Date: 3/2/23 5:49 pm From: Terry Bronson <birdsbybronson...> Subject: Record early WV Bank Swallow in Wood County
Today, March 2, 8 members of the Mountwood Bird Club on their regular Thursday birding outing were amazed to see a Bank Swallow perched on a utility wire with several Tree Swallows at the Belleville wetlands along River Lane in southern Wood County. This is a full month earlier than the prior eBird early date for WV, which was April 1, 2020 at Greenbottom WMA. Perhaps blown up by the recent storms in the southern U.S.?
Belleville wetlands: 2 Blue-winged Teals, 3 American Coots, 20 Green-winged Teals, 1 Barn Owl in its usual roost/nest box, 5 Tree Swallows, 2 Rusty Blackbirds.
Belleville Locks and Dam: 5 Horned Grebes
Sandy Creek embayment: 17 Green-winged Teals, 2 American Wigeons
Before the trip, I saw 1 Eastern Phoebe at Point Park in Parkersburg. On Feb. 28, I saw another along Speedway Road in Mineral Wells. Both in Wood County.
