Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from The West Virginia Birding List > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Monday, March 15 at 02:57 AM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Wood Ducks,©Julie Zickefoose

15 Mar Lewisburg area [Sandy ] 14 Mar Signs of life in Cooper's Rock area [Terry Bronson ] 14 Mar High Water at Tygart Lake [Jeffrey Del Col ] 14 Mar Ring-billed Gulls - Charles Town [Carol Del-Colle ] 14 Mar Red-necked and horned grebes ["Rankin, Gary" ] 14 Mar Bald Eagle [David Patick ] 13 Mar Beech Fork marina [Kevin Cade ] 13 Mar Cheat Lake [Kyle Aldinger ] 13 Mar Blackbirds and an update... [Matt Orsie ] 13 Mar Wood Duck, Red-Shouldered Hawk [John Snyder ] 13 Mar Rte. 2 Birding [David Patick ] 13 Mar Grackle as feeder bird? [M Fowler ] 13 Mar Some WV birds may be getting smaller [Terry Bronson ] 13 Mar eastern meadowlark [Barbara Sargent ] 12 Mar Western Preston, Monongalia Counties--Meadowlarks, Phoebes, Killdeers [Terry Bronson ] 12 Mar update on Harrison Co. golden eagle [Sue Olcott ] 12 Mar Pleasant Creek once more [Jeffrey Del Col ] 12 Mar shannondale springs wma and shannondale lake [Sandy Sagalkin ] 12 Mar fake martin and robot birder ["Cynthia D. Ellis" ] 12 Mar Bald Eagle at French Creek [Beth Mankins ] 11 Mar Brooke County [Becky Szabo ] 11 Mar pine warbler ["Cynthia D. Ellis" ] 11 Mar tree swallow [Jim & Judy Phillips ] 11 Mar Black Vultures [John Snyder ] 11 Mar Morgantown Horned Lark, Pipit, leucistic Common Merg [Terry Bronson ] 11 Mar Fish Crows in Charles Town [Carol Del-Colle ] 11 Mar Pleasant Creek WMA again [Jeffrey Del Col ] 11 Mar Re: Phoebe ["Lynne Wiseman, Realtor" ] 11 Mar Grackles and Phoebe ["Thomas R. Fox" ] 11 Mar pine warbler [Jim & Judy Phillips ] 10 Mar Fox Sparrow, Grackle, GB Heron [Fred Schroyer ] 10 Mar Pleasant Creek WMA [Jeffrey Del Col ] 10 Mar Ohio River Belleville Pool Eagle Survey [Dick & Jeanette Esker ] 10 Mar Woodcock ["Cynthia D. Ellis" ] 10 Mar Woodcock [Rodney Bartgis ] 10 Mar West Fork Rail Trail in Marion County--GB Heron rookery [Terry Bronson ] 10 Mar Tree Swallows [Mike Griffith ] 10 Mar FOS grackles [Shannon Burner ] 10 Mar Black Vultures [John Snyder ] 10 Mar Falcon/Dunbar [richardkazmierski Kazmierski ] 10 Mar Spring is on its way! [William Tolin ] 10 Mar Morgantown Common Grackles [Kyle Aldinger ] 10 Mar Re: Red-wings and Grackles [Elizabeth Hole ] 10 Mar Re: Red-wings and Grackles [tammy lester ] 10 Mar Robins Redux [John Snyder ] 9 Mar phoebe ["Cynthia D. Ellis" ] 9 Mar Cheat Lake addendum--RB Gulls [Terry Bronson ] 9 Mar Cheat Lake Pintails, Wigeons, Wood Ducks and lots more! [Terry Bronson ] 9 Mar Bluebirds/ Black Vultures/ Ring-billed Gull [Carol Del-Colle ] 9 Mar Eagle Survey Results [Jim & Judy Phillips ] 9 Mar wood ducks & woodcock [Jim & Judy Phillips ] 8 Mar Red-wings and Grackles [richardkazmierski Kazmierski ] 8 Mar e-mail address change [CHINGWE ] 8 Mar rusty blackbirds [Jim & Judy Phillips ] 8 Mar Bluebirds are back [Diane Sylvester ] 8 Mar March 5-7 birding in Wirt County, North Bend St. Pk., Ohio River area [Terry Bronson ] 8 Mar Cooper's hawk hunting [Jim & Judy Phillips ] 8 Mar Goshawk update [Bill Johnson ] 7 Mar Addendum etc. [David Patick ] 7 Mar Rte.2 Birding [David Patick ] 7 Mar Greenbottom - Northern Harrier [Doren Burrell ] 7 Mar Summers County/Bluestone WMA [Allen Waldron ] 7 Mar nesting Coopers [Hillar Klandorf ] 6 Mar birding in Hinton [Sandy ] 6 Mar Correction to On the Wing...etc [Jeffrey Del Col ] 6 Mar On the Wing over Morgantown [Jeffrey Del Col ] 6 Mar Tree Sparrow - First in years [Bruni Haydl ] 6 Mar Belleville Locks [David Patick ] 6 Mar Cheat Lake Update [Kyle Aldinger ] 6 Mar Tree Swallows - Shenandoah River [Matt Orsie ] 5 Mar Ross's Goose [Mike Griffith ] 5 Mar Wood Ducks - HInton ["Williams, Barry C" ] 4 Mar Forgotten Lifer [Susan Aaron ] 4 Mar Florida Lifers [Susan Aaron ] 4 Mar Jefferson County waterfowl [Matt Orsie ] 4 Mar Monongalia County on March 3 and 4, Cheat Lake status [Terry Bronson ] Subject: Lewisburg area From: Sandy <kb8ryy AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 03:57:25 -0400 Saw brown creeper Sunday on my tree by the feeder. Also had song sparrow, and 5 robins. Spring is here snow is gone! Sandy Fenstermacher Lewisburg, WV Subject: Signs of life in Cooper's Rock area From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 14:23:32 -0700 Cooper's Rock State Forest east of Morgantown in Preston County slumbers through a long snowy winter-- the roads are not plowed and the trails deeply snow- covered and accessible only to cross-country skiers and snowshoers. Well, I found a few signs of life today: Eastern Towhee--1 male calling, but not in the mood to drink his tea, at the Trout Pond American Robin--2 at the Trout Pond, 5 at the 2002 cut-over area along Chestnut Ridge Road Wild Turkey--tracks of a single bird at the Ken's Run Trailhead A few Song Sparrows, American Crows, Dark-eyed Juncos, Blue Jays, Tufted Titmice, Black-capped Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatch, and Northern Cardinal were also present in those areas. Elsewhere: Killdeer--2 along Pisgah-Ladley Road east of Cooper's Rock, 2 at the Cheat Landing Development at I-68 exit 10 in Monongalia County Common Raven--1 along Hileman Road just north of Route 73 east of Cooper's Rock American Robin--30 along Pisgah-Ladley Road, 20 along Hileman Road Common Grackle--16 along Pisgah-Ladley Road North of the I-68 bridge on Cheat Lake: Bufflehead--23 Common Goldeneye--2 females Ring-necked Duck--1 male Terry Bronson Morgantown, WV Subject: High Water at Tygart Lake From: Jeffrey Del Col <jadel1947 AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 12:44:00 -0700 I went to Pleasant Creek WMA this afternoon.  Aside from a lot of very noisy, tumultuous Canada geese, there were 47 Ring-necked ducks, 11Buffleheads, perhaps a dozen Hooded Mergansers, a Great Blue Heron, a raven, and some Tree Swallows. The Buffleheads were engaged in raucous mating challenges that had them chasing each other all over the pond. I wanted to go to Doe Run to check out the impoundment, but I discovered that the road was closed because Tygart Lake is filled well beyond summer pool level. They must be trying to lessen flooding on the Ohio River. A good bit of the road to Doe Run must be submerged. Back at home, numerous nuthatches were running one another ragged all over woods by our house. Jeff Del Col, Philippi Subject: Ring-billed Gulls - Charles Town From: Carol Del-Colle <WVnaturalist AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 19:27:13 +0000 Greetings,    About 1:30 this afternoon,I observed a flock of about 35 Ring-billed Gulls in a flooded field on Country Club Road not far from its  intersection  with Flowing Spring s Road.       Happy birding,             Carol Del-Colle              Summit Point               Jefferson County                            Subject: Red-necked and horned grebes From: "Rankin, Gary" <rankin AT MARSHALL.EDU> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 15:06:04 -0400 I did some birding this morning up Rte. 2. There were a few ducks at Green Bottom WMA, but above the dam at the Robert C. Byrd Lock and Dam, a small group of grebes was floating down the river toward the dam and then flying back upriver, only to ride back down again. The group contained three Horned Grebes and two Red-necked Grebes. Wendell Argabrite and Rennie Talbert also got to see the grebes, as Rennie was also birding in the area and Wendell drove up to see them. A listing of some birds observed this morning: Green Bottom WMA Tree Swallow (30+) Am. Coot 1 Wood Duck 3 Gadwall 2 Am. Black Duck 2 Mallard 6 E. Meadowlark 1 White-crowned sparrow 2 White-throated sparrow 6 Lots of C. Grackles, Red-winged Blackbirds and Song Sparrows Ashton Hooded Merganser 5 Robert C. Byrd L&D Horned Grebe 3 Red-necked Grebe 2 Ring-billed Gull 1 DC Cormorant 12+ Ring-necked Duck 15 Subject: Bald Eagle From: David Patick <patick AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 11:11:29 -0400 I drove this am to Beech Fork Lake and visited the swimming area.An adult Bald Eagle was seen perched past the swimming area ,just beyond where Stower's and Miller's branches meet. David Patick Huntington,WV 25701 Subject: Beech Fork marina From: Kevin Cade <dmgraphics AT DAILYMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 19:11:45 -0500 Using a spotting scope from the picnic area at Beech Fork Dam marina this afternoon I found 11 Red-breasted mergansers, 3 Ring-necked ducks, 1 Wood duck, 1 American coot, and 1 Ring-billed gull. Kevin Cade Putnam County Subject: Cheat Lake From: Kyle Aldinger <kaldinge AT MIX.WVU.EDU> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:14:38 -0500 Hey all, Cheat Lake looked more like a river this afternoon, and I could only find 6 BUFFLEHEAD among the debris on the south end of the lake by the Edgewater Marina. At Cheat Lake Park there were 2 RING-BILLED GULLS, 1 MALLARD, 1 HOODED MERGANSER, and a number of WOOD DUCKS (I believe 5 drakes and 2 hens). There were RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS and COMMON GRACKLES at various locations around the lake. No ice to be found, but a lot of trash and debris. The small pond along Pierpont Road as you drive toward Cheat Lake hosted 4 CANADA GEESE, 2 of which were engaged in a rather heated battle. Kyle Aldinger Morgantown, WV Subject: Blackbirds and an update... From: Matt Orsie <wvbirder AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 15:06:10 -0500 All, I've joined the ranks of others by seeing Common Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds at the feeders this morning. We've had almost 2 inches of rain thus far and the rivers are or will be flooding.... On a personal note, I've updated my first WV sightings. The data set contains over 30,000+ sightings in WV during the last 9 years. It encompasses 27 of the state's counties. Using Google Maps you can visualize your sightings ( Much like eBird does ) and of course customize to your requirements. You select a species and click "Map It" to see where the first sightings I've encountered took place. Clicking on one of the subsequent Red markers gives you more specific info on that sighting. Although it doesn't represent the entire state it does give you some sense of distribution over time. http://www.wvbirder.org/wvbirds/birdmap4.htm Matt Orsie Summit Point, WV wvbirder.org Subject: Wood Duck, Red-Shouldered Hawk From: John Snyder <wem AT ONETEL.COM> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:54:13 +0000 Happened to glance out our living room window at our pond this morning, to see our first-ever (since moving in last October) duck bobbing around. Turned out to be a female Wood Duck who stayed a while before flying off down toward the Gauley. Time to get building wood duck boxes! A little later we were watching a very distinctly-marked fox squirrel (lots of black on the flanks) move across our dam and up into an oak tree across the pond. As we were watching the squirrel through our binoculars a juvenile Red-Shouldered Hawk swooped in to make an unsuccessful attack on the squirrel. The hawk perched on a limb, with the squirrel at the same height on the trunk occasionally sticking its head out to scold the hawk. The hawk stayed a short time, folding and unfolding its wings and obviously trying to suss out a way to get at the squirrel before finally giving up and flying off. John & Caroline Snyder Summersville vicinity Subject: Rte. 2 Birding From: David Patick <patick AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 12:18:27 -0500 I birded a few hours this am, battling the steady showers, along Rte. 2 in Cabell and Mason County.I visited Crab Creek campground,RCB Locks and lastly Greenbottom.There were not as many ducks seen when compared to last weekend.Some of the birds seen were: Crab Creek: Wood Duck-5 Cormorant-1 Killdeer-1 RCB Locks: Ring-necked Duck-12 Wood Duck-4 Cormorant-3 Killdeer-1 Snipe-7 Tree Swallow-3 No Gulls seen. Greenbottom: Green-winged Teal-2 Black Duck-4 Gadwall-2 Ring-necked Duck-32 Wood Duck-10 Coot-3 Killdeer-2 Tree Swallow-approx 100 David Patick Huntington,WV 25701 Subject: Grackle as feeder bird? From: M Fowler <mffowler AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 09:46:32 -0500 This morning was a first for me - a Common Grackle was going to town at the bird feeder, which is filled with black oil sunflower seed. I have occasionally seen them in the field below the feeder but never ON the feeder (didn't think there was room), but this one stayed for a good 10 minutes, scattering seed, puffing up his feathers and screeching in some kind of display, and generally scaring off all the other birds. On a related note, spring MUST be close - also had my first Red-winged Blackbird this morning. Monty Fowler, Cabell County Subject: Some WV birds may be getting smaller From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 04:38:52 -0800 While wandering around the web this morning I came across the following article from the BBC in Great Britain. Mentioned are 3 birds from WV-- Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Scarlet Tanager, and Kentucky Warbler. Fascinating reading! http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8560000/8560694.stm Terry Bronson Morgantown, WV Subject: eastern meadowlark From: Barbara Sargent <barbarasargent AT WVDNR.GOV> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 07:36:37 -0500 An eastern meadowlark showed up in what little grass is exposed in my yard. Also, purple finches have returned to my feeders. Still waiting for woodcock. Barb Sargent Alpena, Randolph County Barbara Sargent WVDNR - Wildlife Resources Section Natural Heritage Program PO Box 67, Ward Road Elkins, WV 26241 304/637-0245 ext. 2048 304/637-0250 (fax) www.wvdnr.gov Subject: Western Preston, Monongalia Counties--Meadowlarks, Phoebes, Killdeers From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:20:42 -0800 Despite the forecast, I didn't see a drop of rain today, so it was an enjoyable full day of birding in the Masontown-Reedsville area in western Preston County and in southern Monongalia County. Highlights: Eastern Meadowlark--1 along Zinn Chapel Road near Reedsville, 1 along Stony Run Road west of Arthurdale. The latter was with some Starlings and really dwarfed them in size, though the size difference is only about an inch. Odd viewing angle, I guess. First of year. Eastern Phoebe--1 at the Mellon's Chapel along the Decker's Creek Rail Trail at Break Iron Hill Road in Monongalia, 1 heard only along Burke Road near Reedsville Killdeer--everywhere and noisy, many flying high. My total count was 21, though I didn't count a singleton or two. Common Grackle--a good-sized flock of 115 birds along McKinney Cave Road near Giuliani Road near Reedsville. Many others elsewhere. Red-winged Blackbird--singing all over the place. 73 counted. American Crow--2 birds carrying nest material (1 a stick, the other what looked like moss or grass) to 2 adjacent spruce trees on Giuliani Road just off Route 7 near Reedsville American Tree Sparrow--4 along the Decker's Creek Trail east of Route 92 south of Reedsville Brown Creeper--1 at a residence along Boy Scout Camp Road in Monongalia American Robin--dozens scattered all over the place Dark-eyed Junco--2-3 dozen scattered in several places Cedar Waxwing--20 along Boy Scout Camp Road Flood note: McKinney Cave Road was flooded by Decker's Creek several inches deep early this morning. Probably much deeper now and the road may well be closed there. Still a foot of snow along the Decker's Creek Trail near Burke Road and Kingwood Pike in Preston County . Terry Bronson Morgantown, WV Subject: update on Harrison Co. golden eagle From: Sue Olcott <sueolcott AT WVDNR.GOV> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:18:18 -0500 The golden eagle found with a trap on its foot in late February in Harrison Co. continues to slowly improve. He's recovering from an infection, and the incisions from amputating portions of the two badly damaged toes are slowly healing. He's eating well, and has gained almost a pound in weight. He was transferred to a flight cage today and is getting accustomed to the space he lacked in the cage at the hospital. The prognosis continues to be quite hopeful. Sue Susan Olcott WV DNR PO Bx 99 1110 Railroad St Farmington, WV 26571 (304) 825-6787 Fax: (304)825-6270 sueolcott AT wvdnr.gov Subject: Pleasant Creek once more From: Jeffrey Del Col <jadel1947 AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:05:31 -0800 This morning I heard and saw FoS Red-Winged Blackbirds at Pleasant Creek. I also saw FoS Tree Swallows skimming across the water of the largest pond.  It is completely ice-free.  Many Canada geese were there, along with Buffleheads, Mallards,Hooded Mergansers and Common Goldeneyes.  As I stepped over the gate along Rt 119, I flushed an adult Northern Harrier from its perch on the telephone pole by the southernmost pond.  A crow was harrassing a large Red-Tailed Hawk far aloft over the ponds up the valley. I also heard Song Sparrows in the bramble thickets.   Here on the A-B campus, I heard Killdeers and saw a pair of Ravens.   Jeff Del Col, Philippi Subject: shannondale springs wma and shannondale lake From: Sandy Sagalkin <monsansagalkin AT MYACTV.NET> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:32:44 -0800 i spent yesterday morning at shannondale springs wma and shannondale lake. a red tailed hawk provided impressive views perched in a tree in the parking lot and then took off across the river. other birds seen thursday included: canada geese red shouldered hawk (at lake) 5 turkeys common mergansers hooded merganser (at lake) hermit thrush winter wren yellow rumped warbler brown headed cowbird carolina chickadees pileated woodpecker red bellied woodpeckers downy woodpecker cardinals mallards american crows bluebirds (at lake) mourning dove white thoated sparrows song sparrows carolina wrens sandy sagalkin sharpsburg, md Subject: fake martin and robot birder From: "Cynthia D. Ellis" <cdellis AT WILDBLUE.NET> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:26:56 -0500 This link tells of using field sensors to survey bird populations: http://www.conservationmaven.com/frontpage/automating-bird-surveys-with-remote-sensors.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook And, the Mockingbird here was singing Purple Martin song...so here's the link to scout reports: [right hand margin] http://www.purplemartin.org/ -- Cynthia D. Ellis RR 1 Box 163 Red House, WV 25168 304 586-4135 cdellis AT wildblue.net “…the serious study of natural history is an activity which has far-reaching effects in every aspect of a person’s life. It ultimately makes people protective of the environment in a very committed way.” ~Roger Tory Peterson Subject: Bald Eagle at French Creek From: Beth Mankins <mankinscb AT FRONTIERNET.NET> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:39:54 +0000 Sorry for the late post. There was an adult bald eagle at French Creek at Belmont yesterday morning on the way in to work. He was perched in the dead tree at the edge of the water (facing the bay to the left side). No sign of the juveniles. There were 36+ cormorants along with the usual ring billed gulls. Everything was fogged in this morning. At the Eureka Backwater, there was a flock of ring-necked ducks. Beth Mankins Pleasants County Subject: Brooke County From: Becky Szabo <becky8910 AT AOL.COM> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:01:48 -0500 Today after work, about 4 PM, saw the first common grackle along side the first red winged blackbird at the feeder. Maybe they'll chase off the starlings! Becky Szabo Follansbee Subject: pine warbler From: "Cynthia D. Ellis" <cdellis AT WILDBLUE.NET> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:38:29 -0500 Pine Warbler singing here today. Only other sighting for the species was a glimpse on February 11. ~Cindy Ellis, Putnam County -- Cynthia D. Ellis RR 1 Box 163 Red House, WV 25168 304 586-4135 cdellis AT wildblue.net “…the serious study of natural history is an activity which has far-reaching effects in every aspect of a person’s life. It ultimately makes people protective of the environment in a very committed way.” ~Roger Tory Peterson Subject: tree swallow From: Jim & Judy Phillips <cne01663 AT MAIL.WVNET.EDU> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:49:22 -0500 Had my first of the season tree swallow over the driveway today. Jim Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV Subject: Black Vultures From: John Snyder <wem AT ONETEL.COM> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:12:05 +0000 They've certainly made their presence known today. We had 4 circling around mid-day, and then had 14 more come over this evening, moving east to west. John & Caroline Snyder Summersville vicinity Subject: Morgantown Horned Lark, Pipit, leucistic Common Merg From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:35:13 -0800 A varied day today that included Cheat Lake, the Morgantown Airport, 2 WVU farms, and the Mon River Trail from Uffington to Hildebrand Dam. Bird of the day, of course, has to be the HORNED LARK seen at Morgantown Airport. It was in the area left of the "A" sign between the parking apron and the runway. This is the same area where a Horned Lark was present last June. Also present there was an AMERICAN PIPIT. Interestingly, a Colgan Airways prop plane landed while I was watching both birds. The Pipit panicked and flew off, though maybe just to another portion of the airport. The Lark, however, was unfazed, and continued feeding. Perhaps this could be the same Lark from last year, acclimated to the noise and airplane movement at the airport--or maybe it's just deaf! On the Monongahela River south of Uffington this afternoon there were 6 COMMON MERGANSERS--1 adult male, 4 adult females, and 1 strange-looking bird that I'm going to call a partially-leucistic first-spring male. Such birds basically look like females, but have somewhat more white in the gray upperparts--especially the wings--and some dark streaking in the white throat. This bird seemed to match that in everything except the head and neck. The throat was whitish but the nape and crown were a pale dirty cream color. There was just the hint of a crest on the nape. I find it hard to believe this is an intermediate stage in the molt from a first winter bird to a first spring or to an adult bird, so I think there must be some leucism present. Very interesting bird! Other highlights: Cheat Lake Park is still frozen with some open water in Morgan's Run, which had a few Canada Geese and Mallards. South end of Cheat Lake: Ring-necked Duck--about 110 drakes and 25 hens off Sunset Beach Marina, though about half were at the limit of scope view even at 60 power and distorted by heat haze, so these are rough estimates. Might have been a few Scaup mixed in. Green-winged Teal--1 drake, 2 hens visible only from I-68 bridge Bufflehead--23 drakes, 14 hens Also Mallards, Common Goldeneyes, Ruddy Ducks, Black Ducks, Hooded Mergansers, Wood Ducks, Canada Geese-- not much different than on Tuesday. No Pintails, Wigeons, or Common Mergs. Elsewhere: Ring-necked Duck--1 drake south of Uffington Greater Scaup--1 hen south of Uffington with the Ring-neck. Perhaps a Ring-necked Scaup in the future? Hooded Merganser--4 south of Uffington Black Vulture--3 at Morgantown Airport, 1 at WVU Research Park Killdeer--6 at the Airport, 1 at WVU Research Park, 1 at WVU Animal & Veterinary Science Farm American Kestrel--1 at the Vet Science Farm Pileated Woodpecker--2 south of Uffington, 2 near Hildebrand Dam Belted Kingfisher--1 south of Uffington Common Raven--2 doing synchronized ballet flying over Route 119 at Dorsey's Knob Park Yellow-rumped Warbler--1 at Uffington parking lot Red-winged Blackbird--3 at the Vet Science Farm Common Grackle--10 flyovers at WVU Research Park Terry Bronson Morgantown, WV Subject: Fish Crows in Charles Town From: Carol Del-Colle <WVnaturalist AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:46:17 +0000 Greetings,    Just got back from Charles Town and heard several Fish Crows calling while I was getting gas at the Martins gas station .  I have also been seeing one of our pond bullfrogs since day before yesterday- more signs of spring.        Happy birding,           Carol Del-Colle           Summit Point           Jefferson County   Subject: Pleasant Creek WMA again From: Jeffrey Del Col <jadel1947 AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:22:24 -0800 I went to Pleasant Creek WMA this morning. The ponds in the wetland across Rte 119 are  about 3/4 ice-free. Numerous Canada Geese were honking and fussing at one another and the other waterfowl.. Quite a few seem to have paired off.  The small ponds up the valley are completely thawed and had about a dozen  Buffleheads, along with about the same number of  Ring-Necked Ducks.  There were maybe eight or so Common Goldeneyes and a few Mallards, both male and female.  At one point, the ducks erupted into flight as a large red-tailed hawk swooped over the ponds.  The  Red-shoulders in the Norway Spruces were quite vocal. As I drove out toward 119, I spotted two Common Ravens acting frisky. Down at the Doe Run Impoundment about two dozen Hooded Mergansers were busy flirting with and challenging one another.  The ice on Tygart Lake is receding quickly. Jeff Del Col, Philippi Subject: Re: Phoebe From: "Lynne Wiseman, Realtor" <lewiseman AT AOL.COM> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:59:28 -0500 Morning folks, Just saw and heard a Phoebe! My crocus are blooming--spring must be close! Lynne Wiseman Jefferson County Subject: Grackles and Phoebe From: "Thomas R. Fox" <trfox AT WIREFIRE.COM> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:56:58 -0500 Saw grackles at Cowen in Webster Co. yesterday, the 10th and we had a phoebe calling in the yard here in Millstone this morning. I'll check out the woodcock situation this evening now that I am home. Tom Fox Millstone Calhoun Co. Subject: pine warbler From: Jim & Judy Phillips <cne01663 AT MAIL.WVNET.EDU> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:30:28 -0500 Had my first of the season pine warbler yesterday. It was on the suet feeder at the nature center. Jim Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV Subject: Fox Sparrow, Grackle, GB Heron From: Fred Schroyer <freditor AT WINDSTREAM.NET> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:29:21 -0500 At my home a few miles north of Morgantown, I saw FOS Fox Sparrow and Grackle. Our lone Tree Sparrow, which has been around for 2 months or so, is still visiting. And on my way to work, near the WV line, I saw FOS Great Blue Heron. Spring is coming! Fred Schroyer Freelance Science Writer / Editorial Consultant Waynesburg, PA 15370 (40 air miles S of Pittsburgh, 20 N of Morgantown, WV) freditor AT windstream.net Subject: Pleasant Creek WMA From: Jeffrey Del Col <jadel1947 AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:21:09 -0800 I visited Pleasant Creek WMA and the backwaters of Tygart Lake today.  The ponds at Pleasant Creek are about half ice-free.  There were numerous, very vocal, Canada Geese that are clearly pairing off. I saw about 10 Hooded Mergansers, with males engaging in challenges accompanied with much hood flashing and chest to chest displays.  Yesterday I saw some female Wood Ducks there, but they were not in evidence today. A few Mallards were also around today. I walked a short distance up the gas well road by the parking lot, but it was very muddy, so I did not persist.  However I saw a red-tail hawk soaring overhead and then heard and briefly saw some courting Red-shouldered hawks in the Norway Spruce stand at the top of the hill opposite the parking lot.  I also saw a Hairy Woodpecker and a Pileated. I then drove down to the Doe Run impoundment.  The backwaters of the Doe Run pond are ice free.  I saw 15 Hooded Mergansers, about half of them males in earnest displays.  Half a dozen Mallards were paddling around, too.  Tygart Lake itself is beginning to open up but has a good bit of ice still on it. If the warm weather persists, the Pleasant Creek WMA ponds should be ice-free by Friday. Jeff Del Col, Philippi Subject: Ohio River Belleville Pool Eagle Survey From: Dick & Jeanette Esker <eskerrb AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:16:43 -0500 As volunteers for the ORINWR, Carl Radcliffe and I surveyed the Belleville Pool of the Ohio River from Neal Island to the Belleville Dam for Bald Eagles and possible nests. We found saw two Bald Eagles -- one second year juvenile on Mustapha Island and one third year juvenile on the Ohio shore across from Newberry Island. We found no active nests -- the old one just upriver from the mouth of Sandy Creek is still there but there was no sign of any activity. We saw the two Peregrine Falcons under the Belpre Bridge. One was perched on the handrail along the pier nearest the WV shore and one was on the stone pier of the railroad bridge. The one on the handrail flew up into the bridge structure next to the old nest site and then flew off as we went under the bridge. We found two occupied Red-tailed Hawk nests. We saw the expected collection of ducks -- Hooded Mergansers, Wood Ducks, Black Ducks, Buffleheads, Ring-necked Ducks, Scaup and Mallards. Lots of Canada Geese and Ring-billed Gulls, numerous Great Blue Herons and several Belted Kingfishers. Overall a very enjoyable day on the river. Richard Esker Wood County West Virginia eskerrb AT verizon.net Subject: Woodcock From: "Cynthia D. Ellis" <cdellis AT WILDBLUE.NET> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:24:06 -0500 Finally! In the dusk, just before 7 pm, heard Woodcock here. Heard both "peent" and twitter flight sounds. In 2008, 3/10 was also my FOS, but in 2009 the date was 2/21. Also noted in the steely blue twilight was a Mockingbird winding down, sparrows going to bed, and a Killdeer calling. As I could see the first star, the dark shadowy wings of a Great Blue Heron labored overhead, and a pair of Barred Owls "hoo-hawed" with enthusiasm. Great evening! ~Cindy Ellis, Putnam County -- Cynthia D. Ellis RR 1 Box 163 Red House, WV 25168 304 586-4135 cdellis AT wildblue.net “…the serious study of natural history is an activity which has far-reaching effects in every aspect of a person’s life. It ultimately makes people protective of the environment in a very committed way.” ~Roger Tory Peterson Subject: Woodcock From: Rodney Bartgis <rbartgis AT TNC.ORG> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:41:05 -0500 Heard my FOS woodcock in Randolph County this evening. Rodney Bartgis, Valley Bend Subject: West Fork Rail Trail in Marion County--GB Heron rookery From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:07:29 -0800 This afternoon I tried something different--the West Fork Rail Trail in western Marion County between Fairmount and Shinnston, specifically between miles 3.75 at the Harrison County line and 7.0 in both directions from the town of Worthington on Route 19. This is a very nice paved trail, which has already been plowed and is totally clear. It winds along the West Fork River, which is bordered by lowland deciduous trees, the small town of Hutchinson, and on the north end some regenerating fields. Most of the birds, except for some Canada Geese and the Great Blue Herons, were in the half-mile section south of Hutchinson. A lady walking her dog alerted me to the GREAT BLUE HERON rookery between mile 6.75 and mile 7.0, so I trudged another mile each way to check it out. This is apparently a long-standing rookery. I found 22 nests, but only 3 with occupants. The lady said 6-7 herons had been seen recently, so the mates were off fishing somewhere. She also said a pair of BALD EAGLES are resident in the area, but I did not see them. Other highlights: Canada Goose--53 Hooded Merganser--4 Red-shouldered Hawk--1 screaming adult. My, they can be noisy! Killdeer--2 on the Hutchinson ball field, 3 flyovers Yellow-bellied Sapsucker--1 EASTERN PHOEBE--1, my first of the year Common Raven--1 flyover Yellow-rumped Warbler--1 Dark-eyed Junco--7 Red-winged Blackbird--2 27 species total In the morning, I birded Miracle Run and Simon Haught Roads in western Monongalia County with these highlights: Canada Goose--16 along Miracle Run Road, 55 migrating over Simon Haught Road AMERICAN BLACK DUCK--5, very unexpected in the small wetlands just north of Simon Haught Road American Kestrel--1 along south end of Miracle Run Road Yellow-bellied Sapsucker--1 along Simon Haught Road RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD--9 along Simon Haught Road COMMON GRACKLE--2 along Simon Haught Road 21 species total Terry Bronson Morgantown, WV Subject: Tree Swallows From: Mike Griffith <birdonawire47 AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:40:22 -0500 Tree Swallows arrive in force at Green Bottom WMA (Cabell Co.). Wendell Argabrite and I saw about 40 circling/feeding over the wetland this afternoon. Interestingly, this bird, now a common to very common summer resident in this area (Cabell, Mason, and Wayne Counties), in 1960 had not been documented as a nesting bird.* *Information courtesy of www.birdsofthelowerohiorivervalleyinwestvirginia.com - Harry Slack's excellent website. Mike Griffith Huntington Subject: FOS grackles From: Shannon Burner <shannonann66 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:43:08 +0000 Good afternoon all! I just saw my FOS grackles. A small flock of 11 flying overhead, pretty tails flared out for a landing nearby. Such a welcome sight. They are the first "spring" birds I've seen. Shannon Burner Keyser, Mineral Co. Sent from my U.S. Cellular BlackBerry® smartphone Subject: Black Vultures From: John Snyder <wem AT ONETEL.COM> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:37:39 +0000 We had at least 4 Black Vultures circling here today. John & Caroline Snyder Summersville vicinity Subject: Falcon/Dunbar From: richardkazmierski Kazmierski <richardkazmierski AT MSN.COM> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:27:54 -0800 Howdy All, I did some errand birding this morning. A Peregrine Falcon was at the Dunbar Bridge. Stopped at the Fly Ash Pond in South Charleston and there were 2 Hooded Mergansers, drove over to the next pond and there were 7 more. Made a quick stop at the Port of St. Albans and only thing of interest were 4 Coots. Kim Kazmierski Hurricane, WV _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469228/direct/01/ Subject: Spring is on its way! From: William Tolin <wtolin AT CEBRIDGE.NET> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:24:53 -0500 I see a lot of folks believe that spring may be on the way by the birds showing up. I AGREE, bluebirds, robins, and one redwing were seen in my snowy world yesterday afternoon and this morning. I hope they all have their little life jackets or a ticket for the arc because it is going to be very wet over the next few days. Considering 2-3 plus feet of snow just above me it could be very interesting. GO BIRDS!!!!! William A. Tolin Elkins Randolph County Subject: Morgantown Common Grackles From: Kyle Aldinger <kaldinge AT MIX.WVU.EDU> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:14:36 -0500 Hey all, I saw a flock of Common Grackles fly over my apartment in Westover (just across the river from Morgantown); this is the first flock I have seen in Morgantown this year. Kyle Aldinger Subject: Re: Red-wings and Grackles From: Elizabeth Hole <ekh AT WTHOLE.COM> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:54:57 -0500 The red winged blackbird migration must have come in yesterday. We had our first one here in Tucker County today. I also had 4 robins arrive today, too. It must be spring! Elizabeth Hole On Mar 10, 2010, at 8:48 AM, tammy lester wrote: > Saw the first Red Winged Blackbird of the season, a single male at > the feeder. Spring migration can't be far away > > Tammy Lester > Wyoming County, WV > Hello from the coalfields! > > > > > ________________________________ > From: richardkazmierski Kazmierski > To: WV-BIRD AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG > Sent: Mon, March 8, 2010 5:14:37 PM > Subject: Red-wings and Grackles > > Hi All, > > Sorry if this is a repeat of similar postings, I haven't had much of > a chance to check emails lately. I was working out in the yard today > and the neighborhood was filled with Grackles and Red-winged > Blackbirds. Can't wait to hear some warblers. Hope I can get my yard > work finished early this year so I can get out there to actually get > to see warblers. > > > > Kim Kazmierski > > Hurricane, WV > > Putnam County > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. > http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469227/direct/01/ > > > Subject: Re: Red-wings and Grackles From: tammy lester <efan3usa AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:48:08 -0800 Saw the first Red Winged Blackbird of the season, a single male at the feeder. Spring migration can't be far away Tammy Lester Wyoming County, WV Hello from the coalfields! ________________________________ From: richardkazmierski Kazmierski To: WV-BIRD AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Sent: Mon, March 8, 2010 5:14:37 PM Subject: Red-wings and Grackles Hi All, Sorry if this is a repeat of similar postings, I haven't had much of a chance to check emails lately. I was working out in the yard today and the neighborhood was filled with Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds. Can't wait to hear some warblers. Hope I can get my yard work finished early this year so I can get out there to actually get to see warblers. Kim Kazmierski Hurricane, WV Putnam County _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469227/direct/01/ Subject: Robins Redux From: John Snyder <wem AT ONETEL.COM> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 03:50:47 +0000 Small flock of robins here today, the first seen since late November. John & Caroline Snyder Summersville vicinity Subject: phoebe From: "Cynthia D. Ellis" <cdellis AT WILDBLUE.NET> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 22:25:57 -0500 Meadowlark heard this morn. Phoebe, last seen January 9, was calling from a willow tree. And a Red-winged Blackbird called from a traditional location...a sycamore near the pond. ~Cindy Ellis, Putnam County -- Cynthia D. Ellis RR 1 Box 163 Red House, WV 25168 304 586-4135 cdellis AT wildblue.net "Oh little white birds, Give me wings, So that I can fly back home…" ~traditional Tibetan song Subject: Cheat Lake addendum--RB Gulls From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 07:49:42 -0800 Forgot to list 26 Ring-billed Gulls visible from Sunset Beach Marina, but they didn't linger long.  Terry Bronson Morgantown, WV Subject: Cheat Lake Pintails, Wigeons, Wood Ducks and lots more! From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 07:47:22 -0800 Cheat Lake is OPEN for business again! At least on the south end near Sunset Beach Marina, the I-68 bridge, and the Edgewater Marina. The north end at Cheat Lake Park is still frozen, however. Almost all the waterfowl were seen from the I-68 bridge looking north and from Sunset Beach Marina looking west in the channel visible from both viewpoints. Scope was necessary. Better view from Sunset Beach, which revealed a few species not visible from I-68. Highlights: Canada Goose--6 plus 15 more where Morgans Run enters Cheat Lake Park WOOD DUCK--8, 6 drakes and 2 hens visible from Sunset Beach only American Black Duck--2 Mallard--33 NORTHERN PINTAIL--5, 3 drakes and 2 hens visible from Sunset Beach only AMERICAN WIGEON--25, 14 drakes and 11 hens Ring-necked Duck--82, 63 drakes and 19 hens, best viewed from Sunset Beach. Of that total, 10 were off Edgewater Marina. Lesser Scaup--3, 2 drakes and 1 hen visible from Sunset Beach only Common Goldeneye--10, 4 drakes and 6 hens, the latter only visible from Sunset Beach Bufflehead--27 at least, 19 drakes and 8 hens, some at all 3 locations COMMON MERGANSER--1 drake visible only from Sunset Beach Hooded Merganser--16, 11 drakes and 5 hens RUDDY DUCK--6, 1 drake and 5 hens visible from Sunset Beach only Non-waterfowl: Accipiter species--1 seen very briefly at Sunset Beach Marina as it was chased off by Red-tailed Hawk--1 at Sunset Beach Marina Common Raven--2 at a deer carcass at intersection of Route 857 and Morgans Run Road Yesterday afternoon (Monday) at Krepp Park in Morgantown: Cooper's Hawk--1, plus the nest reported by Hillar Klandorf, but no activity noted Yellow-bellied Sapsucker--2 in area just past the dog run enclosure Yellow-rumped Warbler--1  Terry Bronson Morgantown, WV Subject: Bluebirds/ Black Vultures/ Ring-billed Gull From: Carol Del-Colle <WVnaturalist AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 14:29:21 +0000 Greetings,    Yesterday and today I have had a pair of Bluebirds checking out the bluebird box out back.  I will be keeping an eye on them and hope they nest there this year as some have done in past years.     Also, yesterday afternoon, I saw about 25 Black Vultures feeding on a deer carcass on the side of the RT. 340 bypass near the Old Cave Rd. exit.  Then, while in Charles Town, I observed a Ring-billed Gull flying over the parking lot at the Martins Food store shopping center.      Happy birding,           Carol Del-Colle            Summit Point             Jefferson County   Subject: Eagle Survey Results From: Jim & Judy Phillips <cne01663 AT MAIL.WVNET.EDU> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 07:50:31 -0500 Saturday, March 6, 20010 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. New & Bluestone Rivers from Bertha Campground downstream to Brooks, WV Participants: Mindy & Allen Waldron, Mark Mullins, Brian Hirt, Wade Snyder, Tony Mattox, Elly & Charles Edwards, Bev & Chuck Wright, Betsy Reeder, Ben Markell, Jim & Judy Phillips. Bald eagles - 19(13 immature, 6 adult) Golden eagles - 5(3 immature, 2 adult) We had about 40 visitors to the various stations during the day. I can account for at least 26 meals and a tank of gas puchased in Hinton and a campsite rented in Pipestem State Park because of the birds. I encourage birders to wear their binoculars into local business establishments. Jim Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV Subject: wood ducks & woodcock From: Jim & Judy Phillips <cne01663 AT MAIL.WVNET.EDU> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 07:02:19 -0500 I found my first of the season wood ducks yesterday. They were on a sewage lagoon at Glenwood, Mercer County with a dozen Amer. black ducks and 40 mallards. Last evening we heard our first Amer. woodcock here in Pipestem, Summers County. Probably had about 3 individuals. On the "wood" theme, we heard a couple wood frogs at Sandstone Falls, Raleigh County on Sunday evening. Also, saw a couple painted turtles on a log there. Jim & Judy Phillips Pipeste, WV Summers County Subject: Red-wings and Grackles From: richardkazmierski Kazmierski <richardkazmierski AT MSN.COM> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 14:14:37 -0800 Hi All, Sorry if this is a repeat of similar postings, I haven't had much of a chance to check emails lately. I was working out in the yard today and the neighborhood was filled with Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds. Can't wait to hear some warblers. Hope I can get my yard work finished early this year so I can get out there to actually get to see warblers. Kim Kazmierski Hurricane, WV Putnam County _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469227/direct/01/ Subject: e-mail address change From: CHINGWE <chingwe AT PEOPLEPC.COM> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 11:45:57 -0500 Howdy doo, Doug Wood here. My e-address is changing and I cannot find my ancient scrap of paper with instructions telling me how to make changes or even access the list serve for that purpose. From chingwe AT peoplepc.com to chingwe1755 AT yahoo.com. HELP IF YOU WILL. Slan leat! ________________________________________ PeoplePC Online A better way to Internet http://www.peoplepc.com Subject: rusty blackbirds From: Jim & Judy Phillips <cne01663 AT MAIL.WVNET.EDU> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 08:58:36 -0500 We had 2 rusty blackbirds at the feeder on Saturday and yesterday there were 3. Jim & Judy Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV Subject: Bluebirds are back From: Diane Sylvester <twosylvesters AT CS.COM> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 08:31:08 -0500 I thought I saw a Bluebird out near one of my nest boxes Saturday afternoon. I took a walk out that way and checked out the box. It had a nice little pile of grass that looked like the start of a nest. The next day I did see a Bluebird in the vicinity of my meal worm feeder so I immediately filled it. Haven't seen any sign that they have been eating yet. Yesterday a Brown Creeper was doing his thing about ten feet away from where I was sitting at a picnic table. Subject: March 5-7 birding in Wirt County, North Bend St. Pk., Ohio River area From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 04:37:10 -0800 This past weekend I journeyed to North Bend State Park to join about 45 other members of the Brooks Bird Club for its Mid-Winter Meeting. The programs were great, the comraderie excellent, and the Saturday field trip was wonderful. Here are the highlights: Friday, March 5, on my own before the meeting, wandering through Ritchie, Calhoun, and Wirt Counties: RED-SHOULDERED HAWK--2 birds nest building (1 carrying a stick and placing it in a nest) at the Creston Community Building in Wirt County, 2 birds copulating on Cairo-Cisco Road, 1 at Route 16 & Plum Run Road, 1 heard along Sanoma Road, 1 at the Palestine State Fish Hatchery, 1 along Cairo-Cisco Road east of Cabin Run Road. That's 8 birds total. Most were very vocal and heard before being seen. RED-TAILED HAWK--1 along County Road 1 north of Rt. 5, 1 along Rt. 5 west of Burning Springs, 2 at the fish hatchery, 1 along Cairo-Cisco Road, 2 more uncomfirmed birds along Route 50 west of Clarksburg and along Cairo-Cisco Road CANADA GOOSE--7 in a residential pond along Route 5 west of Burning Springs, 8 at the fish hatchery, a few others scattered. (I expected a fair number of ducks in the Little Kanawha River all through Wirt County, but found zero! Only a few Mallards in a fish hatchery pond prevented a total wipe-out.) GREAT BLUE HERON--1 at the fish hatchery YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER--1 at the fish hatchery WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW--1 at the fish hatchery DARK-EYED JUNCO--10 at Route 16 and Plum Run Road Otherwise, it was pretty much usual suspects--Carolina Chickadees, American Crows, Song Sparrows, Downy Woodpeckers, etc. Saturday, March 6: RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD--1 male at North Bend State Park lodge before breakfast RED-SHOULDERED HAWK--1 at the lodge before breakfast CANADA GOOSE--80 along the Ohio River at the Sand Creek embayment south of Parkersburg, 35 at the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge headquarters at Williamstown north of Parkersburg WOOD DUCK--2 at Sand Creek MALLARD--20 at Sand Creek, 10 at Belleville Dam GADWALL--3 at Sand Creek NORTHERN PINTAIL--1 drake at Sand Creek GREEN-WINGED TEAL--2 at Sand Creek REDHEAD--15 at the Belleville Dam GREATER SCAUP--4 at Sand Creek SCAUP SPECIES--2 at the Belleville Dam RING-NECKED DUCK--35 at least at Sand Creek, 3 at the Belleville Dam BUFFLEHEAD--1 drake at the Vulture roost (see below) HOODED MERGANSER--5 at Sand Creek, more on a later visit DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT--1 at the Ohio River public access site 1 mile north of the Belleville dam GREAT BLUE HERON--1 at Sand Creek flying in with a large fish in its bill. It landed in water that turned out to be too deep as its legs completely submerged! A bit of floundering got it into shallower water. TURKEY VULTURE--76 settling down for the night at a roost next to the lake at the east end of North Bend State Park NORTHERN HARRIER--2 at Belleville Ohio River access site, with 1 feeding on something on the ground RED-TAILED HAWK--1 at Sand Creek, 1 at Belleville Dam AMERICAN KESTREL--2 at Belleville Dam KILLDEER--2 at Sand Creek, 3 at the Vulture roost WILSON'S SNIPE--5 at Sand Creek RING-BILLED GULL--90 or so at Sand Creek, 120 or so at the Belleville Dam HERRING GULL--at least 1 at Sand Creek GREAT HORNED OWL--2 hooting at each other at the Vulture roost in the state park BELTED KINGFISHER--2 at Sand Creek HAIRY WOODPECKER--2 at feeders at refuge HQ EASTERN TOWHEE--1 male at feeders at refuge HQ AMERICAN TREE SPARROW--3 at feeders at refuge HQ PURPLE FINCH--1 female at feeders at refuge HQ Most of the more common small birds seen at the refuge HQ and state park lodge area as well. Sunday, March 7, on my own after leaving the meeting, along the North Bend Rail Trail between Route 5 and the town of Cairo: WOOD DUCK--3 RED-SHOULDERED HAWK--1 BARRED OWL--1 sounding off at 1:35 pm CAROLINA CHICKADEE--12 TUFTED TITMOUSE--8 BROWN CREEPER--1 GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET--6 WHITE-THROATED SPARROW--4 DARK-EYED JUNCO--12 NORTHERN CARDINAL--21 13 other common species RIVER OTTER--1 loping across the trail from a backwater on one side to the Hughes River on the other Misses for the weekend: Barn Owl--absent from the Ohio River Belleville access site, where it has been regular. Many owl pellets, though. Red-headed Woodpecker Note on Wirt County: this county has been WV's forgotten county. It's the only county which has never had an eBird report filed, which is why I went there. That situation has now been rectified. Being so close to Parkersburg, with part of Hughes River Wildlife Management area and several access points to the Little Kanawha River, it deserves more birding activity. Terry Bronson Morgantown, WV Subject: Cooper's hawk hunting From: Jim & Judy Phillips <cne01663 AT MAIL.WVNET.EDU> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 07:35:39 -0500 When we pulled into our driveway yesterday afternoon, there was a juvenile Cooper's hawk perched in our birch tree. It was watching the bird feeder. Usually, these birds fly off as soon as we come in but this one stayed. We watched it for nearly 10 minutes before it flew. As we came into the house, we spotted the bird again. It was perched on a fence post closer to the feeder. Again, we watched it longer than we thought we might. It flew along the edge of the property to a cherry tree. This action spooked a mourning dove into flight and set off the blue jays in the yard. After 10-15 minutes, I happened to look out the window and see the bird walking around under the bird feeder. One chickadee was scolding but everything else was quiet. We had put our Xmas tree behind the feeder and the hawk was intently studying the tree. It walked around the tree. Then, it flew up into the honeysuckle about seven feet off the ground just above the top of the Xmas tree. Next, it returned to the ground, ran around to the other side of the tree and flew back up to the honeysuckle, This time it was about three feet off the ground and definitely looking into the middle of the Xmas tree. It plunged into the tree. We could see it rustling about. Then feathers flew and it exploded out of the tree and headed to the neighbors yard with its prize. Couldn't tell what small bird got grabbed. Jim & Judy Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV Subject: Goshawk update From: Bill Johnson <johnson-w-r AT ATT.NET> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 01:24:37 +0000 Hi all, We last saw the Goshawk briefly early Friday AM. No sign of it over the weekend. Bob Burrell and LeJay Graffious were able to locate it early last week a couple of blocks away. Here is a link to a photo I took last Sunday - thanks to LeJay for uploading the picture to the Mountaineer Audubon website! http://www.mountaineeraudubon.org/CityBird/Pictures/NOGO20100228.jpg Bill Johnson Morgantown Subject: Addendum etc. From: David Patick <patick AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 15:37:52 -0500 The correct spelling was "Wood Duck" for Crab Creek Campground-sorry. Also, I failed to mention that the Ross's Goose was seen again on Saturday around 8 am in Proctorville,Ohio on the lawn on the left adjoining The Three Gables Surgery Center. David Patick Huntington,WV 25701 Subject: Rte.2 Birding From: David Patick <patick AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 14:59:00 -0500 I spent this am birding this along Rte. 2 in Cabell and Mason County.There were many ducks seen.The temp. was 20 this am and climbed to 44 at around Noon.Some of the birds seen were: Crab Creek Campground: American Wigeon-14 Mallard-74 Wood dick-13 Hooded Merganser-5 Green-winged Teal-1 Pintail-2 Killdeer-2 RCB Locks: American Wigeon-14 Bufflehead-10 Canvasback-10 Mallard-24 Hooded Merganser-3 Redhead-2 Green-winged Teal-4 Ring-necked Duck-50 Gadwall-4 Snipe-2 Killdeer-2 Herring Gull Ring-billed Gull Cormorant Red-shouldered Hawk-1 Kestrel-1 Ashton Wetlands: American Wigeon-1 Hooded Merganser-2 Mallard-4 Greenbottom: American Wigeon-16 Black Duck-2 Green-winged Teal-10 Wood Duck-20 Gadwall-4 Mallard-30 Redhead-26 Ring-necked Duck-52 Hooded Merganser-2 Coot-2 Red-winged Blackbird-14 Common Grackle-4 Winter Wren-1 along Boardwalk Kestrel-3 Red-shouldered Hawk-1 White-throated Sparrow-2 White-crowned Sparrow-6 David Patick Huntington,WV 25701 Subject: Greenbottom - Northern Harrier From: Doren Burrell <g.immer AT DOREN.NET> Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 12:33:22 -0500 Spent Saturday afternoon at Greenbottom WMA in Cabell County. There was a distinct dearth of ducks, but Great Blue Herons were abundant. Even saw one try to catch a fish on the wing like an eagle. The highlight of the afternoon was a male Northern Harrier. Canada Goose - 60 Mallard - 50 Wood Duck - 3 Great Blue Heron - 10 Turkey Vulture - 43 Red-tailed Hawk - 2 Red-Shouldered Hawk - 2 Northern Harrier - 1 American Kestrel - 1 Gull sp. - 2 Mourning Dove - 4 Downy Woodpecker - 4 Red-bellied Woodpecker - 1 Blue Jay - 1 American Crow - 7 Carolina Chickadee - 4 Tufted Titmouse - 2 Carolina Wren - 2 American Robin - 1 Hermit Thrush - possible Northern Mockingbird - 1 Song Sparrow - 18 White-throated Sparrow - 2 Red-winged Blackbird - 5 Doren Burrell Charleston, WV Subject: Summers County/Bluestone WMA From: Allen Waldron <awaldron AT SUDDENLINK.NET> Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 09:38:53 -0500 No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.733 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2728 - Release Date: 03/07/10 02:34:00 Subject: nesting Coopers From: Hillar Klandorf <Hillar.Klandorf AT MAIL.WVU.EDU> Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 09:36:16 -0500 I was in Krebb's Park this morning and heard a kuk, kuk, kuk, kuk, kuk etc. (nest disturbance call) followed by the flight of a medium sized hawk to a nearby tree. Hopeful that I might have come upon the elusive Goshawk I followed after the vocalizations to find a pair of Cooper's hawks building a nest. If interested, the nest is in a tree just beyond the second 'No Dumping' sign on the road leading to the dog park, high up, essentially overlooking the road. Hillar Klandorf Morgantown Subject: birding in Hinton From: Sandy <kb8ryy AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2010 22:23:53 -0500 Debbie & Tom Long, & Sandy and Todd Fenstermacher spent the day 3/6 in Hinton seen were: The 2 mature bald eagles at the end of Brooks Island, one sitting on the nest one perched nearby. 6 immature and 2 more adult bald eagles near the mouth of the Bluestone River into the New. From the road along the New River to Sandstone falls: 11 ring-necked ducks 3 redhead 1 goldeneye 8 bufflehead 20 mallards 12 hooded Merganser 1 great blue heron 1 kingfisher 1 song sparrow 1 sharp-shinned hawk 1 red-tailed hawk 1 chickadee A beautiful sunny day temperature around 48*. Subject: Correction to On the Wing...etc From: Jeffrey Del Col <jadel1947 AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2010 18:05:30 -0800 We saw the bald eagles over the bridge at Star City, not Sabraton. Mea culpa. Jeff Del Col, Philippi Subject: On the Wing over Morgantown From: Jeffrey Del Col <jadel1947 AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2010 17:53:18 -0800 I drove up to Morgantown this afternoon. Saw two ravens over Grafton, two others at the Town Center shopping area in Granville,  Crossing the bridge into Sabraton, we saw two bald eagles. At the heritage Point assisted living center I spotted a pileated woodpecker heading into a wooded area near the parking lot. In Morgantown, I went flying with my brother-in law, Chip Sieglinger. From the air, Cheat Lake looked almost completely frozen over.  We also flew over Tygart Lake, and except for the farthest backwater beyond Doe Run, it also looked completely frozen over. Jeff Del Col, Philippi Subject: Tree Sparrow - First in years From: Bruni Haydl <bruni AT CITLINK.NET> Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2010 18:03:12 -0500 The first nice warm and sunny day we've had for quite a while and Ia Tree sparrow was the last thing I expected to see. It has been years since I've had one in the yard. It was feeding on the patio under the feeder. Seems to fit right in with the peculiar weather pattern of late but I'm not complaining. Last week also had two Creepers chasing each other around the tree. One has been a faithful visitor all winter long and it was nice to see a pair. A less than welcome sign of Spring appeared two nights ago...two Racoons messing with the feeders. Here we go again with trap and transport... Bruni Haydl Subject: Belleville Locks From: David Patick <patick AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2010 15:00:57 -0500 Wendell Argabrite,Mike Griffith and I birded at the Belleville Locks this am.We weren't successful at locating the Barn Owl at the older Lock location, but did find a few ducks. Common Goldeneye-4 Ruddy Duck-3 Ring-necked Duck-7 Scaup species-1 Mallard-12 David Patick Huntington,WV 25701 Subject: Cheat Lake Update From: Kyle Aldinger <kaldinge AT MIX.WVU.EDU> Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2010 15:00:30 -0500 Hey all, I made some stops around Cheat Lake today to look for waterfowl. The southern end of the lake by I68 and Ices Ferry Bridge is starting to open up, but the only waterfowl I saw were Canada Geese and 3 Buffleheads. Cheat Lake Park is still completely iced over. Song sparrows were singing everywhere, and I heard a couple White-throated Sparrows still around. Nothing out of the ordinary to report though. ~Kyle Subject: Tree Swallows - Shenandoah River From: Matt Orsie <wvbirder AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2010 11:29:37 -0500 All, Saw mt first Tree Swallows (4) of the year near the Rt 9 bridge this morning. This is right on schedule as my records indicate they typically show up around here between March 3 and the 8th. Waterfowl has not changed too much from the previous report except for a few Bufflehead showing up now. A female Common Goldeneye was along John Rissler road. Matt Orsie Summit Point, WV wvbirder.org Subject: Ross's Goose From: Mike Griffith <birdonawire47 AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 14:23:29 -0500 At 1:00 PM today, the Ross's Goose was still in Proctorville, Ohio(same location as mentioned in Ben Borda's March 3 post). It seems to have settled in, at least temporarily. Mike Griffith Huntington Subject: Wood Ducks - HInton From: "Williams, Barry C" <Barry.C.Williams AT WV.GOV> Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 08:40:02 -0500 Yesterday on my way down to Sandstone Falls I saw a pair of Wood Ducks, my first of the year. Thought the Tree Swallows might be back by now but did not see any. Also saw about a dozen Ring-necked Ducks and 6 immature Bald Eagles at the Bluestone Lake marina. Barry Williams Organ Cave, Greenbrier County Subject: Forgotten Lifer From: Susan Aaron <sf46aron AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 21:18:35 -0500 I had 4 lifers because I also got a pair of White Winged Doves in Boca Raton. Susan Aaron Huntington, WV Cabell Co. Subject: Florida Lifers From: Susan Aaron <sf46aron AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 21:10:21 -0500 Still in GA. Visited Boca Raton and had some good birding but no lifers. Also visited Ft. Pierce and from there birded up to Sebastian Inlet. That gave me three new lifers. A group of Sanderlings was hanging out with a group of Ruddy Turnstones in their mating plumage. The Sanderling was a lifer. At Sebastian Inlet, I got Northern Gannets and Masked Boobies (yet to be verified so I didn’t count it), adults and juveniles, and a female Harlequin Duck. The duck has been there for some time. I think that the gale force winds that came through FL and the coastline might have brought the other birds in. They were flying around the end of the jetty where people were fishing. The winds were so strong that I wasn’t able to hold my binos up and steady for very long. Quite an experience. Susan Aaron Huntington, WV Cabell County Subject: Jefferson County waterfowl From: Matt Orsie <wvbirder AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 16:44:06 -0500 Waterfowl was scattered about in the high waters of the Shenandoah river but a couple of nice birds were noted. A first of year Double- crested Cormorant along with a Common Goldeneye graced the waters. This matches the earliest date I've seen a Cormorant in the county. SR = Shenandoah River CC = Country Club road pond Gadwall CC American Wigeon SR, CC American Black Duck SR Mallard SR, CC Redhead CC Common Goldeneye SR Hooded Merganser SR, CC Common Merganser SR Pied-billed Grebe CC Double-crested Cormorant SR Matt Orsie Summit Point, WV wvbirder.org Subject: Monongalia County on March 3 and 4, Cheat Lake status From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 12:14:02 -0800 Yesterday afternoon, March 3, at the large farm on Cobun Creek Road just south of I-68 in Monongalia County: 10 Killdeer patronizing the few melted spots in the farm fields, where there is a southern exposure. Spring was in the air as some of the birds were chasing others and having a good old time in the mud and muck. 69 Canada Geese acting in a much more sedate manner. Today, March 4, I made a swing through the western part of the county in the morning to check another reliable spot for Killdeers on Hagans Road, but the fields there were still completely snow covered and thus no Killdeers. This morning's highlights: Wild Turkey--11 along Hagans Road north of Route 19, 5 more along Pedlar Run Road Belted Kingfisher--1 along Pedlar Run Road at a spot along the creek where I saw one last summer Eastern Bluebird--6 at Pedlar Wildlife Management Area Dixon Lake unit, 3 more along Hagans Road Song Sparrow--9 along Hagans Road, 6 along Pedlar Run Road. Many were singing. This afternoon I did a quick check of Cheat Lake--still 99% frozen with just a few very small areas near I-68 starting to thaw. With warm weather forecast for the weekend, I expect there'll be a significant amount of open water by Monday. Terry Bronson Morgantown, WV