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

Saturday, September 9, 2017

The Rest of the Story ~ Sept 8th

9/08/17
One thing we always try to do is familiarize ourselves with the local raptors. There was no shortage today.
Bald Eagle: we saw 3 adults over the north ridge @ 10:56. None came south. Not countable.

Red-shouldered Hawk: 2 adults doing acrobatics and vocalizing over the valley. A local pair, not countable.
 
Cooper's Hawk: we watched one cruise above the dip on the north ridge. It suddenly began chasing a Turkey Vulture that happened to be in the vicinity. Chased it all the way around the brow. Local bird. Not countable.
 
Red-tailed Hawk: 2 adults seen numerous times during the day. Locals. Not countable.
 
Migrant seen: Scarlet Tanager female, seen in dead tree behind us.
 
Today's butterfly list: Cloudless Sulphur 23, Gulf Fritillary 10+, Common Buckeye, White-M Hairstreak,  Red-banded Hairstreak,  Gray Hairstreak, Eastern Tailed Blue,  Wild Indigo Duskywing, Common Checkered Skipper, Clouded Skipper, Sachem.
 
Saw the Thread - waisted Wasp several times, but it didn't find any caterpillars today.

Bill Haley reporting
Can't wait for tonight's report!
As the day ends, I can see there have been a few clouds in that direction.  Hope it helped the watchers get eyes on a few migrants today.  Or at least some great fall uncountables. LOL
 
KEEP LOOKING UP!!!!
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