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

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

NOVEMBER IS HERE AND BILL IS BACK

NOvember 3, 2025 Bill is back after a short few days off due to rain and an insulator show. It is becoming the time for the large raptors to make their way south. Red-tailed hawks mostly make a shift, as it is called. It is a shorter migration than birds that travel into the southern hemisphere, for the most part. Red-shouldered and Turkey Vulture counts will continue. And some Bald Eagles will be on the move as well. Some from the north will settle in here to nest. Others will only go as far as the coastlines, and areas in between. It is gettingtoo close to mating/nesting time at this point to be on the move unless you are a sub-adult like the BE Bill counted today. Here is the report:
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