Date: 2/18/25 2:49 pm From: Derek Courtney <derek.dana.courtney...> Subject: WV Bird Records Committee updates
Hi, all!
On March 8, the WV Bird Records Committee will hold its annual meeting. There will be two vacant seats on the Committee to be filled. If anyone is interested in being considered, please contact Secretary Wil Hershberger, myself, or any of the other current BRC members. Information on the WV BRC can be found on the website: https://www.brooksbirdclub.org/west-virginia-bird-records-committee.html
This is also a good opportunity to remind the community that if any birder that has seen the Harlequin Duck at Gauley Bridge would submit a report to the BRC, we would be most appreciative. Information on that can be found on the aforementioned website as well.
Everyone, Thanks for the help with sighting information for the Harlequin Duck. Allen and I traveled to Gauley Bridge this morning. Parked behind the Family Dollar store and within a few minutes found it in a flock of other ducks. It was downstream and swimming back and forth in the high water in front of the houses. Many beautiful birds.
Bluestone Lake(along Rt 20 between Bluestone S.P. entrance & Bluestone Dam, Summers County) 33 lesser scaups 6 redheads 12 common mergansers 1 long-tailed duck 3 Canada geese 7 Bald eagles(1 adult, 6 immatures) 1 American kestrel
Sun Valley Lake(Pipestem, Summers County - private) 14 lesser scaups 2 American black ducks
New, Bluestone & Greenbrier rivers all high & muddy. Road into Bluestone S.P. is closed & a landslide is blocking one lane of the road south of Brooks Falls on New River(Raleigh County). Jim & Judy Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV
Date: 2/15/25 8:13 am From: MFowler <monty...> Subject: Warbler's back
Our Yellow-rumped warbler was back yesterday in the sunny weather. That is a first for our yard birds list. We haven't seen more than one at a time so not sure if it's a nesting pair.
Date: 2/14/25 7:27 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Glenwood Sewage Lagoons, Feb 13, 2025
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From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Fri, Feb 14, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Subject: eBird Report - Glenwood Sewage Lagoons, Feb 13, 2025
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
Glenwood Sewage Lagoons, Mercer, West Virginia, US
Feb 13, 2025 11:57 AM - 12:07 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments: 46 degrees, sunny
8 species
Canada Goose 14
Wood Duck 3
Mallard 16
American Black Duck 2
Ring-necked Duck 66 easily counted while they swam
Killdeer 4
Turkey Vulture 1
American Crow 4
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From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Wed, Feb 12, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Subject: eBird Report - Knob Ridge Road, Pipestem, WV, Feb 12, 2025
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
Knob Ridge Road, Pipestem, WV, Summers, West Virginia, US
Feb 12, 2025 7:50 AM - 3:50 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments: 33 degrees, cloudy & overnight ice on 10" of snow
24 species
Mourning Dove 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 5
Hairy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 1
Blue Jay 26
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 9
Tufted Titmouse 7
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 4
European Starling 18
House Finch 15
Purple Finch 11
Pine Siskin 3
American Goldfinch 27
Dark-eyed Junco 29
White-throated Sparrow 24
Song Sparrow 4
Eastern Towhee 2
Red-winged Blackbird 32
Common Grackle 5
Northern Cardinal 19
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From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Tue, Feb 11, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Subject: eBird Report - Knob Ridge Road, Pipestem, WV, Feb 11, 2025
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
Knob Ridge Road, Pipestem, WV, Summers, West Virginia, US
Feb 11, 2025 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments: 29-32 degrees, 10" of snow
22 species
Mourning Dove 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 6
Hairy Woodpecker 3
Blue Jay 21
American Crow 4
Carolina Chickadee 10
Tufted Titmouse 8
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Carolina Wren 1
European Starling 28
House Finch 14
Purple Finch 6
American Goldfinch 38
Dark-eyed Junco 21
White-throated Sparrow 19
Song Sparrow 3
Eastern Towhee 2
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Northern Cardinal 18
Date: 2/10/25 6:03 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Glenwood Sewage Lagoons, Feb 10, 2025
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From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Mon, Feb 10, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Subject: eBird Report - Glenwood Sewage Lagoons, Feb 10, 2025
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
Glenwood Sewage Lagoons, Mercer, West Virginia, US
Feb 10, 2025 1:06 PM - 1:16 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments: 39 degrees, cloudy
7 species
Canada Goose 19
Mallard 10
American Black Duck 8
Ring-necked Duck 78 They were on the water and easy to count with or
without the binoculars.
Killdeer 3
Turkey Vulture 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Date: 2/10/25 3:59 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Peent!
At 6:20 this evening, Judy called me out to the porch to hear our first of the season American Woodcock!! Jim & Judy Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV
Date: 2/9/25 7:25 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Bluestone SP--Mouth of the Bluestone, Feb 9, 2025
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From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Sun, Feb 9, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Subject: eBird Report - Bluestone SP--Mouth of the Bluestone, Feb 9, 2025
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
Bluestone SP--Mouth of the Bluestone, Summers, West Virginia, US
Feb 9, 2025 2:10 PM - 2:50 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: 39 degrees, cloudy
5 species
Common Merganser 4
Turkey Vulture 4
Golden Eagle 1 adult
Bald Eagle 3 2 adults, 1 immature
Common Raven 2
Spotted something out of the ordinary at the bird feeder this afternoon, and as best I can tell it was a female Yellow-rumped warbler. Small, mostly grey on top, black eye stripe and a small patch of bright yellow on the flanks. The beak looked a little more wren-like, but it wasn't on the ground long enough for a good look.
Date: 2/7/25 10:24 am From: Wilma Jarrell <wjar...> Subject: merlin
Our internet just came back on today.
Wilma Jarrell Wileyville Wetzel County
-----Original Message----- From: do-not-reply <do-not-reply...> To: wjar <wjar...> Date: Friday, 7 February 2025 1:20 PM EST Subject: eBird Report - New Martinsville, Feb 5, 2025
New Martinsville, Wetzel, West Virginia, US Feb 5, 2025 2:00 PM Protocol: Incidental Checklist Comments: In trees above Doak's greenhouse across from Ace hardware 1 species
Date: 2/6/25 6:46 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Bluestone SP--Mouth of the Bluestone, Feb 5, 2025
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From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Thu, Feb 6, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Subject: eBird Report - Bluestone SP--Mouth of the Bluestone, Feb 5, 2025
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
Bluestone SP--Mouth of the Bluestone, Summers, West Virginia, US
Feb 5, 2025 2:52 PM - 3:12 PM
Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: 43 degrees, cloudy
6 species
Common Merganser 17
Turkey Vulture 3
Bald Eagle 2 adult, immature
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Date: 2/6/25 6:46 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - New River Gorge NP--Madams Creek to Sandstone Falls (Summers Co.), Feb 5, 2025
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From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Thu, Feb 6, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Subject: eBird Report - New River Gorge NP--Madams Creek to Sandstone Falls
(Summers Co.), Feb 5, 2025
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
New River Gorge NP--Madams Creek to Sandstone Falls (Summers Co.), Summers,
West Virginia, US
Feb 5, 2025 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Protocol: Traveling
4.0 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: Madams Creek to Brooks Falls. 45 degrees, cloudy
8 species
Ring-billed Gull 38
Turkey Vulture 4
Bald Eagle 3 immatures
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Crow 10
Common Raven 1
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 1
Date: 2/1/25 6:42 am From: Paul Mckay <paulmck57...> Subject: Black Vultures and Ravens
In Ohio County, just west of West Lib i saw our 2 black vultures again looking quite pretty against the blue sky while a raven made it's raven sounds across the valley. Paul Paul McKay
Date: 1/30/25 6:36 pm From: Wilma Jarrell <wjar...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Hannibal Dam/Howard Jeffers Park, Jan 30, 2025
American coot showed up today.
Wilma Jarrell Wileyville Wetzel County
-----Original Message----- From: do-not-reply <do-not-reply...> To: wjar <wjar...> Date: Thursday, 30 January 2025 9:30 PM EST Subject: eBird Report - Hannibal Dam/Howard Jeffers Park, Jan 30, 2025
Hannibal Dam/Howard Jeffers Park, Wetzel, West Virginia, US Jan 30, 2025 4:10 PM - 5:20 PM Protocol: Traveling 1.0 mile(s) Checklist Comments: overcast 42 degrees with some ice on river 20 species
Canada Goose 45 Mallard 8 Canvasback 16 Ring-necked Duck 2 Lesser Scaup 3 Bufflehead 2 Common Goldeneye 4 Hooded Merganser 4 Common Merganser 50 Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 70 American Coot 3 Ring-billed Gull 60 American Herring Gull 3 Pied-billed Grebe 2 Great Blue Heron 2 Bald Eagle 1 Peregrine Falcon 1 American Crow 90 European Starling 65 American Robin 3
Date: 1/30/25 6:33 pm From: Wilma Jarrell <wjar...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - The home place, Jan 30, 2025
I found a field sparrow and 2 hermit thrush first for this month
Wilma Jarrell Wileyville Wetzel County
-----Original Message----- From: do-not-reply <do-not-reply...> To: wjar <wjar...> Date: Thursday, 30 January 2025 9:10 PM EST Subject: eBird Report - The home place, Jan 30, 2025
The home place, Wetzel, West Virginia, US Jan 30, 2025 9:55 AM - 11:30 AM Protocol: Traveling 1.5 mile(s) Checklist Comments: sunny 35 degrees patchy snow cover 16 species
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2 Downy Woodpecker 1 Hairy Woodpecker 1 Pileated Woodpecker 2 Blue Jay 2 Common Raven 1 Carolina Chickadee 3 Tufted Titmouse 5 White-breasted Nuthatch 3 Eastern Bluebird 15 Hermit Thrush 2 American Robin 2 Field Sparrow 1 Dark-eyed Junco 4 White-throated Sparrow 2 Northern Cardinal 4
-----Original Message----- From: do-not-reply <do-not-reply...> To: wjar <wjar...> Date: Thursday, 30 January 2025 9:14 PM EST Subject: eBird Report - Fairview Ridge, Jan 30, 2025
Fairview Ridge, Wetzel, West Virginia, US Jan 30, 2025 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM Protocol: Stationary Checklist Comments: sunny 32 degrees with patchy snow cover 18 species
Mourning Dove 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Downy Woodpecker 4 Hairy Woodpecker 3 Blue Jay 8 Carolina Chickadee 2 Tufted Titmouse 2 White-breasted Nuthatch 2 European Starling 11 Northern Mockingbird 1 House Finch 12 Purple Finch 11 American Goldfinch 30 Dark-eyed Junco 1 White-throated Sparrow 6 Song Sparrow 1 Red-winged Blackbird 5 Northern Cardinal 14
Date: 1/28/25 4:56 pm From: Chris Mullens <mullensc66...> Subject: Re: Good raptor day
One 3rd Year Bald Eagle in Bluefield, VA today.
On Tue, Jan 28, 2025, 6:26 PM James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...>
wrote:
> This afternoon, we saw a gorgeous male northern harrier just north of
> Athens, Mercer County.
> At the mouth of the Bluestone in Bluestone S.P., Summers County we saw 12
> bald eagles(2 adults, 10 immatures) and a kestrel.
> Below Bluestone Dam, we saw another adult & 2 immature bald eagles and at
> least 3 red- tailed hawks. Near Brooks Falls we saw a red screech owl
> snoozing in the sunshine(51 degrees, Yay!).
> Jim & Judy Phillips
> Summers County
> Pipestem, WV
>
Date: 1/28/25 3:26 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Good raptor day
This afternoon, we saw a gorgeous male northern harrier just north of Athens, Mercer County. At the mouth of the Bluestone in Bluestone S.P., Summers County we saw 12 bald eagles(2 adults, 10 immatures) and a kestrel. Below Bluestone Dam, we saw another adult & 2 immature bald eagles and at least 3 red- tailed hawks. Near Brooks Falls we saw a red screech owl snoozing in the sunshine(51 degrees, Yay!). Jim & Judy Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV
Date: 1/27/25 5:47 pm From: Wilma Jarrell <wjar...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Hannibal Dam/Howard Jeffers Park, Jan 27, 2025
Wilma Jarrell Wileyville Wetzel County
-----Original Message----- From: do-not-reply <do-not-reply...> To: wjar <wjar...> Date: Monday, 27 January 2025 8:45 PM EST Subject: eBird Report - Hannibal Dam/Howard Jeffers Park, Jan 27, 2025
Hannibal Dam/Howard Jeffers Park, Wetzel, West Virginia, US Jan 27, 2025 3:46 PM - 4:24 PM Protocol: Traveling 1.0 mile(s) Checklist Comments: sunny 36 degrees with patchy snow cover Some ice above dam, with no ice below dam 19 species
Canada Goose 65 Mallard 25 American Black Duck 4 Canvasback 6 Ring-necked Duck 3 Lesser Scaup 5 Bufflehead 8 Common Goldeneye 3 Hooded Merganser 10 Common Merganser 29 Ruddy Duck 4 Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 75 Ring-billed Gull 65 Pied-billed Grebe 1 Red-tailed Hawk 1 Peregrine Falcon 1 American Crow 1 European Starling 10 Song Sparrow 1
I had my eye on a Bald-faced hornet nest that finally fell off the high tree it was hanging from. First, the papery shell and a week later, the three-tiered innards. Fortunately, I was able to pull off the road and retrieve it. Such fascinating construction. I put it on a small table outside to take photos. Next time I looked, a Carolina wren was checking it out. It was of particular interest to a Downy woodpecker who kept hacking away at it. He returned several times. Maybe there was something edible left in some of those large hexagon shaped cells.
On our dogwalk this morning, I noticed a bird in the big tree in the field. The shape threw me off. The rounded body almost resembled a quail. Turned out to be a Red-shouldered Hawk having breakfast. That hunched posture as he was pulling his victim apart sure fooled me. When he was finished, he flew to another limb and showed off his lovely breast color.
Our last snowfall and subsequent low temperatures made for lots of bird activity. Lots of Cardinals that were really stunning in the snow. One advantage to living in the country is that the snow stays pristine. Special birds were two adult White-crowned sparrows and one first year bird.
Date: 1/27/25 6:54 am From: MFowler <monty...> Subject: Mockingbirds and hawks
Something I had not seen under our feeders on Sunday, four Mockingbirds (I'm assuming two pairs). Usually it's just one who flits in, digs around in the sunflower seed on the ground, and then quickly departs. These four stayed for almost an hour.
We also got a crow show, with four of them mobbing the Sharp-Shinned hawk that has been hanging around our feeder (and who nailed a Starling last week right under the feeders). It was quite the raucous display for about 20 minutes, until the hawk finally had enough and departed to the south.
Paul & Debbie,
The Blue Jays are here in Brooke County, demanding as always. They have their own peanut ring here, Shannon, so they don’t bother any of the others. Sadly for us though, the Juncos were no-shows even with the snow!
Becky & Steve Szabo
Sent from my iPhone
> On Jan 22, 2025, at 3:41 PM, Shannon Burner <shannonann66...> wrote:
>
> I have your blue jays! I had sixteen at my feeder this morning. A regular
> street gang, bossing everyone around and flushing the smaller birds left
> and right!
>
> Shannon Burner
> New Creek Mineral Co
>
>> On Wed, Jan 22, 2025, 3:36 PM Paul Mckay <paulmck57...> wrote:
>>
>> We have 2 Towhees at the feeders today. I have noticed a couple in our yard
>> as well as a few on our farm across the road. I mention this because it is
>> not a usual occurrence they generally are gone by mid December and return
>> in early March, although during warm winters some stay year round. This is
>> not one of those winters. I wonder if the ones that stick around are
>> removed from the gene pool over time. Although if successful they have
>> first crack at breeding territory.
>> Also we have all four genders of white throated sparrow I am sure. (by
>> how many birds are under the feeders). If you are not familiar with it
>> Google scientific papers on gender and white throated sparrow, throw in
>> scientific name to weed out the fluff.
>> Also Cardinals, chicadees, downy woodpeckers, red bellied woodpeckers, song
>> sparrows, gold finches, house finches, junco, very unhappy Carolina wrens,
>> flickers, red shouldered hawk, a brown creeper but surprisingly no blue
>> Jay's.
>> Paul and Debbie McKay
>> West Lib
>> Ohio County
>>
I have your blue jays! I had sixteen at my feeder this morning. A regular
street gang, bossing everyone around and flushing the smaller birds left
and right!
Shannon Burner
New Creek Mineral Co
On Wed, Jan 22, 2025, 3:36 PM Paul Mckay <paulmck57...> wrote:
> We have 2 Towhees at the feeders today. I have noticed a couple in our yard
> as well as a few on our farm across the road. I mention this because it is
> not a usual occurrence they generally are gone by mid December and return
> in early March, although during warm winters some stay year round. This is
> not one of those winters. I wonder if the ones that stick around are
> removed from the gene pool over time. Although if successful they have
> first crack at breeding territory.
> Also we have all four genders of white throated sparrow I am sure. (by
> how many birds are under the feeders). If you are not familiar with it
> Google scientific papers on gender and white throated sparrow, throw in
> scientific name to weed out the fluff.
> Also Cardinals, chicadees, downy woodpeckers, red bellied woodpeckers, song
> sparrows, gold finches, house finches, junco, very unhappy Carolina wrens,
> flickers, red shouldered hawk, a brown creeper but surprisingly no blue
> Jay's.
> Paul and Debbie McKay
> West Lib
> Ohio County
>
Date: 1/22/25 12:36 pm From: Paul Mckay <paulmck57...> Subject: Ohio County Birds
We have 2 Towhees at the feeders today. I have noticed a couple in our yard as well as a few on our farm across the road. I mention this because it is not a usual occurrence they generally are gone by mid December and return in early March, although during warm winters some stay year round. This is not one of those winters. I wonder if the ones that stick around are removed from the gene pool over time. Although if successful they have first crack at breeding territory. Also we have all four genders of white throated sparrow I am sure. (by how many birds are under the feeders). If you are not familiar with it Google scientific papers on gender and white throated sparrow, throw in scientific name to weed out the fluff. Also Cardinals, chicadees, downy woodpeckers, red bellied woodpeckers, song sparrows, gold finches, house finches, junco, very unhappy Carolina wrens, flickers, red shouldered hawk, a brown creeper but surprisingly no blue Jay's. Paul and Debbie McKay West Lib Ohio County
Date: 1/20/25 5:28 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Re: 20th Winter Eagle Survey - 1/18/24
Oops!
Subject title in last email should be -
20th Winter Eagle Survey - 1/18/2025
Jim
On Mon, Jan 20, 2025, 8:22 AM James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...>
wrote:
> The Winter Eagle Survey was held on Saturday, January 18, 2025.
> Participants in various locations in southern WV including Mercer, Monroe,
> Summers, Greenbrier & Raleigh counties found at least 55 bald eagles. This
> year we added R.D. Bailey Lake(a new location for our survey) on the
> Wyoming/Mingo County line. One site in Giles County, VA was visited as
> well. No golden eagles were found.
> The Spring Eagle Survey will be Saturday, March 1, 2025.
> Jim Phillips
> Summers County
> Pipestem, WV
>
Date: 1/20/25 5:22 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: 20th Winter Eagle Survey - 1/18/24
The Winter Eagle Survey was held on Saturday, January 18, 2025. Participants in various locations in southern WV including Mercer, Monroe, Summers, Greenbrier & Raleigh counties found at least 55 bald eagles. This year we added R.D. Bailey Lake(a new location for our survey) on the Wyoming/Mingo County line. One site in Giles County, VA was visited as well. No golden eagles were found. The Spring Eagle Survey will be Saturday, March 1, 2025. Jim Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV