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 23, 2018

Thanksfiving Day Report

Thanks for the Holiday Report, Bill:
Bill's ladder back chair, and worn spot on the watch.
He says it's quite a bit different than during BW season.
Pic by Bill Haley


























"Soddy Mountain hawk totals
Thurs., Nov. 22, 2018

Coverage: 0945-1345 = 4.0 hrs.
Counter: Bill Haley

Weather: Clouds 5%-10% (all south of lookout). Wind ENE 2-8 mph. Barometric pressure 30.40, gradually going down to 30.35. Humidity 68%-43%. Visibility 45-50K.

Raptors by hour: 
0900: 0
1000: TV 19, RS 1
1100: CH 1, RT 2
1200: BE 1 (ad.)
1300: SS 1


Turkey for Turkey day. LOL
Bill Haley

Raptor totals:
11/ 22 /18
Turkey Vulture 19
Bald Eagle 1
Sharp-shinned 1
Cooper's 1
Red-shouldered 1
Red-tailed 2
_______________
Total raptors: 25

Other sightings:
Sandhill Crane 32
American Robin 48
Cedar Waxwing 102
Buck Moth 1 (first one seen this fall)
Question Mark butterfly 2

Reporting: William G. Haley Jr."
 
Fall Migration Season is winding down, but not over,  Soon Bald Eagles will build nests, and mate. The chart below is a clip from the Hawkcount.org page, showing the counts reported  on thanksgiving day.  NOTE the numbers from Cape May NJ.  364 Raptors!
 
Count totals reported on Thanksgiving Day to Hawkcount.org
 
It's pretty cold, but 25 migrating Raptors call out:
 
KEEP LOOKING UP!
Jimmy and Cynthia Wilkerson
 
 
 
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