blew harder today than yesterday, sending sheets of fine sand skittering along the ground and around my feet. Typically winds from a western direction are not conducive to good hawk flights at Soddy Mountain, as they seem to blow the hawks off the ridge. We tend to do better with winds that deflect off the eastern face of the ridge.

You've gotta play the hand you are dealt. I arrived at 9 am. Wind was calm at that early hour, but it picked up within the hour. It was clear with temperature of 49,  barometer of 30.14 and excellent visibility of 65K. 

Saw a Sharpie fairly soon after I got there, and it looked promising, but it dove down to the north ridge. Darn! Not countable. Was this a bad omen?

Got a Sharpie at 9:40. Wouldn't get another until 12:20. Picked up a couple more in the 2:00 hour. The hawk watching was much slower than I would have liked.

By far the best sighting of the day for me came at 10:45. Two Red-breasted Nuthatches flew into one of the small pines at the edge of the bluff, less than 15 feet away. I got my best look ever, with both cute little nuthatches right together and filling my binocular view!

 

Two adult Bald Eagles went south at 11:37. Also noteworthy was another kettle of 26 migrant Turkey Vultures  at 1:07.

It was a day with a lot of empty clear blue sky. I did get a few clouds, up to 15% at 10 AM, but they went away fairly quickly. I decided to leave at 3:00 to go home and plant a couple of blueberry bushes and get some yard work done. I'll be up there around 12:30 tomorrow,  hoping for more hawks.

 

Today's totals:

Turkey Vulture - 31

Bald Eagle - 2

Sharp-shin - 4

Red-tail - 1

__________________

Total Raptors: 36

Reporting: Bill Haley

___________________________________

 

 

Thanks Bill for the report! And for continuing into late October putting in the hours, while you

 

KEEP LOOKING UP!!!!

 

Jimmy and Cynthia Wilkerson

Reports from 2 Days of the Front Passing Through

 Before the reports from our watchers,  I want to add in a little info on how to  ID Bald Eagles when you can't see that beautiful white on the head and tail.  Not so likely unless it's an immature bird, because those flashes of white from a full adult can be seen from a great distance many times.

 But, sometimes we need to know by silhouette  only.  Our first picture shows the reason why I call them the flying board.  They fly for miles in good lift, with wings stretched out flat, scarcely moving them, except to bank.  Never a flap. They take the most advantage of the wind that is possible, and use the least effort possible.  That wingspan can approach 8'.  And it actually can look like an airplane approaching on first glance.  Check out more on Eagles after The Thursday and Friday reports.>>>>

Jim Rowell has been faithful to cover for the mornings, and Bill Haley went up immediately just before noon today, to get good coverage even though the front was passing through.  If only there had been more rain and the cloud cover had opened sooner, as predicted.  Love the hours they are racking up. Thank you so much Jim.


Here's what happened Thursday and Friday while it was cloudy: Bill's email -

"Oct. 20, 2016:

Jim Rowell covered the lookout from 9:30-4:30, hoping to get some birds trying to move before the front arrived. Not much weather info, but temps reached 89 degrees. It looked like he would have a good day for about 1 1/2 hours, but the accipiter flight ended abruptly. I offered to file his report

Here is Jim's report:

Sharp-shinned Hawk: (1) 11:08, (1) 11:13, (1) 11:22, (1) 11:44, (1) 12:11, (1) 12; 14

Cooper's Hawk: (1) 11:08

Northern Harrier: (1) 1:57 - adult male "gray ghost"

Totals: 6 SS, 1 CH, 1 NH"

_____________________________________
 

Check out how far that head extends beyond the wings on this bird and compare to the Raptor below.
 

 Bill also reports -

"Oct. 21, 2016:

I arrived at 11:45. Jim Rowell had been there since 9:15. 100% clouds all morning with NW winds of 10-15 MPH,  with stronger gusts. 

 The only thing he had seen of interest was a "murder" of 56 American Crows just south of the lookout - the largest group we've seen so far. He'd seen no migrating hawks when I got there. 

Weather at 11:45 was 95% clouds, wind still strong from NNW 10-20,  temperature 58 F, barometric 30.06, visibility 45K. 

I spotted the first hawk, a Sharpie, at 12:00. We didn't see another until 1:06. It was very cool and windy and the clearing the weathermen predicted as the cold front moved through just wasn't happening. Clouds stayed 85%-95% most of the afternoon.Our best sighting was a Blue - headed Vireo,  which we heard singing just south of the lookout. It cooperated by flying up into a bare treetop, giving us great looks.

 

Jim decided to call it a day at 4 pm.  I decided to stay till 4:15, since I got there at 11:45 and wanted to get in at least 4.5 hours. Adding Jims time we had 7 hours total effort for the day.

Despite the fact the clouds had dwindled to 50%, I didn't expect anything else. Jim hadn't been gone one minute when I spotted two sharpies in a cloud. As I watched them a third Sharpie joined them. They glided south at 4:03. I didn't see anything else.

I'll be up there tomorrow morning. It will be COLD! If you come, please be prepared - coat or heavy  hoodie,  hat, scarf, gloves, lip balm, sunblock. You can always take off extra layers if you get warm. If you get too cold, you can't put on things you don't bring!!! A good idea is to bring more to keep yourself warm than you think you'll need.

If you don't,  there is no whining in hawk watching. 

Today's totals:

Sharp - shinned Hawk - 5

Am. Crow - 56

Blue headed Vireo - 1
 

Reporting - Bill Haley"

__________________________________________________________

 

Saturday and Sunday are event days, so come prepared to weather them!  Bill gives good advice this report on how to dress. What an opportunity is open to anyone who loves hawks this weekend. 

 

Can you guess what this Raptor is? It too can be a flying board...perfectly flat wings.

Not a Vulture, although the fingers on the wings, make you think of a Black Vulture.

 

Not as long narrow looking as the Bald Eagle. And that tail isn't all white?  There is a wide white band followed by a wide dark band...

If you look carefully, you can see the head is shiney, not white. 

 

But if it flies like an eagle...it probably is. This is an immature Golden Eagle. Not seen from the hawk watch, but from Sequatchie Valley.  But a great example of the wings like a board stance of Eagles.  The picture may not show the color well, but that head is golden.  It is reflecting the light so well it shines as if white.  It is therefore necessary to check out our Eagles carefully.  Note the smaller head, relative to the very wide wings. That of a Bald Eagle appears massive in comparison.  The head can be your first clue, when identifying the Golden.  Once I saw a Golden that was so shiny gold, that as it banked in the sun, it even looked golden underneath.  But it definitely is Dark brown to blackish.   This same effect is often seen on Crows and other black birds quite often.The head and shoulders actually have golden colored feathers, more so as an adult.

 

Compare this silhouette to the Bald Eagle at the top of the page, and you notice right away the difference in the shape of the wings. There  is an airplane prop shape to the Bald that just isn't present on the Golden.  But when they pull those wings in like the center photo, the head can be a better clue to the ID.

 

Eagles will be seen in our area all winter.  In fact, a number of pairs will build nests and raise young. But, Goldens will be much rarer, and nesting pairs should definitely be reported!  Where Eagles were a daily sight in September, they are on the move now, and most can be counted.

 

If you have noticed, Harriers have been regulars on our counts, and the numbers are definitely encouraging.  Most are seen in the mornings it seems.  So meeting Jim early might net you one for the year if you need it. 

 

We appreciate our readers, and as many of you are seasoned Hawk watchers yourselves, we hope you will share some of our posts with those who wish to learn as we go.  Also, have them check out the Identifications page, where we continue to add info about identifying our Raptors.  Especially, by their silhouette.

 

Take a chance and scan the skies with your binoculars every chance you get, because you never know what might be up there...Maybe YOU will see a nice Golden Eagle, if you just -

 

KEEP LOOKING UP!!!!!

 

Jimmy and Cynthia Wilkerson

A Front is Expected on Thursday!!

We teach that BWs have wings pushed forward in many situations of soaring. Red-tails seldom do
(click on the pictures to enlarge them.)

 

Bill Haley has worked out some additional time on the watch due to the expected front and finding some time...This could be a banner weekend for the after BW hawk-watching.  Nice weather for watching would make it a better time to come than on some hot Summer days.

 Here's Bill's e-mail:

Great news! We are actually supposed to get a decent chance of rain Thursday evening when a cold front moves through! No rain since September 17, so if we get both rain and cooler temperatures it may mean very good things for the hawk migration.

More great news: I am planning to take the latter part of Friday off work to get a jump start on the hawk watching weekend.  Clouds are predicted to clear by mid-day and I'll be there to see what might come past. High temperature will be mid 60's, and that sounds very promising to me!

A full day is planned for Saturday. I will arrive around 9 am and will stay into the afternoon, possibly late in the day if the hawks are cooperative. Highs of mid to upper 60's. 

Sunday I won't get there until 12:30, but there is no reason others can't get up there earlier. The hawks should be moving before 10:00.

 

My friends from Popfizz Productions will arrive for some filming in the afternoon. I hope the hawks show up so they get some good footage! This will be something entirely new for them. Before I told them about our hawk lookout this summer, they had never heard of the sport of hawk watching. They spend a lot of time outdoors in Tennessee,  showing people what activities are possible in our great state. 

If you come up, come prepared to watch for hawks and bring what you'd normally bring. Don't be surprised if Taylor might wish to talk to you on camera. He is a very enthusiastic guy! Colors will be spectacular and you can't beat our view.

I'll see you up there...if you've been paying any attention to what conditions we always preach brings the hawks. Hint. Hint.

Bill Haley 

____________________

 Red-tails also will Kite, that is- hover stationary, looking at the ground below, like a Least Tern or an American Kestrel.

 

Come this week end to help our watchers..  Eyes are definitely an asset.  

 

KEEP LOOKING UP!!!

"Finally!" Bill Says

Sunday, October 16
hawk report:

The Mountain is coming alive with color!
 

 

Finally I was reminded today why I love October hawk watching! I arrived at the lookout after church at 12:45. George Parsley was right behind me. It had been completely overcast all morning,  but the clouds had started breaking up and were at 65% when we arrived. Wind was from the south 2-8 MPH,  it was 75 F, with a barometric pressure of 30.22.

Would we see the hawk migration doldrums of the last few days come to an end today? George spent several hours up there a few days back and only got to see 2 Sharp - shins.

I hoped for better results this time around. 

First Sharpie came through 8 minutes after we stepped on the lookout, the next one was 2 minutes later. It was a sign of good things to come, and a great beginning to a fun day!

We ended the day with 17 Sharp shins. Here is a sampling from the 3:00 hour: (1) 3:12, (2) 3:15, (1) 3:17, (1) 3:19, (1) 3:22, (1) 3:37.

Oh, by the way, there were other things to count that hour too. (1) Bald Eagle (immature) 3:03, (2) Bald Eagles (both immature) 3:07. The last two came directly overhead.

At 3:30 we saw a Peregrine Falcon gliding our way over the brow of the north ridge. It turned towards the west and actually soared for a couple of minutes in "the corner", getting higher and higher,  but then broke my heart and disappeared heading back north. We got really good looks at it originally and there is no question in my mind what it was. It would have been the second of the day. ( See next paragraph).

How about the 2:00 hour? It wasn't bad either.

(1) Peregrine Falcon 2:05, (1) Cooper's 2:14, (1) Sharpie 2:24, (1) Sharpie 2:26, (1) Sharpie 2:33, (1) Sharpie 2:39, (1) American Kestrel 2:43, (5) Turkey Vulture 2:51.

Speaking of Turkey Vultures, we had several small groups heading south, and then at 4:35 I saw quite a few coming from the horizon to the northwest. They kettled up just to the left of the pole. (Imagine very large, black Broad-wings). I got a count of 45 as they streamed out of the top of the kettle, heading south....just like Broadies. With other groups of 4, 5, 4 and 3, our final total on Turkey Vultures was 66.

While I was occupied counting the big group of TV'S,  George spotted a small falcon - possibly a Merlin, but unfortunately I could never get on it and it will be listed as falcon species. (We might have had the falcon trifecta! )

Today's totals:

Turkey Vulture - 66

Bald Eagle - 3

Sharp - shin - 17

Cooper's - 1

Red-tail - 2

Am. Kestrel - 1

Peregrine - 1

Falcon sp. - 1

RaptorTotals - 92

I stayed until 5:30, getting the last countable hawk, a Red-tail, at 5:28. George left at 5:00.

Wind continued from the south all day, temperature got to 82 F, and the barometer fell throughout the afternoon to 30.08 at 5 pm. It was a great day to be on the lookout!

Although I didn't advertise it at first, I will be up there next Saturday, Oct. 22 (around 9:00), and Sunday (after 12:30). They are predicting high temperature to be low to mid 60.  It could be good!

Reporting: Bill Haley

_________________________________

 

Gotta love that falling Barometer!!!  And a mild front a day or so ago. Never fails to produce, if they just don't get too high to see. 

 

Jimmy and I were on the other end of the ridges, down at Lookout Mtn, at the Hang Glider Port with our nephew, who has wanted to Hang glide ever since my family first moved up here and he visited us.  So after 20 years, he finally did it.  From the mountain there, we were seeing Vultures, earlier.  They were beneath us, and the sun shone on their wings like gold.  Was an oddly light color we saw, just from the sheen on their wings.  Of course they aren't gold.  But we looked closely to be sure we weren't missing a Golden Eagle or something.  But with out our Binocs, I won't swear to it. LOL

 

I think I will post a bit about the comparisons the pilots make to things we teach about flights with birds, in the morning.  For now, GREAT REPORT BILL. And much thanks to George Parsley for keeping Bill company and helping him count. 

 

Now more than before, it's time to get up to the watch for those wonderful other Raptors, and to get a good schooling on how to tell what they are.  Long hours pay off eventually.

 

Congrats on the great numbers today, guys!

 

If at home, you can still

 

Keep Looking UP!!!

 

Saturday Oct 15 - After A Weak Front

Another view of FRED

 

Saturday, October 15:

A VERY weak front moved through overnight and this morning. Arrived at 10:00 to 100% cloud cover. Temperature was already 69 F. (So much for the predicted COLD FRONT!) Barometric pressure was high at 30. 32, so at least that was consistent with a high pressure area. Wind was W @ 2-8 MPH. At 11.00 I began seeing some breaks in the cloud cover, and the clouds slowly dissipated over the next several hours, with only 10% at 3:00. Temperature was actually higher today than yesterday at 80 F.

 

Jim Rowell

I want to mention two really special sightings:

1). At 12:20 an adult male Northern Harrier "Gray Ghost" came past. Beautiful bird and my first male Harrier of the year. 

2). At 3:05 I spotted a very high kettle of Turkey Vultures over the brow. They circled higher in the thermal and then all 21 streamed south...exactly like Broad - wings in September. Continued south very high, so I counted my first migrant TV'S of this fall.

Today's totals:

Turkey Vultures- 21

Bald Eagle - 2 (both adults)

Northern Harrier- 1

Sharp Shinned Hawk - 5

Visitors: Jonathan and Shelley Lyon, who live on Jones Gap Rd. and Jim and Sandy Wampler.  Jim had visited the lookout years ago with his mother Betty.

Reporting: Bill Haley

________________________________

 

Some of Bill's pics from yesterday: enjoy. 

Common Checkered Skipper

Gulf Fritillary Chrysalis

 

 

 If you are able, visit on one of his scheduled days.  Or call him, or e-mail  Jimmy (tenacbirder@comcast.net), for an appointment day.   Raptor migration is still in full swing, and we are still reminding everyone to:

 

KEEP LOOKING UP!!!

 

Jimmy and Cynthia

Never a Dull Day

Bill and Jim Rowell had a full day, staying busy even when the hawks were not flying:

Jim Rowell with female praying mantis.

October 14, 2016

Jim Rowell and I covered the lookout from 8:30-3:30 today. He arrived about an hour after me, but he missed no hawks. The day began with 30% clouds, barometer reading of 30.25, a light NE wind and a temperature of 63 F. By the end of the day we had 90-95% cloud cover, barometer of 30.18, south winds 5-10, and 79 F.

The hawk migration doldrums continued. Our first Sharp- sinned Hawk came through at 10:58. We had to wait until 1:32 to count our next migrant, a Red-tail which was in a glide south when I sighted it in the distance over the north ridge. It continued south, sailing high all the way past the lookout.

An American Kestrel came past 5 minutes later, and 25 minutes later another Sharpie. Last bird of the day was another Red-tail at 3:08.

Final hawk total:

2 Sharp - shins

1 Am. Kestrel

2 Red-tail

Other sightings: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1st of the fall), 22 migrant Blue Jays, 10 Eastern Bluebirds on the wires - that number will increase as it gets colder. Potter Wasp carrying an inch worm caterpillar (turns out they also provision with caterpillars,  like the Thread - waisted Wasp), but they construct neat little pottery jugs instead of digging holes.

Only one Monarch today and 12 Cloudless Sulphur. Butterfly list: Cabbage White, Little Yellow, Clouded sulphur,  Orange Sulphur, Sleepy Orange, Cloudless Sulphur, Pearl Crescent,  Eastern Comma, (new lookout species!), Gulf Fritillary (also found 3 chrysalids), Common Buckeye (one Buckeye chrysalis), Monarch, Wild Indigo Duskywing,  Common Checkered Skipper (got some nice photos), Clouded Skipper,  Fiery Skipper,  Sachem.

I've attached a picture of Jim the Mantis Man for your enjoyment. I found this female Chinese Mantis for him to play with. She was released to lay eggs and make more mantises for next year. Both Jim and I like insects - you can't limit yourself to hawks alone! 

Will also send a couple other shots from today.

I'll be back in the morning. A slight chance of rain overnight and maybe a bit cooler tomorrow. Hopefully hawk numbers will improve too!

Reporting: Bill Haley

__________________________________

 

Thanks Bill and Jim.  Appreciate the info.  Can't wait til the days totals pick up. It's transition time.

And still time to

 

KEEP LOOKING UP!!!

October 13, 2016

Wildflowers on the bank at the watch, are about faded out now, but have been beautiful every year.

Warmer than usual weather makes being on the watch a pleasant place, I'll bet. But you would have to ask Mr. Haley.  For he, Jim Rowell, and George Parsley spent the day up there,  as scheduled, and here is their report:

Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016:

 

I arrived at the lookout at 8:00 this morning; wind SW 1-2, clouds 10%, visibility was 35K. There was a lot of haze and a visible layer of smoke at the horizon from the forest fire a few miles south. Temperature was 49 and the pressure was 30.21 and rising. Nice morning!

I had to wait an hour for my first hawk, a fairly close-in female Northern Harrier. She was flapping a lot, which meant there wasn't much lift yet.

Clouds ranged between 20% and 75% throughout the day and the light wind changed to NE 2-8 MPH after 2 pm. Temperature reached 85F, and the barometer eventually went down to 30.15. In other words, it seemed to be an all right flight day. The hawks thought otherwise.

Jim Rowell joined me at 9:30. I had to leave at 10:30 and drive back down to the Aquarium to get a shot (flu shot). We hadn't seen any countable hawks when I left, but I told Jim I hoped he'd have a boatload of hawks when I returned. Got back at 12:00. Still nothing but local Red-tails and Sharpies...Jim was batting 000 so far. He finally spotted a high-flying Cooper's at 1:27 - a long wait since my 9 am bird. 

 

Three minutes later George Parsley came up the bank, ready to see some hawks. Turned out he'd have a long wait in store too. 

 

Jim called it a day at 4:00, having counted one hawk. Hawk watching is somewhat like fishing. Some days they just aren't biting! I joked with Jim that when he left we'd see a hawk.

And we did. I spotted one sharpie at 4:20 and a closer one that gave George and me good looks at 4:40. We left at 5:00.

Final hawk total:

N. Harrier - 1, Sharp - shined Hawk - 2, Cooper's Hawk - 1.

Other things of interest: When I arrived, I flushed 2 deer that ran into the woods and snorted at me several times. There were 5 or 6 Ruby crowned Kinglet's - my first of the fall, and as many Tennessee Warblers in the trees behind me. I also heard a Red-breasted Nuthatch again. 

 

Counted 27 migrant Blue Jays, 5 Monarchs and 34 Cloudless Sulphur.

I'll try again tomorrow, on Saturday and again Sunday after church. 

Reporting, Bill Haley

 

______________________

 

If you have an hour or two, you may join him.  He would love to have you!

 

It's a great opportunity to help in the October drive to

 

KEEP LOOKING UP!!!

Watching Hawks as an Outdoor Hobby

Butterflies are still coming through like hawks. LOL

An opportunity has come up for a film crew to show Tennessee nature lovers, seeking outdoor activities, what Hawk Watching is about.  Our readers, and Hawk-watching friends are invited to join us on one of the two proposed filming dates, as we present not only the love of the birds, but the need for the numbers, but also the longtime friendships developed around dedicated Hawk-watching. 
Hoping some of you will make another trip to the watch, while Bill Haley give's more info on why he drives the watch into October and November. 

Film dates are on the calendar for Sunday, Oct. 23rd 12:30 pm, and Nov.7th. 9:00 am.  Come as you would to watch hawks because that is what we want them to film.  Remember it will be cooler on the mountain than the weather man predicts for the valley, so dress in layers.  

Filming is expected to not last long, but more eyes to the skies for the day will help enormously, as it always does.  And we finally get to count some of those Red-tails, Red-shouldered, and Vultures that everyone can get eyes on, but we weren't able to count earlier in the year - because, they won't all be locals. LOL

To newcomers, directions are found here:  http://soddymountainhawkwatch.blogspot.com/p/directions.html

Tell others, and ck Bill's calendar for other days you might be able to join him.  You can call him for more information  on dates (cell # is (423) 326-9248), or you can e-mail Jimmy to join you on another day when possible (tenacbirder@Comcast.net).

Please come and bring friends to help us tell the after BW story of hawk migration...

More Eyes to the Skies to-

KEEP LOOKING UP!!!

Bill's First Post of OCT/NOV 2016

Fall color on the hawk watch hill.

 

Jimmy and Cynthia; 

Here is my Monday, October 10, 2016 report.

It is hard to believe we were melting in 90 degree weather only 2 weeks ago during Broad - winged season! The sumac are really starting to color up, as well as other trees at the Soddy Mountain lookout. I'll send 2-3 fall color shots.

I arrived at 8:45 this morning. It was clear and a nice 5-10 mph northeast wind was blowing. Ten minutes later an American Kestrel came sailing past. "OK." I thought, "It's going to be a good day!" Didn't see anything else until Jim Rowell got there around 9:45. We counted a Sharpie shortly before 10:00 and less than 5 minutes later a nice Cooper's Hawk flew right over us. Things were looking good!

Little could we have guessed at that time that when we prepared to leave at 3:45 the 10:03 Cooper's would be the last migrating hawk we would count today! Despite a decent NE breeze all day, the barometric pressure started at 30.35 and went down just a bit during the day to 30.28. Typically we don't get much of a flight when the pressure is that high and that trend unfortunately continued today. Temperatures ranged from 58 to 76, so at least it was pleasant.

I suspect that over the weekend,  when Hurricane Matthew was moving up the South and North Carolina coasts, it probably pushed coastal migrant hawks inland and a very strong north wind here would have certainly aided them. I had to work and I believe I missed what could have been a very good flight.

What do I base that assumption on? Last year on Oct. 4 a hurricane was on the coast. We saw 7 Peregrine Falcons, 33 Sharpies, close to 70 Broad - wings,   5 Bald Eagles and various other hawks passing the lookout that day.

Nobody was there this weekend, so I can only speculate.

Around 2:45 an adult Red - shouldered Hawk landed on the bottom black phone line just to the right of the pole. It sat there several minutes, carefully looking for prey underneath the pole and also checking us out. I am pretty sure it is the same bird I saw perch right there several times last fall. It finally took flight and we got magnificent close-in looks as it soared over the lookout.  What a beautiful bird!

Today's totals:

Sharp - shined Hawk - 1

Cooper's Hawk - 1

American Kestrel - 1

Monarch - 3

Cloudless Sulphur - 26

Blue Jay - 7 (migrating south)

Canada Goose - 9 (going north)

I think I heard a Red-breasted Nuthatch in the woods south of Ken's house! Also saw a Tennessee Warbler in the dead pine. 

Butterflies seen: Little Yellow, Orange Sulphur, Cloudless Sulphur,  Variegated Fritillary,  Gulf Fritillary, Pearl Crescent, 

Common Buckeye, Monarch, Common Checkered Skipper, Wild Indigo Duskywing, Sachem, Northern Broken - Dash. 

Reporting: Bill Haley

 

Please Remember to ck out Bill's Calendar to see when he will be on the Hawk Watch and feel free to join him if possible.  Remember to dress warmly and in layers. We had to take down the Bathroom, so consider that when you come. Sunscreen and lotions/lip balms to guard against the wind this time of year are necessary.  Jimmy and I used to go up for late fall Hawk Watch as often as we could when we both worked, and spent a few hours on days we worked later in the day/night.  We never came away sorry we went.  Often good sightings of hawks at much closer views than in BW season.  And we learned sooooo much!

 

Thanks to Bill land Jim for this report. They are continuing to -

 

KEEP LOOKING UP!!!!

 

 

The Palindrome

Jimmy set a quiz for our readers a day or so ago, as soon as he had totaled all our Sept. event totals.  He had discovered a Palindrome.  That is - a number or word having it's left half mirror it's right half when written.  In other words, the figures to the left of the center letter are exactly the reverse of the figures to the right of the center letter. 

And the answer is that the Grand Total of Broad-winged Hawks we have seen thus far for all 24 seasons is a number which is a Palindrome: 61816.  That is 61 thousand!!! 8 hundred and 16 BW hawks. As a portion of the total of all hawks seen, that is a little over 74.5% of our Grand Total while on the hawk watch.  That total standing at 82, 924 raptors at this point.

Let me remind you, these figures will change, at season's end, when we can add more of non-broad- winged raptors. We tend to call all of the raptor species "hawks," but technically, they fall into individual categories that need to be unlumped a bit. Numbers that could change a lot are Sharp-shinned, Coopers, Red-shouldered, Red-tailed, Falcons, Vultures, Osprey...etc. anything that isn't a BW. 

Bill would like to have visitors if you are truly interested. He would really love to know what is passing due to this storm pushing things this way. Any of our hawk watch friends who wish to spend a quiet hour or two over the next few days, it could be very condusive to seeing great birds.

Hope you enjoyed the quiz, and discovering where we stand at this point.  NOT just the STATS. LOL

If you go up when Bill isn't there, e-mail your numbers to Jimmy at tenacbirder@comcast.net.

What an exciting season to see our OCT/NOV numbers increase.  Anyone game to brave it?

KEEP LOOKING UP!!!

C

Fall Schedule for Oct and Nov

Bill's fall Schedule Repost:

Cynthia;

 

I will be manning the Soddy Mountain hawk lookout on:

 

Monday, Oct. 10 (arrive around 10:00)

Thursday, Oct. 13 (arrive after 12:00 noon)

Friday, Oct. 14 (arrive around 9:00)

Sat., Oct. 15 (arrive around 9:00)

Sun., Oct. 16 (arrive after 12:45)

Monday, Nov. 7 (arrive around 9:00)

Sat., Nov. 12 (arrive around 9:00)

Sun., Nov. 13 (arrive after 12:45)

Thurs., Nov. 17 (arrive around 9:00)

Fri., Nov. 18 (arrive around 9:00)

Sun., Nov. 20 (arrive after 12:45)

Fri, Nov. 25 (no guarantees when I’ll arrive – massive dose of tryptophan the previous day. LOL!)

 

These dates are dependent on weather conducive to hawk migration. If the weather is bad - rainy, 100% cloud cover, snowing, sleeting, below 0 - don’t expect me to be up there. Also remember - if it is cold in the lowlands, if the wind is blowing it’s guaranteed to be much colder on the lookout. Come prepared with multiple layers, head cover, gloves, scarves, and whatever you can think of to cover yourself up! The late-season name of the game is LAYERS! (Don’t say you weren’t warned.)

 

As with September hawkwatching, the best flights will follow the passage of a cold front. If I catch a good flight day in November when the Red-tails and Turkey Vultures are coming south, it could surpass the best Broad-wing day of this season.

 

Most days I plan to stay until 4 or 5pm, or later. After time changes in Nov. it’ll probably be 4:00.

 

At this point it is unclear if I’ll be able to get up there other days in Oct. and Nov. and there is always the chance I may need to make some changes. If you wish to contact me to verify dates later than Oct. 16, my cell # is (423) 326-9248.

 

Bill Haley

Possible Filmiing

A TV crew has asked for a possible filming of the hawk watch, for a show on outdoor/wildlife activities in TN.  Watch for dates, we are asking for support from our hawk-watch friends. 

Jimmy's Quiz

When Jimmy totaled our numbers for Broad-winged hawks, he got several totals.  He likes to do that periodically because we find we have more information than we originally expect.  These are Jimmy's totals:

DOES ANYONE SEE THE PALINDROME?

1408 BW - 1 Dark Morph
Tot. Raptors 1529  (121 + 1408)

21 days
151.75 Hrs.
24 yr. Totals
61816  Broad-winged Hawks
61816/24 = 2575.6 Average

See the next post for the answer to the quiz. 
You can respond if you have figured it out on the Facebook page:
Soddy Mtn. Hawk Watch/timeline

Also stayed tuned for more opportunities to Hawk watch with Bill Haley. Be sure to ck the calendar and come out to visit with him, and come prepared to help him spot Accipiters and Falcons, Buteos and Vultures as they migrate.  The next Phase of hawk watching  can be very satisfying because the birds are often lower and larger, and easier to see.  Vultures will kettle like BW's, are equally fun to count, and can get into huge kettles. Bill has great opportunities to teach you what you are seeing and get you on the birds. 

It isn't too late to
KEEP LOOKING UP!

[Bill's calendar
Be sure to read the info about these dates, including the reason's for cancelation.
Monday, Oct. 10 (arrive around 10:00)

Thursday, Oct. 13 (arrive after 12:00 noon)

Friday, Oct. 14 (arrive around 9:00)

Sat., Oct. 15 (arrive around 9:00)

Sun., Oct. 16 (arrive after 12:45)

Monday, Nov. 7 (arrive around 9:00)

Sat., Nov. 12 (arrive around 9:00)

Sun., Nov. 13 (arrive after 12:45)

Thurs., Nov. 17 (arrive around 9:00)

Fri., Nov. 18 (arrive around 9:00)

Sun., Nov. 20 (arrive after 12:45)

Fri, Nov. 25 (no guarantees when I’ll arrive – massive dose of tryptophan the previous day. LOL!)

 

These dates are dependent on weather conducive to hawk migration. If the weather is bad - rainy, 100% cloud cover, snowing, sleeting, below 0 - don’t expect me to be up there!]

Bill's Calendar of Days on the Hill

Bill Haley has prepared a calendar of days he expect to hawk watch, weather permitting.  He would love you to join him if you would like.  You may also arrive earlier or stay later if you like, but please keep records to share with him what you've seen when he arrives.  You may also participate by using the weather apps on your phone to give him: Wind direction, speed, barometric pressure and temps for the hour you are watching.  You, of course don't have to participate in this way, but it is an opportunity to begin to learn the additional skills hawk watchers use for collecting data. Whether just once for the experience, or because you wish to become serious with keeping your own records.

I hope many of you who have supported us during Broad-wing season, will also support him during the next two months. Here's a chart that explains which hawks you can expect to see in migration during these next two months:

  Jimmy/and or I will possibly go up some days, depending on our schedules.   If you can only be there an hour or so, he will love to have you. And if there are those of you who are wanting to continue in years to come, let him train you, during the slower days of October and November.  Not that I wish it will be slower than our BW season. LOL  Make plans now -

 

 

Here's his Calendar by email:

"Cynthia;

 

I will be manning the Soddy Mountain hawk lookout on:

 

Monday, Oct. 10 (arrive around 10:00)

Thursday, Oct. 13 (arrive after 12:00 noon)

Friday, Oct. 14 (arrive around 9:00)

Sat., Oct. 15 (arrive around 9:00)

Sun., Oct. 16 (arrive after 12:45)

Monday, Nov. 7 (arrive around 9:00)

Sat., Nov. 12 (arrive around 9:00)

Sun., Nov. 13 (arrive after 12:45)

Thurs., Nov. 17 (arrive around 9:00)

Fri., Nov. 18 (arrive around 9:00)

Sun., Nov. 20 (arrive after 12:45)

Fri, Nov. 25 (no guarantees when I’ll arrive – massive dose of tryptophan the previous day. LOL!)

 

These dates are dependent on weather conducive to hawk migration. If the weather is bad - rainy, 100% cloud cover, snowing, sleeting, below 0 - don’t expect me to be up there. Also remember - if it is cold in the lowlands, if the wind is blowing it’s guaranteed to be much colder on the lookout. Come prepared with multiple layers, head cover, gloves, scarves, and whatever you can think of to cover yourself up! The late-season name of the game is LAYERS! (Don’t say you weren’t warned.)

 

As with September hawkwatching, the best flights will follow the passage of a cold front. If I catch a good flight day in November when the Red-tails and Turkey Vultures are coming south, it could surpass the best Broad-wing day of this season.

 

Most days I plan to stay until 4 or 5pm, or later. After time changes in Nov. it’ll probably be 4:00.

 

At this point it is unclear if I’ll be able to get up there other days in Oct. and Nov. and there is always the chance I may need to make some changes. If you wish to contact me to verify dates later than Oct. 16, my cell # is (423) 326-9248.

 

Bill Haley"

 

I will make this post a featured post for reference during the season.  What a great opportunity to:

 

KEEP LOOKING UP!!!!

Cynthia