Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from The West Virginia Birding List > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Friday, July 3 at 10:37 PM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Eye-browed Thrush,©Jan Wilczur

3 Jul Bald eagle [Wilma Jarrell ] 3 Jul 63 Red-eyed Vireos - GWNF near Wardensville [Matt Orsie ] 3 Jul Young Yard Birds [Susan Aaron ] 2 Jul birds observed this afternoon [Wilma Jarrell ] 2 Jul atlas [Hallie Mason ] 2 Jul First Baby Grosbeak (Tucker) [Casey Rucker ] 2 Jul block 6 eagles [Jim & Judy Phillips ] 1 Jul Breeding Bird Atlas Registration/Data Entry Website [Rob Tallman ] 30 Jun The 15th Annual Purple Martin Field Day proclaimed a success [kingston ] 29 Jun Cliff Swallows, Wood Ducks, Green Herons, and more [Terry Bronson ] 29 Jun Red-headed Woodpeckers and Least Bittern - Hardy County [Matt Orsie ] 29 Jun Hooded Mergansers and other Atlas Conformations [Rob Tallman ] 28 Jun Pendleton and Hardy County birding [Matt Orsie ] 28 Jun Violet Crowned Hummingbird in Va. [Mark Johnson ] 28 Jun Feeder Combos [Bruni Haydl ] 27 Jun McDonough Spring Summary [John Tharp ] 27 Jun North Bend Lake - RHWO [John Tharp ] 27 Jun Shenandoah River - Cliff Swallows + warblers [Matt Orsie ] 27 Jun Fw: Swainson's Warblers--no (please forward to WV birds) [Terry Bronson ] 26 Jun Nice surprise [Jean Neely ] 26 Jun Re: Kestrel explosion, Chat west of Morgantown [Gerald Kruth ] 25 Jun First Year male Orchard Oriole [sharon kearns ] 25 Jun BBC Foray Dates correction [Bev Triplett ] 25 Jun 2009 Brooks Bird Club Foray-Beverly WV June 13 to 14 [Jim Triplett ] 25 Jun White Bird [Susan Aaron ] 25 Jun Surrogate Phoebes [Ron Perrone ] 25 Jun Northern Bobwhite - Berkeley County [Matt Orsie ] 25 Jun Scott's hummer question [Jean Neely ] 24 Jun hummingbird numbers [Scott Shalaway ] 24 Jun Unsuscribe [Jacob Gozart ] 24 Jun Kestrel explosion, Chat west of Morgantown [Terry Bronson ] 24 Jun Titmouses [Susan Aaron ] 24 Jun Kingbirds [Shannon Burner ] 23 Jun Summer Solstice count [Larry Schwab ] 23 Jun Horned Lark, Killdeer nest at Morgantown Airport [Terry Bronson ] 22 Jun More babies (Tucker) [Casey Rucker ] 22 Jun ravens in Fairmont [Susanne Coulson ] 22 Jun Annual Birding Event [kingston ] 21 Jun Loon and Eagle at Tygart Lake State Park [Terry Bronson ] 21 Jun The Return of the Siskin (Tucker) [Casey Rucker ] 20 Jun Preston County Henslow's and Grasshopper Sparrows [Terry Bronson ] 19 Jun Birding in Marshall County [Terry Bronson ] 18 Jun MBC outing - out of state [Jon Benedetti ] 18 Jun Ring-billed Gull - Jefferson County [Matt Orsie ] 18 Jun Cranesville Swamp and Cuzzart area, Preston County [Terry Bronson ] 18 Jun Henslow's Sparrows - Brooke & Preston Counties [John Boback ] 18 Jun New yard bird ["Williams, Barry C" ] 17 Jun chore birds [Cynthia Ellis ] 17 Jun Dolly Sods and Lost River State Park, June 12 - 14 [Scott Baron ] 16 Jun Baby birds in Cheat Lake area [Terry Bronson ] 16 Jun Re: Peregrines in Charleston [Wendy Perrone ] 15 Jun hummer explosion [Jim & Judy Phillips ] 15 Jun Yellow-billed Cuckoo south of Morgantown [Terry Bronson ] 14 Jun Kanawha Trace Trail , 6/14/09 [Cynthia Ellis ] 14 Jun Fw: Birding Event [kingston ] 14 Jun Fw: A question for WV birders [Terry Bronson ] 13 Jun Steele Ridge (163) , 6/13/09 [Cynthia Ellis ] 13 Jun Cliff Swallow nesting confirmed at Cheat Lake [Terry Bronson ] 13 Jun songbird predation by a different critter [kathy king ] 13 Jun Peregrines [Pat ] 13 Jun Mockingbird vs-eagle [Bruni Haydl ] 12 Jun Songbird predation [Bruni Haydl ] 12 Jun Atlasing in Morgantown South-6 block--7 confirmations [Terry Bronson ] 12 Jun songbird predation [paul m mckay ] 12 Jun Songbird predation...again. [Scott Wilkinson ] 12 Jun Hairy Mom (Tucker) [Casey Rucker ] 12 Jun Cerulean warbler nests needed for film. [CHINGWE ] 11 Jun Swainson's Warbler [LeJay Graffious ] 11 Jun Pine Siskin still around ["Rankin, Gary" ] 11 Jun Re: Swainson's Warbler Update - Morgantown [Wil Hershberger ] 11 Jun BBS and Point Counts [Jim Triplett ] 11 Jun Re: Swainson's Warbler Update - Morgantown [Wil Hershberger ] 11 Jun Swainson's Warbler Update - Morgantown [Kyle Ray Aldinger ] 11 Jun CRANE [Bruni Haydl ] 10 Jun Brooke County - Henslow's Sparrows [John Boback ] 10 Jun clever bird poem for a rainy day [Cynthia Ellis ] Subject: Bald eagle From: Wilma Jarrell <wjar AT FRONTIERNET.NET> Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 21:37:43 -0400 No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.374 / Virus Database: 270.13.2/2215 - Release Date: 07/02/09 18:06:00 Subject: 63 Red-eyed Vireos - GWNF near Wardensville From: Matt Orsie <wvbirder AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 18:08:28 -0400 Hello All, I did a birding hike in the George Washington National Forest this morning and early this afternoon. This was the nicest July day I can recall in recent years. Humidity was low. A pleasant breeze was blowing. Temps ranged from 54 - 68 degrees. I did a 13.2 mile circuit hike south of Wardensville. It started at the terminus of Waites Run road and followed: Wilson's Cove Trail, Old Mail Trail (south) and then the Tuscarora Trail along the Great North Mtn, by sugar Knob and Mill mtn and back down to Waites Run road and a 1 mile hike up that road back to the car. Elevations ranged from 1,550ft to 3,125ft. 44 species were observed / heard. The highlight was a pair of Ruffed Grouse along Wilson's Cove Trail. These were new for the year for me. Top five high counts were for: Red-eyed Vireo 63 Eastern Towhee 35 Ovenbird 30 Indigo Bunting 25 Scarlet Tanager 19 CB = Confirmed Breeding PrB = Probable Breeding Turkey Vulture 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Broad-winged Hawk 1 Wild Turkey 1 Ruffed Grouse 2 Eastern Screech-Owl 1 WOODPECKERS Red-bellied 1 Downy 5 Hairy 1 Pileated 7 Eastern Wood-Pewee 3 Acadian Flycatcher 17 (2-PrB) Eastern Phoebe 1 Great Crested Flycatcher 1 Cedar Waxwing 5 Carolina Wren 2 Wood Thrush 5 American Robin 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1 Black-capped Chickadee 4 Tufted Titmouse 3 White-breasted Nuthatch 3 Blue Jay 4 American Crow 17 Common Raven 2 Blue-headed Vireo 1 Red-eyed Vireo 63 WARBLERS Chestnut-sided 1 Black-throated Blue 3 Black-throated Green 5 Prairie 2 American Redstart 1 Worm-eating Warbler 6 (2-PrB) Ovenbird 30 (1-CB) Louisiana Waterthrush 2 Common Yellowthroat 1 Hooded Warbler 12 Scarlet Tanager 19 Eastern Towhee 35 (1-CB) Chipping Sparrow 4 Field Sparrow 1 Indigo Bunting 25 (1-PrB) Brown-headed Cowbird 2 American Goldfinch 4 Good Birding Matt Orsie Summit Point, WV http://wvbirder.net Subject: Young Yard Birds From: Susan Aaron <sf46aron AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 16:22:15 -0400 In about the last three days a number of young (parent not feeding) birds have shown up in my yard including two young nuthatches, a young cardinal with its blackish beak, a Carolina wren, female towhee, and a starling being fed. Also today a red-bellied woodpecker. There could be more than one of some of the others but these are what I saw. So for the spring I have seen fledging or young: 1 robin 4 titmouses 11 house sparrows 7 house finches 2 Downey woodpeckers 1 red-bellied woodpecker 1 female towhee 4 song sparrows 2 nuthatches 2 female cardinals, 1 male 2 mockingbirds 1 bluejay 1 Carolina wren 1 chickadee 5 starlings I was worried there wouldn't be any but the numbers are still low. I've had two rogue cats I've chased out of my yard for a couple of months. Then considering how many house sparrows, mocking birds, blue jays, and starlings there have been, I'm lucky to have any babies. Susan Aaron Huntington, WV Cabell Co. Subject: birds observed this afternoon From: Wilma Jarrell <wjar AT FRONTIERNET.NET> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 21:17:10 -0400 Watched yellow warbler, black and white warbler, and American redstart feeding young. A red-bellied woodpecker feeding 2 young. Total list follows, Wilma Jarrell Wileyville WV Wetzel Co. > > > Location: Fairview Ridge > Observation date: 7/2/09 > Number of species: 43 > > Turkey Vulture 2 > Red-bellied Woodpecker 3 > Downy Woodpecker 2 > Hairy Woodpecker 1 > Northern Flicker 1 > Pileated Woodpecker 1 > Eastern Wood-Pewee 1 > Eastern Phoebe 2 > Yellow-throated Vireo 1 > Red-eyed Vireo 4 > Blue Jay 2 > American Crow 6 > Barn Swallow 3 > Carolina Chickadee 1 > Tufted Titmouse 3 > White-breasted Nuthatch 1 > Carolina Wren 2 > Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1 > Eastern Bluebird 2 > Wood Thrush 2 > American Robin 2 > Gray Catbird 3 > Brown Thrasher 2 > European Starling X > Blue-winged Warbler 1 > Yellow Warbler 2 > Cerulean Warbler 2 > Black-and-white Warbler 2 > American Redstart 3 > Common Yellowthroat 1 > Scarlet Tanager 1 > Eastern Towhee X > Chipping Sparrow X > Field Sparrow 3 > Song Sparrow X > Northern Cardinal 1 > Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2 > Indigo Bunting X > Red-winged Blackbird X > Eastern Meadowlark 1 > Orchard Oriole 1 > American Goldfinch 1 > House Sparrow X > > 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: 8.5.374 / Virus Database: 270.13.2/2215 - Release Date: 07/02/09 18:06:00 No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.374 / Virus Database: 270.13.2/2215 - Release Date: 07/02/09 18:06:00 Subject: atlas From: Hallie Mason <hallie AT WILKSHIRE.NET> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 16:10:38 -0400 When I read all the wonderful sightings everyone is reporting, especially fledglings, I hope that people are keeping records for the Breeding Bird Atlas. I see that the website is up and running, and is very similar to the Ohio site. While the website has some shortcomings, it is soon learned, and this information is more valuable than ever as habitat is under more pressure than ever before. Good Luck and have fun. Subject: First Baby Grosbeak (Tucker) From: Casey Rucker <autoblock AT FRONTIERNET.NET> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 10:36:25 -0400 Hello, all, The first baby Rose-breasted Grosbeak was just being fed by mouth by its father, on my porch railing. There are four pairs of grosbeaks in my yard this year, one more than last year. Other new babies in the last week include Red-bellied Woodpecker and House Finch. Good birding, Casey Rucker Dry Fork, WV Subject: block 6 eagles From: Jim & Judy Phillips <cne01663 AT MAIL.WVNET.EDU> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 07:19:53 -0400 On Tuesday, I saw a bald eagle in the Flat Top quadrangle of the WV breeding bird atlas. Last evening, we saw two adult bald eagles(one being chased by a sharp-shinned hawk) in the Hinton quadrangle. Both sightings were in priority block #6. Jim & Judy Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV Subject: Breeding Bird Atlas Registration/Data Entry Website From: Rob Tallman <robtallman AT WVDNR.GOV> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 14:15:02 -0400 Folks, I wanted to let you know that the WV BBA II registration/data entry site is now operational - FINALLY! Thank you for your cooperation and patience while we worked to get this up and running. The site can be found at http://bird.atlasing.org/Atlas/WV/ In order to participate you will need to register by clicking on "If you're not registered, click here" in the top right corner of the page. Secondly, enter the required information (user name, password, e-mail). Then click continue and you are now a registered participant and can enter data, request ownership of blocks, print maps, view results, etc. The data entry portion of the website is pretty straight forward, just follow the prompts. If you do have any questions feel free to contact me. The only thing I need to caution you about is when entering data, you must hit the submit/save button before moving to another page (or hitting your back button) or your entries will be lost. To enter data for blocks you do not own (and I certainly encourage you to do so) just type in the block name and click enter observations. Please remember to enter your effort and mileage and although only required for rare species I encourage you to submit habitat and locations for other species (especially confirmed records) as well. Thanks again for your interest in this project. I look forward to seeing the observations pour in! Let me know if you have any questions. 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 Subject: The 15th Annual Purple Martin Field Day proclaimed a success From: kingston <kingston AT CSTONE.NET> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:38:57 -0400 One-hundred and twelve (112) interested and excited birders from Germantown, MD to Scottsburg, VA and from Colonel Beach, VA to Rocky Mount, VA attended the Fifteenth Annual Purple Martin Field Day at the Woods' farm in Louisa county last Saturday. Other guests at the Field Day came from as far away as Georgia and Tennessee, where they hope to found new martin colonies using the knowledge gained at the Field Day in Central Virginia. In his talk Lance Wood covered: * how to establish and increase a colony of Purple Martins; * advantages and disadvantages of different types of martin housing; * how to protect Martins from starlings, House Sparrows, owls, climbing snakes, raccoons, etc.; * adding the recently-developed starling-resistant entrance holes to martin gourds and houses; * how to protect martin housing from windstorms and other hazards; * how to grow and process purple martin nesting gourds; * life history of Purple Martins; etc. Sue Ridd invited all to the "Gone to the Birds" festival (Purple Martin roost), at 17th Street Farmers' Market in Richmond on July 25th http://www.gonetothebirds.org/ . Ron Kingston took questions on bluebirds and Tree Swallows and led a short nestbox trail tour, including occupied nestboxes of bluebirds, Tree Swallows, Wood Ducks, kestrels, Barn Owls, etc. Kathy Laine explained to the crowd the great danger presented by snakes, raccoons, and other climbing predators, and demonstrated an excellent "removable" climbing animal barrier that can be quickly and easily added to, removed from, and adjusted on the pipes that support martin structures. She also explained how that barrier can be purchased from a number of commercial sources. Nanette and Glenn Mickle banded many young Purple Martins, then returned them unharmed to their nesting gourds, and she demonstrated how natural gourds can be developed into excellent martin nesting gourds. All those involved agreed that it was beautiful day and a very successful Purple Martin Field Day. We look forward to seeing each other at next year's Sixteenth Annual Purple Martin Field Day, expected to be held on June 26, 2010. Subject: Cliff Swallows, Wood Ducks, Green Herons, and more From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:09:41 -0700 Today I surveyed the Masontown-6 priority block for the WV Breeding Bird Atlas II project. This area is along Route 7 in Preston County between Morgantown and Kingwood. Highlights: Great Blue Heron--1 flyover along Guliana Road Green Heron--3 flyovers along McKinney Cave Road in the wetland area Cooper's Hawk--1 very large bird that must be a female along Swamp Run Road sitting in a field. When it flew I saw it had a small black bird in its talons. American Kestrel--2 along Burke Road, not together Willow Flycatcher--3 along Burke Road Eastern Kingbird--1 along Stone's Road Eastern Meadowlark--2 very pale birds with hardly any black V on the breast--probably juveniles. Adults in non-breeding plumage look similar, but shouldn't be in that plumage until September, according to Sibley. Nesting confirmations: Canada Goose--3 mostly grown downy goslings with 32 adults along Oak Flat Road Wood Duck--1 female with 3 ducklings in the small reservoir along Dillan Creek Road Mallard--1 funky-looking female with 7 small ducklings at the Tygart Lake marina on 6/25. Had a very prominent white eye-stripe, which Sue Olcott thought probably was due to mating with local Muscovy Ducks, several of which I found later in the Grafton City Park areaNorthern Rough-winged Swallow--4 juveniles on a wire along Stone's Road, with 1 begging Cliff Swallow--5 entering and leaving an old barn along Barn Swallow--several juveniles sitting on wires at several locations Guliana Road that contained at least 3 nests. 1 was carrying food. House Wren--1 carrying food along Decker's Creek Rail Trail at Kingwood Pike Gray Catbird--2 birds carrying food along Burke Road and the Decker's Creek Rail Trail Brown Thrasher--1 carrying food at Decker's Creek Rail Trail European Starling--juveniles all over the place Yellow Warbler--3 along Burke Road, with a male carrying food Red-winged Blackbird--8 along Guliana Road, with 1 begging juvenile being fed Common Grackle--17 along McKinney Cave Road with 1 begging juvenile being fed House Sparrow--1 fledgling with very short wings and tail along Herring Road Other highlights of the last few days: Wild Turkey--1 hen with 8 fist-sized young along Ramp Hollow Road west of Morgantown on 6/27 Double-crested Cormorant--1 immature on Tygart Lake on 6/25 Great Blue Heron--1 along the Mon River Rail Trail south of Uffington on 6/28, seen by my wife Nancy only Bald Eagle--1 juvenile on the nest at Tygart Lake on 6/25, jumping up and down and flapping its wings. Will fledge in next few days. Flyby by an adult. Belted Kingfisher--1 female at the Tygart Lake marina on 6/25 Eastern Wood-Pewee--the nest along the Mon River Rail Trail contained 2 mostly grown young on 6/28 Eastern Bluebird--2 fledglings at Grafton City Park on 6/25 Cedar Waxwing--10 along the Mon River Trail on 6/28 House Wren--1 carrying food along Colonial Drive in Morgantown on 6/27 Indigo Bunting--11 along the Mon River Trail on 6/28, 1 of which was a juvenile Chipping Sparrow--2 fledglings at Grafton City Park on 6/25 Orchard Oriole--2 juveniles on 6/26 along Cherrywood Drive south of Morgantown where I live Baltimore Oriole--1 fuzzy fledgling without a tail at Tygart Dam on 6/25  Terry Bronson Morgantown, WV Subject: Red-headed Woodpeckers and Least Bittern - Hardy County From: Matt Orsie <wvbirder AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:36:53 -0400 Hello All, I received an email from Doug Gochfeld from Brooklyn, NY who was staying in Hardy county over the weekend. He found some good birds while in the Lost River area. Here are his notes: enjoy.... Matt Orsie Summit Point, WV ##################### I was staying on Howard's Lick Road (north of Lost River State Park), and birded only locally, including Kimsey Run Lake. I'm not sure about the rarity level of some species in Virginia, but I'll try to keep it to what I think would be of interest. There was a very territorial *GRASSHOPPER SPARROW *along Howard's Lick Road giving great views (there were also two others that were heard only, but only a couple of times). This guy sang incessantly just about the entire time I was in the vicinity for all 3 days (Friday evening through Sunday evening). there were also a good number of Eastern Meadowlarks along the road, and a Black Vulture flew over at one point (I was surprised that this was the only one I saw the entire time I was in WV). I came across Kimsey Run Lake by accident on Saturday and stopped there briefly, with the highlights being a singles of *RED-HEADED WOODPECKER*, Bald Eagle (adult), Green Heron flyby, and Northern Rough-winged Swallow. I decided to come back on Sunday and I was not disappointed at all in my just under 2 hours there. Not only did I (re)find a Red-headed Woodpecker, I found two adults tending a nest (with chicks calling from within, although they weren't visible). A different pair of adult Red-headed Woodpeckers flew by along the back of the Lake (I had all the adults in view essentially at once in different locations), bringing the total to 4 adults plus at least one succesful nest (assuming they weren't Cowbirds calling from within). However the best sighting by far was from the marsh while I was passively watching the Red-headed Woodpeckers. I saw some movement along the marsh edge and when I got my scope on it I was extremely surprised to see a *LEAST BITTERN*. It stood in the open for about 20-30 seconds before taking flight to the right (East, I believe) and immediately disappearing. I'm not sure what their nesting status is in West Virginia, but there are no summer records for West Virginia in eBird, so I gather this is possibly a notable sighting. There were also at least 5 Eastern Meadowlarks and a Field Sparrow in the big field there. ##################### P.S. I've uploaded a recent shot of some Cliff Swallow nests at the Shenandoah River: http://wvbirder.net/clsw.htm Subject: Hooded Mergansers and other Atlas Conformations From: Rob Tallman <robtallman AT WVDNR.GOV> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:00:31 -0400 While Point Counting/Bird Atlasing this past week in the Cranberry Wilderness/Backcountry and surrounding areas I had an unexpected find Saturday 27 June- a female Hooded Merganser with 6 little ones located in the beaver pond directly across from the entrance to Falls of Hills Creek Scenic Area along WV 39. Other species I confirmed during my surveys included Mourning, Canada, Magnolia, BT Blue and BT Green Warblers, Raven, Am. Robin, N Rough-wing Swallow, Barn Swallow, Ruffed Grouse, Hermit Thrush, Veery, DE Junco, Phoebe, Rock Pigeon, and Blue-headed Vireo. Rob Tallman near Huttonsville, WV Randolph County Subject: Pendleton and Hardy County birding From: Matt Orsie <wvbirder AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:11:40 -0400 All, I ventured to some areas I've been before and then went into other areas of Pendleton County that I've not been before. A pleasant day with temps in the upper 50's on the highest ridges which warmed up to near 70 degrees by mid-afternoon. I started at Reddish Knob (4,383ft) and hiked around it's base on the WV side (VA is on the other side). The views from the top are fantastic on a clear day. I then proceeded to bird other areas in the George Washington National Forest on the western flanks of Shenandoah Mountain. The forest roads were mostly good except for one where I had to double back because it was gated. I then went north through Sugar Grove and Brandywine. Made a right at Miles, WV and went over the ridge into VA briefly. Headed north on Rt 259 back into WV up through Lost City and Lost River. Birded Kimsey Run Lake briefly, which BTW was hosting a Red-headed Woodpecker and then headed home over North Mountain to Columbia Furnace, VA and Woodstock. All in all a great day with only some sprinkles near the end. Totaled 60 species. Notable counts: 12 species of Warblers 14 Veery 16 Black-throated Green Warbler P = Pendleton County PR = Pendleton (Reddish Knob Area) H = Hardy County Notables: Broad-winged Hawk 1 PR Red-tailed Hawk 1 H Red-headed Woodpecker 1 H Acadian Flycatcher 5 (4 P, 1 H) Eastern Phoebe 2 P Winter Wren 3 PR Veery 14 PR Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 PR Blue-headed Vireo 7 PR WARBLERS Northern Parula 2 (1 P, 1 H) Chestnut-sided 4 (2 PR, 2 H) Black-throated Blue 1 PR Yellow-rumped 4 (3 PR, 1 H) Black-throated Green 16 (9 PR, 5 P, 2 H) Blackburnian 1 PR Pine 3 P Black-and-white 3 (2 PR, 1 P) Worm-eating 1 P Ovenbird 10 (1 PR, 7 P, 2 H) Common Yellowthroat 1 H Canada 5 PR Dark-eyed Junco 32 (28 PR, 4 H) Eastern Meadowlark 2 H Good Birding, Matt Orsie Summit Point, WV http://wvbirder.net Subject: Violet Crowned Hummingbird in Va. From: Mark Johnson <birdmanj AT DECONNEX.COM> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 14:31:18 -0400 Hello everyone, There is a rare Violet -crowned Hummingbird in Craig Co.-Newport The bird is an adult and is territorial with the feeders. The bird is at a Bed and Breakfast in Newport. So anyone who is planning on going should be considerate of the grounds and the guest. The directions: Go to Blacksburg and get on 460 W Turn onto Rt 42 in Newport. There is a Super value mart there. Go 6.8 miles. Turn right onto Huffman Store Rd. Park at the white store. The Hummingbird likes the feeder on the right side of the porch. He comes to the feeder every 15 to 20 min. I was there this morning and saw him 4 times. There were about 15 birders there. There is also a notebook to sign. He seems to be content so everyone seems to think he will be ther for awhile. Mark Johnson Mad. Hgts. Va. Subject: Feeder Combos From: Bruni Haydl <bruni AT CITLINK.NET> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 07:59:39 -0400 Yesterday I had one of those "you won't believe this" moments. I was on the patio, talking on the phone when I noticed that a Chickadee had joined the male Orchard on the nectar feeder. It did not stay very long but long enough to get a shot if I'd had the camera with me. Other combinations have been the oriole/hummer and woodpecker/hummer. The novelty of having the pair of Orchard Orioles as steady customers has not worn off. The male is very vocal. Neither he nor his mate seem to mind my sitting out there only 15 feet away. Hummingbird activity seems to have picked up. At one point there were two of them feeding side by side. Usually they tolerate each other only at opposite sides of the feeder, probably because they are out of each other's sight. The Bluebird young are close to leaving the nest. The parents are working their tailfeathers off keeping them fed. At 8:45 last night they were still at it. Interesting to watch how much of the parent disappears into the box and gage the size of the nestlings by that. In the beginning they bend way down to reach the little ones. At this stage they just cling to the outside and make the food delivery. Seems like when they do go into the box completely they come out with a fecal sac. Nice to see that male and female share in the housekeeping duties. Bruni Haydl Jefferson Co Subject: McDonough Spring Summary From: John Tharp <jlt290 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 21:39:10 -0400 Good Evening All, I thought this information might be of interest to some of you so I decided to send it to the list. From April 9th until May 11th this year I kept fairly detailed records of the birds seen and heard in McDonough. I finally had a little time to summarize this data and some of the results are as follows. I can send the additional data to anyone interested. *McDonough April 9th - May 11th 2009* Total Days Observed During Period - 21 Total Species Observed - 128 Total Warbler Species - 30 One Day Species High Count - 84 ( May 5th ) One Day Species Low Count - 40 (April 10th) One Day high count of warbler sp. - 24 Days with 20 or more warbler sp. - 7 The primary influx of migrants began overnight on April 23rd with the species tally for the 23rd being 54 with 6 warblers but then jumping to 66 species with 12 warblers on the morning of the 24th. The average number of species seen from April 9th to April 23rd was roughly 44 and the average number of species seen from the 24th through May 11th was 74. (9 and 12 observations within each period respectively.) The full list of species is below. Season Highlights: Warbler numbers were exceptional during the period. Below, each species is show with its one day high (right column) and its daily average number of individuals (left column). Daily Averages are taken from first day of occurrence through May 11th. Also of note were 3 Vesper Sparrows, as well as Pine Siskins lingering through May 11th, with a count of 8 on that day. There were many other highlights but I am trying to keep the email fairly short. Yellow Rumped Warbler 21 55 Yellow throated Warbler 2 5 L. Waterthrush 1 2 Black and White Warbler 2 4 Black Throated Green Warbler 8 40 Northern Parula 4 7 Yellow Warbler 2 3 Hooded Warbler 3 6 American Redstart 4 6 Prairie Warbler 1 1 Worm Eating Warbler 2 4 Ovenbird 3 8 Blackburnian Warbler 4 6 Nashville Warbler 6 10 Cerulean Warbler 4 6 Blue winged Warbler 3 7 Magnolia Warbler 5 18 Palm Warbler 1 3 Kentucky Warbler 2 4 Chestnut sided Warbler 4 8 Cape May Warbler 1 2 Common Yellowthroat 2 2 Blackpoll Warbler 4 11 Tennessee Warbler 7 15 Black throated Blue Warbler 2 3 Yellow Breasted Chat 2 4 Northern Waterthrush 1 1 Wilson's Warbler 1 1 Bay Breasted Warbler 4 4 Canada Warbler 1 1 Good Birding, John Tharp II Parkersburg, WV Wood County Subject: North Bend Lake - RHWO From: John Tharp <jlt290 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 20:52:28 -0400 Good Evening All, I took a hike with my parents on the Lake Trail at North Bend State Park in Ritchie county this afternoon. It provided a good opportunity to check on the Red headed Woodpeckers there. We were able to locate 6 different individuals however that number is likely somewhat low as it is the highest count achieved without any question of duplication of any individual. Short version of highlights as follows: Wood Thrush B.G Gnatcatcher L. Waterthrush - 1 Y.T. Warbler - 3 Yellow Warbler - 1 Prairie Warbler - 2 Summer Tanager - nice looks at 2 singing males Scarlet Tanager Bird activity in general was quite high for mid-afternoon with most species being quite vocal. Good Birding, John Tharp II Parkersburg, WV Wood County Subject: Shenandoah River - Cliff Swallows + warblers From: Matt Orsie <wvbirder AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 20:14:27 -0400 All, I birded the river from 3pm untill 5:30. This covered John Rissler and Bloomery roads. Logged 43 species of which the highlights were 25-30 Cliff Swallow nests under the pumping station ledge. This is off of John Rissler road. The other highlight was three Prothonotary Warblers. Notables: Osprey 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2 Acadian Flycatcher 3 Eastern Phoebe 1 Yellow-throated Vireo 1 Warbling Vireo 3 WARBLERS Northern Parula 1 Yellow-throated 1 Prothonotary 3 Ovenbird 1 Yellow-breasted Chat 1 Good Birding, Matt Orsie Summit Point, WV http://wvbirder.net Subject: Fw: Swainson's Warblers--no (please forward to WV birds) From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 14:12:56 -0700 - Received this today. FYI.  Terry Bronson Morgantown, WV ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Brendan Klick To: lejay AT FRONTIERNET.NET; wil AT NATUREIMAGESANDSOUNDS.COM; terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM Sent: Saturday, June 27, 2009 3:34:31 PM Subject: Swainson's Warblers--no (please forward to WV birds) Could someone please forward to WV birds. Yesterday, June 26, I finally made the trip out from Baltimore to look for the two Swainson's Warblers in Preston county.  Spent a good amount of time at both location.  Didn't hear anything at either site. Although on the Virgin Hemlock Trail I did hear one song suspiciously like a Swainson's Warbler (wanted to be sure wasn't a L. Waterthrush) but it only sang once and try as I might I was unable to locate this bird.  It apart from that in was interesting to see a Black-and-white Warbler feeding a young cowbird. Brendan Klick Baltimore, MD Subject: Nice surprise From: Jean Neely <jeaneely AT IX.NETCOM.COM> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 06:08:08 -0400 Good morning, All: Last evening about 8:30 I was watching the daily show of the wood thrushes bathing in the two plant saucers on the front deck. There were three of them, splashing and chasing each other. Suddenly, another bird showed up and wanted to use the birdbath--a female scarlet tanager. I was so pleased! For what seems like weeks, male tanagers have been singing in my woods. I see them frequently, but this female, heretofore unseen, was a nice surprise. Off to Canaan Valley tomorrow for the NWR celebrations--hope there's bobolinks up there this year. I haven't been up there in years. Cheers! Jean Neely Near Shepherdstown Jefferson Co. Subject: Re: Kestrel explosion, Chat west of Morgantown From: Gerald Kruth <gkruth AT AOL.COM> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 05:31:39 -0400 This would be a perfect place for kestrel nestboxes, to help the population. If anyone wants to pursue, I have some ideas and? suggestions. Jerry Kruth -----Original Message----- From: Terry Bronson To: WV-BIRD AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Sent: Thu, Jun 25, 2009 12:39 am Subject: Kestrel explosion, Chat west of Morgantown Today's WV Breeding Bird Atlas outing went to the Osage-6 block, which is basically west of I-79 on the west side of Morgantown. The area has many hay fields, lots of open areas that are probably reclaimed coal mines, lots of rural residences, and Mylan Park--a very large athletic complex next to a school. It has some deciduous forested areas too. American Kestrels really like this area. I saw 5 in the same tree along Martin Hollow Road, 3 or 4 more at Mylan Park, and 2 along John Fox Road. 2 had caught mice and were busily?eating them while sitting on wires. Lots of calling from the group of 5, which must be a family group. The Yellow-breasted Chat was at?my first stop along Lawless Road not too far past Morgantown Mall. Saw it accidentally when I was focusing on a Common Yellowthroat and saw a larger yellow blob in the background. Serendipity! Other highlights: 1 lucky house along Solomon Road, which had a Northern Mockingbird nest in an ornamental spruce tree, a Brown Thrasher nest only 50 feet away in some deciduous shrubs, and a Barn Swallow nest wedged onto?the rain gutter of the house. A three-fer! Wild Turkey--1 female along Martin Hollow Road, but no young Killdeer--5 at Mylan Park, 2 along John Fox Road Eastern Kingbird--2 on Osage Road behind Mylan Park, 1 along Solomon Road White-eyed Vireo--2 along Lawless Road Tree Swallow--13 along John Fox Road, including many youngsters Brown Thrasher--4 along John Fox Road, 4 along Solomon Road Eastern Meadowlark--8 along John Fox Road, 2 at Mylan Park, 2 along Solomon Road ? Terry Bronson Morgantown, WV Subject: First Year male Orchard Oriole From: sharon kearns <skwalks AT FRONTIERNET.NET> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:46:59 -0400 I have a first year male Orchard Oriole, a beautiful bird in the process of changing colors along with a female Orchard Oriole feeding young in the area below big pond. Also I was up a Cranberry today taking pictures of the beautiful grass pink orchids and noticed a Canada Warbler with at least two fledglings, one of whom fell in the water but was able to safely get out to dry edge. Great Day! Sharon Kearns Hillsboro, Pocahontas County, WV Subject: BBC Foray Dates correction From: Bev Triplett <bevtrippy AT SUDDENLINK.NET> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:39:37 -0500 The dates for the Brooks Bird Club Foray should have been listed as June 13th through June 21st.Sorry for the mistake! Jim and Bev Triplett Subject: 2009 Brooks Bird Club Foray-Beverly WV June 13 to 14 From: Jim Triplett <jtrippy AT SUDDENLINKMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:57:45 -0500 2009 Brooks Bird Club Foray-Beverly WV June 13 to 14 Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) Green Heron (Butorides virescens) Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) Killdeer (Charadrirrs vociferus) Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio) Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) Barred Owl (Strix varia) Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) Whip-poor-will (Caprimulgus vociferus) Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) Belted Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon) Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus) Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens) Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens) Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii) Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus) Yellow-throated Vireo (Vireo flavifrons) Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius) Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) Common Raven (Corvus corax) Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophrus bicolor) Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) Winter Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) Veery (Catharus fuscescens) Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) American Robin (Turdus migratorius) Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora pinus) Golden-winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera) Nashville Warbler (Vermivora ruficapilla) Northern Parula (Parula americana) Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia) Chestnut-sided Warbler (Dendroica pensylvanica) Magnolia Warbler (Dendroica magnolia) Black-throated Blue Warbler (Dendroica caerulescens) Yellow-rumped Warbler (Dendroica coronata) Black-throated Green Warbler (Dendroica virens) Blackburnian Warbler (Dendroica fusca) Yellow-throated Warbler (Dendroica dominica) Cerulean Warbler (Dendroica cerulea) Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) Northern Waterthrush (Seiurus noveboracensis) Louisiana Waterthrush (Seiurus motacilla) Mourning Warbler (Oporornis philadelphia) Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) Hooded Warbler (Wilsonia citrina) Canada Warbler (Wilsonia canadensis) Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus) Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius) Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) Purple Finch (Carpodacus purpureus) House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus) American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis) House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) (Total = 125) This list includes the results of reports by participants at the foray from field work at study plots, ten mile breeding bird surveys and general observations. The main area covered was northern Randolph County, West Virginia. (Note: this mail originated from the 3RBC checklist generator at http://3riversbirdingclub.org. Please report any problems or abuse to the webmaster.) Subject: White Bird From: Susan Aaron <sf46aron AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:19:26 -0400 I am going to throw this out here and I know it is sloppy birding but maybe someone else can find and ID it. I was at RCB today at the hatchery fence and saw something white in the river.It was swimming between the two islands. It was mostly white but with a black back. I am assuming it is some kind of gull. It moved behind the island up river then flew down river to the Ohio side of the other island. I tried to get some other markers but I don't have a scope. It was riding low and flat in the water, and at first I thought it was a duck, but I don't know of any duck with a black back. There was also a grebe that wasn't pied-billed on one of the ponds. Susan Aaron Huntington, WV Cabell Co. Subject: Surrogate Phoebes From: Ron Perrone <ron AT TRACWV.ORG> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:44:23 -0400 We were given a nest of 4 about to fledge Phoebes recently and due to the stress of crashing to the ground when the nest was destroyed 2 died soon after, but 2 were placed in a small basket in a Dogwood tree near the house and within close proximity to a Phoebe nest. Within minutes they were discovered. Both adults soon were making trips to the basket with food and kept it up all day. When night fell, an adult spent the night in the basket with them. The following morning one fledged. The other followed that evening. This is the second time we have used wild Phoebes as volunteers at TRAC. They do a splendid job and are highly recommended. Ron Perrone Three Rivers Avian Center Brooks WV Subject: Northern Bobwhite - Berkeley County From: Matt Orsie <wvbirder AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:36:22 -0400 All, I took 30 minutes this AM and drove through the orchard areas of of Goldmiller and National Fruit Roads in Berkeley county just west of Inwood, WV. Notable were 11 Northern Bobwhite. Other species noted were in Jefferson county on the drive back home. 40 species B = Berkeley J = Jefferson Canada Goose 11 B Mallard 4 (2 B, 2 J) Turkey Vulture 2 B Northern Bobwhite 11 B Killdeer 13 (7 B, 6 J) Rock Pigeon 1 B Mourning Dove 7 B Chimney Swift 1 B Belted Kingfisher 1 B Eastern Kingbird 1 B Tree Swallow 2 B Barn Swallow 4 B Cedar Waxwing 1 J Northern Mockingbird 7 (3 B, 4 J) Brown Thrasher 2 (1 B, 1 J) Eastern Bluebird 1 B Wood Thrush 1 B American Robin 5 B White-breasted Nuthatch 1 B Blue Jay 2 B American Crow 2 B Fish Crow 1 J Common Raven 1 B European Starling 10+ B, J Yellow Warbler 1 J Common Yellowthroat 1 B Eastern Towhee 2 B SPARROWS Chipping 6 J Field 3 B Vesper 1 J Grasshopper 1 B Song 4 (3 B, 1 J) Northern Cardinal 1 J Indigo Bunting 13 (6 B, 7 J) Red-winged Blackbird 2 (1 B, 1 J) Eastern Meadowlark 4 J Common Grackle 3 J House Finch 2 B American Goldfinch 4 B House Sparrow 6 J Good Birding, Matt Orsie Summit Point, WV http://wvbirder.net Subject: Scott's hummer question From: Jean Neely <jeaneely AT IX.NETCOM.COM> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 06:45:01 -0400 Regarding the hummer population: when we moved here 30 years ago, we had about a dozen hummers fighting over 3 feeders and the sugar water was disappearing like magic! Now, the population here on this property is down to the barest minimum of two females and the occasional male. Same thing last year. So, any sudden burst of population numbers would be pretty noticable, and I have not seen any at this point. As you say, Scott, it is early. Jean Neely Near Shepherdstown, Jefferson Co. - > >Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:17:11 EDT >From: Scott Shalaway >Subject: hummingbird numbers > >Normally I see one to 5 or 6 adult male and female hummers at my feeders >from the time they arrive until mid-July. Then young start coming off the >nest and numbers increase dramatically. Many years I can count 12 to 20 >hummers at any one time after mid July. > >2009 is different, and I'm curious if anyone else is seeing what I am. >Normal low numbers until last TUES, JUN 16. The on WED, JUN 17 the >population tripled and has been growing ever since. Look at my feeders right now >and it seems like mid to late July. > >Anyone else notice hummers fledging four weeks early this year? I love >it, but now I'm going thru a gallon of nectar a day. My females seem to have >begun nesting as soon as they arrived back in very late APR and early MAY. > >Scott Shalaway >Fish Ridge, Marshall County Subject: hummingbird numbers From: Scott Shalaway <SShalaway AT AOL.COM> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:17:11 EDT Normally I see one to 5 or 6 adult male and female hummers at my feeders from the time they arrive until mid-July. Then young start coming off the nest and numbers increase dramatically. Many years I can count 12 to 20 hummers at any one time after mid July. 2009 is different, and I'm curious if anyone else is seeing what I am. Normal low numbers until last TUES, JUN 16. The on WED, JUN 17 the population tripled and has been growing ever since. Look at my feeders right now and it seems like mid to late July. Anyone else notice hummers fledging four weeks early this year? I love it, but now I'm going thru a gallon of nectar a day. My females seem to have begun nesting as soon as they arrived back in very late APR and early MAY. Scott Shalaway Fish Ridge, Marshall County **************Make your summer sizzle with fast and easy recipes for the grill. (http://food.aol.com/grilling?ncid=emlcntusfood00000006) Subject: Unsuscribe From: Jacob Gozart <cacaponbirder AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:01:55 -0700 Please un-suscribe me to the listserv. Thanks, Jake Gozart Subject: Kestrel explosion, Chat west of Morgantown From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:39:40 -0700 Today's WV Breeding Bird Atlas outing went to the Osage-6 block, which is basically west of I-79 on the west side of Morgantown. The area has many hay fields, lots of open areas that are probably reclaimed coal mines, lots of rural residences, and Mylan Park--a very large athletic complex next to a school. It has some deciduous forested areas too. American Kestrels really like this area. I saw 5 in the same tree along Martin Hollow Road, 3 or 4 more at Mylan Park, and 2 along John Fox Road. 2 had caught mice and were busily eating them while sitting on wires. Lots of calling from the group of 5, which must be a family group. The Yellow-breasted Chat was at my first stop along Lawless Road not too far past Morgantown Mall. Saw it accidentally when I was focusing on a Common Yellowthroat and saw a larger yellow blob in the background. Serendipity! Other highlights: 1 lucky house along Solomon Road, which had a Northern Mockingbird nest in an ornamental spruce tree, a Brown Thrasher nest only 50 feet away in some deciduous shrubs, and a Barn Swallow nest wedged onto the rain gutter of the house. A three-fer! Wild Turkey--1 female along Martin Hollow Road, but no young Killdeer--5 at Mylan Park, 2 along John Fox Road Eastern Kingbird--2 on Osage Road behind Mylan Park, 1 along Solomon Road White-eyed Vireo--2 along Lawless Road Tree Swallow--13 along John Fox Road, including many youngsters Brown Thrasher--4 along John Fox Road, 4 along Solomon Road Eastern Meadowlark--8 along John Fox Road, 2 at Mylan Park, 2 along Solomon Road   Terry Bronson Morgantown, WV Subject: Titmouses From: Susan Aaron <sf46aron AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:28:24 -0400 I usually have one pair of titmouses as yard birds. This year's fledglings (3) have already been out there for about three weeks. Yesterday I had a new one, just one, show up with its mother who was feeding it. Can they have two clutches in a season? Or is this just a stray pair? Susan Aaron Huntington, WV Cabell Co. Subject: Kingbirds From: Shannon Burner <shannonann66 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:13:58 -0400 All, While sitting outside enjoying the sun this afternoon, I happened to notice some birds flying out of a large sycamore tree. They were catching small white moths at the time. I first thought that they were phoebes, but a closer look/ listen let me see the white tail band and hear their calls. Kingbirds! They did not come close the ground at all, but would dart out of the tree, catch the moth mid-air and then return to the branches. There were two adult birds, and they returned to the same area of the tree, so I'm hoping to see some fledglings soon. I'm excited because I have never had, to my knowledge, kingbirds nest on the property! Shannon Burner Keyser Mineral County, WV Subject: Summer Solstice count From: Larry Schwab <larryschwab AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:46:42 -0400 June 21, 2009 0700-0815 hours (summer solstice at 0545 hours 21 June 09) Cooper's Rock State Forest Virgin Hemlock trailhead Mature northern hardwoods bordering on area regenerating after extensive timbering four years ago, creating open and edge habitat. Elevation 1,750 feet 63 F Overcast No wind Attempt to record the Swainson's Warbler that has been heard, seen, and photographed in the rhododendron tangle there was unsuccessful. The bird was not singing and was not observed. From our position 75 yards from the trail entrance, the following species were seen and/or heard. These data will be WV atlas and eBird-entered: Black Vulture 1 Mourning Dove 2 Pileated Woodpecker 1 Eastern Phoebe 1 Eastern Wood Pewee 1 Red-eyed Vireo 3 Yellow-throated Vireo 1 Am Robin 2 Black-capped Chickadee 2 Wood Thrush 2 Veery 1 Northern Parula 1 Chestnut-sided Warbler 2 Black-throated Blue Warbler 3 Black and White Warbler 2 American Redstart 2 Ovenbird 1 Common Yellowthroat 1 Hooded Warbler 3 Scarlet Tanager 2 Brown-headed Cowbird 1 Song Sparrow 2 Larry Schwab Martha Schwab Morgantown, West Virginia Subject: Horned Lark, Killdeer nest at Morgantown Airport From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:02:11 -0700 I attempted to bird the entire perimeter of Morgantown Municipal Airport (Hart Field) this morning, but only made it about 2/3 of the way before encountering impenetrable blackberry brambles. Fortunately, I was near the cul-de- sac at the end of Easton Mill Road, so I was able to get out of trouble ok, with a few scratches and minimal blood loss. Still the 6 miles of perimeter probably turned into 7 miles by the time this weary birder made it back to the terminal. I'd like to thank Airport Director Bob Hammel very much for his authorization for me to survey the airport for the Breeding Bird Atlas. More visits are planned. The day started off with a bang. As I parked my car, I saw a Killdeer lying on the ground just 30 feet in front of me along a service road. As I started my survey, the bird moved off, but quietly and with no distraction display. I was carefully able to approach and confirm 3 eggs (greenish-gray with large brownish splotches) in a depression in the gravel. The nest is barely 1 foot off the pavement of the service road. Upon my return to the car, the female was again on the nest and paid no heed to a pickup truck passing barely 2-3 feet from her. I sure hope the chicks survive that hazardous location when they hatch. There were 7 other Killdeers at the north end of the airport. That was also where I found a female Horned Lark. At first I saw this small bird with a black breast patch, which I thought was a baby Killdeer, then a baby Flicker, then a baby Meadowlark. But it had no visible yellow, and then I realized it had to be a Lark! When it flew, the Lark flight style confirmed it. A quick check of the current BBA indicates a possible breeding in Monongalia County 20-some years ago, which I'm willing to bet was at the airport. Other highlights, among a 34-species morning: Fledgling Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Carolina Wren, American Robin, and Northern Cardinal. A huge flock of about 300 European Starlings, 95% of which seemed to be juveniles. 9 Field Sparrows 11 Song Sparrows 7 Indigo Buntings 1 Orchard Oriole adult male Walking back along Easton Mill Road in the heat of the day was uneventful, except for a fledgling female Red-bellied Woodpecker with only a rudimentary tail, a Broad-winged Hawk, and a pair of Red-tailed Hawks. No sign of the Yellow-breasted Chat I saw on my last visit.  Terry Bronson Morgantown, WV Subject: More babies (Tucker) From: Casey Rucker <autoblock AT FRONTIERNET.NET> Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:00:40 -0400 Hello, Today the new babies on the porch were two Common Grackles - so cute, and fun to watch the parents feeding. A Tufted Titmouse flew into my house today through my dog-torn screen door. Luckily I managed to coax the little guy out without any harm other than the emotional trauma. Cheers to all, Casey Rucker Dry Fork, WV Subject: ravens in Fairmont From: Susanne Coulson <birdlady117 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:55:05 +0000 Ravens are moving in to the Prickett's Fort area. I've been watching 2 adults with 3 young for the last 2-3 weeks and the adults have been here about 3 months. They like to perch on the old train bridge in the late afternoon/early evening and are quite noisy. Also in this area is an osprey-not a frequent flyer so to speak but he does pass through occasionally. Happy birding! Susanne Subject: Annual Birding Event From: kingston <kingston AT CSTONE.NET> Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:05:21 -0400 You are invited to the: 15th Annual Purple Martin Field Day Sat. June 27 - 9:30 – Noon, Free Visit http://www.purplemartin.org/meetings/ scroll down to item #6 The annual event is held at the farm of Mrs. Merle Wood and Mr. Lance Wood in Louisa County, VA. Near the intersection of US 15 and Louisa county road 640. Just of I-64 In recent years, well over 100 Purple Martin enthusiasts (on average) attended the annual event, which is enjoyed by all. The featured speaker, Mr. Lance D. Wood, is an expert on Purple Martins and colony management and has published several articles on the subject. Any person interested in establishing, restoring, or expanding a Purple Martin Colony is invited to learn about and see in operation the most up-to-date and effective techniques and technology available for successful Purple Martin stewardship and management. Topics to be covered include: * how to establish and increase a colony of Purple Martins; * advantages and disadvantages of different types of martin housing; * how to protect Martins from starlings, House Sparrows, owls, climbing snakes, raccoons, etc.; * adding the recently-developed starling-resistant entrance holes to martin gourds and houses; * how to grow and process purple martin nesting gourds For information: email kingston AT cstone.net or call 434.293.5173 Subject: Loon and Eagle at Tygart Lake State Park From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 18:29:57 -0700 I made a return visit to Tygart Lake State Park and Tygart Dam this morning to upgrade the breeding status of many species, since my earlier visit on May 20 was before the safe date starting points for many. The bird of the day was clearly the immature Common Loon first seen flying the length of the lake, then settling down in the water, where it proceeded to scan below the surface with its head in the water. It had the merest shadow of a checkered back. I'm pretty sure from my experience in NH that this is a young bird not yet ready for breeding. It also had no fear of boats as it did not react to a boat that came within 75 feet of it. Close runnerup was the majestic adult Bald Eagle seen cruising over the dam. I understand there is a nest across from the marina, but very well hidden.  Too well, as I couldn't find it, even with my scope. Other notable birds: Mallard--1 very small duckling with a male and 2 females in front of the lodge. Very sad that it's the only survivor of the brood, and probably not good odds it will survive considering how small it still is. Broad-winged Hawk--1 immature flying over the boat launch area Ruby-throated Hummingbird--1 male at the park head- quarters feeder, and 2 females at a feeder across the road Acadian Flycatcher--6 total, with 1 visiting the nest I saw on May 20, but it did not enter the nest Eastern Kingbird--2 at the boat launch area with 1 driving off the Broad-winged Hawk Tree Swallow--10 flying around the dam area, and some entering and leaving the 8 or 10 nest gourds on a pole in the parking lot. Eastern Bluebird--3 fledlings flying around the dam parking lot Northern Parula--1 male singing near the dam visitor center Yellow-throated Warbler--1 male singing in the same tree next to the dam visitor center as on May 20. I think I can upgrade it to breeding code T7--singing on territory more than 7 days apart. On the way home, I took an indirect route to check out Valley Falls State Park on Route 310 between Grafton and Fairmont. A half-mile south of the road leading to the park, a hen Wild Turkey and 1 very small poult were crossing the road as I came upon them. Again, very sad that there is only 1 survivor of the brood. I only spent an hour at the park, with these highlights: Northern Rogh-winged Swallow--3 Cedar Waxwing--3 Scarlet Tanager--6 Chipping Sparrow--1 carrying either a very small twig or possibly a horsehair or something similar  Terry Bronson Morgantown, WV Subject: The Return of the Siskin (Tucker) From: Casey Rucker <autoblock AT FRONTIERNET.NET> Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 19:29:04 -0400 Hello, For the first time since my salmonella debacle, a beautiful male Pine Siskin appeared on my porch this afternoon. I hope they'll breed here again this summer. It's been a lot of fun seeing numbers of American Goldfinches here, since the siskin hordes over the winter kept the goldfinches away. The baby Hairy Woodpecker is now feeding itself. Very exciting. Yesterday, I saw six House Wren infants in the cover to a friend's propane tank - out of 7 eggs, 6 are alive, having survived a gas delivery. Baby Canada Geese are everywhere. There seem to be more Ruby-throated Hummingbirds around than last summer. Have others been experiencing the same thing? Happy Summer, all! Casey Rucker P.O. Box 2 Seneca Rocks, WV 26884 304-866-4004 304-866-7074 (fax) Subject: Preston County Henslow's and Grasshopper Sparrows From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 19:20:23 -0700 Thanks to John Boback for the tip on finding Henslow's and Grasshopper Sparrows along Beech Run Road in Preston County.  I went there Saturday afternoon and met John Maney (hope I got that right) of Terra Alta, and after about 30 minutes, we finally found a Henslow's teed up and singing only 75 feet from our cars. We had several minutes to observe it, verify the field marks, and listen to it. Life bird for both of us. Also present there were at least 5 Eastern Meadowlarks (1 carrying food) and 5 Field Sparrows. Back about a mile, I saw a Grasshopper Sparrow and 2 Bobolinks. Earlier I had birded along Hudson Road (well, I admit I was lost, having thought I had made a turn when the road just veered left) and found the following of interest: Ruby-throated Hummingbird--1 male Brown Thrasher--2 American Redstart--4, 2 males and 2 female types, the latter even more beautiful than the males. Love the way they flash their tail patches. 15 other expected species The most interesting place I was at, though, was a reclaimed mine area that hosted an array of 2 large communications antennas. It was on Harmony Grove Road about 2 miles from the Beech Run Road site, and actually visible through the trees behind the fields. Highlights there: Eastern Bluebird--1 pair Common Raven--1 flyover Prairie Warbler--1 heard-only bird. This is my favorite Warbler--I just can't get enough of its beautiful ascending song. Very frustrating not to see it. Grasshopper Sparrow--1 sitting on antenna wire, visible through my scope. I could see its bill move as it sang, but I could not hear it. My first in WV. Field Sparrow--4 Eastern Meadowlark--3 Terry Bronson Morgantown, WV Subject: Birding in Marshall County From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:33:22 -0700 A couple of days ago eBird published a list of its most wanted counties--counties which have never had an eBird report. Two West Virginia counties, Marshall and Wirt, made the list. This is somewhat surprising as Marshall is just south of Wheeling and Wirt is just south of Parkersburg--in other words, not too far off the beaten path. A number of other counties have only a handful of reports. See ebird.org for the Excel file that lists them. (Needless to say, I encourage everyone to submit their data to eBird--the more data submitted, the more valuable the database.) I had also heard from Sue Olcott, WVDNR coordinator for the Northern Panhandle region of the WV Breeding Bird Atlas II project, that Marshall was an underbirded county. So I headed there today to see what I could find. I visited 3 priority blocks for the BBA--Cameron-6 in the southeast corner of the county adjacent to the PA state line, Businessburg-6 along the Ohio River just south of Moundsville, and Moundsville-6 in the hills and valleys between Moundsville and Cameron. I only had time to cover about half of each block--Cameron-6 because of 2 hours of rain, and the others because I just ran out of time. In any event, here are the highlights: Cameron-6: Great Blue Heron--1, the surprise of the day, way back in the woods along a small stream hemmed in by trees Killdeer--2 Black-billed Cuckoo--1, only heard the soft cu-cu-cu call Acadian Flycatcher--2 Warbling Vireo--1 Common Raven--1 Black-and-White Warbler--1 Hooded Warbler--1 Businessburg-6, about 1/3 of which is in Ohio: Turkey Vulture--9 together along the Ohio River across from the power plant or whatever it is on the Ohio sideBroad-winged Hawk--1 immature Eastern Wood-Pewee--1 Cliff Swallow--4 at least, nesting on the WV end of the bridge across the Ohio River at Riverfront Park. At least 10 nests visible, though some looked in decrepit condition. A male House Sparrow was poking his bill into one--whether nesting or not, I couldn't determine. Moundsville-6: Ruby-throated Hummingbird--1 Eastern Bluebird--7 Northern Mockingbird--2, only ones I saw all day Eastern Meadowlark--1 Baltimore Oriole--2  Terry Bronson Morgantown, WV Subject: MBC outing - out of state From: Jon Benedetti <jon.benedetti AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:16:54 -0400 Today's Mountwood Bird Club outing to Crown City WMA in Ohio was attended by Jeanie & Gene Hilton, Jeanie's daughter Amy, Jeanette & Dick Esker, Eula Elliott, Barb Hohman, Pat Collins, Bernie Heavner, Allan Elberfeld and I. Crown City WMA is a few miles into Ohio across the Ohio River from Ashton, WV. We left Parkersburg about 7:00 a.m. and got back after 4:00 p.m. Thanks to Dick's knowledge of the area we had a very birdy day. Highlights: NORTHERN BOBWHITE - 7 - three seen by some or all of us PROTHONOTARY WARBLER - 1 - well seen by most GRASSHOPPER SPARROW - >10 - excellent looks at several HENSLOW'S SPARROW - 4 - excellent looks at one and good looks at a second BLUE GROSBEAK - 7 - great looks at a few of them DICKCISSEL - 3 - great looks at two of them Other birds of note: *Northern Harrier - 1 *Wild Turkey - >25 many of them chicks *Black-billed Cuckoo - 3 Yellow-billed Cuckoo - 1 Chimney Swift - 9 Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 2 Eastern Wood-Pewee - 1 Acadian Flycatcher - 1 *Willow Flycatcher - 2 Eastern Phoebe - 2 *Great Crested Flycatcher - 3 Eastern Kingbird - 4 White-eyed Vireo - 10 Red-eyed Vireo - 6 Purple Martin - > 15 Tree Swallow - > 10 Northern Rough-winged Swallow - >6 Barn Swallow - >25 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 3 Eastern Bluebird - >12 Wood Thrush - 6 Gray Catbird - 3 Brown Thrasher - 6 Blue-winged Warbler - 2 *Prairie Warbler - 11 Cerulean Warbler - 1 Ovenbird - 2 Louisiana Waterthrush - 1 Kentucky Warbler - 3 *Common Yellowthroat - >20 Hooded Warbler - 1 *Yellow-breasted Chat - >20 Scarlet Tanager - 1 Eastern Towhee - 9 Chipping Sparrow - 5 Field Sparrow - >15 Indigo Bunting - > 15 Eastern Meadowlark - 5 Orchard Oriole - 2 Other birds seen: Great Blue Heron Turkey Vulture Canada Goose Red-tailed Hawk American Kestrel Killdeer Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove Red-bellied Woodpecker Pileated Woodpecker American Crow Carolina Chickadee Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch Carolina Wren American Robin Northern Mockingbird European Starling Song Sparrow Northern Cardinal Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Brown-headed Cowbird American Goldfinch House Sparrow I think we had 69 species. Jon Benedetti Vienna, WV jon.benedetti AT gmail.com Subject: Ring-billed Gull - Jefferson County From: Matt Orsie <wvbirder AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:48:41 -0400 Hello All, I was pleasantly surprised to see a Ring-billed Gull flying over the shopping center across from the Walmart near Charles Town this evening. It was the first I've seen in WV during the month of June. In other news here's a photo of a not so accommodating Bicknell's Thrush taken last weekend on Plateau Mtn in the Catskills. I saw / heard 9 during the hike. http://wvbirder.net/recent/catskills/c9022_bith_800.jpg Good Birding, Matt Orsie Summit Point, WV http://wvbirder.net Subject: Cranesville Swamp and Cuzzart area, Preston County From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:07:42 -0700 I left before dawn and nearly hit 2 deer enroute, but arrived at Cranesville Swamp at 6:00 am for a damp (no rain, but dripping foliage) and cool survey this morning. The swamp is a Nature Conservancy Preserve located on the Maryland state line about 15 miles south of I-68. It contains one of WV's rare wetlands--mostly shrub-filled marsh--but also contains extensive deciduous forested uplands and a power line cut. I tallied only 24 species, with the following highlights: Northern Flicker--1 carrying food Alder Flycatcher--2 separate birds offering free beer! Veery--1 heard-only bird, veer call only Chestnut-sided Warbler--10 birds, including a female carrying food Swamp Sparrow--3 birds, 2 heard only I was unable to find a Virginia Rail, which I heard on my last visit. Probably a migrant that moved on. Afterward, I birded along Feather Road and Burnside Camp Road, both in the same Breeding Bird Atlas Block (Sang Run, which is mostly in MD): Tree Swallow--3, with 1 entering a nest box, and 1 perched on top of another box House Wren--7, including 1 carrying food. In fact, this species was the bird of the day--I encountered 14 of these rascals, but only saw 2. Eastern Bluebird--1 female perched on a nest box, but I did not see it enter. The remainder of the day I spent driving up and down various roads in the Cuzzart-6 BBA priority block just to the west of Cranesville Swamp. Highlights: Mallard--22 adults and 6 small ducklings at the farm at the end of Potato Farm Road Broad-winged Hawk--1 along Cranesville Road Killdeer--3 single birds at various locations Great Crested Flycatcher--1 along Potato Farm Road Barn Swallow--4 fledglings sitting on a fence wire along Cranesville Road with 6 adults nearby Veery--1 heard singing along Afton Road Savannah Sparrow--3, including a begging fledgling along Cranesville Road Song Sparrow--1 carrying food along Cranesville Road Bobolink--3 males and 1 female at various locations  Terry Bronson Morgantown, WV Subject: Henslow's Sparrows - Brooke & Preston Counties From: John Boback <morlitte AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:20:42 -0700 Hi All: Here is the URL to a Google Map of the Henslow's Sparrow colony located along Beech Run Road in Preston County. This reclaimed strip mine is posted so please remain on the road. Actually, there is no need to leave the road because the Henslow's can easily be seen and heard from along the road. This gravel road sees very little traffic. For a close up view, bring your scope if you have one, although one is not necessary. Be sure to cut and paste the entire URL. http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=101513116960597779847.00046c9ea9b1573b8ce90 In other Henslow's news, I saw a Henslow's Sparrow near the parking area of Cross Creek WMA in Brooke County on Tuesday afternoon. Watch for ticks if you go anywhere near the grass. John Boback Meadowcroft Museum Washington County, PA Subject: New yard bird From: "Williams, Barry C" <Barry.C.Williams AT WV.GOV> Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:07:36 -0400 Yesterday, I walked out the patio door and flushed some birds from my feeders. One had a large white patch on it's back. I could only think of one bird that it could be but couldn't believe that it would be in my yard. A few minutes later it returned and confirmed my suspicion, Red-headed Woodpecker! Barry Williams Organ Cave, Greenbrier County Subject: chore birds From: Cynthia Ellis <ellis_6511 AT MSN.COM> Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:33:30 -0400 As I was hanging clothes on the line, a turkey ran past me...about 10 yards away. As I was digging a small ditch, two hummingbirds tumbled in a battle nearby and one's wings brushed my arm. ~Cindy Ellis, Putnam County Cynthia D. Ellis RR 1, Box 163 Red House, WV 25168 ellis_6511 AT msn.com ph/fax 304 586-4135 “Unlike television, nature does not steal time; it amplifies it." ~Richard Louv Subject: Dolly Sods and Lost River State Park, June 12 - 14 From: Scott Baron <brnpelican AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:44:20 -0700 Hello, birders. I did some birding/butterflying while in West Virginia over the weekend.  Sorry for the late post. I explored the Dolly Sods section of the Monongahela NF on Friday, hiking an approx. 8 mile loop along part of Forest Service Routes 75 and 19, the Fisher Spring Trail and the Rohrbaugh Plains Trail.  This is mostly in Tucker County.  The weather was mostly cloudy with intermittant drizzle.  The temperature was approx. 70F during the day. I saw a possible Goshawk along FSR 19 in between the Dolly Sods Picnic Area and the intersection of FSR said road with FSR 19.  The bird was clearly a large accipiter. It flew from a roadside tree from my moving car in a powerful and direct way into a large stand of pines.  It or another bird flew in the stand of pines as I drove up to it.  I never got color or markings on the bird(s). I found a YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER nest near the intersection of FSR 75 along the road to the dilapidated fire tower.  At least one nestling was inside this nest, which was made of thin twigs and was placed about 5' high in a Red Spruce branch almost halfway to the end of the branch. The most abundant species on my Dolly Sods hike were RED-EYED VIREO, BLACK-THR. BLUE WARBLER, BLACK-THR. GREEN WARBLER and DARK-EYED JUNCO.  The southern half of the Rohrbaugh Plains Trail was perhaps the most productive for boreal/transition forest species (G.C. KINGLET, HERMIT THRUSH, MAGNOLIA WARBLER, etc.)  I believe that I heard a PINE SISKIN flyover FSR 75 in mid-morning. Tubing along the S. Fork of the Potomac River on Saturday was fun.  I tried to note the wildlife along the river, which included a SPOTTED SANDPIPER, a GREEN HERON and WARBLING VIREOS.  It was a beautiful stretch of river which I wish I had time to explore. An American Snout (butterfly) landed on the river shore during a break from tubing. Before going home on Sunday a few of us hiked a few miles at Lost River State Park in Hardy Co.  This park was yet another gorgeous area.  Lots of birds were vocalizing even though it was midday.  RED-EYED VIREO was the most abundant bird.  I encountered warblers like WORM-EATING and OVENBIRD as well. Finally, I stayed with friends in a house near Moorefield (Hardy Co.) for two days.  We had a great view of the mountains from this house which was perched on a hillside.  A nearby stream gushed all weekend and held a couple of LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSHES.  5 BLUEBIRD eggs were in a nestbox. Happy birding, Scott Baron Fairfax, Va. Subject: Baby birds in Cheat Lake area From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:23:40 -0700 I spent a long morning along the Cheat Lake Trail on the east side of Cheat Lake east of Morgantown. This trail is a former rail grade running from the dam at the Pennsylvania state line 4.5 miles south. The northern part is in Breeding Bird Atlas block Lake Lynn-1, the middle part in Lake Lynn-2, and the southern part in Morgantown North-5. I had planned to do this survey by bicycle, as I had about a month ago, but someone loaded his bicycle in the car, but forgot the bike's front tire. So I walked it, and thanks to a ride back in the security patrol's golf cart, I only had to walk 6 of the 9 miles. I found probable and confirmed breeding for the following among the 44 species seen and heard: Canada Goose--8 adults, 12 birds in adult plumage but that were lacking primary feathers (which I'm assuming were the first nesting this year), and 3 half-grown downy goslings. Downy Woodpecker--an adult feeding a fledgling following it around Hairy Woodpecker--an adult male with 2 fledglings--1 male and 1 female. The fledgling male had the red forehead-- not crown--typical of males that age. Northern Rough-winged Swallow--bird entering and leaving 3 times what looks like a drainpipe at the bottom of a support column of the new Route 43 freeway bridge over Morgan's Run Road. But what happens when it rains, as it just did? Barn Swallow--several nests under the wooden bridges of the trail and the roofs of 2 observation platforms. One nest had 3 half-grown young being fed by a parent. Another nest I saw a parent sitting in the nest. There are at least 20 adult birds there. Carolina Chickadee--2 begging, fluttery-winged youngsters with parents, 1 being fed Tufted Titmouse--ditto, but no feeding observed Other highlights: Double-crested Cormorant--1 immature. Considered rare by eBird and not on the BBA checklist Great Blue Heron--1 flyover Killdeer--4 in the gravel & grassy area under the Route 43 bridge. Very agitated at my presence, flying around & crying constantly. I carefully searched the area for chicks and eggs, but couldn't find any. Acadian Flycatcher--15 Great Crested Flycatcher--2 at the 1-lane bridge on Morgan's Run Road Red-eyed Vireo--19 Black-throated Blue Warbler--1 singing unseen male Northern Waterthrush--ditto. Song not jumbled on end. Louisiana Waterthrush--ditto. Song was jumbled on end.  Terry Bronson Morgantown, WV Subject: Re: Peregrines in Charleston From: Wendy Perrone <wendy AT TRACWV.ORG> Date: Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:58:09 -0400 Thanks for the update. Since the New River Gorge nest has been destroyed, the big question we're trying to find an answer to is what happened to the female and male from the nest. It would be really helpful to know if the peregrines that you saw in Charleston are indeed the same two that were there earlier or if it's maybe the 2 from the Gorge, or another two. Anyone able to take a look with a scope? (Maybe even get a picture?) The Gorge male had yellow/black bands on his right leg and an as-yet unidentified alpha/numeric band on the left leg. The female was unbanded. According to my records, the peregrines at the bridge this spring were both banded, the alpha numeric band on the male was 60/Z, the one on the female was 66/Y. Can anyone help out on this? -Wendy Wendy Perrone Executive Director Three Rivers Avian Center Brooks Mtn Road HC 74 Box 279 Brooks, WV 25951 304-466-4683 (land line) 304-575-5024 (mobile) www.tracwv.org New River Gorge Peregrine Restoration Coordinator Pat wrote: > Friday afternoon I purposely returned home via MacCorkle to see if the > peregrines were still there. I couldn't make out the bands but they were on > their roosts as usual. > > > > Pat Barker > > Charleston > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 8.5.339 / Virus Database: 270.12.70/2177 - Release Date: 06/15/09 05:54:00 > > Subject: hummer explosion From: Jim & Judy Phillips <cne01663 AT MAIL.WVNET.EDU> Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:55:17 -0400 Since the hummingbirds arrived in April we have been seeing 3-6 at the feeders at the house and 1-2 at the nature center feeders. Over the weekend, the hummer frenzy began. We were seing 10-12 at the house and 5-6 at the nature center. This evening, just before dark, we had 17-20 at the house! Hope the feds don't notice how much sugar we are buying. Jim & Judy Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV Subject: Yellow-billed Cuckoo south of Morgantown From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:01:53 -0700 This afternoon I found a Yellow-billed Cuckoo along Fields Park Road south of Morgantown.  In WV this is probably not a big deal, but to me this bird has special meaning. Let me explain. In 2008, I did a fund-raising NH Big Year for NH Audubon's Seacoast Chapter, netting 271 species. However, my biggest nemesis bird was the Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Despite 32 attempts to find one in locations where they had been seen in the past and as recently as 30 minutes earlier, I always came up frustrated. I never even heard one. It became one of those continuing saga stories known throughout the state. I even coined a term--the Cuckoo Triangle--for an area where several YBCs were seen, but I couldn't find them. So you can imagine my satisfaction at finding one today. It wasn't a life bird, but the drought is now broken. Now for a Black-billed! Other highlights from Pounds Hollow Road, Harner Run Road, and Fields Park Road, all south of I-68 south of Morgantown: Wood Duck--1 flyover drake along Pounds Hollow Road Black Vulture--1 soaring above Harner Run Road, another (perhaps the same bird) a bit over an hour later seen from Fields Park Road, which is less than a mile away Sharp-shinned Hawk--1 immature along Harner Run Road being harassed by a Red-winged Blackbird Pileated Woodpecker--1 female fledgling along Pounds Hollow Road on the side that is in Lake Lynn-3 block. Seemed somewhat smaller than an adult, but its bill and tail were shorter, and its crest was short and rounded. Carolina Wren--1 bird carrying a bunch of nesting material as big as its head along Fields Park Road. It joined its mate on a woodpile, where the mate disappeared between a couple of logs. Eastern Bluebird--1 fledgling with an attendant male along Harner Run Road Gray Catbird--1 fledgling with a half-sized tail and very short wings along Fields Park Road Brown Thrasher--1 carrying food along Fields Park Road Orchard Oriole--1 adult male along Fields Park Road Terry Bronson Morgantown, WV Subject: Kanawha Trace Trail , 6/14/09 From: Cynthia Ellis <ellis_6511 AT MSN.COM> Date: Sun, 14 Jun 2009 22:03:57 -0400 Bev Wright helped make a bird list as we hiked with the Kanawha Trail Club on the Kanawha Trace trail. An especially cooperative Chat whistled and called from a prominent perch in full view for us all. This trail is 32 miles long, begins at the Boy Scout camp near Milton in Cabell County, and features a pedestrian tunnel with solar lights. We hiked 3 miles near the Fraziers Bottom terminus. Cindy Ellis, Putnam County Cynthia D. Ellis RR 1, Box 163 Red House, WV 25168 ellis_6511 AT msn.com ph/fax 304 586-4135 “Unlike television, nature does not steal time; it amplifies it." ~Richard Louv > Date: Sun, 14 Jun 2009 21:53:11 -0400 > From: do-not-reply AT ebird.org > To: ellis_6511 AT msn.com > Subject: eBird Report - Kanawha Trace Trail , 6/14/09 > > > > Location: Kanawha Trace Trail > Observation date: 6/14/09 > Notes: the habitat is former fields and timbered woods > Number of species: 27 > > Northern Flicker X > Pileated Woodpecker X > Eastern Wood-Pewee X > Acadian Flycatcher X > Eastern Phoebe X > Great Crested Flycatcher X > Yellow-throated Vireo X > Red-eyed Vireo X > Blue Jay X > American Crow X > Carolina Chickadee X > Tufted Titmouse X > Carolina Wren X > Blue-gray Gnatcatcher X > Wood Thrush X > Brown Thrasher X > Prairie Warbler X > Cerulean Warbler X > Ovenbird X > Yellow-breasted Chat X > Scarlet Tanager X > Eastern Towhee X > Chipping Sparrow X > Field Sparrow X > Northern Cardinal X > Indigo Bunting X > American Goldfinch X > > This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) Subject: Fw: Birding Event From: kingston <kingston AT CSTONE.NET> Date: Sun, 14 Jun 2009 22:02:34 -0400 Do you want to know about Purple Martins? Please attend the following: 15th Annual Purple Martin Field Day http://www.purplemartin.org/meetings/ Sat June 27, 9:30 to 1 PM, Free Info: Contact 434.293.5173 kingston AT cstone.net -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Topics to be covered include: a.. how to establish and increase a colony of Purple Martins; b.. advantages and disadvantages of different types of martin housing; c.. how to protect Martins from starlings, House Sparrows, snakes, owls, raccoons, etc.; d.. adding the newly-developed starling-resistant entrance holes to martin gourds and houses; e.. how to protect martin housing from windstorms and other hazards; f.. how to grow and process purple martin nesting gourds; g.. life history of Purple Martins; Any person interested in establishing, restoring, or expanding a Purple Martin Colony is invited to learn about and see in operation the most up-to-date and effective techniques and technology available for successful Purple Martin stewardship and management, as recommended by the Purple Martin Conservation Association. It is difficult to establish and maintain a healthy Purple Martin colony without using the techniques explained and demonstrated at this Field Day, because of the many challenges and difficulties that beset Purple Martin colonies. This event will show you how the Wood family has overcome those difficulties, and expanded their Purple Martin colony from four pairs of Purple Martins in 1992 to approximately 90 nesting pairs today. Subject: Fw: A question for WV birders From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 14 Jun 2009 18:59:55 -0700 Below is a request from Pam Hunt, Senior Biologist Fellow WV birders, Below is a request from Pam Hunt, Senior Biologist at NH Audubon, whom I used to work with when I lived in NH. If any of you have any information about Tree Swallow population changes in WV and possible reasons therefore, could you please e-mail her at the e-mail address indicated? Thanks very much.  Terry Bronson Morgantown, WV ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: PAMELA HUNT To: Terry Bronson Sent: Sunday, June 14, 2009 12:21:16 PM Subject: A question for WV birders Hey Terry,   Becky and I are brainstorming on swallow population limitation, and have noticed that Tree Swallows appear to have increased like gangbusters in WV (also AR,TN,NC,VA, etc.) while declining in the Northeast. Any chance you could ask around and see if any folks over there have any theories for this. For instance, have more people put up boxes? Who knows!   Hope all is well. Raining here today. Becky says hi and thanks again for all your work (my spring NHBR will likely be coming your way soon!)   Pam Subject: Steele Ridge (163) , 6/13/09 From: Cynthia Ellis <ellis_6511 AT MSN.COM> Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2009 21:50:37 -0400 Most of the birds listed were noted on a point count this morning. The Chimney Swift was seen making passes at a dead Black Gum tree to break off sticks for its nest. The number of Hummingbirds reflects a big surge in visitors to the feeders in the past 2 days. ~Cindy Ellis, Putnam County Cynthia D. Ellis RR 1, Box 163 Red House, WV 25168 ellis_6511 AT msn.com ph/fax 304 586-4135 “Unlike television, nature does not steal time; it amplifies it." ~Richard Louv > Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2009 21:45:51 -0400 > From: do-not-reply AT ebird.org > To: ellis_6511 AT msn.com > Subject: eBird Report - Steele Ridge (163) , 6/13/09 > > > > Location: Steele Ridge (163) > Observation date: 6/13/09 > Number of species: 52 > > Cooper's Hawk 1 > Red-shouldered Hawk 2 > American Kestrel 5 > Mourning Dove 8 > Yellow-billed Cuckoo 3 > Chimney Swift 1 > Ruby-throated Hummingbird 11 > Red-bellied Woodpecker 4 > Downy Woodpecker 3 > Northern Flicker 4 > Pileated Woodpecker 2 > Eastern Wood-Pewee 3 > Acadian Flycatcher 3 > Eastern Phoebe 2 > Great Crested Flycatcher 1 > Eastern Kingbird 2 > Yellow-throated Vireo 2 > Red-eyed Vireo 9 > Blue Jay 4 > American Crow 12 > Barn Swallow 3 > Carolina Chickadee 4 > Tufted Titmouse 9 > White-breasted Nuthatch 3 > Carolina Wren 9 > Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 6 > Eastern Bluebird 6 > Wood Thrush 2 > American Robin 4 > Northern Mockingbird 4 > Brown Thrasher 1 > European Starling 5 > Cedar Waxwing 2 > Yellow Warbler 1 > Pine Warbler 6 > Worm-eating Warbler 2 > Hooded Warbler 2 > Yellow-breasted Chat 2 > Summer Tanager 2 > Scarlet Tanager 4 > Eastern Towhee 4 > Chipping Sparrow 3 > Field Sparrow 2 > Song Sparrow 3 > Northern Cardinal 9 > Indigo Bunting 5 > Red-winged Blackbird 8 > Eastern Meadowlark 4 > Common Grackle 3 > Brown-headed Cowbird 1 > House Finch 2 > American Goldfinch 3 > > This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) Subject: Cliff Swallow nesting confirmed at Cheat Lake From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2009 15:05:55 -0700 I went back to the I-68 bridge over Cheat Lake near Morgantown this afternoon to try to confirm nesting of Cliff Swallows under the bridge. This species is listed as a rare bird on the Breeding Bird Atlas tally sheet. About 2 weeks ago, I had seen several nests under the bridge and several Cliffies flying near those nests, but I did not actually see any enter or leave the nests. Today, though, I saw the birds enter, leave, or poke their heads out of 10 nests, which implies at least 20 birds plus eggs or nestlings there. Because of the very limited viewing area on the east bank of the lake, I wouldn't doubt there could be twice as many nests and birds. A heartening sign. But wait, there's more! I also saw several Barn Swallows entering and leaving the holes in the bottom of the hollow girders supporting the bridge. Technically, this only counts as visiting a nest site, since any nests inside are invisible, but they must be there. Why else would the birds repeatedly go into and out of those holes? A few other birds of note in this block (Lake Lynn-2): Killdeer--3 at the Cheat Lake Development at I-68 exit 10 in the vacant dirt & shrubby areas not yet under construction. Within 2-3 years, this habitat will disappear, most likely. Eastern Bluebird--2 fledglings with a nearby male at the Cheat Lake Development American Robin--1 bird carrying food along Sunset Beach Road near the sewage plant Song Sparrow--1 bird carrying food at the bridge Eastern Meadowlark--1 in a field along Bowers Lane near where the new freeway is under construction.  Terry Bronson Morgantown, WV Subject: songbird predation by a different critter From: kathy king <kingwaywv AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2009 14:25:55 -0700 We have a few bears around that cause us various irritations.  But recently he caused more than irritation... he made me mad when he tore off the bluebird house that was nailed securely (we thought0 to a fence post, destroyed the birdhouse, and ate the eggs.  GRRR!                    Kathy King    Moorefield, Hardy County Subject: Peregrines From: Pat <barkerpd1 AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2009 06:50:48 -0400 Friday afternoon I purposely returned home via MacCorkle to see if the peregrines were still there. I couldn't make out the bands but they were on their roosts as usual. Pat Barker Charleston Subject: Mockingbird vs-eagle From: Bruni Haydl <bruni AT CITLINK.NET> Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2009 06:16:31 -0400 Here is a neat little story that a friend sent me. While covering a PGA golf tournament, a photographer from the Virginian Pilot ran across this bird interaction. The photos got big coverage in the Sunday paper, far outweighing those of the tournament. If you can't open the link below, go to Pilotonline.com and put eagle vs mockingbird in the search field and it will bring it up. http://hamptonroads.com.nyud.net/2009/05/behind-photos-mockingbird-vs-eagle-williamsburg Bruni Haydl Charles Town Subject: Songbird predation From: Bruni Haydl <bruni AT CITLINK.NET> Date: Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:54:41 +0000 As disheartening as it is to lose a nest, I'm afraid that happens more than we like to think. It is just sad when you see it on your property. I too lost a cardinal nest this spring. It was in a shrub about 5 ft off the ground. It started out with three eggs, then two hatchlings and finally only one hatchling was left in the nest. I'm not sure if the mother abandoned him but it perished as well. My neighbor also had a cardinal nest in her Clematis and before I got a chance to go over to see it she told me the eggs were gone but the nest was undisturbed. That only means one thing: blacksnake. Scott, cats can take out nests but in your case it may not have been. I can't see a cat climbing a prickly holly bush. Raccoons on the other hand can take nests out systematically, whether they are in a shrub or a nestbox. They are the most determined and strong creatures. After trapping and transporting three of them this Spring, the fourth one worked his way out of the trap. Hasn't been back either, so far... On a brighter note, just yesterday evening there were a bunch of young cardinals in my yard being fed by the parents. Given all the things that can go wrong, including falling victim to house sparrows, house wrens, Bluejays or Crows (the list is endless) it never ceases to amaze me how many broods must be successful given the number of birds coming to the feeders. Hopefully your pair will try again. Bruni Haydl Jefferson Co Subject: Atlasing in Morgantown South-6 block--7 confirmations From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:19:23 -0700 Today I headed south of Morgantown on Route 119 to do a survey in the Morgantown South-6 priority block for the WV Breeding Bird Atlas II. This area straddles Route 119 about 1/3 of the way to Grafton. I was very pleasantly surprised to tally 54 species along Boy Scout Road and Kelly Road. All except Turkey Vulture and the large raptor will go down as possible breeders. Efforts to bird Camp Mountaineer Road and Paradise Lake Roads were thwarted, since those 2 roads are posted as private. Here are the highlights: Raptor species--1 largish brown bird flew across the road behind me in the woods. Just a glimpse as it was flying mostly away--I think it might have been a Barred Owl. Killdeer--1 in a driveway along Boy Scout. Sat down a couple of times, but it would have been right in the path of car tires, so no nesting. Ruby-throated Hummingbird--2 along Boy Scout. Actually 2 more at a feeder later, but by then I realized I had gone past the boundary of the block. Great Crested Flycatcher--a pair along Boy Scout, 1 heard along Kelly Chestnut-sided Warbler--2 along Kelly, 1 along Boy Scout, all singing Yellow-throated Warbler--1 along Boy Scout. I spent a few minutes trying to follow this bird as it foraged in the trees, but all it did was flit around. Never saw it catch any food, and it never sang. Other warblers--Ovenbird, Hooded, Redstart, Black- and-White, Yellowthroat, Black-throated Blue Eastern Meadowlark--2 along Boy Scout Breeding confirmations: European Starling--carrying food Cedar Waxwing--nest building (my second confirmation in 2 days--yesterday a bird was seen pulling fuzz off a cattail head along Old Cheat Road near Morgantown) Black-and-white Warbler--carrying food Chipping Sparrow--carrying food Song Sparrow--carrying food Common Grackle--carrying food House Finch--2 begging juveniles  Terry Bronson Morgantown, WV Subject: songbird predation From: paul m mckay <mckayandmckay AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Fri, 12 Jun 2009 10:29:07 -0400 I have found that raccoons are usually the predator in this situation, cats will get them on the ground but will not climb up and get into nest. It's too bad but raccoons have to eat, too . Paul McKay Ohio county Subject: Songbird predation...again. From: Scott Wilkinson <shadepine AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 12 Jun 2009 08:27:16 -0400 A few weeks ago I noticed a cardinal had built a nest in a dense holly bush right by our front door. We could actually see the nest by looking out from a living room window. Since then, my whole family has enjoyed watching the eggs hatch and mom feed the chicks. This morning, on my way out, I carefully checked the nest (making sure the mother wasn't around first)...and was dismayed to see it gone, only a few tatters of it left. I won't type the words that escaped my mouth as they were pretty terrible. Obviously some predatory mammal got to the nest. I assume it was a cat, but do any other mammals typically prey on nests? (Opossums or raccoons?) It's very saddening and also makes me want to shoot every bleepin' cat I see roaming around loose. The greater irony is that we live in a development where I almost never see stray (or feral) cats. But I have seen a few in the past several months, so I know they're around. Sometimes I wonder how far songbird populations must decline before the general public really becomes alarmed? Alas, experience suggests that by the time it's a public issue, it's too late. The cardinals are still around though...so perhaps they'll try again? (And is *any* nest location a safe one?) Scott Wilkinson Harpers Ferry Subject: Hairy Mom (Tucker) From: Casey Rucker <autoblock AT FRONTIERNET.NET> Date: Fri, 12 Jun 2009 07:40:40 -0400 Hello, all, BBS report: a female Hairy Woodpecker is chewing up sunflower seeds on my porch right now and feeding them to her chick. Point counts: at the Kelly-Elkins tract of CVNWR on Tuesday morning, a Swainson's Thrush was performing its beautiful song, and at the Beall tract Wednesday morning I heard two Yellow-billed Cuckoos and one Black-billed. I was also harassed at one point at Beall by two Ovenbirds, who attracted two other Ovenbirds and a Hermit Thrush, all vocal - there must have been a nest nearby. Good birding, Casey Rucker Dry Fork, WV Subject: Cerulean warbler nests needed for film. From: CHINGWE <chingwe AT PEOPLEPC.COM> Date: Fri, 12 Jun 2009 06:12:44 -0400 Dears on the WV-Birding List, Samuel Orr of Indiana U. left a message on my answering machine yesterday. He desperately desires to film a cerulean warbler nest. Some folks from the Cerulean Warbler Coffee-Coal Partnership Project gave him my contact info. Although I have heard singing males in several locations, including my farm, I have not yet found a nest, nor am I likely to have the time to search for one in the next two weeks due to my work schedule. If any of our list members know where there is an active CW nest, please send and e-mail message to Samuel at sporr AT indiana.edu, or call him at 812-320-9530 if you think you will have the time to lead him to the nest site for filming. I have not yet been able to talk to Samuel about his film project, so I have few details, and those have been posted in this message. Doug Wood chingwe AT peoplepc.com Nitro, WV 304-755-0440 ________________________________________ PeoplePC Online A better way to Internet http://www.peoplepc.com Subject: Swainson's Warbler From: LeJay Graffious <lejay AT FRONTIERNET.NET> Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:35:43 -0400 I checked both stations for the SWWA in Preston County this morning. Per Kyle Aldinger's report, the bird was seen and heard on the Virgin Hemlock trail. On the Brandonville Pike, it was heard one time in a 15 minute period at 7:24. It was on the east side of the bridge this time. LeJay Graffious Bruceton Mills Preston County WV Subject: Pine Siskin still around From: "Rankin, Gary" <rankin AT MARSHALL.EDU> Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:51:21 -0400 The Pine Siskin that showed up at my thistle feeder yesterday (presumably) was back again this morning around 8:30 am. Gary Rankin Lavalette, WV Wayne Co. Gary O. Rankin, Ph.D. Professor & Chair Depart.of Pharmacology, Physiology & Toxicology - BBSC Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine Marshall University One John Marshall Drive Huntington, WV 25755 TEL:304-696-7313 FAX:304-696-7391 Subject: Re: Swainson's Warbler Update - Morgantown From: Wil Hershberger <wil AT NATUREIMAGESANDSOUNDS.COM> Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:01:07 -0400 I have recordings of SWWA. I need a recording of this specific bird that is being seen at Cooper's rock to determine with dialect he is singing. Thanks, Wil Hershberger Nature Images and Sounds, LLC Hedgesville, WV From: Ryan Tomazin [mailto:wvwarblers AT hotmail.com] Sent: Thursday, June 11, 2009 11:45 AM To: wil AT natureimagesandsounds.com Subject: RE: Swainson's Warbler Update - Morgantown Wil, Check Cornell's McCauley Lab of nature sounds. Ryan Tomazin _____ Windows LiveT: Keep your life in sync. Check it out. Subject: BBS and Point Counts From: Jim Triplett <jtrippy AT SUDDENLINKMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 10:03:04 -0500 Hello Everyone, Please send me a copy of your reports as you do your BBS runs and Point Counts if it is not too much trouble. You can send off line if you wish. I am getting very few reports from the LISTSERV, my spread sheet is looking empty. Thank you for your consideration and cooperation. Jim Triplett Field Note Editor for Brooks Bird Club -- Jim Triplett 1198 Fledderjohn Rd Charleston, WV 25314 Bus: 304-344-3554 Home: 304-345-3336 Cell: 304-539-3554 jtrippy AT suddenlinkmail.com Subject: Re: Swainson's Warbler Update - Morgantown From: Wil Hershberger <wil AT NATUREIMAGESANDSOUNDS.COM> Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 09:31:25 -0400 Does anyone have an audio recording of this specific bird? I would like to compare the song characteristics with other SWWA in WV. Thanks, Wil Hershberger Nature Images and Sounds, LLC Hedgesville, WV -----Original Message----- From: Audubon birding discussion for WV [mailto:WV-BIRD AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG] On Behalf Of Kyle Ray Aldinger Sent: Thursday, June 11, 2009 9:02 AM To: WV-BIRD AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG Subject: Swainson's Warbler Update - Morgantown Hey all, While back in Morgantown for the day, I stopped in to find the Swainson's Warbler on the Virgin Hemlock Trail at Cooper's Rock State Forest. The Swainson's Warbler was singing off and on along with a Louisiana Waterthrush, allowing good comparisons of the two songs. LeJay Graffious also came by a little before 8 and we saw the bird perched right above the trail. Kyle Aldinger Elkins, WV Subject: Swainson's Warbler Update - Morgantown From: Kyle Ray Aldinger <kaldinge AT MIX.WVU.EDU> Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 09:01:33 -0400 Hey all, While back in Morgantown for the day, I stopped in to find the Swainson's Warbler on the Virgin Hemlock Trail at Cooper's Rock State Forest. The Swainson's Warbler was singing off and on along with a Louisiana Waterthrush, allowing good comparisons of the two songs. LeJay Graffious also came by a little before 8 and we saw the bird perched right above the trail. Kyle Aldinger Elkins, WV Subject: CRANE From: Bruni Haydl <bruni AT CITLINK.NET> Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:03:51 +0000 On my way to work this morning I saw what appeared to be a crane foraging in a field. It was a bit misty and lighting was poor. Unfortunately I did not have my binoculars with me to get details but I did make a U-turn and did another slow drive by and based on the size and the behavior that is all it could have been. The location is the big field on Rt 9 and Kabletown Rd. The bird was about 500 ft into the field off Kabletown Rd. Bruni Haydl Jefferson Co Subject: Brooke County - Henslow's Sparrows From: John Boback <morlitte AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:28:45 -0700 Hi All, This afternoon, Sue Olcott and I were at the Cross Creek WMA in Brooke County.  Notables included: Prairie Warbler (several singing) Blue-winged Warbler (1) Yellow-breasted Chat (2) Henslow's Sparrows (at least 2) Grasshopper Sparrow (abundant) John Boback Meadowcroft Museum Washington County, PA Subject: clever bird poem for a rainy day From: Cynthia Ellis <ellis_6511 AT MSN.COM> Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:20:33 -0400 Seen on another state's listserv: http://www.lukecole.com/Birds/Smew.htm ~Cindy, Putnam County -- Cynthia D. Ellis RR 1 Box 163 Red House, WV 25168 304 586-4135 cdellis AT wildblue.net (Bumper Sticker) "I like my mountains like I like my women--topless!"