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

Monday, November 18, 2019

Red-tails Continue to Make Obvious Moves to the South

It's so much fun to finally see Red-tails in migratory mode, rather than having to discount them as locals. I wish I was with Bill as he is now able to count them. New to the board as of the last few counts are the Red-shouldered Hawks.  I can attest to having one gorgeous RT camp out in my yard recently. I could only wonder if he was a migrant.  These late season birds bring our all time counts to 91,967 raptors.

"Soddy Mountain, TN hawk report
 Sun., Nov. 17, 2019 

Time on lookout: 1230-1600 = 3.5 hr. 
Counter: Bill Haley
Weather: 1230 Clouds 50%, (thin cirrus), wind E 1-3, visib. 50K, temp. 57F. 1300 Clouds 60%, temp. 58F. 1400 Clouds 75% (much heavier cloud layer than earlier thin cirrus), wind calm, temp. 59F. 1500 Clouds 60%, temp. 61 F.
Raptors by hour:
1230-1300: RS 1, RT 1
1300-1400: SS 2, RT 2
1400-1500: RT 1
1500-1600: 0
Total:
SS 2,
RS 1,
 RT 4 
_____________
7 total hawks

The flight was promising with ample sunshine through thin cirrus clouds until a heavier cloud layer moved in shortly after 1400, and unfortunately brought the flight to a halt. Even with some clearing after 1515, migrants were through for the day.

Other sightings:
Cedar Waxwing 144
Buck Moth 1

Reporting: William G. (Bill) Haley
..........................................................
KEEP LOOKING UP!!!!
c
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