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 16, 2018

Vultures Take the Day!

Northern Snows and 4 days of rain here, should be sending good numbers of what's left up north scedattling South.  Did you ever have a parent use that word?  Means to get yourself up and go!  They should be happy to find some southern warmth.  The migrants --- hawks that is.

Bill had a good day, maybe not as exciting as he expected, but good!

Here's his report:

"Soddy Mountain hawk totals,

Fri., Nov. 16, 2018

Coverage: 0915 - 1500 = 5.75 hr.
Counter: Bill Haley

Weather: Clouds thin cirrus / stratus 25% @0915, gradually increasing to 50% by 1400. Wind SSW 2-5 mph @ 0915, changing to ESE @ 1100, and SE 2-8 mph @ 1200 till 1500. Barometric pressure 30.23, decreasing to 30.16. Temperature 33-50 F.

Raptors by hour:
0900: 0
1000: BV 16, SS 1, RT 1
1100: NH 1
1200: TV 15, RS 1, RT 3
1300: TV 18, RT 2
1400: TV 54

Total raptors:
11/16/2018 
Black Vulture 16
Turkey Vulture 87
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned 1
Red-shouldered 1
Red-tailed 6
___________________ 

Total Raptors: 112  

Other species: Sandhill Crane 140, Cedar Waxwing 40, heard Golden-crowned Kinglets.

While it wasn't as good a flight as I had hoped for after 4 days of rain, there were birds moving in response to wintry weather conditions north of Tennessee. Since clouds didn't clear till late last night, most birds may not have had time to get this far south. Tomorrow may be very good. Unfortunately, I cannot be there tomorrow, so I will have to pick back up Sunday afternoon and whenever possible next week.I think there are still many birds to count.

Reporting: William G. Haley, Jr."
 
I believe these are the first Black Vultures counted.  I rather like that he also had 140 Sandhills.  For those who don't join counts this time of year, you can count Vultures and have them turn back North, so it's sometimes a challenge to watch them out of sight, but in general most are at least doing the shift South thing.  Even if large numbers of them are gathering but not moving on. So as I said, it can be a challenge to know which to count. BUT....when they are really on the move, they just keep getting it, and you know pretty soon.  So I am hoping Bill had a lot of groups moving through with determination today in this cold.
 
Thanks for this report.
We have an excellent YTD already, and this only enhances the value of this year's numbers! YTD is now 4250 hawks.
 
Wish some one of you could go up tomorrow...
 
It might be a great day to
KEEP LOOKING UP!!!
 
Jimmy and Cynthia Wilkerson
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