Peregrin Falcon Makes an Appearance

The BW numbers will slow now. Large numbers moved South early this year according to many watchers. The Nor'Easter which went up the eastern coast pushed them a little west of us. Holly Taylor up in Putnam Co. TN around Clarkville reported a huge push of BWs, showing videos online of a pure river of BWs migrating by them a few days ago. I mentioned it looked like being in Corpus Christi. While Corpus Christi racked up 80.000 plus 2 days in a row. There are no shortages of BW hawks. They just have not made a huge showing over Soddy Mountain while Bill was able to be there. Thankfully, he's had a steady stream of help and visitors, and that is very motivating, and fun. And he's had enough hawks to help people get to see them. Even with some variety. Today's count is pretty much a good example. And just seeing the hawks, and getting to know them is often better than a thousand BWs. Here's the report:

Clear Blue All Day!

Monday September 28, 26 Jimmy and I were on the deck, while Blake was replacing more of the boards - sawing. talking. and just all around making noise, when Jimmy asked about a small bird in the trees. Before we knew it, there were a couple dozen, and every one seemed to be a small warbler, at first. We had a little fall out of great species and turned our eyes skyward to ck for hawks. And the first thing Jimmy said was, I would not be on the Lookout today. The skies were so blue they seemed solid. So this report was pulled out of the near impossible:

Mystery Bird in Tami's Message

Sunday, Sept 27 26. I love that Tami included a mystery bird in her message and report today. We sometimes record them as Unidentified, but Tami lost the bird in the sun, as will often happen. We can't know if it was a migrant. But it warrants discussion. Because, it is not always easy to ID even the common Hawks as opposed to something we would love to record, that is not so common. With Red-tailed hawks, there are also some features that make them unique. Examples woulld be, Light and Dark Morphs, Harlans and Leucistic birds...and other titles given to certain looks of Red-tails,which are not typical - with a red tail. Another factor, for identification of all hawks, is that a juvenile bird can look quite a bit different than an adult. So since this Mystery Bird caught a long-time counter's attention, I know it was worth checking out. After this report I am putting up some pictures I gleaned from online to represent 3 hawk species which can be misidentified pretty easily when they are not in the expected plumage of an Adult version........... It takes a long look sometimes to find the features you need to make an ID. That is exactly what Tami was trying to do when her hawk didn't present with common ID features. She was going down a checklist of things that could help ID a unique bird, and as she did that, nothing was coming up difinitive. Then the bird flew into the sun, and her check list was interrupted before she could ck it all out. When that happens, it leaves you with a sense of wanting to have seen more. It sticks with you for a few days. Ask me how I know. There are things that given time, would have identified her bird. But they might not be the first things you look at..... Distant birds sometimes require a silouette ID. Knowing wingshape, tail length, and relative size in comparison to something else. This is true between 3 specific Hawks. And Tami was on the trail to Identifying any one of the 3.( I added the 3rd to the discussion, not her, for discussions sake.) Although after the fact, we would probably rule out at last one, based on it being a Western Hawk, stranger things have happened than seeing a bird out of it's expected range. But she rightly focused on 2...... Noting features that could occur mostly in one or the other, but in morphs or juveniles can occur in both, or either or. Gets complicated. And notice, in her message, she said "spots on the legs like..." Guess what. The bird with the most dominant spotted legs in light morph is the western bird. LOL So, she was trying to gather evidence, if you will. The 3 hawks are Red-tailed, Rough-legged, and Ferrouginous. I looked through dozens of online photos and kept seeing articles of how these 3 were most like one of the others as a similiar species. ...................Here is a quote from one of our posts many years ago, where I searched for the instances we have seen the Rough-legged Hawk: "But the one thing I haven't mentioned at all are the unique individuals that we have seen.(# 8) In all these years we have only managed to count 3 Mississippi Kites, 1 Northern Goshawk, and 1 Rough-legged Hawk. The rarest of our species. But there have only been 61 Merlins, and 18 Golden Eagles. I didn't get to see the NG or the RL, and am not sure I could have ID'd them at the time." Now, Numbers for Merlins and Golden Eagles may have changed since then. But the other 2, not so much. I didn't have time to actually search for an actual update; Bill would probably know off the top of his head. But Rough-legged would have been pretty cool for Tami and Bill..... Years ago, there was one that stayed around for the winter on the other side of the mountains in the Sequatchie Valley. Like with kites, things are seen over there, we wish would come over to our valley. So it was also not unreasonable for Tami to ck out a hawk that wasn't common looking. I really hate she didn't have a little more time. But even then sometimes, you just can't be sure. Thanks for bringing me back to the watch, with memories of trying to ID a hawk but, only walking away with visions of it in my head. LOL Here's her message and her count sheet, followed by 4 hawk pics to review, that if I saw these backlit by sun, I am sure I would struggle to pick out the Rough-legged for certain.

Light Morph RT Aug 28 25 Echo Oregon by Mark Ludwick of Pacific NW Birding on FACEBOOK .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Light Morph Rough-Legged Hawk from FACEBOOK New England Wildlife ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Juvenile RT from Birdfact.com, articles on RT Hawks .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Ferrufinous Hawk from All About Birds....................... Notice the banding on the tail, which Tami described, is missing on THIS bird. I could not find an instance where a feruginous had banding on it's tail. However they have a very reddish upper tail in many cases, which when backlit by sun looks just like a lighter colored adult RT. The exceptionally long wings, and no bands on the tail...Not her bird, no possibility for a rare Western fluke. Not that she considered it. Just noting, how to rule the rare one out definitively. One final note. I have seen Red-tails almost completely devoid of the checkerboard banding on their underwings, shown in these 2 RT pictures, and the one at the top of our page. Some RTs are so white underneath you wonder if they are leucistic. Which we have seen. But it has to be noted, that at least 1 completely Albino looking RT has been reported on several occasions by people up on Jones Gap RD. Reputable birders have tagged me in pics, or mentioned them on FACEBOOK and I saw it. If the is a local, and has nested, there could be some very Feruginous looking RTs up there. If they happen to migrate over the watch, it might be a little confusing unless the counters are aware! Happy Birding to all. KEEP LOOKING UP!!! Jimmy and Cynthia

Largest Number of Hawks and Count Visitors

September 26,'26 Saturday As far as regular count days, not events, there were the most visitors to the watch Saturday yet this year. Tami was able to be there too to help with the count. Thank YOU! But we always say, more eyes to the skies, and our visitors were able to pick out or point out the hawks, as well. Welcome to all! Barb and Tim Baldwin, Aaron Thomas, Jasper Kaloi, Mina Claire, Emerson Smith, Casey Burks. Thanks for coming! What a lovely report. So glad everyone got to experience seeing hawks in numbers. Great Job everyone. Here's the report (Merlin was the new spcies for the day):

Friday With Visitors And Hawks To See!

Friday 9 25 26 - After vieving a post from Holly Taylor, showing floods of Hawks pouring into Tennessee in Putnum County, I was definitely hopeful that Bill and friends would have soome good looks. There was a Nor'Easter off the East Coast this week, which flooded some of the hawk watch towns like Cape May. That kind of storm pushes large masses of birds to inland Migratory opportunities. Having folks up in Putnam County get to experience so many, was exciting to see. It honestly looked like a day at Corpus Christi, TX from her video. She zoomed in and out to give some perspective of what size clouds and how close the birds were respectively. It was awesome to have them close enough to capture on what appeared to be her phone?? But it was a great capture at any rate. Jimmy did a little research and found that up there is a state area, where Holly has reported from recently to another records keeping source, other than HMA. That was back on Sept 18th, I think he said. Boy am I being ambiguous. I am just trying to relay that he ckd it out to see if they were another hawk watch like ours. But that location, near Cookville, could have great numbers I am sure. Anyway it was a great indicator which raised my hopes for Bill and his guests to see hawks. And they did! So glad to see our long time friend Susan Schott up, and she brought her friend Kym Martin. Hello and welcome to her. But the visitors who were the most unlikely, were brought in by Iron Man Chattanooga, occuring on Sunday. So Happy to have Boise Idaho residents Toni and Lenore Holthuijzen! Thanks for making the Hawk watch one of your destinations! Soooo happy there were hawks for you to see: Here's the Report: (in 2 parts)

Late in the Day On a Thursday...

Sept 24, 26 Thursday. Bill sent a note earlier that indicated after 2 attempts he had to leave the watch due to rain. So initially, he expected to go up tomorrow. But the rain broke about 4 and he chanced a late flight. Not a bad move. Wish he had had a flood, as has happened. But alas, We will take what he got. NOt a bad day after all. Here's the report:

Visitors To The Hawkwatch See the 80,000 Broad-winged Hawk added to the Count!!

We are questioned a lot after news articles, or TV reports about the Hawkwatch. Can I come up to see the hawkwatch? The answer is a resounding yes. During Hawkwatch seasons, it is even expected. There is a tremendous amount of interest in what it is like to be a hawkwatcher. Lately birdwatching in general is becoming attractive to younger people. From kids to young adults. the HOBBY has gotten a boost in interest across all of the US. SO, YES is the answer. But there are quite a number of things which must be understood. It is not glamorous. It's either Hot or Cold some days, rainy some days. and inconvenient every day. At our watch there are no facilities, there is no cover, and there is a bluff edge. Children are welcome, but care must be taken. Someone coming to bring their family for a half hour or so, no need for being prepared necessarily. But, if you really want to experience the hawk watch, you first need chairs. Blankets would work for kids, but there are ants and bugs... like any picnic scene, it's nature after all. Sunscreen is a must even for a little while. Water and possibly snacks are crucial. And for the best experience, at least one pair of binoculars helps. Kids who are just learning, will ususally have Turkey Vultures, Red-tails, and Bald Eagles that are possiblities and large enough to see without binoculars. And there is an infrequent opportunity with many other individual hawks to come in close enough for watchers to view them. But a lot of hawk watching is done through the binoculars and they are often quite small even then. However, on the unique day that a kettle of BWs comes in close, it will be a mesmerizing very exciting experience. Once seen it's something you will always hope to see again and again. So people sit for hours in hopes of that kettle. Yet, over time, it is just as awesome to see each and every species which passes over, and you are willing to scan the sky for hours to do that. If YOU are a Hawkwatcher at heart. Here's todays report, including exactly one family,and especially 1 of those children who just loves watching birds...who came up to see what hawk watching was all ablout. Welcome to the Longbrook family! and to Karin Britton! and a shout out to Jim Rowell, a long time watcher and and Hawkcounter on our watch. Thanks for another pair of eyes! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Here's the report: I realized after the post that we hit the nail on the head. They saw the 18 BWs needed to reach and grand total of 80,000 BWs for the 34 years of counting! Yay!

Highest BW Count So Far

Tuesday Sept 22 26, was a cloud dotted sky day for most of the morning in the valley. So we hoped it would be the same for Bill on the lookout. I was not surprised to see he had success finding a nice number. Here's the report:

Another Day With a Good Variety!

Monday, 9 21 26, and I have been slammed busy today, so I am almost learning with the reader just how the day went. Bill has been hit with thunder storms in the afternoons, so staying on the hill, is not an option with lightning possible. Here's the report:

Sunday and the Hawk Migration Association With Tami

On Sunday Sept 19, 2026 Bill was only able to come up to sit with Tami, who was already there, for a short while; so the report gets to be a little different today. Tami is our reporter, and I get to tell a bit about her. First of all, she more than doubled our count so far, with 143 BWS as a count. She's not a magician, the environment was just good for hawks to be showing up. LOL Tami once counted in SC with a group who used the page form from, what was then, the Hawk Migration Association of North America or HMANA. Today I am posting her pdf in two parts from screenshots I took of it. And her lovely story of how the day went, which she emailed over with the form. Although we report to the Hawk Migration Association, now the HMA, we have never used their sheets, simply because all the guys adopted Bill's notation pattern which they all kept in a spiral notebook. Many of the hawks listed on the HMA report sheets are western species and were always highly unlikeley for us to see, But they were versatile if you were a traveling watcher. Also, in discussing the hawks from the west in teaching sessions for any who might wish to visit a western sight, like Corpus Christi, TX. A very desirable site, because it is the funneling area for all the hawks crossing our border to sights further south. The counters there are an incredible bunch with skills beyond amazing, to capture the 100s of thousands they see. But we appreciate Tami adding to her life's work in the same form she always has. It makes storing records easier, that's for sure. I want to thank Tami for her involvement over the years, especially the coverage of hours when Bill has not been able to be there, and her support when ever she is able to come all the way from across the river to be there! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> (This version of Blogger doesn't allow me to make new paragraphs, so I have to do something to note a new one. Thus the arrows.) Anyway, with this discussion, I am able to make my annual nod to the HMA tools for storing the records from all the lookouts which participate in recording and sending their stats. We are one of them, but there are sites from Canada and Mexico and further south, which also share data, which I love to see. Those stats are recorded at HAWKCOUNT.ORG. This is where Jimmy records the data Bill, Tami and Niclole send, which makes a permanent record which anyone who visits the site can see. That site allows us to compare data with other sites across the North American continent. Now, we don't compare to sites like places where the rivers of hawks flow through. But we can compare to the other smaller sites, mostly North of us, with similar numbers to ours. Because it takes all the hawks passing little sites across the nation, and then some not counted in between, to make the magnanimous numbers flowing through places like Corpus Christi. I could talk all day about the experiences from the data at all these sites, but for now I want the focus to be on how we partner with them to make the numbers count. One last note I want to make before posting Tami's sweet note and the bits from my screenshots, is that Bill from early on sent our records to HMANA, but at that time the data was sent via mail, not entered directly into a website as it is now. It was recorded somewhere, but we don't know where. But now you CAN look back either on our site or on Hawkcount.org for many years of data using our search vehicles. Therefore, all the years of the hawk watch under Bill's direction and when we were primarily the ones up there too, are available to the public. Here is a slightly different form of report showing the mechanics of things as recorded:

EVENT DAY, 2 BWs RELEASED

Yesterday, on Saturday September 19, 2026, Alix Parks and Wayne brought 2 Broad-winged Hawks to release in time for the migration. In hopes they will join a small kettle coming in from the North. We have done this before on a couple of occasions, and are always blessed when Alix comes. Her organization is Happinest Raptor Rescue, and their facilities continue to grow and provide them plenty of work to do. With all that growth there is plenty of need, for the tools to bring back good health and a long life to the birds she rescues. Public gatherings are probably her greatest asset to sharing the work and the need to a public audience. We are always happy to help them when we can in that regard. A nice crowd gathered, many new faces, who are now aware there is a count, and a rescue which have been decicated to the well being of migrating raptors and hawks in general for many years. Thanks to all who came and especially to Wayne who helped us by cutting down the trees blocking our view. Here's the report:tap to view

Adding a Little Variety on September 18th

Wow!! I am posting this on Saturday, after the tremendous turnout for the Raptor release with Wayne and Alix from HAPPINEST RAPTOR REHAB. We have featured them in years past and have the greatest reguard for their work. Big Shout Out to Wayne for cutting down our trees blocking the view over the bluff! What an amazing gift! More on that later. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Friday's report is awesome for its variety. Great to add Osprey, Coopers Hawk, and American Kestral. But the BW numbers were up as well. Here's the report:

Slow Day, 9-17, 26 Thursday

Playing catch up. Couple of busy days for me. So short and sweet- Here's the report. THX Bill.

Wednesday Sept 16 2026

The Sun and Heat Dome, (the worst in the whole world they are reporting) whatever that means is taking it's tole. Thankfully next week is supposed to bring better temps. Here's the report:

Tuesday, Sept. 15th

Who can believe half this month is already gone? The sun was fierce and the heat was bad on this day. No one should push it in this weather. But several hawks dared to be seen. Here's the report:

Day 3 and BWs Still Rule

WElcome back to Nicole!! Hope you are able to come up as often as you would like. Here's their report:

Counter # 2---High Flying Bald Eagles

Our first bird of the season was the inevitable Broad-winged Hawk.HIgh percent of possibility for that one. Bird species number 2 was one we are happy to see: The Bald Eagle. Welcome and a great Thanks to Tami for once again covering our first Sunday Morning of the fall count! We appreciate you so much. Always glad to know you were there, and hate so much I can't get up there to give you a hug. Here is Bill and Tami's report:

Opening Day Saturday September 12, 2026

It was slow hot and threatening a little storm: here's the first report of the Year-

Hawkwatch is Officially Open, Saturday Sept 12 2026 Fall Season Has Begun

Bill Haley posted this information to his Facebook, to announce the opening of Hawk watch season, as well a mark your calendar day for Alix Parks" Broadwing Release Event!!!: "I have an exciting announcement! This Saturday, Sept. 12th, I'll begin my 34th fall season monitoring migrating hawks, falcons, eagles and vultures at Soddy Mountain Hawk Watch. (Google us to learn more, and be sure to check out the blog.) In those years over 100,000 migrants have been documented coming past Soddy-Daisy! Soddy Mountain is the longest continuously monitored hawk watch ever in the state of Tennessee. International Hawk Migration Week will be Sept. 12-20. I just got a new banner from the Hawk Migration Association to display during the week at the lookout. Now for the real excitement: I got a call from my good friend Alix Parks today. She runs Happinest Raptor Rescue, (happinestraptorrescue.com), and she has 3 or 4 juvenile Broad-winged Hawks that are ready to be released. This will happen at the hawk lookout on Saturday, September 19 at 10am. This date is close to the peak migration time for Broad-winged Hawks passing through Tennessee, so it's a great time for a release. Anyone interested is invited to witness the release of these young hawks. They have been through rehabilitation and are now fit to be returned to the wild. You will be able to see these magnificent raptors up close! While I can never guarantee migrating hawks, Broad-wings sometimes come through in big numbers. On numerous occasions I've seen over a thousand come past in less than 5 minutes! Most years we see large groups, called kettles, circling together in columns of rising hot air. Many times they are VERY HIGH, so binoculars are needed. I've celebrated the start of such a day in a painting I just completed. I've titled it "Travel Day: Liftoff". It depicts 9 Broad-winged Hawks catching the first thermal of the day, rising off the valley floor. They may cover hundreds of miles this day, soaring and gliding between thermals, scarcely having to flap their wings, joining others as they go. They are heading southwest, heading towards Texas and then funneling down to Central America and northern South America. Mark your calendar for Saturday, September 19 at 10:00am Eastern, Soddy Mountain Hawk Watch lookout. "

Let's Go! Keep Looking Up! Jimmy and Cynthia Wilkerson

Fall Season 2026 Migration Has Begun

All across the north from East to West coasts,counters are noting in their social media, that they are seeing many early moving migrating birds. Hawk Mountain for instance is racking up the numbers including BWs. Ospreys and Falcons. But those who are seeking early warblers are not being dissappointed at all. It is far to hot here in the south to sit on our watch sight these days, without the cover some sites have. Bill will continue his schedule of beginning mid September, because he is the one who is able to go. Welcome to THE FALL SEASON. We'll ck in on some sights to see what is going on and let you know. Keep Looking Up! Jimmy and Cynthia Wilkerson