Date: 12/6/25 6:25 pm From: Derek Courtney <derek.dana.courtney...> Subject: Cheat Lake Waterbird Report --- Mon. Co.
Hi, all!
This morning, Hannah Clipp and I ventured out to see the impressive showing of lingering waterbirds at Cheat Lake. The Lake is at a perfect level for numbers and diversity! And we had Sandhill Cranes and American Pipits on the mudflats around the lake too! We tallied around 30 species of waterbird. Rarities included Ross's Goose, Surf Scoter, and Black Scoter. Here's a link to the trip report from today's outing: https://ebird.org/tripreport/439450. Hopefully, everyone can get out and enjoy, or check your own local waterbody and see what goodies have dropped in!
Date: 12/6/25 2:36 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Mercer County Landfill, Dec 6, 2025
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From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Sat, Dec 6, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Subject: eBird Report - Mercer County Landfill, Dec 6, 2025
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
Mercer County Landfill, Mercer, West Virginia, US
Dec 6, 2025 1:35 PM - 1:50 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.25 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: 43 degrees
7 species
Black Vulture 16
Turkey Vulture 113 most were perched in trees and on a billboard and
easy to count, flying birds were counted as they flew in
Bald Eagle 1 adult
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Crow 22
Common Raven 4
European Starling 300
Date: 12/5/25 3:02 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Bellepoint Park, Dec 5, 2025
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From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Fri, Dec 5, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Subject: eBird Report - Bellepoint Park, Dec 5, 2025
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
Bellepoint Park, Summers, West Virginia, US
Dec 5, 2025 1:50 PM - 2:20 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: 3" of snow on the ground, 38 degrees
park plus top of the dam
10 species
Canada Goose 55
Mallard 28
Common Merganser 88 most(80) of them were on the lake & counted
through the scope as they were swimming. this group wasn't visible from the
mouth of the Bluestone
smaller number(8) below the dam
Red-breasted Merganser 9
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 60
Mourning Dove 7
Great Blue Heron 2
Bald Eagle 1 adult
Belted Kingfisher 1
House Sparrow 17
Date: 12/5/25 3:02 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Bluestone SP--Mouth of the Bluestone, Dec 5, 2025
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From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Fri, Dec 5, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Subject: eBird Report - Bluestone SP--Mouth of the Bluestone, Dec 5, 2025
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
Bluestone SP--Mouth of the Bluestone, Summers, West Virginia, US
Dec 5, 2025 1:11 PM - 1:36 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.75 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: 3" snow on the ground, 35 degrees
8 species (+2 other taxa)
Greater/Lesser Scaup 107
Hooded Merganser 24
Common Merganser 140 counted through the spotting scope as they swam by
if anything, there probably were more than I counted
waterfowl sp. 25
Mourning Dove 4
Bonaparte's Gull 1
Ring-billed Gull 36
Common Loon 2
American Kestrel 1
American Crow 1
Date: 12/5/25 7:34 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Feeder birds in the snow
We got 5" of snow during the night. It's 30 degrees. Lots of white -throated sparrows, juncos, blue Jays & cardinals. Pine siskin in with the purple finches. One fox sparrow and 3 rusty Blackbirds. Jim & Judy Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV
Date: 12/4/25 4:11 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Glenwood Park, Dec 4, 2025
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From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Thu, Dec 4, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Subject: eBird Report - Glenwood Park, Dec 4, 2025
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
Glenwood Park, Mercer, West Virginia, US
Dec 4, 2025 12:15 PM - 1:10 PM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: 37 degrees
A lot of the lake on the Rt. 20 side was frozen
13 species
Canada Goose 96
Mallard 30
Surf Scoter 1 The bird was near a group of mallards. It was slightly
smaller than the mallards. Without binoculars the bill appeared to be large
and broad. With binoculars, the first noticeable mark was a dark cap and
white patches on the face and side of the head. Looking at Sibley, we
decided the bird was most likely a female. It looked more like a 1st winter
rather than an adult. We could see no sign of white to suggest a
white-winged scoter. The rest of the bird was dark.
The only other time I have seen this species in WV was on Lake Stephens
during the Raleigh County Christmas Bird Count a few years back.
I have heard of this species being seen recently on New River, near Hinton,
Summers County and on a pond in Monroe County.
Common Merganser 4
Turkey Vulture 3
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
American Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Eastern Bluebird 1
American Robin 2
Song Sparrow 1
Date: 12/4/25 7:27 am From: Paul Mckay <paulmck57...> Subject: Unusual feeder behavior
I am watching a feeder and a young cardinal or female or both landed next to a Goldfinch. The cardinal did a begging gesture and the Goldfinch placed a seed in the Cardinals mouth. Afterwhich the Goldfinch abruptly flew off. Never saw that before. Ohio County
Paul Paul M. McKay, Esq. 4404 Oglebay Drive Wheeling, WV, 26003 304 780 0557
A flock of at least 40!! Rusty Blackbirds landed in my snow-covered yard below a feeder for about 5 minutes. I’ve never see so many!
Cynthia Burkhart
Ritchie County
Sent from my iPad
Date: 11/29/25 7:54 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Nov 28, 2025
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From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Sat, Nov 29, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Subject: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV,
Nov 28, 2025
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Mercer, West Virginia, US
Nov 28, 2025 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments: unofficial hawk watch - 23 degrees, 100% cloud cover
2 species
Date: 11/27/25 1:55 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Nov 27, 2025
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From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Thu, Nov 27, 2025, 3:16 PM
Subject: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV,
Nov 27, 2025
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Mercer, West Virginia, US
Nov 27, 2025 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments: unofficial hawk watch - 29 degrees, 30% cloud cover
and NE wind 0-3 mph.
6 species
Turkey Vulture 4
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2
Bald Eagle 2 immature
Red-tailed Hawk 4 2 residents, 2 migrants
American Crow 4
Common Raven 3
Date: 11/26/25 4:13 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Nov 26, 2025
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From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Wed, Nov 26, 2025, 6:34 PM
Subject: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV,
Nov 26, 2025
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Mercer, West Virginia, US
Nov 26, 2025 12:15 PM - 1:45 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments: unofficial hawk watch - 55 degrees, 60-75% cloud
cover and NE wind 5-7 mph with gusts to 10-12 mph.
6 species
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 3
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Bald Eagle 1 immature
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Crow 2
Date: 11/23/25 1:18 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Nov 23, 2025
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From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Sun, Nov 23, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Subject: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV,
Nov 23, 2025
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Mercer, West Virginia, US
Nov 23, 2025 12:05 PM - 2:05 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments: unofficial hawk watch - 54 degrees, 0-10% cloud
cover & N wind 0-5 mph.
9 species
Saw something unusual under the feeder this afternoon. It was the size and coloring of a house finch except for the head and the bill. The entire head was an off-white/creamy color, kind of mottled with light brown smears, and the beak was bright yellow. No photo, unfortunately, but I got a good look for several minutes through binoculars.
Date: 11/22/25 6:18 pm From: Derek Courtney <derek.dana.courtney...> Subject: Mountaineer Audubon Field Trip --- Cheat Lake
Hi, all!
This morning, 19 people joined me for a tour around Cheat Lake; a wonderful turnout for late November. The temperatures were relatively mild, which usually is not the most productive weather pattern for good variety or numbers of waterbirds. However, the overnight and early morning showers gave us hope for some surprises.
Nice birds were found all over the lake today, even if numbers were on the low side. At the up-lake marinas, a Bonaparte's Gull joined 13 newly arrived Tundra Swans among the horde of Canada Geese. The I-68 bridge turned up the stars of the morning in a Long-tailed Duck and a Peregrine Falcon that was perched on a snag just feet away from the Long-tailed Duck. And at Cheat Lake Park, the rarest find worked the edge of the water rather than swam on it as a continuing Green Heron was a pleasant surprise this late in the season. Full waterbird totals below, and the full trips have been posted to eBird for those interested.
Cheat Lake --- Sunset Harbor Hooded Merganser 7 Great Blue Heron 1 Belted Kingfisher 1
Cheat Lake --- Cheat Lake Park Mallard 7 Ring-necked Duck 4 Hooded Merganser 7 Ruddy Duck 6 Horned Grebe 2 Common Loon 1 Green Heron 1 Belted Kingfisher 1
Thanks to everyone who came out today. Hope you all have a wonderful holiday week coming up! Christmas Bird Count season is right around the corner, contact me if you'd like to join in on the Morgantown one, and/or consider joining one of the other great circles around the state. Best wishes to you all!
Date: 11/22/25 3:46 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Nov 22, 2025
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From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Sat, Nov 22, 2025, 5:43 PM
Subject: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV,
Nov 22, 2025
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Mercer, West Virginia, US
Nov 22, 2025 12:20 PM - 1:45 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments: unofficial hawk watch - 54 degrees, N wind 0-4 mph
and 100-90% cloud cover.
7 species
Turkey Vulture 2
Golden Eagle 1 adult
Red-tailed Hawk 6 2 residents, 4 migrants
Merlin 1
American Crow 8
Common Raven 3
Cedar Waxwing 5
Date: 11/20/25 4:01 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Nov 20, 2025
From: Jim & Judy Phillips
Summers County
Pipestem, WV
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From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Thu, Nov 20, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Subject: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV,
Nov 20, 2025
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Mercer, West Virginia, US
Nov 20, 2025 11:25 AM - 1:25 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments: unofficial hawk watch - 20-40% cloud cover, N wind
4-6 mph & 55 degrees.
9 species
Turkey Vulture 22
Golden Eagle 1 immature
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Bald Eagle 1 adult
Red-tailed Hawk 8 2 residents, 6 migrants
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
American Crow 2
Common Raven 3
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Date: 11/20/25 12:48 pm From: Paul Mckay <paulmck57...> Subject: Ohio County Fox Sparrows
Walking on the farm and on a telephone wire were 4 fox sparrows all bunched together with big rusty steaks on their breasts and gray shoulders. Sat with bluebirds and probably house finches. I was paying more attention to the sparrows then everyone flew. Paul
Paul Paul M. McKay, Esq. 4404 Oglebay Drive Wheeling, WV, 26003 304 780 0557
Date: 11/17/25 1:58 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Nov 17, 2025
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From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Mon, Nov 17, 2025, 4:37 PM
Subject: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV,
Nov 17, 2025
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Mercer, West Virginia, US
Nov 17, 2025 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments: unofficial hawk watch - N wind 5-7 mph, gusting to
10 mph, 37 degrees & 0% cloud cover.
11 species
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 9
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 6 2 residents, 4 migrants
Downy Woodpecker 1
American Crow 3
Common Raven 3
Eastern Bluebird 13
American Robin 22
Cedar Waxwing 5
Dark-eyed Junco 13
Date: 11/16/25 2:11 pm From: Derek Courtney <derek.dana.courtney...> Subject: Mountaineer Audubon Field Trip 11/22; Morgantown CBC 12/20
Hi, all!
I hope everyone has weathered this first taste of winter without difficulty. When the November winds start blowing cold from the North and the Buffleheads return to Cheat Lake, we can be assured that winter is here! And that means it's Duck Season! So, join Mountaineer Audubon this coming Saturday as we seek out arriving waterfowl on Cheat Lake. We will convene in the parking lot behind Chestnut Ridge Church at 8:00 am before we head out. Walking should be pretty minimal except at Cheat Lake Park where participants may walk up to a mile or so on a flat, well-maintained trail depending on where the birds are. Dress for the weather; as "bad" weather can offer the best birding, the trip is a go as long as the roads are safe to drive. No advanced registration or cost is required. If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch any time. I will be at the Almost Heaven cafe at 7:00am if any participants need a caffeine fix, breakfast, and or socializing before we head out. Hope to see you all there!
Also, a reminder that the Morgantown Christmas Bird Count is coming up in just over 1 month on Saturday, December 20. The Purple Gallinule at Prickett's Fort has gotten a lot of people out birding in North Central West Virginia recently. So why not keep that momentum going by joining in on the Christmas Bird Count? We have space for everyone and lots of territory to cover. Who knows what could be found with lots of great eyes in the field. Our website is here: https://www.mountaineeraudubon.org/cbc and you can even sign-up on-line here: https://www.mobilize.us/audubon-community-science/event/857362/. If you have any questions, ask away! Come out and help us break that magical 100 species barrier this year!
Hope you all can join Mountaineer Audubon in both endeavors this year! Look forward to seeing you out in the field.
A few days ago, some Red-winged Blackbirds appeared on the feeder tray. Two males and a female. One male decided to stay. He's here at least half of every day. Today, he joined other birds in the birdbath.
It's such a treat to see this bird up close. They are so velvety unlike the glossy look of most other black-feathered birds. So pretty.
Three Pileated Woodpeckers are coming to the suet again. One of the males is smaller, so I'm assuming it's last year's. A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Brown Creeper and two pairs of Purple Finches have also made an appearance.
Date: 11/14/25 4:50 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Nov 14, 2025
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From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Fri, Nov 14, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Subject: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV,
Nov 14, 2025
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Mercer, West Virginia, US
Nov 14, 2025 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments: unofficial hawk watch - 10% cloud cover, 46 degrees
and N wind 0-2 mph.
5 species
Turkey Vulture 2
Bald Eagle 1 immature
American Crow 5
Common Raven 1
Dark-eyed Junco 17
Date: 11/13/25 2:54 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Nov 13, 2025
Jim & Judy Phillips
Summers County
Pipestem, WV
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From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Thu, Nov 13, 2025, 5:28 PM
Subject: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV,
Nov 13, 2025
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Mercer, West Virginia, US
Nov 13, 2025 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments: unofficial hawk watch - 46 degrees, 20-30% cloud
cover and 7-8 mph N wind with gusts to 10-12 mph.
6 species
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 12
Golden Eagle 3 adults
Red-tailed Hawk 9 2 were probably migrants
American Crow 2
Cedar Waxwing 14
We have had very few birds at the feeders this November, mostly just goldfinches.
Today’s snow ( about 4”) brought in the usual 20 goldfinches, but nothing else until around 3 pm, when suddenly a flock of 34 red- winged blackbirds arrived. I think that’s more RWBL than we’ve ever had in the yard.
Cynthia Burkhart
Ritchie County
Sent from my iPad
Date: 11/10/25 6:01 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - New River Gorge NP--Madams Creek to Sandstone Falls (Summers Co.), Nov 8, 2025
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From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Mon, Nov 10, 2025, 8:59 AM
Subject: eBird Report - New River Gorge NP--Madams Creek to Sandstone Falls
(Summers Co.), Nov 8, 2025
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
New River Gorge NP--Madams Creek to Sandstone Falls (Summers Co.), Summers,
West Virginia, US
Nov 8, 2025 12:30 PM - 1:15 PM
Protocol: Traveling
8.0 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: 56 degrees, overcast
River otter roadkill between Brooks Falls & Sandstone Falls.
States represented by license plates at Sandstone Falls - West Virginia,
Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, Michigan,
Wisconsin, Nebraska & Alaska.
10 species
Canada Goose 42
Great Blue Heron 5
Black Vulture 6
Turkey Vulture 29
Bald Eagle 2 adults
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
American Crow 3
Song Sparrow 1
Date: 11/9/25 7:03 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Moncove Lake SP, Nov 8, 2025
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From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Sun, Nov 9, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Subject: eBird Report - Moncove Lake SP, Nov 8, 2025
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
Moncove Lake SP, Monroe, West Virginia, US
Nov 8, 2025 1:02 PM - 1:27 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: 60 degrees
15 species
Mallard 4
Lesser Scaup 3
Hooded Merganser 4
Pied-billed Grebe 6
Turkey Vulture 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 3
Common Raven 1
Carolina Wren 1
Eastern Bluebird 5
Purple Finch 4
American Goldfinch 2
Chipping Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco 2
Date: 11/7/25 3:22 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Nov 7, 2025
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Fri, Nov 7, 2025, 6:00 PM
Subject: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV,
Nov 7, 2025
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Mercer, West Virginia, US
Nov 7, 2025 11:40 AM - 2:10 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments: unofficial hawk watch - 59 degrees, 75% cloud
cover, NW wind 4-6 mph gusting 11-13 mph.
6 species
Black Vulture 12
Turkey Vulture 123 Streamed along the ridge numbering a dozen to
dozen & a half at a time. Obviously migrating.
At this location we had 60 on 11/1/2020, 169 on 11/16/2021, 32 on
11/14/2022, 79 on 11/2/2023 & 130 on 10/28/2024.
Bald Eagle 2 immatures
Red-tailed Hawk 14
American Crow 2
Common Raven 4
