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
---------- Forwarded message ---------
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
---------- Forwarded message ---------
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
---------- Forwarded message ---------
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
---------- Forwarded message ---------
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
---------- Forwarded message ---------
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
---------- Forwarded message ---------
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
---------- Forwarded message ---------
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
Date: 11/5/25 2:36 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Nov 5, 2025
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Wed, Nov 5, 2025, 5:33 PM
Subject: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV,
Nov 5, 2025
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Mercer, West Virginia, US
Nov 5, 2025 1:35 PM - 2:35 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments: unofficial hawk watch - W wind 0-3 mph, gusting to
10-15 mph, 65 degrees & 50% cloud cover.
4 species
Turkey Vulture 3
Red-tailed Hawk 4
American Crow 3
Common Raven 2
Date: 11/4/25 3:18 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Nov 4, 2025
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Tue, Nov 4, 2025, 6:02 PM
Subject: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV,
Nov 4, 2025
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Mercer, West Virginia, US
Nov 4, 2025 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments: unofficial hawk watch - 46 degrees, N wind o-2 mph
& 20-40% cloud cover.
9 species
Turkey Vulture 18
Golden Eagle 1 adult
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Kestrel 1
American Crow 5
Common Raven 2
American Robin 3
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Date: 11/3/25 2:11 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Nov 3, 2025
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Mon, Nov 3, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Subject: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV,
Nov 3, 2025
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Mercer, West Virginia, US
Nov 3, 2025 1:10 PM - 2:10 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments: unofficial hawk watch - 43 degrees, winds calm &
100-75% cloud cover.
5 species
Turkey Vulture 1
Golden Eagle 3 adults
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Crow 42
Common Raven 3
Date: 11/2/25 3:51 pm From: Ross Brittain <rossalanbrittain...> Subject: Tygart Lake CBC 12/14/25
Hi All,
Matt McKinney and I are planning to do the Tygart Lake CBC on Sunday, December 14th this year. All are welcome of course. Please let Matt and I know if you would like to join in the fun.
Date: 11/2/25 1:44 pm From: emeraldjo <00000187ab264c07-dmarc-request...> Subject: Pelicans on Tygart Lake
I hoped for swans or dunlin on my morning birding rounds, but found 16 American White Pelicans on Tygart Lake instead. Not a single mallard.Cindy Mullens Taylor County
Date: 11/2/25 9:47 am From: Paul Mckay <paulmck57...> Subject: Ohio County Birds
Took dogs out at first light and heard 2 Great Horned Owls. This gives me hope for Ruffed Grouse in that both were heavily infected with West Nile Virus and the owls must have developed some immunity. Maybe the same will occur with the grouse. PA appears to be doing some research on this. Most of the WV grouse are above 2100 feet or so which is the limit for the carrier mosquito. Lately I have been told that people have flushed grouse in Ohio County, but thats not reliable. We will see, Paul McKay Ohio County
Everyone, We are announcing the Raleigh County CBC will be on Sunday December 21. The McDowell County CBC will be on Tuesday December 30. We welcome anyone who wants to help. Contact: Allen Waldron email: <foodplotmaker1...> Cell phone: 304.573.3247 Thanks and everyone have a successful Christmas bird count.
Date: 10/31/25 3:58 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Oct 31, 2025
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Fri, Oct 31, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Subject: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV,
Oct 31, 2025
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Mercer, West Virginia, US
Oct 31, 2025 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments: unofficial hawk watch - 100% cloud cover, N wind
5-6 mph, gusting to 10 mph.
6 species
Turkey Vulture 16
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 5
Common Raven 6
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Date: 10/30/25 7:10 am From: Casey Rucker <autoblock...> Subject: Canaan Christmas Bird Count December 21
Hi, all,
The Canaan Christmas Bird Count will be held on December 21 this year. Please let me know if you would like to participate, and if you have a preference for territory. I'll be in touch with assignments, etc. during the second week of December.
On a birdy note, I've also been seeing Purple Finches and Dark-eyed Juncos (carolinensis) at the feeders, although they are not getting much action - seems to be a lot of natural food for the birds this season. An Eastern Phoebe checked it out yesterday then moved on.
Date: 10/29/25 4:36 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Mountain Valley Lake, Oct 29, 2025
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Wed, Oct 29, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Subject: eBird Report - Mountain Valley Lake, Oct 29, 2025
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
Mountain Valley Lake, Summers, West Virginia, US
Oct 29, 2025 1:20 PM - 1:45 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: 47 degrees, cloudy
11 species
Canada Goose 37
Wood Duck 18
Gadwall 2
Mallard 22
American Black Duck 15
Ring-necked Duck 17
Lesser Scaup 4
Mourning Dove 1
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Turkey Vulture 11
Cedar Waxwing 17
Date: 10/28/25 9:06 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Purple Finches
We just saw 2 purple Finches at our feeder. We have had white-throated sparrows, juncos & sapsuckers for over a week. We saw our last hummingbird Oct. 4. Still seeing robins. Jim & Judy Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV
Date: 10/28/25 7:18 am From: Bruni Haydl <bruni...> Subject: New arrival
The first Junco was on my patio yesterday morning. A few minutes ago I saw it again, along with a Cedar Waxwing.
Just about the time I think maybe I should clean up the flowerbed a little, I see all the White-throated sparrows, Finches, Cardinals, etc picking at the seeds and insects they harbor. The messier the habitat the more they like it.
An oddball visitor this morning was a lone cowbird. The Bluejays were not willing to share.
Date: 10/27/25 3:10 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Oct 27, 2025
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Mon, Oct 27, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Subject: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV,
Oct 27, 2025
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Mercer, West Virginia, US
Oct 27, 2025 1:45 PM - 3:00 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments: unofficial hawk watch - 100% cloud cover, 42
degrees, S wind 7-9 mph & light rain. Rain strengthened in last 15 minutes.
7 species
Turkey Vulture 70
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 3
American Kestrel 1
American Crow 6
Common Raven 2
Cedar Waxwing 13
Date: 10/27/25 6:56 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Oct 26, 2025
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Mon, Oct 27, 2025, 9:54 AM
Subject: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV,
Oct 26, 2025
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Mercer, West Virginia, US
Oct 26, 2025 1:45 PM - 3:15 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments: unofficial hawk watch - 100% cloud cover, N wind
0-2 mph & 55 degrees
8 species
Turkey Vulture 6
Golden Eagle 1 adult
Red-tailed Hawk 11 2 residents, 9 migrants
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 3
Common Raven 9
Carolina Wren 1
European Starling 62
Date: 10/24/25 8:18 am From: Bruni Haydl <bruni...> Subject: Success
Oh no, not here! Along our road, I saw that awful, stretchy spiderweb stuff stretched over two shrubs. There were other Halloween decorations throughout the yard that were OK. This young couple moved here last year. Taking a chance that it might do some good, I printed a sheet with some photos of birds entangled in that webbing along with a short message about the perils of using this product outdoors and put it in their mailbox.
Was I ever surprised when I drove by the very next day and the webbing had been removed. That definitely made my day.
A sign that Fall is in full swing and we are moving towards winter is seeing both male and female Pileated Woodpeckers on the suet. A surprise bird was a Brown Creeper going up the walnut tree. Such neat little birds. A female Towhee also showed up.
White-throated sparrow numbers have increased substantially. This morning I heard the familiar Sam Peabody, Peabody, Peabody. Lots of Robins hogging the birdbaths every now and then.
