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

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Another Southern Wind

Bill and Lou Ann Henry looked for the unexpected. 
Here's today's report -
Soddy Mountain, TN hawk report

 Sun., Sept. 22, 2019

Time on lookout: 1230-1700 = 4.5 hrs 
Counter: Bill Haley, 
Guest: Ruth Ann Henry

A word about weather: I am still without a weather radio, so no barometric or humidity readings. If I don't list something (ex. Visibility) every hour, there has been no change from previous hour(s). All times listed are military time.

Weather report: 1230: Wind S 5-12, clouds 15%, visib. 50K, temp. 80F. 1300 temp. 81F. 1400: Clouds 0, temp. 84F. 1500: Wind S 5-15. 1600: Wind SSE 2-8, temp. 89F. 

Raptors by hour:
1230-1300: 0
1300-1400: BW 3
1400-1500: 0
1500-1600: BE 1 (ad.)
1600-1700: 0

Total Raptors: BE 1, BW 3

Notable sightings:

 3 adult Bald Eagles flew over very close together at 1445, flying westward and diving on each other. A good deal of interaction. Local birds, not countable.

Hundreds of Chimney Swifts. Numbers were first noted after 1400 and continued rest of the afternoon.

Adult Bald Eagle @ 1554 was observed in distance over North ridge, in glide southward. Watched it all the way out of sight to the south. Countable bird.

Remarks: I didn't think it would be possible to have a day with fewer migrants than yesterday, but once again the hawks didn't pass by the lookout. Wind was 10 mph or better from the south all afternoon, and other than the first hour it was clear blue cloudless sky.
I enjoyed visiting with Ruth Ann Henry, and despite the lack of hawks, we had enough stories to swap that the pleasant afternoon was very enjoyable. We see her every BW season. Thanks for keeping me company Ruth Ann!

I'll be back in the morning, and am hoping to get a more favorable wind, and maybe some clouds...and Broad-wings!

Reporting: Bill Haley
 
Jimmy says that on Saturday, there were around 8900 Hawks counted on a watch in NC, between Black Mtn and Hickory NC.  There were about 2500 at Mendota Fire Tower.  The hawks are out there, but southern winds are not favorable for them to come over Soddy.  This is the week.  One day, Bill may need you - meet him there.
 
THIS IS THE WEEK TO
 
KEEP LOOKING UP!!!
 
Never give up guys. Sorry for the slow days.
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