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Updated on Thursday, September 2 at 06:50 AM ET
The most recently received Mail is at the top.


Brown Booby,©Jan Wilczur

2 Sep free public tour day at Three Rivers Avian Center Sept 4 [Wendy Perrone ]
2 Sep Fw: Hanging Rock Tower (29 Aug 2010) 2 Raptors [Jim & Judy Phillips ]
2 Sep Fw: Hanging Rock Tower (28 Aug 2010) 5 Raptors [Jim & Judy Phillips ]
1 Sep Nighthawks [richardkazmierski Kazmierski ]
1 Sep Re: Bluestone Dam White Ibis Update [Bob Burrell ]
1 Sep Bluestone Dam White Ibis Update [Wade Snyder ]
1 Sep Pleasant Creek WMA--Semi Plover and Shoveler but no White-rumped Sandpiper [Terry Bronson ]
1 Sep Baird's Sandpiper in Ohio and West Virginia ["gljeinwv AT juno.com" ]
1 Sep Baird's Sandpiper in Ohio and West Virginia ["Rankin, Gary" ]
1 Sep White-rumped diag. - was, White-rumped, Least, Solitary, et al. -- Ple asant Creek WM ["gljeinwv AT juno.com" ]
1 Sep "Four-and-twenty blackbirds..." [Jean Neely ]
31 Aug White-rumped, Least, Solitary, et al. -- Pleasant Creek WMA [Derek Courtney ]
1 Sep origins of migrating nighthawks ["gljeinwv AT juno.com" ]
31 Aug White Ibis-yes [David Patick ]
31 Aug Yard birds yesterday: Prairie Warbler, pewee, baby junco [Casey Rucker ]
31 Aug Bald Eagle [Bob Burrell ]
31 Aug Pine Siskin [Sally Egan ]
31 Aug more birds, owls [tammy lester ]
31 Aug migration [tammy lester ]
30 Aug Nighthawks [richardkazmierski Kazmierski ]
30 Aug Morgantown Nighthawks, Great Egret, Huge Chimney Swift roost [Terry Bronson ]
30 Aug FW: Kingwood nighthawks and other [richardkazmierski Kazmierski ]
30 Aug Re: Kingwood nighthawks and other [michael welch ]
30 Aug Red-breasted nuthatch; yard birds; etc. ["Rankin, Gary" ]
30 Aug Red-breasted Nuthatch ["Cynthia D. Ellis" ]
30 Aug nighthawks [Donna Mitchell or Bill Roody ]
29 Aug Lots of Nighthawks [Sandra Farkas ]
29 Aug Nighthawks [richardkazmierski Kazmierski ]
30 Aug Kingwood nighthawks and other ["gljeinwv AT juno.com" ]
29 Aug New River white ibis [Allen Waldron ]
29 Aug Whip-poor-wills [Kevin Cade ]
29 Aug Pied-billed Grebe, Osprey in Barbour County [Terry Bronson ]
29 Aug nighthawk bonaza [Donna Mitchell or Bill Roody ]
29 Aug Whip-poor-will and warblers at Dolly Sods [Derek Courtney ]
28 Aug whip poor will ["Cynthia D. Ellis" ]
29 Aug yard-warblers ["gljeinwv AT juno.com" ]
28 Aug Nocturnal Thrushes + Sleepy Creek WMA [Matt Orsie ]
28 Aug Lots of Killdeer& a few peeps- Jefferson County [Carol Del-Colle ]
28 Aug peak nighthawks ["Cynthia D. Ellis" ]
28 Aug Nighthawks [sharon kearns ]
28 Aug white ibis returns [Jim & Judy Phillips ]
28 Aug Nighthawks [Herb & Sarah Myers ]
28 Aug Lone Nighthawk [jeff del col ]
28 Aug Re: nighthawks ["gljeinwv AT juno.com" ]
27 Aug nighthawks ["Cynthia D. Ellis" ]
27 Aug Greenbrier County Great Egrets [Wade Snyder ]
27 Aug Green-winged Teals, Great Egrets at Prickett's Fort [Terry Bronson ]
27 Aug Re: nighthawks ["gljeinwv AT juno.com" ]
27 Aug Humminbird Peak and other activity ["Rankin, Gary" ]
27 Aug RFI; Brooks trip to Oregon/California ["gljeinwv AT juno.com" ]
27 Aug nighthawks [Donna Mitchell or Bill Roody ]
27 Aug Hilton Pond 08/22/10 (Front Yards & Sourwoods) ["Bill Hilton Jr. (RESEARCH)" ]
27 Aug Wild turkeys [Jean Neely ]
26 Aug Nighthawks [richardkazmierski Kazmierski ]
26 Aug nighthawks ["Cynthia D. Ellis" ]
26 Aug Dolly Sods [Herb & Sarah Myers ]
26 Aug Brown Thrasher, Hummingbirds, Robins- yard birds [Carol Del-Colle ]
26 Aug Baird's Sandpiper [Mike Griffith ]
26 Aug Red-breasted Nuthatch-Jefferson County [Nancy Kirschbaum ]
26 Aug Mini migrant fallout and shrub-birding in north Preston County [Terry Bronson ]
25 Aug White Ibis - not seen [Deborah Beutler ]
25 Aug nighthawks ["Cynthia D. Ellis" ]
25 Aug Nighthawks [richardkazmierski Kazmierski ]
25 Aug Western Monongalia County [Terry Bronson ]
24 Aug Fw: Hanging Rock Tower (22 Aug 2010) 2 Raptors [Jim & Judy Phillips ]
24 Aug Fw: Hanging Rock Tower (15 Aug 2010) Raptors [Jim & Judy Phillips ]
24 Aug Re: Double-breasted cormorants [John Tharp ]
24 Aug Re: Double-breasted cormorants [Matt Orsie ]
24 Aug Re: Double-breasted cormorants [Terry Bronson ]
24 Aug Double-breasted? [jeff del col ]
24 Aug It's Double-CRESTED, I said CRESTED [Bob Burrell ]
24 Aug Double-breasted cormorants [Bob Burrell ]
24 Aug Huntfield ponds [Matt Orsie ]
23 Aug White Ibis - Bellepoint, WV [Matt Orsie ]
23 Aug white ibis update [Jim & Judy Phillips ]
22 Aug Hilton Pond 08/11/10 (New River Hummingbirds) ["Bill Hilton Jr. (RESEARCH)" ]

Subject: free public tour day at Three Rivers Avian Center Sept 4
From: Wendy Perrone <wendy AT TRACWV.ORG>
Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 07:50:50 -0400
Hi everyone!
Looking for something to do on Labor Day weekend? Remember that Three 
Rivers Avian Center has a free Public Tour Day from 1 - 5 on Saturday 
Sept. 4th.  Live raptors, informational exhibits, etc - great fun for 
all ages!  Bring your camera...

Three Rivers Avian Center is located on Brooks Mountain Road between 
Hinton and Sandstone, just off Route 20 in Summers County.  Turn onto 
Brooks Mountain Road and follow the signs.

Have a great Labor Day weekend, and we hope to see you.
-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

No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.441 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3104 - Release Date: 08/31/10 
06:34:00 
Subject: Fw: Hanging Rock Tower (29 Aug 2010) 2 Raptors
From: Jim & Judy Phillips <cne01663 AT MAIL.WVNET.EDU>
Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 06:46:50 -0400
Hanging Rock Tower
Waiteville, West Virginia, USA

      Daily Raptor Counts: Aug 29, 2010 
      Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total 
      Black Vulture 0 0 0 
      Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 
      Osprey 1 2 2 
      Bald Eagle 0 1 1 
      Northern Harrier 0 0 0 
      Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 5 5 
      Cooper's Hawk 0 0 0 
      Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 
      Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 
      Broad-winged Hawk 0 1 1 
      Red-tailed Hawk 0 0 0 
      Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 
      Golden Eagle 0 0 0 
      American Kestrel 0 0 0 
      Merlin 0 0 0 
      Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 
      Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 
      Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 
      Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 
      Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 
      Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 
      Total: 2 9 9 


      Observation start time:  10:00:00  
      Observation end time:  13:00:00  
      Total observation time:  3 hours 
      Official Counter Jim Phillips 
      Observers:  Rodney Davis 


Weather:


Raptor Observations:


Non-raptor Observations:




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Report submitted by Jim Phillips (cne01663 AT mail.wvnet.edu)
Hanging Rock Tower information may be found at: 
http://www.hangingrocktower.org/ 

Subject: Fw: Hanging Rock Tower (28 Aug 2010) 5 Raptors
From: Jim & Judy Phillips <cne01663 AT MAIL.WVNET.EDU>
Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 06:46:04 -0400
Hanging Rock Tower
Waiteville, West Virginia, USA

      Daily Raptor Counts: Aug 28, 2010 
      Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total 
      Black Vulture 0 0 0 
      Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 
      Osprey 1 1 1 
      Bald Eagle 0 1 1 
      Northern Harrier 0 0 0 
      Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 4 4 
      Cooper's Hawk 0 0 0 
      Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 
      Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 
      Broad-winged Hawk 1 1 1 
      Red-tailed Hawk 0 0 0 
      Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 
      Golden Eagle 0 0 0 
      American Kestrel 0 0 0 
      Merlin 0 0 0 
      Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 
      Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 
      Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 
      Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 
      Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 
      Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 
      Total: 5 7 7 


      Observation start time:  10:45:00  
      Observation end time:  15:00:00  
      Total observation time:  4.25 hours 
      Official Counter Jim Phillips 
      Observers:  Mark Morgan 


Weather:


Raptor Observations:


Non-raptor Observations:




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Report submitted by Jim Phillips (cne01663 AT mail.wvnet.edu)
Hanging Rock Tower information may be found at: 
http://www.hangingrocktower.org/ 

Subject: Nighthawks
From: richardkazmierski Kazmierski <richardkazmierski AT MSN.COM>
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 20:21:47 -0700
Hi All,
Only had 4 Nighthawks tonight. Coming from the north and heading south, which 
made it hard for me to see over the tree line, I might have missed a few. 

 
Kim Kazmierski
Hurricane, WV
  		 	   		  
Subject: Re: Bluestone Dam White Ibis Update
From: Bob Burrell <C.cibarius AT DOREN.NET>
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 15:38:59 -0400
At 02:26 PM 9/1/2010 -0400, Wade Snyder wrote:
>I decided to take advantage of a beautiful morning and cash in on some 
>annual leave to drive down to Hinton to chance a sighting of the White 
>Ibis.  . . .  and as I was watching, it became irritated at something in 
>it's "pool" and scolded the Ibis which appeared from behind some river 
>vegetation. The Ibis took flight and flew down river landing on the same 
>rock the Egret was on (very close in distance that David Patick described 
>from yesterday's post). l was able to watch it then for close to 30 
>minutes, as it stayed very close to the Egret, almost as if it felt some 
>security in being with it.


I think there is an alternative explanation that I think merits 
consideration.  I have often seen long-legged waders "fishing together" in 
a cooperative manner.  Given that the White Ibis is immature, this might be 
a good bet.  I have seen Tri-coloreds fishing with Great Egrets, Snowy 
Egrets fishing with Little Blues, all manners of pairing and such 
cooperative activity may go on for days. I believe these birds are 
opportunists and why waste a chance at acquiring an easier meal?

My favorite "cooperative" fishing pair was a Great Egret and a Human.  I 
was the Human.  I was fishing on the sound side near the Oregon Inlet of 
the NC Outer Banks and had just hooked a small fish.  As I was trying to 
unhook the wiggly catch without impaling my fingers on the sharp spines of 
his dorsal fin, it suddenly came unhooked and slipped out of my hands.  And 
BANG, the Great Egret who had been stealthily observing the action nearby 
of this fumbling Human knowing what to expect, had gobbled that hapless 
fish down in an instant.  The Egret then turned his attention to other 
fisherfolk further down the shore thinking that surely there must be better 
sources of food than this clown and stalked off.

Bob Burrell
Morgantown and Kill Devil Hills
Subject: Bluestone Dam White Ibis Update
From: Wade Snyder <dry_fly_fisherman1 AT HOTMAIL.COM>
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 14:26:49 -0400
I decided to take advantage of a beautiful morning and cash in on some annual 
leave to drive down to Hinton to chance a sighting of the White Ibis. I arrived 
at Bellepoint Park at 9:15 am and as soon as I set up tripod and scope did a 
quick scan of area near the Great Egret as everyone had reported. At that 
point, the Ibis was not near the Egret, nor anywhere else that I could see. So 
I decided to focus on watching a Great Blue at the base of the dam - and as I 
was watching, it became irritated at something in it's "pool" and scolded the 
Ibis which appeared from behind some river vegetation. The Ibis took flight and 
flew down river landing on the same rock the Egret was on (very close in 
distance that David Patick described from yesterday's post). l was able to 
watch it then for close to 30 minutes, as it stayed very close to the Egret, 
almost as if it felt some security in being with it. Then a helicopter flew in 
from the dam side and landed in the ballfield - this was Bti spray day of New 
and Greenbrier Rivers. The chopper scared the Ibis and it took flight, circling 
several times in the vicinity of the Egret, then sailed downstream ~100 yards 
to a new set of rocks. This was the last position that I made an observation. 
What a beautiful bird! The angle of the morning sunlight gave great 
illumination to the Ibis's peach-colored beak and body coloration. 

 
Other notables:
 
- a close flyover from an adult Osprey, circling in front of the dam.
- some rather plain looking Wood Ducks dabbling amongst the Canadian Geese (in 
what Peterson's Field Guide describes as drab "eclipse" plumage) 

- Cedar Waxwings taking flight from bank vegetation and snatching insects from 
the air 

- dozens of all ages of Red-winged Blackbirds bathing in the shallows, then in 
unison taking flight displaying the red wing bars with brilliant displays 
against the dark backdrop of the river. 

- hundreds of Tree Swallows circling with all their antics
- six Great Blue Herons at one time scatterd withing viewing range
 
I left the Park around 11 am and feel very fortunate to have had the 
opportunity to observe the White Ibis. Thanks to all for your previous reports 
and descriptions, which were most helpful. 

 
Have a great day!
 
Wade
 
N. Wade Snyder
Daniels, WV  


 		 	   		  
Subject: Pleasant Creek WMA--Semi Plover and Shoveler but no White-rumped Sandpiper
From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM>
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 10:32:18 -0700
Thanks to Derek Courtney for his tip about a White-rumped Sandpiper
at Pleasant Creek Wildlife Management Area in Barbour County.

Despite 2 hours of searching, I could not find it, so it must have moved on.

However, I did find the following water-related birds:

Northern Shoveler--1 bird in the pond west of Routes 250/119. The
bird was darker than the females and juveniles illustrated in Sibley's
Field Guide, so I'm thinking it was a male in non-breeding plumage.
My first in WV.

Semipalmated Plover--3 at the impoundment just as you get to the
Tygart Lake boat launch area

Least Sandpiper--3 at the impoundment

Solitary Sandpiper--1 at the impoundment, 3 at the pond w. of Rt. 250

Spotted Sandpiper--1 at the pond w. of Rt. 250

Killdeer--13 w. of Rt. 250, 8 at the impoundment

Great Blue Heron--1 at each location

Green Heron--5 w. of Rt. 250, 3 at the impoundment

Mallard--8 w. of Rt. 250

Wood Duck--2 at the impoundment

Canada Goose--1 w. of Rt. 250

Belted Kingfisher--2 w. of Rt. 250

Among land birds, only a couple of highlights:

Hairy Woodpecker--1 female w. of Rt. 250
Baltimore Oriole--1 adult male w. of Rt. 250
Cedar Waxwing--21 w. of Rt. 250

And finally, feeding at water's edge at the impoundment:

4 Goldpipers--male American Goldfinches

With the heat and humidity climbing rapidly, I did not bird the
shrubby wetland trail near the railroad trestle e. of Rt. 250.

Terry Bronson
Morgantown, WV 



Subject: Baird's Sandpiper in Ohio and West Virginia
From: "gljeinwv AT juno.com" <gljeinwv@JUNO.COM>
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 16:41:43 GMT
Gary:

It must be a good year all over for Baird's Sandpipers. When I was in 
Washington State, some of the birders were commenting about the unusually high 
numbers of Bairds that they were seeing. Given, they are more common out there 
than in the east, but I must have seen 30 at one location at Ocean Shores. And, 
during the hike on Mtn. Rainer, we saw Bairds walking around on a snow-field 
above tree-line. 


Gary Felton - Kingwood
------------------------------------------------  
Subject: Baird's Sandpiper in Ohio and West Virginia
From: "Rankin, Gary" 
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 10:06:39 -0400
I had to go to Rome, Ohio yesterday evening and decided to check out the Old 
Lock (27?) on the Ohio River at Rome while I was there. From the parking area I 
scanned the concrete pad adjacent to the river (lowest level) and noticed some 
shore birds. On checking them out closer, I found 12 Killdeer, 5 least 
sandpipers and 1 Baird's sandpiper (appeared to be a juvenile based on back 
feather pattern and buffy breastband). As I approached closer, the birds flew 
out over the Ohio River some distance (now in WV territory) before returning to 
the upriver end of the concrete pad. The dark rump on the Baird's was clearly 
visible as it flew. Gary RankinLavalette, WVWayne Co.Gary O. Rankin, 
Ph.D.Professor & ChairDepart.of Pharmacology, Physiology & Toxicology - 
BBSCJoan C. Edwards School of MedicineMarshall UniversityOne John Marshall 
DriveHuntington, WV 25755TEL:304-696-7313FAX:304-696-7391 White-rumped diag. - 
was, White-rumped, Least, Solitary, et al. Ple asant Creek WM ["gljeinwv AT 
juno.com" ] 

 -->
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Subject: Baird's Sandpiper in Ohio and West Virginia
From: "Rankin, Gary" <rankin AT MARSHALL.EDU>
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 10:06:39 -0400
I had to go to Rome, Ohio yesterday evening and decided to check out the Old 
Lock (27?) on the Ohio River at Rome while I was there. From the parking area I 
scanned the concrete pad adjacent to the river (lowest level) and noticed some 
shore birds. On checking them out closer, I found 12 Killdeer, 5 least 
sandpipers and 1 Baird's sandpiper (appeared to be a juvenile based on back 
feather pattern and buffy breastband). As I approached closer, the birds flew 
out over the Ohio River some distance (now in WV territory) before returning to 
the upriver end of the concrete pad. The dark rump on the Baird's was clearly 
visible as it flew. 


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: White-rumped diag. - was, White-rumped, Least, Solitary, et al. -- Ple asant Creek WM
From: "gljeinwv AT juno.com" <gljeinwv@JUNO.COM>
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 13:28:22 GMT
Derek:

Perhaps you're already aware of this, but if not. Another diagnostic for 
White-rumped Sandpiper, if you're close enough to see it, is a small 

dark orangish area at the base of the lower mandible. All of the field guides 
don't show it, so, if you have limited experience with the bird and 

don't have a guide that pictures it, you may not know to look for it.


Gary Felton 
------------------------------
Subject: White-rumped, Least, Solitary, et al. -- Pleasant Creek WMA
From: Derek Courtney 
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:24:11 -0400
Hi all, After running some early evening errands in the area, I stopped 
atPleasant Creek WMA. I agree with Terry's assessment that the habitat 
seemedmore productive earlier in the season at least for total numbers 
ofshorebirds. But still, with some patient scanning I found 5 species of maybea 
dozen individuals total over the whole area. Highlight for me was awhite-rumped 
sandpiper. I noticed its differences from the other speciespresent. Pale 
overall, bold white supercilium, crossed primaries,exaggerated high rump when 
feeding, but really couldn't get a handle on theextension of the primaries 
beyond the tail. Perhaps this was due to distanceor heat shimmer, but it wasn't 
obvious in the field. It was obvious inthe photos however. Plus the white rump 
was visible during preening and inflight. Other shorebird species present 
included Least and Solitarysandpipers and Killdeer. One bird I identified as a 
Pectoral, but it wasdistant and in pretty tattered plumage. The group was 
flushed by a family'sdog as they were on the opposite shore. I lost the birds 
not long after theyflew, but doubt they went very far. White-rumped is one of 
the latermigrating shorebirds that pass through our area I think, so while not 
theharbinger of the Pine Siskin and Long-eared Owl previously reported, I 
wouldagree Fall migration is in full swing :) Thinking of migration, it seems 
to me that we are at or may have justpassed the peak timing of the 
"grass-pipers" through our area. Thoughnumbers of Buff-breasted, Upland, even 
Long-Billed Curlews are still beingreported nearby. Sod or turf farms seem good 
areas to check for these rarermigrants through the state. A cursory google 
search showed one in the EP andone in the southern part of the state near 
Winfield. Does anyone know ifthese areas are productive or "bird-able"? I am 
guessing no to at least oneof those as I don't recall any reports from those 
places with good birdersnearby. Just wondering. Feel free to reply off-list if 
desired. On the way back to Morgantown I counted 14 nighthawks over the 
fieldson 119 for those nighthawk enthusiasts amongst us. Best to you all.Good 
birding,Derek origins of migrating nighthawks ["gljeinwv AT juno.com" ] 

 -->
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Subject: "Four-and-twenty blackbirds..."
From: Jean Neely <jeaneely AT COMCAST.NET>
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 06:26:42 -0400
...and then some!  
Had a real treat yesterday morning as wave after wave of what I assume were
rusty blackbirds flying thru the trees over the river upstream.  They would
land for about a second and then go off again.
After it was seemingly over‹about 15 minutes later‹the wave started again,
but backwards, going downstream.
Jean Neely
Near Shepherdstown, Jefferson Co.
Subject: White-rumped, Least, Solitary, et al. -- Pleasant Creek WMA
From: Derek Courtney <derek.dana.courtney AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:24:11 -0400
Hi all,

     After running some early evening errands in the area, I stopped at
Pleasant Creek WMA. I agree with Terry's assessment that the habitat seemed
more productive earlier in the season at least for total numbers of
shorebirds. But still, with some patient scanning I found 5 species of maybe
a dozen individuals total over the whole area. Highlight for me was a
white-rumped sandpiper. I noticed its differences from the other species
present. Pale overall, bold white supercilium, crossed primaries,
exaggerated high rump when feeding, but really couldn't get a handle on the
extension of the primaries beyond the tail. Perhaps this was due to distance
or heat shimmer, but it wasn't obvious in the field. It was obvious in
the photos however. Plus the white rump was visible during preening and in
flight. Other shorebird species present included Least and Solitary
sandpipers and Killdeer. One bird I identified as a Pectoral, but it was
distant and in pretty tattered plumage. The group was flushed by a family's
dog as they were on the opposite shore. I lost the birds not long after they
flew, but doubt they went very far. White-rumped is one of the later
migrating shorebirds that pass through our area I think, so while not the
harbinger of the Pine Siskin and Long-eared Owl previously reported, I would
agree Fall migration is in full swing :)
     Thinking of migration, it seems to me that we are at or may have just
passed the peak timing of the "grass-pipers" through our area. Though
numbers of Buff-breasted, Upland, even Long-Billed Curlews are still being
reported nearby. Sod or turf farms seem good areas to check for these rarer
migrants through the state. A cursory google search showed one in the EP and
one in the southern part of the state near Winfield. Does anyone know if
these areas are productive or "bird-able"? I am guessing no to at least one
of those as I don't recall any reports from those places with good birders
nearby. Just wondering. Feel free to reply off-list if desired.
     On the way back to Morgantown I counted 14 nighthawks over the fields
on 119 for those nighthawk enthusiasts amongst us. Best to you all.

Good birding,
Derek
Subject: origins of migrating nighthawks
From: "gljeinwv AT juno.com" <gljeinwv@JUNO.COM>
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 01:02:13 GMT
To friends, birding companions and nighthawk observers:

Does anyone wonder how many of the nighthawks you see during fall migration, 
originate outside of WV? 

Given where I live in the state, I'd say it's a safe bet that most of the 
nighthawks I see during fall 

migration are out of Pa., NY. and points north, and not WV. There may be a few 
that originated in Monongalia County and perhaps the northern panhandle, but 
it's probably a very small percentage of the total number that I see. My house 
is on the middle section of Laurel Ridge, which originates in Pa., and the 
birds I observe are always following the ridge. 


I wonder, for example, how many of the birds which are observed in the 
Huntington area, during fall migration, are birds coming out of Ohio. If you 
look at the last WV BBA, Common Nighthawk was a very sparse breeder. Does 
anyone happen to know what the estimated breeding population of nighthawks in 
WV is? Regardless, I'll go out on a limb and say that the vast number of 
nighthawks seen in WV during fall migration, did not originate in the state. 


Anyway, just a thought.

BTW, only 4 nighthawks yesterday evening and none this evening.  

An Eastern Kingbird and female Scarlet Tanager were in the top of the spruces 
this moring. 


Gary Felton - Kingwood

-

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Subject: White Ibis-yes
From: David Patick <patick AT COMCAST.NET>
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:43:29 -0400
After failing to see the White Ibis last Thursday,I decided to take another 
shot at it today with Wendell Argabrite.We arrived at 1230 at Bluestone Dam and 
from Bellepointe Park,we saw the immature White Ibis around 1240 pm.It was 
feeding by some rocks and vegetation about 300 feet downstream from the Dam 
alongside a Great Egret.It was very satisfying as this was a new state bird for 
me. 


David Patick,
Huntington,WV 25701
Subject: Yard birds yesterday: Prairie Warbler, pewee, baby junco
From: Casey Rucker <autoblock AT FRONTIERNET.NET>
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:39:10 -0400
Hello, all,
 
Yesterday was a banner day in my yard, beginning with very early
first-of-fall appearances by Dark-eyed Juncos, and my very first yard baby
junco, being fed by mouth by an adult.
 
Later on, an Eastern Wood-Pewee made a rare appearance, spending a few hours
helping control my bug population.
 
Six juvenile Eastern Towhees and one baby (not much of a tail yet) made lots
of noise in the underbrush.
 
And in mid-afternoon, a Prairie Warbler (female or juvenile -- they're tough
to tell apart in fall!) afforded crushing looks to become my first yard bird
of the year -- #136, and warbler #29.
 
Woo hoo!
`
Casey Rucker
Dryfork, WV 
Subject: Bald Eagle
From: Bob Burrell <C.cibarius AT DOREN.NET>
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:35:56 -0400
My daughter saw an immature Bald Eagle while kakaking the Upper Yough River 
near Sang Run MD.  This is close to the repeated sightings seen in WV's 
Hardy and Mineral Counties

Bob Burrell
Morgantown
Subject: Pine Siskin
From: Sally Egan <sallye0421 AT AOL.COM>
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:49:40 EDT
Hi All!
    There was a juvenile Pine Siskin at my feeder this  morning among a 
group of American Goldfinches.
 
                                                                            
                                 Sally Egan
                                                                            
                                Bridgeport,  WV
Subject: more birds, owls
From: tammy lester <efan3usa AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 05:11:21 -0700
I forgot to mention the  YB Cuckoo I heard, along with  Barred Owl, and also 
what I believe may have been a Long eared owl. I know for sure it was an owl I 

had never heard, and the call fit the Sibley's.

 Tammy Lester
Wyoming County, WV
Hello from the coalfields!



      
Subject: migration
From: tammy lester <efan3usa AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 05:07:20 -0700
Have seen the past few days:  Female Scarlet Tanager, Blue-winged warbler, 
Yellow warbler, Black vulture.  Seems to me that the migration is ON!

 Tammy Lester
Wyoming County, WV
Hello from the coalfields!


      
Subject: Nighthawks
From: richardkazmierski Kazmierski <richardkazmierski AT MSN.COM>
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:41:03 -0700
Nighthawks this evening-9  All silent
 
Also had 10 Killdeer flying over calling like mad. Not far behind them was a 
Cooper's Hawk. 

 
Forgot to mention, this is Butterfly not Bird. My Mom said that on Wed, she and 
my Dad road around on a 4-wheeler near Tribble Road, north of Buffalo, in Mason 
County and there were 1000's of Monarchs, she said she had never seen anything 
like that in her life. Wish I could have been there. 

 
Kim Kazmierski
Hurricane, WV 
Putnam County
 
 
 
  		 	   		  
Subject: Morgantown Nighthawks, Great Egret, Huge Chimney Swift roost
From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM>
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:42:00 -0700
I went out tonight in search of COMMON NIGHTHAWKS, and it
turned out to be ridiculously easy, finding about 20 feeding
above a cornfield along Route 119 at the intersection of
Route 705. This is a WVU farm behind the Transportation
Services office and opposite the KLM real estate office.
There could have been more since the field slopes up
slightly and some could have been out of view.

It's been a long time since I've seen Nighthawks, and I had
forgotten how big they are--though only 9.5 inches long,
their wingspan is a full 24 inches, according to the Sibley
Field Guide. Impressive sight.

This makes species #198 for me in WV, and #183 in the
state this year. 

I checked several other places--the WVU Animal and
Veterinary Sciences Farm (1 Nighthawk), the WVU
Stadium and practice field near the Hospital, the Star
City Waterfront, but that was it.

However, across from Barill Park in Star City at the mouth
of Scott's Run, there was a GREAT EGRET feeding in
the shallows. It then flew up into a tree, and with dusk
approaching it may be roosting there overnight, so an
early morning check tomorrow may turn it up.

I then headed toward home and checked a place where
I had seen a lot of CHIMNEY SWIFTS a couple of weeks
ago. This is the Seneca Center along Route 7 near
downtown Morgantown along the Monongahela River.
It has an old glass factory with a sizable chimney--towering
maybe 30-40 feet above the building's roof.

At 8:00 pm, there were hundreds of Chimney Swifts
circling around this chimney--I eventually estimated
about 400. Around and around they went--dozens
and dozens of times. About 8:10 I noticed a few
begin to drop down into the chimney, and that slowly
continued for about 15 minutes. The last bird disappeared
about 8:25 just as it was getting almost too dark to see.
Must be extremely close quarters with that many birds
in that small a chimney. A sight not to be missed.

A morning visit to the WVU Core Arboretum was rather
uneventful. I managed 31 species, but almost all usual
suspects. Just a few highlights:

Great Blue Heron--1
Buteo species--1, seen very briefly, but rather small,
so probably a Broad-winged Hawk
Yellow-throated Vireo--1 heard
Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher--1
Hooded Warbler--1 male, sallied out once over the
newly paved and re-opened rail trail doing its best
imitation of a flycatcher
Northern Cardinal--14. A usual suspect, yes, but the
interesting thing was a sighting of a female-type bird with
a yellow bill, a juvenile with a black bill, and the usual
adults with red bills. I don't think I've ever seen a yellow-
billed Cardinal before, and no, it was not a Pyrrhuloxia.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak--1
Baltimore Oriole--2

Terry Bronson
Morgantown, WV 



Subject: FW: Kingwood nighthawks and other
From: richardkazmierski Kazmierski <richardkazmierski AT MSN.COM>
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:50:17 -0700
Howdy folks,
 
Even though some years I'm more dedicated than others, Nighthawks seem to 
always go through here. Some years I see them as I'm heading out the door and 
don't always post. I decided I would try to make an effort this year. Some 
years okay numbers, some years are low. 

 
Cindy mentioned to me before, that Teays Valley is an ancient river bed and 
maybe that is why they come over this way each year. I think I've been watching 
approx. 10 years here. Most head in the direction of the Kanawha River and one 
year I was over at Nitro (beside the Kanawha River) with a friend and saw a 
large number of them. I know they love the fields for feeding, but might still 
have some established routes. Sometimes people will notice them during 
migration feeding during football games where the lights attract bugs. There 
was one I didn't post on Saturday, because I heard it on the roof of the Hobby 
Shop in Teays Valley. It made me think it had stopped over, probably feeding 
around the parking area where there are lots of lights in the evening time. I 
also thought, wouldn't it be nice to take a peek on that roof to see if there 
were more? I was surprised to hear it, because I only hear them call in flight. 

 
I have noticed they are usually very quiet during migration, most of the time 
it is only right at dark I hear one call. I used to post to a list serv that 
was just for Nighthawks, I'm not sure if it still exists. And some of the same 
people posted year after year, so you could tell there was some sort of 
migration route. 

 
Sometimes I think it would be hard to tell where they are all coming from. I 
was at Hurricane High School one year and watched them come in every direction 
"merging" almost over the high school, and heading, if I remember this right, 
southeast. That was wonderful to watch. 

 
Another thing you have to watch for is how high are they flying, sometimes they 
are so high they are just specks in the sky and sometimes so low they barely go 
over the roof tops. One year I had to drive to the bottom of the my subdivision 
to see them and it was very close to where my house sits. 

 
Hope everyone has a chance to sit out a few evenings and watch for them. 
 
Kim Kazmierski
Hurricane WV
Putnam County

 
> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:32:36 -0600
> From: winterfinch AT HOTMAIL.COM
> Subject: Re: Kingwood nighthawks and other
> To: WV-BIRD AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG
> 
> To take this one step further, I'd like to suggest that nighthawk observers 
submit any observations (by sight or sound) to the WV Breeding Bird Atlas 
project, since this project will be ongoing for approximately the same time 
period that Gary has outlined. The safe dates for common nighthawk are 
narrow--June 5 to July 15--but any breeding evidence even outside of those 
dates will count. You can access and become familiar with the WV BBA project 
here: http://martes.dnr.state.wv.us/BreedingBirdsAtlas/default.aspx 

> 
> It is interesting to watch the nighthawk numbers fluctuate from year to year 
during migration. One confounding aspect to this however is that, unlike 
raptors which follow the same geographic and geologic landscape elements year 
after year, nighthawks will follow a ready food source. As such, any change in 
pasture land and agricultural field usage from year to year will influence the 
path of the migration. One year may be exceptional in a certain locale, but 
then quite uneventful the next year. The data generated from actual records 
during their breeding season (via the WV BBA) will provide wildlife agencies 
with a much more useful picture of what can be done within the state for 
conservation purposes. 

> 
> Michael Welch
> Randolph County
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> > Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:13:20 +0000
> > From: gljeinwv AT JUNO.COM
> > Subject: Kingwood nighthawks and other
> > To: WV-BIRD AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG
> > 
> > To friends, birding companions and nighthawk observers:
> > 
> > 11 Common Nighthawks this evening. I'd like to suggest to all nighthawk 
observers that we keep detailed reports over the next 5 years and see what the 
numbers look like over the 5-year period. 

> > 
> > In additon, just a few Wood and Swainson's Thrush pre-dawn, one 
Rose-breasted Grosbeak and very few warblers (a couple each Magnolia and Cape 
May). 

> > 
> > For anyone interested in leps. I observed 22 species of butterflies around 
the yard yesterday. 

> > 
> > Gary Felton 
> > ____________________________________________________________
> > 1 Tip for Losing Weight
> > Cut down 2 lbs per week by using this 1 weird old tip
> > http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4c7af7d016238934e43st06vuc
> 
 		 	   		  
Subject: Re: Kingwood nighthawks and other
From: michael welch <winterfinch AT HOTMAIL.COM>
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:32:36 -0600
To take this one step further, I'd like to suggest that nighthawk observers 
submit any observations (by sight or sound) to the WV Breeding Bird Atlas 
project, since this project will be ongoing for approximately the same time 
period that Gary has outlined. The safe dates for common nighthawk are 
narrow--June 5 to July 15--but any breeding evidence even outside of those 
dates will count. You can access and become familiar with the WV BBA project 
here: http://martes.dnr.state.wv.us/BreedingBirdsAtlas/default.aspx 

 
It is interesting to watch the nighthawk numbers fluctuate from year to year 
during migration. One confounding aspect to this however is that, unlike 
raptors which follow the same geographic and geologic landscape elements year 
after year, nighthawks will follow a ready food source. As such, any change in 
pasture land and agricultural field usage from year to year will influence the 
path of the migration. One year may be exceptional in a certain locale, but 
then quite uneventful the next year. The data generated from actual records 
during their breeding season (via the WV BBA) will provide wildlife agencies 
with a much more useful picture of what can be done within the state for 
conservation purposes. 

 
Michael Welch
Randolph County



 


 

> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:13:20 +0000
> From: gljeinwv AT JUNO.COM
> Subject: Kingwood nighthawks and other
> To: WV-BIRD AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG
> 
> To friends, birding companions and nighthawk observers:
> 
> 11 Common Nighthawks this evening. I'd like to suggest to all nighthawk 
observers that we keep detailed reports over the next 5 years and see what the 
numbers look like over the 5-year period. 

> 
> In additon, just a few Wood and Swainson's Thrush pre-dawn, one Rose-breasted 
Grosbeak and very few warblers (a couple each Magnolia and Cape May). 

> 
> For anyone interested in leps. I observed 22 species of butterflies around 
the yard yesterday. 

> 
> Gary Felton 
> ____________________________________________________________
> 1 Tip for Losing Weight
> Cut down 2 lbs per week by using this 1 weird old tip
> http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4c7af7d016238934e43st06vuc
 		 	   		  
Subject: Red-breasted nuthatch; yard birds; etc.
From: "Rankin, Gary" <rankin AT MARSHALL.EDU>
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:49:57 -0400
Seeing Cindy Ellis' post about the red-breasted nuthatch reminded me that I was 
visiting a rose garden near Moundsville, WV this weekend and found a 
red-breasted nuthatch in pine trees near the garden. It was the first one that 
I have found this year in WV. Driving back home, we drove through Ohio and 
stopped at Cambridge, OH for gas. Two immature (one a second year) Bald Eagles 
circling over were a nice surprise. 


We also had a white-eyed vireo in our crab apple tree in the front yard this 
morning. Martin numbers have dropped over the last week and I haven't seen any 
nighthawks yet. We had lots last year. 


Gary Rankin
Wayne Co.
Lavalette, WV

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: Red-breasted Nuthatch
From: "Cynthia D. Ellis" <cdellis AT WILDBLUE.NET>
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:25:04 -0400
Saw 2 Red-breasted Nuthatches in Virginia Pine this morning!

Also saw 1 Tree Swallow today; one Purple Martin yesterday.
Eastern Kingbirds remain active and vocal here.  One was making
flycatching-like dives into the Wild Cherry for a berry breakfast.
Two Whip-poor-wills called before sunrise.

~Cindy Ellis, Putnam County
-- 
Cynthia D. Ellis
RR 1  Box 163
Red House, WV 25168
304 586-4135
cdellis AT wildblue.net

“Modern man does not experience himself as a part of nature but as an
outside force destined to dominate and conquer it.  He even talks of a
battle with nature, forgetting that, if he won the battle he would find
himself on the losing side.”
 ~E.F. Schumacher
Subject: nighthawks
From: Donna Mitchell or Bill Roody <mitchell_roody AT HOTMAIL.COM>
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:17:54 +0000
After Saturday nights big nighthawk evening I was expecting much the same. 
However, my grand total was 6, flying from west to east at 5:40 north of 
Belington, Barbour County. 


Donna Mitchell
Barbour County
 		 	   		  
Subject: Lots of Nighthawks
From: Sandra Farkas <sandralfarkas2 AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 23:17:56 -0400
Hello All,



While driving from Canaan Valley towards Seneca Rocks this evening I spotted
many nighthawks flitting about.  I started noticing them from the Tucker -
Pendleton county line and again driving toward Seneca Rocks.  This was about
7:30 or so.



Sandy Farkas

Springfield., VA
Subject: Nighthawks
From: richardkazmierski Kazmierski <richardkazmierski AT MSN.COM>
Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 18:44:39 -0700
Hi All,
Kind of humid out here tonight with clear skies. These are totals for yesterday 
evening and this evening. Both evenings watched the sky from 6:30 to 8:30. For 
yesterday 1 group of 11 and single birds after that with only a total of 16. 
This evening a group of 9 coming from the South and going North, the rest 
heading East with a total of 24. Lots of Chimney Swifts this evening. 

 
Forgot to mention, Thursday and Friday had 1 Green Heron flying down the street 
heading for the pond and Saturday 2 heading for the pond. Like clock work, at 
8:25 2 bats flying close by, means it is time for me to go in. 

 
Kim Kazmierski
Hurricane, WV
Putnam County 		 	   		  
Subject: Kingwood nighthawks and other
From: "gljeinwv AT juno.com" <gljeinwv@JUNO.COM>
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:13:20 GMT
To friends, birding companions and nighthawk observers:

11 Common Nighthawks this evening. I'd like to suggest to all nighthawk 
observers that we keep detailed reports over the next 5 years and see what the 
numbers look like over the 5-year period. 


In additon, just a few Wood and Swainson's Thrush pre-dawn, one Rose-breasted 
Grosbeak and very few warblers (a couple each Magnolia and Cape May). 


For anyone interested in leps. I observed 22 species of butterflies around the 
yard yesterday. 


Gary Felton 
____________________________________________________________
1 Tip for Losing Weight
Cut down 2 lbs per week by using this 1 weird old tip
http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4c7af7d016238934e43st06vuc
Subject: New River white ibis
From: Allen Waldron <awaldron AT SUDDENLINK.NET>
Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 18:12:44 -0400
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 9.0.851 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3100 - Release Date: 08/29/10 
02:34:00 
Subject: Whip-poor-wills
From: Kevin Cade <dmgraphics AT DAILYMAIL.COM>
Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 15:58:47 -0400
Speaking of whip-poor-wills, I heard one sing this morning around 6 a.m. 
for about five minutes. Earlier in the year, one was singing fairly 
regularly in the evenings, but it has been silent for several weeks.

Kevin Cade
Hurricane Creek Road
Putnam County
Subject: Pied-billed Grebe, Osprey in Barbour County
From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM>
Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 10:49:19 -0700
This morning I went down to Pleasant Creek Wildlife
Management Area in Barbour County, hoping for a
few new shorebirds.

Only 5 Killdeer, 1 Spotted Sandpiper, 1 Solitary Sandpiper,
and 1 Least Sandpiper were seen. Water levels were
higher than my last visit about 3 weeks ago, and it's later
in shorebird migration, so that may explain the lack of
shorebirds.

I was delighted to see one of my favorite birds--a PIED-
BILLED GREBE in the wetlands west of Route 250. This bird
I'm calling an immature bird--it no longer had zebra-
striping on its head, but the head feathers appeared
short and spiky, giving it a punk look. A rather early
bird, though one was reported by Lavinia Schoene on
Aug. 17 at Capon Bridge in the Eastern Panhandle and
eBird has records in mid-July and about the third week of
August. I expect some long-time WV birders also have
earlier sightings, which I'd be interested to hear about.

As I was standing near the railroad trestle, I saw an OSPREY
winging its way southward. It appeared to be descending
toward the wetlands across Route 250. A half-hour later,
after getting back to my car, I went over to the wetlands
to see if it had in fact come down, and there it was--an adult
perched on a dead tree preening a bit and looking around.
The Grebe wasn't too far away out in the middle of the water,
but the Osprey didn't seem interested. I suspect the bird
was migrating and just pausing to rest. I had seen one
there back in April, which was probably headed north.

Other highlights:
Great Blue Heron--2
Green Heron--2
Black-billed Cuckoo--1, eating, you guessed it, a caterpillar
Ruby-throated Hummingbird--9. Good thing I got a haircut
last week, since a couple buzzed me very closely!
Belted Kingfisher--2
Great Crested Flycatcher--2. Hadn't seen any of these for
about 2 months.
White-eyed Vireo--10, most singing
Common Raven--2, resident birds that hang around the
railroad trestle. Some weird vocalizing going on today.
Might have been a young bird.
Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher--1
House Wren--2, including 1 probable juvenile with quite a
short tail. Both scolding me like crazy.
Brown Thrasher--2
Cedar Waxwing--40
Chestnut-sided Warbler--1
Magnolia Warbler--2
Black-throated Green Warbler--2
Prairie Warbler--3
American Redstart--1
Common Yellowthroat--5
Hooded Warbler--1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak--1
Indigo Bunting--18

Terry Bronson
Morgantown, WV 



Subject: nighthawk bonaza
From: Donna Mitchell or Bill Roody <mitchell_roody AT HOTMAIL.COM>
Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 11:44:43 +0000
Between 6:45 and 7:00 last evening, an estimated 580 nighthawks flew due west 
from the direction of Laural Mountain about 5 miles north of Belington. About 
10 minutes later there were approximately 180 foraging over the active pastures 
around my house. There were more coming from the east but since the first wave 
was circling back, I couldn't tell if there were more birds or the same ones 
that I already counted. By 7:15, there were only a few in sight and by 7:30 
there were none. Although I had been looking for them earlier in the evening, 
they could have begun their flight 10 minutes or so previous to my first 
observing them. 

Thanks to Cindy Ellis for giving the peak flight dates in past years. I'll be 
looking for them tonight as well. 


Donna Mitchell
Barbour County
Belington, WV
 		 	   		  
Subject: Whip-poor-will and warblers at Dolly Sods
From: Derek Courtney <derek.dana.courtney AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 00:03:14 -0400
Hi all,

     Buoyed by the Myers' report of Whip-poor-will recently and hearing
from AFMO banders of quasi-regular vocalizations, I decided to spend the
afternoon/evening in the high country. I birded for migrants along FR 19 and
75 during the afternoon. Good numbers of fall warblers were seen. Pine, Cape
May, Blackpoll, BT Green, BT Blue, Chestnut-sided, Black and white, Magnolia
were the species seen. Didn't see either Philadelphia Vireo or Olive-sided
Flycatcher. Good numbers of Red-breasted nuthatches though. By the time
darkness was setting in, I was eating my convenience store dinner on a rock
along the side of FR75 maybe a half mile away from Red Creek Campground.
Didn't want to get too close lest the noise from those all-night AFMO bander
parties drown out my whip-poor-will :) Lots of waiting, then around 8:40 a
whip vocalized twice then evidently moved to the opposite side of FR75 and
vocalized once more. I waited another half-hour  or so, but nothing else
came of it. Probably due to the time of year, but it certainly wasn't as
spirited as the Chuck-will's-widow, who put on quite a show for observers
earlier in the year near Ripley. Still, definitely a cool experience. Many
thanks to the Myers for their post.
     I have driven the back roads of Preston, Taylor, and Mon Counties in
places I thought promising but have never seen or heard a whip. I know the
Brooks Bird Club had killer looks at one during the foray at Terra Alta. And
I am told they are, at least, a fairly easy bird to hear during the breeding
season, but I haven't seen much posted to the listserv in terms of
sightings. So, if anybody has some good spots for them for next year's
season, I would appreciate receiving the advice, even off list.
     Also, in a belated report for earlier in the week, on Thursday I birded
the Ohio River Valley from Green Bottom up to Point Pleasant. Highlights
were a lingering Summer Tanager at the beginning of the boardwalk at Green
Bottom, the continuing Least Bittern off the observation platform there, and
the juvenile Baird's Sandpipers at RCB. Other shorebirds seen along the
route were Least, Semipalmated, Pectoral, Solitary and Spotted Sandpipers
along with 1 Semipalmated Plover and the ubiquitous Killdeer.
     The Whip-poor-will was WV#240 for the year. Hope everyone is enjoying
fall migration thus far and anticipating what's still to come. Best to you
all.

Good birding,
Derek
Subject: whip poor will
From: "Cynthia D. Ellis" <cdellis AT WILDBLUE.NET>
Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 21:47:52 -0400
Not a peak Nighthawk evening...one seen.
But did begin the day with 2 Whip-poor-wills at 6:25; that was nice.

~Cindy Ellis, Putnam County

-- 
Cynthia D. Ellis
RR 1  Box 163
Red House, WV 25168
304 586-4135
cdellis AT wildblue.net

“Modern man does not experience himself as a part of nature but as an
outside force destined to dominate and conquer it.  He even talks of a
battle with nature, forgetting that, if he won the battle he would find
himself on the losing side.”
 ~E.F. Schumacher
Subject: yard-warblers
From: "gljeinwv AT juno.com" <gljeinwv@JUNO.COM>
Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 01:07:34 GMT
To friends and birding companions:


Yard-warblers at Kingwood this morning; Blue-winged, Blackburnian (3), 
Black-throated Green, Blackpoll, Cape May, Magnolia and American Redstart. 


Other notables; Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Acadian Flycatcher

Gary Felton  
____________________________________________________________
1 Tip for Losing Weight
Cut down 2 lbs per week by using this 1 weird old tip
http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4c79b30e21f949191d3st04vuc
Subject: Nocturnal Thrushes + Sleepy Creek WMA
From: Matt Orsie <wvbirder AT COMCAST.NET>
Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 18:13:13 -0400
All,
   I got up pre-sunrise and heard a handful of Veery coming down
from a night of migration. I always look forward to the fall thrush
migration. Peak of Veery migration (about now for here)  is followed
by Wood Thrush and Swainson's Warbler around mid-September.
Then, Gray-cheeked Thrush peaks around the third week of September
closely followed by Hermit Thrush.

A few years back I was fortunate to record what I believe to be a
Bicknell's Thrush at my house. This occurred at 4:51am on 9-25-2005.
You can listen to that particular call at:  http://wvbirder.org/noc.htm
You can compare the Gray-cheeked call to the presumed Bicknell's.


In other news I met up with Bob and Robin Dean to bird Sleepy Creek
WMA this morning. We manged to find 22 warblers comprised of
10 species. The other highlight was a Red-breasted Nuthatch which is
the first I've recorded in the eastern panhandle in August.

Warblers:
  Nashville              1
  Magnolia               7
  Black-throated Blue    1
  Black-throated Green   1
  Blackburnian           2
  Pine                   4
  Black-and-white        5
  American Redstart      1
  Worm-eating            1
  Ovenbird               1

Good Birding,
 Matt Orsie
 Summit Point, WV
Subject: Lots of Killdeer& a few peeps- Jefferson County
From: Carol Del-Colle <WVnaturalist AT COMCAST.NET>
Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 18:02:32 +0000
Greetings to all, 

   After voting in the primary today at Washington High School(around 
11:00), I stopped by the school's retention pond on the way out.  I counted 
23 Killdeer and about 6 sandpipers, think they were Least, but didn't have my 
scope and wasn't certain.  There is still a good amount of water in the pond 
and lots of mud flat area. 


   At home this morning, I had over 30 Robins in the yard and trees.  

                   Happy birding, 

                      Carol Del-Colle 

                      Summit Point 

                      Jefferson County
Subject: peak nighthawks
From: "Cynthia D. Ellis" <cdellis AT WILDBLUE.NET>
Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 12:55:28 -0400
Looking at my slim stash of records shows that, for this location, this
weekend could be peak Common Nighthawk activity time.  Peak dates,  in
order, have been 8/29, 8/31, and 8/30.
Hope that, if you want, you see one/some!                             ~Cindy
Ellis

-- 
Cynthia D. Ellis
RR 1  Box 163
Red House, WV 25168
304 586-4135
cdellis AT wildblue.net

“Modern man does not experience himself as a part of nature but as an
outside force destined to dominate and conquer it.  He even talks of a
battle with nature, forgetting that, if he won the battle he would find
himself on the losing side.”
 ~E.F. Schumacher
Subject: Nighthawks
From: sharon kearns <skwalks AT FRONTIERNET.NET>
Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 12:10:28 -0400
Hi all! My husband is down in Pocahontas Co, Hillsboro, and called to report he 
saw over 100 NightHawks flying over the farm last evening Aug 28 (he said too 
many to count after that) as well as Swallow sp and over 50 Flycatchers, didn't 
know what kind. These birds were accompanied by many swarming insects, probably 
the reason for the numbers of birds. I had asked him to look for them as we 
missed seeing any the last couple of years. He has been looking all week and 
last night was the first he had seen them. i wish I was there!!!! 


Sharon Kearns presently in Leesburg, Va
Subject: white ibis returns
From: Jim & Judy Phillips <cne01663 AT MAIL.WVNET.EDU>
Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 11:55:09 -0400
We watched the white ibis this morning from 1030-1100. It was visible from 
Bellepoint Park at the base of Bluestone Dam and still in the company of a 
great egret. 

Jim & Judy Phillips
Summers County
Pipestem, WV
Subject: Nighthawks
From: Herb & Sarah Myers <hesemyers AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 11:50:17 -0400
Last evening we were having dinner outdoors with family in Philippi (Barbour
County). We were treated to approximately 50 Common Nighthawks flying over
in the course of our meal. They varied from a group of 15-20 to smaller
clusters as small as two. This was a real treat. Most were heading south
though a few were heading other directions. On our way home there were many
Chimney Swifts flying over Philippi. Herb Myers, Harman, Randolph County
Subject: Lone Nighthawk
From: jeff del col <delcol.jeff AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 09:27:59 -0400
Last evening at 8 o'clock I saw a lone Nighthawk over my house. It was the
first Nighthawk I've seen in years.

Jeff Del Col
Philippi
Subject: Re: nighthawks
From: "gljeinwv AT juno.com" <gljeinwv@JUNO.COM>
Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 12:14:57 GMT
Cindy,

          I had one nighthawk at Kingwood yesterday evening.

Gary Felton 

---------- Original Message ----------
From: "Cynthia D. Ellis" 
To: WV-BIRD AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG
Subject: nighthawks
Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 22:34:31 -0400

Eleven seen tonight.
Although there are variables, here are my yearly totals 8/20~9/11,
2003-2009:
436, 436, 295, 656, 120, 173, 153.
Best night was 8/29/06---466 birds.                             ~Cindy
Ellis, Putnam County

-- 
Cynthia D. Ellis
RR 1  Box 163
Red House, WV 25168
304 586-4135
cdellis AT wildblue.net


"It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the
environment." ~Ansel Adams
**
____________________________________________________________
2010 Credit Scores
Click to View Your 2010 Credit Scores Now! All 3 Scores FREE !
http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4c78fdffe721e966de2st02vuc
Subject: nighthawks
From: "Cynthia D. Ellis" <cdellis AT WILDBLUE.NET>
Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 22:34:31 -0400
Eleven seen tonight.
Although there are variables, here are my yearly totals 8/20~9/11,
2003-2009:
436, 436, 295, 656, 120, 173, 153.
Best night was 8/29/06---466 birds.                             ~Cindy
Ellis, Putnam County

-- 
Cynthia D. Ellis
RR 1  Box 163
Red House, WV 25168
304 586-4135
cdellis AT wildblue.net


"It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the
environment." ~Ansel Adams
**
Subject: Greenbrier County Great Egrets
From: Wade Snyder <dry_fly_fisherman1 AT HOTMAIL.COM>
Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 22:12:39 -0400
Spotted (and photographed) two Great Egrets this afternoon in Howard's Creek, 
Greenbrier County just off Route 60 East coming out of Caldwell. Thanks to Jim 
Phillips with assistance in proper identification descriptions (new birds for 
me). 

 
N. Wade Snyder
Daniels, WV 
 
email: dry_fly_fisherman1 AT hotmail.com


 		 	   		  
Subject: Green-winged Teals, Great Egrets at Prickett's Fort
From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM>
Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 11:49:28 -0700
Those 2 species were the undisputed highlights of my morning
today at Prickett's Fort State Park in Marion County.

Both were in the often-mud-flat area near the boat ramp, though
that area is mostly vegetation-covered right now.

This seems awfully early for Green-winged Teal, since migrant
ducks shouldn't be arriving until later this fall. But it was delightful
to see this little duck--second or third smallest in North America.
Only Buffleheads and the vagrant Masked Duck are smaller.

A fisherman told me that an Egret has been there "all the time"
recently. A passing bicyclist on the rail trail told me that what he
called a Cattle Egret had been hanging out about 1.5 miles north.
I started to hoof it up the trail to investigate, but only got 0.25
mile before seeing a white dot in the river, which turned out to
be the Great Egret that I had seen flying past me about 10 minutes
earlier. Returning to the park, I confirmed there was still an Egret
there, so that made 2 birds. A Cattle Egret would be extremely
unlikely in any event along the riverside, since it is a field bird.

Neither the Egret nor the Teal have been reported yet to the WV
Breeding Bird Atlas update now in progress. In the first Atlas,
no Egrets were reported, but 1 Teal was reported in the Keyser
area of the Eastern Panhandle. Both are basically spring and
fall migrants.

I managed to find 45 species this morning, with about 20 being
found in the first hour near the white house along the road to
the Superintendent's residence.

Highlights:
Canada Goose--103
Wood Duck--16
Mallard--180
Green-winged Teal--2
Great Blue Heron--1
Great Egret--2
Green Heron--4
Broad-winged Hawk--1
Killdeer--21, all roosting in the area where the Teals were
Other shorebirds--zero
Yellow-billed Cuckoo--1
Eastern Kingbird--2
White-eyed Vireo--4, 2 of which looked like juveniles
Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher--1
Eastern Bluebird--4, including 2 juveniles
Cedar Waxwing--18, including 3 juveniles
American Redstart--1, only Warbler seen or heard
Rose-breasted Grosbeak--1
Baltimore Oriole--4

 Terry Bronson
Morgantown, WV 



Subject: Re: nighthawks
From: "gljeinwv AT juno.com" <gljeinwv@JUNO.COM>
Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:30:18 GMT
To those who have been seeing and or, reporting Common Nighthawks:

We've been at our current residence for 11 years and I've made it a point of 
watching for Common Nighthawks 

every evening that I can, from the third week of August and up through early 
October. In those 11 years, there 

has been a consistent down-wards trend in the number of nighthawks I see, with 
fewer nighthawks every year. 

So far this year, I've seen none. There has been somewhat of a debate in 
regards to whether Common Nighthawks 

are in decline, but the general consensus across NA, reflects what Partners in 
Flight reports, Common Nighthawks 

are in steep decline.    
http://www.savingoursharedbirds.org/loss-of-abundance. Based on what I've seen 
in the past 11 years, there is 

no doubt that is the case.

If anyone has it, you may want to read the section on Common Nighthawks in 
Hall's, "Birds of WV". 

Some of the accounts from years ago are astounding.

Gary Felton - Kingwood






---------- Original Message ----------
From: Donna Mitchell or Bill Roody 
To: WV-BIRD AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG
Subject: nighthawks
Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:20:52 +0000

On my way home from a long work field day Tuesday evening around 7:30, starting 
in Belington (Barbour County) and heading north on 92, I started seeing a few 
nighthawks in the fields. When I got home 5 miles north of Belington, there 
were 30 to 35 nighthawks foraging in the active pastures around my house. 
Looking above them were about 12 chimney swifts, looking below the nighthawks 
were monarchs and lots of dragonflies. 15 minutes later all were gone but 2 
nighthawks. Last evening there were none. 


Donna Mitchell
Belington, WV
    
____________________________________________________________
Obama Urges Homeowners to Refinance
If you owe under $729k you probably qualify for Obama's Refi Program
http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4c77e84d1bd0f94a039st02vuc
Subject: Humminbird Peak and other activity
From: "Rankin, Gary" <rankin AT MARSHALL.EDU>
Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 09:45:57 -0400
After a frenzy of RT hummingbird activity at the feeders last week, things have 
slowed down considerably. Looks like the are on their way south. 


While the hummers are leaving, an Eastern Screech-owl and a Yellow-billed 
Cuckoo have been more evident calling at night (full moon effect?) and 
Yellow-throated Vireos have been more evident calling during the day around the 
neighborhood. 


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: RFI; Brooks trip to Oregon/California
From: "gljeinwv AT juno.com" <gljeinwv@JUNO.COM>
Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 13:02:05 GMT
To any WV-bird subscribers, who may have been on the Brooks-sponsored, 
Oregon/Ca. trip, how did it go? Do you happen to have 

a list of birds encountered?


Gary Felton - Kingwood
____________________________________________________________
Obama Urges Homeowners to Refinance
If you owe under $729k you probably qualify for Obama's Refi Program
http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4c77b79162a298dd030st06vuc
Subject: nighthawks
From: Donna Mitchell or Bill Roody <mitchell_roody AT HOTMAIL.COM>
Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:20:52 +0000
On my way home from a long work field day Tuesday evening around 7:30, starting 
in Belington (Barbour County) and heading north on 92, I started seeing a few 
nighthawks in the fields. When I got home 5 miles north of Belington, there 
were 30 to 35 nighthawks foraging in the active pastures around my house. 
Looking above them were about 12 chimney swifts, looking below the nighthawks 
were monarchs and lots of dragonflies. 15 minutes later all were gone but 2 
nighthawks. Last evening there were none. 


Donna Mitchell
Belington, WV
 		 	   		  
Subject: Hilton Pond 08/22/10 (Front Yards & Sourwoods)
From: "Bill Hilton Jr. (RESEARCH)" <research AT HILTONPOND.ORG>
Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 07:57:08 -0400
"This Week at Hilton Pond" we explore our small front yard at the Center, 
finding and photographing a diverse assemblage of flora and fauna from 
predatory insects to immature hummingbirds to unexpected orchids. For a photo 
essay about these organisms that could be hanging out in your own front yard in 
West Virginia, please see our installment for 22-26 August 2010 at 
http://www.hiltonpond.org/ThisWeek100822.html . We also pose a question about 
the importance of Sourwood trees as a hummingbird nectar source. 


This edition includes the exiting first announcement of how YOU--thanks to the 
amazing generosity of an alumnus from past Operation RubyThroat 
expeditions--can go with us for FREE next winter to Costa Rica. If you've 
always wanted to study hummingbirds in the warm, sunny Neotropics when winter 
weather is at its worst in North America, here's your big chance to receive one 
of TWO $1,799 trip scholarships while supporting Hilton Pond Center's 
education, research, and conservation endeavors. 


Don't forget to scroll down for a list of birds banded at Hilton Pond during 
the most recent period, as well as a couple of miscellaneous nature notes. 


Happy Nature Watching!

BILL

=========

RESEARCH PROGRAM
c/o BILL HILTON JR. Executive Director
Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History
1432 DeVinney Road, York, South Carolina 29745 USA
office & cell (803) 684-5852
fax (803) 684-0255

Please visit our web sites (courtesy of Comporium.net):
Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History at http://www.hiltonpond.org 
"Operation RubyThroat: The Hummingbird Project" at http://www.rubythroat.org

==================
Subject: Wild turkeys
From: Jean Neely <jeaneely AT COMCAST.NET>
Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 06:44:00 -0400
Good morning, All:
Yesterday at about 7 a.m. I was driving past a neighbor¹s house when I
spotted about a dozen turkeys strolling around his front lawn.  An oak tree
had started to drop acorns and they were scarfing them up.
For some reason, turkeys have been scarce here, but this is my second
sighting in two weeks.

Also, enroute to my appointment, a young (I should think) cooper¹s hawk
dived at a group of crows on the ground‹missing badly.  S/he sat there
looking a bit stunned as I drove by.

Jean Neely
Near Shepherdstown, Jefferson Co.
Subject: Nighthawks
From: richardkazmierski Kazmierski <richardkazmierski AT MSN.COM>
Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:55:04 -0700
Just 7 Nighthawks tonight, 3 in one group flying high and 4 in another group 
just barely clearing the roof top. Groups were about an hour apart. 

 
Kim Kazmierski
Hurricane, WV
Putnam County 		 	   		  
Subject: nighthawks
From: "Cynthia D. Ellis" <cdellis AT WILDBLUE.NET>
Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 22:06:03 -0400
23 Nighthawks noted, in 2 groups, about 6:30.

Goldfinches are eating crushed baked egg shells that are tossed on a small
gravel pile.

Two pairs of Song Sparrows are feeding nestlings.
~Cindy Ellis, Putnam County

-- 
Cynthia D. Ellis
RR 1  Box 163
Red House, WV 25168
304 586-4135
cdellis AT wildblue.net


"It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the
environment." ~Ansel Adams
**
Subject: Dolly Sods
From: Herb & Sarah Myers <hesemyers AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 19:31:25 -0400
We just returned from two days and one night camping on Dolly Sods. We heard
or saw the following:

                Turkey Vulture  

Great-horned Owl (heard)

                Whip-poor-will (heard)

                Eastern Phoebe

                Blue-headed Vireo

                Blue Jay (heard)

                American Crow

                Common Raven (heard)

                Black-capped Chickadee

                Red-breasted Nuthatch (heard)

                Winter Wren (heard)

                Golden-crowned Kinglet

                Hermit Thrush

                American Robin

                Cedar Waxwing

                Magnolia Warbler (fall immature)

                Black-throated Green Warbler

                Common Yellowthroat

                Eastern Towhee

                Dark-eyed Junco

                American Goldfinch

 

We attended the Allegheny Front Migration Observatory and saw the following
banded:

                Eastern Wood-Pewee

                Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

Swainsen’s Thrush

Tennessee Warbler

Chestnut-sided Warbler

                Magnolia Warbler

                Cape May Warbler

                Black-throated Blue Warbler

                Black-throated Green Warbler

                Blackburnian Warbler

                Bay-breasted Warbler

                Black-and-white Warbler

                American Redstart

                Ovenbird

                Common Yellowthroat

                Hooded Warbler

                Canada Warbler

                Scarlet Tanager

 

It was a good time and we came home with 1 ¼  gallons of huckleberries.

 

Herb Myers

Harman, Randolph County
Subject: Brown Thrasher, Hummingbirds, Robins- yard birds
From: Carol Del-Colle <WVnaturalist AT COMCAST.NET>
Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 21:51:56 +0000
Greetings on this beautiful day. 

    This morning(Thursday) I was very pleased to see a Brown Thrasher come 
to our pond.  I really haven't seen any around the yard since the beginning 
of the season when they were just getting back into the area.  Since then, 
they have made themselves rather scarce or have been here when I wasn't 
watching. 


     There has been an increase in the Robin activity, with several small 
flocks flying over (in a southern direction) and about a dozen 
individuals(immatures and adults) in and around the yard.  Also the 
Ruby-throated Hummers are quite active, and at times, I think I am going to be 
bombarded by them as they go zooming by chasing one another away from the 
feeders.  I've been having a couple of females, several juvenile males and at 
least one adult male.  I would say that there are 6 or 7 of them partaking of 
the sugar-water and providing me with a lot of avian entertainment. They seem 
to be enjoying this wonderful weather as much as I am. 


     Happy birding, 

          Carol Del-Colle 

          Summit Point 

          Jefferson County 

            
Subject: Baird's Sandpiper
From: Mike Griffith <birdonawire47 AT HOTMAIL.COM>
Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:23:10 -0400
Shorebird bonanza! (I'm kinda new at this. Is there a sarcasm button on 
this dang keyboard?)

This afternoon, at the Apple Grove Fish Hatchery (Mason Co.), there were 
the following shorebirds:

Baird's Sandpiper - 2 (juvenile)
Spotted Sandpiper - 3

Mike Griffith
Huntington
Subject: Red-breasted Nuthatch-Jefferson County
From: Nancy Kirschbaum <nancyk500 AT COMCAST.NET>
Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:56:13 -0400
A Red-breasted Nuthatch visited our feeder in Jefferson County this  
afternoon.
-- 
Nancy Kirschbaum
Shepherdstown, WV
nancyk500 at comcast dot net
Subject: Mini migrant fallout and shrub-birding in north Preston County
From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM>
Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:20:04 -0700
I decided to do some shrub-birding today in the area of
Preston County west of Valley Point on Route 26 and
south of I-68 to see what might be around.

I covered parts of Planeing Mill Road, Beech Run Road, and
Harmony Grove Road. The first two have significant areas
of overgrown fields and reclaimed mines with many shrubs,
as does the communications antenna site along Harmony
Grove Road.

Shrub-birding highlights were as follows:
Turkey Vulture--15 (antenna site)
White-eyed Vireo--2, including 1 juvenile (Planeing Mill Rd.)
Cedar Waxwing--10 (Planeing Mill Rd.)
Prairie Warbler--1 (Planeing Mill Rd.), 1 (antenna site)
Grasshopper Sparrow--1 juvenile (Beech Run Road)
Eastern Meadowlark--3 (Beech Run Road)

Totals:
Planeing Mill Road--20 species in 2 hours
Beech Run Road--4 species in 40 minutes
Antenna site--7 species in 35 minutes

Along Harmony Grove Road north of the antenna site at
the large farm:
Canada Goose--44
Barn Swallow--60
Savannah Sparrow--2

But the real highlight of the day was the mini migrant fallout
along Harmony Grove Road in the wooded section between
Beech Run Road and the antenna site from 12:05 to 12:40.
Not all of these were migrants, of course:

Ruby-throated Hummingbird--1
Downy Woodpecker--2
Blue-headed Vireo--1
Red-eyed Vireo--2
Black-capped Chickadee--2
Tufted Titmouse--2
White-breasted Nuthatch--1
Magnolia Warbler--2
Black-throated Green Warbler--2
Black-and-White Warbler--1
American Redstart--1
Hooded Warbler--2
Scarlet Tanager--1
Eastern Towhee--1
Chipping Sparrow--1
Indigo Bunting--1

I'm pretty sure there were a few more birds that I couldn't get on.


Terry Bronson
Morgantown, WV 



Subject: White Ibis - not seen
From: Deborah Beutler <Deborah.Beutler AT MAIL.WVU.EDU>
Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 22:56:28 -0400
Spent two hours below Bluestone Dam with Mike Griffith and Dave Patick and 
didn't see the ibis. We searched the Greenbrier River for a short distance and 
the New River down to the bridge and and a short distance up the River Road but 
no luck. We saw many Great Egrets, Great Blue Herons, Cedar Waxwings, and brown 
ducks (mostly Mallards and Wood Ducks). An Osprey flew down the Greenbrier to 
the confluence with the New River. But no ibis. 


Deb



Deborah K. Beutler, Ph.D.
Department of Biology
WVU Tech
Montgomery, Fayette Co., WV
Subject: nighthawks
From: "Cynthia D. Ellis" <cdellis AT WILDBLUE.NET>
Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 21:16:37 -0400
16 Nighthawks...a group of 15 over a ridge at 6:45 and then one overhead at
8:10.

Hummingbird numbers dropped sharply Monday; now have 2/3 fewer.

Heard a Blue Jay make a weird vocalization nearly like a  Broad-winged Hawk.

~Cindy Ellis, Putnam County

-- 
Cynthia D. Ellis
RR 1  Box 163
Red House, WV 25168
304 586-4135
cdellis AT wildblue.net


"It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the
environment." ~Ansel Adams
**
Subject: Nighthawks
From: richardkazmierski Kazmierski <richardkazmierski AT MSN.COM>
Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:07:31 -0700
Nighthawk migration, it's that time of the year. This is when I get most of my 
yard work done while watching for Nighthawks. This evening while picking Basil 
leaves off of the stem to make some pesto, I saw 7 Nighthawks heading east. 
These are the first I've seen for this year's migration. There was 1 single one 
and then a group of 6. 

 
Kim Kazmierski
Hurricane, WV
Putnam County
 
  		 	   		  
Subject: Western Monongalia County
From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM>
Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:48:03 -0700
I hadn't been out to the western end of Monongalia County
for several weeks, so I spent a few hours this morning to
see what might have shown up.

Nothing new, as expected, but a few notable birds:

Great Blue Heron--1 at a pond along Miracle Run Road.
I've seen one there from time to time. Perhaps from the
Blacksville rookery, which I understand is in PA.

Belted Kingfisher--1 along Sugar Grove Road, 1 heard
along Miracle Run Road

Yellow-billed Cuckoo--1 heard where Miracle Run Road
meets Simon Haught Road

Pileated Woodpecker--2 along Miracle Run Road near
the coal mine, 1 interesting male along Lawless Road
behind Morgantown Mall. The latter had a moustache
that was maybe half black and half red. Definitely a
male, and I'm surmising a young bird just molting into
its first adult plumage.

Indigo Bunting--1 molting male along Lawless Road. Half
blue and half grayish. Perhaps another youngster.

Baltimore Oriole--1 adult male. I've seen 2 in the last week
after a long gap. Going to be heading south very soon.

 Terry Bronson
Morgantown, WV 



Subject: Fw: Hanging Rock Tower (22 Aug 2010) 2 Raptors
From: Jim & Judy Phillips <cne01663 AT MAIL.WVNET.EDU>
Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 21:57:21 -0400
----- Original Message ----- 
From: reports AT hawkcount.org 
To: cne01663 AT mail.wvnet.edu 
Sent: Monday, August 23, 2010 8:08 PM
Subject: HSR: Hanging Rock Tower (22 Aug 2010) 2 Raptors


Hanging Rock Tower
Waiteville, West Virginia, USA

      Daily Raptor Counts: Aug 22, 2010 
      Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total 
      Black Vulture 0 0 0 
      Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 
      Osprey 0 0 0 
      Bald Eagle 1 1 1 
      Northern Harrier 0 0 0 
      Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 1 1 
      Cooper's Hawk 0 0 0 
      Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 
      Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 
      Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 
      Red-tailed Hawk 0 0 0 
      Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 
      Golden Eagle 0 0 0 
      American Kestrel 0 0 0 
      Merlin 0 0 0 
      Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 
      Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 
      Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 
      Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 
      Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 
      Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 
      Total: 2 2 2 


      Observation start time:  08:15:00  
      Observation end time:  12:15:00  
      Total observation time:  4 hours 
      Official Counter Jim Phillips 
      Observers:  Rodney Davis 


Weather:


Raptor Observations:


Non-raptor Observations:




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Report submitted by Jim Phillips (cne01663 AT mail.wvnet.edu)
Hanging Rock Tower information may be found at: 
http://www.hangingrocktower.org/ 

Subject: Fw: Hanging Rock Tower (15 Aug 2010) Raptors
From: Jim & Judy Phillips <cne01663 AT MAIL.WVNET.EDU>
Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 21:56:42 -0400
----- Original Message ----- 
From: reports AT hawkcount.org 
To: cne01663 AT mail.wvnet.edu 
Sent: Monday, August 23, 2010 7:08 PM
Subject: HSR: Hanging Rock Tower (15 Aug 2010) Raptors


Hanging Rock Tower
Waiteville, West Virginia, USA

      Daily Raptor Counts: Aug 15, 2010 
      Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total 
      Black Vulture 0 0 0 
      Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 
      Osprey 0 0 0 
      Bald Eagle 0 0 0 
      Northern Harrier 0 0 0 
      Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 0 0 
      Cooper's Hawk 0 0 0 
      Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 
      Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 
      Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 
      Red-tailed Hawk 0 0 0 
      Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 
      Golden Eagle 0 0 0 
      American Kestrel 0 0 0 
      Merlin 0 0 0 
      Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 
      Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 
      Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 
      Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 
      Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 
      Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 
      Total: 0 0 0 


      Observation start time:  09:15:00  
      Observation end time:  13:00:00  
      Total observation time:  3.75 hours 
      Official Counter Jim Phillips 
      Observers:  Brian Hirt, J Ray Davis, Rodney Davis 


Weather:


Raptor Observations:


Non-raptor Observations:




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Report submitted by Jim Phillips (cne01663 AT mail.wvnet.edu)
Hanging Rock Tower information may be found at: 
http://www.hangingrocktower.org/ 

Subject: Re: Double-breasted cormorants
From: John Tharp <jlt290 AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:57:45 -0500
I don't have specific records on me at the moment, but Double Crested
Cormorant has been a near guaranteed sighting in small numbers along the
Ohio River from Parkersburg to St. Mary's every winter for the past several
years.

John Tharp

Houston, TX
(formerly Parkersburg, WV)

On Tue, Aug 24, 2010 at 5:07 PM, Matt Orsie  wrote:

> All,
>  According to my records I've had 20 sightings of Double-crested Cormorant
> in WV
> over the last 9+ years in August. Dates ranged from Aug 1-31.
>
> County       # Sightings     # Individuals
>
> Cabell             1               1
> Jefferson         11              38
> Mason              7              26
> Putnum             1               1
>
> Matt Orsie
> Summit Point, WV
>
>
> Terry Bronson wrote:
>
>> Thanks to Bob Burrell for his excellent synopsis of the decline
>> and rise of the Double-crested Cormorant.
>>
>> I would add that such sightings are still very uncommon in
>> the interior part of northern WV, at least in the 2 years I've
>> been living here. I believe they are seen more regularly
>> on the Ohio River and multiple birds at a time--someone
>> correct me if I'm wrong.
>>
>> I've seen them on Cheat Lake, the Monongahela River,
>> and Tygart Lake, as well as at Decker's Creek, but always
>> only 1 bird at a time and it's gone next time I check. I think
>> there were 5 birds in my single sighting on the Ohio River.
>>
>> Also, all the birds I've seen are immature birds and thus
>> not breeding, though possible or confirmed breeding has
>> been reported in only 3 locations--the Eastern Panhandle,
>> an area east of Huntington and an area west of Weston.
>>
>> So they're not a significant contributor of poop to the water
>> and shore yet. Now Canada Geese, on the other hand....
>>
>>  Terry Bronson
>> Morgantown, WV
>>
>>
>>
>> ________________________________
>> From: Bob Burrell 
>> To: WV-BIRD AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG
>> Sent: Tue, August 24, 2010 11:23:12 AM
>> Subject: Double-breasted cormorants
>>
>> The recent sighting by Terry Bronson of Double-breasted Cormorants in the
>> Upper Deckers Creek watershed in Preston County was an interesting and
>> unusual one that would benefit by comment.
>>
>> This species has had its ups and down.  Although present in Lake of the
>> Woods, Ontario for a long time, no individuals were seen in the Great Lakes
>> until colonization of the western end of Lake Superior began around 1913.
>>  This habitat was successful and the species spread eastward through the
>> Great Lakes even to Lake Ontario.  By 1950 everyone agreed that there had
>> been a population explosion.
>>
>> Initially there was a large outpouring of complaints from fisherfolk who
>> felt these birds were competing for the desirable harvest species of fish,
>> however wildlife studies on pellets and what not failed to support this
>> claim.  The preferred food of these birds were alewife, perch, and rainbow
>> smelt.
>>
>> Still control measures were instituted, some official and some not, and
>> nesting success was greatly decreased.  Soon though, natural nesting failure
>> primarily due to eggshell thinning took over in the 60's and 70's  and the
>> Double-breasted Cormorant population crashed.  As with other fish eating
>> birds, egg shell thinning was due to contamination of DDT breakdown products
>> and PCBs.
>>
>> Once DDT was banned and the toxicity and sources of PCBs identified and
>> controlled, this species rebounded smartly.  Oh boy did they rebound!  Today
>> we see another crest in populations of Double-breasted Cormorants and Terry
>> may have witnessed a part of that.
>>
>> As before, fisherfolk are complaining, but most of their concerns are not
>> justified (the birds eat very few salmon fry for instance), but there is a
>> great concern remaining that the populations are decimating pan fry species
>> such as yellow perch and small-mouthed bass.  It takes about a pound a day
>> to feed EACH adult cormorant during nesting season.
>>
>> Another documented problem caused by the nesting birds is the vegetative
>>  destruction caused by their nesting habits.  These birds are colonial
>> nesters and the combined weight of their nests result in breaking of limbs
>> and even entire trees.  Add to that the tons of excrement that befouls and
>> kills herbaceous plants and you can see a huge environmental effect.  This
>> is especially a problem on small islands and this leads to subsequent
>> erosion.
>>
>> I lived for 8 years on the North Carolina Outer Banks and in that time I
>> could detect annual increases in this species during the winter.  Huge, huge
>> numbers of birds spend the winter in the Albemarle Sound where they spend
>> the night.  In the morning they fly out and raft up in the ocean.  Towards
>> the end of my tenure there (early 00's), I would marvel on my morning trip
>> south along the coastal highway and as I began my climb onto the lengthy
>> Oregon Inlet bridge to Pea Island I could see enormous numbers of cormorants
>> leaving their nightly habitat, flying east over the bridge to the ocean
>> side.  The flocks filled the sky in continuous lines from one horizon to the
>> other.
>>
>> Now something has to be feeding those enormous numbers of fish eaters and
>> I do not know if the salt water species that feed them have been as well
>> studied as the Great Lakes species.  Also, what do you suppose the effects
>> of all that poop has on the estuary?  It is already assaulted enough with
>> pig farm run off (a big lobby in NC).
>>
>> So what is the next stop in cormorant natural history?  Huge populations
>> of these birds would not be welcomed in places like New River, Ohio River
>> Islands, or Cheat Lake.
>>
>> Stay tuned.
>>
>> Bob Burrell
>> Morgantown
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
Subject: Re: Double-breasted cormorants
From: Matt Orsie <wvbirder AT COMCAST.NET>
Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:07:43 -0400
All,
   According to my records I've had 20 sightings of Double-crested 
Cormorant in WV
over the last 9+ years in August. Dates ranged from Aug 1-31.

County       # Sightings     # Individuals

Cabell             1               1
Jefferson         11              38
Mason              7              26
Putnum             1               1

Matt Orsie
 Summit Point, WV
    

Terry Bronson wrote:
> Thanks to Bob Burrell for his excellent synopsis of the decline
> and rise of the Double-crested Cormorant.
>
> I would add that such sightings are still very uncommon in
> the interior part of northern WV, at least in the 2 years I've
> been living here. I believe they are seen more regularly
> on the Ohio River and multiple birds at a time--someone
> correct me if I'm wrong.
>
> I've seen them on Cheat Lake, the Monongahela River,
> and Tygart Lake, as well as at Decker's Creek, but always
> only 1 bird at a time and it's gone next time I check. I think
> there were 5 birds in my single sighting on the Ohio River.
>
> Also, all the birds I've seen are immature birds and thus
> not breeding, though possible or confirmed breeding has
> been reported in only 3 locations--the Eastern Panhandle,
> an area east of Huntington and an area west of Weston.
>
> So they're not a significant contributor of poop to the water
> and shore yet. Now Canada Geese, on the other hand....
>
>  Terry Bronson
> Morgantown, WV 
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Bob Burrell 
> To: WV-BIRD AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG
> Sent: Tue, August 24, 2010 11:23:12 AM
> Subject: Double-breasted cormorants
>
> The recent sighting by Terry Bronson of Double-breasted Cormorants in the 
Upper 

> Deckers Creek watershed in Preston County was an interesting and unusual one 
> that would benefit by comment.
>
> This species has had its ups and down. Although present in Lake of the Woods, 

> Ontario for a long time, no individuals were seen in the Great Lakes until 
> colonization of the western end of Lake Superior began around 1913.  This 
> habitat was successful and the species spread eastward through the Great 
Lakes 

> even to Lake Ontario. By 1950 everyone agreed that there had been a 
population 

> explosion.
>
> Initially there was a large outpouring of complaints from fisherfolk who felt 

> these birds were competing for the desirable harvest species of fish, however 

> wildlife studies on pellets and what not failed to support this claim.  The 
> preferred food of these birds were alewife, perch, and rainbow smelt.
>
> Still control measures were instituted, some official and some not, and 
nesting 

> success was greatly decreased. Soon though, natural nesting failure primarily 

> due to eggshell thinning took over in the 60's and 70's and the 
Double-breasted 

> Cormorant population crashed.  As with other fish eating birds, egg shell 
> thinning was due to contamination of DDT breakdown products and PCBs.
>
> Once DDT was banned and the toxicity and sources of PCBs identified and 
> controlled, this species rebounded smartly. Oh boy did they rebound! Today we 

> see another crest in populations of Double-breasted Cormorants and Terry may 
> have witnessed a part of that.
>
> As before, fisherfolk are complaining, but most of their concerns are not 
> justified (the birds eat very few salmon fry for instance), but there is a 
great 

> concern remaining that the populations are decimating pan fry species such as 

> yellow perch and small-mouthed bass. It takes about a pound a day to feed 
EACH 

> adult cormorant during nesting season.
>
> Another documented problem caused by the nesting birds is the vegetative  
> destruction caused by their nesting habits. These birds are colonial nesters 

> and the combined weight of their nests result in breaking of limbs and even 
> entire trees.  Add to that the tons of excrement that befouls and kills 
> herbaceous plants and you can see a huge environmental effect.  This is 
> especially a problem on small islands and this leads to subsequent erosion.
>
> I lived for 8 years on the North Carolina Outer Banks and in that time I 
could 

> detect annual increases in this species during the winter. Huge, huge numbers 

> of birds spend the winter in the Albemarle Sound where they spend the night. 
In 

> the morning they fly out and raft up in the ocean. Towards the end of my 
tenure 

> there (early 00's), I would marvel on my morning trip south along the coastal 

> highway and as I began my climb onto the lengthy Oregon Inlet bridge to Pea 
> Island I could see enormous numbers of cormorants leaving their nightly 
habitat, 

> flying east over the bridge to the ocean side.  The flocks filled the sky in 
> continuous lines from one horizon to the other.
>
> Now something has to be feeding those enormous numbers of fish eaters and I 
do 

> not know if the salt water species that feed them have been as well studied 
as 

> the Great Lakes species. Also, what do you suppose the effects of all that 
poop 

> has on the estuary? It is already assaulted enough with pig farm run off (a 
big 

> lobby in NC).
>
> So what is the next stop in cormorant natural history?  Huge populations of 
> these birds would not be welcomed in places like New River, Ohio River 
Islands, 

> or Cheat Lake.
>
> Stay tuned.
>
> Bob Burrell
> Morgantown
>
>
>       
>
>
>   
Subject: Re: Double-breasted cormorants
From: Terry Bronson <terrybronson AT YMAIL.COM>
Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 14:20:33 -0700
Thanks to Bob Burrell for his excellent synopsis of the decline
and rise of the Double-crested Cormorant.

I would add that such sightings are still very uncommon in
the interior part of northern WV, at least in the 2 years I've
been living here. I believe they are seen more regularly
on the Ohio River and multiple birds at a time--someone
correct me if I'm wrong.

I've seen them on Cheat Lake, the Monongahela River,
and Tygart Lake, as well as at Decker's Creek, but always
only 1 bird at a time and it's gone next time I check. I think
there were 5 birds in my single sighting on the Ohio River.

Also, all the birds I've seen are immature birds and thus
not breeding, though possible or confirmed breeding has
been reported in only 3 locations--the Eastern Panhandle,
an area east of Huntington and an area west of Weston.

So they're not a significant contributor of poop to the water
and shore yet. Now Canada Geese, on the other hand....

 Terry Bronson
Morgantown, WV 




________________________________
From: Bob Burrell 
To: WV-BIRD AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG
Sent: Tue, August 24, 2010 11:23:12 AM
Subject: Double-breasted cormorants

The recent sighting by Terry Bronson of Double-breasted Cormorants in the Upper 

Deckers Creek watershed in Preston County was an interesting and unusual one 
that would benefit by comment.

This species has had its ups and down.  Although present in Lake of the Woods, 
Ontario for a long time, no individuals were seen in the Great Lakes until 
colonization of the western end of Lake Superior began around 1913.  This 
habitat was successful and the species spread eastward through the Great Lakes 
even to Lake Ontario.  By 1950 everyone agreed that there had been a population 

explosion.

Initially there was a large outpouring of complaints from fisherfolk who felt 
these birds were competing for the desirable harvest species of fish, however 
wildlife studies on pellets and what not failed to support this claim.  The 
preferred food of these birds were alewife, perch, and rainbow smelt.

Still control measures were instituted, some official and some not, and nesting 

success was greatly decreased.  Soon though, natural nesting failure primarily 
due to eggshell thinning took over in the 60's and 70's  and the 
Double-breasted 

Cormorant population crashed.  As with other fish eating birds, egg shell 
thinning was due to contamination of DDT breakdown products and PCBs.

Once DDT was banned and the toxicity and sources of PCBs identified and 
controlled, this species rebounded smartly.  Oh boy did they rebound!  Today we 

see another crest in populations of Double-breasted Cormorants and Terry may 
have witnessed a part of that.

As before, fisherfolk are complaining, but most of their concerns are not 
justified (the birds eat very few salmon fry for instance), but there is a 
great 

concern remaining that the populations are decimating pan fry species such as 
yellow perch and small-mouthed bass.  It takes about a pound a day to feed EACH 

adult cormorant during nesting season.

Another documented problem caused by the nesting birds is the vegetative  
destruction caused by their nesting habits.  These birds are colonial nesters 
and the combined weight of their nests result in breaking of limbs and even 
entire trees.  Add to that the tons of excrement that befouls and kills 
herbaceous plants and you can see a huge environmental effect.  This is 
especially a problem on small islands and this leads to subsequent erosion.

I lived for 8 years on the North Carolina Outer Banks and in that time I could 
detect annual increases in this species during the winter.  Huge, huge numbers 
of birds spend the winter in the Albemarle Sound where they spend the night.  
In 

the morning they fly out and raft up in the ocean.  Towards the end of my 
tenure 

there (early 00's), I would marvel on my morning trip south along the coastal 
highway and as I began my climb onto the lengthy Oregon Inlet bridge to Pea 
Island I could see enormous numbers of cormorants leaving their nightly 
habitat, 

flying east over the bridge to the ocean side.  The flocks filled the sky in 
continuous lines from one horizon to the other.

Now something has to be feeding those enormous numbers of fish eaters and I do 
not know if the salt water species that feed them have been as well studied as 
the Great Lakes species.  Also, what do you suppose the effects of all that 
poop 

has on the estuary?  It is already assaulted enough with pig farm run off (a 
big 

lobby in NC).

So what is the next stop in cormorant natural history?  Huge populations of 
these birds would not be welcomed in places like New River, Ohio River Islands, 

or Cheat Lake.

Stay tuned.

Bob Burrell
Morgantown



Subject: Double-breasted?
From: jeff del col <delcol.jeff AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 14:09:13 -0400
I know, ZZ Top said, '...every girl's crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man!" but
I didn't think cormorants were such snappy dressers. What's next, cheap
sunglasses?

Jeff Del Col,
Philippi
Subject: It's Double-CRESTED, I said CRESTED
From: Bob Burrell <C.cibarius AT DOREN.NET>
Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 13:19:15 -0400
Sorry for the goof on the post about the Double Breasted Cormorants.

I guess I must have been thinking about something else :)

While I am at it, it was the Pamlico Sound, not the Albemarle.  I lived on 
a cove just off the Albemarle.

I guess I'll call it a day!

Bob Burrell
Subject: Double-breasted cormorants
From: Bob Burrell <C.cibarius AT DOREN.NET>
Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:23:12 -0400
The recent sighting by Terry Bronson of Double-breasted Cormorants in the 
Upper Deckers Creek watershed in Preston County was an interesting and 
unusual one that would benefit by comment.

This species has had its ups and down.  Although present in Lake of the 
Woods, Ontario for a long time, no individuals were seen in the Great Lakes 
until colonization of the western end of Lake Superior began around 
1913.   This habitat was successful and the species spread eastward through 
the Great Lakes even to Lake Ontario.  By 1950 everyone agreed that there 
had been a population explosion.

Initially there was a large outpouring of complaints from fisherfolk who 
felt these birds were competing for the desirable harvest species of fish, 
however wildlife studies on pellets and what not failed to support this 
claim.  The preferred food of these birds were alewife, perch, and rainbow 
smelt.

Still control measures were instituted, some official and some not, and 
nesting success was greatly decreased.  Soon though, natural nesting 
failure primarily due to eggshell thinning took over in the 60's and 
70's  and the Double-breasted Cormorant population crashed.  As with other 
fish eating birds, egg shell thinning was due to contamination of DDT 
breakdown products and PCBs.

Once DDT was banned and the toxicity and sources of PCBs identified and 
controlled, this species rebounded smartly.  Oh boy did they 
rebound!  Today we see another crest in populations of Double-breasted 
Cormorants and Terry may have witnessed a part of that.

As before, fisherfolk are complaining, but most of their concerns are not 
justified (the birds eat very few salmon fry for instance), but there is a 
great concern remaining that the populations are decimating pan fry species 
such as yellow perch and small-mouthed bass.  It takes about a pound a day 
to feed EACH adult cormorant during nesting season.

Another documented problem caused by the nesting birds is the 
vegetative  destruction caused by their nesting habits.  These birds are 
colonial nesters and the combined weight of their nests result in breaking 
of limbs and even entire trees.   Add to that the tons of excrement that 
befouls and kills herbaceous plants and you can see a huge environmental 
effect.   This is especially a problem on small islands and this leads to 
subsequent erosion.

I lived for 8 years on the North Carolina Outer Banks and in that time I 
could detect annual increases in this species during the winter.  Huge, 
huge numbers of birds spend the winter in the Albemarle Sound where they 
spend the night.  In the morning they fly out and raft up in the 
ocean.  Towards the end of my tenure there (early 00's), I would marvel on 
my morning trip south along the coastal highway and as I began my climb 
onto the lengthy Oregon Inlet bridge to Pea Island I could see enormous 
numbers of cormorants leaving their nightly habitat, flying east over the 
bridge to the ocean side.  The flocks filled the sky in continuous lines 
from one horizon to the other.

Now something has to be feeding those enormous numbers of fish eaters and I 
do not know if the salt water species that feed them have been as well 
studied as the Great Lakes species.  Also, what do you suppose the effects 
of all that poop has on the estuary?  It is already assaulted enough with 
pig farm run off (a big lobby in NC).

So what is the next stop in cormorant natural history?  Huge populations of 
these birds would not be welcomed in places like New River, Ohio River 
Islands, or Cheat Lake.

Stay tuned.

Bob Burrell
Morgantown 
Subject: Huntfield ponds
From: Matt Orsie <wvbirder AT COMCAST.NET>
Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:05:57 -0400
All,
    No water, no birds. Only the peeps, a couple of Solitary  
Sandpipers, and a Spotted Sandpiper. A dead yellowlegs is in the east  
side of the drying up pond.

Matt Orsie
  Summit Point, WV
Subject: White Ibis - Bellepoint, WV
From: Matt Orsie <wvbirder AT COMCAST.NET>
Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 21:32:40 -0400
All,
   Thanks to the report and updates from Jim Phillips I was able
to juggle my work schedule around and see the bird this afternoon.
During the time I was there it moved about from near the base of
Bluestone Dam to 1/4 mile down stream on rocks and grass. It liked
to "hang out" with a Great Egret.  A scope is a plus if you have one.

I'll give the directions from Rt 20 regardless if your coming from
the north (Through Hinton) or south. Take Rt 3 EAST across the river
(This is just south of Hinton). After crossing the bridge stay right going
into the small town of Bellepoint. Go past a gas station and turn right
onto Miller Ave (You see a sign for the Dam Office and Bellepoint Park)

Go to the park. You can scan the river from the playground area or
the trail that leads towards the dam.

I've placed a couple of photos at:   http://wvbirder.org/recent/whib.htm

Good Luck if you go,
 Matt Orsie
 Summit Point, WV
Subject: white ibis update
From: Jim & Judy Phillips <cne01663 AT MAIL.WVNET.EDU>
Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 10:11:47 -0400
Judy and I saw a juvenile white ibis yesterday at the base of Bluestone 
Dam(east end of the dam) near Hinton. I went back this morning and found the 
bird in the same area. I watched it from 8-8:15. Then I lost sight of it. Two 
fishermen flushed it into view at about 9:10. I watched it until 9:30. I plan 
to return there around 2 this afternoon if anyone is interested in trying to 
see the bird. 

Other birds seen in the vicinity: bald eagle, osprey, spotted sandpiper, great 
blue herons, great egrets, double-crested cormorant, sharp-shinned hawk, 
kingfishers and lots of vultures. 

Jim Phillips
Summers County
Pipestem, WV
Subject: Hilton Pond 08/11/10 (New River Hummingbirds)
From: "Bill Hilton Jr. (RESEARCH)" <research AT HILTONPOND.ORG>
Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 21:23:26 -0400
We wandered off to the Mountain State this past week for the first-ever New 
River Hummingbird Festival in Fayette County WV. For an account of what this 
was all about, please see our "This Week at Hilton Pond" photo essay for 11-21 
August 2010 at http://www.hiltonpond.org/ThisWeek100811.html 


While there don't forget to scroll down for a list of birds banded and 
recaptured back at Hilton Pond, as well as miscellaneous nature notes and an 
acknowledgement of recent donors. 


Happy (Still Hot!) Nature Watching!

BILL

=========

RESEARCH PROGRAM
c/o BILL HILTON JR. Executive Director
Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History
1432 DeVinney Road, York, South Carolina 29745 USA
office & cell (803) 684-5852
fax (803) 684-0255

Please visit our web sites (courtesy of Comporium.net):
Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History at http://www.hiltonpond.org 
"Operation RubyThroat: The Hummingbird Project" at http://www.rubythroat.org

==================