Date: 4/13/26 12:45 pm From: cynthia burkhart <000000990b36e23b-dmarc-request...> Subject: Return of the Barn Swallows
At last! I just saw the 1st BASW of the year in our barn. This is 10 days later than previous years.
Cynthia Burkhart
Ritchie County ( across the river from NBSP)
Sent from my iPad
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From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Sat, Apr 11, 2026 at 10:55 AM
Subject: eBird Report - Knob Ridge Road, Pipestem, WV, Apr 11, 2026
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
Knob Ridge Road, Pipestem, WV, Summers, West Virginia, US
Apr 11, 2026 8:40 AM - 9:55 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: sunny, 56 degrees
heard pickerel frogs
25 species
Wood Duck 1
Mallard 2
Mourning Dove 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 4
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 9
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted Titmouse 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Northern House Wren 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
American Robin 3
House Finch 4
Purple Finch 22 counted on two feeders and a railing at one time
American Goldfinch 12
Chipping Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 2
Eastern Towhee 1
Red-winged Blackbird 11
Common Grackle 2
Northern Cardinal 5
Date: 4/11/26 5:47 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Purple Finches
Purple finches must be on the move! We've had at least 14 at the our feeders this week and this morning, I counted 22 at one time!! Jim & Judy Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV
Good morning to all. I stepped outside this morning to hear the FOS yellow warbler. It was foraging in the trees above New Creek. I love this time of year. Each morning brings old friends to the yard!
Date: 4/5/26 7:57 am From: Paul Mckay <paulmck57...> Subject: Ohio County Birds
Yesterday i heard my first chipping sparrow, seems late. This morning had 2 Ravens fly over the house, must be a nest close. Also meadowlarks singing in another spot than where I saw them yesterday.
Paul Paul M. McKay, Esq. 4404 Oglebay Drive Wheeling, WV, 26003 304 780 0557
Date: 4/5/26 7:38 am From: Casey Rucker <autoblock...> Subject: B-h Vireos and other returnees (Tucker)
Hi, all,
I encountered quite a few spring arrivals yesterday in Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, including three Blue-headed Vireos. Other notables were Great Blue Heron, Northern Harrier, Barred Owl, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Brown Thrasher, and Chipping, Field, Savannah, Song, and Swamp sparrows.
Also Eastern Tiger Swallowtails, West Virginia Whites, Eastern Commas, and Mourning Cloaks.
Date: 4/2/26 9:28 am From: Paul Mckay <paulmck57...> Subject: Fwd: Ohio County Birds
Late morning walk today with plenty of birds, meadowlark still singing as
are the brown thrashers. 2 barred owls singing today as well. Attached is
the list.
Paul
Paul M. McKay, Esq.
4404 Oglebay Drive
Wheeling, WV, 26003
304 780 0557
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From: Paul Mckay <paulmck57...>
Date: Thu, Apr 2, 2026, 11:48 AM
Subject: Ohio County Birds
To: Paul Mckay <paulmck57...>
Date: 4/2/26 5:57 am From: Paul Mckay <paulmck57...> Subject: Fwd: Ohio County Birds
Hello Everyone,
Below are the birds from yesterday. FOY was a Meadowlark. Day before that
was a Brown Thrasher.
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From: Paul Mckay <paulmck57...>
Date: Thu, Apr 2, 2026 at 8:54 AM
Subject: Ohio County Birds
To: Paul Mckay <paulmck57...>
Date: 4/1/26 11:05 am From: Bruni Haydl <bruni...> Subject: New arrival
They are rolling in, one by one. A beautiful Brown thrasher was on the lawn this morning. That bright rust on the new green is stunning. Can the Gray catbird be far behind?
Goldfinches are changing plumage rapidly. A totally yellow male was in the blooming quince yesterday looking for all the world like a Hallmark card. That shrub has never bloomed much in the many years I've had it. Often the finches would eat the buds and flowers. Fine with me because it is there for the birds. This year's crazy weather must have really been to its liking because it's the prettiest it has ever been.
The first Bluebird nest has a complete clutch of five eggs. Lots of Tree swallows trying to decide on some of the empty nest boxes.
Purple finches are still her. Neat to see them, the House finches and Goldfinches on the same tube feeder filled with sunflower chips.
Date: 3/31/26 2:14 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Bluestone National Scenic River--Bluestone Recreation Area, Mar 31, 2026
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From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Tue, Mar 31, 2026, 4:09 PM
Subject: eBird Report - Bluestone National Scenic River--Bluestone
Recreation Area, Mar 31, 2026
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
Bluestone National Scenic River--Bluestone Recreation Area, Summers, West
Virginia, US
Mar 31, 2026 9:26 AM - 11:15 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: 54-70 degrees
spicebush, sarvis, coltsfoot, bloodroot, spring beauties, ground ivy,
spirea, dandelion and anemone.
23 species
Wood Duck 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 1
Common Raven 1
Carolina Chickadee 1
Carolina Wren 2
Brown Thrasher 1
Eastern Bluebird 1
American Robin 2
Song Sparrow 2
Eastern Towhee 2
Louisiana Waterthrush 1
Yellow-throated Warbler 2
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 2
Date: 3/31/26 10:17 am From: Paul Mckay <paulmck57...> Subject: FOY Brown Thrashers
Hi everyone, on our farm in Ohio County, I had our first two brown thrashers of the year. Yesterday I had our first, or possibly last, winter wren. I had not seen them this winter although they are not unusual. Funny how the mind works, I was walking and heard a snippet of song, and instantly thought winter wren without thinking, then turned on Merlin and up it popped, then I heard again a fairly full song and sure enough, a winter wren.
-- Paul Paul M. McKay, Esq. 4404 Oglebay Drive Wheeling, WV, 26003 304 780 0557
Date: 3/30/26 8:33 am From: Paul Mckay <paulmck57...> Subject: Fwd: Farm birds including winter wren
Paul
Paul M. McKay, Esq.
4404 Oglebay Drive
Wheeling, WV, 26003
304 780 0557
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From: Paul Mckay <paulmck57...>
Date: Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 11:05 AM
Subject: Farm birds including winter wren
To: Paul Mckay <paulmck57...>
Mid-week, I found a perfect cup nest made of dry white pine needles in one of my boxes. This evening, I was surprised to find two eggs in it already. It probably just seems early because of the erratic temperatures we've had this month. New arrivals include a beautiful male Towhee, Chipping sparrows and some Meadowlarks lifting off my neighbor's hayfield and Ianding in the treeline, showing off his flashy yellow breast.
After six today, I drove to Meyerstown to check on the wildflowers along the Shenandoah. I got a real treat going down Dutch Hill Rd. A mature Bald eagle was soaring above. I followed him with my binoculars. That late sunlight really showed him off. He swooped down, buzzed another eagle sitting in the field, then went up into a nearby tree. The three Turkey vultures hovering made me look for a deer carcass. Just then, the eagle lifted off the ground, carrying something it had been feeding on, and then landed again to continue with its meal. Its mate stayed in the tree, keeping watch.
I stopped a man coming out of his long driveway adjacent to one of the fields on the right to tell him about the eagles. He told me they had a nest along the shore. Unfortunately, he said there is talk about the two big fields being turned into solar fields. Yuck! We've seen Horned larks there in years past.
Date: 3/28/26 2:47 am From: Bill Blauvelt <bil.blauvelt...> Subject: Sandhills Cranes
Yesterday is saw a pair of Sandhills Cranes on the northern edge of Cranesville Swamp in Preston County. It is not unusual to see them here and they are probably attempting to breed in the Nature Conservancy Preserve.
Our 8" of fresh snow brought them back! I just counted 30. Also a Pine Siskin, Red-winged Blackbirds, and Common Grackles, along with the usual suspects.
Two mornings ago, I was happy to see the first Phoebe of this year. It was hopping from one wingstem stalk to another. The upright posture and wagging of the tail made it easy to spot.
Sunday, there was a male Purple finch on the tube feeder. Another first for the year.
One of the female Cardinals in the yard is missing her tail feathers. The rest of her feathers are in good shape. She looks kind of cute with that round butt.
Walking on my neighbor's lane this evening, my dog spotted something on the edge and stopped. Sadly, it was a young Cedar waxwing that had perished. We had a very heavy downpour and winds this afternoon, which may have led to its demise. Brought it home to give it a decent burial tomorrow.
Date: 3/12/26 6:07 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Pine warbler
83 degrees yesterday. 37 with snow this morning. Pine Warbler on the suet and 6 purple finches back at the feeders. Jim & Judy Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV
