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 8, 2018

Hurricane Michael May Affect Hawk Flights!

Bill will be available on the watch to join you for what might be some great hawk-watching starting Thursday.  He found a few great Raptors to count in a little over an hour... There should be some great opportunities these next two weeks. East and SE Winds today and coming up.  There might be late flights visible too.

"Soddy Mountain hawk totals,
Mon., Oct. 8, 2018     
 
I have volunteer training at the Tennessee Aquarium this evening, so had a little time to flex this afternoon. I decided to visit the hawk lookout for a little while, in case anything was flying. Maybe some accipiters? Turns out I did get a few migrant raptors. At 1:46 two adult Bald Eagles were spotted quite high and with wings set, streaming to the south. At 1:49, I was surprised to spot another adult Bald Eagle also streaming through very high up. At 2:00 the only accipiter, a Sharp—shinned Hawk, was counted and four minutes later an American Kestrel. Not too bad for and hour and a quarter on the lookout!
 
I am watching the developing weather trend with interest. Tropical storm and possible hurricane Michael is due to hit the Alabama coast Wednesday. If the storm track model behaves as they are showing right now, the storm is supposed to move north with the western edge right at the Tennessee – North Carolina line. At the same time a cold front will be moving through here, with temperatures dropping. Lows are expected in the 50’s and 60’s, with highs in the 70’s. Our first true taste of fall weather! This could be very good for us, as raptors traveling down the coast might have to turn inland and travel in our direction to skirt around the storm. I’m not making any guarantees, but it could potentially result in good hawk flights. Remember, I’ll be on the lookout starting this Thursday, Oct. 11 and continuing through Oct. 21. Visiting hawk watchers are welcome.
 
Coverage: (all times EST) – 1215-1330 = 1.25 hours.
Counter: Bill Haley
 
Weather:
1200 hr: Clouds 50%, wind ESE 5-10, temp. 86 F, baro. 30.19, visib. 30K.
1300 hr. Clouds 70%, wind ESE 5-10, temp. 87 F, baro. 30.18, visib. 30K.
 
Hawks by hour:
1200: BE 3 (all adults)
1300: SS 1, AK 1.
______________ 
Total raptors: 5
 
Migrant butterflies: Monarch 19
 
Reporting: William G. Haley, Jr."
 
Get on up there!
And
KEEP LOOKING UP!!!
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