Date: 5/20/24 8:09 am From: laura ceperley <ceperleylau...> Subject: Bird outings in Canaan Valley
All are invited to join early summer outings and presentation about birds in Canaan Valley.
At Blackwater Falls State Park -
May 31 - June 2 (Friday through Sunday). Mountain Sate Birding Festival. A variety of presentations and outings for beginning through advanced bird watchers. Programs are free except $40 is charged for attending both the field trips on Saturday and Sunday. Register by calling the Nature Center at BWFSP - 304-259-5511.
June 1 (Saturday), 8 -10 AM, from the “overflow” parking lot near the Falls. Bird walk: An 1-2 mile stroll on pavement and packed trails. This walk will be held on “first Saturdays” this summer (July 6, Aug 3, Sept 7).
June 22 (Saturday), 7.30 PM, Conference Center. Wings of Wonder: WV Birds of Prey presented by Three Rivers Avian Center near Hinton WV.
Note - Visit the BWF State Park Foundation’s page at WVSPF.org for more activities from spiders to trees to bears to…
At Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge -
June 8 (Saturday), 8-10 AM, Beall parking lot off Cortland Road. Bird walk: An easy 2-3 mile stroll on packed trails. This walk is repeated on “2nd Saturdays” this summer (July 13, Aug 10, and Sept 14)
June 15 (Saturday), 6 PM, Visitor Center. Presentation: Creating Pollinator Habitat by Gabby Lawinger, a WV DNR biologist.
June 16 (Sunday), 8-9 AM, Freeland boardwalk east of Route 32 on Freeland Road. Bird walk: ADA accessible 1/2 mile stroll on the boardwalk.
June 24 (Monday), 7.30-10 AM, Visitor Center. Bird walk: Carpool to the Upper Forest Road 80 for a 1-2 mile walk on gravel roads looking for birds that live in high-elevation areas.
Note - Visit the CVNWR facebook page for updates and more activities.
Date: 5/19/24 8:23 am From: Paul Mckay <paulmck57...> Subject: eBird -- McKay Farm,Wheeling, West Virginia, US (40.142, -80.612) -- May 19, 2024
A lot of birds for a mid morning walk, Merlin heard but I did not a Least Flycatcher. Still getting a Blue Winged Warbler in back pasture, but very far off and I only heard it once, Merlin got it 3 times today and twice the other day. All in the beautiful location known as West of West Liberty, Ohio County Paul McKay
McKay Farm,Wheeling, West Virginia, US (40.142, -80.612) May 19, 2024 10:52 AM Traveling 0.59 miles 23 minutes All birds reported? Yes Comments:
X Canada Goose X Wood Duck X Wild Turkey X Chimney Swift X Turkey Vulture X Northern Flicker X Great Crested Flycatcher X White-eyed Vireo X Red-eyed Vireo X Blue Jay X American Crow X Carolina Chickadee X Tufted Titmouse X Blue-gray Gnatcatcher X Carolina Wren X European Starling X Gray Catbird X Brown Thrasher X Northern Mockingbird X Eastern Bluebird X Wood Thrush X American Robin X House Sparrow X House Finch X American Goldfinch X Field Sparrow X Song Sparrow X Eastern Towhee X Yellow-breasted Chat X Red-winged Blackbird X Blue-winged Warbler X Common Yellowthroat X Hooded Warbler X American Redstart X Yellow Warbler X Northern Cardinal X Rose-breasted Grosbeak X Indigo Bunting
Date: 5/19/24 4:34 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - New River Gorge NP--Sandstone Falls Trail (Raleigh Co.), May 18, 2024
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Sun, May 19, 2024 at 7:21 AM
Subject: eBird Report - New River Gorge NP--Sandstone Falls Trail (Raleigh
Co.), May 18, 2024
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
New River Gorge NP--Sandstone Falls Trail (Raleigh Co.), Raleigh, West
Virginia, US
May 18, 2024 1:30 PM - 2:20 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Island Loop Trail
76 degrees, sunny
28 species
Canada Goose 10
Mourning Dove 1
Double-crested Cormorant 3
Turkey Vulture 1
Eastern Screech-Owl 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Warbling Vireo 2
Red-eyed Vireo 6
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 2
Common Raven 1
Tufted Titmouse 3
Carolina Wren 4
Wood Thrush 1
American Robin 2
American Goldfinch 2
Song Sparrow 1
Eastern Towhee 2
Baltimore Oriole 5
Red-winged Blackbird 2
Common Grackle 8
American Redstart 6
Northern Parula 1
Yellow Warbler 1
Scarlet Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 1
Date: 5/19/24 4:33 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - New River Gorge NP--Madams Creek to Sandstone Falls (Summers Co.), May 18, 2024
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Sun, May 19, 2024 at 7:10 AM
Subject: eBird Report - New River Gorge NP--Madams Creek to Sandstone Falls
(Summers Co.), May 18, 2024
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
New River Gorge NP--Madams Creek to Sandstone Falls (Summers Co.), Summers,
West Virginia, US
May 18, 2024 1:00 PM - 1:25 PM
Protocol: Traveling
8.0 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: 75 degrees, sunny
25 species
Canada Goose 15
Mourning Dove 6
Double-crested Cormorant 4
Turkey Vulture 4
Bald Eagle 2 adults
Broad-winged Hawk 1
Red-headed Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 1
Warbling Vireo 3
Red-eyed Vireo 5
American Crow 6
Tree Swallow 7
Cliff Swallow 4
Carolina Wren 5
American Robin 8
House Finch 2
Song Sparrow 4
Red-winged Blackbird 7
Common Grackle 10
Yellow Warbler 1
Scarlet Tanager 4
Date: 5/18/24 7:04 pm From: Larry Schwab <larryschwab...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Core Arboretum, May 18, 2024
Core Arboretum, Monongalia, West Virginia, US May 18, 2024 7:45 AM - 11:57 AM Protocol: foot traveling 1.5 mile(s) Checklist Comments: fog initially suppressed bird song; cpartly cloudy sky, no wind, temp 70sF 51 species
Date: 5/18/24 1:37 pm From: Bruni <bruni...> Subject: Made my day
I was really worried that I might lose the Red-headed woodpecker during my four-day absence attending the Wildflower pilgrimage. Needless to say, I was thrilled and relieved when he was at the suet first thing Monday morning. Has been here off and on all week.
Earlier today I was admiring this handsome bird, especially beautiful against the lush greenery in the background. Next thing you know, the mate shows up. What a thrill to think they will be nesting again in my area just like last year.
Based on the activity at the feeders, especially the suet, many woodpeckers have young. They are leaving with their bills packed with suet.
Date: 5/15/24 7:43 am From: Paul Mckay <paulmck57...> Subject: Re: eBird -- McKay Farm,Wheeling, West Virginia, US (40.142, -80.612) -- May 15, 20004
Hi everyone,
Sorry to send this twice but wanted to add a note.
Warblers had been slim but now are a little more interesting if not
numerous. For the last 5 days we have had a chat in a pasture where they
would nest a long time ago, this one might continue. We have two
Tennessee Warblers, one that has been there for a few days as well,
although I am sure it will move on. Hooded Warbler and redstarts were new
for the year. A Blue winged Warbler was here two days ago but not seen
today. We still have Yellow Warblers and Yellowthroats in abundance
Paul
Paul McKay
Ohio County
On Wed, May 15, 2024, 10:34 AM Paul Mckay <paulmck57...> wrote:
> McKay Farm,Wheeling, West Virginia, US (40.142, -80.612)
> May 15, 2024
> 9:52 AM
> Stationary
> 41 minutes
> All birds reported? Yes
> Comments:
>
> 3 Red-bellied Woodpecker
> 1 Northern Flicker
> 1 White-eyed Vireo
> 1 Yellow-throated Vireo
> 2 Red-eyed Vireo
> 2 Blue Jay
> 2 American Crow
> 1 White-breasted Nuthatch
> 2 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
> 1 Carolina Wren
> 4 Gray Catbird
> 1 Brown Thrasher
> 6 Wood Thrush
> 7 American Robin
> 2 Cedar Waxwing
> 4 House Sparrow
> 3 American Goldfinch
> 2 Field Sparrow
> 4 Song Sparrow
> 3 Eastern Towhee
> 1 Yellow-breasted Chat
> 3 Orchard Oriole
> 8 Red-winged Blackbird
> 1 Common Grackle
> 2 Tennessee Warbler
> 4 Common Yellowthroat
> 1 Hooded Warbler
> 1 American Redstart
> 4 Yellow Warbler
> 3 Scarlet Tanager
> 4 Northern Cardinal
> 1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak
> 3 Indigo Bunting
>
> Number of Taxa: 0
>
Date: 5/14/24 5:24 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Screech owl update
Last week we heard 3 young screech owls scattered around the yard. Then we discovered a 4th little fuzzy looking out of the box. This morning, it is still being fed at the entrance hole and I suspect there may be another one with it. On another owl note, we were looking for warblers across the line in VA, yesterday when we found a fledgling barred owl standing in the road. We eased it to the ditch and warned the few on coming drives to watch out for it. When we came back by an hour later the bird was not to be found. Jim & Judy Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV
Date: 5/13/24 5:46 pm From: LeJay Graffious <lejaygraffious...> Subject: eBird -- Old Hemlock -- May 13, 2024
At quick walk with my setters produced a nice list. I recorded my first Prairie Warbler at Old Hemlock. Kay has one on her list from the 1940s. It was in a three old forest cut. Kay's was sighting was when they were allowing the farm field succeed into forest.
LeJay Graffious Preston County
Old Hemlock May 13, 2024 11:30 AM Traveling 0.72 miles 45 minutes All birds reported? Yes Comments: clear skies
1 Mourning Dove 2 Turkey Vulture 4 Red-headed Woodpecker 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Hairy Woodpecker 1 Eastern Phoebe 1 Great Crested Flycatcher 4 Yellow-throated Vireo 1 Blue-headed Vireo 1 Red-eyed Vireo 1 American Crow 1 Tufted Titmouse 3 Tree Swallow 1 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 Brown Creeper 2 House Wren 3 Eastern Bluebird 1 American Robin 3 House Finch 6 American Goldfinch 1 Chipping Sparrow 1 Field Sparrow 2 Song Sparrow 5 Eastern Towhee 1 Red-winged Blackbird 4 Brown-headed Cowbird 1 Black-and-white Warbler 3 Common Yellowthroat 3 Chestnut-sided Warbler 1 Prairie Warbler -- My first on Old Hemlock since 1976 when I first started birding the area. It was in a three year old clear cut. 1 Black-throated Green Warbler 1 Scarlet Tanager 2 Northern Cardinal 1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1 Indigo Bunting
Date: 5/12/24 4:21 am From: Katie Fallon <katie...> Subject: Coopers Rock Bird Walk May 11
Yesterday I led a bird walk at Cooper's Rock State Forest for Morgantown
Migratory Bird Day (and Global Big Day). Twenty-five birders met at the
Raven Rock parking area and walked along the new widened road that leads to
the new cabins (chalets?) that are under construction. Despite it being a
chilly morning, we had enthusiastic participants that made for a great
walk. Highlights were migrating bay-breasted and Tennessee warblers,
scarlet tanagers, and a red-headed woodpecker (in the immediate vicinity of
the new cabins being built). Thank you to Jane Clark for helping with the
walk!
The 5th annual Morgantown Birding Cup will begin Friday, May 17 at 6pm, and
end on Saturday, May 18, at 6pm. For more information and to register,
visit: https://www.accawv.org/mbc.html
Coopers Rock SF--Trails West of Raven Rock Trail
May 11, 2024
7:24 AM
Traveling
1.00 miles
152 Minutes
All birds reported? Yes
Comments: Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 2.20.4 Build 2.20.28
1 Wild Turkey
1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird
1 Turkey Vulture
3 Red-shouldered Hawk
1 Red-headed Woodpecker
3 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 Northern Flicker
4 Eastern Wood-Pewee
1 Eastern Phoebe
1 Yellow-throated Vireo
7 Red-eyed Vireo
3 Blue Jay
1 American Crow
2 White-breasted Nuthatch
1 American Robin
3 American Goldfinch
5 Chipping Sparrow
1 Field Sparrow
4 Eastern Towhee
3 Brown-headed Cowbird
4 Ovenbird
3 Black-and-white Warbler
2 Tennessee Warbler
1 Common Yellowthroat
3 Hooded Warbler
2 American Redstart
1 Bay-breasted Warbler
1 Yellow-rumped Warbler
3 Black-throated Green Warbler
6 Scarlet Tanager
1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak
2 Indigo Bunting
Number of Taxa: 32
--
Katie Fallon
CPBT-KA
Executive Director, *Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia*
286 Fairchance Road
Morgantown, WV 26508
http://www.accawv.org
Date: 5/8/24 3:13 pm From: Bruni <bruni...> Subject: New arrival
After complaining to myself this morning about not seeing any "good birds" things changed later on. A male and female Towhee showed up. The Red-headed also visited the suet feeder twice. Hadn't seen it since Sunday. Some of the other woodpeckers must have young already because they eat some, but then stuff their bill before flying off.
A while ago a Kingbird was drinking from the birdbath. He was facing me but displayed that white tail band when he bent over. An Indigo Bunting followed. A red-winged blackbird also came for a drink. A pair of House sparrows shows up occasionally, prompting me to check all my nest boxes to make sure they haven't set up housekeeping.
Date: 5/8/24 8:56 am From: Paul Mckay <paulmck57...> Subject: Ohio County
I awoke this morning to the song of a Swainson's Thrush singing outside our bedroom window. Merlin pointed it out to me yesterday afternoon singing in our side yard. Orchard Orioles are back on the farm but surprisingly no Baltimores yet. Red eyed, white eyed and yellow throated vereos are singing regularly. Scarlet Tanagers too. Paul McKay Ohio County near West Liberty
Date: 5/8/24 4:28 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Screech owl latest
Last evening we had a thunderstorm & a quarter inch of rain. During the storm, the female screech owl sat looking out of the nest box hole. At 6 a m. today, I looked at the box in time to see a barred owl fly past the hole. After a few minutes, the female flew from behind the box into the box. After a couple more minutes the male screech flew past the entrance and perched on a branch about 15' from the box. He then flew around behind the box. More rain and no owls visible at this time. Jim & Judy Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV
Date: 5/7/24 5:04 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - New River Gorge NP--Brooks Island Overlook, May 7, 2024
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Tue, May 7, 2024 at 8:02 PM
Subject: eBird Report - New River Gorge NP--Brooks Island Overlook, May 7,
2024
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
New River Gorge NP--Brooks Island Overlook, Summers, West Virginia, US
May 7, 2024 12:55 PM - 1:10 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments: 76 degrees, cloudy
12 species
Date: 5/7/24 5:04 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - New River Gorge NP--Sandstone Falls Trail (Raleigh Co.), May 7, 2024
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Tue, May 7, 2024 at 7:57 PM
Subject: eBird Report - New River Gorge NP--Sandstone Falls Trail (Raleigh
Co.), May 7, 2024
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
New River Gorge NP--Sandstone Falls Trail (Raleigh Co.), Raleigh, West
Virginia, US
May 7, 2024 11:40 AM - 12:20 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.75 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: 71 degrees, partly cloudy
21 species
Canada Goose 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 2
White-eyed Vireo 1
Warbling Vireo 2
Red-eyed Vireo 3
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 1
Tufted Titmouse 1
Tree Swallow 5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Carolina Wren 2
Eastern Bluebird 2
Wood Thrush 2
American Robin 2
Song Sparrow 2
Baltimore Oriole 2
Common Grackle 8
American Redstart 5
Scarlet Tanager 2
Northern Cardinal 1
Date: 5/7/24 5:03 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - New River Gorge NP--Madams Creek to Sandstone Falls (Summers Co.), May 7, 2024
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Tue, May 7, 2024 at 7:49 PM
Subject: eBird Report - New River Gorge NP--Madams Creek to Sandstone Falls
(Summers Co.), May 7, 2024
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
New River Gorge NP--Madams Creek to Sandstone Falls (Summers Co.), Summers,
West Virginia, US
May 7, 2024 11:05 AM - 11:40 AM
Protocol: Traveling
8.0 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: 70 degrees, partly cloudy
New River Gorge National Park & Preserve began operations May 7, 1983.
36 species
Canada Goose 12 several groups of goslings
Chimney Swift 5
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Turkey Vulture 5
Bald Eagle 1 immature
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 2
Eastern Wood-Pewee 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
White-eyed Vireo 1
Yellow-throated Vireo 2
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Warbling Vireo 4
Red-eyed Vireo 5
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 5
Tufted Titmouse 2
Tree Swallow 14
Cliff Swallow 10
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 5
European Starling 7
Wood Thrush 4
American Robin 10
House Finch 4
Chipping Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 4
Baltimore Oriole 4
Red-winged Blackbird 11
Brown-headed Cowbird 4
Common Grackle 15
Yellow Warbler 1
Scarlet Tanager 3
Northern Cardinal 1
I, too, saw and heard my first Bobolinks today - 4 at the Freeland boardwalk of Canaan Valley NWR. Lots of Common Yellowthroats and Yellow Warblers, too.
Date: 5/6/24 12:53 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Red weekend continues to Monday
Over the weekend we had a red-headed woodpecker show up at our feeders, only the 5th time in 30 years. Then, today Judy saw two at once. We are seeing our gray screech owl in the nest box more. This morning we saw the other owl and it was red. We think the gray is female & the red is the male according to the literature. Jim & Judy Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV
Date: 5/2/24 3:51 pm From: Bruni <bruni...> Subject: New arrivals
A pair of Brown Thrashers was here in the morning and afternoon. The Red-headed woodpecker has been at the suet several times as have the Hairy woodpeckers. Both male and female Pileateds come by occasionally. Their white feathers are a bit dingy looking, something that happens every year during nesting season.
A little while ago a male Indigo bunting was sharing the birdbath with a male Cardinal. Beautiful! Before that I saw what may have been a female tanager. At first I was thinking a female Oriole. It was taking a bath so I couldn't check the throat. It was gold with dark wings and tail. What else could it have been?
Yesterday I noticed a Purple Martin on the wire so I decided to check out a nearby yard that has a number of gourds. Sure enough, lots of Purple Martin's going in and out.
Several pairs of Catbirds. A lot of puffing up, posturing and chasing going on. Of course they are very vocal. Being out here on my patio it's like Grand Central Station. The Tree swallows are taking a break. They look so beautiful against the blue sky. The evening sun highlights their snow white bellies.
Date: 5/2/24 10:38 am From: Jay Pitocchelli <jpitocch...> Subject: Request for assistance – song recordings of migrating Mourning Warblers
Request for assistance – song recordings of migrating Mourning Warblers
I am posting my annual opportunity to participate in a Citizens Science Project that involves recording migrating Mourning Warbler songs.I am trying to determine the nature of migratory pathways taken by different song populations of Mourning Warbler males during their spring migration.I am continuing to collect your recordings and plot them on a map of North America to determine if and where birds with different song types (regiolects) separate from each other during spring migration.The most current map of songs of migrants is at the web site below.
All you need is a Smartphone and a singing Mourning Warbler.You can send the recordings to my e-mail address (jpitocch AT anselm.edu).The web page link below describes the project and how to make recordings on your Smartphone in more detail.
Date: 5/2/24 7:25 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Knob Ridge Road, Pipestem, WV, May 1, 2024
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Thu, May 2, 2024 at 10:24 AM
Subject: eBird Report - Knob Ridge Road, Pipestem, WV, May 1, 2024
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
Knob Ridge Road, Pipestem, WV, Summers, West Virginia, US
May 1, 2024 5:45 AM - 6:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: 55 degrees, clear
47 species
Canada Goose 2
Wood Duck 1
Wild Turkey 1
Mourning Dove 5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Osprey 1
Eastern Screech-Owl 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 3
Hairy Woodpecker 2
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 7
American Crow 4
Common Raven 1
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted Titmouse 6
Tree Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
House Wren 2
Carolina Wren 2
European Starling 6
Gray Catbird 4
Brown Thrasher 3
Northern Mockingbird 1
Eastern Bluebird 2
Wood Thrush 2
American Robin 8
House Finch 7
American Goldfinch 4
Chipping Sparrow 1
Field Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 4
Eastern Towhee 5
Baltimore Oriole 3
Red-winged Blackbird 8
Brown-headed Cowbird 3
Common Grackle 5
Yellow-throated Warbler 1
Scarlet Tanager 3
Northern Cardinal 7
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 4
Date: 5/1/24 6:38 pm From: laura ceperley <ceperleylau...> Subject: Bird outings in Canaan for May, 2024
Wow - spring exploded in Canaan this last week - the trees are greening up and avian friends are seriously setting territories. Even a few babies are hopping around Join the fun….
At Blackwater Falls State Park -
Saturday, May 4, 8 -10 am. Meet at the “overflow” parking lot near the Falls for a 2 hour birding stroll looking on pavement and packed trails.
Thursday through Saturday, May 9 -11. WV Wildflower Pilgrimage. Register on Thursday starting at 10 am in the Lodge lobby for a variety of outings focusing on birds, flowers and everything nature.
Visit the BWF State Park Foundation’s page at WVSPF.org for more activities from spiders to trees to bears to…
At Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge -
Saturday, May4, 9-11 am. Meet at the Visitor Center for a guided hike to discover what’s blooming (and singing too) in the Valley.
Thursday, May 9, 8-10 am. Meet at the Upper FR80 parking lot waaaaayyyy out Freeland Road to spy on birds that live in high-elevation areas.
Saturday, May 11, 8-10 am. Meet at the Beall parking lot to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day, followed by kid’s story time, activity and craft in the Visitor Center.
Saturday, May 18, 6-7.30 pm. Meet at the Visitor Center for a presentation on things that bump, croak or howl in the night!
Visit the CVNWR facebook page for updates and more activities.
No single bird gets me more excited than when I hear the first chat of spring. The chat arrived four days ago, here in Braxton county. Hope you all are seeing them too.
Sent from my iPhone
While grabbing a late lunch today I heard the unmistakable call of the Northern Parula. To my surprise it flew to my yard bird bath then up to a tree then foraged in a blooming Virburnum. I don’t recall ever seeing one so low down. Usually I hear them high up in the trees. Got a good look. Just added to a beautiful day!
Take care, Lynne
Date: 4/30/24 4:06 am From: Bill Blauvelt <bil.blauvelt...> Subject: Re: Cranesville Swamp Sandhill Crane 4-29
Michael,
I believe a pair nested there last year for the first time. I saw a pair
last year in May, on the northern border of the swamp. The checklists below
are recent sightings with comments and a couple of photos.
There is at least one pair that has been breeding in Bittinger Md, which is
about 15-20 miles to the east.
On Mon, Apr 29, 2024 at 3:35 PM Michael Brady <
<000001c3c6bc6063-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
> Made it out to the beautiful Nature Conservancy's Cranesville Swamp
> Sanctuary in Preston County this morning.
>
> Thought I had gone through a secret portal and teleported back to my old
> stomping grounds in Colorado due to some very familiar vocalizations I came
> across.
>
> First and foremost had to do a total double take when I heard the
> unmistakable call of a SANDHILL CRANE coming from where the boardwalk
> starts.As I came out of the woods saw a low flying SANDHILL heading north!
> Was not expecting one of these guys this morning for sure.
>
> Have to admit not real certain of the status of these cranes in WV.Did
> see on E-Bird that there were a few sightings from Cranseville Swamp
> Reserve in the Fall and Winter of 23.Could be the same bird but may also
> bea migrating bird a little off course.
>
> Very cool to the hear another very familiar call of a "piney",as we
> called them in CO, calling from the conifers.More commonly known as a Red
> Squirrel.
>
> Actually ,besides birds,one of the reasons I went out to Cranseville this
> morning was hoping to see another old friend of ..a Porcupine.
>
> A good friend of mine who was born and has lived all his life in Preston
> County has told me he has seen them many times at and around the
> Cranesville Swamp area.Alas ,no porcupines this morning for me.
>
> Was hoping for more bird activity but overall kind of quiet
>
> Other birds of note included singing BLACKBURNIAN,CHESTNUT
> SIDED,MAGNOLIA,BLACK THROATED GREEN,KENTUCKY warblers.Singing WOOD and
> HERMIT THRUSH and a nice RED SHOULDERED HAWK.
>
> Fantastic place! Hope to get out there more this Spring and Summer!
>
> Michael BradyMorgantown,WV
>
My annual spring visit by a Wood Thrush began with a beautiful serenade yesterday evening. Other FOYs within a few miles of home over the weekend: Blue-headed Vireo, Ovenbird, Common Yellowthroat, and Black-throated Green Warbler.
Made it out to the beautiful Nature Conservancy's Cranesville Swamp Sanctuary in Preston County this morning.
Thought I had gone through a secret portal and teleported back to my old stomping grounds in Colorado due to some very familiar vocalizations I came across.
First and foremost had to do a total double take when I heard the unmistakable call of a SANDHILL CRANE coming from where the boardwalk starts.As I came out of the woods saw a low flying SANDHILL heading north! Was not expecting one of these guys this morning for sure.
Have to admit not real certain of the status of these cranes in WV.Did see on E-Bird that there were a few sightings from Cranseville Swamp Reserve in the Fall and Winter of 23.Could be the same bird but may also bea migrating bird a little off course.
Very cool to the hear another very familiar call of a "piney",as we called them in CO, calling from the conifers.More commonly known as a Red Squirrel.
Actually ,besides birds,one of the reasons I went out to Cranseville this morning was hoping to see another old friend of ..a Porcupine.
A good friend of mine who was born and has lived all his life in Preston County has told me he has seen them many times at and around the Cranesville Swamp area.Alas ,no porcupines this morning for me.
Was hoping for more bird activity but overall kind of quiet
Other birds of note included singing BLACKBURNIAN,CHESTNUT SIDED,MAGNOLIA,BLACK THROATED GREEN,KENTUCKY warblers.Singing WOOD and HERMIT THRUSH and a nice RED SHOULDERED HAWK.
Fantastic place! Hope to get out there more this Spring and Summer!
Date: 4/29/24 6:07 am From: Jim Triplett <jtrippy...> Subject: eBird -- Stonewall Jackson Lake WMA--Stonewall Jackson Dam Visitor Center and Tailwaters -- Apr 28, 2024
Stonewall Jackson Lake WMA--Stonewall Jackson Dam Visitor Center and Tailwaters
Apr 28, 2024
3:18 PM
Traveling
0.05 miles
190 Minutes
All birds reported? Yes
Comments: While fishing along the tail waters of Stonewall Jackson Lake Dam, the following species were heard and observed. No fish caught but great birding!
Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 2.20.4 Build 2.20.28
Date: 4/29/24 5:52 am From: Bruni <bruni...> Subject: Feast for the eyes
We were about to go on our walk this morning when I spotted the Red-headed woodpecker on the suet. What a gorgeous sight with the sun dappled greenery in the background! This is the third time I've seen it, making me hopeful that they will nest here again.
There are two Catbirds hanging out together ducking in and out of the quince bush where they nested last year. When I checked the nest with six bluebird eggs yesterday I found one hatchling. Love all this activity in the yard. The Carolina wren family has been a particular joy. So cute to see them lining up for the next food morsel.
A hummingbird was nectaring on the coral vine that is loaded with blossoms. Their numbers should increase as it gets warmer.
Date: 4/28/24 8:15 pm From: Fred Schroyer <ibfreditor...> Subject: Re: Merlin doesn't know the Red-Shouldered Hawk?
Thanks to everyone who commented on my post re Merlin not recognizing a red-shouldered hawk. Very informative and helpful for you all to share your thoughts and experience! I'm new to Merlin, and overall I find it amazingly quick and accurate. It's quite educational for me, as I've never been adept at birding-by-ear. It's teaching me calls. I tried an experiment: I played a bunch of Youtube birdcall videos on my laptop, while running Merlin to see what it could identify. I tried the common winter songbirds and a bunch of raptors. Despite the compression & audio processing those videos have undergone, Merlin overall did very well, including with the raptors . . . except the red-shouldered hawk! Apparently I stumbled onto the one raptor it could not recognize, even when playing a variety of videos of the red-shoulder's cries. Regardless, Merlin is a valuable tool that I'm glad we all have!
Date: 4/28/24 10:28 am From: Paul Mckay <paulmck57...> Subject: Ohio County
Today we saw our first Chimney Swifts, which seemed late but maybe it's just that spring came so early. Also I saw our first Hummingbird which seemed right on time. We had a raven, which are quite common now, fly over our fields croaking and flying with a decided purpose,although I couldn't figure out what that purpose was. Paul Paul McKay Ohio County
I think that is the perfect use of merlin.
The more I use it(which is now all the time) the more I like it.
I have fun using it while out in the pasture feeding my horses every day,
just hold it up and see if I am missing something. When I walk I stop at
various places and check as well.
For me it is no different than having an experienced leader say "over
there, I hear a cape may warbler".
It's now as important as binoculars.
Paul
> So…if you are birding without Merlin, hasn’t it been common to report
> birds heard but not seen, usually with a note of “Heard only”? How is that
> any different from reporting birds heard repeatedly by Merlin, but not
> seen, if they are birds one would expect in your area at that time?
> I cannot hear any birds due to auditory nerve deafness, except for the
> cooing of the mourning dove and the drumming of woodpeckers. Standing on
> my front porch, the world is silent. But setting my iPad on the front
> porch railing and letting Merlin listen for 5-10 minutes, I discover the
> birds that are singing, but not seen. I have reported some of these on
> ebird marked with an “x”, along with a note “ heard by Merlin”.
> Cynthia Burkhart
> Ritchie County
>
> Sent from my iPad
Date: 4/27/24 9:42 am From: cynthia burkhart <000000990b36e23b-dmarc-request...> Subject: Merlin
So…if you are birding without Merlin, hasn’t it been common to report birds heard but not seen, usually with a note of “Heard only”? How is that any different from reporting birds heard repeatedly by Merlin, but not seen, if they are birds one would expect in your area at that time?
I cannot hear any birds due to auditory nerve deafness, except for the cooing of the mourning dove and the drumming of woodpeckers. Standing on my front porch, the world is silent. But setting my iPad on the front porch railing and letting Merlin listen for 5-10 minutes, I discover the birds that are singing, but not seen. I have reported some of these on ebird marked with an “x”, along with a note “ heard by Merlin”.
Cynthia Burkhart
Ritchie County
Date: 4/27/24 7:40 am From: Paul Mckay <paulmck57...> Subject: Re: Merlin doesn't know the Red-Shouldered Hawk?
Herb, I agree on both counts. If I don't see or hear it, why recognize it,
I am the one on the walk, not Merlin.
Also, I had a wild and frustrating time a year ago when Merlin was showing
3 or 4 different species of warblers singing in the evergreens by my pond.
They were species with very high and soft songs. I could hear one but not
the others no matter how hard I tried. Merlin recognized them several times
so something was singing. Very frustrating.
It could have been real or more likely it was the one I could hear being
misread by Merlin. That gets to your second statement, it is only good if
you hear or see it too.
In Merlin's defense though, yesterday I was sitting on my porch with a
house finch in front of me. It would open its mouth and give a very short
chip and Merlin got it right every time. I was amazed by this, not even
half a "chip" and instantly recognized.
All in all I am pretty happy with Merlin. Next I will sing the praises of
INaturalists. Just kidding!
Paul
On Sat, Apr 27, 2024, 10:19 AM Herb and Sarah Myers <hesemyers...>
wrote:
> I had a Gray Catbird calling in front of me this morning. Merlin seemed to
> identify everything but the catbird. That is why I follow two rules with
> Merlin when listing on eBird.
>
> 1. If Merlin identifies it, I never list it unless I hear or see it.
>
> 2. If Merlin identifies it, I listen carefully because at times it hears
> and identifies something before I do, especially with my impaired high
> frequency hearing.
>
> I agree that Merlin is getting better all the time. Herb Myers,
> Keezletown, VA - previously Harman, WV
>
> On Sat, Apr 27, 2024 at 10:01 AM Paul Mckay <paulmck57...> wrote:
>
>> I have been using Merlin quite a bit this spring and found it to be
>> usually
>> quite good. I had a red shouldered hawk calling the other day and Merlin
>> got it instantly. Last winter it didn't catch the same hawk, but it was
>> out
>> there aways. Like all AI use improves results as it learns. Interestingly
>> I
>> found it will id a bc Chickadee once then show Carolina chickadees. My
>> rule
>> of thumb is a one time read should be questioned.
>> But otherwise it is fun, like having a good leader on a bird walk.
>> Paul McKay
>> Ohio County
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Apr 26, 2024, 11:19 AM Wendy Perrone <wendy...> wrote:
>>
>> > We've noticed that Merlin is at best slow to recognize Raptor calls in
>> > general, most of the time it ignores them altogether.-Wendy Perrone,
>> > Executive Director, Three Rivers Avian Center, Brooks (Hinton) WV.
>> > www.tracwv.org. Sent from my smartphone.
>> > -------- Original message --------From: Fred Schroyer <
>> > <ibfreditor...> Date: 4/26/24 12:13 AM (GMT-05:00) To:
>> > <WV-BIRD...> Subject: Merlin doesn't know the
>> Red-Shouldered
>> > Hawk? Walking at 5 this evening thru a ravine near our home (Waynesburg,
>> > PA, justnorth of the WV line), a noisy hawk flew above me and landed in
>> a
>> > tallsycamore, frequently calling. It looked to me like a Red-Shouldered,
>> > but Iwasn't sure. So I opened the Merlin app for a quick ID. Merlin
>> > quicklyidentified the other songsters in the ravine, but ignored the
>> > dominantloud-&-clear calls of the hawk! They showed prominently on the
>> > sonogram, butMerlin offered no suggestions. I closed the app, reopened
>> it,
>> > and triedagain-still nothing. So I went to Youtube, found some
>> > Red-Shouldered videos,and played one. The video sounded identical to my
>> > hawk's calls, and the birdbecame agitated and responded with calls,
>> > obviously reacting to the video.Has anyone else experienced this with
>> > Merlin? I can't believe it did notrecognize a common hawk! Fred
>> > SchroyerFreelance Writer/Editorial Consultant955 6th StreetWaynesburg,
>> PA
>> > <15370ibfreditor...>
>>
>
Date: 4/27/24 7:19 am From: Herb and Sarah Myers <hesemyers...> Subject: Re: Merlin doesn't know the Red-Shouldered Hawk?
I had a Gray Catbird calling in front of me this morning. Merlin seemed to
identify everything but the catbird. That is why I follow two rules with
Merlin when listing on eBird.
1. If Merlin identifies it, I never list it unless I hear or see it.
2. If Merlin identifies it, I listen carefully because at times it hears
and identifies something before I do, especially with my impaired high
frequency hearing.
I agree that Merlin is getting better all the time. Herb Myers, Keezletown,
VA - previously Harman, WV
On Sat, Apr 27, 2024 at 10:01 AM Paul Mckay <paulmck57...> wrote:
> I have been using Merlin quite a bit this spring and found it to be usually
> quite good. I had a red shouldered hawk calling the other day and Merlin
> got it instantly. Last winter it didn't catch the same hawk, but it was out
> there aways. Like all AI use improves results as it learns. Interestingly I
> found it will id a bc Chickadee once then show Carolina chickadees. My rule
> of thumb is a one time read should be questioned.
> But otherwise it is fun, like having a good leader on a bird walk.
> Paul McKay
> Ohio County
>
>
> On Fri, Apr 26, 2024, 11:19 AM Wendy Perrone <wendy...> wrote:
>
> > We've noticed that Merlin is at best slow to recognize Raptor calls in
> > general, most of the time it ignores them altogether.-Wendy Perrone,
> > Executive Director, Three Rivers Avian Center, Brooks (Hinton) WV.
> > www.tracwv.org. Sent from my smartphone.
> > -------- Original message --------From: Fred Schroyer <
> > <ibfreditor...> Date: 4/26/24 12:13 AM (GMT-05:00) To:
> > <WV-BIRD...> Subject: Merlin doesn't know the Red-Shouldered
> > Hawk? Walking at 5 this evening thru a ravine near our home (Waynesburg,
> > PA, justnorth of the WV line), a noisy hawk flew above me and landed in a
> > tallsycamore, frequently calling. It looked to me like a Red-Shouldered,
> > but Iwasn't sure. So I opened the Merlin app for a quick ID. Merlin
> > quicklyidentified the other songsters in the ravine, but ignored the
> > dominantloud-&-clear calls of the hawk! They showed prominently on the
> > sonogram, butMerlin offered no suggestions. I closed the app, reopened
> it,
> > and triedagain-still nothing. So I went to Youtube, found some
> > Red-Shouldered videos,and played one. The video sounded identical to my
> > hawk's calls, and the birdbecame agitated and responded with calls,
> > obviously reacting to the video.Has anyone else experienced this with
> > Merlin? I can't believe it did notrecognize a common hawk! Fred
> > SchroyerFreelance Writer/Editorial Consultant955 6th StreetWaynesburg, PA
> > <15370ibfreditor...>
>
Date: 4/27/24 7:01 am From: Paul Mckay <paulmck57...> Subject: Re: Merlin doesn't know the Red-Shouldered Hawk?
I have been using Merlin quite a bit this spring and found it to be usually
quite good. I had a red shouldered hawk calling the other day and Merlin
got it instantly. Last winter it didn't catch the same hawk, but it was out
there aways. Like all AI use improves results as it learns. Interestingly I
found it will id a bc Chickadee once then show Carolina chickadees. My rule
of thumb is a one time read should be questioned.
But otherwise it is fun, like having a good leader on a bird walk.
Paul McKay
Ohio County
On Fri, Apr 26, 2024, 11:19 AM Wendy Perrone <wendy...> wrote:
> We've noticed that Merlin is at best slow to recognize Raptor calls in
> general, most of the time it ignores them altogether.-Wendy Perrone,
> Executive Director, Three Rivers Avian Center, Brooks (Hinton) WV.
> www.tracwv.org. Sent from my smartphone.
> -------- Original message --------From: Fred Schroyer <
> <ibfreditor...> Date: 4/26/24 12:13 AM (GMT-05:00) To:
> <WV-BIRD...> Subject: Merlin doesn't know the Red-Shouldered
> Hawk? Walking at 5 this evening thru a ravine near our home (Waynesburg,
> PA, justnorth of the WV line), a noisy hawk flew above me and landed in a
> tallsycamore, frequently calling. It looked to me like a Red-Shouldered,
> but Iwasn't sure. So I opened the Merlin app for a quick ID. Merlin
> quicklyidentified the other songsters in the ravine, but ignored the
> dominantloud-&-clear calls of the hawk! They showed prominently on the
> sonogram, butMerlin offered no suggestions. I closed the app, reopened it,
> and triedagain-still nothing. So I went to Youtube, found some
> Red-Shouldered videos,and played one. The video sounded identical to my
> hawk's calls, and the birdbecame agitated and responded with calls,
> obviously reacting to the video.Has anyone else experienced this with
> Merlin? I can't believe it did notrecognize a common hawk! Fred
> SchroyerFreelance Writer/Editorial Consultant955 6th StreetWaynesburg, PA
> <15370ibfreditor...>
Date: 4/26/24 8:19 am From: Wendy Perrone <wendy...> Subject: Re: Merlin doesn't know the Red-Shouldered Hawk?
We've noticed that Merlin is at best slow to recognize Raptor calls in general, most of the time it ignores them altogether.-Wendy Perrone, Executive Director, Three Rivers Avian Center, Brooks (Hinton) WV. www.tracwv.org. Sent from my smartphone. -------- Original message --------From: Fred Schroyer <ibfreditor...> Date: 4/26/24 12:13 AM (GMT-05:00) To: <WV-BIRD...> Subject: Merlin doesn't know the Red-Shouldered Hawk? Walking at 5 this evening thru a ravine near our home (Waynesburg, PA, justnorth of the WV line), a noisy hawk flew above me and landed in a tallsycamore, frequently calling. It looked to me like a Red-Shouldered, but Iwasn't sure. So I opened the Merlin app for a quick ID. Merlin quicklyidentified the other songsters in the ravine, but ignored the dominantloud-&-clear calls of the hawk! They showed prominently on the sonogram, butMerlin offered no suggestions. I closed the app, reopened it, and triedagain-still nothing. So I went to Youtube, found some Red-Shouldered videos,and played one. The video sounded identical to my hawk's calls, and the birdbecame agitated and responded with calls, obviously reacting to the video.Has anyone else experienced this with Merlin? I can't believe it did notrecognize a common hawk! Fred SchroyerFreelance Writer/Editorial Consultant955 6th StreetWaynesburg, PA <15370ibfreditor...>
Date: 4/25/24 9:13 pm From: Fred Schroyer <ibfreditor...> Subject: Merlin doesn't know the Red-Shouldered Hawk?
Walking at 5 this evening thru a ravine near our home (Waynesburg, PA, just north of the WV line), a noisy hawk flew above me and landed in a tall sycamore, frequently calling. It looked to me like a Red-Shouldered, but I wasn't sure. So I opened the Merlin app for a quick ID. Merlin quickly identified the other songsters in the ravine, but ignored the dominant loud-&-clear calls of the hawk! They showed prominently on the sonogram, but Merlin offered no suggestions. I closed the app, reopened it, and tried again-still nothing. So I went to Youtube, found some Red-Shouldered videos, and played one. The video sounded identical to my hawk's calls, and the bird became agitated and responded with calls, obviously reacting to the video. Has anyone else experienced this with Merlin? I can't believe it did not recognize a common hawk!
I've been waiting for their arrival but did not expect to see three of them at the same time this afternoon. Unfortunately one of them had a deformed bill, the top part curling upward. Apparently it does not affect its eating since it looks healthy.
Bluejays are here in higher numbers, something that happens every year at this time. I used to call them blue grackles because of the way they gobble down the food. I think of them much more kindly since having read Julie Zickefoose's excellent book called Saving Jemima.
Date: 4/25/24 9:39 am From: Bruni <bruni...> Subject: Crazy cowbird
Birding is never dull. In the last couple of weeks a male cowbird keeps perching on some branches I placed outside a window and peers in. No doubt he sees his reflection. As a rule, it is bluebirds, cardinals and robins who sit on car mirrors or near a window trying to drive off an imaginary rival.
Another mystery is a nestbox that started out with four bluebird eggs. When I saw tree swallows swarming around I opened the box and saw that the eggs were covered loosely with grass. Never did see the bluebirds again. Instead tree swallows were swarming around and going in and out. I just checked, and there is a perfect cup of black feathers but no white eggs yet. Judging from the height, this is a double-decker nest. No doubt I will find the abandoned bluebird eggs when I empty the box after the tree swallows have fledged.
One of my bluebird nests has six eggs. That is only the second time that's happened in my yard. The chickadees have four eggs with a bunch more to be added. Hopefully they won't get sabotaged by the housewren.
I checked on my neighbor's eaglets yesterday. They are doing well. The younger one still has a few bits of down on it but is doing the wing flapping and stretching.
Leaving the house this morning to walk my dog, I heard the towhee's clear "Drink you Tea." Brought back a lovely memory of my mom who was always so pleased with herself for recognizing that song.
Date: 4/25/24 7:38 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Owl Week!
This has been owl week for us. We visited a great horned owl nest along the Greenbrier River, Summers County and had great looks at an owlet. Then we went to another nest near Kitchen Creek in Monroe County where we saw two owlets in a nest. At 4:50 this morning I was awakened by the hoots of a great horned owl. It sounded like it was in the house. I checked rooms until I found where the sound was nearest and sat in a chair and listened. The bird must have been in a white pine just off from our front porch. I sat in a chair with the window and wall the only things between me and the bird. It did the 5 hoots twice a minute until 5:13 a.m. Then it changed to 1 set of hoots a minute until 5:30 a.m. I timed it with the clock on our kitchen stove. Then it stopped calling.
We have also been excited to have eastern screech owls using our nest box next to our garage. We had been seeing only one bird until this week when we got to see the second bird. Last evening, one bird appeared in the entrance hole at 8:00. A blue jay spotted it and started fussing at the owl and it dropped back into the box. About 20 minutes later I was watching the hole when an owl flew in and stopped a second at the entrance and then flew on. I checked again at about 8:30 and two adults flew out of the box and headed for the woods. One returned right away and then the other one. They did this same action until it was too dark for us to see them. Jim & Judy Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV
Date: 4/24/24 4:04 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Mountain Valley Lake, Apr 24, 2024
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Wed, Apr 24, 2024 at 6:59 PM
Subject: eBird Report - Mountain Valley Lake, Apr 24, 2024
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
Mountain Valley Lake, Summers, West Virginia, US
Apr 24, 2024 2:12 PM - 2:57 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: 61 degrees
22 species
Hooded Merganser 2
Spotted Sandpiper 3
Great Egret 8 Long-legged, long yellow-beaked heron like birds all
white, some in breeding plumage with long plumes perched in a tree seen
through spotting scope. easy to count even with the naked eye.
Great Blue Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Eastern Kingbird 1
White-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 3
Tufted Titmouse 2
Tree Swallow 6
Barn Swallow 2
Carolina Wren 2
Northern Mockingbird 1
Eastern Bluebird 1
American Robin 3
Eastern Towhee 1
Red-winged Blackbird 7
Common Grackle 2
Northern Cardinal 1
Date: 4/24/24 11:49 am From: Larry Schwab <larryschwab...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Core Arboretum, Apr 23, 2024
Core Arboretum, Monongalia County, West Virginia Apr 23, 2024 7:30 AM - 10:20 AM Protocol: Traveling walking 2.0 miles Checklist Comments: Temp in 30s F to begin count; clear skies, occasional light wind. Ending temp 60F Weekly sponsored bird walk by Mountaineer Audubon. Area covererd to northern extension of floodplain trail.
Date: 4/24/24 4:55 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Glenwood Sewage Lagoons, Apr 23, 2024
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Wed, Apr 24, 2024 at 7:45 AM
Subject: eBird Report - Glenwood Sewage Lagoons, Apr 23, 2024
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
Glenwood Sewage Lagoons, Mercer, West Virginia, US
Apr 23, 2024 11:07 AM - 11:17 AM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments: 59 degrees
42 painted turtles and 10 snapping turtles
18 species
Canada Goose 3
Mallard 2
Killdeer 2
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Turkey Vulture 1
American Crow 4
Carolina Chickadee 1
Tufted Titmouse 1
Tree Swallow 10
Barn Swallow 10
Carolina Wren 2
European Starling 2
Northern Mockingbird 1
American Robin 4
Song Sparrow 1
Red-winged Blackbird 2
Yellow Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 1
Date: 4/23/24 7:12 am From: Paul Mckay <paulmck57...> Subject: eBird -- McKay Farm,Wheeling, West Virginia, US (40.142, -80.612) -- Apr 23, 2024
McKay Farm,Wheeling, West Virginia, US (40.142, -80.612) Apr 23, 2024 8:40 AM Traveling 1.21 miles 88 minutes All birds reported? Yes Comments:nice mid morning walk Yellow warbler for first time this year.
3 Canada Goose 1 Wild Turkey 1 Mourning Dove 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker 8 White-eyed Vireo 9 Blue Jay 7 American Crow 6 Carolina Chickadee 1 Black-capped Chickadee 6 Tufted Titmouse 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2 House Wren 2 Carolina Wren 1 European Starling 1 Gray Catbird 2 Brown Thrasher 1 Wood Thrush 7 American Robin 3 House Sparrow 5 House Finch 4 American Goldfinch 10 Field Sparrow 12 Song Sparrow 8 Eastern Towhee 9 Red-winged Blackbird 1 Brown-headed Cowbird 5 Common Yellowthroat 2 Yellow Warbler 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler 4 Northern Cardinal
Date: 4/22/24 11:47 am From: Bruni <bruni...> Subject: Red-breasted grosbeak
The RB grosbeak showed up again at noon today. Turns out it is a first year male, something I hadn't noticed yesterday because I only saw him from the front. Interesting plumage.
Date: 4/22/24 5:27 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Earth Day Meteor Shower & Birds
5:43 - 6:00 a.m. skies clear, 34 degrees 2 good meteors Birds in order of appearance by song - song sparrow, northern cardinal, American robins & eastern towhee. Also, a rooster but not sure of the variety. Green tea, peanut butter toast and fresh rhubarb sauce to top off the beginning of Earth Day. Jim & Judy Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV
Date: 4/21/24 5:23 pm From: Wilma <wjar...> Subject: Late report of first of year birds
April 18 white-eyed vireo and gray catbird.
osprey and solitary sandpiper at Proctor
April 19 wood thrush, blue-winged warbler, American redstart. rose-breasted grosbeak
April 20 orchard oriole singing in yard
Date: 4/21/24 5:00 pm From: Bruni <bruni...> Subject: Three firsts
Late afternoon the first male Ruby-throated hummingbird showed up at the feeder. It came to nectar three different time.
While fixing my salad at 7:00 p.m., my jaw dropped when a gorgeous red-headed woodpecker landed on the tray outside the kitchen window. Fortunately, there was a peanut suet cake as well as sunflower chips on the tray. I'm hoping this is one of the ones that nested in the area last year.
As if that wasn't enough, twenty minutes later a male Red-breasted grosbeak was in the ground feeder sitting on the patio. This is my lucky day for sure.
Date: 4/21/24 1:33 pm From: Jon Benedetti <jon.benedetti...> Subject: Re: Hooded Mergansers with ducklings in Wood County
Very interesting!
On Sun, Apr 21, 2024 at 4:31 PM Terry Bronson <birdsbybronson...>
wrote:
> Call me flabbergasted. This morning, April 21, I encountered not 1, but 2,
> broods of Hooded Merganser ducklings in Wood County at the Southern Highway
> Wetlands, a swampy area at Mineral Wells, WV on the east side of I-77 about
> 0.2 mile south of WV Route 14, viewable from Old WV Route 21. I have found
> this species at this location during April for the last 3 years.
>
> One brood had 3 very small recently-hatched ducklings. The other had 12
> somewhat-larger ducklings. Both were being shepherded by a hen; a male was
> nearby. I attempted to get photos, but the birds were distant, there were
> many intervening dead trees and logs, it was a gloomy day, and the birds'
> brownish plumage blended in with the muddy water, so I was unsuccessful.
>
> The Second Atlas of Breeding Birds in West Virginia shows only a handful
> of breeding records in the Allegheny Mountains. Cornell University's Birds
> of the World indicates the species does not breed in this area, though
> apparently it did in the time of John James Audubon in the early 1800s.
>
> I did find a few 20th Century records in eBird, where there are a couple
> of old records in Mason County reported in the Brooks Bird Club "The
> Redstart" on May 19, 1956 at Point Pleasant (most likely at McClintic WMA)
> and on May 6, 1961 at McClintic--both of 8 juveniles.
>
> There is also a record of 7 juveniles with an adult female at Ashton in
> Mason County from May 3-21, 1981, reported in "Birds of the Lower Ohio
> River Valley in West Virginia."
>
> This is an exciting development, and possibly unprecedented in the modern
> era for this area of the state.
>
> Terry Bronson
> Marietta, OH
>
Date: 4/21/24 1:31 pm From: Terry Bronson <birdsbybronson...> Subject: Hooded Mergansers with ducklings in Wood County
Call me flabbergasted. This morning, April 21, I encountered not 1, but 2, broods of Hooded Merganser ducklings in Wood County at the Southern Highway Wetlands, a swampy area at Mineral Wells, WV on the east side of I-77 about 0.2 mile south of WV Route 14, viewable from Old WV Route 21. I have found this species at this location during April for the last 3 years.
One brood had 3 very small recently-hatched ducklings. The other had 12 somewhat-larger ducklings. Both were being shepherded by a hen; a male was nearby. I attempted to get photos, but the birds were distant, there were many intervening dead trees and logs, it was a gloomy day, and the birds' brownish plumage blended in with the muddy water, so I was unsuccessful.
The Second Atlas of Breeding Birds in West Virginia shows only a handful of breeding records in the Allegheny Mountains. Cornell University's Birds of the World indicates the species does not breed in this area, though apparently it did in the time of John James Audubon in the early 1800s.
I did find a few 20th Century records in eBird, where there are a couple of old records in Mason County reported in the Brooks Bird Club "The Redstart" on May 19, 1956 at Point Pleasant (most likely at McClintic WMA) and on May 6, 1961 at McClintic--both of 8 juveniles.
There is also a record of 7 juveniles with an adult female at Ashton in Mason County from May 3-21, 1981, reported in "Birds of the Lower Ohio River Valley in West Virginia."
This is an exciting development, and possibly unprecedented in the modern era for this area of the state.
Friends, We headed up Bolt Mountain this morning. It wasn't great, but we saw and heard a few new species. Ruby-crowned kinglet singing, 2 chasing after each other Yellow-throated vireo Blue-headed vireos at every stop. Dark-eyed juncos singing Ovenbird Blue-winged warblers, 3, singing Black-and-white warblers, at every stop Hooded warbler American Redstart Black-throated blue warbler Northern parula Black-throated green warbler
Still a little early on the mountain. We were walking along the road and startled the couple in a ATV. They weren't expecting to come across anyone. They had started from Gilbert in Mingo County.
Date: 4/20/24 7:46 am From: Paul Mckay <paulmck57...> Subject: eBird -- McKay Farm,Wheeling, West Virginia, US (40.142, -80.612) -- Apr 20, 2024
McKay Farm,Wheeling, West Virginia, US (40.142, -80.612) Apr 20, 2024 9:22 AM Traveling 1.20 miles 79 minutes All birds reported? Yes Comments: first of year House wren catbird. BC Chicadee I'd through Merlin app with song.
1 Canada Goose 1 Wood Duck 1 Wild Turkey 1 Mourning Dove 1 Turkey Vulture 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Red-tailed Hawk 2 Northern Flicker 4 White-eyed Vireo 10 Blue Jay 5 American Crow 3 Carolina Chickadee 1 Black-capped Chickadee 7 Tufted Titmouse 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 House Wren 4 Carolina Wren 1 Gray Catbird 3 American Robin 2 House Sparrow 4 House Finch 4 American Goldfinch 9 Field Sparrow 10 Song Sparrow 9 Eastern Towhee 10 Red-winged Blackbird 2 Common Yellowthroat 4 Northern Cardinal
