Date: 5/7/25 8:52 am From: Rich Bailey <wvbirds...> Subject: Upland sandpiper - Greenbrier County
Hi all, on April 28 WVDNR staff encountered and photographed an upland sandpiper on an extensive ridgetop timber harvest/burn unit on USFS property in eastern Greenbrier County. The bird was almost certainly stopping off while passing through, but any upland sandpiper in eastern states these days is a great find.
Date: 5/7/25 8:47 am From: Rich Bailey <wvbirds...> Subject: Loggerhead shrikes, Greenbrier Valley
Hi all, we undertook our annual banding forway in the valley last week (4/28-4/30) and encountered 8 shrikes in Greenbrier and Monroe counties. We banded 6, and 2 were already banded. Two pairs, 4 bachelors. I continue to suspect that a dearth of available females is a limiting factor.
A Brown Thrasher just surprised me by availing itself of sunflower seeds on my deck, and the six pairs of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks as well as the usual suspects have been hitting the supplies pretty heavily.
Last Saturday (5/3) Bobolinks were back at Freeland Road in Canaan Valley.
On Sunday I found 13 warblers at my friend's farm in Dryfork, Randolph County, and several locations in Tucker. Ovenbird,
Worm-eating, Louisiana Waterthrush, Hooded, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Northern Parula, Chestnut-sided, Yellow, Black-throated Blue, Yellow-throated, Black-throated Green, and Canada.
Date: 5/6/25 10:29 am From: Bruni Haydl <bruni...> Subject: Woohoo!
Just had a Red-headed woodpecker on the suet. Breathtaking. Now he's been flying through the yard and back to the suet on the walnut tree. It is overcast, really highlighting that rich spring green of the grass and new foliage so he looks even more flashy. My neighbor had gotten one on her birdcam a few times last week, but nothing beats seeing them in the flesh.
While I was admiring the Red-headed, a lovely Great-crested Flycatcher showed up, first of the season.
Last week, the Hummingbird was on the edge of the concrete birdbath getting a drink. Just like the bigger birds. So cute. The second male hummingbird arrived this morning. Nice when they are close to each other so you know for sure there are two.
The pile of Christmas greens, now a cinnamon brown, were perfect camouflage for a Brown Thrasher. Would have missed him if he hadn't moved.
Two different female Baltimore orioles have been coming for Alpaca wool. It is satisfying to know they are nesting in the neighborhood. Just saw a Kingbird yank a beak full of alpaca wool. Titmice have also availed themselves of the stuff. I was surprised to find a small ball of it in a Tree swallow nest. I'd say that's a hot item.
There are a number of Gray catbirds. I've seen nesting material being carried into the quince shrub. I wonder whether they would tolerate each other if there were two nests.
Date: 5/5/25 7:58 am From: jerry Kruth <00000005ead0dac6-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: New Arrivals
Lovely post Bruni. Thanks for taking us there!
Jk Pgh
On Sunday, May 4, 2025 at 06:03:00 PM EDT, <bruni...> <bruni...> wrote:
This morning the second Hummingbird showed up. It is either a female or a young male without the ruby throat.
I was surprised and happy to find a lone White-crowned sparrow on my patio on Friday. It is still her today.
A couple of hours ago I saw my first Baltimore orioles. They were two females, gathering alpaca fiber for their nests. Would love to see them build their nest. Later on a Titmouse was pulling fibers as well. Seems to be a hot item. I even found a ball of it in a Tree swallow nest, instead of the feathers they normally use to line it. For the first time a Tree swallow has taken the Gilbertson nestbox. I'm used to seeing them poke their heads out of the opening but noticed something odd was sticking out for two days. My first thought was that a predator had pulled the parent partially out. When I checked it, it was a 9" black feather that was too big and stiff to go all the way in. That was a relief.
Good news on my neighbor's RS Hawk's nest. One of the adults was on the edge of the nest pulling on some food. Next thing I see part of a gray fuzzy head popping up. Too early to tell how many youngsters there are.
Bruni HaydlCharles Town, WV
Date: 5/5/25 7:57 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - BHNEBE, May 5, 2025
Hinton, WV
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Mon, May 5, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Subject: eBird Report - BHNEBE, May 5, 2025
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
BHNEBE, Summers, West Virginia, US
May 5, 2025 8:40 AM - 9:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.25 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: 53 degrees, cloudy with some fog
23 species
Canada Goose 6
Common Merganser 1
Double-crested Cormorant 24
Great Blue Heron 6
Turkey Vulture 4
Osprey 1
Northern Flicker 1
Warbling Vireo 1
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 2
Tree Swallow 18
European Starling 4
Wood Thrush 1
American Robin 2
House Sparrow 5
American Goldfinch 1
Song Sparrow 1
Baltimore Oriole 1
Red-winged Blackbird 5
Common Grackle 10
Yellow Warbler 2
Blackpoll Warbler 1
Scarlet Tanager 1
Date: 5/5/25 7:56 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - New River Gorge NP--Madams Creek to Sandstone Falls (Summers Co.), May 5, 2025
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Mon, May 5, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Subject: eBird Report - New River Gorge NP--Madams Creek to Sandstone Falls
(Summers Co.), May 5, 2025
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
New River Gorge NP--Madams Creek to Sandstone Falls (Summers Co.), Summers,
West Virginia, US
May 5, 2025 7:20 AM - 8:05 AM
Protocol: Traveling
8.0 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: 53 degrees, cloudy with some fog
42 species
Canada Goose 12
Mallard 2
Common Merganser 5
Chimney Swift 13
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Great Blue Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 4
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 2
Yellow-throated Vireo 1
Warbling Vireo 2
Red-eyed Vireo 3
American Crow 4
Tufted Titmouse 6
Tree Swallow 22
Cliff Swallow 11
Carolina Wren 4
European Starling 8
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
Wood Thrush 3
American Robin 9
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 2
Chipping Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 3
Eastern Towhee 1
Orchard Oriole 1
Baltimore Oriole 6
Red-winged Blackbird 26
Common Grackle 37
Kentucky Warbler 1
Hooded Warbler 1
Northern Parula 2
Yellow Warbler 4
Scarlet Tanager 3
Northern Cardinal 5
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1
Date: 5/4/25 3:03 pm From: <bruni...> <bruni...> Subject: New Arrivals
This morning the second Hummingbird showed up. It is either a female or a young male without the ruby throat.
I was surprised and happy to find a lone White-crowned sparrow on my patio on Friday. It is still her today.
A couple of hours ago I saw my first Baltimore orioles. They were two females, gathering alpaca fiber for their nests. Would love to see them build their nest. Later on a Titmouse was pulling fibers as well. Seems to be a hot item. I even found a ball of it in a Tree swallow nest, instead of the feathers they normally use to line it. For the first time a Tree swallow has taken the Gilbertson nestbox. I'm used to seeing them poke their heads out of the opening but noticed something odd was sticking out for two days. My first thought was that a predator had pulled the parent partially out. When I checked it, it was a 9" black feather that was too big and stiff to go all the way in. That was a relief.
Good news on my neighbor's RS Hawk's nest. One of the adults was on the edge of the nest pulling on some food. Next thing I see part of a gray fuzzy head popping up. Too early to tell how many youngsters there are.
Bruni HaydlCharles Town, WV
Date: 5/4/25 1:53 pm From: Paul Mckay <paulmck57...> Subject: Ohio County Birds
Hi Everyone, While doing a stream clean up on Middle Wheeling Creek for Trout Unlimited on the delayed harvest section just below Oglebay Institute Jr. Nature Camp I did a little birding. This is always a great stretch for birds and flowers. Got the following: 1.Cerulean Warbler (FOY and where I first saw one as a young camper) 2. Redstarts (FOY and everywhere) 3. Yellowthroats 4. Yellow-Throated Warbler (FOY) 5. Yellow Warblers 6. Red-Eyed Vireo 7.Wood Thrush 8.Robin 9. Catbird 10. Carolina Wren 11. House Wren 12. Bluejay 13. Crow 14. Tufted Titmouse 15. Acadian Flycatcher(FOY) 16.Phoebe 17. Red-Bellied Woodpecker 18. Great Blue Heron 19. House Sparrow 20. Rose-breasted Grosbeak 21.Indigo Bunting 22. Towhee 23. Song Sparrow Paul Paul McKay Ohio County
Paul Paul M. McKay, Esq. 4404 Oglebay Drive Wheeling, WV, 26003 304 780 0557
Date: 5/4/25 5:42 am From: MFowler <monty...> Subject: No hummers yet
Maybe it has been the prolonged rains we've been having, but I put the feeder up on April 15 and haven't seen a single hummingbird yet. Although I've noticed that bees seem rather thin on the ground as well.
Date: 5/2/25 6:15 am From: Andy Weaks <awboat...> Subject: Carolina Wren
We got back a week or so ago and I just realized that we have zero Carolina Wrens. There are usually at least 3-4 pairs within earshot of our house. This year none.
I guess the winter was pretty brutal for them. At least we won't have to battle them on their quest for interior nesting spots.
Date: 4/29/25 4:51 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Can anyone solve this puzzle for me?
About 7 this morning, I distinctly heard a bird in our yard saying "oo oo oowe". I tried to see it without moving the curtain, but all I could see were red- winged blackbirds & blue jays. So, I stepped on the porch with my binoculars but the only additional species visible were a gray catbird & a common grackle without a tail. I haven't been drinking alcohol this early. I am no crazier than usual. My only thought is it was the catbird mocking something it had heard. Thanks in advance for any suggestions that don't involve mental health. Jim Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV
Date: 4/28/25 2:57 pm From: Donna Mitchell <dmitchellbirding...> Subject: Whip-poor- will
On April 24th there was a whip-poor-will on my neighbor's farm. I heard it at 10 pm, then again at 3:30 am and it was still going when I got up at 5:30 am. We've lived here for 18 years and it's the first time I've heard one. Haven't heard it since.
The first snipe of the year was in a small wetland, again on neighbor's farm.
Date: 4/25/25 7:59 am From: LeJay Graffious <lejaygraffious...> Subject: Old Hemlock, Preston, West Virginia, US
My setters and I walked my mist net lanes this morning preparing for MAPS (Monitoring Avian Production and Survivorship) season. The number of neotropical migrants increased since yesterday.
LeJay
Old Hemlock, Preston, West Virginia, US Apr 25, 2025 9:51 AM - 10:12 AM Protocol: Traveling 0.45 mile(s) 26 species
Canada Goose 2 Mourning Dove 4 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 3 Eastern Phoebe 1 Blue Jay 2 Common Raven 1 Black-capped Chickadee 1 Tufted Titmouse 2 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 Carolina Wren 1 Wood Thrush 3 American Robin 1 Purple Finch 1 American Goldfinch 7 Chipping Sparrow 2 Field Sparrow 1 Song Sparrow 1 Eastern Towhee 3 Red-winged Blackbird 1 Brown-headed Cowbird 1 Ovenbird 5 Hooded Warbler 8 Returning to known breeding area Scarlet Tanager 1 First of the year Northern Cardinal 4
Date: 4/24/25 7:54 am From: LeJay Graffious <lejaygraffious...> Subject: Old Hemlock, Preston, West Virginia, US
The pups and I did a short turn on the trails at Old Hemlock. Two first of the year birds were observed. The Carolina Wren has been absent since December. Glad to see them back. A Prairie Warbler was observed. I hope in sticks.
LeJay
Old Hemlock, Preston, West Virginia, US Apr 24, 2025 9:25 AM - 10:08 AM Protocol: Traveling 0.86 mile(s) 29 species
Wild Turkey 2 Mourning Dove 4 Killdeer 2 Red-headed Woodpecker 5 Red-bellied Woodpecker 5 Northern Flicker 6 Eastern Phoebe 2 Yellow-throated Vireo 2 Blue Jay 4 American Crow 2 Common Raven 1 Black-capped Chickadee 1 Tufted Titmouse 1 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 Northern House Wren 6 Carolina Wren 1 First of the year European Starling 1 Brown Thrasher 1 American Robin 3 Chipping Sparrow 2 Field Sparrow 11 White-throated Sparrow 4 Eastern Meadowlark 1 Brown-headed Cowbird 4 Common Yellowthroat 5 Hooded Warbler 2 Prairie Warbler 1 First of the year Black-throated Green Warbler 1 Northern Cardinal 6
Date: 4/23/25 8:24 am From: LeJay Graffious <lejaygraffious...> Subject: Old Hemlock, Preston, West Virginia, US
Dr. Chris Lituma's Ornithology Class was at Old Hemlock this morning for an hour bird walk. I was impressed with the students' knowledge of the scientific names of our birds. Not too bad of a list for lack of time to hit all of our habitats. The bird of the day for the groups was the Red-headed Woodpecker. One student told the it completed all the woodpeckers on his WV List.
Old Hemlock, Preston, West Virginia, US Apr 23, 2025 9:18 AM - 10:05 AM Protocol: Traveling 0.84 mile(s) 35 species
Mourning Dove 2 Killdeer 2 Cooper's Hawk 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 4 Downy Woodpecker 1 Pileated Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker 1 American Kestrel 1 Eastern Phoebe 2 Blue Jay 5 American Crow 5 Common Raven 1 Tufted Titmouse 1 Tree Swallow 2 Barn Swallow 1 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 Northern House Wren 3 Eastern Bluebird 2 American Robin 1 Purple Finch (Eastern) 1 American Goldfinch 8 Field Sparrow 6 Song Sparrow 1 Eastern Towhee 5 Red-winged Blackbird 1 Brown-headed Cowbird 1 Ovenbird 1 Black-and-white Warbler 1 Common Yellowthroat 1 Hooded Warbler 1 Northern Parula 1 Black-throated Green Warbler 1 Northern Cardinal 3
-- LeJay Graffious Administrator Old Hemlock Foundation
Date: 4/23/25 7:34 am From: Paul Mckay <paulmck57...> Subject: Ohio County Birds FOY
Hi Just a quick update on some firsts and some anomalies. Today was the first meadowlark and the first tree swallows, very late for them. Also today, it is possible that Merlin got into some mushrooms since it heard a Bobolink 3 times on my field. I could not hear it, but using the playback feature it was too weak for my ears and at two different pitches. Just call notes, similar to Sibley's Pink Call. Looking at an old Golden Guide and its sonagrams did not help since they skipped Bobolinks, so I will call this a hallucination. Although, I see no reason why it would not be there and the sonagram on Merlin looked good, but no proof. As an aside, one can easily match up the sonagram on merlin with the sonagram on the Golden Guide for most birds if one is looking for proof of a bird without a visual identification. Yesterday, was the first Yellow throated vireo, and Yellowthroat. 4-21 was the first Blue Gray Gnatcatcher Yellow Rumped Warbler. All of these were on my farm, while feeding my horse, except the Yellow Throated Vireo which was 200 yards west along route 88 in my front yard at first light. All the best.
-- Paul Paul M. McKay, Esq. 4404 Oglebay Drive Wheeling, WV, 26003 304 780 0557
This morning I had several Ovenbirds singing in the woods around the house.
On the 21st, the FOY Wood Thrushes were here along with Great Crested Flycatcher and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.
Date: 4/22/25 7:26 am From: LeJay Graffious <lejaygraffious...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Old Hemlock, Apr 22, 2025
I love spring at Old Hemlock. In preparation for tomorrow’s WVU Ornithology
class, I walked the planned loop and was rewarded with sightings of my
first Wood Thrush and Ovenbird of the year.
LeJay
Old Hemlock, Preston, West Virginia, US
Apr 22, 2025 9:06 AM - 9:58 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.35 mile(s)
30 species
Wild Turkey 2
Mourning Dove 4
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Red-headed Woodpecker 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 2
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 2
Black-capped Chickadee 2
Tufted Titmouse 3
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Northern House Wren 2
Eastern Bluebird 2
Wood Thrush 1 First of the year
American Robin 2
American Goldfinch 5
Chipping Sparrow 1
Field Sparrow 4
Song Sparrow 1
Eastern Towhee 6
Red-winged Blackbird (Red-winged) 3
Brown-headed Cowbird 10
Ovenbird 3 First of the year
Louisiana Waterthrush 3
Common Yellowthroat 1
Hooded Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 2
Northern Cardinal 2
A pair of Catbirds sitting on the shepherdshook was a welcome sight this morning. They disappeared into the quince shrub where they nested last year. Kind of reminds me of living above the store. Food and birdbaths with fresh water are close by.
Lots of Bluejays in the yard. At one point, nine were crowded on the food tray. They appear in large numbers every year at this time.
A Cooper's or Sharpie zoomed in at one point and landed in the walnut tree. All I could see was yellow feet and part of a barred tail.
Several times today I saw the Nuthatch hacking away at the remnants of that dead mouse that has been out there a couple of days. That's something I haven't seen before. Another reminder how little is wasted in nature.
Date: 4/19/25 5:46 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: My 1st 90 minutes today!
Even with our windows closed, the spring peepers woke me up at 5:45 this morning. I decided to step out on the porch and see who else was around. Here's my list in order of appearance - American robin Mourning dove Gray catbird Brown thrasher Eastern towhee White-throated sparrow Northern cardinal Wild turkey - 2 groups Wood thrush Easter screech-owl Song sparrow Rooster Northern mockingbird Coyotes American crow Dogs Red-bellied woodpecker House wren - first of the year Eastern whip-poor-will- first one I have seen in years Tufted titmouse Cow Ruby-throated hummingbird Tree swallow Carolina Wren Carolina chickadee American goldfinch Blue Jay Red- winged blackbird White-breasted nuthatch Red-shouldered hawk Downy woodpecker House finch 28 species of birds, 1 domestic bird, 1 mammal species, 2 domestic mammals & 1 amphibian species.
Date: 4/18/25 12:18 pm From: Bruni Haydl <bruni...> Subject: What the heck....?
I'd caught a mouse in the garage and put it at the edge of the patio so that night creatures would eat it. Usually it is gone by morning. Not this time. When I looked out, there was a Chickadee pecking at the mouse belly, pulling fur! That was enough to make me get the grapevine heart stuffed with alpaca wool that I had purchased at auction recently. A Titmouse was pulling on it almost immediately, followed by the Chickadee. Nice to provide a bit of luxury in these tough times.😉
A few days ago a Mourning Dove crashed into the patio door with such force that it broke its neck. No doubt it was chased by a hawk because they are very familiar with the backyard and usually waddle around like chickens. It was gone by mid-evening, so it was someone's dinner.
This morning, I saw an Osprey in a sycamore on Wilt Rd. It may be the same one I saw a week ago on the other side of the Shenandoah on Bloomery Rd. The two pairs of Wood ducks were off Rissler Rd. Two Canada geese were sitting on their nest.
The Housewren has arrived. The female Towhee came several days ago. Not as flashy as the male but very sweet. My birding buddy in the subdivision next door just called with some exciting news. She saw a Red-headed woodpecker on her birdcam feeder. It was there at 7:15 but because she's not an early riser she only saw it on tape.
Date: 4/15/25 7:08 pm From: John B. Waugaman, Jr. <jwaugama...> Subject: Re: RTHB
First RTH in Wayne County, WV, today. First seen around 6:00 PM.
John B. Waugaman, Jr.
Director of Administrative Services
Wayne County Schools
PO Box 70-212 North Court St.
Wayne, WV 25570
(304) 272-5115 x302
(304) 272-6500 fax
On Tue, Apr 15, 2025 at 5:04 PM Shannon Burner <shannonann66...>
wrote:
> Thank you! I'm about an hour and a half West of you, so fingers crossed, I
> see one at my feeder soon!
>
> On Tue, Apr 15, 2025, 6:03 PM Lynne Wiseman <lewiseman...> wrote:
>
> > Sorry, between Harpers Ferry and Shepherdstown in the Eastern Panhandle!
> > Lynne Wiseman
> > Jefferson County
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone
> >
> > On Apr 15, 2025, at 6:00 PM, Shannon Burner <shannonann66...>
> > wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> > Can you tell us where in WV you are located?
> >
> > On Tue, Apr 15, 2025, 4:48 PM Lynne Wiseman <
> > <0000001f1aa07fb9-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> >
> >> Right on time a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird has arrived! It’s been at
> >> least 2-3 years he’s showed up at the feeder on April 15th! Yeah!
> >> Take care, Lynne
> >>
> >> Sent from my iPhone
> >
> >
>
> Sorry, between Harpers Ferry and Shepherdstown in the Eastern Panhandle!
> Lynne Wiseman
> Jefferson County
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Apr 15, 2025, at 6:00 PM, Shannon Burner <shannonann66...>
> wrote:
>
>
>
> Can you tell us where in WV you are located?
>
> On Tue, Apr 15, 2025, 4:48 PM Lynne Wiseman <
> <0000001f1aa07fb9-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
>> Right on time a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird has arrived! It’s been at
>> least 2-3 years he’s showed up at the feeder on April 15th! Yeah!
>> Take care, Lynne
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>
>
> Right on time a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird has arrived! It’s been at
> least 2-3 years he’s showed up at the feeder on April 15th! Yeah!
> Take care, Lynne
>
> Sent from my iPhone
Right on time a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird has arrived! It’s been at least 2-3 years he’s showed up at the feeder on April 15th! Yeah!
Take care, Lynne
Date: 4/15/25 6:43 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Hummingbird FOS
We had our first of season ruby-throated hummingbird yesterday(April 14th). That makes 5 years in a row that the 14th has been the day. Jim & Judy Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV
Always a treat this time of year to see/hear who arrived overnight!
On Mon, Apr 14, 2025, 9:26 AM James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...>
wrote:
> A gray catbird woke me up this morning. First of the season!
> Later in the morning, I looked out the window and was eye to eye with a
> turkey vulture. I've had a gimpy leg lately but otherwise feel fine.
>
> Jim Phillips
> Summers County
> Pipestem, WV
>
Date: 4/14/25 6:26 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: FOS gray catbird
A gray catbird woke me up this morning. First of the season! Later in the morning, I looked out the window and was eye to eye with a turkey vulture. I've had a gimpy leg lately but otherwise feel fine.
Not here today, so I guess he has finally rested enough and flown off overnight towards his summer breeding grounds. Sure was nice to have him here for awhile!
Cynthia Burkhart
Ritchie
Sent from my iPad
The male horned grebe that I first saw on our big pond on April 7 is still here…continuously now for 6 days.
Is this typical behavior for a migrating grebe? Is he just taking a break and tanking up on newts and frogs and whatever else he is finding underwater before he takes off on the next part of his journey northwest?
Any ideas?
Cynthia Burkhart
Ritchie County
Sent from my iPad
Date: 4/12/25 8:00 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: FOS Wood Trush
This morning, I was surprised to hear my first of the season wood thrush. It was cloudy, 34 degrees with a little bit of snow flurries. This is my earliest spring date for the species. Several times, over the years, my early date has been April 14. Jim Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV
Date: 4/10/25 8:12 am From: Rich Bailey <wvbirds...> Subject: 2025 Breeding Bird Survey help needed!
Hi all, I'm working on filling as many vacant survey routes as I can for this year. As many of you know, the BBS is a primary tool for long term monitoring of songbird populations. Routes are 25 miles long, with 50 stops where observers count birds for 3 minutes.
To run a route, you must have mastery by sight and sound of all native birds in WV. Additionally, your hearing must be excellent, particularly in the high range. Ability to hear high pitches unfortunately declines with age.
Routes can be run between 5/27 and 7/7.
We currently have the following vacant routes:
Breeden - Mingo County Josephs Mill - Tyler County Lost River - Hardy County Olcott - Kanawha County Washburn - Ritchie County
If you're interested in learning more, let me know!
