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