The Official Last Day of 2019

Bill called it with his Sunday Post.  My Computer once again is the culprit for a late report.  But it's a joy to be looking across at the snow on my neighbor's roof, and know Bill pulled every last day he could out of the season.  Congratulations on a great year!

(Thursday's report sort of got buried in the last post, so I am placing it again here above the new and final report for Saturday.)

"Soddy Mountain, TN hawk reports

Last two days if fall 2019 season

Thurs., Dec. 5, 2019
 

Time on lookout: 1215-1415 = 2.0 hrs.

Counter: Bill Haley

Weather: 1215: Clouds 10%, wind ENE 1-3, visib. 65K, temp. 55F. 1300: Clouds 2%, temp. 58F. 1400: Clear.

 

Raptors by hour:

1215-1300: RT 1

1300-1400: CH 1, RT 1

1400-1415: 0
 

Total: CH 1, RT 2 = 3 total raptors
 

I took some time off work, figuring it might be the last sunny day I could get up there this fall.
 

Reporting: William G. (Bill) Haley

Soddy Mountain, TN hawk report

........................................................................................

 

Sat , Dec. 7, 2019. Last day for fall 2019
 

Time on lookout: 1130-1400 = 2.5 hrs. 

Counter: Bill Haley
 

Weather: 1130: Clear, wind NE 2-5, visib. 45K, temp. 57F. 1200: Wind NE 5-10, temp. 58F. 1300: Wind NE 2-5, visib. 50K, temp. 60F.
 

Raptors by hour:

1130-1200: TV 6

1200-1300: TV 4

1300-1400: 0
 

Total: TV 10 
 

Other sightings: Sandhill Crane 29.

Aside from local Red-tails, no hawks flying today. Turkey Vultures counted didn't fly back and forth over north ridge as locals often do, but continued in a straight line to the south.

I'm officially calling it a season. This is my last day on the lookout in 2019. Completing the move to the new place now takes precedence.
 

See you in the lookout in 2020.

Reporting: William G. (Bill) Haley"

 

Everyone have a Merry Christmas!!! I'll do a final at the year's end, to close the Blog. and include our last thoughts about this year.  Watch for the closing page.

 

Until then....

KEEP LOOKING UP!!!!

A Few Straglers on the Move

Migrant picin's might be a bit slim these days, but the Buteos seem to still be making their late season shift from the North.  I checked Hawkcount.org a couple of days ago to compare other watches, and discovered that fewer than 10 watches are now still reporting. Their numbers were equally limited, but they too were seeing this same shift in birds who move only shorter distances south relative to the long flights of many earlier hawks and raptors.  Waggoner's Gap for instance reported 1 Bald Eagle and 1 Golden Eagle.  Cold weather has forced some places to close down, I feel certain.  Long exposures to cold day in and day out, isn't wisely worth the time to see 2 raptors for the day.  Never-the-less, it is important for us to remember that Migration is still underway, although very sporadic perhaps, at this point for raptors.
   For instance, we continue to see Sandhill Cranes moving on to Florida at this time in the year.  Something similar to Buteo migration occurs.  For Cranes it isn't unusual to say, over this month and January, that Cranes we see at the refuge, are a mix of some which are continuing to move in from the north, some which continue south, and some which remain in our area throughout the winter. It is impossible to say exactly how many are stationary, because even  on count days. I have seen huge numbers lift off in the evening and head south way into the darkness. Our count for the day could be drastically reduced by thousands, except for the fact that at the same time, there are sometimes thousands coming in from the North.
At least with raptors, we have the rules of migration upon which to make our counts. They must show the attitudes of migrating birds to be counted.  If you are new to this post, that means the hawk should be seen making a definite long track from somewhere in the northern skies to out of sight basically in the southerly skies, and be on the move in that direction through-out the flight. If it lands, we assume the possibility that it's a local; and the same if it heads back north, or plays around in the sky for a while, or dives on prey...anything that indicates it's not on that migration mission.  Obviously, we have counted a few times those birds which lifted off from the trees north or NW of our position, and occasionally from nearly due East, but rose early from treetops and proceeded in at least a SW general direction, because they do set down for the night.  That's easy when it's a small kettle of Broad-wings for example, but not so easy when it's a late season individual. It would most likely be judged as local bird behavior.  Simply because it's impossible to know. But....this time of year, "local birds" are possibly local for the winter only and will head back north by nesting times.  So for that reason, Bill may say it's time to call it very soon. That and weather, and time. will bring our season to the end just as it has many of the hawk watch sites across the country.  But REMEMBER, hawk migration doesn't end with September Broad-wings.  Check out the chart, on our Stats From the Past
page, to see the historical density of those movements. 

Soon, if not after this post, we will put up the final chart, and do a short comparison of this year to previous ones.  But for now we have a couple more migrants to post:

"Soddy Mountain, TN hawk report
Thurs , Dec. 5, 2019

Time on lookout: 1215-1415 = 2.0 hr.

Counter: Bill Haley

Weather: 1215 Clear, wind ENE 1-3, clouds 19%, visib. 65K, temp. 55F. 1300 Clouds 2%, temp. 55 F. 1400 Clear, temp. 58F.

Raptors by hour:

1215-1300: RT 1

1300-1400: CH 1, RT 1

1400-1415: 0

Total: CH 1, RT 2 = 3 total raptors

Took a couple of hours today, as this looks like the last sunny day I may get this season. If weather forecasts are correct - clouds and rain slated through the weekend, this might be my last report for Fall 2019.

Reporting: William G. (Bill) Haley"

 

It's not over til Bill calls it.  And I usually wait until after Christmas to close the Blog until next year's Migrations begin.

 

There are stats worth discussion. What do they show?

 

We will see soon.  Get out somewhere and remember to

 

KEEP LOOKING UP!!!

C

 

Nearing the Last Post of 2019

Bill admits that its about the end of fall hawk watch season 2019.  This may be one of our last posts before the closing updates and comparisons.  Bill's email:

"Soddy Mountain, TN hawk report

Sun., Dec. 1, 2019

Time on lookout: 1215-1415. = 2.0 hrs.

Counter: Bill Haley

Weather: 1215: Clear, wind SW 10-20, with some stronger gusts, visib. 70K, temp. 59F. 1300: Clouds 2%, temp. 60F. 1400: Clouds 10%, wind W 15-20, with occasional stronger gusts than at 1300.

Raptors by hour:

1215-1300: CH 1

1300-1400: RT 1

1400-1415: 0

Total: CH 1, RT 1 = 2 total raptors

The season has now stretched from the blazing hot, sweaty, solid blue sky days of September to fierce gusts and wind chills of early December. Will there be more days on the lookout this fall? Time is running out, and it all depends on the weather this coming weekend. Christmas Counts start Dec. 14.

It has been one of the most challenging seasons in my 27 years on Soddy Mountain, and a historic low hawk count. However, there were still some highlights that I'll fondly remember. Although much of my watching was solitary, I'd like to thank all who visited and helped watch. I made some good new friends and had the chance to visit with several old ones as well.

The strongest winds of the season, and from absolutely the worst direction for a good hawk flight, made me thankful to document two migrant hawks. Today reminded me of similar wind gusts in a past season that blew an aluminum lawn chair right over the nearby bluff. (I still miss that chair - it was a good one - and it was never recovered.)

Reporting: William G. (Bill)" 

Hope some of you can participate in Christmas counts, where of course, I will remind you not to forget to......

KEEP LOOKING UP!!!!!!

Holiday Flights

We've been a little busy with cooking and enjoying family this holiday, but are excited to post 2 reports for Bill who had a little time to sneak up to the hill.  The first is for Wednesday, and the second is for Thanksgiving Thursday. Hope all of you had a wonderful Day!

"Soddy Mountain TN hawk report,
 Wed., Nov. 27, 2019

Time on lookout: 1100-1400 = 3 hrs.

Counter: Bill Haley

Weather: 1100 Clouds 85%, (thin, sun shining through), wind W 5-10, gusting to 20+, visib. 35K, temp. 60F. 1200 Clouds 65%, wins SSE 10-15, visib. 60K, temp. 61 F. 1300 Clouds 50%, temp. 63F.

Raptors by hour:

1100-1200: 0

1200-1300: TV 9, NH 1

1300-1400: 0

Total:

 TV 9,

 NH 1

__________

 10 total raptors

Winds were very strong out of the W and SSW. Historically, winds from these directions are terrible for hawk counting at Soddy Mountain and produce very poor numbers. The local vultures and Red-tails had a ball playing in the stiff winds.

When I despaired of seeing a countable hawk, a female Northern Harrier skimmed over the western side of the north ridge and continued SW along Jones Gap, taking what we used to jokingly call the "Jim Rowell memorial flyway". I only had it in sight for a few seconds before it disappeared behind the pines. It always aggravated Jim that many hawks choose this route, which must be extremely obvious from the air, instead of flying on down the ridge past us. The Harrier was probably just trying to stay low and out of the strong west winds.

Other sightings: 

Great Blue Heron (1) @ 1253 ( first I've seen from the lookout this fall.)

Reporting: William G. (Bill) Haley"

 

................................................................................

 

My Mountain, TN hawk report

Thurs., Nov. 28, 2019

Time on lookout: 0915-1200 = 2.75 hr.

Counter: Bill Haley

Weather: 0915 Clear, wind NE 2-8, visib. 70K, temp. 41F. 1000 Clouds 3%, temp. 43F. 1100 Clouds 5%, wind NE 1-3, temp. 47F.

Raptors by hour:

0915-1000: TV 5

1000-1100: RT 2

1100-1200: RS 1

Total:

 TV 5

 RS 1

 RT 2

____________ 

 8 total raptors

Every day on the lookout is different and you never know what you might see. I witnessed a beautiful sight today. While watching a pair of local Red-tailed Hawks soar together near the lookout, they locked talons, and holding together by only one foot they dropped for 4-5 seconds, spiraling and spinning with wings spread before they parted. I had not seen this before. It was a perfect aerial ballet and a great Thanksgiving day present.

It points out how close we are to the end of hawk migration season and how close it is to breeding season. This pair is bonded and they will be on a nest in only 2-3 months.

Other sightings:

- Sandhill Cranes 86

- American Robin 84

- Cedar Waxwing 30

- Hermit Thrush 1 heard at south end of lookout (near a good crop of privet berries, their favorite winter snack). First I've heard this fall.

Reporting: William G. (Bill) Haley

...................................................................

 

 I love winter birding. But it isn't so much about looking up as with counting the migrants.  So when you are searching the rivers and bushes for your winter faves, don't forget occasionally to

KEEP LOOKING UP!!!
C
 

 

The First Black Vulture Kettles of the year

Bill has only a few more chances this season.
Here's the post -

Soddy Mountain, TN hawk report, Mon., Nov. 25, 2019

Time on lookout: 1215-1600 = 3.75 hr.

Counter: Bill Haley

Weather: Clear all afternoon, 1215 wind SSE 5-10, visib. 20K, temp. 51 F. 1300 wind calm, temp. 55F. 1400 wind E 1-4, temp. 58F. 1500 wind calm, visib. 60K, temp. 60F.

Raptors by hour:

1215-1300: BV 27, RS 1, RT 1

1300-1400: BV 9, RT 2

1400-1500: BV 6, CH 1

1500-1600: 0

Total raptors: BV 42, CH 1, RS 1, RT 3

Total: 47 raptors

Counted the first Black Vultures of the fall. They are always problematic, as they are kind of all over the place, and we see them every day. I strive to only count groups moving southward and not the many locals. A kettle of 27 at 1255 was hard to ignore, and they all sailed south together. The others counted were all in groups as well.

I hope to spend some time on the lookout the next couple of days, but it'll be later in the afternoon tomorrow. On Wednesday rain is predicted in the afternoon, so maybe I can catch a break that morning. Some major rain events, possibly continuing through the weekend, may put an end to fall season 2019. 

Other sightings: Sandhill Cranes 64.

Reporting: William G. (Bill) Haley

__________________________________________

Everyone have the very best THANKSGIVING.   This year we are Thankful for Bill, for way more reasons than one.  May all of you be blessed!!!

and if you get a chance....

KEEP LOOKING UP!!!!

Red-tails Continue to Make Obvious Moves to the South

It's so much fun to finally see Red-tails in migratory mode, rather than having to discount them as locals. I wish I was with Bill as he is now able to count them. New to the board as of the last few counts are the Red-shouldered Hawks.  I can attest to having one gorgeous RT camp out in my yard recently. I could only wonder if he was a migrant.  These late season birds bring our all time counts to 91,967 raptors.

"Soddy Mountain, TN hawk report
 Sun., Nov. 17, 2019 

Time on lookout: 1230-1600 = 3.5 hr. 

Counter: Bill Haley

Weather: 1230 Clouds 50%, (thin cirrus), wind E 1-3, visib. 50K, temp. 57F. 1300 Clouds 60%, temp. 58F. 1400 Clouds 75% (much heavier cloud layer than earlier thin cirrus), wind calm, temp. 59F. 1500 Clouds 60%, temp. 61 F.

Raptors by hour:

1230-1300: RS 1, RT 1

1300-1400: SS 2, RT 2

1400-1500: RT 1

1500-1600: 0

Total:

SS 2,

RS 1,

 RT 4 

_____________

7 total hawks

The flight was promising with ample sunshine through thin cirrus clouds until a heavier cloud layer moved in shortly after 1400, and unfortunately brought the flight to a halt. Even with some clearing after 1515, migrants were through for the day.

Other sightings:

Cedar Waxwing 144

Buck Moth 1

Reporting: William G. (Bill) Haley

..........................................................

KEEP LOOKING UP!!!!

c

Biggest Day of the 2019 Fall Season!!!

Bill was only able to spend a short time on the lookout and had the following results. Is there anyone who can go up on Sunday??????  The count should be great.

"Soddy Mountain, TN hawk report
Friday,  11-15-19

Time on lookout: 1100-1300

Counter: Bill Haley

Weather: 1100 Clouds 75%, wind NE 5-12, visib. 50 K, temp  39%. 1200 Clouds 65%, temp. 44K.

Raptors by hour:

1100-1200: TV 104, CH 1, RS 1, RT 1

1200-1300: TV100, BE 1, SS 1, CH 1, RS 1, RT 10

Totals

TV 201

BE     1

SS      1

CH     2

RS      2

RT    11

___________________

221 TOTAL RAPTORS 

I debated going to the lookout, as I only had an hour to spare before I was due to go out of town. However, the flight was so good that I stayed an extra hour. I wish I'd had the whole day, as I had my best day of 2019, in two hours!

Turned out this is the day many hawks and vultures displaced by the bad weather up north finally made it to Soddy Mountain, TN.

Almost as soon as I walked on the lookout the Turkey Vultures showed up in big kettles, with more streaming in from the distance. In the first 20 minutes 99 streamed through. Largest groups were 45 @ 1112 and 54 @ 1208.

Red-tails were also moving well, with 10 counted after 1200. Glad I stayed that extra hour! I can only speculate what came through after I had to leave, but I suspect the numbers could have been considerable.

I often preach about the conditions that could lead to a big hawk flight, and they've all been in play the last couple of days. Unfortunately it seems nobody really listens, so they miss red letter days like today.

Reporting: William G. (Bill) "

 

CALLING for Hawkwatchers who can

 

KEEP LOOKING UP!!!!!

c

Cold Front Passes, New Push of Migrants

A nice round number for the Thursday Count, most of the birds were moving after lunch. So many Robins! Kettles of Vultures on the move.
Here's Bill's report:


Soddy Mountain, TN hawk report
Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019 

Time on lookout: 0945-1545 = 6.0 hr.

Counter: Bill Haley

Weather: 0945 Clouds 50%, wind calm, visib. 45K, temp. 36F. 1100 Clouds 35%, wind NE 1-3,, temp. 41F. 1200 Clouds 20%, temp. 46F. 1300 Clouds 60%, visib. 60K, temp. 48F. 1400 Clouds 35%, wind E 1-4, temp 51F. 1500 Clouds 30%, temp. 52F.

Raptors by hour:

0945-1000: 0

1000-1100: RT 1

1100-1200: 0

1200-1300: TV 9, CH 1, RT 2

1300-1400: TV 146, RS 1

1400-1500: TV 36, SS 1, RT 2

1500-1545: RS 1

Totals: 

TV  191

SS      1

CH     1

RS      2

RT      5

________________ 

Total Raptors - 200

Turkey Vultures stole the show today. Between 1315-1322, kettles of 58, 65 and 18 sailed south.  

Other sightings:

- American Robin 455

- Sandhill Crane 49

- Cedar Waxwing 327

Reporting: William G. (Bill) Haley

 

 

Today was a good day to

KEEP LOOKING UP!!!

C

Gray Ghosts Arrive

Soddy Mountain, TN hawk report
Wed., Nov. 13, 2019

Time on lookout: 1200-1600 = 4.0 hrs.

Counter: Bill Haley

Weather: 1200 Clear, wind NE 2-5, visib. 65K, temp. 35F. 1300 temp. 39F. 1400 wind E 1-3, temp. 42F. 1500 major wind shift to SW 2-5, temp. 45F.

Raptors by hour:

1200-1300: NH 1 (ad. male), RS 2, RT 1

1300-1400: BE 2 (both ad.)

1400-1500: RT 2

1500-1600: TV 9, NH 2 (came through together, 1 ad. male, 1 imm.), RT 1 

TV  9

NH  3

BE   2

RS   2

RT  4

_____________

Total Raptors  - 20

After our first major cold front, with temperatures in the 20's and major winter conditions to our north, I was excited to see what might come down the ridge. I had some business to take care of this morning, so couldn't get to the lookout till noon. 

My first two migrants of the day were Red-shouldered Hawks, @ 1243 and 1250, my first this fall. 

At the same time as the second RS came through, a Northern Harrier came over the north ridge. It proved to be my first adult male "gray ghost" this fall! As it wheeled directly over the lookout, the bright white underside with wings tipped in ink black was a magnificent sight! 

Northern Harriers are one of my favorites and I often think back to well-known author and hawkwatcher extraordinaire, Pete Dunne, who visited Soddy Mountain lookout 20 years ago. (One of our claims to fame.) He admitted they were one of his favorite raptors as well. When I told him we had far fewer hawks than his beloved Cape May, I liked his reply. Pete said "You have the luxury to savor each hawk that comes past". And he was right. I savored that first gray ghost. What a sight!

Little could I have guessed a bigger Northern Harrier surprise would come at 1514, when a pair of Harriers skimmed over the north ridge together. Another gray ghost and an immature female soared together, and sailed on down the ridge, sometimes just feet apart! Two gray ghosts in one day! 

How did I know the other bird was an immature? Again I channeled Pete Dunne, who'd suggested a good field mark that I've remembered all these years. "Immatures have dirty armpits". And this one definitely did.

While I had two adult Bald Eagles, one of which sailed directly overhead and the other passed down the valley below my perch, the "gray ghost day" will be what I most remember.

Clouds are predicted tomorrow, but I'm still planning to go up and see what else might be moving south. Hopefully it won't completely shut the flight down.

Other sightings:

- Sandhill Crane: 91 (60 in 3 V's @ 1333)

-Eastern Bluebird: 12 on wires at North end of lookout @ 1300. There may be many more soon as northern migrants arrive.

- Cedar Waxwing: 70 (5 flocks)

Reporting: William G. (Bill) Haley

 

 

KEEP LOOKING UP!!!

C

Hawks Continue to Fly

Lately, if Bill only spends a few hours, his hawk count is successful.  It's because the steady migration of hawks expected to come this time of year is just that.  So much is said about the September hawks, and the big kettle numbers of Broad-wings on occasion, that the other months are sometimes forgotten.  Bill stays constant in his efforts to put in a few hours any day possible, even into November or early December, because he has always contended that hawk watching is a sport that covers several months, not just September.  It is kind of nice this year to be lacking in the big kettles of Broad-wings, just to see what the count looks like without them with only the effort that one man is able to put into this count.  Those numbers are remarkable, now.  Imagine what full coverage beginning in August until early December might reveal? 

In the morning snow this morning,  a large adult Red-shouldered Hawk sat on the wires running from our house out to the pole, with it's feathers puffed out so much he looked huggable. LOL I hope he didn't eat my chipmunk.  But there were no foraging small birds the whole time.  We are unable to keep up bird feeders right now, so it wasn't there because we have lots of little birds foraging the ground anymore.  But maybe one day in a past year, there was.  I looked at him and wondered how many years he had made a migration trek, and was he possibly on one now. Or had he arrived from the north recently?  Most of our locals have left or will be soon. Some may stay and defend territory from Northern migrants moving from the extremes. But stop and think when you see hawks these days.  Are you here til spring? Or are you moving on? Bid them well, because you may never know how far they've come or how far they may go. Enjoy them while they are here. Maybe they've passed this way before, or maybe this is the first time they are hunting in your yard.  Every living thing out there, would like a nice warm meal before hunkering down for a night like tonight.  20 degrees, I am glad those fluffy feathers looked like a warm coat.  I hope it is very warm. Good luck guy!

Here's Bill's report for Monday.

Soddy Mountain, TN hawk report
Monday, Nov. 11, 2019

Time on lookout: 0945-1115 = 1.5 hrs.

Counter: Bill Haley

Weather: 0945 Clouds 15%, wind ESE 2-5, visib. 40K, temp. 51 F. 1100 Clouds 45%, wind S 5-10, temp. 55F. (Clouds increased to 80% by 1115.)

Raptors by hour:

0945-1000: 0

1000-1100: NH 1, SS 1, RT 1

1100-1115: RT 1

NH 1

SS 1

RT 2

______________

Total Raptors: 4

Other sightings: 

- Sandhill Crane (15) 1055

- American Robin (62) flocks of 19, 27 & 25.

- Cedar Waxwing (87), flocks of 28, 20, 15, 17 & 7. This is the first day I've seen Cedar Waxwings in the large red cedar at the south end of the lookout. Two flocks (27) landed and gorged on the numerous cedar berries. It is amazing they know a very hard freeze is coming tonight! Temperatures are predicted in the 20's, and they are preparing.

- Gulf Fritillary butterfly (1)

- Common Buckeye butterfly (3)

Reporting: William G. (Bill) Haley

Sunday Results- Harriers Don't Fail

In 4 hours on Sunday afternoon, Bill pulled out yet another Northern Harrier, staying true to it's normal migration period.  I've read reports from across the state of Harriers this year, with is always good to hear.  Sandhill Crane numbers are on the rise everywhere as well.  All is well.

Welcome to the Baldwins, hope you enjoyed your visit!

Soddy Mountain, TN hawk report
Sun., Nov. 10, 2019 

Time on lookout: 1230-1630= 4 hrs.

Counter: Bill Haley

Visitors:Tim & Barb Baldwin

Weather:

12:30-1630 Clear, wind SSE 2-5, temp. 54-65, visib. 60K.

Raptors by hour:

1230-1300: RT 1

1300-1400:NH 1, RT 1

1400-1500: BE 1 (ad.)

1500-1600: TV 20, SS 1

TV 20

 BE 1

NH 1

SS 1

RT 2

__________

total raptors - 25 

Also seen:

Sandhill Crane 6

Buck moth 1

Reporting: William G. (Bill)

 

 

REMEMBER -  KEEP LOOKING UP!!!!

 

C

A Great Variety of Hawks

A little chilly these days on the mountain, but a great day of birding to be had. Bill sent his early November  report, reminding us there are still migrants on the move this time of year, especially as the cold sets in.

Soddy Mountain, TN hawk report
Sat., Nov. 9, 2019

Time on lookout: 1000-1500 = 5.0 hr 

Counter: Bill Haley

Weather: 

1000: Clear, wind SE 2-10, visib. 60K, temp. 38F. 1100: Clouds 1%, wind SE 5-10, temp. 42F. 1200: temp. 45F. 

1300: Clouds 5%, wind SE 2-5, temp. 49F.

1400: Clouds 10%, temp. 54F.

Raptors by hour:

1000-1100: TV 12, CH 2

1100-1200: 0

1200-1300: NH 1, RT 1

1300-1400: TV 35, RT 2

1400-1500: TV 4, NH 1, SS 2, RT 2

Totals: 

TV 51

 NH 2

 SS 2

 CH 2

 RT 5

_____________

 62 Total Raptors

- Largest group of TV's (28) at 1316.

- Both Northern Harriers were females.

- Cooper's Hawk at 1028 had some sport with an unlucky Black Vulture, diving on it and forcing evasive actions.

- First Sandhill Cranes of the fall (2) @ 1035.

- American Robin: 130  (7 flocks over the course of the day. Largest 32 @ 1016).

- Cedar Waxwing: 68 (5 flocks over the course of the day, largest 25 @ 1115.

- Gulf Fritillary (1) @ 1355. Only butterfly today.

Reporting: William G. (Bill) Haley 

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Thanks Bill

KEEP LOOKING UP!!!!!

Last Report for October 2019

Bill squeezed in some time after the rains to pick up some last of the month numbers, and luckily so, since one was a Merlin! Yay. Thanks for coming by, Jayne and Gary!


(Two reports this page - Sunday and Tuesday)

"Soddy Mountain, TN Hawk Report

Sun., Oct. 20, 2019

 

Time on lookout: 1300-1700 = 3 hrs.

Counter: Bill Haley 1300-1700

Visitors: Jayne Trapnell and Gary Gilpatrick 1400-1700

 

Weather: 1300 Clouds 100%, wind calm, visibl. 50K, temp. 70 F. 1400 Clouds 99%, wind E 2-1, temp. 72 F. 1500 Clouds 85%, temp. 74. 1600 Clouds 35%, wind SE 2-5, temp. 77 F.

 

Raptors by hour:

1300-1400: 0

1400-1500: SS 1, CH 1

1500-1600: SS 1

1600-1700: SS 1, CH 1

 

3 SS

2 CH

____________ 

5 Total raptors

 

Other sightings: Tree Swallow (2), Monarch 1, Long-tailed Skipper 1

 

Reporting: William G. (Bill) Haley"

 

..........................................................................

 

"Soddy Mountain, TN Hawk Report

Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019

 

Time on lookout: 1100-1400 = 3 hours

Counter: Bill Haley

 

Weather:

1100 Clouds 30%, Wind SE 2-5, visib. 30K, temp. 71 F.

1200 Wind NE 2-5, visib. 25K (several brush piles burning in valley reduced visibility and made it quite hazy), temp. 74 F.

1300: clouds 50%, wind ESE 2-5, visib. 35K, temp. 77 F.

 

Raptors by hour:

1100-1200: 0

12:00-1300: TV 9,  SS 6, CH 2, ML 1

1300-1400: 0

 

TV 9

SS 6

CH 2

ML 1

________________ 

18 Total Raptors

 

Comments:

All the Turkey Vulture and hawk movement took place between 1200 and 1300. After that the clouds thickened and all that was seen were local Red-tails and vultures. Counted the first migrant TV’s of the fall. They all came through in one group, sailing south.

 

The Merlin, seen at 1335, caught a dragonfly or butterfly over the north ridge, then circled over the valley while eating it. As soon as it was finished with its meal, it flew rapidly over the lookout, headed SW.

 

Ladybugs are starting to swarm. Small numbers today, so not a nuisance yet.

 

One Monarch seen, sailing very high. At first I thought it was a soaring hawk!

 

This will be my final report for October. I’ll leave for Ohio two days from now and won’t be back until Nov. 4. Looks like it might be Sat., Nov. 9 before I’ll get a chance to man the lookout again.

 

Reporting: William G. (Bill) Haley"

 ....................................................................................
 

Tanya Jordan sent us some phone pics of a very light, nearly completely white Red-tailed Hawk, which she witnessed out over Hwy 111, near Jones Gap Road or just past it, I think.  Although she got several pics, they were still a bit too far out to make a just call on exactly why the bird was so white.  Was it a Krider's like she first hoped. Was it leucistic as she thought it must be since it didn't quite fit most of the possible calls exactly, or might it have been a partial albino, or a juvenile light morph, maybe a very light adult light morph.  It lacked markings to fit the one or two other possibles, but she was disappointed I am sure that we couldn't get it into the record.

But of course, we cannot count it, because we count migrants, not just sightings. For anyone who might be new to the blog, or may never had known, we don't count the locals, or birds which don't demonstrate a true migration behavior. We also cannot count a bird that seems not to be a local, but doesn't move obviously on south. If it's sticking around a day or so, we don't know which day it migrates...so these do not get counted. Also we cannot count birds seen nearby, but not from the watch.  We can talk about them, and put them in the Blog. They are part of the story. So Bill often mentions what locals he's seen.  So as remarkable as her lovely white Red-tail was, it can only receive an honorable mention, for being a local sighting.  And I love a super fascinating story!  HOW COOL!!! Tanya. Thanks for sharing it.  Sorry we can't count it. Loved seeing your pictures too, even if they can't ID it. You tried, good for you! Beautiful Bird. Wish I could have seen it in person. I too would have been so excited.

 

And Tanya's story is why I say-

 

KEEP LOOKING UP!!!!

c

 

 

HAWKCOUNT CHARTS FOR FALL THIS FAR

Catching up on the numbers as we near the end of October.  So I pulled up our Hawk-count.org
 charts for a simple view.  I constantly tell hawk-watchers to visit their website because it is possible to view so many of the hawk-watch sites with updated data easily. Pick a site and click on the month you most want to view. The last line on the chart is a season update, and active total of everything seen.  I am watching the temps in my greenhouse drop pretty fast as the sun goes down, which is a strong reminder that the temps will trigger all hawks further north which remain to make their migration move if they haven't already. 

Remember some hawks fly for thousands of miles and others of the raptors, like Red-tails for instance, merely move south late in the season sometimes. They may be seen in our area wintering, and appear to be the same once you saw all summer.  But, it is entirely possible that it's a hawk from further north and your summer hawk will return in spring, when the winter hawk moves back north.  At this time of year, some hawks have not made their shift, and some migrants have not reached the south yet either.  So November is also a raptor push before the winter.  Check out the chart on our Species Key page, found on the drop-down on your phone, and sidebars on the PC. Scroll down to the  picture of the Red-tail and underneath find the chart, which indicates the time when specific hawks traditionally move through in greatest numbers. It's the big boys that are moving in numbers during the November push: Northern Harriers, Red-tails, and Red-shouldered Hawks steal the scene when it gets colder. The greatest push of Vultures also finds huge numbers of them gathered or swirling in a kettle. Bald Eagles can be seen perhaps coming and going.  Because those returning in late November and early December will be getting busy with nesting season, if of age. So if you've ever struggled with the high in the sky pepper flakes of BW season, this upcoming Hawk-watching month hosts the BIG BOYS.  The ones whose general attitude is not to fly high, but rather fly lower in the cooler skies, and usually provide nice long views. So they can be studied a little longer too.

I'm posting copies of our charts from Hawkcount, and also catching up the sidebar running counts, before the new month gets underway.  Not sure if Bill or other watchers will have any time to add to our counts, yet. But we'll be watching for the emails so we can add these Big Guys to the records. 

Here's October's chart so far, and notice the bottom line also gives the season totals:

Please note that when I post both charts at this time, the fall total numbers remain the same. If I had gotten the copy for September at the end of September, which I usually  try to do the chart would show the actual totals for September. But since I am doing it now, the totals across the bottom are actually for the whole season, EXCEPT the number of hours column.  It is accurate for September.  Just for clarification...



I also am posting a few examples from this year's counts, some compared to last year,  from other sites:
Compare Cape May's September stats 2018 to this year's numbers:

Next  take a look at this year's counts at Linville, Grandfather Mtn. NC:



(Not their newest data, I uploaded this chart earlier in the month)

and lastly, Harvey's Knob:

I highly recommend you visit the Corpus Christi TX records and look through the records for previous years as well.  It's eye opening.  Also ck out some Western or Midwestern flyways as well.

Enjoy a little geeking, if you like hawks like we do.

and please remember, November is the time to see the BIG GUYS if you
KEEP LOOKING UP!!!

C

Sunday Migrants Pushing Through - A Good Day

A great Sunday afternoon report!  As Bill always says, there are more hawks than just Broad-wings, and they continue to track through our Hawkwatch skies. Bill gives some good ID info this post so be sure to take note.  Great to share with new birders as well.

Merlin pic from All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology as found in
Chrome Images.  The dark falcon...

After wrestling lately with my old computer softwares, I did an upgrade to Google Chrome.  It somehow locked my Control Key for quite a while, and after some tears, I was about to give up.No files would open, I couldn't put up a new page in my Gimp, I couldn't open our facebook, and everything I tried, nothing happened.  I could not figure out what to do, but it seemed I could copy paste.  I thought, I will copy/paste what I can, so I opened my Word file, the only one that even tried to open. A box came up which said that I was holding down my control key.  A number of years ago, when upgrading, I had run into that before, so I knew something had it locked. It wasn't just stuck, so I thought, "How did I download a virus upgrading from Chrome?", and I was discouraged to say the least. But after hitting the Control Key a number of times, it released.  Very slowly, a few things at a time came back to usefulness. Eventually, I could open files, including pictures which didn't respond before. And then Norton popped up several files which had been loaded to my computer, telling me it was safe, and it was over.

Someone who knows more about computers might understand what happened, but it seems to me, that it just needed to stop operations to do the upgrade.  Anyway, I discovered that as I feared one of my Blogs would not work anymore, it has been cached as far as Chrome is concerned. For now, it still operates through Internet Explore, but all the others, including our Blog, worked just fine as soon as I figured out how and where to put in usernames and passwords, and get them all open. I do not know if I can write to them, however, because they are under my name and a separate Email, so for now, I will not log in and out. But will just post here. Too much work  - these computer changes sometimes. But it's done.

I let Saturday's report stay up a while today, and am posting for Sunday. Good numbers for the time spent..

Maybe no more delays because of computers...

"Soddy Mountain, TN hawk report for
 Sun , Oct. 13, 2019

Time on lookout: 1330-1645 = 3.25 hr.

Counter: Bill Haley 1330-1645

Visitor: Tim Baldwin 1430-1645

Weather: 1300 Clouds 35%, wind ESE 2-8, visib. 65K, temp. 75F. 1400 Wind S 2-5, temp. 75F. 1500: Clouds 70%, wind S  2-5, temp. 78F. 1600: Clouds 90%, wind S 5-8, temp 79F.

Raptors by hour:

1330-1400: 0

1400-1500: SS 4

1500-1600: NH 1, SS 4, CH 1, ML 2

1600-1645: SS 1, CH 1

Total raptors: 

NH 1

 SS 9

CH 2

ML 2

______________

Total Raptors: 14 

I was joined by Tim Baldwin, an enthusiastic new watcher who first visited the lookout last week. His wife Barb was in Kansas City visiting their 1 year old grandson, so he decided to get some more hawkwatching experience. It proved to be an exciting day, with a nice mixture of species. This fall has been tough, as I've had a lot of visitors, but not a lot of hawks to show them. Thankfully today was different and Tim saw everything that flew by. 

Sharpies began moving through as blue skies grew cloudy. We discussed some clues to differentiate Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks from Pete Dunne's book, Hawks in Flight. About that time a Cooper's came through overhead and it was easy to note the head which sticks out farther than it's smaller cousin's does, straight leading edge of the wings and the fact it didn't flap as much, or as often, as a sharpie.

As it grew increasingly cloudy, I commented that I often expect Northern Harriers in similar darkened conditions. He had often seen them coursing low over marshes, but never in a situation like this.  In migration they can fool you into thinking they are a Turkey Vulture coming head-on, but they usually flap every now and then, which is a good clue it could be a Harrier. I commented, "Now if a Harrier would just come by." A short time later I saw a bird come over the brow. Dihedral like a TV, but it flapped some. A Northern Harrier! Even though it was a pretty close bird, Tim couldn't seem to get on it. He said he was seeing two birds, which turned out to be a couple of sharpies. Finally he also found the immature Harrier, and it flew right over the lookout, not too high up. One of the sharpies was not far behind. First harrier he'd ever seen "at altitude". To that point, the bird of the day.

The "icing on the cake" came at 1554. Two small birds came around the brow of the north ridge, and they both showed sharply-pointed wings and strong continuous flapping. Two Merlin's! They were only separated by 30-40 feet, one right behind the other! They passed close enough that we got decent looks as the pair of small, dark falcons zoomed south. They are usually solitary. I'm not sure I've ever had two come through so close together. This was truly a memorable sighting to cap off a good day!

Also saw 16 migrant Monarch butterflies.

Reporting: William G. (Bill) Haley"

I appreciate Bill's quick reporting, and apologize to him for delays in getting them up.  Such good news. Who could say having 2 Merlins and a Northern Harrier in one afternoon was a less then stellar day?  So Happy Tim could be there, welcome to the Hawkwatch.  Thanks for joining Bill. 

as always...who knows what you'll see or do, IF YOU 

KEEP LOOKING UP!!!

October Pics Show A Little Color

Bill took a few minutes to take a few pics of fall beginning to peek into the hawk-watch surroundings. Plus some little interest shots, because there is always a little nature to enjoy when the hawks are scarce. LOL

Note the Loon in the Other sightings!

Enjoy-  Here's Saturday's report:

"Soddy Mountain, TN hawk report
Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019

Time on lookout: 0945-1600 = 6.25 hr. 

Counter: Bill Haley

Pictures by William Haley (Bill)

Weather: 0945 Clouds 100%, wind NNW 5-12, visib. 55K, temp. 55F. 1100 wind NE 10-15, visib. 65K, temp. 57F. 1200 Clouds 99%, wind NE 2-8, temp. 60F. 1300 Clouds 60%, wind NE 2-5, temp. 63F. 1400 Clouds 35%, temp. 66F. 1500 Clouds 50%, wind NNW 2-10, temp. 68F.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raptors by the hour:

0945-1000: 0

1000-1100: SS 1

1100-1200: 0

1200-1300: SS 2

1300-1400: BE (ad.) 1, NH 1, SS 5

1400-1500: BE (ad ) 2

1500-1600: 0

   

BE 3

NH 1

SS 8

_______________

12 Total Raptors 

 

 

Other notable sightings:

- Wild Turkey (8) feeding in yard at junction of Jones Gap and Burchard Roads in way to lookout.

- Common Loon (1) flying south.

-Canada Goose (50) large V flying south. This is quite unusual. We expect to see Snow Geese, Double-crested Cormorants or Sandhill Cranes migrating in V's, but for some reason we very rarely see large numbers of Canada Geese.

- Monarch butterflies: 8

 

I only counted one sharpie before the clouds began to move out. The hour the clearing took place was the busiest of the day. Once I had a majority of blue sky the migrants dried up.

I will be up there after church tomorrow.

Reporting: William G. (Bill) Haley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KEEP LOOKING UP!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Life Gets in the Way....LOL

Two notes from Bill....every report counts.

Sunday's a no go:
"Cloudy weather after church meant grocery shopping and painting at the new place. (I would have rather been on the hawk lookout, as I'm starting to hate paint!) By the time there was some clearing, I couldn't figure out a way to get out of "paint detail". It was later in the afternoon anyway, so I'll have to hope for better luck tomorrow or Tuesday. I will only get to spend a partial day up there on Wednesday, and then back to work Thursday.

Bill"

..............................................................................

 

"Soddy Mountain, TN, hawk report

Tues., Oct. 8, 2019

Time on lookout: 0945-1500 = 5.25 hr.

Counter: Bill Haley

Weather: 0945 Clouds 100%, wind NE 2-8, visib. 45K, temp. 65F, (some sun poking through to East of TN River). 1100 Clouds 98%, wind ENE 2-5, visib. 50K, temp. 68F. 1200 Clouds 95%, wind ENE 2-10, visib. 65K, temp. 72F. 1300 Clouds 75%, temp. 76F. 1400 Clouds 35%, wind ENE 2-5, temp. 79F.

Raptors by hour:

0945-1000: BE (ad.) 1

1000-1100: 0

1100-1200: SS 1

1200-1300: SS 1

1300-1400: BW 1

1400-1500: 0

 

 BE  1

SS 2

BW 1 

____________

Total raptors : 4 

While I could see some sun a few miles to the east most of the day, it was completely socked in at the lookout until almost 1400. Even with clearing, no migrant raptors to count. It was nice to see a late Broad-wing, which showed up near the beginning of cloud break-up.

Monarch butterfly - 7

Reporting: William G. (Bill) Haley"

 

We appreciate you, Bill.

I for one don't mind that Bill is able to sometimes put getting his new abode in order....It's been a difficult Hawk count this year.  Proud of every number... many days there would be no numbers without his data.  As hawk watchers we all know there are days, sometimes many days, that the results are low. This year, it's been the norm,  but there is one more BE and one more BW that tell us they are still moving...on this date, on this year.  And weather has played an enormous roll in the count.  This dry heat has just made a change somehow in what is passing over the mountain, along the ridge, low enough to see. We have limitations and nature puts a damper on things sometimes.  That is data! It's a record.  And though seeing hawks is much more fun, it is the data after all that we have been  trying to record. Maybe this will be our record setting new low year.  It will definitely be the hottest up 'til now.  I am just sorry we are having to leave it all to Bill.  Thank you so much for your dedication.

For today, our tag line is more of an encouragement than a directive.....

 

KEEP LOOKING UP!!!!

 

 

Saturday Numbers as a Front Brings Wind

When Bald Eagles fly close enough to get cell phone pics, it was worth being there to take them...

Here's Bill's report and pics:

"Soddy Mountain, TN hawk report
 Sat., Oct. 5, 2019

Time on lookout: 1400-1715 = 3.25 hrs. 

Counter: Bill Haley 1400-1715

Visitors: Tim & Barb Baldwin 1430-1530

 

Weather report: 1400 Clouds 55%, wind S 10-15, visib. 15K, temp. 83F. 1500 Clouds 45%, temp. 87F. 1600 Clouds 40%, visib. 20K, temp. 89F. 1700 Clouds 30%, wind S 5-10, temp. 88F. 

 

 

Raptors by hour: 

1400: 0

1500: BE (ad.) 1, SS 1

1600: OS 1

1700: 0

 

 BE 1

 OS 1

 SS 1___________

 Total Raptors: 3 

Migrant butterflies:

Monarch 5, Cloudless Sulphur 2

 Photos by Bill Haley

 

Got a very late start today. A friend gave us a whole bedroom set for our new place: queen size bed w/almost new mattress and boxspring, chest of drawers, dresser and nightstand. My son-in-law Marc owns a big truck and today was the day he and my daughter Mindy could help Candy and I with the move. Between his truck, my truck and our SUV, we managed to get everything moved in one trip. We had to take down a couple of doors in our hallway to get everything in the bedroom, but we finally got it done. So at least I had a good excuse for my tardiness in reaching the lookout.

The wind was very strong from the south, which is not the choice direction for a good hawk flight. At 1430 I was joined by a nice couple, Tim and Barb Baldwin, who have just moved here from Chicago. They are birders, but had never visited a hawk lookout, so it was all new to them. They got directions from the blog, so thanks Cynthia and Jimmy! We had a great time visiting, as I familiarized them with landmarks and we worked on Turkey Vulture vs Black Vulture identifications. (Coming from Chicago, they'd not seen the more southern Black Vulture). Also got good looks at the local Red-tails as they enjoyed kiting in the strong winds - something else they hadn't seen before. The Baldwin's left at 1530, promising they'll be back again. I certainly hope so, as they proved to bring me good luck. (Read on).

Not 2 minutes after they left, I spotted a Sharp-shinned Hawk, which continued on south. My first countable bird of the day. 

(What a Turkey Vulture mimic pose! LOL - CW)

Seven minutes later, an adult Bald Eagle came sailing over the north ridge very low, approaching almost at eye level. I thought to myself, "Why couldn't the Baldwins have stayed just 15 minutes longer?" It actually had to flap several times to gain the altitude to clear the wires to the left of the pole! By far the closest BE this fall. I managed to get some decent shots with my cell phone as it passed. The bird continued south past Big Soddy Creek Gorge, and sailed on down the valley, so I counted it as a migrant.

I was feeling lucky after this, so decided to stay awhile longer. I was rewarded at 1629, as  an Osprey glided high overhead. It never flapped a single time, but rode the cushion of wind deflected off the face of the ridge all the way south.

A few minutes later, I heard the chip notes of some small birds behind me, so I pished a couple of times and a Magnolia Warbler, the first I've seen this fall, jumped up on a branch. I really hope Barb and Tim read this, as I'd just told them a story about a very special Magnolia Warbler that was responsible for me getting my present job. (I hadn't told that story in a long time, so it seemed destined to be.) Thanks to Tim and Barb - my good luck charms today.

Reporting: William G. (Bill) Haley"

..........................................................................

 

Hope this cooler weather makes it easier to

 

KEEP LOOKING UP!!! 

 

Waiting On A Front, Help Arrives Once Again

Soddy Mountain, TN hawk report, Fri., Oct. 4, 2019

Time on lookout: 1000-1600 = 6.0 hrs.

Counter: Bill Haley 1000-1600

Visitors: Cheryl Finley 1045-1500

                Lenny Kafka 1145-1345

Weather:

1000 Clouds 50%, wind ENE 2-8, visib. 40K, temp. 75F. 1100  temp. 81F. 1200 temp. 84F. 1300 Wind NE 2-5, temp. 88F. 1400 Clouds 65%, visib. 50K, temp. 90F. 1500 Clouds 50%, wind NE 2-10, temp. 94F.

Raptors by hour:

1000: CH 1

1100: BW 1

1200: SS 2

1300: 0

1400: BE (ad.) 1

1500: SS 1

Total raptors:

BE 1, SS 3, CH 1, BW 1 = 6 total

Another very hot day, but at least we had a nice breeze most of the day to keep us from overheating. Clouds were good most of the day. Once again, not much activity from migrant hawks. We had some really good looks at local Red-tailed Hawks and adult Bald Eagles. At one time there were 5 eagles involved. 

The one eagle counted did not act like the local birds. It was seen coming high over the north ridge in a glide. It circled very high and then glided on south at high altitude.

Cheryl Finley and Lenny Kafka made their second appearance on the lookout this fall. I really hoped they would get to see a memorable flight. Unfortunately the hawks were uncooperative. It's really difficult to get someone hooked on hawkwatching when there are no hawks to watch!

There is supposed to be a change (finally) in the weather pattern, with a chance of rain and slightly cooler temperatures in the next 2-3 days. Time will tell if that shakes the hawks loose.

Migrant butterflies:

Monarch 17

Cloudless Sulphur 19

Reporting: William G. (Bill) Haley

            ..............

 

Bill says we just have to get a chance to meet Cheryl.  I certainly hope we get that chance.  I am so proud she and Lenny came out again.  Maybe this cool weather will allow for a steady stream of migrants and give them a chance to see more birds.   Thanks for this report, Bill. 

 

KEEP LOOKING UP!!!!!

 

 

October Reports Coming In ~ More Record Breaking Heat

Soddy Mountain, TN hawk report
Thurs., Oct. 3, 2019

Time on lookout: 0900-1315 = 4.25 hr.

Counter: Bill Haley

 

Weather report: 0930 Clear, wind E 1-2, visib. 30K, temp. 73F. 1000 Wind ENE 1-4, Visib. 35K, temp. 77F. 1100 Temp. 83F. 1200 Clouds 2%, wind N 2-5, temp. 88F. Wind shifted to NW 10-15 mph by 1215, 1300 Wind WNW 10-15, clouds 8%, temp. 93F.

 

Raptors by hour: 

0900-1000: SS 1, AK 1

1000-1100: SS 1

1100-1200:. 0

1200-1300: CH 1

1300-1315: 0

  

SS 2

 CH 1

 AK 1 

__________________

 Total Raptors  4 

Other sightings:

Double-crested Cormorant 2

Red-headed Woodpecker 1

Monarch butterflies -59

Cloudless Sulphur - 2

 

Things started out favorably, with 2 Sharp-shins and an American Kestrel in the first hour. Unfortunately things slowed down after that. It was exceptionally hot, with our 9th or 10th record-breaking heat day. Searching for hawks in the solid blue sky was like searching through a very large haystack hoping for an exceedingly small needle. When the wind shifted to the west and temperatures continued to rise, I had to call it a day.

Reporting: William G. (Bill) Haley

_____________________________________

 

 

The Xfinity filters are now putting our TOS and some TN-bird, as well as some of Bill's reports into spam.  While we are happy to have some things go to spam, we are not happy to have the things we sign up for to go to spam.  We have almost missed a few things, including this email.  I will try to stay on top of it. I already have been checking spam to see if any other reports have fallen through the cracks. So if you sent one, please email us a note. 

 

The weather continues to be suffering hot on Watchers, and sometimes very few clouds.  I researched a number of sites on Hawkcount.org , who also are experiencing lower than usual numbers.  but the trend so far, as I have downloaded charts from VA NC and a couple of other sites is that most visible countable hawks are passing through Central NC.  I haven't done a thorough research yet to make positive declarations on the matter, but in a place or two in Va, the hawk counts were highest in mid-September, rather than later in the month as we generally expect.  And those hawks were not seen again later by watches except a couple of times in Midwestern NC at places like Grandfather Mtn, Linville NC and one other. I"ll try to get some results up for everyone to see this week.  To do a good report, I probably need to compare every site I visit with last year's numbers, but I won't have time to do so.  So in general I can only compare this year's numbers.  Bill having good morning numbers could be a very good indicator that Hawks are getting way high early in the day. 

 

Thankfully, many Accipiters and hawks like Northern Harriers and Falcons seem to prefer the treetops or lower altitudes.  So he may continue to get some good looks, especially if the cool fronts really do come in and lower the temps. 

 

He isn't giving up.  He hopes to go most days this week, so if you can join him, prepare for the heat and sun!

 

It's still and exciting time to

KEEP LOOKING UP!!!

C

Hot Days, Possibly No Coverage

Bill sent a note inquiring if anyone made it up over the weekend, and to provide some new dates for you to join him.  We want to never forget that even if BW season was not incredible, There are a host of other Hawks to come through this month and next. If you don't know Jimmy's email, and would like to send us a record of having been up, it is tenacbirder@comcast.net . Here's hoping we get a note.

"Jimmy and Cynthia;

Jimmy - I hope you are doing well after your most recent treatment. Cynthia - how are you getting around? I am going to try to get by to see you soon.

I just checked the blog and was hoping to see a report from SOMEONE since I was up there last Friday. I'm disappointed, but not really surprised. 

Unfortunately whenever I age out I figure it'll be the end of Soddy Mountain hawkwatch as we've known it all these years. My "little baby" will become just a footnote in Tennessee ornithological history. A big part of that is this blog, which you've kept so faithfully, and I thank you for all your time and effort. We've experienced some amazing sights over the years.

But I'm not throwing in the towel!!!!

I will be off from this Thursday till I have to go back to work the next Thursday. Some days I have to be elsewhere for at least part of the day, but will man the lookout when I can. Maybe I'll get lucky and catch a very late movement of Broad-wings, but if not, it'll go down as our worst BW season ever.

I promise, you WILL get some more reports and I will see more hawks. After all, we are now moving into MY favorite time.

I'll KEEP LOOKING UP!"

Bill, I checked several times this weekend, hoping. Jimmy and I spent a little time on the deck looking up ourselves.  But at this point we have no weekend hawkwatch reports.  Thanks for the info, and we hope you'll continue to have company at the watch all season.

 

Jiimmy's had a reaction to something on treatment day, but recovered before day's end, yet is weak as usual for a couple days after.  I am walking a lot now with and without my cane, although slowly.  And not for distances. But I'll get there over the next year they said.  Jimmy cannot stand the heat at all these days, or we might have ventured up for an hour or so ourselves if he felt better.  I'm happy to post when you think you will be up. Thanks for the note!

 

C

 

these days it's important in more ways than one to...

 

KEEP LOOKING UP!!!!!