[Bristol-Birds] Clinch Mountain tower tops for hawk migration

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            from the Johnson City Press Outdoors pages, Sun. Sept. 19, =
2004

            The Wild Life - Clinch Mountain tower popular spot for =
migrating hawks
            =20
            By James Brooks
            Press Staff Writer
            jbrooks@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

            Fall birding activity is rumbling to a peak, spurred on by =
searches for storm-blown oceanic birds that may or may not arrive in the =
eye of Hurricane Ivan.=20
            The chance to stare at distant birds is a relief to the neck =
bent back to the point where the head engages the C7 vertebra while =
looking for migrating warblers in the treetops.=20

            Let us not forget that this week is the peak of the hawk =
migration down the Appalachian Ridge.=20

            While Hawk Mountain, Pa., gets all the press due to its =
nearness to the major media markets, hawk watchers on Clinch Mountain on =
the Tennessee-Virginia border have been amassing data quietly over the =
years at the Southern choke point in hawk migration: the Mendota fire =
tower.=20

            The long ridge of Clinch Mountain, and the updrafts from =
breezes sweeping over it are irresistible to southbound hawks.=20

            The Mendota fire tower, thanks to the road leading up to it, =
is one of the last high access points before the ridge peters out and =
the hawks have to lumber over to the Smokies before they can kettle up =
and glide again.=20

            I once thought the passage of U.S. Highway 25E over Clinch =
might offer an easier vantage to reach, with paved road access and a =
viewing deck and restaurant with vinegar pie at the top, but =
unfortunately this is a lower gap in the mountain, and the hawks soar by =
too high, particularly if there is a high ceiling.=20

            There seems to be no hope but to go up to Mendota.=20

            Just take Interstate 26 through Kingsport to the end of the =
interstate at Weber City, Va., just like you once did to buy lottery =
tickets or cheap cigarettes. In Weber City, turn right onto U.S. 58-421 =
East and after about 5 miles in Hiltons, Va., turn left on S.H. 709, =
then right on S.H. 614 toward the Carter Fold. Continue about 11 miles =
to Mendota, and when 614 goes right go straight ahead on S.H. 802. After =
passing the community center look for Pinnacle Road to the left and =
follow it to the top.=20

            There you will see an old rutted-out road to the right, =
which you walk to the tower. Park nearby, locking your vehicle and =
leaving no valuables in sight.=20

            Hawk watchers are a proud group. Do not call them =
birdwatchers. Among the regulars you might find would be Bob Quillen, =
Ron Harrin, Violet and Harold Larkins and some from the Elizabethton or =
Bristol bird clubs. Even if you are a rank beginner, these folks will =
give you tips on how to spot the various hawks. Most numerous will be =
Broad-winged Hawks, a chunky buteo that gathers in kettles before =
soaring past. Look for short, wide wings, and broad tail with bands. =
This year 629 have already glided past.=20

            The next most common will be the Sharp-shinned Hawk =
(Sharpie, only four so far this year), with a long tail, short wings, a =
distinctive flap and glide jiz and a habit of zipping past at treetop =
level.=20

            Ospreys (11 seen) have a distinctive bent wing and a white =
face. Cooper's Hawk (three seen) are a larger, blunter version of the =
sharpie. Bald Eagle (three so far) look like a flying plank with a large =
head, white on adults as is the tail. Goshawk (only one this year) is a =
larger yet accipiter that looks long-waisted, but is best told by the =
whooping and hollering of the other watchers.=20

            Golden Eagles may start appearing later in the season in =
October to break up otherwise long days with greatly reduced numbers of =
hawks. Once again, they can be identified by the shouting of your =
companions. Others to watch for are the falcons: American Kestrel, =
Peregrine Falcon and Merlin. Northern Harriers normally don't migrate on =
the ridges, but I once saw one over the Holston River on the way to =
Mendota. After a day at Mendota (bring a lunch), you'll feel you know =
something about hawk I.D.
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