Only The Third Time Seen

Jim and Bill covered the watch today for a while, with no migrants seen during that time.  However, they did see something cool.  I'll let you read for yourself their report.

Monday -Sept. 17, 2018:

"Soddy Mountain hawk report, Monday, Sept.17, 2018. Intermittent light showers throughout the day. Arrived: 0800 (Jim Rowell), 1115 (Bill Haley).

Weather:

0800-1100: Clouds 100%, wind S 1-5, temp. 72 F, visibility 35K.

1100: Clouds 100%, wind E SE 1-5, temp. 73 F.

1200: Clouds 100%, wind NNW 2-8, temp. 75 F. Showers to the east.

1300: Clouds 100%, wind WNW 2-10, sprinkling rain, showers over valley to the east, visibility 60K.

1400: Clouds 100%, wind W 4-8, sprinkling rain, temp. 76 F.

1500: Clouds 95%, Wind NW 2-8, small breaks of blue south of lookout, showers all along river to the east, 

1600: Clouds 90%, wind NW 5-10, temp. 78 F, visibility.  40K. 

Total hawks: 0

Notable was a sighting much more uncommon than the hawks that we didn't see. At 1500 I spotted 30 American White Pelicans in the distance to the east flying in a long string up the Tennessee River. Birds were traveling from south to north, heading towards the Hiwassee Refuge area near Birchwood, TN. This is only the third time I've seen this species from the hawk lookout in 26 years.

Only hawks seen all day were both locals; 1 RT, 1 SS.

Jim Rowell 0800-1600. Bill Haley 1115-1600

 

Reporting: William G. Haley, Jr. "

 

Wish we could have been there to see them.

Three notes:

1. I happened to think of the Broad-wings we released last year, and wondered if some of the locals which the guys have seen are those birds?

2. Jimmy has the data up on Hawkcount.org now and will attempt to keep it somewhat current.  

3. Hawk Ridge Observatory in MN reported large surges of hawks this weekend, so they are now on the move from that area! Over 3000 one day.

 

Better days ahead! So...

 

KEEP LOOKING UP!!!!