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

Friday, November 10, 2017

Monarchs in Record Numbers Overshadow Hawk Migration

Monarch Butterflies are arriving at times later than ever before, say numerous articles coming from South of the Border.  Some say the numbers are records in several counts.  New York recorded 25 in one location on one bush. A record for them.  And the late flight is not over. Keep reading Bill's reports for the 9th and 10th of November, and see if you can pick out the rare report< hint, hint.

If you love butterflies, Check out the wonderful pictures of the skies filled with them as they arrive on wintering grounds by the thousands.  NOvember sightings should be reported. Pictures are a plus.

https://learner.org/jnorth/monarchs/news/fall-2017/110917-monarch-butterfly-overwintering-season-begins

Thursday
November 9 2017
"Clearing this afternoon after several cloudy, rainy days. Turkey Vultures in two groups of 39 and 12 came through between 2:12 and 2:17. Clear weather predicted tomorrow, so I will try to get up to the lookout for awhile if possible.

Weather: Clouds: 35% @ 2:00, 15% @ 3:00. Wind: NE 2-5 @ 2:00, NE 1-2 @ 3:00. Temperature: 59 - 61F. Barometric pressure: 30.12 - 30.11. Humidity: 64% - 55%. Visibility;  50K.

Raptors by the hour:
2:00-3:00: TV 51, SS 1, RS 1, RT 2
3:00-3:15: 0

Total raptors: 55

Counter: Bill Haley,  2:00-3:15

Reporting: Bill Haley"
 
 
Friday
November 10 2017
"I was able to man the lookout for two very short periods today, 9:45-10:15 and 1:15-2:00.

Weather: Clouds: 15% @ 9:45, 35% @ 1:15. Wind NE 5-10. Temperature: 48 F @ 9:45, 57 F @ 1:15. Barometric pressure: 30.31-30.30. Humidity: 63% - 59%. Visibility;  25 K @ 9:45, 35 K @ 1:15.

Raptors by the hour:
9:45-10:00 - RT 1
10:00-10:15 - RT 1
1:15-2:00 - TV 11

Total raptors: 13 (TV 11, RT 2)

Counter: Bill Haley, 9:45-10:15,  1:15-2:00

Reporting : Bill Haley"
________________________________
 
Then we got this email: SUBJECT:
 



  		-add 1 Monarch today, 11-10-17-

"This late date is notable!"
___________________________________
 
So good to hear that monarchs are setting their own records this year, after recent years of reports of dropping numbers.  It's great news to see the increase in both Monarch arrivals and  finds of eggs laid, on the counts, etc.  other reports.  Go Monarchs!
 
 
 
 
 

 KEEP LOOKING UP!!!



 
 

 
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