October Schedule, a Note of Thanks, Requesting Help

   October will bring another dynamic to the hawk watch. Our numbers which are already good, will be enhanced by the species which come through more after the BW flights.  So much to gain from seeking them from every angle in the sky.  That means, more people are a valuable thing! Bill sends a note to update you at this point, and going forward:

  " I will be off work and ready for hawk watching starting Thursday, October 11 and will be on vacation the following week. If the weather cooperates, I should be on the lookout from the 11th through the 22nd. On Sundays I won't arrive until around 1:00, after church. Other days I will probably be there at least by 10 am. How long I stay in the afternoon will depend on weather and the flight that day, but I will usually try to stay until 4:00 whenever possible.

     I would welcome anyone coming up to spend some time and learn the finer points of hawk watching and the equally important record-keeping.  I can't make any guarantees we'll see hawks,  but October is traditionally when Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawk migration is at its peak. If you want to work on your accipiter identification, this may be your chance. Of course, I'll also see other raptors, such as eagles, Harriers,  falcons and other buteos. It might even be possible to see a very late Broad-wing. We badly need some committed folks to keep their eyes to the sky.

      The usual mantra of when to expect especially good flights holds throughout the entire hawk migration. If we should have 2-3 days of bad rainy/cloudy weather, the hawks will be backed up and ready to fly when they see blue sky and sunshine again. You need to be there THAT day!

      Check this blog in case something comes up and I can't make it one day. I'll try to keep the info up-to-date.

     I would like to take this opportunity to thank the two people who have been the most help this hawk season. 

     First is Jim Rowell,  "Mr. Broad-wing", who got up there every day at 8 am,  even though he knows the hawks usually don't fly until after 10 am.  One of these days Jim is going to get that early morning Peregrine! Jim could be counted on to stay until 4 or 5 pm. We enjoyed some great moments, like the day when a river of 850 BW'S streamed directly overhead, followed by another 280 ten minutes later. We also toughed out some very long, hot days when few hawks flew early in the season. Jim has "retired" until next September. 

     The second is Tammy King, who was able to cover the lookout on Sunday mornings while I was at church. Unfortunately,  her work schedule gets so busy from now till the end of the season that I might not see her again this year. She is a veteran hawkwatcher who spent 25+ years at two hawk lookouts, Caesars Head and Sassafras, in South Carolina. I will miss her sharp eyes and good company." 

     I also want to thank my good friends Jimmy and Cynthia Wilkerson,  who because of health reasons are unable to get to the lookout. Cynthia spends a lot of time to build and present this Soddy Mountain Hawk Watch blog. Jimmy makes reports to HawkCount.org, which is overseen by the Hawk Migration Association of North America. I can't tell you two how much I miss having you up there on the lookout!"

Thanks Bill...

We miss being there, and ache for you, knowing that the wholeness of the counts have been so blessed by the many who have aided in our endeavor,.  I hope there will be some individuals who can find some time to come on board TO HELP. 

 

Can't wait to see what October brings.

 

KEEP LOOKING UP !!!