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 16, 2019

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
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