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

Saturday, November 9, 2019

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 
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Thanks Bill

KEEP LOOKING UP!!!!!
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