Date: 10/21/24 4:35 pm From: C <empidonaxdvg...> Subject: RFI - Red Crossbill feeding observations
Hi all,
I’m writing to follow up on my previous requests for observations of
eastern red crossbills feeding on conifers.
This is an especially interesting year and time of year for crossbill
feeding behavior. Last year there was a massive white pine cone crop in the
Northeast that lots of type 12, type 2, type 4, and type 1 crossbills fed
on until rather late in the spring. There does not seem to be such a
massive cone crop this fall and most of the types 2 and 4 have returned to
the western US. As such, I’m interested in seeing what the diets of the
type 12 and 1 birds look like in a more “normal” year.
As a reminder, I’m looking for audio recordings of crossbill calls from the
eastern US/Great Lakes with information on the conifers the birds are
feeding on. The recordings do not have to be made with any advanced
equipment – many phone recordings are sufficient. Pictures of the conifer
cones are most helpful. However, if you are comfortable with conifer
identification, notes on which conifers crossbills are feeding on are also
valuable.
Based on contributions from over 100 folks across the eastern US, I’ve
accumulated nearly 1,000 (!) records of eastern red crossbills and the
conifers they’re feeding on. If you’re interested, I’ve posted a little
blurb on my website (
https://ckporter.weebly.com/eastern-red-crossbill-ecology.html)
illustrating and describing the preliminary data for type 12, the crossbill
I have the most data for and am most interested in for this project.
Although there are some intriguing patterns in the data so far, describing
the feeding ecology of type 12 and other eastern call types will require
*much* more data across many seasons and years. So, if you have crossbills
in your area, please consider uploading recordings and conifer information
to eBird. I’ve also created an iNaturalist project (link below) where
observations can be uploaded. If you don’t use eBird or iNaturalist, please
feel free to send me any observations directly.
Thanks a ton for considering my request. Please feel free to reach out with
any questions. Also, please pass this onto anyone you think might be
interested in participating.
Date: 10/21/24 1:55 pm From: Bruni Haydl <bruni...> Subject: More new arrivals
Two days ago, I saw a Brown Creeper moving up the walnut trunk. Hadn't seen one since late winter.
Yesterday, male and female Purple Finches arrived. They were back again today eating sunflower chips.
I still have Yellow-rumps in high numbers. They love the birdbaths, sharing them with Chipping Sparrows, Bluebirds, etc. A couple of Song sparrows are here too as are the White-throated sparrows. Heard one singing while walking my dog this morning.
My one legged Starling buddy still stops by every few days. Not my favorite species, but I can't help admire it for the way it is dealing with its disability.
Date: 10/21/24 3:48 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Meteors & an owl
I watched the sky from 5:57 to 6:27 this morning. Saw 4 meteors and heard a great horned owl. When I went out, there was a skunk in the yard. It high-tailed it around the house and didn't come back. Actually, it wasn't the hightail a skunk might do but the hightail cattle rustlers would do in an old cowboy movie. Jim Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV
Date: 10/18/24 10:08 am From: Mike Griffith <birdonawire47...> Subject: Nelson's Sparrow
I found a Nelson's Sparrow at R.C. Byrd Locks today. About half an hour later, David Johnston and I refound the bird. We had extremely good looks at the bird for several minutes.
I am going to disagree slightly with Terry on this. The color cast in Rick's photo is strong, but easily dealt with in Photoshop. The throat is indeed in yellow and bordered by paler off-white at the cheek. Terry's point about the facial pattern is correct, eliminating a pure Audubon's. But I'd say the throat color, facial pattern, and streaking all add up to a solid intergrade Audubon x Myrtle.
I think it's just a trick of reflected underlighting. All the underparts
appear yellowish, except for a couple of dark flank streaks. The throat
really doesn't look much darker than the rest of the underparts. Also note
the light area of the throat curling back under the eyes, which is typical
of the Myrtle race, but not the Audubon's. Unless you had a different view
that showed a yellow throat noticeably different than the breast, I'd just
leave it as a Yellow-rumped and edit the species note to indicate that the
lighting appeared to show a yellowish throat.
Terry Bronson
Marietta, OH
On Wed, Oct 16, 2024 at 3:51 PM Richard Gregg <greggra...>
wrote:
> The attached checklist for the Marmet Locks and Dam has a photo of what I
> have labeled as a Yellow-rump Warbler. However, it has a yellow throat
> instead of a white one. The black line at the undertail coverts can
> indicate several species. The yellow wash in the vent area can be a trick
> of lighting but the throat definitely appears yellow to me.
>
> https://ebird.org/checklist/S199146983 >
> Genetic mutation? Or could the recent weather events have shoved/sucked an
> Audubon’s Warbler over to West Virginia?
>
> My best,
> Rick Gregg
> Kanawha Co.
>
Date: 10/16/24 12:47 pm From: Richard Gregg <greggra...> Subject: Yell
The attached checklist for the Marmet Locks and Dam has a photo of what I have labeled as a Yellow-rump Warbler. However, it has a yellow throat instead of a white one. The black line at the undertail coverts can indicate several species. The yellow wash in the vent area can be a trick of lighting but the throat definitely appears yellow to me.
Date: 10/14/24 3:55 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Oct 14, 2024
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Mon, Oct 14, 2024 at 6:52 PM
Subject: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV,
Oct 14, 2024
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Mercer, West Virginia, US
Oct 14, 2024 12:15 PM - 2:15 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments: unofficial hawk watch - 48-51 degrees, 20-30% cloud
cover and n wind 7-10 mph with gusts to 20 mph.
11 species
Turkey Vulture 11
Golden Eagle 1 adult
Cooper's Hawk 1
Bald Eagle 3 adult and 2 immatures
Red-tailed Hawk 5 3 were probably residents and 2 were migrants
Red-headed Woodpecker 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 1
Common Raven 2
Date: 10/14/24 6:51 am From: MFowler <monty...> Subject: Bluebirds and a hawk
We were walking in Woodmere Cemetery on Sunday and saw first a male and then a female Bluebird, so it seems that there is at least one nesting pair somewhere in that area.
At breakfast there was a kerfluffle on our covered back deck when a hawk swooped in, briefly looked at a small white cardboard box, and then whooshed away. I think it was a Sharp-shinned but it was took quick and startling to be sure. Never seen that behavior before.
Date: 10/13/24 3:04 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Oct 13, 2024
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Sun, Oct 13, 2024 at 6:00 PM
Subject: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV,
Oct 13, 2024
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Mercer, West Virginia, US
Oct 13, 2024 1:15 PM - 3:15 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments: unofficial hawk watch - 67-70 degrees, 70% cloud
cover and N wind 7-8 mph with gusts to 16 mph.
11 species
Turkey Vulture 5
Golden Eagle 1 adult
Cooper's Hawk 2
Bald Eagle 2 adult and immature
Red-tailed Hawk 3 1 probably a resident
Peregrine Falcon 1
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 1
Common Raven 1
Cedar Waxwing 18
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Date: 10/13/24 1:45 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Kinglets
We grow our peppers in boxes on the bannister of our end porch. That way they get lots of sun, they are too high for deer to reach and we can sit on the porch and enjoy shade from the pepper plants. Insect eating birds patrol the plants, especially Carolina wrens & chickadees. This morning, 2 ruby-crowned kinglets attacked each other in the peppers. After a brief scuffle, one left. The other one sat on a nearby shepherds crook with his crown exposed. He then returned to exploring the plants just a few feet from us. Jim & Judy Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV
Date: 10/13/24 11:06 am From: Mindy Waldron <wvwaldron...> Subject: Big Sit results for Bibbee Nature Club
Everyone, There were 3 of us participating in the Big Sit yesterday. We were at our traditional location at Mountain Valley Lake in Summers County, Jumping Branch WV. It turned out to be an absolutely beautiful day. You can't complain when the weather cooperates and you're on the edge of a beautiful lake, and birdwatching.Temperature started mid 40's and when we left had risen to 72. There was very little wind for most of our time. We arrived at 8:20 am and left at 1:20 pm. The waterfowl was basically non-existent. Here is our list of 35 species. Canada goose Gadwall Wild turkey Pied-billed grebe Great blue heron Black vulture, only 7. This in years past has been a roost for black vulture. I wondered if something happened to them. Turkey vulture Osprey, one kept diving at the water, but never had any luck Bald eagle, immature it chased after the osprey Red-tailed hawk Red-bellied, Downy, Pileated woodpeckers N. flicker E. Phoebe Blue-headed vireo Blue jay A. crow Common raven Carolina chickadee Tufted titmouse White-breasted nuthatch Carolina wren Golden-crowned kinglet A. Robin Gray catbird N. mockingbird E. starling Cedar waxwing Yellow-rumped warbler, lots of them flitting around the trees. They kept us looking, in case it wasn't a yellow-rumped. E. towhee Song sparrow White-throated sparrow N. cardinal Red-winged blackbird
Thanks to Alma Lowry and Ann McRae for sharing their time with me yesterday. Mindy Waldron Surveyor WV
Date: 10/13/24 8:08 am From: Derek Courtney <derek.dana.courtney...> Subject: Morgantown Christmas Bird Count
Hi, all!
The Morgantown CBC will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2024. Can we break 100 species? Can we get more than 100 participants? We were really close last year which is amazing for WV!
If you are interested in participating this year, let me know. Our website will be up and running soon with lots of good information: https://www.mountaineeraudubon.org/cbc-2024.
Feel free to share with friends, family, or anyone else who might be interested.
You can participate either by joining a group in the field, or watching birds at your feeders if you live in the count circle. Or both!
If you have any questions on participating or the CBC in general, please feel free to contact me. Hope you can join in on the fun!
Date: 10/13/24 4:14 am From: Bruni <bruni...> Subject: New arrival
I was thrilled to see the first White-throated sparrows in my flower bed yesterday morning. Still had a hummingbird two days earlier. Maybe the light frost Thursday night was responsible.
The bird activity at the birdbath included the White-throated sparrows,
a Field sparrow and some Yellow-rumps in addition to the regulars such as Cardinals and Bluebirds.
Most of the Cardinals have their adult plumage. There is one little female that still has a brown bill. She looks like a little terra cotta fifigurine. So cute. One of the Bluebirds coming for live mealworms still has some dapples about the head.
Walking my dog in the morning I saw three turkeys in the neighbor's yard. Pretty sure they were part of the seven seen a few days ago.
A Pileated was here in the morning and again late afternoon.
Date: 10/10/24 4:14 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Oct 10, 2024
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Thu, Oct 10, 2024 at 7:12 PM
Subject: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV,
Oct 10, 2024
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Mercer, West Virginia, US
Oct 10, 2024 12:10 PM - 1:40 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments: unofficial hawk watch - 0-8 mph N wind, 0% cloud
cover and 54 degrees.
Highlight of the day was when a black bear came down into the road and ran
in front of the car for about a half mile before going back up the mountain.
8 species
Black Vulture 4
Turkey Vulture 9
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 3 2 were probably residents
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 3
Common Raven 5
Field Sparrow 1
Date: 10/10/24 7:40 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Oct 9, 2024
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Thu, Oct 10, 2024 at 10:35 AM
Subject: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV,
Oct 9, 2024
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Mercer, West Virginia, US
Oct 9, 2024 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments: unofficial hawk watch - 0-9 mph N wind, 58 degrees
and 0 cloud cover
10 species
Turkey Vulture 13
Broad-winged Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1 probably a resident
Red-headed Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 1
Common Raven 1
Carolina Wren 1
Cedar Waxwing 2
American Goldfinch 1
Date: 10/9/24 10:11 am From: jerry Kruth <00000005ead0dac6-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: Woodpecker Day
All seven!!!! Quite a day Jim! Kudos!
Jerry Kruth
Pgh
On Monday, October 7, 2024 at 09:47:36 AM EDT, James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> wrote:
In our yard, yesterday, we had red-bellied, downy, hairy and pileated
woodpeckers, northern flicker and our first of the season yellow-bellied
sapsucker. On the way to Athens in Mercer County we saw a red-headed
woodpecker.
Jim & Judy Phillips
Summers County
Pipestem, WV
Date: 10/8/24 5:00 am From: Hannah Clipp <hlclipp...> Subject: Re: Mountaineer Audubon Program on October 8 --- "Avian Conservation Efforts on a Local Natural Gas Pipeline"
Hi all,
Today's the day! I hope that you can join me and attend the virtual
Mountaineer Audubon program *tonight (Tuesday, October 8) at 7 pm*. The
guest speaker, Andrew MacKenzie, is a recent graduate from the West
Virginia University Division of Natural Resources and the Environment, and
he will be presenting about “Avian Conservation Efforts on a Local Natural
Gas Pipeline”.
*Program Description:*
Andrew will discuss avian conservation efforts on a local natural gas
pipeline. He will briefly discuss the history of avian conservation, the
conservation practices used on a local natural gas pipeline, and the
effectiveness of these efforts.
*About the Speaker:*
Andrew MacKenzie graduated from West Virginia University with his
Bachelor’s of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Resources in 2021 and a
Masters of Agriculture and Natural Resources in 2024. He has had several
jobs from training alligators, restoring wetlands, and most recently
protecting birds and their nests. Andrew is currently working as an
“Environmental Specialist” with Williams Forestry and Associates.
*Attend the Virtual Meeting:*
This program is free and open to the public -- everyone is welcome! Below
is the Zoom invitation link. Please note that we request that you not share
this link publicly (e.g., Facebook or other social media sites) or with
anyone whom you do not know.
*Cheyenne Carter (Mountaineer Audubon President) is inviting you to a
scheduled Zoom meeting.Topic: Mountaineer Audubon October ProgramTime: Oct
8, 2024 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)Join Zoom
Meetinghttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/81651253511
<https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81651253511>Meeting ID: 816 5125 3511*
Good birding,
Hannah
Mountaineer Audubon board member
/* Hannah L. Clipp, PhD *(she/her)
USDA Forest Service Resource Assistant
Associate Wildlife Biologist® | 2017 NSF Graduate Research Fellow
On Fri, Sep 27, 2024 at 9:41 AM Hannah Clipp <hlclipp...> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
>
> On behalf of Mountaineer Audubon, I wanted to extend an invitation to
> Mountaineer Audubon's second fall program of the year, which will take
> place virtually (over Zoom) on *Tuesday, October 8, at 7 pm*. Our guest
> speaker, Andrew MacKenzie, will be presenting about “Avian Conservation
> Efforts on a Local Natural Gas Pipeline”.
>
>
> *Program Description:*
>
> Andrew will discuss avian conservation efforts on a local natural gas
> pipeline. Andrew will briefly discuss the history of avian conservation,
> the conservation practices used on a local natural gas pipeline, and the
> effectiveness of these efforts.
>
>
> *About the Speaker:*
>
>
> Andrew MacKenzie graduated from West Virginia University with his
> Bachelor’s of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Resources in 2021 and a
> Masters of Agriculture and Natural Resources in 2024. Andrew has had
> several jobs from training alligators, restoring wetlands, and most
> recently protecting birds and their nests. Andrew recently took a role as
> an “Environmental Specialist” with Williams Forestry and Associates.
>
>
> *Attend the Virtual Meeting:*
>
> This program is free and open to the public -- everyone is welcome! I will
> follow up on this email with the Zoom invitation link sometime next week,
> but you can also request the link from the Mountaineer Audubon email:
> contact+<president...>
>
>
> Good birding,
> Hannah
> Mountaineer Audubon board member
>
>
> /* Hannah L. Clipp, PhD *(she/her)
> USDA Forest Service Resource Assistant
> Associate Wildlife Biologist® | 2017 NSF Graduate Research Fellow
>
>
Date: 10/7/24 6:47 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Woodpecker Day
In our yard, yesterday, we had red-bellied, downy, hairy and pileated woodpeckers, northern flicker and our first of the season yellow-bellied sapsucker. On the way to Athens in Mercer County we saw a red-headed woodpecker. Jim & Judy Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV
Date: 10/7/24 6:42 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - New River Gorge NP--Madams Creek to Sandstone Falls (Summers Co.), Oct 6, 2024
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Mon, Oct 7, 2024 at 9:38 AM
Subject: eBird Report - New River Gorge NP--Madams Creek to Sandstone Falls
(Summers Co.), Oct 6, 2024
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
New River Gorge NP--Madams Creek to Sandstone Falls (Summers Co.), Summers,
West Virginia, US
Oct 6, 2024 1:20 PM - 2:03 PM
Protocol: Traveling
8.0 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: 77 degrees
8 species
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Turkey Vulture 2
Bald Eagle 2 adults
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 7
Carolina Wren 4
For the first time in weeks our rivers have been flowing, so it was appropriate for me to see an Osprey and a Belted Kingfisher in Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge on Thursday, where I also jumped a Ruffed Grouse.
Purple Finches have started appearing at the feeders, and migrants have been enjoying the berries on the Virginia Creeper vines. Dozens of Swainson's Thrushes, at least a couple of dozen Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, plus Northern Flickers and American Robins, have all been feasting. Also Blue-headed and Red-eyed vireos and Tennessee and Black-throated Green warblers. The Sharp-shinned Hawk has been showing up too.
Butterflies that are immigrants from the south have been appearing too - in the last couple of weeks I've seen lots of Sachems, plus Fiery Skipper, Sleepy Orange, and Cloudless Sulphurs.
Date: 10/6/24 6:58 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Re: eBird Taxonomy update
Thanks
Will do.
Jim
On Sun, Oct 6, 2024, 9:21 AM Derek Courtney <derek.dana.courtney...>
wrote:
> Hi, all!
>
> This is a reminder that eBird is undergoing its yearly taxonomy
> update. For the most part, nothing will change for WV aside from name
> changes stemming from species splits, or lumps (goodbye, Common
> Redpoll). Those will be done automatically and require no actions.
> But, if you have eBird mobile checklists that are not submitted,
> please do so at your earliest convenience. That way changes can be
> made to all of your checklists. The very last date to do so would be
> October 21. For more information see:
> https://ebird.org/news/2024-taxonomy-update. Thanks!
>
> Good birding,
> Derek
>
Date: 10/6/24 6:21 am From: Derek Courtney <derek.dana.courtney...> Subject: eBird Taxonomy update
Hi, all!
This is a reminder that eBird is undergoing its yearly taxonomy update. For the most part, nothing will change for WV aside from name changes stemming from species splits, or lumps (goodbye, Common Redpoll). Those will be done automatically and require no actions. But, if you have eBird mobile checklists that are not submitted, please do so at your earliest convenience. That way changes can be made to all of your checklists. The very last date to do so would be October 21. For more information see: https://ebird.org/news/2024-taxonomy-update. Thanks!
Date: 10/5/24 6:20 pm From: Andy Weaks <awboat...> Subject: Re: Ohio county great horned owl
2 mornings ago we had a pair of Great Horned Owls dueting. It lasted at
least 20 minutes as I was waking up slowly with it in the background. It
was our first for a while.
Crazier was the night before when a female Barred Owl did the Who Cooks for
you for several minutes, and a male answered from across the holler. Badly
doing Who cooks etc, but then he flew to her and they made all kinds of
crazy sounds. Probably the craziest sounds I have ever heard. It was
awesome. And, a screech owl was calling too.
They, she, he, or some other couple have nested in the white pines next to
the house for several years. Nice to hear them.
Andy
NC Marion Co, WV
On Sat, Oct 5, 2024 at 6:55 PM Paul Mckay <paulmck57...> wrote:
> Night before last I awoke at 3:30 and heard a great horned owl singing.
> This is the first I have heard in a while, probably ten years. Hopefully
> they have worked through an immunity to west nile virus.
> Paul McKay
> Ohio County
>
Date: 10/5/24 3:55 pm From: Paul Mckay <paulmck57...> Subject: Ohio county great horned owl
Night before last I awoke at 3:30 and heard a great horned owl singing. This is the first I have heard in a while, probably ten years. Hopefully they have worked through an immunity to west nile virus. Paul McKay Ohio County
Date: 10/5/24 7:30 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Oct 4, 2024
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Sat, Oct 5, 2024 at 10:19 AM
Subject: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV,
Oct 4, 2024
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Mercer, West Virginia, US
Oct 4, 2024 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments: unofficial hawk watch - Wind NW 0-4 mph, 80-70%
cloud cover and 63-67 degrees
15 species
Turkey Vulture 14
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3
Bald Eagle 1 immatur
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Broad-winged Hawk 14
Red-tailed Hawk 4 3 probably residents
Red-headed Woodpecker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 11
American Crow 6
Common Raven 1
Carolina Chickadee 1
Tree Swallow 8
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 3
Date: 10/4/24 5:48 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Oct 3, 2024
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Fri, Oct 4, 2024 at 8:47 AM
Subject: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV,
Oct 3, 2024
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Mercer, West Virginia, US
Oct 3, 2024 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments: unofficial hawk watch - 80-75% cloud cover, 62-67
degrees and NW wind0-4 mph
16 species
Chimney Swift 1
Turkey Vulture 14
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3
Bald Eagle 1 immature
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Broad-winged Hawk 14
Red-tailed Hawk 4 2 were probably migrants
Red-headed Woodpecker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 2
Common Raven 1
Carolina Chickadee 1
Tree Swallow 8
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 3
Date: 10/3/24 11:59 am From: Bruni <bruni...> Subject: Not so fast
After more than a week of rainy and dreary weather, I decided it was time to put away my three hummingbird feeders. I had just finished cleaning them when a hummingbird appears at one of the feeder locations. Drat! OK, one more batch of nectar coming up. It came back to nectar and was there early this morning. Of course they can nectar on my flowers as well.
An Ashville warbler paid a visit, hunting for bugs among the asters. Cute little bird. Chickadees and Titmice are harvesting the tithonia seeds. The one legged Starling was back and taking a bath. That gray head and spotted body combination is interesting.
Date: 10/2/24 4:50 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Oct 2, 2024
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Wed, Oct 2, 2024 at 7:43 PM
Subject: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV,
Oct 2, 2024
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Mercer, West Virginia, US
Oct 2, 2024 11:40 AM - 1:40 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments: unofficial hawk watch -62-64 degrees, 5-7 mph N
wind and 100-80% cloud cover
Songbirds bathing in puddles left from remnants of Hurrican Helens
21 species
Chimney Swift 1
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 6
Bald Eagle 2 immatures
Red-tailed Hawk 4 3 were probably resident birds
Red-headed Woodpecker 1
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 26
American Crow 9
Common Raven 3
Carolina Chickadee 1
Tree Swallow 17
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 1
American Goldfinch 2
Dark-eyed Junco 5 all were bathing in a puddle
Eastern Towhee 1
Common Yellowthroat 1 was just about to join the palm warblers for a
bath in the puddle when a c passing car spooked it
Palm Warbler 5 all were bathing in a puddle
Indigo Bunting 1 bathing in a puddle with juncos and palm warblers
Date: 10/1/24 6:03 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Sep 30, 2024
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Tue, Oct 1, 2024 at 9:02 AM
Subject: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV,
Sep 30, 2024
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Mercer, West Virginia, US
Sep 30, 2024 12:20 PM - 12:22 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments: unofficial hawk watch - 100-90% cloud cover, 66
degrees and S wind 5-7 mph, gusting to 12 mph. Light rain at beginning and
end of time frame.
17 species
Chimney Swift 1
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 6
Osprey 1
Bald Eagle 1 immature
Broad-winged Hawk 49
Red-tailed Hawk 1 probably resident
Red-headed Woodpecker 4
American Kestrel 1
Blue Jay 37
American Crow 1
Common Raven 2
Carolina Chickadee 1
Carolina Wren 1
American Goldfinch 2
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1
Date: 10/1/24 3:34 am From: Jack OConnell <jack...> Subject: Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks - Greenbrier Co.
For about a week I have been hearing Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks around my property, but they had not appeared at my feeders until a few days ago. Yesterday I had three at the feeder, one female and two immature males. It is fun to see these occasional feeder birds in migration. Maybe I'll see them again in the Spring! Jack
-----Original Message----- From: do-not-reply <do-not-reply...> To: wjar <wjar...> Date: Monday, 30 September 2024 9:27 PM EDT Subject: eBird Report - Hannibal Dam/Howard Jeffers Park, Sep 30, 2024
Hannibal Dam/Howard Jeffers Park, Wetzel, West Virginia, US Sep 30, 2024 4:26 PM - 5:26 PM Protocol: Traveling 1.25 mile(s) Checklist Comments: overcast 68 degrees 20 species
Canada Goose 52 Black Swan 1 it over wintered on river I assume it is an escape Mallard 8 Hooded Merganser 1 He is in molt and is getting some white in hood have seen different times this summer. Common Merganser 1 Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 50 Double-crested Cormorant 2 Great Blue Heron 1 Turkey Vulture 6 Peregrine Falcon 2 Blue Jay 3 American Crow 1 Carolina Wren 1 Gray Catbird 3 American Robin 1 American Goldfinch 1 Song Sparrow 5 Swamp Sparrow 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 Northern Cardinal 1
Date: 9/30/24 4:06 am From: Bruni Haydl <bruni...> Subject: Hummer Fun
This has been a great summer for hummingbirds. Two of them have still
been her daily for the last week. So much fun to watch their
interaction with the other birds. A small warbler was sitting on the
garden wire by the birdbath. All of a sudden a hummingbird does the U
shaped maneuver in front of him. It was a more shallow U than the one
they do the female. The warbler was following, turning his head from
left to right as if he were watching a tennis match. This was a new
behavior for me. They also seem to be quite territorial. Their
favorite and most used perch is a dried sassafras branch I brought home
and put in front of the quince shrub. Yesterday two chickadees were
sitting on it when a hummingbird started buzzing them and made them
move. Then he took his usual spot.
My neighbor and birding buddy has had an immature male and a female
Red-breasted Grosbeak for a few days. They are in her dogwood feasting
on the berries.
I forgot to post the Ovenbird In my ground bath last week. Those stripes
on the head reminded me of chipmunk markings.
Date: 9/29/24 4:40 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Helene remnants in southern WV
We had high winds & at least 6" of rain late last week from the hurricane. Today, we decided to start checking area bald eagle nests for damage from the storm. A Raleigh County nest along New River was in good shape with 2 adult eagles in the area. A Summers County nest on the Greenbrier River was in good shape but no eagles were seen. A Monroe County nest on Indian Creek was in good shape and there was an adult nearby. New River was very high & Greenbrier River was high. Indian Creek appeared normal. The road into Bluestone S.P. was closed as well as the road to the mouth of the Bluestone River. Birds, other than eagles observed included a peregrine falcon, 3 double-crested cormorants, turkey vultures and scores of chimney swifts & tree swallows. We plan to check more eagle nests when the water recedes and areas become accessible. Jim & Judy Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV
Date: 9/29/24 10:19 am From: Andy Weaks <awboat...> Subject: Late Hummingbird
I was perambulating around the yard with the dog this morning making sure there were no night time incursions and I almost stepped on a hummingbird. Not sure if it was window strike, or just cold and tired. It flew away.
A few minutes ago I saw a ratty looking hummer (same one) at my feeder. It flew up into the cherry but looked rather weak. It preened a little bit and flew off.
It was the second hummer that I have ever found on the ground, the other was probably ten years ago and I luckily got it out of the dog's mouth quick enough to save it. It was cold and wet/slobbered, I held it in my hands for about 20 minutes and it flew off.
This is by 5 days the latest I have ever had one here. Not sure if it's gonna make it. But its got fresh sugar water.
Fairview Ridge, Wetzel, West Virginia, US Sep 28, 2024 5:10 PM - 6:30 PM Protocol: Traveling 0.5 mile(s) Checklist Comments: overcast and calm Had first fall yellow-rumped warbler in yard. Other birds saw earlier today were turkey vulture, brown thrasher and house finch. 29 species
Chimney Swift 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 3 Downy Woodpecker 1 Pileated Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker 8 Eastern Wood-Pewee 2 Eastern Phoebe 3 White-eyed Vireo 1 Blue Jay 1 American Crow 5 Tufted Titmouse 2 White-breasted Nuthatch 3 Carolina Wren 1 Gray Catbird 2 Eastern Bluebird 6 Swainson's Thrush 4 American Robin 5 Cedar Waxwing 10 American Goldfinch 1 Chipping Sparrow 3 Field Sparrow 3 Song Sparrow 1 Eastern Towhee 1 Ovenbird 1 Pine Warbler 1 Scarlet Tanager 2 Northern Cardinal 1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1 Indigo Bunting 1
Date: 9/28/24 4:36 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Sep 28, 2024
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Sat, Sep 28, 2024 at 7:30 PM
Subject: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV,
Sep 28, 2024
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Mercer, West Virginia, US
Sep 28, 2024 12:30 PM - 3:45 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments: unofficial hawk watch - S winds 8-14 mph, 68
degrees and 75% cloud cover
17 species
Chimney Swift 1
Turkey Vulture 7
Bald Eagle 1 adult
Broad-winged Hawk 19
Red-tailed Hawk 3 probably residents
Red-headed Woodpecker 1
American Kestrel 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 38
Common Raven 2
Carolina Wren 1
Field Sparrow 2
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Eastern Towhee 1
Tennessee Warbler 2
Cape May Warbler 3
Date: 9/27/24 7:09 am From: Hannah Clipp <hlclipp...> Subject: Mountaineer Audubon Program on October 8 --- "Avian Conservation Efforts on a Local Natural Gas Pipeline"
Hi all,
On behalf of Mountaineer Audubon, I wanted to extend an invitation to
Mountaineer Audubon's second fall program of the year, which will take
place virtually (over Zoom) on *Tuesday, October 8, at 7 pm*. Our guest
speaker, Andrew MacKenzie, will be presenting about “Avian Conservation
Efforts on a Local Natural Gas Pipeline”.
*Program Description:*
Andrew will discuss avian conservation efforts on a local natural gas
pipeline. Andrew will briefly discuss the history of avian conservation,
the conservation practices used on a local natural gas pipeline, and the
effectiveness of these efforts.
*About the Speaker:*
Andrew MacKenzie graduated from West Virginia University with his
Bachelor’s of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Resources in 2021 and a
Masters of Agriculture and Natural Resources in 2024. Andrew has had
several jobs from training alligators, restoring wetlands, and most
recently protecting birds and their nests. Andrew recently took a role as
an “Environmental Specialist” with Williams Forestry and Associates.
*Attend the Virtual Meeting:*
This program is free and open to the public -- everyone is welcome! I will
follow up on this email with the Zoom invitation link sometime next week,
but you can also request the link from the Mountaineer Audubon email:
contact+<president...>
Good birding,
Hannah
Mountaineer Audubon board member
/* Hannah L. Clipp, PhD *(she/her)
USDA Forest Service Resource Assistant
Associate Wildlife Biologist® | 2017 NSF Graduate Research Fellow
Date: 9/27/24 5:22 am From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Grebes on the move
Yesterday, was too rainy for a hawk watch so we checked the area ponds for water birds. We found 12 pied-billed grebes on the water at Glenwood Park and 9 killdeers at the Glenwood Sewage Lagoons, Mercer County and 13 pied-billed grebes & an adult bald eagle on Falls Mill Lake, Tazewell County. We had 4" of rain in the last 24 hours and today is forecasted for high winds. Jim & Judy Phillips Summers County Pipestem, WV
Date: 9/26/24 6:48 pm From: Wilma Jarrell <wjar...> Subject: a few migrating birds
Yesterday I saw palm warbler, black-throated green warbler and Am. redstart.
Today saw a Magnolia warbler and an ovenbird. Several Swainson's thrush and 2 wood thrush. White-eyed and red-eyed vireo.
Scarlet tanagers and cedar waxwings.
This is the same at almost all the places I visit in Kanawha Co. Not only for Monarchs, but for ALL pollinators. Large fields of flowers have only a few native bees, honeybees or anything else.
What happened? Herbicides working their way through the food change??
Rick Gregg
Kanawha Co.
> On Sep 22, 2024, at 5:11 PM, jerry Kruth <00000005ead0dac6-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
> I wanted to followup on Andy's remark on Monarchs. Although we are in PA, (and sometimes NJ), this year has been the fewest observations of monarchs I've ever seen.
> Jerry KruthPgh
>
>
>
> On Monday, September 16, 2024 at 09:46:51 AM EDT, Andy Weaks <awboat...> wrote:
>
> I wish we had honey bees around. I have only seen a few this year. We do
> have a huge issue with yellowjackets so I don't really care if they get
> trapped. I've had 4 nests just in the yard and one in the walls of our
> house.
>
> I have only seen 2 Monarchs and we've had the best milkweed production
> ever.
>
> All of our deer have died too from Hemorrhagic Disease. There may be a fawn
> or two left but I haven't seen one in the last 3 days.
>
> It has not been a good year around here.
>
> Andy
> North central Marion Co.
>
> On Mon, Sep 16, 2024 at 8:17 AM MFowler <monty...> wrote:
>
>> I use the plastic bee guard grids on our hummingbird feeder, even though
>> they are difficult to clean ever week. Yesterday I noticed a huge swarm of
>> bees around the feeder and on investigating, found that one of the bee
>> guard
>> grids had fallen off - and honeybees had crawled INSIDE the glass feeder
>> bottle. A LOT of bees. So I gingerly took the feeder down, opened it up on
>> the driveway and rinsed off the writhing mass. All but one or two
>> eventually
>> flew off, thankfully. Moral of the story: Use the bee guards.
>>
>>
>>
>> Monty Fowler
>>
>> Beverly Hills area
>>
>> Huntington
>>
>
Date: 9/24/24 4:35 pm From: James Phillips <jimandjudyphillips...> Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Sep 24, 2024
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <do-not-reply...>
Date: Tue, Sep 24, 2024 at 7:18 PM
Subject: eBird Report - East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV,
Sep 24, 2024
To: <jimandjudyphillips...>
East River Mountain Overlook, Mercer County, WV, Mercer, West Virginia, US
Sep 24, 2024 12:50 PM - 2:20 PM
Protocol: Stationary
Checklist Comments: unofficial hawk watch - scattered rain showers, 90%
cloud cover, 75 degrees and wind direction variable 5-7 mph.
11 species
Chimney Swift 1
Turkey Vulture 7
Bald Eagle 2 immatures
Broad-winged Hawk 8
Red-tailed Hawk 1 probably a resident
Red-headed Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 10
American Crow 6
Common Raven 1
American Robin 4
Eastern Towhee 1
Date: 9/24/24 6:47 am From: Paul Mckay <paulmck57...> Subject: Ohio County chimney swifts
While feeding my horse about a dozen chimney swifts flew over. I have not seen any for a while, so these I am sure are migrants and may be the last I see for the year. Always like to notice the first and last of this species since they are dependant upon warm weather and announce to me the beginning and end of it. Paul McKay Ohio County
I wasn't seeing a lot of monarchs early, but a few days ago, I saw 7 caterpillars in a small (accidental) stand of common milkweed by my house. (I say accidental because several years ago, one milkweed plant showed up; the next year, 5 and so forth...) I also saw a couple of cats a few weeks ago on some Butterflyweed as well as on some Swamp.)
--Kathy A couple of miles into Maryland across the Rumsey Bridge by Shepherdstown
Date: 9/23/24 9:15 am From: Jack OConnell <jack...> Subject: Backyard Mini-Fallout (Greenbrier Co.)
Yesterday morning in my large (20' X 100') wildflower garden I saw a remarkable sight. Roughly two dozen Tennessee Warblers descended upon my garden and stayed for about 10 minutes before disappearing as fast as they arrived. I have never seen such a large group of warblers of a single species. This morning about a dozen came back but for just a minute or two. Still cool! Jack
Date: 9/22/24 6:57 am From: Paul Mckay <paulmck57...> Subject: Ohio county birds
Today, as always, I ran the merlin app while standing at the pasture gate in the morning sunshine feeding our horse. Surprisingly the app showed a white throated sparrow 4 times over 5 minutes. My experience is that the app "self corrects" so a wrong ID is only shown once, or on a rare occasion with me, twice. As examples, in winter b.c. Chickadee pops up first one time then consistently Carolina. Once Summer Tanager popped up twice then Orchard Oriole (the songs are so close the Oriole attacked the tanager song). But today I could barely hear the call even when I replayed it.The fact that over time it popped up again and again is usually a correct song. Not enough for an ID but interesting, maybe early migrant of a very interesting species, maybe a miscall by the app. Paul McKay Ohio County by West Lib
Date: 9/22/24 3:22 am From: Bruni <bruni...> Subject: More good birds
Late afternoon I sat by the bedroom window to watch the birdbath activity. It did not disappoint. What a thrill to see what I believe was the male Scarlet Tanager. The scapulars were much darker than those of the bird I'd seen earlier in the day.
There were two gorgeous Black-throated Greens in the ground bath. A group of Robins were also waiting their turn. Several Bluebirds, two youngsters among them. They are slowly losing their spotted plumage. Male Goldfinches too are starting to look splotchy, loosing their bright yellow feathers. The purple and pink asters behind the birdbath made for a colorful background. A Common Yellowthroat was moving through the flowers, looking for insects. Nice to be able to watch this from only 15 ft away.
A Phoebe, Mockingbird and Chipping Sparrow were also here. The Cardinals seem to have had a productive summer. It is great to see them in such good numbers. Watching the youngsters begging and getting fed never gets old.
