Date: 9/19/26 6:53 pm From: Derek Courtney <derek.dana.courtney...> Subject: Connecticut Warbler et al. --- Mon. Co.
Hi, all!
This morning 17 people joined me for the annual mid September outing to Little Indian Creek WMA in search of fall migrants. Once again, we had success in finding a Connecticut Warbler which is impressive given the number of consecutive years we have run this trip and lucked into at least one of these elusive warblers. We also encountered 13 other warbler species on our walk. Cooperative Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Broad-winged Hawk were nice additions as well. Somewhat surprising given the huge movement overnight was the lack of Catharus thrushes, but I guess you can't win them all. eBird list is here for those interested: https://ebird.org/checklist/S394414491?subID=S394414491.
If you were on the trip and would like the eBird shared with you (and I haven't already done so), please reach out. Keep an eye out for future Mountaineer Audubon field trips as posted on our website and/or Facebook page. Hope you all enjoy your fall migration, and I look forward to seeing you out in the field soon.
Date: 9/18/26 5:53 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Owl Medley
At 3:00 this morning, I was awakened by the begging of a young great horned owl. After hearing several calls, I decided to step out on the porch for a glimpse. The bird was silent. As I listened for more calling, I noticed a barred owl hooting nearly a mile down the road. It was soon joined by a 2nd hooter. As I listened to the duet, I realized a screech owl was calling down behind our garage. Then, the only sound was crickets & katydids. About that time, Judy stepped out on the porch to see what I was doing. The great horned owl began begging but was over in the neighbor's yard. The stars were shining, a slight breeze was blowing and there was lightning in the north. The local forecaster said we might see lightning from the storms passing to the north even though our skies we're cloudless. Jim &:Judy Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV
Knob Ridge Road, Pipestem, WV, Summers, West Virginia, US
Sep 17, 2026 6:30 AM - 7:40 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.25 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: 67 degrees, ground fog
25 species
Canada Goose 25
Mourning Dove 3
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 6
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Great Horned Owl 1 young begging
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Blue Jay 9
American Crow 4
Common Raven 1
Tufted Titmouse 4
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
Gray Catbird 2
American Robin 1
House Finch 5
American Goldfinch 14
Eastern Towhee 3
Red-winged Blackbird 2
Tennessee Warbler 2
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1
Scarlet Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 4
Date: 9/14/26 5:45 pm From: Derek Courtney <derek.dana.courtney...> Subject: Upcoming Mountaineer Audubon Field Trip --- Little Indian Creek WMA
Hi all,
With fall migration in full swing, it's time for more field trip offerings from Mountaineer Audubon. This Saturday, September 19, I will be leading an outing to Little Indian Creek WMA in search of fall migrants and lingering residents. While never promised, Little Indian Creek has been the absolute best place to see the elusive Connecticut Warbler for more than a decade, and this trip is timed to fit right in the window of their usual passage through our area. We'll hopefully encounter other migrants as well.
As usual, the trip is free and there's no pre-registration required. We will meet at the upper parking area of Little Indian Creek off Birchfield Run Rd. (coordinates: 39.59539, -80.06615). Meeting time is 07:30 am. Walking will be on a pretty level gravel road, and the pace will be slow. Any questions, just let me know. Hope to see you all there!
There will also possibly be a banding operation going on at Little Indian Creek with a couple of friendly local banders. If they're up and going, we'll stop by and see if they have anything interesting in their nets.
Knob Ridge Road, Pipestem, WV, Summers, West Virginia, US
Sep 12, 2026 6:35 AM - 7:55 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: 68 degrees, light fog
19 species
Wood Duck 2
Mourning Dove 4
Great Horned Owl 1 young, begging
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 4
Carolina Wren 1
European Starling 13
Gray Catbird 3
Swainson's Thrush 3
American Robin 6
Cedar Waxwing 7
House Sparrow 6
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 4
Red-winged Blackbird 2
Northern Cardinal 4
Date: 9/7/26 5:38 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Common Nighthawks & bathing beauties
Only had I nighthawk last night & 5 tonight.
We did have an interesting hour around 5 this evening watching the bird bath. These birds enjoyed the water - Yellow-throated warbler 2 Eastern Wood-pewee 2 N. Cardinal Brown Thrasher House Finch Am. Goldfinch Am. Robin Carolina Chickadee Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch N. Mockingbird Downy Woodpecker Blue Jay Plus 11 specie that didn't bathe or drink including Blue-headed Vireo, Magnolia & Tennessee Warblers. 73 degrees today much more pleasant than last week's 86! Jim & Judy Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV
Date: 9/7/26 9:23 am From: Bruni Haydl <bruni...> Subject: Labor Day Special
Spotting two Yellow-billed cuckoos moving around my old crabapple tree out front started a birdy morning. They were here for a good 15 minutes. Nice to be able to see them out in the open, displaying the rufous coloring on the wing. A Blue-gray gnatcatcher was in the same area. Always a treat to see those little guys. A cute Flycatcher was busy getting insects.
The Spicebush berries are also attracting warblers. I was only able to identify a Yellow warbler. The other one had a faint line above the eye, not good enough to ID the species.
I was surprised to have a young Cardinal show up. Still had the dark beak. Unusual this late in the year. Guess birds have "change of life" babies too. A male Cardinal looks like he lost his toupee. The top of his head is flat and minus feathers.
Lots of Hummingbird action. I have noticed that they do rest for longer periods of time on perches I provide for them.
Just saw a Red-bellied woodpecker getting Spicebush berries. I didn't know they liked them. A male Pileated was on the suet yesterday, the first visit in several weeks.
This is one of those days where I wish I could be in two places at once. Looking out the kitchen window there was a Yellow warbler in front of the quince shrub. A few minutes later, possibly the same one, was sitting on the railing right outside the front door.
During the bird slowdown in the last month and a half, the butterflies and fascinating caterpillars have more than filled the void. So much to learn and enjoy.
Date: 9/5/26 3:37 am From: Jack OConnell <jack...> Subject: Hummingbirds - Greenbrier Co.
This week has been up and down for hummingbirds. I started the week with so many hummingbirds that I was going through 1 1/2 quarts of nectar a day. By Thursday the birds had diminished to the point that I was going through only about 1/2 quart. Yesterday the numbers were back up and I went through a full quart again.
It is fun seeing the fluctuations as I recruit migrating birds. It will be over too soon...
Jack
Date: 9/2/26 5:37 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Common Nighthawks
Saw 8 nighthawks this evening. Have been having 1-3 bats which is better than it has been. This evening had 2 small ones & one big one. The skunk was present and we heard coyotes just before we came in. Jim & Judy Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV
81 this evening! Gratifying to put the tally counter into use! ~Putnam County
-- Cynthia D. Ellis 3114 Steel Ridge Rd Red House, WV 25168 304 586-4135 h 681 234-9536 c <cindy.ellis.bbc...> <cindy.ellis.bbc...>
The cricket is a small, black, ambulatory noise surrounded by a sentimental aura. On occasion it lives in the open fields, but its favorite habitat is behind a couch or under a bookcase in a room where somebody is trying to read. ~Hal Borland
Date: 8/31/26 5:46 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Common Nighthawks
We had 52 nighthawks this evening. Had a report of hundreds over Brush Creek Falls Rd & 273 in Athens, both locations in Mercer County. We are glad folks are getting to see them! Jim & Judy Summers County Pipestem, WV
Date: 8/31/26 4:10 am From: Jack OConnell <jack...> Subject: Nighthawks - Greenbrier Co.
I'm not getting the numbers that Jim and others have reported, but observations have been at a relatively regular pace and all are heading South. Saw 11 between 7:00 and 7:50 PM yesterday.
Jack
Date: 8/30/26 6:01 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Common Nighthawks
We saw 22 nighthawks this evening. Also heard a barred owl & a great horned owl. Had a report of 100 nighthawks over Princeton, Mercer County. We have a skunk that roams around our yard while we are watching for nighthawks. Jim & Judy Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV
Date: 8/29/26 3:50 am From: Jack OConnell <jack...> Subject: Nighthawks - Greenbrier Co.
After seeing Jim's posts about his nighthawks I decided that I'd better go out and take a look last evening. Bingo! I saw 12 between 7:00 PM and 7:50 PM.
Jack
Date: 8/23/26 6:42 am From: MFowler <monty...> Subject: Hummer update
We have two pairs of Rubythroated hummers who visit the feeder regularly, the males less than the females. I would characterize this as a normal level activity for us, although it started about a month later than we're used to.
