Expecting Big Numbers on Turkey Vultures

Jimmy and I have seen large groups of Turkey Vultures gather in numbers above 800 on spots along the river in the past, (not from the hawk watch.) It would be a lovely sight to have one of those large groups rise from the trees somewhere within count range of the Soddy Mtn. watch this fall. But large groups of 50+ are not out of the question. As you drive west toward Nashville this time of year, it never fails that we see that size kettle of Vultures over and over again when they are on the move. It is just a matter of how many of those kettles cross near the count visibility of Bill's site. As I put up this report it is Sunday morning, and raining. So Bill does not go up on a completely rained out day. Tomorrow the rain is forecast to end early in the day. So Monday may be a day when hawks waiting out the rain instead of using valuable energy, will do a morning hunt, and get underway. Maybe a few backed up will make for a great count. Hoping for skies without significant haze or fog so they can be seen. Here's Saturday's report:

Merlins And an Uptick in Vultures

Watching the wind directions change on Bill's report is interesting today. We often focus on the numbers of the birds, but the data for weather is alway interesting too. A NE Wind became an ESE wind, then calmed but ended out the Day coming straight out of the East. The interesting thing, about Vultures, is they love wind. Turkey Vultures especially are well suited to the wind. And sometimes in Easterly winds, we have seen them moving E to W in the hazy mists North of the Watch all day, and could never count them in spite of their size, because they were just fantom shapes appearing and vanishing in the haze. Friday, about lunch time- well here's the report:

Moderate Southerly Winds

The Turkey Vulture numbers should begin to pick up. And they have. 27 is our Grandson's lucky number. On this the 27th day of October, Bill had a nice end of the day push of vultures on the move. Here's the report:

It's Wednesday, And October is Quickly Winding Down

The leaves are quickly falling from the trees. The fall color is winding down, and it is beginning to look a lot like winter is on it's way. Bill sent a short post, so I will keep it short. Here's the report:

A Day to Remember!

On Tuesday, a fire was raging west of the hawkwatch along Hwy 8, on the west side of the Savage Gulf area. Jimmy and I were traveling to Murfreesboro for a doctor's appointment, and had not heard of the fire, but were alerted by the amount of emergency activity there was in the area. I texted family wondering what could be going on, and my daughter quickly responded with a link to the fire info. The further west we went, the more we could smell the smoke, but flames were not visible from the road. I wondered then, would it have any bearing on the hawk watch, which we had only a few minutes earlier passed and blown the horn as we often do, when we know someone is on the watch. Whether a fire so large would actually hold hawks into a pattern which would more or less force them to go over the watch and head further south before heading into a westerly flight, I cannot say for certain. But since a very good day co incided with Bill's very good day, I have to wonder. Here's the story, and his report - he says it will be a memorable day! Tuesday 10 25 22: click on the post to view it in larger print.

Sharpies Overhead

As day breaks, I am taking a moment to get Bill's report up for today. A steady flow of infrequent birds adds up.Welcome Mitch, who visited Monday! Here's the report:

A slightly more varied count on Sunday afternoon. Some of you may desire to know that Bill comes up on Sundays after Church. Should have been a lovely fall afternoon for a count. The winds have calmed, but maybe a little too much, because it causes the migrants to have to work at moving SW these days. But for people, a great day to look into those mountain leaves and try to pick out a South bound raptor. Hello to the Keels. Thanks for joining Bill to search these blue skies. Here's the report:

" I had a good visit with Ry and Katie Keel. They came equipped with chairs, camera and binoculars. I didn't get to show her a Sharp-shinned Hawk, so I guess she'll have to come back and try again. Bill"

Warmer Weekend Weather and New Watch Warriors

As I post this, the weekend is almost over and Bill has had a number of weekend warriors come up to cheer him on. He is having great fun, sharing the hawk watch with so many visitors. It is such a blessing that you come up to support his vigil and to brighten his day. Plus we always say...MORE EYES TO THE SKIES!!! So in this post I will put up Saturdays results. Here's the report:

5 Bald Eagle Day and Lots of Visitors

Exciting to continue to have so many visitors come to the watch. Welcome to all and we hope you can come again. I am not sure if we have ever had visitors all the way from the Netherlands before. What a blessing. Here's Friday's report:

Thomas and Katie with Bill.

Click on the report to view it better. Just a note, Bill is producing almost all of the photos this year, unless otherwise posted.

Buteos On the Move

Winds died down, and in spite of the cold, Bill had a fairly nice day. Welcome Kim to the watch. Hope you enjoyed the hawks you saw. Thanks for the Support. Here's the report, October 20th, Thursday:

Early Cold Snap Freeze and The Red Breasted Nuthatch - again!

The Fall colors are surprisingly gorgeous in the mountains. Coming from Murfreesboro, we got a glimpse of what Bill is seeing from his mountain perch. The sun through the leaves was absolutely on fire. But he just might be so cold it's hard to enjoy. So a little Red-breasted nuthatch may have warmed his day a bit. Here's the report:

Baby It's Cold Outside!!

I was checking my calendar for next week and noticed where I had entered the date for the estimated first frost of Fall. Well, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week were not just frosts, they were freezes. A week early! Can't tell you what a scramble I was in getting my greenhouse ready and all the plants inside on Sunday before we left for Jimmy's surgery. I have just crashed upon arriving home. Bill said today was the coldest on the watch too. I remember a time many years ago when we weathered a windy cold day with Bill, just to put data on the books. But it WAS rough. Here's the report:Tuesday October 18, 2022

While We Were Away

Jimmy needed to have his first Cataract Surgery, But the Hawk watching carried on. Just not us posting the reports, so we are late. Let's catch up- Sunday's report:

Monday's Report:

Snakes On The Side

Bill got a surprise on the watch Sunday. Not one but 2: Just a side note - "

A Day To Be Thankful For

Bill had a wonderful report today. Really nice notes to go with and exciting day:

Lots of Friends Today

Bill was blessed with company today. Wish they could see a large number or some close raptors. Much aprreciation for each one who came.

Western Winds Push Back On Hawks Going West

Bill mentioned yesterday (Wednesday's report) that he heard his first Hermit thrush singing. Just this week we have had at least one in the yard, coming to the water feature in the back yard. The Blue Jays and hummers have moved on for us as well. However, he had a large flock of BlueJay migrants on Thursday. Lot's of other activity there as well. Bill added the first Red-shouldered Hawk of the season. Two kinds of Falcons here as well. Here's the report:

Posting for the 11th and 12 of October

Well, Tuesday was another 10 Hawk day. But Wednesday was a zero day, due to some rain and completely overcast skies. Some times a little break wouold do a body good. We need the rain sooooo badly. Can't complain. Here are the 2 reports:

Bill Needed A Few More Hawks

Would you sit for 5 plus hours to see 10 hawks? If you love doing it, you would. Jimmy and have. Were actually chomping at the bit to get up there, so we could. It is so much better with more eyes, because, no matter how dedicated you are, looking into the skies for hours takes a toll on the body. Blue skies have an additional negative for hawk watchers, other than just making hawks high in the sky difficult to see. The constant unrelenting sun, burns, stresses your eyes, and add the danger of dehydration, sun exhaustion. I definitely experiened it once. Was sweating and suddenly my body just dried up. No sweat, and I could feel it like a wash of hot air from head to toe. It was so significant, that I mentioned how strange it felt. Bill and Jimmy immediately recognized what had happened. I was on the verge of a heat stroke without water and shade. So they sent me to the car. This was years ago, and yet that one time, brings a lifetime of not being able to withstand the direct sun for hours straight the way I did before the experience. Many years earlier, Jimmy had experienced this while working on putting some underpinning up. He was using corregated metal, on a hot day. It did the same for him. And he has always found a shady place to park the car since then. Desires a tent or umbrella to stay on the watch. It takes it's toll. As we get older, we are very happy not to see Bill alone on the watch. He is careful, but he is benefitted by guests, even if he misses a hawk or two. But the other thing that helps is just seeing a few more birds. So 10 is better than 2. Here's the report:

Here are a few guests from the past several days. We love you braved the slow days!

3 Hours After Church, Too Few Sharpies

Bill is perplexed why the numbers of Accipiters remain low. But for the umpteenth day this season, the winds and clouds are not as favorable to seeing the birds as on many years in the past. I read down to one of the big sites, who had tons of raptors, who were saying, the winds just had not been favorable for their usual numbers. Even with their numbers, they seemed equally dismayed. But I remember other years with days like this...just not so many of them in a row. The big site said the south winds had backed up the hawks because they could not fly into it successfully. But a change in the wind to a favorable wind out of the NW saw many birds hopping on and riding it as if primed to go, so to speak. I am sorry I cannot remember which site it was, because I would like to direct readers to that exact post. We have had a lot of wind as well. But some days out of the NW. For us, maybe a wind out of the NE would help. But whatever the combo, raptors cannot be found flying within eyesite over the Soddy Mtn Watch within Bill's expectations. Once again we thank all the helpers. Sorry you may not have experienced the numbers of past migrations. But it is what it is. AS I looked over Hawkcount.orgs numbers, quite a few sites had also reported from 1 to 4 hawks for the day, sometimes several days in a row. So we are not alone. It will be interesting to see if season number for the year across the board are low. Did we have a low procuction year? Are there fewer numbers flying, or was weather a big factor in moving them west of us; east of us? I guess we ask these questions every year. And I am not sure we ever will exactly have the answers. Here is Bill's Sunday report:

They Didn't Get Skunked...but Almost

In case you have ever wondered, we have had zero hawk days. Yep, sit there all day to see zero raptors. It is difficult to understand how that can happen, but it does on our site. We must thank all those who came up to search the skies. Hopefully they weren't too disapointed with only 2.

Another Aquarium Friend Visits the Hawkwatch

Bill also had a visit from Cathy CAtes on Thursday. Thanks for the continued Support!!!

He says - "This has been Tennessee Aquarium reunion week on the lookout. On Thursday, Oct. 5, one of my former colleagues in the Aquarium's Education Department, Cathy Cates, dropped by to visit. She took a chance I'd be there, and I'm glad she did! I hadn't seen her in over 3 years." ________________________________ Keep Looking Up!!!

Two Posts In One 10-6 & 7

Tonight I am posting both Thursday and Friday's Reports. Be sure to scroll down to get both. Welcome Julia to the Watch. Thanks for coming!!! (Note: each post is always in a format which allows you to click on it and review it more clearly or to zoom in, on a phone or small device.)

Quick Look At Snickers Gap Sept Numbers

Snickers Gap only posted through September 28th, but check out those Bald Eagle numbers!

A Small Kettle Surprise

We are at 1732 raptors for the fall season, thus far...before this post. Let's see what Wednesday's flight raises the number to:

1758

Hoping For The Flap Flap Glide

Ac·cip·i·ter: a genus of hawks with short, broad wings, long legs and tail, adapted for quick flight through wooded areas, which eats mostly small mammals and birds. Sometimes known as Birdhawks, with over 50 different named hawks in the genus. .....so say the dictionaries and other references that tell how to spell and say the name. Ak Sip u Der. In our neck of the woods, the notable species we count are Sharp-shinned Hawks, Coopers Hawks, and Northern Harrier. Check out the chart below, reprinted here from Bill Haley's brochure about the Hawk Watch, which indicates the usual density of raptors migrating through our flyway, arriving in our area, and when. From the watch we are not looking for a hawk hunting hunting small prey through the trees, to count for migration. Although sometimes they will drop to catch prey when we have watched them come from very far North of us, and maybe later in the day we will see them leave the trees and move on south. But to count them in most cases, we watch them move through high above the trees, and continue South. So we are looking for a specific flight characteristic. The wing beat pattern of Sharpies and Coopers is more of a flap, flap glide cadence. Although a few other birds might have the cadence for a short moment or two, these two migrants will continue to have that cadence any time they are not in a glide, (riding the wind.) The difficulty then becomes telling them apart at distance. The easiest way is often, that the Sharpie appears to have very little head sticking out beyond the wings, and the Cooper's head is often obvious. But also the tail of the Sharpie is squared off. The Coopers' spreads with a rounded edge, and has a white rounded spot near the end from the bands, which can look like a ball, when the sun shines through. The Northern Harriers have extremely long tails, and hold their wings up, in a V similar to a vulture stance when gliding. Even in flight with flapping wings, the overall look from a distance is the bird is a flying V. They look lighter than air for sure. And also have a slow flapping cadence. All three have shown up on our counts already, but this is the month they shine. Bill is hoping their numbers pick up, as weather now cools and the winds die down. He will spend a lot of time looking down the valley lower than the horizon as well to catch many of them. Some will track rapidly across the clouds, and he will be lucky to catch them bulleting through. So to see more of them, he will be hoping for the slower flap, flap glide.

Here's the report for Tuesday Oct. 4:

Some Hawk Watch Days Are Just 0 To 5 Low Count Days

Cool air is slowly seeping into our days. In the mornings around the house the trees are very birdy. This morning the partly cloudy skies would seem encouraging if it were late September, and we were looking into them for Broad-wings. From this point on, kettles of hawks are less expected. Not out of the question, but less expected. Some hawks do come through as more than one of a species at a time, and sometimes more than one species at a time, but they dribble through. One or two here and one or two there. Until vulture season nearer November. Bill is good at catching those hawks zipping out of the north down the valley. It was my weakness. I was always good at getting the ones high over our heads or sneaking behind us.Debbie got the specks so high or far out. Roi kept the ridgeline covered, and found the ones ducking into the tree line. Harold could pull hawks from the skies around Vultures like none of us ever could, and Jimmy loved the ones which came in low as all of us were looking up higher. Hawk watching as a team made the job much easier. We could divy up the sky into quadrants if needed and switch up to relieve the monotiny. Miss our team time. But there is no team this year, or for a couple of years. So we are always so happy to see the days when Bill has help. But I am sure there are days he loves the restfulness of just sitting and looking for hawks. Many times through the years, we looked all day in good conditions and left the watch with a 0 raptor count. But not on Monday...Here's the report:

The Cast of Migrants May Take on Some New Species

If the Broad-wings did not back up because of Huricane Ian, but moved west of us instead, the season is still not over. BWs may have hustled on out, and are into Panama and beyond by now, but quite a few species have only just begun. Bill has begun to count a Red-tailed Hawk or two, as they begin their shift. And we are entering prime season for the Accipiters, The big Daddy Red-tailed and Red-shouldered hawks, or the falcons. And later into the month, numbers of Harriers should pick up as well. What is cool, some of these will fly low and over the watch if they are lucky. view the species page for a chart to see when the hawks have moved through our area traditionally - https://soddymountainhawkwatch.blogspot.com/p/raptor-species.html ______________ But for now- Here's the October 2 Report _____________

This is the HawkCount.org chart for the month of September ---- http://hawkcount.org/466-2022-09

Gusty Winds !!!!

We seldom get many hawks in winds like on this day. The trees in the yard were full of birds, because they are not migrating in this. they are feeding and researving energy. Sometimes we have seen numerous Accipiters on windy days, if you can get on them in the vast sky, because they move extremely fast through the air. Later in the year, the Vultures take great advantage of the winds to get moving. For now, they use the wind for strengthening their muscles. Out west they are on the move south, but not so much here yet. They love to play on the wind, or it seems sometimes, because that is when they come out and just linger for long periods. Here is Saturday's report:

A LITTLE BIRDING ON THE SIDE

As Hurricane Ian comes inland again, into South Carolina and runs up the coast until it becomes less strong today, the outer edges of the storm only push to about Knoxville, so no clouds got into our Blue Sky realm. Bill sent a little note to say he had a super little find a little closer to the ground: "I saw 2 Red-breasted Nuthatches in the pines behind the lookout today. Got very close looks as they responded well to my pishing. Also 6 Monarch butterflies." It is, of course migration season for so many things, so many birds and Butterflies are also on the move. So sometimes, when Hawk watching is consuming our time to see the other birds, it is a plus to see something as bonus as Red-breasted Nuthatches. But Bill was not the only lucky one yesterday. Jimmy was being prepped for his IVIG, and I stepped to the door to look out for a minute, to not disturb his new nurse. It was just in time to see a Red-Headed Wood-pecker fly into our big oak. He didn't stay long. In fact, he was one of a number of birds all over our trees until something scared them all off in mass....Probably a hawk of course. LOL But the kicker to this story, is we have never in all our years living here, seen one in our back yard. Again, has to be migration. The mixed batch of birds flitting through our trees were probably just bonus birds seeking a bit of food before moving on. I love the fall opportunities to view what you might not otherwise see every day. Especially when they are coming to where you are. LOL