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, October 15, 2018

A Light Day on Sunday

Bill reports a light day, but didn't get skunked! And the Broadies aren't done as then.

"Soddy Mountain hawk totals
Sun., Oct. 14, 2018

Coverage (all times EST):
1115 - 15:15 = 4.0 hrs.
Counter: Bill Haley

Weather:Clouds 95%, then clearing some to 50% @ 1300 and gradually back to 70% @1500. Wind SE 2-5 MPH. Temperature increasing from 64 F @ 1115 to 77 F @ 1500. Barometric pressure fell gradually from 30.11  - 30.03. Humidity from 69% - 46%.

Fairly light hawk flight on the lookout today. Interesting that I picked up two more late Broad-wings. Will they be the last this fall?

Hawks by hour: (all times EST):
1100: 0
1200: SS 1
1300: SS 1, BW 1
1400: SS 2, CH 1, BW 1

HAWK TOTALS:

10/14/18
Sharp-shinned  4
Cooper's 1
Broad-winged 2
______________ 
Total raptors: 7

Other sightings: Nice looks at local Red-tailed Hawk with a very full crop. Good to know the locals are eating well! Rock Dove sitting on wire - unusual - maybe a first? One group of 10 migrant Blue Jays. 5 Tree Swallows.

Monarch butterflies: 17

Reporting: William G. Haley, Jr."
 
Sometimes you just have a low count day...It's hawk-watching.  You gotta love it.
 
Sunny and hot on Monday. A few clouds, would be ideal, because Northerly winds are predicted.
 
KEEP LOOKING UP!!!
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