Hi all, while touring with colleagues, we encountered a marsh wren singing loudly at the Freeland Boardwalk. Likely passing through but wouldn't it be cool if follow-up visits revealed its continued presence?
Also encountered: Northern harrier pair, merlin, purple finch male singing, bobolinks...
Date: 5/10/26 4:30 pm From: Doug Wood <chingwe1755...> Subject: Birding at Woodscape in Putnam County
Dianne and I observed 34 species of birds today at our property. A
Cerulean Warbler is checking out the place, and we hope a pair will nest
here this year. Fingers crossed. I heard one Tennessee Warbler, but we
just returned from MO, where we heard almost as many T.W.s as we did Tufted
Titmice, maybe more.
On Sat, May 9, 2026 at 12:00 AM WV-BIRD automatic digest system <
<LISTSERV...> wrote:
> There is 1 message totaling 18 lines in this issue.
>
> Topics of the day:
>
> 1. FOY hummer!
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Date: Fri, 8 May 2026 21:00:51 -0400
> From: MFowler <monty...>
> Subject: FOY hummer!
>
> Saw our first Rubythroated hummer this evening, checking out the new flower
> basket. Looked to be a mature female.
>
> Monty Fowler
>
> Beverly Hills area
>
> Huntington
>
> ------------------------------
>
> End of WV-BIRD Digest - 5 May 2026 to 8 May 2026 (#2026-59)
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>
My friends and I were watching the two pairs of Gray Catbirds when a beautiful male Baltimore Oriole came to bathe. He literally glowed in the late afternoon sun. A particular thrill was seeing two Red-headed woodpeckers. It would be fabulous if they nested nearby as they did two years ago.
I saw a young female housefinch with tufts. Wouldn't that be this year's bird? Seemed early, but then Bluebirds have fledged already as well.
The Pileateds coming to the suet are a bit rough looking. Their white turns a bit yellowish. I'm assuming it's from going in and out of the cavity. Happens every year.
Interesting factoid. Unlike woodpeckers and some other songbirds, the Gray Catbirds, Brown Thrashers, and Northern Mockingbirds eat upside down, from the suet basket against the tree trunk. I wonder why.
There is a cute little male Housefinch on the patio with just stubs for tail feathers. He has no trouble flying or eating.
This morning I saw my first Indigo Bunting in the birdbath. So pretty.
It must be all the work of finding a mate, building a nest, and feeding young that is making the birds so hungry. No need to worry about the sunflower chips getting stale.
May 1 started out with one beautiful White-crowned Sparrow. The next day, I saw two on the patio. The first bird this morning was a White-crowned again. Got some nice photos of him mid-morning, capturing that pale white blush on his throat . Grateful to have these beauties show up.
The first set of Bluebirds fledged yesterday. The parents were meticulous housekeepers. That's more than I can say for myself.😉 The nest was spotless. The Tree swallows that have been harassing the Bluebirds finally can have "their" box back. It took them all of two minutes to pop into the opening.
While checking the boxes, I found a broken Turkey egg on the ground. I did see a Turkey walking in that same area about a week ago.
It looks like the Gray catbirds will be nesting in the quince shrub again. I was surprised to see three pairs at one time the other day. They are big peanut suet fans. A pair of Brown thrashers was also here. So pretty.
Date: 5/2/26 4:28 am From: Jack OConnell <jack...> Subject: Golden-Winged Warbler in Greenbrier Co.
Birding is such a wonderful hobby. You never know what surprises you may encounter. Yesterday I was walking down a back road with Merlin helping me to hear some of the higher pitched songs that my "seasoned" ears have trouble with. Just as I heard an unfamiliar buzzy sound the bird popped up on my smartphone screen - Golden-Winged Warbler! I spotted it immediately in the middle branches of a nearby walnut tree with no leaves to obscure my view. What a beautiful bird and a Lifer for me! Made my day!
Date: 4/29/26 5:49 am From: Paul Mckay <paulmck57...> Subject: Ohio County Birds
Today I acknowledged hearing the FOY red eyed vireo. Merlin heard it yesterday and I did not and since there were so many birds signing yesterday I worried about Merlin's accuracy. But today I heard it as well.
Paul Paul M. McKay, Esq. 4404 Oglebay Drive Wheeling, WV, 26003 304 780 0557
Seeing the Red-headed woodpecker in the yard never gets old. On a drizzly morning, they look particularly flashy. It was here several times, including this afternoon. The other surprise was a male Orchard oriole in the birdbath. A Brown Thrasher was there yesterday morning.
The second Gray catbird has arrived, so the nest building in the quince shrub can proceed. This is an exciting time of year for the most part. I found two pecked Tree swallow eggs on the ground. No doubt the work of a Housewren. However, the Tree swallow is back in the box, starting over.
Date: 4/27/26 7:37 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: PUFI & AMRE
Yesterday was the first day that we had a single digit Purple Finch count at our feeders since April 9. During that time period, we have had anywhere from 10 to 37 each day. Also, yesterday we had a female American Redstart eating suet. We have had them eating insects in the tomato cages in the past but this was a first for suet Jim & Judy Phillips Summers County Pipestem , WV.
