Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from The West Virginia Birding List > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Friday, November 20 at 06:45 AM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Black headed Jay,©BirdQuest

20 Nov Eagles at NCTC Cam- Shepherdstown [Carol Del-Colle ] 18 Nov Loons and Swans on Cheat Lake [Terry Bronson ] 18 Nov brant and mute swan [Wilma Jarrell ] 18 Nov tundra swans [Donna Mitchell ] 18 Nov Tundra Swan at Pleasant Creek? [Jeffrey Del Col ] 17 Nov Cedar Waxwing photo essay ["Bill Hilton Jr. (RESEARCH)" ] 17 Nov Red-throated Loons; Hooded Mergansers- Shenandoah River [Carol Del-Colle ] 17 Nov Fw: Hanging Rock Tower (16 Nov 2009) 35 Raptors [Jim & Judy Phillips ] 17 Nov Fw: Hanging Rock Tower (15 Nov 2009) 14 Raptors [Jim & Judy Phillips ] 17 Nov Fw: Hanging Rock Tower (13 Nov 2009) 23 Raptors [Jim & Judy Phillips ] 16 Nov Cheat Lake on Nov. 16 [Terry Bronson ] 16 Nov Rusty Blackbirds at Altoona Marsh [David Myles ] 16 Nov Re: West Virginia CBCs [Rob Tallman ] 15 Nov Pine Siskins [richardkazmierski Kazmierski ] 14 Nov A Day at Canaan Valley and Blackwater Falls [Terry Bronson ] 14 Nov West Virginia CBCs [LeJay Graffious ] 14 Nov Interesting Bluejay behavior [M Fowler ] 13 Nov 11/12 additions and Pipestem birds for today [Jim & Judy Phillips ] 13 Nov Monongahela River Birding--Coots, W. Wren, B. Eagles, Waterfowl [Terry Bronson ] 13 Nov Nor'Ida delivers again. Loons, Tundra Swans and Scoters [Matt Orsie ] 13 Nov Red-Throated Loon Jefferson Co. [David Myles ] 13 Nov Canaan CBC [Ken Sturm ] 13 Nov hoping to do a cbc in Pendleton/Grant Co Dec 14 [Frederick Atwood ] 13 Nov Tundra swans and Fox Sparrows [William Tolin ] 13 Nov Fw: Hanging Rock Tower (10 Nov 2009) Raptors [Jim & Judy Phillips ] 13 Nov Fw: Hanging Rock Tower (06 Nov 2009) 28 Raptors [Jim & Judy Phillips ] 13 Nov Fw: Hanging Rock Tower (05 Nov 2009) 55 Raptors [Jim & Judy Phillips ] 12 Nov ducks and grebes [Wilma Jarrell ] 12 Nov Ida birds and such [Jim & Judy Phillips ] 12 Nov Cormorant, Common Loons, Scoter- Shenandoah River [Carol Del-Colle ] 12 Nov Pine Siskin + waterfowl follow-up [Matt Orsie ] 12 Nov Cheat Lake Horned Grebes, RB Mergs, T. Swan, RB Gull [Terry Bronson ] 12 Nov RFI: Color Banded Great Egrets ["Bill Hilton Jr. (RESEARCH)" ] 12 Nov Fox Sparrow and Waxwings ["Williams, Barry C" ] 11 Nov South Cheat Lake waterbirds [Terry Bronson ] 11 Nov Oops - Omission [Matt Orsie ] 11 Nov Scoters, Tundra Swans, Loon, 14 species Duck - Jefferson County [Matt Orsie ] 11 Nov 169 Tundra Swans in Canaan Valley + Yard Fox Sparrow FOS (Tucker) [Casey Rucker ] 10 Nov Eagles At Lost River [Ms Diane Holsinger ] 9 Nov New Arrivals [Elliot Kirschbaum ] 9 Nov Sat. Summers Co. birds [Allen Waldron ] 9 Nov Screech Owl [Steve Gillispie ] 8 Nov Cheat Lake water birds on Nov. 8 [Terry Bronson ] 7 Nov Rusty Blackbirds, Brown Creeper and other Rt2 birds ["Rankin, Gary" ] 7 Nov Pocahontas County [Dave Patick ] 6 Nov BlueHeaded Vireo ["Cynthia D. Ellis" ] 6 Nov Tygart Lake area--Scaup, Mergansers, Sapsuckers [Terry Bronson ] 6 Nov Wild Turkey and Purple Finch- Yard birds- Summit Point [Carol Del-Colle ] 5 Nov RFI on a Group of Five Southbound Sandhill Cranes [Fred ] 5 Nov Osprey and Pied Grebe on Shenandoah River [Carol Del-Colle ] 5 Nov Correction ... [Derek Courtney ] 5 Nov Fw: Hanging Rock Tower (04 Nov 2009) 17 Raptors [Jim & Judy Phillips ] 5 Nov Fw: Hanging Rock Tower (03 Nov 2009) 76 Raptors [Jim & Judy Phillips ] 5 Nov Fw: Hanging Rock Tower (01 Nov 2009) 3 Raptors [Jim & Judy Phillips ] 4 Nov Golden birds ... [Derek Courtney ] 4 Nov black vultures ["Cynthia D. Ellis" ] 4 Nov Tundra Swan & Wood Ducks- Shenandoah River [Carol Del-Colle ] 3 Nov Black Vultures, Shovelers ["Cynthia D. Ellis" ] 3 Nov Mercer County ponds [Jim & Judy Phillips ] 3 Nov Golden Eagles - Jefferson hawk watching [Matt Orsie ] 3 Nov Fw: Hanging Rock Tower (25 Oct 2009) 22 Raptors [Jim & Judy Phillips ] 3 Nov Fw: Hanging Rock Tower (23 Oct 2009) 2 Raptors [Jim & Judy Phillips ] 3 Nov Fw: Hanging Rock Tower (22 Oct 2009) 4 Raptors [Jim & Judy Phillips ] 3 Nov Fw: Hanging Rock Tower (18 Oct 2009) 3 Raptors [Jim & Judy Phillips ] 3 Nov Mt. Valley Lake [Jim & Judy Phillips ] 2 Nov bald eagle in New Martinsville [Wilma Jarrell ] 2 Nov Long-tailed Duck at Winfield Locks [Roger Hardway ] 2 Nov Greenbottom Addendum [David Patick ] 2 Nov More Buffleheads, Grebes, Cormorant, Eagle [Terry Bronson ] 2 Nov Brown Creepers, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker- Summit Point [Carol Del-Colle ] 2 Nov Waterfowl - Shenandoah River [Matt Orsie ] 2 Nov Dark-eyed Junco- FOS- Summit Point [Carol Del-Colle ] 2 Nov Dark eyed junco...finally [Bruni Haydl ] 1 Nov Tundra Swans in Hardy County ["David E. Carr" ] 2 Nov Ring-billed Gulls/ Ruby-crowned Kinglet- Jefferson County [Carol Del-Colle ] 1 Nov Common Loons, Tundra Swans - Jefferson County Hawk watching [Matt Orsie ] Subject: Eagles at NCTC Cam- Shepherdstown From: Carol Del-Colle <WVnaturalist AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:45:43 +0000 Greetings,    For your information, there is eagle activity at the nest at NCTC in Shepherdstown. The first update(Nov.18, 2009) can be found on the NCTC Eagle Cam website  http://www.fws.gov/nctc/cam/    The still picture of the nest is available at this time.  I was on this morning and could see one of the eagles in the nest checking it out.          Happy Eagle watching.          Carol Del-Colle          Summit Point          Jefferson County  Subject: Loons and Swans on Cheat Lake From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:45:27 -0800 Common Wednesday morning, Nov. 18, at Cheat Lake east of Morgantown: Common Loon--4 off the northern section of the Cheat Lake Trail, all in non-breeding plumage. 1 was right next to the playground area, the others spaced out 0.25-0.5 mile apart going south. Tundra Swan--36, including 8 juveniles, way out from Sunset Beach Marina. These may be the same birds seen earlier in the morning by the security guard at the Cheat Lake Trail. Tundra Swan--2 in Morgan's Run with many Canada Geese and Mallards. 1 was the juvenile seen there during the last week, but an adult also appeared today. Funny, though, when the Canadas flew off to the main part of the lake, the juvenile followed as usual, but the adult stayed put all by itself. Also in the Morgan's Run/Cheat Lake Trail area: Double-crested Cormorant--1 immature Great Blue Heron--1 Canada Goose--54 Mallard--34. 36 more at Sunset Beach Marina American Black Duck--3 Hooded Merganser--21 Ring-necked Duck--19 Ruddy Duck--1 Pied-billed Grebe--6 Red-tailed Hawk--2 Eastern Bluebird--12 Dark-eyed Junco--10, at least Only the usual Buffleheads at the south end of the lake near the I-68 bridge. Terry Bronson Morgantown, WV Subject: brant and mute swan From: Wilma Jarrell <wjar AT FRONTIERNET.NET> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:57:39 -0500 Late yesterday afternoon above the dam observed a brant in with the Canada geese. As I was checking out the ducks saw something small fly through . It was a sandpiper. Could not get to the shore where it flew to. A mute swan floated down into view. Later saw it fly off down river. Total list for this area follows. Here at home yesterday morning saw one brown creeper, four fox sparrow, five white-throated sparrow and several junco. Wilma Jarrell Wetzel Co. > > > Location: New Martinsville, Wetzel County, WV, US > Observation date: 11/17/09 > Notes: one smallish sandpiper flying over river > Number of species: 25 > > Brant 1 > Canada Goose 103 > Mute Swan 1 > Wood Duck 1 > Mallard X > Ring-necked Duck 3 > Bufflehead 6 > Hooded Merganser 1 > Pied-billed Grebe 3 > Great Blue Heron 1 > Cooper's Hawk 1 > Ring-billed Gull 1 > Rock Pigeon X > Belted Kingfisher 1 > Downy Woodpecker 1 > American Crow 1 > Carolina Wren 2 > American Robin 10 > European Starling X > Cedar Waxwing 1 > Song Sparrow 5 > Dark-eyed Junco 1 > Red-winged Blackbird 3 > House Finch 5 > House Sparrow 1 > > This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.425 / Virus Database: 270.14.72/2511 - Release Date: 11/18/09 07:50:00 No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.425 / Virus Database: 270.14.72/2511 - Release Date: 11/18/09 07:50:00 Subject: tundra swans From: Donna Mitchell <mitchell_roody AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:43:26 +0000 On Nov. 16th, a wedge of approximately 140 tundra swans flew over Laurel Mountain in Barbour County around 5:00 pm. I never would have noticed them if not for their vocalizations. Donna Mitchell Belington, WV _________________________________________________________________ Bing brings you maps, menus, and reviews organized in one place. http://www.bing.com/search?q=restaurants&form=MFESRP&publ=WLHMTAG&crea=TEXT_MFESRP_Local_MapsMenu_Resturants_1x1 Subject: Tundra Swan at Pleasant Creek? From: Jeffrey Del Col <jadel1947 AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:14:05 -0800 Yesterday while driving past the ponds at the Pleasant Creek WMA, I spotted what appeared to be a lone Tundra Swan.  Why it was alone, I don't know, but the marks were right.  I also saw two ravens.   Jeff Del Col, Philippi Subject: Cedar Waxwing photo essay From: "Bill Hilton Jr. (RESEARCH)" <research AT HILTONPOND.ORG> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:30:40 -0500 We don't know anyone in West Virginia who doesn't like Cedar Waxwings, so we're pleased "This Week at Hilton Pond" to be able to share our photo essay about these "elegant" berry-eating birds. For some truly up-close looks at waxwings, please visit the installment for 11-17 November at http://www.hiltonpond.org/ThisWeek091111.html Don't forget to scroll down for a list of banded birds and recaptures, including a wily Eastern Towhee that has been around Hilton Pond a long time. REMINDER: the final deadline for our 2010 midwinter Neotropical Hummingbird Expeditions is 24 November 2009, so you still have time to join us for an unforgettable experience in countries that in January and February are warm, sunny, and filled with exotic flora and fauna. Trip info is at a link from the top of the photo essay. Happy Nature Watching! BILL ========= RESEARCH PROGRAM c/o BILL HILTON JR. Executive Director Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History 1432 DeVinney Road, York, South Carolina 29745 USA (803) 684-5852 Please visit our web sites (courtesy of Comporium.net): Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History at http://www.hiltonpond.org "Operation RubyThroat: The Hummingbird Project" at http://www.rubythroat.org ================== Subject: Red-throated Loons; Hooded Mergansers- Shenandoah River From: Carol Del-Colle <WVnaturalist AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:10:10 +0000 Greetings,    Took a brief ride along Shenandoah River this afternoon about 3:45.  From Rissler Road, I saw  5 Cormorants and my first of the season Hooded Mergansers (6).  I found 9 more Hoodies along Bloomery Road between Moulton Park and the sharp curve.  There were also 2 Red-throated Loons in that same area. The Loons were very busy diving- keeping me guessing as to where they would next reappear.            Happy birding,          Carol Del-Colle           Summit Point           Jefferson County Subject: Fw: Hanging Rock Tower (16 Nov 2009) 35 Raptors From: Jim & Judy Phillips <cne01663 AT MAIL.WVNET.EDU> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:31:15 -0500 ----- Original Message ----- From: reports AT hawkcount.org To: cne01663 AT mail.wvnet.edu Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 8:11 AM Subject: HSR: Hanging Rock Tower (16 Nov 2009) 35 Raptors Hanging Rock Tower Waiteville, West Virginia, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 16, 2009 Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 0 0 39 Bald Eagle 0 2 71 Northern Harrier 0 2 9 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 7 303 Cooper's Hawk 1 8 69 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 5 13 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 1977 Red-tailed Hawk 25 198 230 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 9 27 27 American Kestrel 0 1 44 Merlin 0 1 2 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 15 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 9 Unknown Buteo 0 0 3 Unknown Falcon 0 0 6 Unknown Eagle 0 0 1 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 35 251 2818 Observation start time: 10:15:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 3.75 hours Official Counter Jim Phillips Observers: Jim Phillips Weather: Raptor Observations: Non-raptor Observations: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Report submitted by Jim Phillips (cne01663 AT mail.wvnet.edu) Hanging Rock Tower information may be found at: http://www.hangingrocktower.org/ Subject: Fw: Hanging Rock Tower (15 Nov 2009) 14 Raptors From: Jim & Judy Phillips <cne01663 AT MAIL.WVNET.EDU> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:30:35 -0500 ----- Original Message ----- From: reports AT hawkcount.org To: cne01663 AT mail.wvnet.edu Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 8:11 AM Subject: HSR: Hanging Rock Tower (15 Nov 2009) 14 Raptors Hanging Rock Tower Waiteville, West Virginia, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 15, 2009 Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 0 0 39 Bald Eagle 0 2 71 Northern Harrier 0 2 9 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 7 303 Cooper's Hawk 0 7 68 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 5 13 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 1977 Red-tailed Hawk 9 173 205 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 4 18 18 American Kestrel 0 1 44 Merlin 0 1 2 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 15 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 9 Unknown Buteo 0 0 3 Unknown Falcon 0 0 6 Unknown Eagle 0 0 1 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 14 216 2783 Observation start time: 10:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 4 hours Official Counter Jim Phillips Observers: Brian Hirt Weather: Raptor Observations: Non-raptor Observations: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Report submitted by Jim Phillips (cne01663 AT mail.wvnet.edu) Hanging Rock Tower information may be found at: http://www.hangingrocktower.org/ Subject: Fw: Hanging Rock Tower (13 Nov 2009) 23 Raptors From: Jim & Judy Phillips <cne01663 AT MAIL.WVNET.EDU> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:29:46 -0500 ----- Original Message ----- From: reports AT hawkcount.org To: cne01663 AT mail.wvnet.edu Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 8:11 AM Subject: HSR: Hanging Rock Tower (13 Nov 2009) 23 Raptors Hanging Rock Tower Waiteville, West Virginia, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 13, 2009 Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 0 0 39 Bald Eagle 0 2 71 Northern Harrier 0 2 9 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 7 303 Cooper's Hawk 0 7 68 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 2 4 12 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 1977 Red-tailed Hawk 18 164 196 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 2 14 14 American Kestrel 0 1 44 Merlin 0 1 2 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 15 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 9 Unknown Buteo 0 0 3 Unknown Falcon 0 0 6 Unknown Eagle 0 0 1 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 23 202 2769 Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 2 hours Official Counter Jim Phillips Observers: Brian Hirt, Tom Wieboldt Weather: Raptor Observations: Non-raptor Observations: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Report submitted by Jim Phillips (cne01663 AT mail.wvnet.edu) Hanging Rock Tower information may be found at: http://www.hangingrocktower.org/ Subject: Cheat Lake on Nov. 16 From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:20:43 -0800 I actually got out to Cheat Lake Park at dawn this morning to find the following: Tundra Swan--1 juvenile continues with Canada Geese Canada Goose--56 American Black Duck--6 Mallard--49 Ring-necked Duck--12 Lesser Scaup--3 females Bufflehead--15 Hooded Merganser--14 Pied-billed Grebe--4 Great Blue Heron--1 Ring-billed Gull--9, first flock of season for me Wild Turkey--1 heard Eastern Screech-Owl--2 heard whinnying on opposite sides of the lake, my first in WV 13 common land bird species At Sunset Beach Marina: Mallard--11 Pied-billed Grebe--3 Pileated Woodpecker--2 Red-bellied Woodpecker--1 North side of I-68 bridge: Tundra Swan--1 juvenile, all alone on sandbar Bufflehead--18 Hooded Merganser--5 Killdeer--7 on sandbar South of I-68: Mallard--39 Ring-necked Duck--1 male Bufflehead--32 On Sunday, Nov. 15, over the Glenmark Centre shopping center: Black Vulture--6  Terry Bronson Morgantown, WV Subject: Rusty Blackbirds at Altoona Marsh From: David Myles <dkmyles AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:31:45 -0500 All, Sorry for the late posting. I birded Altoona March Saturday and found a flock of 70 - 80 Rusty Blackbirds mixed in with about 20 Red-winged Blackbirds. I also had a flock of about 1000 Red-winged Blackbirds fly over head. Below are other notables. White-throated Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Song Sparrow Savannah Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Coopers Hawk Red-shouldered Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Wood Duck Mallard American Black Duck Green-winged Teal Good Birding David Myles Harpers Ferry Jefferson County Subject: Re: West Virginia CBCs From: Rob Tallman <robtallman AT WVDNR.GOV> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:22:47 -0500 All, The Pocahontas CBC will be Tuesday December 29th The Moorefield CBC will be Wednesday December 30th. The Elkins CBC will be Monday January 4th. For details on any of these counts feel free to contact me. Rob Rob Tallman Ornithologist WV Division of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Section P.O. Box 67 Elkins, WV 26241 (304) 637-0245 robtallman AT wvdnr.gov -----Original Message----- From: Audubon birding discussion for WV [mailto:WV-BIRD AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG] On Behalf Of LeJay Graffious Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 10:00 AM To: WV-BIRD AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Subject: West Virginia CBCs Thanks to all who responded regarding local dates and contacts for West Virginia Christmas Bird Counts. These have been charted and published on the Brook Bird Cub website ( Click on CBC) We have a few blanks on dates. If you know any of these, we would appreciate receiving them. I urge you to get involved and participate in the counts in WV. LeJay Subject: Pine Siskins From: richardkazmierski Kazmierski <richardkazmierski AT MSN.COM> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 06:42:53 -0800 Hi All, Just looked out and saw 3 Pine Siskins on one of my feeders. Kim Kazmierski Hurricane, WV _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141665/direct/01/ Subject: A Day at Canaan Valley and Blackwater Falls From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:50:47 -0800 I went down to Canaan Valley today to participate in the refuge's End of Season Field Trip, led by Casey Rucker, which went to the Freeland Road boardwalk. It was a bit foggy with limited visibility, and the birding was s..l..o..w. There were only 13 species by my count, the most exciting of which were: Eastern Meadowlark--8 sitting up in a bare deciduous tree like Christmas ornaments for a few minutes. Red-winged Blackbird--1 late male Field Sparrow--1, perhaps a first for the location per one of the attendees Swamp Sparrow--2 heard only chipping Song Sparrow--1 White-throated Sparrow--1 Others heard and seen: Northern Flicker, Blue Jay, American Crow, White-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin, European Starling (40), American Goldfinch At the Refuge Visitor Center before the trip began: Common Raven--1 Red-breasted Nuthatch--1 heard Also: Canada Goose, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Dark-eyed Junco Afterwards I went to Old Timberline Road and the Beale (Beall?--I've seen it spelled both ways) Tract: Dark-eyed Junco--5 Common Raven--1 harassing a Red-tailed Hawk Red-tailed Hawk--1 adult Also: Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, American Goldfinch I stopped at Blackwater Falls State Park for a brief 45 minutes on the way home: Bald Eagle--1 adult Black Vulture--2 Turkey Vulture--5 No other birds seen or heard! Finally, along South Pierpont Road in Monongalia County just before I got home: Wild Turkey--17  Terry Bronson Morgantown, WV Subject: West Virginia CBCs From: LeJay Graffious <lejay AT FRONTIERNET.NET> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:00:14 -0500 Thanks to all who responded regarding local dates and contacts for West Virginia Christmas Bird Counts. These have been charted and published on the Brook Bird Cub website ( Click on CBC) We have a few blanks on dates. If you know any of these, we would appreciate receiving them. I urge you to get involved and participate in the counts in WV. LeJay Subject: Interesting Bluejay behavior From: M Fowler <mffowler AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:34:02 -0500 In addition to having the Redwing blackbirds back at the blackoil sunflower feeder this week at irregular intervals, I have noticed one Bluejay eating in a way I have never seen before - it would take one seed from the feeder, go to a different part of the deck railing, then peck it open, eat, and go back and get another seed. Not sure if this is a juvenile or not, but I have never seen another Bluejay eating sunflower seeds in this deliberate, one at a time manner. Monty Fowler Cabell County, 25705 Subject: 11/12 additions and Pipestem birds for today From: Jim & Judy Phillips <cne01663 AT MAIL.WVNET.EDU> Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:03:16 -0500 I had to get back to work yesterday and called in reinforcements to check the birds on Bluestone Lake. Margaret & Bill Hank of Hinton came out and located 17 cormorants, 45 buffleheads and 28 scaup species that I had missed. Today, I had 11 red-tailed hawks fly past the tower in Pipestem S.P. heading southwest. Also, had purple finches at the nature center feeder and a bald eagle flew over the nature center at about 3:30. I wonder if I should start putting fish out in the feeders? Or, maybe a deer carcass? Ok. Maybe that is too much of an Adams Family scene. Jim Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV Subject: Monongahela River Birding--Coots, W. Wren, B. Eagles, Waterfowl From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:14:09 -0800 Not to rub it in, but the weather in the Monongahela River Valley today was just glorious! Mostly sunny and reaching the upper 60s, though in the mid-40s in early morning. I spent the entire day working my way downstream, making the following stops: Prickett's Fort State Park (PF)--7:30-8:10 Opekiska Dam (OD)--8:35-9:35 Little Falls Road-Hildebrand Dam (LF)--10:00-12:45 Uffington Access (UA)--1:30-2:05 McQuain Park in Morgantown (MP)--2:20-2:35 Barill Park and Morgantown Wastewater Treatment Plant (BP), 3:00-3:25 My focus was on water birds, with the following results: Canada Goose--87 (PF), 21 (OD), 14 (LF), 3 (UA). 1 of the Uffington birds appears to have an injured left wing, which almost drags on the ground. It's been in the same location near the rail trestle for some time, so I suspect it cannot fly. Wood Duck--6 (PF), 1 female (LF) American Black Duck--4 (PF) Mallard--124 (PF), 13 (OD), 8 (LF), 48 (MP), 40 (BP) American Black Duck X Mallard hybrid--1 (PF) Hooded Merganser--2 (PF), 3 (OD), 6 (LF) Pied-billed Grebe--1 (MP) American Coot--3 (MP) Various domestic geese--4 (PF), 2 (OD) Various domestid ducks--5 (PF), 4 (LF), 2 (UA), 7 (BP) Other highlights: Great Blue Heron--1 (PF), 1 (OD), 1 (LF) Killdeer--9 (PF) Bald Eagle--2 adults (PF), 1 adult (LF). I saw a 4th adult at OD, but it was coming from the direction of PF, so I'm pretty sure it was one of the two seen earlier. Sharp-shinned Hawk--1 (MP) Red-tailed Hawk--6 (LF) Belted Kingfisher--3 (OD), 2 (LF) Yellow-bellied Sapsucker--5 (LF). All 6 common Woodpeckers seen between LF and Hildebrand Dam Brown Creeper--1 (LF) Golden-crowned Kinglet--2 (LF) Winter Wren--1 (OD), my first in WV Yellow-rumped Warbler--5 (PF) Dark-eyed Junco--2 (PF), 15 (OD), 10 (LF) No other Warbler species and no Sparrows except for a few Song Sparrows.  19 other common species seen or heard. I found the parking lot at the Morgantown Dam on Route 119 closed and being ripped up. I suspect it will be used as a storage and staging area for the sewer project that will close the bike trail through downtown Morgantown beginning next February for several months. The bike trail is to remain open until February, as I currently understand it.  Terry Bronson Morgantown, WV Subject: Nor'Ida delivers again. Loons, Tundra Swans and Scoters From: Matt Orsie <wvbirder AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:30:07 -0500 All, The only addition to Dave's list is a flock of 30 Tundra Swans that flew over the river around noon as Barry Martz, Bev McDonald and I were looking at the Red-throated Loon in the rain. Most of the ducks have left but some are being replaced with new ones every day as migrants run into the storm sheild. 12 scoters in the last 3 days..... a nice fall out indeed. Matt Orsie Summit Point, WV Subject: Red-Throated Loon Jefferson Co. From: David Myles <dkmyles AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:13:12 -0500 All, Miserable weather has produced another great birding day. While birding along Bloomery road I found a Red-Throaded Loon down by the rapids. It was with a Horned Grebe, probably the same one Matt reported yesterday. I went by again around 12:30 and it was working its way up the river. There were also 6 Common Loons just down river from Moultons Park. Below is a complete list of birds I found along the Shenandoah River and Lake Shannondale. The Scoters reported by Matt are still at Lake Shannondale. They are a first for my Jefferson Co. list. I did stop by the pond on County Club road and only found Canada Geese. Black Scoter - 1 LS Surf Scoter - 3 LS Red-Throated Loon - 1 SR Common Loon - 8 SR & LS Pied-Billed Grebe - 3 SR &LS Horned Grebe - 1 SR Lesser Scaup - 2 LS Wood Duck - 6 LS Black Duck - 4 SR & LS Mallard - 8 SR & LS Double -Crested Cormorant - 4 SR Hooded Merganser - 1 LS American Coot - 4 LS Canada Geese - Many Great Blue Heron - 9 SR Belted Kingfisher - 3 SR Good Birding David Myles Harpers Ferry Jefferson County Subject: Canaan CBC From: Ken Sturm <kensturm AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:52:38 -0500 Hello all you Christmas Bird Counters, Once again I ask for your help in conducting the Canaan Christmas Bird Count. This year we will be counting on December 19. As always please email me if you would like to participate, preferably at : Ken_Sturm AT fws.gov I will be pooling participants and setting routes after Thanksgiving. Thanks and hope to hear from folks, Ken _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft's powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/ http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/ Subject: hoping to do a cbc in Pendleton/Grant Co Dec 14 From: Frederick Atwood <fredatwood AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:42:31 -0800 Dear fellow WV birders Audubon has granted me permission to either reincarnate the Pendleton CBC that hasn't been run since count 100, or to do a test run of a possible new count circle centered around the Smokehole area that would include parts of Grant and Pendleton Co. A test run would not be an offical CBC and I would then fill out an application for it to be a CBC in the future. Because of teaching commitments and commitments to other CBCs I can only do this on Dec 14, a Monday, and the first day of the count period. I believe there are no other counts in the area on that day. In order to do it, Audubon says I must have more than one team to cover the territory. So I have a few questions: 1. Would any (one or several) of you like to help me out on that day? I would be glad to serve as compiler if you do not want to have the burden of the extra work.You can just bird. 2. Did any of you participate in the old Pendleton Co CBC and might have route suggestions, places not to miss, contacts for landowners in the area that might allow birders on their property? 3. A Smokehole CBC would include most of Smokehole Rd, Cabins area, part of Jordan Run and Dolly Sods, but not as far as Seneca Rocks, and possibly as far as Petersburg, (if Moorefield CBC doesn't cover it) (I am not sure of the Moorefield CBC boundaries yet). The old Pendleton Co CBC was centered near Franklin. I am not very familiar with that area yet, but it does not go as far as Spruce Knob, Seneca Rocks, or the VA border. I am new to WV birding so, for those of you familiar with the area, any input you can give on relative birdiness, ease of access, and how fun the area is to cover for these two count circles would be appreciated. Another serious factor in the decision about which of the two options to do is the fact the Pendleton CBC already has a fairly long history that it would be nice to build on. Looking forward to your responses. Thanks Good Birding Fred Frederick D. Atwood fredatwood AT yahoo.com Flint Hill School, 10409 Academic Dr, Oakton, VA 22124 703-242-1675 http://www.agpix.com/fredatwood http://www.flinthill.org http://tea.armadaproject.org/tea_atwoodfrontpage.html Subject: Tundra swans and Fox Sparrows From: William Tolin <wtolin AT CEBRIDGE.NET> Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:14:55 -0500 Yesterday afternoon spending the day hunting and enjoying the mountain, I observed and heard two skeins of tundra swans in two long wavering lines of approximately 25 each heading south up the Tygart Valley River. Each year at almost the exact same time I witness this. The site of them against the backdrop of the mountain and their flight calls sends my mind back before my time. Also less exciting but very notable, I have 5 fox sparrows at my feeder. An abundant winter crew of about 15 species is extremely busy at the feeder. Now I know winter is on the way! William A. Tolin Elkins Randolph County Subject: Fw: Hanging Rock Tower (10 Nov 2009) Raptors From: Jim & Judy Phillips <cne01663 AT MAIL.WVNET.EDU> Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:41:46 -0500 ----- Original Message ----- From: reports AT hawkcount.org To: cne01663 AT mail.wvnet.edu Sent: Thursday, November 12, 2009 7:11 PM Subject: HSR: Hanging Rock Tower (10 Nov 2009) Raptors Hanging Rock Tower Waiteville, West Virginia, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 10, 2009 Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 0 0 39 Bald Eagle 0 2 71 Northern Harrier 0 2 9 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 6 302 Cooper's Hawk 0 7 68 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 2 10 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 1977 Red-tailed Hawk 0 146 178 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 12 12 American Kestrel 0 1 44 Merlin 0 1 2 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 15 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 9 Unknown Buteo 0 0 3 Unknown Falcon 0 0 6 Unknown Eagle 0 0 1 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 0 179 2746 Observation start time: 09:30:00 Observation end time: 12:00:00 Total observation time: 2.5 hours Official Counter Jim Phillips Observers: Jim Phillips Weather: Raptor Observations: Non-raptor Observations: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Report submitted by Jim Phillips (cne01663 AT mail.wvnet.edu) Hanging Rock Tower information may be found at: http://www.hangingrocktower.org/ Subject: Fw: Hanging Rock Tower (06 Nov 2009) 28 Raptors From: Jim & Judy Phillips <cne01663 AT MAIL.WVNET.EDU> Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:40:56 -0500 ----- Original Message ----- From: reports AT hawkcount.org To: cne01663 AT mail.wvnet.edu Sent: Thursday, November 12, 2009 7:11 PM Subject: HSR: Hanging Rock Tower (06 Nov 2009) 28 Raptors Hanging Rock Tower Waiteville, West Virginia, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 06, 2009 Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 0 0 39 Bald Eagle 0 2 71 Northern Harrier 0 2 9 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 6 302 Cooper's Hawk 1 7 68 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 2 10 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 1977 Red-tailed Hawk 26 146 178 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 12 12 American Kestrel 0 1 44 Merlin 0 1 2 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 15 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 9 Unknown Buteo 0 0 3 Unknown Falcon 0 0 6 Unknown Eagle 0 0 1 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 28 179 2746 Observation start time: 11:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 3 hours Official Counter Jim Phillips Observers: Brian Hirt Weather: Raptor Observations: Non-raptor Observations: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Report submitted by Jim Phillips (cne01663 AT mail.wvnet.edu) Hanging Rock Tower information may be found at: http://www.hangingrocktower.org/ Subject: Fw: Hanging Rock Tower (05 Nov 2009) 55 Raptors From: Jim & Judy Phillips <cne01663 AT MAIL.WVNET.EDU> Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:40:12 -0500 ----- Original Message ----- From: reports AT hawkcount.org To: cne01663 AT mail.wvnet.edu Sent: Thursday, November 12, 2009 7:11 PM Subject: HSR: Hanging Rock Tower (05 Nov 2009) 55 Raptors Hanging Rock Tower Waiteville, West Virginia, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 05, 2009 Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 0 0 39 Bald Eagle 2 2 71 Northern Harrier 0 2 9 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 6 302 Cooper's Hawk 3 6 67 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 1 9 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 1977 Red-tailed Hawk 44 120 152 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 5 12 12 American Kestrel 0 1 44 Merlin 0 1 2 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 15 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 9 Unknown Buteo 0 0 3 Unknown Falcon 0 0 6 Unknown Eagle 0 0 1 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 55 151 2718 Observation start time: 12:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 4 hours Official Counter Jim Phillips Observers: Josh Lipton Weather: Raptor Observations: Non-raptor Observations: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Report submitted by Jim Phillips (cne01663 AT mail.wvnet.edu) Hanging Rock Tower information may be found at: http://www.hangingrocktower.org/ Subject: ducks and grebes From: Wilma Jarrell <wjar AT FRONTIERNET.NET> Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:33:38 -0500 Today above Hannibal Dam saw 3 ring-necked duck, 4 ruddy duck and 2 horned grebe. At Proctor 3 pied-billed grebe and a coot. Wilma Jarrell Wetzel Co. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.0.238 / Virus Database: 270.11.58/2061 - Release Date: 04/15/09 19:52:00 No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.425 / Virus Database: 270.14.61/2497 - Release Date: 11/11/09 19:41:00 Subject: Ida birds and such From: Jim & Judy Phillips <cne01663 AT MAIL.WVNET.EDU> Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:20:36 -0500 This afternoon, I found the following on Bluestone Lake between the mouth of the Bluestone River and Bluestone Dam: 3 bald eagles 1 osprey 1 red-tailed hawk 50+ turkey vultures 30+ black vultures 6 double-crested cormorants 13 common loons 6 red-thr. loons 3 tundra swans 40 horned grebes 40 ring-billed gulls 3 common terns This evening, in fading light we may have had 3 scoters but couldn't be sure. Also, a couple hundred red-winged blackbirds. I alerted some other birders, so there may be more to add to the list in the coming days. Jesse Anderson reported a bonanza at Moncove Lake, Monroe County today. His list follows: 36 common loons 18 tundra swans 1 snow goose 24 green-winged teal 150 Amer. coots 300 ring-necked ducks 50 ruddy ducks 45 horned grebes 1 long-tailed duck 12 buffleheads 12 Amer. wigeons double-cr cormorants 36 scaup sp. Jim Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV Subject: Cormorant, Common Loons, Scoter- Shenandoah River From: Carol Del-Colle <WVnaturalist AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:09:19 +0000 Greetings,    Around 2:00 this afternoon I drove along the Shenandoah River on Bloomery and Rissler roads.  There was a nice raft which included  Common Loons, Ruddy Ducks, Buffleheads,a Lesser Scaup, and a female Black Scoter.  I also saw one Double-crested Cormorant and 2 Pied Grebes,3 Black Ducks, as well as one more solitary Common Loon up near the sharp curve.Most all of the following were seen between Moulton Park and the sharp curve parking area.          Common Loon- 11        Pied Grebe- 2        Double-crested Cormorant-1        Great Blue Heron- 3        Canada Geese (didn't count)        Mallard-4        American Black Duck-3        Lesser Scaup-1        Black Scoter(female)-1        Bufflehead-8        Ruddy Duck- 9        Turkey Vulture-20        Osprey-1 ( White water parking area)         Red-shouldered Hawk-1        Belted Kingfisher-1    I checked the Locust Hill pond earlier this morning and there were still 5 Rudy Duck and one male Bufflehead there.            Happy birding,               Carol Del-Colle               Summit Point               Jefferson County                                               Subject: Pine Siskin + waterfowl follow-up From: Matt Orsie <wvbirder AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:01:45 -0500 All, I have a first of season Pine Siskin currently coming to the feeders. I also checked the Shenandoah along Bloomery and John Rissler roads as well as Lake Shannondale to see if any birds from yesterday were still present. Still some good birds but the numbers were down as far as number of species and species counts (Except for Common Loon). New addition today was Horned Grebe. SR = Shenandoah River LS = Lake Shannondale Tundra Swan 3 SR Mallard 7 LS Ring-necked Duck 6 LS Lesser Scaup 1 SR Black Scoter 1 SR Bufflehead 3 SR Ruddy Duck 17 (9 SR, 8 LS) Common Loon 9 (8 SR, 1 LS) Horned Grebe 1 LS American Coot 7 LS Good Birding, Matt Orsie Summit Point, WV Subject: Cheat Lake Horned Grebes, RB Mergs, T. Swan, RB Gull From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:26:21 -0800 I checked all 3 accessible locations on Cheat Lake this morning with good results: Horned Grebe--5 way out from Sunset Beach Marina, 3 close-in at Cheat Lake Park Pied-billed Grebe--3 at Cheat Lake Park, 1 at the marina, 1 at the Route 857 bridge Tundra Swan--1 juvenile at Cheat Lake Park hanging out with Canada Geese. The park security guard said he saw 30 large white birds on the water at dawn, which were probably Tundras, but they were gone by the time I got there. Canada Goose--52 at Cheat Lake Park Red-breasted Merganser--4 at Cheat Lake Park Hooded Merganser--4 in the Morgan's Run backwater, 2 at Cheat Lake Park Ruddy Duck--6 at Cheat Lake Park American Black Duck--1 at Cheat Lake Park, 1 at the marina, 1 in Morgan's Run backwater Mallard--20 at Cheat Lake Park, 44 along the ever- enlarging sandbar north of the I-68 bridge, 3 at the marina, 19 in the Morgan's Run backwater Bufflehead--29 south of I-68, 10 north of I-68 Ring-billed Gull--1 adult south of I-68 Non-water bird highlights: Belted Kingfisher--2 at Cheat Lake Park Hairy Woodpecker--1 along Morgan's Run Road near the backwater Dark-eyed Junco--2 at Cheat Lake Park Chipping Sparrow--1 at Cheat Lake Park, so bright and gray on the nape that I had to double-check to make sure it wasn't an American Tree Sparrow Red-tailed Hawk--1 adult at Cheat Lake Park  Terry Bronson Morgantown, WV Subject: RFI: Color Banded Great Egrets From: "Bill Hilton Jr. (RESEARCH)" <research AT HILTONPOND.ORG> Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:16:53 -0500 This week we got a report of a color banded Great Egret in Fort Mill SC and learned it had been banded more than 500 miles due north on the Great Lakes. Chip Weseloh of the Canadian Wildlife Service subsequently asked me to post the following info. Please send questions or comments directly to Chip. "The Canadian Wildlife Service has colour-banded more than 1,200 young-of-the-year Great Egrets on four colonies in the Great Lakes Basin since 2000. All birds have been fitted with at least one red leg band with white alpha numerics. Reports of these birds have come from the southeastern United States and Cuba, with one report from the Azores Islands. PLEASE check all Great Egrets seen during the winter; our winter reports have been very few for the number of birds banded. Sightings should be reported to the federal Bird Banding Laboratory and to Chip Weseloh at " More info about the Fort Mill sighting and a photo of what to look for in the way of color banded Great Egrets is included at the end of my current "This Week at Hilton Pond" installment at http://www.hiltonpond.org/ThisWeek091101.html ========= RESEARCH PROGRAM c/o BILL HILTON JR. Executive Director Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History 1432 DeVinney Road, York, South Carolina 29745 USA (803) 684-5852 Please visit our web sites (courtesy of Comporium.net): Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History at http://www.hiltonpond.org "Operation RubyThroat: The Hummingbird Project" at http://www.rubythroat.org ================== Subject: Fox Sparrow and Waxwings From: "Williams, Barry C" <Barry.C.Williams AT WV.GOV> Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:25:15 -0500 Yesterday I had about 20 Cedar Waxwings and 2 FOS Fox Sparrows at my feeders. Also saw my first snowflakes of the season last night. Barry Williams Organ Cave, Greenbrier County Subject: South Cheat Lake waterbirds From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:41:12 -0800 Still shaking off a cold, I only made it over to the south end of Cheat Lake today for about 45 minutes. Only 3 species seen: Pied-billed Grebe--2 at Sunset Beach Marina Bufflehead--49, 11 north of the I-68 bridge, 38 south Mallard--85, 37 at the Marina, 6 north of the bridge, 42 south of the bridge  Terry Bronson Morgantown, WV Subject: Oops - Omission From: Matt Orsie <wvbirder AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:20:19 -0500 Oops ... Left out 6 American Black Ducks, one on the river and 5 off of Rt 51 just west of Charles Town. Matt Subject: Scoters, Tundra Swans, Loon, 14 species Duck - Jefferson County From: Matt Orsie <wvbirder AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:15:33 -0500 All, Thanks to the remnants of Ida today, this was the best waterfowl day I've had in the eastern panhandle when you combine diversity plus uncommon / rare species. No doubt the highlights were 2 female Black Scoters and 7 Surf Scoters (In two different locations). This is by far the most scoters I've seen in the state on one day. The Surf Scoters were the first of the year for me and made 2009 the first time I've seen all 24 species of the most expected ducks in WV during one year. Along with the scoters were 13 other species of duck which included Long-tailed and Red-breasted Mergansers. SR = Shenandoah River CC= Country Club Rd Pond J = Jefferson LH = Locust Hill Pond LS = Lake Shannondale Tundra Swan 68 (SR 10, LS 6, 52 fly-over) Wood Duck 3 SR Gadwall 6 CC American Wigeon 2 SR Mallard 25 (SR 3, LS 14, CC 4, J 4) Ring-neck Duck 3 LS Lesser Scaup 36 (SR 27, LS 9) Surf Scoter 7 (SR 2, LS 5) Black Scoter 2 LS Females Long-tailed Duck 2 LS Bufflehead 134 (SR 92, LS 38, CC 4) Hooded Merganser 22 (LS 21, CC 1) Red-breasted Merganser 7 SR Ruddy Duck 12 (SR 3, LS 4, LH 5) Wild Turkey 10 J Common Loon 1 LS Pied-billed Grebe 3 (SR 2, CC 1) Osprey 1 SR Red-shouldered Hawk 1 CC Ring-billed Gull 22 J Good Birding, Matt Orsie Summit Point, WV Subject: 169 Tundra Swans in Canaan Valley + Yard Fox Sparrow FOS (Tucker) From: Casey Rucker <autoblock AT FRONTIERNET.NET> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:52:30 -0500 Hello, all, Hurricane Ida gave us a present in upper Tucker County today, as a flock of 169 Tundra Swans appeared on a lake located on private property in Canaan Valley. It was a magnificent sight amid the snowflakes and chilly wind. Also present at the same lake were Pied-billed Grebe, Canada Goose, Snow Goose (1), Mallard, Ring-necked Duck, Ruddy Duck, Bufflehead, and Common and Hooded Mergansers. There was also a Northern Harrier hunting, and a Savannah Sparrow as well. I heard a second-hand report of a gull as well, but do not know the species (Ring-billed would obviously be the first guess). At Lake Pendleton in Blackwater Falls State Park there were Ruddy Duck, Bufflhead and Pied-billed Grebe. At the Freeland Road boardwalk there were Mallards. The first Fox Sparrow of the season appeared in my yard, too. All in all, quite a day up here. Good birding to all, Casey Rucker Dry Fork, WV Subject: Eagles At Lost River From: Ms Diane Holsinger <dhworkout AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:32:39 -0800 Took my neighbor birding in the Lost River area   We went to Kimsey Run   We found one lone Female Bufflehead Duck  and one Pied Bill Grebe     We watched the Eagles mostly Bald & quite a few were immatures for about an hour There were two Golden mixed in with the Bald Eagles and Ravens   The Ravens were soaring with them & harassing them a little just to keep it interesting   We lucked out & got all the Woodpecker Species Hairy Downey Red Belly N.Flicker Woodpecker And one Red Headed Pecker not at Kimsey Run but another spot surprised to see it I believe the Starlings have run them away from Kimsey   We picked up the winter species  Brown Creeper Golden Crown Kinglet Yellow Belly Sapsucker   We could not find a single White Crown Sparrow for the day   The Sparrow species that we did see Were Song, White Throat & the wonderful House Sparrow Ran into a few mix flocks of woodpeckers, titmouse chickadee ARobin WBNuthatch   Diane Holsinger     Subject: New Arrivals From: Elliot Kirschbaum <kingfisher501 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 23:56:47 -0500 We've had a couple of new arrivals at our home in Jefferson County. Yesterday a Brown Creeper was creeping up one of our trees, and today a Hermit Thrush made an appearance. -- Elliot -- Elliot Kirschbaum Shepherdstown, WV kingfisher501 at gmail dot com Subject: Sat. Summers Co. birds From: Allen Waldron <awaldron AT SUDDENLINK.NET> Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 19:46:59 -0500 No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.425 / Virus Database: 270.14.58/2493 - Release Date: 11/09/09 19:40:00 Subject: Screech Owl From: Steve Gillispie <k8lz AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 19:05:51 -0500 Eastern Screech Owl heard at Upper Mud River Impoundment near Hamlin today. Lots of Kingfishers Steve Gillispie/Hurricane,WV Subject: Cheat Lake water birds on Nov. 8 From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 08:18:29 -0800 A run over to Cheat Lake this morning resulted in the following water bird sightings: Bufflehead--23 at the south end off Edgewater Marina, including a few north of I-68 Canada Goose--12 off Edgewater Marina, the usual 11 at Cheat Lake Park at the end of Morgan's Run Road Hooded Merganser--1 female south of Cheat Lake Park Ruddy Duck--2 south of Cheat Lake Park. Interestingly, the male was hanging out with the female Hoodie rather than the female of its own species Mallard--10 south of Cheat Lake Park Pied-billed Grebe--4 Land birds along the trail south of Morgan's Run Road: Belted Kingfisher--1 male Eastern Bluebird--10, flying back and forth and calling Yellow-rumped Warbler--3 Dark-eyed Junco--4 plus 10 common species  Terry Bronson Morgantown, WV Subject: Rusty Blackbirds, Brown Creeper and other Rt2 birds From: "Rankin, Gary" <rankin AT MARSHALL.EDU> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 23:19:50 -0500 I made a trip to Greenbottom WMA and Robert C. Byrd Lock and Dam this morning. Some of the birds seen were: Greenbottom WMA Rusty Blackbirds (~20+ along boardwalk) Brown Creeper (1- boardwalk area) Great Egret (1) Wood Duck (5) American Coot (100+) Pied-billed Grebe (3) Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1) Yellow-rumper warbler (6+) White-throated, white-crowned, Song, Field and Swamp Sparrows RCBLD Bald Eagle (1) Am. Coot (20) Ring-necked Duck (7) Ruddy Duck (1) Northern Harrier (1 female) Shady Waters Campground Great Egret (1) Gary Rankin Lavalette, WV Wayne Co. Subject: Pocahontas County From: Dave Patick <patick AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 22:45:38 +0000 I birded a few hours this am in Pocahontas County, visiting Cranberry Glades,the Botanical boardwalk and the Scenic highway.Some of the birds seen were: Red Crossbill-11 at the Visitor's Center 6 male and 5 female around 9 this am Ruffed Grouse-3   2 seen and 1 heard drumming Red-shouldered Hawk-3 Golden-crowned Kinglet-6 David Patick Hillsboro,WV Subject: BlueHeaded Vireo From: "Cynthia D. Ellis" <cdellis AT WILDBLUE.NET> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 21:49:20 -0500 Happened to see Roger Hardway at the Winfield Locks today, before arriving at the 3rd pond. He said that the Long-tailed Duck was still present along with several Buffleheads. Walking in on the road there, toward the river, also allowed views of a pair of Green-winged Teal and 3 Wood Ducks. Another short trip today, at the Wetlands of Winfield, yielded only a small list until the surprise addition of a Blue-headed Vireo. ~Cindy Ellis, Putnam County -- Cynthia D. Ellis RR 1 Box 163 Red House, WV 25168 304 586-4135 cdellis AT wildblue.net “Words ought to be a little wild for they are the assaults of thought on the unthinking.” ~John Maynard Keynes Subject: Tygart Lake area--Scaup, Mergansers, Sapsuckers From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 12:04:54 -0800 This morning I went down to Tygart Lake State Park to see what waterfowl might be there. Not many, but a few good ones, plus a few other highlights: Canada Goose--3 Gadwall--1 female Lesser Scaup--1 male Common Merganser--2 females flying toward the dam. Couldn't find them later, so they must have gone over the dam to the river below. Also: Killdeer--31 along the water's edge near the now closed marina. Great Blue Heron--1. Not too sure if this bird is healthy. It was fishing, but the bill seemed large in proportion to the rest of the body. Kind of scruffy looking too. (Boy, they don't fool around here--everything (piers, office, gas pumps) has been removed from the lake for the winter. I suppose it's more to do with the fact that the water level has been lowered so much that everything would have been on dry land. The water area of the lake is now about half what it was earlier this year. The dam office told me that the water still had to drop another 20 feet--there must be barely a trickle of water in the lake when that happens.) Yellow-bellied Sapsucker--3 near the dam, 1 at the state park office Dark-eyed Junco--7 at the dam, 12 at the marina, others seen along the roads 18 other species, but all usual suspects On the way home, I checked the Decker's Creek Rail Trail at both the Route 92 and McKinney Cave Road access points. Only 10 species total during midday. Best were 5 Juncos and 3 White-throated Sparrows.  Terry Bronson Morgantown, WV Subject: Wild Turkey and Purple Finch- Yard birds- Summit Point From: Carol Del-Colle <WVnaturalist AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:55:42 +0000 Greetings,    What a surprise I got today when I look out my window this afternoon about 2:30 and saw 21 Wild Turkey hens moving through our yard and side woods. They were moving toward the road, and when startled by a  passing car flew  to get to the old overgrown orchard across the road from us. I have had some flocks of Turkey in our field behind the house a few  times in the past, but never had this many in the yard around the house before. It was quite a sight.    I also had my first of the season Purple Finch(female) in the yard getting a drink today. A Brown Creeper was here again today too.         Happy birding,            Carol Del-Colle            Summit Point             Jefferson County      Subject: RFI on a Group of Five Southbound Sandhill Cranes From: Fred <fred AT CETUSSOFT.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 17:01:00 -0500 Hello. This may be an unusual request (a "long shot"), but here goes... I am hoping that someone might have recently seen (and maybe even photographed) a particular group of five sandhill cranes (one having an obvious notch in the left wing - please see photo info below) that was heading southbound from Wareham Massachusetts to Florida (or thereabouts). Here's the story: There is a group of five sandhill cranes that recently left Wareham Massachusetts (just across Buzzards Bay from Cape Cod) on their way to Florida (I would assume). These birds have spent part of each year for the last several years on the cranberry bogs and ponds of Wareham MA, and they have been actively watched by MA birders (especially since sandhill cranes are pretty rare birds "up here" in Massachusetts). On October 29th, the last day the cranes were seen in Wareham, a group of five cranes were spotted flying from MA into RI, and later that day there was a report from a hawk watch in Greenwich CT recording a tight formation of five cranes heading further down the coast. Then, on October 30th, there were two northwestern NJ reports, of a group of five cranes seen both lifting off the ground at Merrill Creek NJ and of a group of five in the air at a hawk watch at Scott's Mountain NJ. And, on November 3rd, a group of five cranes were heard and then seen overhead at Woodstock GA heading southward (and a bit unusual because that was somewhat earlier than the usual migration of sandhill cranes coming from Hiwassee TN through that area). Of course, the big question is, ARE THEY THE SAME FIVE CRANES? While certainly not completely definitive, a comparison of a photo taken of the birds in flight at the Scott's Mountain NJ hawk watch on 10/30 ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/jrd_photos/4063137832/sizes/l/ ) and my photos from Wareham MA of "our" cranes flying at sunset on 10/26 ( http://fredw.smugmug.com/Animals/WarehamCraneberryCranes-102609/10104828_2y3Tr/1/693923477_HJvqD/Large http://fredw.smugmug.com/Animals/WarehamCraneberryCranes-102609/10104828_2y3Tr/1/693925004_AH4v3/Large ), shows one of the five cranes in each case having what might seem to be the same notch in its left wing. (The notch is quite obvious in a photo, but may not be so obvious to an observer's eyes.) What is most intriguing, I think, is that the cranes may be taking a somewhat inland route, along the Appalachians, rather than a more coastal route. (But, of course, who knows what is a "normal" path for uncommon northeastern sandhill cranes migrating to and from Florida or thereabouts?) So, I have been trying to ask those on the flyways to Florida, where the cranes might be heading for the winter season, if anyone happened to see (and maybe even photographed) a distinctive group of five sandhill cranes going over. The group may possibly have gone through the eastern WV area, having come from northwestern NJ, heading into northern GA, a few days ago in early November. So, any reports? Yes, I know that this sounds like a "wild crane chase", but who knows... Thanks for listening. Fred (Frederick Wasti) Marshfield Massachusetts ("craneberry country") Subject: Osprey and Pied Grebe on Shenandoah River From: Carol Del-Colle <WVnaturalist AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 18:43:58 +0000 Greetings,    Riding on Rissler Rd. about 11:30 this morning,  I found an adult Osprey flying upriver.  It then perched for a short time in a tree along the bank and then took off again.  What a nice surprise!  Next, driving along Bloomery Rd. I saw a solitary Pied Grebe near Moulton Park.  I did not see any ducks other than a few Mallards.  Overall, the river was rather quiet.          Happy birding,               Carol DelColle                Summit Point                 Jefferson County Subject: Correction ... From: Derek Courtney <derek.dana.courtney AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 10:17:33 -0500 Hey all, In looking at a map, it looks like Goshawks I reported earlier were actually in Grant County. Oops. Apologies. My thanks to a friend for the clarification. Good birding, Derek Subject: Fw: Hanging Rock Tower (04 Nov 2009) 17 Raptors From: Jim & Judy Phillips <cne01663 AT MAIL.WVNET.EDU> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 07:50:29 -0500 ----- Original Message ----- From: reports AT hawkcount.org To: cne01663 AT mail.wvnet.edu Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2009 7:11 AM Subject: HSR: Hanging Rock Tower (04 Nov 2009) 17 Raptors Hanging Rock Tower Waiteville, West Virginia, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 04, 2009 Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 0 0 39 Bald Eagle 0 0 69 Northern Harrier 1 2 9 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 5 301 Cooper's Hawk 0 3 64 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 1 9 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 1977 Red-tailed Hawk 13 76 108 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 2 7 7 American Kestrel 0 1 44 Merlin 0 1 2 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 15 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 9 Unknown Buteo 0 0 3 Unknown Falcon 0 0 6 Unknown Eagle 0 0 1 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 17 96 2663 Observation start time: 09:30:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 4.5 hours Official Counter Jim Phillips Observers: Jim Phillips Weather: Raptor Observations: Non-raptor Observations: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Report submitted by Jim Phillips (cne01663 AT mail.wvnet.edu) Hanging Rock Tower information may be found at: http://www.hangingrocktower.org/ Subject: Fw: Hanging Rock Tower (03 Nov 2009) 76 Raptors From: Jim & Judy Phillips <cne01663 AT MAIL.WVNET.EDU> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 07:49:54 -0500 ----- Original Message ----- From: reports AT hawkcount.org To: cne01663 AT mail.wvnet.edu Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2009 7:11 AM Subject: HSR: Hanging Rock Tower (03 Nov 2009) 76 Raptors Hanging Rock Tower Waiteville, West Virginia, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 03, 2009 Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 0 0 39 Bald Eagle 0 0 69 Northern Harrier 1 1 8 Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 4 300 Cooper's Hawk 3 3 64 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 1 9 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 1977 Red-tailed Hawk 63 63 95 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 4 5 5 American Kestrel 1 1 44 Merlin 0 1 2 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 15 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 9 Unknown Buteo 0 0 3 Unknown Falcon 0 0 6 Unknown Eagle 0 0 1 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 76 79 2646 Observation start time: 11:15:00 Observation end time: 16:15:00 Total observation time: 5 hours Official Counter Jim Phillips Observers: Josh Lipton Weather: Raptor Observations: Non-raptor Observations: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Report submitted by Jim Phillips (cne01663 AT mail.wvnet.edu) Hanging Rock Tower information may be found at: http://www.hangingrocktower.org/ Subject: Fw: Hanging Rock Tower (01 Nov 2009) 3 Raptors From: Jim & Judy Phillips <cne01663 AT MAIL.WVNET.EDU> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 07:49:12 -0500 ----- Original Message ----- From: reports AT hawkcount.org To: cne01663 AT mail.wvnet.edu Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2009 6:11 AM Subject: HSR: Hanging Rock Tower (01 Nov 2009) 3 Raptors Hanging Rock Tower Waiteville, West Virginia, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 01, 2009 Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 0 0 39 Bald Eagle 0 0 69 Northern Harrier 0 0 7 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 1 297 Cooper's Hawk 0 0 61 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 8 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 1977 Red-tailed Hawk 0 0 32 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 1 1 1 American Kestrel 0 0 43 Merlin 1 1 2 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 15 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 9 Unknown Buteo 0 0 3 Unknown Falcon 0 0 6 Unknown Eagle 0 0 1 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 3 3 2570 Observation start time: 10:15:00 Observation end time: 16:15:00 Total observation time: 1.75 hours Official Counter Jim Phillips Observers: Josh Lipton, Rodney Davis Weather: Raptor Observations: Non-raptor Observations: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Report submitted by Jim Phillips (cne01663 AT mail.wvnet.edu) Hanging Rock Tower information may be found at: http://www.hangingrocktower.org/ Subject: Golden birds ... From: Derek Courtney <derek.dana.courtney AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 21:20:56 -0500 Hey all, One Common Goldeneye on Cheat Lake near Morgan's Run with a dozen or so Hooded Mergansers. Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned kinglets were at the parking lot at the end of Morgan's Run. A few Bufflehead remain near edgewater along with 2 PB Grebes. I also had a juvenile Golden Eagle off the overlook at Cooper's Rock this week to complete the "golden" trifecta. I suppose you could add American Goldifnch which were seen multiple places to the theme. Only other recent birds of note were two Northern Goshawks seen over the weekend in Tucker County. Lots of good raptors moving through the area, so keep an eye out as you look over ponds and lakes for the latest arrivals. Good birding, Derek Subject: black vultures From: "Cynthia D. Ellis" <cdellis AT WILDBLUE.NET> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 20:19:09 -0500 Here today, saw 5 Black Vultures in early afternoon. They rose up from a neighboring field with Turkey Vultures but separated as a group and drifted slowly to the southwest as the TV's dispersed. ~Cindy Ellis, Putnam County -- Cynthia D. Ellis RR 1 Box 163 Red House, WV 25168 304 586-4135 cdellis AT wildblue.net “Words ought to be a little wild for they are the assaults of thought on the unthinking.” ~John Maynard Keynes Subject: Tundra Swan & Wood Ducks- Shenandoah River From: Carol Del-Colle <WVnaturalist AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 19:26:16 +0000 Greetings,    On a ride along the Shenandoah River around 12:30 this afternoon, I saw my first for the season Tundra Swan midway in the river near the sharp curve on Bloomery Rd. It was in the vicinity of about 15 Bufflehead and some other ducks which were too far away for me to confidently identify with only by binoculars(forgot to put my scope in the car.) Toward the end of Rissler Rd., I found 3 Wood Ducks(2male and 1 female).  Originally they were at the near bank, but then flew across the river to the far bank.  These were the first Wood Ducks I have seen this season.  A Red-shouldered Hawk, flew through the trees on Rissler and landed facing me, so I got some good looks at this beautiful bird- one of my favorites.       Happy birding,         Carol Del-Colle         Summit Point         Jefferson County   Subject: Black Vultures, Shovelers From: "Cynthia D. Ellis" <cdellis AT WILDBLUE.NET> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 20:23:41 -0500 At the Winfield Locks today there were 3 Black Vultures riding a thermal with Turkey Vultures. At the third pond I met Roger Hardway who hoped to see if the Long-tailed Duck might still be there. It was, and, among the Canada Geese and some Coots, there were 3 Northern Shovelers. There were 2 females and 1 male. ~Cindy Ellis, Putnam County -- Cynthia D. Ellis RR 1 Box 163 Red House, WV 25168 304 586-4135 cdellis AT wildblue.net "If the coal industry were going to lead us to the economic promised land, shouldn't we be there by now?" ~John McFerrin Subject: Mercer County ponds From: Jim & Judy Phillips <cne01663 AT MAIL.WVNET.EDU> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 18:34:26 -0500 I checked several Mercer County ponds for waterfowl today and found the following: Glenwood Sewage Lagoon- 26 mallard, 3 Amer. black duck, 1 wood duck; Kee Dam - 1 bufflehead(first of the season), 8 mallards, 17 Amer. coots; Bulltail Hollow - 2 mallards. Carper's Pond, Durr's Pond & Glenwood Park - nothing. Jim Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV Subject: Golden Eagles - Jefferson hawk watching From: Matt Orsie <wvbirder AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 17:40:17 -0500 All, Today was a fine day on the ridge. Temps in the low 50's and winds that picked up around 11:30am running between 10-20 mph sustained. Highlights were a pair of Golden Eagles (One juvenile and one Adult) and 62 red-tailed Hawks. Osprey 1 Bald Eagle 7 Northern Harrier 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 Cooper's Hawk 1 Red-tailed Hawk 62 Golden Eagle 2 Matt Orsie Summit Point, WV Subject: Fw: Hanging Rock Tower (25 Oct 2009) 22 Raptors From: Jim & Judy Phillips <cne01663 AT MAIL.WVNET.EDU> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 08:55:14 -0500 ----- Original Message ----- From: reports AT hawkcount.org To: cne01663 AT mail.wvnet.edu Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 8:11 AM Subject: HSR: Hanging Rock Tower (25 Oct 2009) 22 Raptors Hanging Rock Tower Waiteville, West Virginia, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 25, 2009 Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 1 4 39 Bald Eagle 2 21 69 Northern Harrier 0 2 7 Sharp-shinned Hawk 14 147 296 Cooper's Hawk 0 49 61 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 4 4 8 Broad-winged Hawk 0 41 1977 Red-tailed Hawk 1 5 32 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 0 22 43 Merlin 0 0 1 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 15 Unknown Accipiter 0 4 9 Unknown Buteo 0 3 3 Unknown Falcon 0 4 6 Unknown Eagle 0 0 1 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 22 307 2567 Observation start time: 09:15:00 Observation end time: 15:15:00 Total observation time: 6 hours Official Counter Jim Phillips Observers: Brian Hirt, Josh Lipton, Natan Harel, Simon Lollis Weather: Raptor Observations: Non-raptor Observations: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Report submitted by Jim Phillips (cne01663 AT mail.wvnet.edu) Hanging Rock Tower information may be found at: http://www.hangingrocktower.org/ Subject: Fw: Hanging Rock Tower (23 Oct 2009) 2 Raptors From: Jim & Judy Phillips <cne01663 AT MAIL.WVNET.EDU> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 08:54:43 -0500 ----- Original Message ----- From: reports AT hawkcount.org To: cne01663 AT mail.wvnet.edu Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 8:11 AM Subject: HSR: Hanging Rock Tower (23 Oct 2009) 2 Raptors Hanging Rock Tower Waiteville, West Virginia, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 23, 2009 Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 0 3 38 Bald Eagle 0 19 67 Northern Harrier 0 2 7 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 133 282 Cooper's Hawk 0 49 61 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 4 Broad-winged Hawk 0 41 1977 Red-tailed Hawk 0 4 31 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 0 22 43 Merlin 0 0 1 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 15 Unknown Accipiter 2 4 9 Unknown Buteo 0 3 3 Unknown Falcon 0 4 6 Unknown Eagle 0 0 1 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 2 285 2545 Observation start time: 16:00:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 1 hours Official Counter Jim Phillips Observers: Brenda Thompson, David Oliverio Weather: Raptor Observations: Non-raptor Observations: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Report submitted by Jim Phillips (cne01663 AT mail.wvnet.edu) Hanging Rock Tower information may be found at: http://www.hangingrocktower.org/ Subject: Fw: Hanging Rock Tower (22 Oct 2009) 4 Raptors From: Jim & Judy Phillips <cne01663 AT MAIL.WVNET.EDU> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 08:54:16 -0500 ----- Original Message ----- From: reports AT hawkcount.org To: cne01663 AT mail.wvnet.edu Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 8:11 AM Subject: HSR: Hanging Rock Tower (22 Oct 2009) 4 Raptors Hanging Rock Tower Waiteville, West Virginia, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 22, 2009 Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 0 3 38 Bald Eagle 0 19 67 Northern Harrier 0 2 7 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 133 282 Cooper's Hawk 0 49 61 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 4 Broad-winged Hawk 0 41 1977 Red-tailed Hawk 0 4 31 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 0 22 43 Merlin 0 0 1 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 15 Unknown Accipiter 1 2 7 Unknown Buteo 0 3 3 Unknown Falcon 3 4 6 Unknown Eagle 0 0 1 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 4 283 2543 Observation start time: 11:45:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 3.25 hours Official Counter Jim Phillips Observers: Jerry Young, Kenny Eades Weather: Raptor Observations: Non-raptor Observations: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Report submitted by Jim Phillips (cne01663 AT mail.wvnet.edu) Hanging Rock Tower information may be found at: http://www.hangingrocktower.org/ Subject: Fw: Hanging Rock Tower (18 Oct 2009) 3 Raptors From: Jim & Judy Phillips <cne01663 AT MAIL.WVNET.EDU> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 08:53:47 -0500 ----- Original Message ----- From: reports AT hawkcount.org To: cne01663 AT mail.wvnet.edu Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 8:11 AM Subject: HSR: Hanging Rock Tower (18 Oct 2009) 3 Raptors Hanging Rock Tower Waiteville, West Virginia, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 18, 2009 Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 0 3 38 Bald Eagle 2 19 67 Northern Harrier 0 2 7 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 133 282 Cooper's Hawk 0 49 61 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 4 Broad-winged Hawk 0 41 1977 Red-tailed Hawk 0 4 31 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 0 22 43 Merlin 0 0 1 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 15 Unknown Accipiter 0 1 6 Unknown Buteo 0 3 3 Unknown Falcon 0 1 3 Unknown Eagle 0 0 1 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 3 279 2539 Observation start time: 11:00:00 Observation end time: 13:00:00 Total observation time: 2 hours Official Counter Jim Phillips Observers: Josh Lipton Weather: Raptor Observations: Non-raptor Observations: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Report submitted by Jim Phillips (cne01663 AT mail.wvnet.edu) Hanging Rock Tower information may be found at: http://www.hangingrocktower.org/ Subject: Mt. Valley Lake From: Jim & Judy Phillips <cne01663 AT MAIL.WVNET.EDU> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 08:52:51 -0500 I checked out Mt. Valley Lake, Jumping Branch, Summers County yesterday and found the following: ring-necked duck 28 American coot 1 gadwall 5 lesser scaup 8 wood duck 12 Canada goose 49 green-winged teal 1 hooded merganser 15(first of the season for me) flicker, red-bellied & pileated woodpecker, hermith thrush, white-throated sparrow and junco. Jim Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV Subject: bald eagle in New Martinsville From: Wilma Jarrell <wjar AT FRONTIERNET.NET> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 20:16:12 -0500 No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.424 / Virus Database: 270.14.46/2477 - Release Date: 11/02/09 19:39:00 Subject: Long-tailed Duck at Winfield Locks From: Roger Hardway <Roger2Canes AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 18:58:17 -0500 Stopped at the pond near the Winfield Armory today and spotted a bird I am quite sure was a female Long-tailed Duck. Checked my guides and the internet and could find no other diving duck that comes close in appearance to the one I observed. Roger Hardway Eleanor Putnam County Subject: Greenbottom Addendum From: David Patick <patick AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 18:05:18 -0500 I failed to mention on yesterday's post that Mike Griffith and I also saw 30 Tree Swallows at Greenbottom. David Patick, Huntington,WV 25701 Subject: More Buffleheads, Grebes, Cormorant, Eagle From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 14:23:38 -0800 A quick check this morning at Cheat Lake south of the I-68 bridge yielded: Bufflehead--12, compared to 4 yesterday Belted Kingfisher--1, first time I've seen one there I then went up to Lake O'Woods in the far northwestern corner of Preston County to see what waterfowl might be present. This is a private lake, but you can get halfway decent views between the houses and at the southern end. Highlights were: Pied-billed Grebe--3 Canada Goose--4 Common Raven--2 Dark-eyed Junco--2, singing. There were many more to the north in Pennsylvania. Next was the McCollum Campground junction in Cooper's Rock State Forest, with the following notables: Red-tailed Hawk--1 Pileated Woodpecker--3 Cedar Waxwing--20, but won't be around much longer as the fruit trees don't have much left Dark-eyed Junco--4 After lunch, I walked the Mon River Trail from the Uffington access to just south of the Hildebrand Dam. Highlights there: Pied-billed Grebe--2 just south of dam Double-crested Cormorant--1 immature just south of dam Great Blue Heron--just south of I-79 Sharp-shinned Hawk--1 Bald Eagle--1 adult just south of dam Belted Kingfisher--1 male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker--1 immature Downy Woodpecker--4 Hairy Woodpecker--2 Red-bellied Woodpecker--5 Northern Flicker--3 Brown Creeper--1 Eastern Bluebird--2 Field Sparrow--3 White-throated Sparrow--7 And in the Mon River Squirrel Olympics: Gray Squirrel--1 attempting the leap from an overhanging tree on one side of the trail to another on the other side. Score 10 for form, but zero for execution as the poor squirrel missed and fell 15-20 feet to do a belly flop on the trail. Got right up, though, and appeared uninjured as it scuttled off toward the nearest tree.  Terry Bronson Morgantown, WV Subject: Brown Creepers, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker- Summit Point From: Carol Del-Colle <WVnaturalist AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 22:15:45 +0000 Greetings,    This morning started out very nicely with the my first of the season siting of a Dark-eyed Junco in the yard and continued to get even better with the addition of 2 Brown Creepers on the same maple tree at the same time, a male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker that brought my woodpecker total up to 4(Downy, Red-bellied, and Northern Flicker), and 5 Bluebirds out around the blue bird house that earlier this year housed a pair of nesting  blue birds.  Were they back with their young, I wonder,  perhaps showing them where they got their start ?  To add to all this activity, a pair of Yellow-rumped Warblers flitted back and forth between the pond area and the water dishes on the porch railings. The regular yard birds were around as well, and a noisy flock of about 100-150 Grackles flying south put in their two cents.    I also was down around the Shenandoah River on Rissler and Bloomery Road about 3:00 and saw the Buffleheads and Ring-necked Ducks that Matt mentioned in his post. There were also quite a few turtles out on rocks and logs taking advantage of the sunny afternoon. I really enjoy this transition time - never quite sure what will be seen.      Happy birding,         Carol Del-Colle         Summit Point         Jefferson County       Subject: Waterfowl - Shenandoah River From: Matt Orsie <wvbirder AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 14:23:34 -0500 All, A drive along John Rissler and Bloomery roads around noon time provided new visitors for the season. *New for the fall season *American Black Duck 1 Mallard 3 *Green-winged Teal 2 *Ring-necked Duck 5 *Bufflehead 13 Matt Orsie Summit Point, WV Subject: Dark-eyed Junco- FOS- Summit Point From: Carol Del-Colle <WVnaturalist AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 12:19:17 +0000 Greetings,   This morning just before 7:00, I got to join the ranks of those who have gotten to see their first Junco of the season.  I have been waiting-watching and so happy to finally see this little harbinger of  winter sitting in some bushes out back.         Happy birding,          Carol Del-Colle          Summit Point          Jefferson County Subject: Dark eyed junco...finally From: Bruni Haydl <bruni AT CITLINK.NET> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 05:48:03 -0500 Finally spotted the first junco, a male, in my yard on Saturday. He was sitting with his back towards me and in a "here, I'll make it easy for you" move spread his tail feathers to really show off the white outer feathers. Bruni Haydl Charles Town Subject: Tundra Swans in Hardy County From: "David E. Carr" <dec5z AT CMS.MAIL.VIRGINIA.EDU> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 20:29:28 -0500 Early this afternoon (11/1/09) I spotted a flock of 22 Tundra Swans flying and calling high overhead in Arkansaw, WV (Hardy County). David Carr Hardy County, WV Subject: Ring-billed Gulls/ Ruby-crowned Kinglet- Jefferson County From: Carol Del-Colle <WVnaturalist AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 01:05:25 +0000 Greetings,    This morning around 9:30, I saw 2 Ring-billed Gulls flying around the parking area between Panera and Home Depot in Ranson.  Earlier this morning, I had a Ruby-crowned Kinglet(not showing red crest) in the bushes near the pond.    Happy birding,         Carol Del-Colle         Summit Point         Jefferson County   Subject: Common Loons, Tundra Swans - Jefferson County Hawk watching From: Matt Orsie <wvbirder AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 18:22:37 -0500 All, I spent a few hours this afternoon at the site along the Appalachian Trail. The winds were not too cooperative being relatively light (5-10mph - NNW) but there were still a good a number of species passing by. Tundra Swan 19 Common Loon 27 Bald Eagle 3 Norther Harrier 3 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 2 Red-tailed Hawk 27 There will a Potomac Valley Audubon field trip to this site this coming Saturday. Matt Orsie Summit Point, WV