Our best records will not be outstanding compared to some hawk watch sites. There are definitely sites which have larger numbers. This page, however, will answer the questions we are frequently asked.
This page needs updates (2026)
First BEST DAY
Our largest single day BW count was 3,992 on 9/27/09, with our total species count at 4102.
BEST DAY: TN-bird report
Soddy Mountain Hawk Watch
near Soddy Daisy, TN, Hamilton Co.
Due to the prolonged rainy conditions, and the passing of the cold front last night, members of the counting staff were anticipating a good day. We weren't let down!!!!
Hawk Watch Totals for Sunday, 9/27/09
3992 Broad-winged Hawks
11 Sharp-shinned Hawks
4 Cooper's Hawks
1 Merlin
1 American Kestrel
1 Peregrine Falcon
4 Osprey
16 Bald Eagles
72 Black Vultures
4102 Total Raptors
non raptors
2 Common Nighthawks
We opened the hawk watch at 10:00 a.m. and closed down at 6:15 p.m. We started with 0% cloud cover, and progressed to 85%. The winds were mostly from the north at 1 to 7 mph, changing to from the west at about 4:30. Visibility was 45K. Temps ranged from 69 to 80 degrees F.
In the 1:00 hour, we tallied 1897 BWs. In the 2:00 hour, we tallied 1078 BWs, and in the 4:00 hour, 737 BWs.
It was difficult to determine if all 16 Bald Eagles were individuals who all migrated south. The 72 Black Vultures counted were early migrants, which were seen in 2 kettles of mostly Broadwings.
Hawk counters for the day:
Starr Kline & Bill Bell
Phil & Carolyn Snow from Louden, TN
Prentice and Rhymes Stabler, new Chattanooga TOS members
Bill Haley
Mark McShane from Lawrenceville, GA
Jimmy & Cynthia Wilkerson
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BEST YEAR:
Our new largest yearly Raptor total occurred in 2015, when we counted 8618 total Hawk species, 8135 of which were Broad-wings.
September Chart - 8180 Total Raptors, 8063 BW's, additional BWs seen in October.
Our second largest yearly Raptor total was in September of 2002, when we counted 6748 total Hawk species, 5073 of those being BWs
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BEST YEARLY BW TOTAL:
New largest Broad-wing count total, occurring in 2015 = 8135.
(Crossed the barrier at 5848 * click here for post. )
Our 2nd largest Broad-wing count total, occurring in 2009 = 5242.
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BEST HOURLY TOTALS:
1897 Broad-wings on 9/27/09*
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Longest number of days
(covered for one season):
1998 - 62 days, 3554 total hawks seen.
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LARGEST KETTLE COUNTED
1200 Broad-wings on 9/27/15
Although this kettle broke apart as it streamed out to be counted, when originally seen, as BW's poured into it from below and from the East, it was one humongous kettle. On that same day, probably the largest number of hawks seen in the least amount of time was set. *Although, the numbers were posted from 4:59 'til about 5:27, the intense count time for large kettles seen, one after another, rivals any we have seen before, we believe.
Also, 9/27/15 2181 total BW's in 26 minutes <Click to view post.
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Best Single Day of Northern Harriers
15 Northern Harriers on Saturday, 11/8/03
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Best Years for Individual Species:
Best Year for Peregrine Falcons
16 Peregrine Falcons total, 2015
Broken 10/15/2017, 1 PG = 17 at this point
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Best Year for Merlins
8 Merlins total, 1998
Broken 10/15/2017, 3 Merlins brought total to 9
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Best Year for Sharp-shinned Hawks
477 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 1998
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