Soddy Mountain Hawk Watch

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.

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

A Very Good Mix

A great normal day! Bill loved the mix of species. More fun. He will not be on the lookout Thurs. thru Monday. Nicole might get up. We will watch for her report! Here is Tuesday's report for 10 29 24:

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

More Vultures Than Broadwings

Bill's report says it all - finally a day worth the wait!

Saturday, October 26, 2024

Friday and Saturday Reported Today - 25th and 26th

October 25th and 26th on one report today. Bill says there are simply very few raptors to see, seeming like they have taken a totally new route. RAin came in the second half of the day here on Saturda, and has set into a slow steady rain, which we desparately needed. The Harrier is nice. I have a busy week next week. Definitely may have to report a day later at least once I am certain.

Friday, October 25, 2024

Blue Skies Are Killing Me

Thursday Oct. 24, Bill says the blue skies are murderous. As I am writing this a day later, not only are there rich fall blue skies, clear from horizon to horizon, there is also gusty wind. Bill is spending bits of time as he is able, but long days on these days, make no sense at our watch. So the records remain, but the hours are often few each day. After over 30 years of watching, you do what you love for as long as it makes sense.

Thursday, October 24, 2024

Turkey Vultures Will be the Theme for a while

Thank You Susan Schott for going up with Bill today! Here's the report:

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Nicole To Save The Day

Bill is having truck mechanical problems, so Nicole was able to get in about 2 hours to save the day. Thank you, so much!!! Here's her report:

Monday, October 21, 2024

TVs, SSs, BE on Sunday 10 20 24

Sunday 10 20 24 The report is remarkably similar to Saturday, but actually too co-incidental to be the same birds. The likelihood Bill would have the exact same birds come over the watch looking like migrants, would mean all of them would have flown back North and come down the pike looking like migrants twice. So funny coincedence...TVs and SSs were exactly the same today as Saturday. LOL Here's the report: