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

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Bill's Hawk Watch Schedule for NEXT WEEK


Bill sent me this email, just so everyone can know in advance, his hawk watch schedule.  I certainly hope there will be some who can join him a few days or hours!! And just so you'll know, he isn't in the Aquarium vehicle you might expect. This is his new ride!


Tammy might come, but he hasn't heard from Jim Rowell who was very consistent last year.  He needs help, if you are able. Some huge numbers of BW's are already moving down through Central USA along that flight pattern.  We should expect great numbers through ours as well, if the birds don't get too high by mid-day.  MARK YOU CALENDARS!!!

"Cynthia;    
 
Attached are a few shots I took last Saturday. Note my 2019 hawk-watching vehicle, “Big Blue”, a 1995 Dodge Ram pickup with less than 82,000 miles. (Looks nice with the goldenrod in the background. LOL!)
 
I will be on vacation next week and also plan to be up there some this weekend, so here are dates and times. (Moving may lead to some minor changes, but I intend to stick to this schedule if possible). Please bear in mind that if there is a good hawk flight on any of the days Sept. 22-27, I’ll probably stay longer than the posted quitting time. Bad weather could also play a role in quitting time on any day.
 
Sat., Sept. 21: 9:30 to 2:30 or 3
Sun., Sept. 22: 1:00 to 4:00
Mon., Sept. 23: 9:30 to 4:00
Tues., Sept. 24: 9:30 to 4:00
Wed., Sept. 25: 9:30 to 4:00
Thurs., Sept. 26: 9:30 to 4:00
Fri., Sept. 27: 9:30-4:00
 
I haven’t heard a word from Jim Rowell. There is a possibility he’ll be up there too, but it may be just me. Come on up and plan to stay awhile. There may be fantastic sights to be seen!
Just a note, remember to consider it's a little bit of a hill to get up to the watch.
   
 
If you come visit the lookout, please remember to bring: wide-brimmed hat, sunblock, a folding chair to sit in, plenty to drink – (it’ll be hot and you must stay hydrated), snacks, binoculars (preferably 8X or better – not tiny little compact jobs – you need a good field of view and some of these hawks will be specks at 10X!).
 
Bill Haley "
Photos by Bill Haley
 
GET READY
 
All eyes needed to help
KEEP LOOKING UP!!!!!!
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