VOLUME 70, NUMBER 2 APRIL,2003 - Brooks Bird Club

VOLUME 70, NUMBER 2 APRIL,2003

Contents

Possible Breeding Record for Common Merganser on Cheat River Near Rowlesburg, West Virginia

Page

-Gary Felton ............................................... 37 West Virginia's First Tri-colored Heron

-Matthew Orsie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 39 West Virginia Northern Panhandle Grasslands: Birding Surveys and

Opportunities -Susan Olcott. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Decline of the Vesper Sparrow -Ralph K. Bell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Allegheny Front Migration Observatory: Fall Migration 2002 -George A. Hall. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Seventh Report of the West Virginia Bird Records Committee: March 2003 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Field Notes -James D. Phillips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Index for Volume 69 ............................................. 62

Editorial Staff Editor' Albert R. Buckelew Jr.. Biology Deparunent. Bethany College. Bethany. WV 26032

Associate Editor' Marjorie Keatley. :V1arshall University. Huntington. WV 25755 Field Notes Editor· Janice Emrick. 52713 S.R. 800. Jerusalem. OH 43747

Banding News Editor' Ralph K. Bell. R.D. 1. Box 229. Clarksville. PA 15322 Advisory Editorial Board' Eleanor Bush. Ronald A. Canterbury. Greg E. Eddy.

George A. Hall. Nevada Laitsch. James D. Phillips. Patricia Temple

The Redstart is published quarterly in January. April. July. and October at P.O. Box 4077. Wheeling. WV 26003. The journal of the Brooks Bird Club. it is mailed to all members in good standing. Nonmember subscription price is S17. Individual copies are S4. except the Foray issue. which is $8. Changes of address and requests for back issues should be mailed to P.O. Box 4077. Wheeling. WV 26003. Articles for publication and books for review should be mailed to the editor. Printed on recycled paper by PrinTech. Wheeling. WV. ISSN: 0034-2165

36

Possible Breeding Record for Common Merganser on Cheat River Near Rowlesburg, West Virginia

Gary Felton

On Saturday, August 11,2001, I received a phone call from my father, Paul Felton. in regard to a flock of six mergansers that he observed on Cheat River at Rowlesburg. West Virginia. At the time of his call he believed the entire flock was comprised of female Common Mergansers. Knowing that the presence of Common Mergansers in West Virginia in August was not very probable, I was somewhat skeptical of his identification and suggested that perhaps the birds were Hooded Mergansers, a much more likely candidate to be present on Cheat River at that time of year. He was adamant that the birds were not Hooded Mergansers. He had viewed the birds through a spotting scope, referenced the Peterson field guide while doing so, and was convinced that they were not Hooded Mergansers. This did open up the possibility of Red-breasted Merganser. I referenced George Hall's The Birds of West Virginia for previous summer records of either Common. or Red-breasted Merganser, but none were listed for either species.

I searched for the mergansers the following day, but I was unable to locate them. On the evening of August 16, my father phoned to say that he had just seen the mergansers on the section of Cheat River directly behind his house. I made a quick trip to Rowlesburg. but the mergansers had moved upstream and were no longer visible from my father's residence. After a short drive we found them at the next section of river visible from the highway. Fading light conditions prohibited an extended observation. but I was able to view them through a scope and identify them as Common Mergansers. My initial determination was that all of the birds present were juveniles, but research indicated that female Common Mergansers in nonbreeding plumage display the same head pattern as juveniles. This indicated that this may have been a mixed group of adults and juveniles and could have been a family unit.

Curious as to whether the presence of these birds was an isolated incident, or an indication of an early movement of Common Mergansers in North America, I

posted an inquiry on a birding listservice. Noted birding authority Kenn Kaufman responded to my inquiry. Kaufman stated that any migration of Common Mergansers prior to October would be amazing and that the presence of juveniles in August would indicate that they hatched locally. Kaufman also mentioned that Common Mergansers have expanded their breeding range southward and are now breeding as far south as the Allegheny River in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. On the advice of Jim Rising, noted bird authority and author, I also contacted Mark Mallory, a habitat biologist for the Canadian Wildlife Service. Based on information that I

37 THE REDSTART - APRIL, 2003

related to Mallory, he also suspected that the birds were a family unit and also mentioned that breeding by Common Mergansers has been recorded as far south as Mexico.

Due to their almost constant movements and limited visibility along the river during August, I was able to locate the birds on only one other occasion. During this time I had the opportunity to observe them for several minutes in good light. Having almost no experience with Common Mergansers in nonbreeding plumage, I was never able to make a positive determination as to whether the birds were all juveniles, all adults, or a mixture of both. One behavior that I observed may have

indicated the presence of an adult bird. As the group swam upstream, one bird was ahead of the rest by approximately 15 or 20 feet and remained constantly in the lead, while the remainder of the birds stayed grouped together. This behavior reminded me of the same type of behavior I had observed among other duck species family groups that included an adult female and juveniles.

Taking into account that Common Mergansers are expanding their breeding range south and that Cheat River provides the type of habitat that Common Mergansers require during breeding season, a strong possibility seems to exist that local breeding might have occurred. It is unfortunate that these birds were not located earlier in the season and that a nest was never found.

148 Williams Ave.

Kingwood, WV 26537

THE REDSTART - APRIL, 2003 38

West Virginia's First Tricolored Heron

Matthew Orsie

A lot of factors went into my discovery of West Virginia's first Tri-colored Heron on July 31,2002. Being a relative newcomer to the state birding community, every outing stills holds the promise of wonderful birding experiences. Every time out I might round a corner and see something unexpected. This happened to me on the evening of July 31. I was taking a routine tour of the Shenandoah River in Jefferson County. The river runs parallel to the ridge where West Virginia and Virginia meet. It is the easternmost water source of significance in the state. Its location puts it closest to the Atlantic migration pathway that the Tricolored Heron would use. There are roads that offer good public access along several miles of the river. One particular stretch along John Rissler Road, which is just south of the Rt. 9 bridge, contains a lot of rocky outcrops. On July 31, the river was running at an extremely low water flow because of the severe drought conditions brought on by lack of rain and snow from September 2001 through the summer of 2002. Conditions could not have been more ideal for the Tricolored Heron, a stream/

marsh wader more typical of coastal waterways. Driving south along the river, I looked out and spotted a heron standing on a

large rock. At first glance I thought to myself, "Great Blue Heron, but it looks a little smal!." I stopped the car and looked at it through binoculars, "Whoa! This is

no Great Blue Heron; it's an immature Tricolored Heron." My previous experience with the species had been at Bombay Hook Wildlife

Management Area in Delaware and the Florida Everglades. "How cool," I thought, "a new West Virginia bird for me." I was unaware of the significance of the find at

that time because the birding software I use has the Tricolored Heron on the state list. I later found out that the software includes hypothetical species on state lists. I went home and posted the findings for the day on the West Virginia bird listserv. Nine hours later I receive an e-mail from Wendell Argabrite. Wendell wrote, "GET PICTURES! This could be the first record for Tricolored Heron in WV."

The next day the heron was still present. It apparently knew I needed a good

picture so it proceeded to hunt within 25 yards of where I was standing, and I shot two rolls of film. The best pictures were forwarded to the West Virginia Bird Records Committee for confirmation. (See the "Seventh Report of the West Virginia Bird Records Committee: March 2003" elsewhere in this issue of The

Redstart.) During the next week, the heron was visible every day. Then it disappeared for a while until it was spotted again on August 19. Two other birding friends, John Trapp and Carol Del-Colle, saw it in the company of another

39 THE REDSTART - APRIL, 2003 THE REDSTART - APRIL, 2003 40

Tricolored Heron on two or three more days. The birds were not seen again after August 22.

41

85 Pheasant Ridge Rd. Summit Point, WV 25446

[email protected]

THE REDSTART - APRIL, 2003

West Virginia Northern Panhandle Grasslands: Birding Surveys and Opportunities

Susan Olcott

West Virginia's northern panhandle counties provide the state's birders with a diverse bird community to observe and study. Although relatively small in area, the habitats represented are a rich mosaic of forest, grassland, shrub land, and riparian areas. Public lands are present throughout the area for birders to take advantage of [directions to public areas mentioned in this article can be found on the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WV DNR) website (www.dnr.state.wv.us) or obtained from a local DNR office].

Hillcrest Wildlife Management Area (WMA), in West Virginia's northernmost Hancock County, is 2,212 acres of rolling hills owned and managed by the WV DNR. The area is dominated by early successional habitats and includes hay and crop fields, abandoned orchards, Christmas tree plantings, wood lots, old fields, and beaver ponds. An extensive series of service roads provides walking access throughout the area. In 2002, 39 bird species were documented during the annual point count survey. Some early successional and grassland species commonly observed include Field Sparrow, Indigo Bunting, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Meadowlark, Yellow-breasted Chat, Brown Thrasher, Ring-necked Pheasant, Prairie Warbler, Grasshopper Sparrow, and Willow Flycatcher. Eighty-two species of birds are known to breed or winter on the area. Typically, a few Henslow's Sparrows are found near the southern end of Smith Road in warm season grass plantings each year; two adults were located in 2002. Management activities on other portions of the WMA such as prescribed burns will likely provide additional habitat for this species in the next few years. A newly constructed wetland between Gas Valley Road and the South Fork of Tomlinson Run provided habitat for an Alder Flycatcher that was sighted in June 2002 (only a single singing male was observed).

Because Hancock County is significantly farther north than other parts of West Virginia, observers can commonly observe spring migrants, such as Blackpoll Warblers, a bit later in the season, and spot typical northern species, such as Alder Flycatcher, during the breeding season. Winter surveys have produced wintering Short-eared Owls, other raptors, winter sparrows, and eruptive finches.

A new area owned and managed by WV DNR is Cross Creek WMA in Brooke County. This 2,081-acre WMA also has a significant portion covered by early successional habitats. The area has been surface mined, with reclamation efforts resulting in an approximate 500-acre block planted in grasses, forbs, and scattered small shrubs. Several species of grassland birds prefer large expanses of open


areas for nesting. Surveys are preliminary at this point (41 species have been documented so far), but Henslow's Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Horned Lark, Killdeer, Red-winged Blackbird, and Eastern Meadowlark have all been observed

on the area. The remaining acreage is covered with a mixture of early successional and second growth young forest habitats resulting from timbering and surface mining operations. Ten or more beaver and man-made ponds are on the area, both in wooded and open habitats, that attract shore birds and waterfowl in the spring and fall. Because the reclamation bond has not yet been released from recent mining activity, the parking lot for the 500-acre grassland area off Putney Ridge Road has a security guard to strictly control vehicular access. Public walking access, however, is allowed anywhere on the WMA.

Unfortunately, one of the richest grassland bird areas in the northern panhandle (Olcott, 2000) is not open to the public. The Ohio County Airport Authority owns land south of its runways as a buffer zone. Because of FAA regulations, however, public access is strictly prohibited. The area is maintained as a grassland and is partially hayed each year. Annual surveys, conducted since 1998, have documented the largest reported population of Henslow's Sparrows in northern West Virginia, along with healthy numbers of Red-winged Blackbird, Bobolink, Savann~h Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlark, and Grasshopper Sparrow. Henslow's Sparrows are found typically in old field habitat, with thick-standing dead and live herbaceous vegetation and few, if any, woody stems. In 2002, in addition to the highest number

of individuals observed since surveys began (24 adults), one singing male was found in the annually cut hayfield. This may indicate the uncut portion has reached its carrying capacity, forcing this one individual to seek a nesting territory in a less preferred habitat. The 2003 survey may provide further insight into this question.

Located approximately eight miles east of the airport is Castleman Run Lake WMA, a 486-acre DNR owned and managed area, which, although predominantly wooded, still has a significant acreage in early successional habitats. The 22-acre impoundment and several streams enhance the birding opportunities on this WMA. The fields and small clear cuts support common early successional species such as Field Sparrow, Brown Thrasher, White-eyed Vireo, Common Yellowthroat, Blue-winged Warbler, and Eastern Towhee. A preliminary survey has documented 43 species with an additional 25 species expected to occur on the area. A special attraction is the richness of butterfly species on the area. Nine were incidentally recorded during the bird survey including a county record for Milbert's Tortoiseshell.

Birding and general nature observation opportunities in early successional habitats are plentiful in the Northern Panhandle. Fallow fields, hayfields, and reclaimed surface mines are common. In fact, reclaimed surface mines are becoming an intensively studied new research area for ornithologists in Appalachia and the Midwest (See DeVault et al., 2001; Bajema et al., 2001; Bajema & Lima,


2001; and Wray et al., 1982. Investigate your local area for likely grassland and early successional habitat. Although most species seen may be common birds, chances are very good to find rarer species. For example, four Henslow's Sparrows and a large number of Grasshopper Sparrows were located at Fairfax Stone in Grant and Tucker Counties in 2002, and Dickcissels were found in roadside fields in Fayette County. Although these discoveries occurred outside the Northern Panhandle, similar finds are likely there, also.

Rare species such as Henslow's Sparrow and species of conservation concern such as Grasshopper Sparrow, Bobolink, and Vesper Sparrow are monitored by the West Virginia Natural Heritage program. Please report breeding activity of these and other rare species statewide to the Elkins DNR office (phone: 304-637-0245), and in the northern part of the state, please report them to the author.

References

Bajema, R.A., & Lima, S.L. (2001). Landscape-level analysis of Henslow's Sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii) abundance in reclaimed coal mine grasslands. American Midland Naturalist, 145(2), 288-298.

Bajema, R.A., DeVault, T.L., Scott, P.E., & Lima, S.L. (2001). Reclaimed coal mine grasslands and their significance for Henslow's Sparrows in the Ameri

can Midwest. The Auk, 118,(2), 422-43l. DeVault, T.L., Scott, P.E., Bajema, R.A., & Lima, S.L. (2002). Breeding bird

communities of reclaimed coal-mine grasslands in the American Midwest. Journal of Field Ornithology, 73(3), 268-275.

Olcott, S. (2000). Grassland bird species at a northern West Virginia airport. The Redstart, 67(4), 119-120.

Wray, T., II, Strait, K.A., & Whitmore, R.C. (1982). Reproductive success of grassland sparrows on a reclaimed surface mine in West Virginia. The Auk, 99(1), 157-164.


WV Wildlife Diversity Program 1304 Goose Run Road

Fairmont, WV 26554

44

Decline of the Vesper Sparrow

Ralph K. Bell

The Vesper Sparrow, one of my favorite birds because of its beautiful song, especially in the evening, once was common on my farm in the southwest corner of Pennsylvania, but is now only a sweet memory. My first record was on March 25, 1930. Vesper Sparrows always nested here on the farm until around 1965. I banded six hatch-year birds that summer. No young of the year or nests were found on the farm after 1965.

My records indicate that three nests were found here in 1953 and two more in 1954, and all young from these nests fledged successfully. Both Vesper Sparrows and Horned Larks seem to prefer dry pasture fields or meadows without a lot of vegetation, and also plowed fields. When I was a kid, one of my summer jobs was hoeing corn (cutting out weeds and vines), and we always watched for Vesper Sparrow and Horned Lark nests so as not to disturb them. Their nests would be up close to a young hill of corn.

Between 1954 and 1965,503 Vesper Sparrows were banded here. There were 16 others banded here after 1965; all were presumed to be migrants, but some could have nested on neighboring farms.

The reason for the rapid decline of both the Vesper Sparrow and Horned Lark is questionable, but farming practices, including the increased use of pesticides and herbicides, have changed drastically. Most Vesper Sparrows arrive here in the southwest corner of Pennsylvania around the first of April, but there were 11 arrival dates the last of March-the earliest being March 21 in both 1953 and 1982. They may occasionally winter in Greene County-one was reported on a Christmas Bird Count and one was caught and banded here in the yard on January 2, 1970.

I have always loved the Vesper Sparrow song that some think sounds a bit like a Song Sparrow but to me is much more beautiful-a softer and wilder sound. After we built a farm pond in the 1940s, I would sometimes go there to relax in the evening and to listen to the beautiful song of the Vesper Sparrow.

Since the Vesper Sparrow prefers upland fields with sparse vegetation, it was probably scarce in the eastern United States before forests were cut and farms became common. In 1893, J. Warren Jacobs wrote about the breeding birds in Greene County, Pennsylvania, and here is what he said about the Vesper Sparrow at that time: "Common in upland pastures, placing their nests near (the) base of a weed or bunch of grass. Eggs,three to five, the later number being seldom met with." It seems that more than one brood is raised during the season as I have found eggs variously incubated from May second to the first of August (Bell, 1994). Another local ornithologist, Sam Dickey, also considered this sparrow to be common in


1915 (Bell, 1994), and evidently there was not much change in Vesper Sparrow populations in Greene County until 1965.

Table 1 shows banding records on my farm through 1969. Only six Vesper Sparrows were banded on the farm after 1969. The last one was banded on April 20, 1987 (Erroneously reported as April 22 in Bell, 1987). My last record of a Vesper Sparrow was on March 31, 1996, but someone found one in the county last year (2001) on the North American Migration Count, which is held the second weekend in May each year. None were found on the 2002 Migration Count. Our local Breeding Bird Survey route was started in 1966, and nine Vesper Sparrows were recorded from 1966 through 1972, but none have been recorded since.

Table 1 First Spring and Last Fall Known Dates of Vesper Sparrows, and

Peak Fall Banding Date and Total Banded (Bell, 1987)

Year First Spring dates Last fall date Peak fall banding Total banded (when recorded) (recorded) date (and number) (each year)

1954 April 6 Oct. 21 Oct. 3 (5) 59 1955 March 22 Nov. 5 Oct. 1 (5) 76 1956 April 3 Oct. 29 Oct. 11 (4) 31

1957 April 9 Nov. 1 Sept. 27* (10) 79

1958 April 10 Oct. 24 Oct. 2 (7) 40

1959 April 9 Oct. 23 Oct. 19 (10) 29 1960 April 8 Oct. 25 Oct. 14 (4) 40 1961 No record Nov. 11 Oct. 23 (2) 16 1962 No record Oct. 22 Oct. 8 (4) 31

1963 March 28 Oct. 22 Sept. 30 (4) 38 1964 No record Nov.4 Oct. 16 (7) 33 1965 No record Oct. 19 Oct. 2 (5) 31 1966 No record Oct. 11 No peak 5 1967 April 1 Oct. 11 No peak 2 1968 No record Oct. 5 Oct. 5 (2) 2 1969 No record Oct. 16 Oct. 16 (1)

*Erroneously reported as September 21 in Bell, 1987.

Evidently the Vesper Sparrow is declining in other areas of the eastern United States as well. The National Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count reports for Alabama, Georgia, and Florida show there have been drastic declines of reports of Vesper Sparrows on their wintering grounds in spite of a large increase in the number of Christmas Counts and count participants. Table 2 illustrates this.


Table 2

No. of counts

in the state No. recorded Avg. per count

1954 2000 1954 2000 1954 2000

Alabama 4 9 46 55 11.5 6.8

Georgia 7 20 147 60 21.0 3.0

Florida 16 55 267 187 16.6 3.4

The memory of the beautiful Vesper Sparrow song still lingers, and each spring

I always hope I'll hear it again.

References

Bell, R. K. (1987). Banding News. The Redstart, 54(3),92-93.

Bell, R. K. (1994). The summer birds of Greene County, Pennsylvania: A 100-year

update, 1893-1993. The Redstart, 61(4), 119-140.

North American Migration Count. (2001). Pennsylvania Birds, 15(2), 72.

The 55th Christmas Bird Count. (1955). Audubon Field Notes, 9(2).

The lOlst Christmas Bird Count. (2001). American Birds. New York: The Na

tional Audubon Society.

47

179 Pollock Mill Road Clarksville, PA 15322


Allegheny Front Migration Observatory: Fall Migration 2002

George A. Hall

The 45th year of bird-banding at the Allegheny Front Migration Observatory,

Grant County, West Virginia, was another season of modest results. The number of

bandings was only 66% of the long-term average, making this the fifth poorest

season since we have had full-time coverage.

The station was in operation from August 11 to October 17. Although the weather was generally good, the station was shut down by rain or high winds on six days, and on four additional days rain caused an early close of the nets. Some useful

banding was carried out on 58 days. A total of3,684 birds (average = 5,595) of 78 species was banded with a station

effort of 7,471 net-hours giving a capture ratio of 49.3 birds per 100 net-hours.

This value is essentially the same as in 2001 (50.78), and 2000 (50.13). In August

only 351 birds were banded (19 days); 2,453 were banded in September (26 days),

and 880 in October (13 days). The station has now banded 192,282 birds of 120 species. An American Kestrel, which sought to have lunch on a Blackpoll Warbler

entangled in a net, provided the one new species banded this year. Fourteen birds banded in earlier years were recaptured: seven banded in 2001,

four in 2000, one in 1999 (a junco that was caught four times), one in 1998, and

a prize record of an Eastern Towhee originally banded in 1993. The migration pattern was somewhat different than the normal one (See Figure

1). August bandings were fewer than normal though 44 species had been banded by

the end of the month. The first wave occurred September 3-4 after the first period of bad weather. This wave lasted only two days and was followed, as usual, by a

period of moderate or poor daily captures. The 296 birds banded on the 4th made

it the best day of the year.

The main warbler migration started about September 14. Instead of the usual progression of three days of heavy flights separated by several days of inactivity, this year there were four waves crowded into nine days with banding numbers between 150 and 200. A more typical wave occurred from October 1 to October 4.

September 14, with 206 bandings, was the second best day, and only these two days

had more than 200 bandings. Only 12 additional days had more than 100 bandings

and 42 days had less than 50 bandings. The Tennessee Warbler was the most numerous species with 544 bandings,

which is 18 % above the 10-year running a verage. Almost tied for the lead was the

Black-throated Blue Warbler with 511 captures (19.2% below the average); third

place went to the Blackpoll Warbler (the usual leader) with 422 (19.5% below average); and the Black-throated Green Warbler had 302 bandings (15.4% below


350 r .- .- .. " .. -------.-. 300 j

! 250 1

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8/11

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Day of Operat1on

10/17

Figure 1. Captures on Days of Operation

average). The most numerous non-warbler was Swainson' s Thrush with 208 captures (l6<;() below the average. No other species had as many as 200 captures.

Of the 35 species selected for analysis. 27 were caught in numbers less than the 10-year average. However, only one (Ruby-crowned Kinglet) was more than one standard deviation (SD) below the average. Eight species were caught in

numbers greater than the average: five less than one SD above average, one species (Eastern Towhee) one SD above. and two species (Winter Wren and Tennessee Warbler) two SD above average.

The warblers as a group had a decline of 6.4<;( from the average. an improve

ment from 18% last year. The spruce bud worm specialists also had smaller declines: Cape May Warbler, 23%, and Bay-breasted Warbler, 19%. The decrease

in the decline from 2001 results from the 10-year average being smaller in 2002.

The 10-year average has been decreasing for many years. and the value for the decade 1992-2001 used here is only 59<;( of the value for 1982-1991.

The five Carolina Wrens banded outnumbered the three previous records. The four Cerulean Warblers were the first since 1991. The fourth record of the

Brewster's hybrid, and the second record of the Yellow-throated Warbler were of

interest as was the first record for the American Kestrel.

The visual migrant counts listed 608 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (fourth highest count); 2,641 Blue Jays (sixth poorest), 4,217 American Goldfinches


(third highest); 872 on September a record daily count; 905 Monarch Butterflies

(sixth highest); and 1,207 dragonflies (second highest). During the season 1,650 people signed the visitor's book. These visitors came

from 18 states, District of Columbia, Bolivia, Germany, Japan, and Switzerland. As usual, several elementary and middle school classes including the Pendleton

County Middle School and the Adventist School from Elkins as well as some college classes visited the station.

The banders who participated this year were Lynn Barnhart, Robert Dean,

LeJay Graffious, Ken Heselton, Sue Heselton, Carol McCullough, Frederick

McCullough, Randy Ritter, Charles Ziegenfus, and station co-leaders Ralph Bell

and Joan Bell Pattison. LeJay Graffious and John Jacobs were responsible for the banding shelter. Randy Ritter was campground host, JoAnn Graham made most of

the Blue Jay-Hummingbird counts. Others who were present for extended periods of time were Bill and Doris Agee, Thomas Fox, Philip Graham, Don Pattison, Elizabeth Ritter, and Carl and Joan Rowe. The following people aided in tending

nets, carrying cages, keeping records, and in many other ways: Charlotte Duffield, Greg Eddy, Dawn Fox, Matthew Fox, Walter Fye, Bob Hogan, Linda Hollenberg,

John Jacobs, Virginia Johnson, Gordon Knight, Jonavieve Lockhart, Jack Minear,

Joleene Minear, Tim Newlin, Joe Schreiber, Janet Shaffer, Steve Sushinski, and Jacalene Youmans.

We thank the personnel of the Monongahela National Forest, Supervisor

Chuck Meyers, District Ranger Elizabeth Schuppert, and others of the Potomac District Ranger Station for their cooperation and support. Thanks also to the West

Virginia D.N.R. for the use of the shed for storage of the banding shelter. The Brooks Bird Club supplied some financial support.

Species List 2002

Species

Sharp-shinned Hawk

American Kestrel

American Woodcock Northern Saw-whet Owl

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Downy Woodpecker

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

Acadian Flycatcher

Least Flycatcher

Eastern Phoebe


No.

1

2

1

3 5 1

3

3

First

Oct. 5 Oct.1

Sept. 18 Oct. 1

Oct. 15 Sept. 4

Aug. 19 Sept. 13

Aug. 25 Sept. 5

Last

Sept. 19

Oct. 4

Sept. 19

Sept. 6 Oct. 4

Peak

No. Date

50

Peak Peak Species No. First Last No. Date Species No. First Last No. Date

Yellow-throated Vireo Sept. 20 Yellow-throated Warbler Aug. 22 Blue-headed Vireo 14 Aug. 11 Oct. 15 Prairie Warbler 2 Sept. 3 Sept. 4 Philadelphia Vireo 10 Sept. 14 Sept. 24 Palm Warbler Sept. 17 Red-eyed Vireo 31 Aug. 15 Oct. 3 Bay-breasted Warbler 48 Sept. 4 Oct. 9 12 Sept. 21 Blue Jay 66 Aug. 23 Oct. 15 21 Oct. 4 Blackpoll Warbler 422 Sept. 3 Oct.l4 43 Oct. 1 Black-capped Chickadee 22 Aug. 23 Oct. 12 Cerulean Warbler 4 Aug. 20 Sept. 4 Tufted Titmouse 5 Sept. 18 Sept. 28 Black-and-white Warbler 25 Aug. 12 Sept. 23 Red-breasted Nuthatch 3 Sept. 3 Sept. 21 American Redstart 36 Aug. 11 Oct. 1 6 Sept. 4 White-breasted Nuthatch 3 Sept. 13 Oct. 1 Worm-eating Warbler 12 Aug. 12 Sept. 15 Brown Creeper 8 Aug. 17 Oct. 14 Ovenbird 89 Aug. 12 Oct. 1 11 Sept. 20 Carolina Wren 5 Aug. 13 Sept. 16 Northern Waterthrush "' Sept. 13 Sept. 23 oJ

House Wren 3 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Connecticut Warbler 9 Sept. 12 Sept. 21 Winter Wren 19 Aug. 14 Oct. 15 Common Yellowthroat 106 Aug. 11 Oct. 9 Golden-crowned Kinglet 112 Sept. 5 Oct. 15 46 Oct. 9 Hooded Warbler 1 1 Aug. 12 Oct. 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 41 Sept. 13 Oct. 17 8 Oct. 9 Wilson's Warbler 17 Aug. 28 Oct. 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 6 Aug. 13 Sept. 21 Canada Warbler 10 Aug. 11 Sept. 19 Veery 12 Aug. 17 Sept. 23 Scarlet Tanager 15 Sept. 3 Oct.l Gray-cheeked Thrush 12 Sept. 13 Oct. 15 Eastern Towhee 24 Aug. 15 Oct. 9 Swainson's Thrush 208 Aug. 11 Oct. 11 ')"' -oJ Oct. 3 Chipping Sparrow 1 Aug. 14 Hermit Thrush 44 Aug. 12 Oct. 17 Field Sparrow 4 Aug. 13 Oct. 15 Wood Thrush 22 Aug. 27 Oct. 11 Savannah Sparrow 4 Aug. 14 Sept. 20 American Robin 5 Aug. 11 Oct. 15 Song Sparrow 2 Sept. 6 Sept. 20 Gray Catbird 7 Sept. 9 Oct. 9 Lincoln's Sparrow 8 Sept.l2 Sept. 29 Cedar Waxwing 9 Aug. 19 Sept. 16 Swamp Sparrow 8 Aug. 20 Oct. 9 Blue-winged Warbler Sept. 19 White-throated Sparrow 33 Sept. 30 Oct. 17 14 Oct. 9 Golden-winged Warbler Sept. 4 White-crowned Sparrow 3 Oct. 7 Oct. 15 Brewster's hybrid Warbler Aug. 17 Dark-eyed Junco 128 Aug. 11 Oct. 15 16 Oct. 4 Tennessee Warbler 544 Aug. 23 Oct. 15 79 Sept. 14 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 17 Aug. 18 Oct. 3 Nashville Warbler 30 Aug. 20 Oct. 15 Indigo Bunting 5 Aug. 22 Sept. 21 Northern Parula 4 Aug. 20 Sept. 22 American Goldfinch 14 Aug. 25 Oct.3 Yellow Warbler Oct. 4 Chestnut-sided Warbler 57 Aug. 12 Oct. 1 1211 Cheat Road Magnolia Warbler 199 Aug. 13 Oct. 2 23 Sept. 19 Morgantown, WV 26508 Cape May Warbler 121 Sept. 3 Oct. 12 ')"' _oJ Sept. 4 Black-throated Blue Warbler 511 Aug. 11 Oct. 15 51 Sept. 24

Yellow-rumped Warbler 19 Oct. 15 Oct. 8 Black-throated Green Warbler 302 Aug. 11 Oct. 15 46 Sept. 4 Blackburnian Warbler 135 Aug. 17 Sept. 21 55 Sept. 4

51 THE REDSTART - APRIL, 2003 THE REDSTART - APRIL, 2003

Seventh Report of the West Virginia Bird Records Committee: March 2003

During the 2002-2003 year, the West Virginia Bird Records Committee (WVBRC) acted on six records by mail ballot and held a meeting at Flatwoods, West Virginia, on March 8, 2003.

Records Accepted:

Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor). First accepted record for the state (vote 7-0). July 31-August 20, 2002, Shenandoah River, Jefferson County. Independent reports submitted by Matthew Orsie and John L. Trapp were determined by the Committee to apply to the same individual. Photographs by Orsie. This cooperative bird was observed by numerous individuals during the nearly three weeks that it was present. [WVBRC records 2002-3 and 2002-4]

Ross's Goose (Chen rossii). Fifth accepted record for the state. November 24,2002, Terra Alta, Preston County. Report submitted by Gary Felton, Matthew Orsie, and Andrew Orsie. Photograph by Matthew Orsie. With five records, Ross's Goose is removed from the Review List. This species has now been recorded in West Virginia in four of the past six years. We encourage observers to continue submitting observations of this species to The Redstart "Field Notes" editor to

document possible changes in the status of this species in West Virginia. [WVBRC record 2002-5]

Brant (Branta bernicla nigricalls). First accepted record of the "Black" Brant subspecies for the state (vote 5-0 in second round following 6-1 vote in first round). May 4-5,2002. Report submitted by Gary Felton, JoAnne E. Felton, Susan Schneider, and John D. Jacobs. Videotape by Gary Felton. This record generated much discussion because of (1) the inherent difficulty of differentiating between subspecies in the field, (2) the paucity of inland records of B. b. nigricans in the eastern United States, and (3) the recent reported occurrence of "Gray-bellied"/ "Lawrence's" Brant-a form or forms presumably intermediate between "Black" and "Atlantic" (B. b. hrota) brant-in the eastern United States (Buckley & Mitra, 2002). [WVBRC record 2002-1]

Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella paUida). Fifth accepted record for the State (vote 7-0). May 1,3, and 16,2002. Canaan Valley State Park, Tucker County. Report submitted by John Northeimer, with supporting details from Kelly A. Warren and Donna Harr. Photographs by Northeimer. A singing male near the same location where one was present June ll-July 24, 2001. Although the presence of singing males in suitable habitat during the breeding season suggests possible nesting (Buckelew & Hall, 1994), we eagerly await the first confirmed West Virginia nesting record. [WVBRC 2002-2]


Records Not Voted On:

Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis). A report of an adult male and female in June 2002, and photographs of a fledgling captured in a mist net on July 14,2002, near Blair, Logan County, submitted by Frank Ammer, Nick Ammer, and Joshua Scullen as a confirmed breeding record. The evidence clearly documents breeding at this locality. However, since the Savannah Sparrow is already well documented as a breeding bird in West Virginia (Buckelew & Hall, 1994), there is no need for the WVBRC to review additional nesting records of this species. This record will be shared with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resource's Wildlife Diversity Program, which seeks information on nesting records of selected species (see <http://www.brooksbirdclub.org/checklist.pdf>). [WVBRC 2002-7]

Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow (Ammodrallllls nelsolli). June 15, 2002, near Danville, Boone County. Frank Ammer and Nick Ammer. Photographs by Frank Ammer clearly show an adult Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow. Although this species is already on the "Regular" list of West Virginia birds (Hall, 1983) and thus not reviewable according to WVBRC bylaws (Hall, 1996), the date of occurrence is notable. [WVBRC 2002-6]

Other Business:

1. The resignation of Jeanette Esker was regretfully accepted by the Committee. Jon D. Benedetti was elected to serve the remaining two years of Esker's term. Greg Eddy was elected to a five-year term replacing Albert R. Buckelew, Jr., whose term has expired.

2. The Committee discussed the treatment of nesting records at some length and agreed that they are interested in reviewing nesting reports (first records only) of any species for which there are no confirmed West Virginia breeding records (Buckelew & Hall, 1994).

A printable form for submitting reports of review-list birds (Appendix) is available on The Brooks Bird Club Home page <http://www.brooksbirdclub.or£>. Reports should be sent to the WVBRC Secretary, James Fregonara, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 67, Elkins, WV 26241.

References

Buckelew, A. R., Jr., & Hall, G. A. (1994). The West Virginia breeding bird atlas.

Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh Press, 215 pp.


Buckley, P. A., & Mitra, S. S. (2002). Three geese resembling "Gray-bellied Brant"/"Lawrence's Brant" from Long Island, New York. North American

Birds 56(4), 502-507.

Hall, G. A. (1983). West Virginia birds. Pittsburgh, PA: Special Publication No. 7 of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.

Hall, G. A. (1996). VVest Virginia Bird Records Committee. The Redstart 63(2), 64-68.

Submitted by the Committee: A. R. Buckelew, Jr., Jeannette Esker, Gary Felton, Thomas Fox, Gary Rankin, James D. Phillips, and John L. Trapp (Chair).

Appendix

VVest Virginia Bird Records Committee Review List March 2003

The VVVBRC requests documentation of recent or historical records for the following:

(a) all species and forms listed below, (b) any species or subspecies never before recorded in the state, and (c) the first breeding record in VVest Virginia for any species.

Eared Grebe Great Cormorant Anhinga Magnificent Frigatebird Tricolored Heron VVhite Ibis Glossy Ibis

Black-bellied VVhistling-Duck Ross's Goose "Black" Brant Trumpeter Swan King Eider Harlequin Duck Swallow-tailed Kite VVhite-tailed Kite Swainson'sHawk

55

Gyrfalcon Yellow Rail

Black Rail Clapper Rail Piping Plover Black-necked Stilt Hudsonian Godwit Marbled Godwit

Red Phalarope Parasitic Jaeger Franklin's Gull Little Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Glaucous Gull Great Black-backed Gull Sabine's Gull


Black-legged Kittiwake Sooty Tern Northern Hawk-Owl Black-backed VVoodpecker Vermilion Flycatcher Ash-throated Flycatcher Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Northern Shrike Bell's Vireo

Boreal Chickadee Bicknell's Thrush Varied Thrush


Kirtland's VVarbler VVestern Tanager Green-tailed Towhee Spotted Towhee Canyon Towhee Clay-colored Sparrow Lark Bunting Baird's Sparrow Le Conte's Sparrow

Smith's Longspur Painted Bunting Hoary Redpoll

VVest Virginia Bird Records Committee VVildlife Diversity Program

VVest Virginia Division of Natural Resources P.O. Box 67

Elkins, VVV 26241

56

Field Notes Fall Season

September - November, 2002

James D. Phillips, Editor

Temperatures for September were high, while October and November were a bit cooler than usual. The beginning of the season continued dry for most of the region with precipitation becoming more normal in October and some areas having snow by the end of the period. Several species appeared in high numbers and remained in the region later than usual. Waterfowl and shorebirds were especially noted in variety and numbers.

Common Loons were seen over most of the state during late October and early November with record numbers in some areas. Harry Slack reported 34 along the Ohio River on Halloween, and Gary Felton observed 100 in northern West Virginia on November 7. Almost everyone found Pied-billed Grebes, with Allen and Mindy Waldron having a high count of 25 in Raleigh County. Horned Grebes were present in Pleasants(MBC), Wetzel(WJ), and Preston(GF) Counties. Doublecrested Cormorants appeared nearly everywhere in the state. Slack had over 100 individuals a couple of days along the Ohio River. His high count was 1,106 on October 31. On the same day, there were at least 200 flying over the Bluestone Gorge, Summers County(JP). A week later, Gary Felton saw 250 in Preston County. Great Blue Herons continue to do well across the state. Great Egrets were found in Wood(MBC), Cabell(HS), Summers(JB), and Jefferson(MO) Counties. A Snowy Egret was seen on Bluestone Lake, Summers County, on September 24(JB). Wendell Argabrite reported eight Cattle Egrets near Crab Creek, Cabell County, on October 8. The last date for Green Heron was October 5 in Berkeley County(JT). Black-crowned Night-Herons were seen in Summers(JP) Wetzel(WJ), and Pleasants(MBC) Counties.

Sixty Black Vultures were observed in Mason County on October 27(AT). A sad situation, regarding this species, developed in Summers County in midOctober(JP). Sick and dying birds were discovered on October 15. Nearly 100 birds roosting in the area had taken to perching on vehicles, boats, and trailers. It is believed that someone who suffered damage to property may have sought revenge by placing poisoned meat in the area. According to Three Rivers Avian Center staff, as many as 30 birds may have died. Eight birds were treated and later released. As far as we know, none of the five Bald Eagles seen in the area were harmed.

Snow Geese were reported from Wood(MBC), Kanawha(HG), Cabell(WA), Preston(GF), Tucker(JN), and Berkeley(JT) Counties. A report for Ross's Geese


seen in Preston County on November 24(GF,MO) has been submitted to the West Virginia Bird Records Committee. Canada Geese are still abundant. Five Trumpeter Swans visited Raleigh County on November l(A W). Tundra Swans were seen in Tucker(JN) and Preston(GF) Counties. A few Gadwalls were seen across the state(MBC,AM,GF,LG,JN), and American Wigeons were fairly common and widespread. Blue-winged Teals and Northern Shovelers were scattered across the state. Northern Pintails could be found during October and November(JT,MBC,MO,GF). Green-winged Teals were numerous, widespread, and present during the entire season. Redheads were found in Monongalia(GF) and Wood(MBC) Counties. A good flight of Ring-necked Ducks and Lesser Scaups passed across the region. Greater Scaups were seen in Berkeley(MO), Wood, and Pleasants(MBC) Counties. An unusual number of scoter reports were received during the season. Surf Scoters were found in Monroe(MO), Wetzel(WJ), Wood, and Pleasants(MBC) Counties during November. Two White-winged Scoters were on New River, at the Raleigh/Summers County line on November 2(AM). Gary Felton observed six Black Scoters in Monongalia County on Halloween. Buffleheads seemed to arrive on time and in pretty good numbers. Common Goldeneyes were a little less common. All three mergansers were seen in the state. Ruddy Ducks were especially abundant and widespread.

Several areas reported Ospreys still present at the end of the season. Bald Eagles were seen in Wood(MBC), Cabell(HS), Mason(W A), Wetzel(JE), Hardy(LL), Monongalia(LG,BK,GF), Jefferson(MO), Berkeley(MO), Raleigh(A W), Summers(JP,A W), and Monroe(JP) Counties. Most sightings involved one to four birds with 15-20 being seen in Hardy County. Northern Harriers were found in Wood(MBC), Tucker(JN), and Monroe(JP) Counties. Several contributors commented on Sharp-shinned Hawks visiting bird feeders. Cooper's Hawks were encountered in most areas. Little mention was made of the Broad-winged Hawk flights. Rough-legged Hawks were seen in Summers(JP) and Tucker(JN) Counties. Golden Eagle reports came from Monroe(JP), Tucker(MO,GF), and Hardy(LL) Counties. An American Kestrel was caught trying to dine on a netted Blackpoll Warbler at the Allegheny Front Migration Observatory (AFMO), Grant County(GH). A Peregrine Falcon was seen in Preston County on October 13(HK,BR). Wild Turkeys continue to be abundant, and there were a few reports of Ruffed Grouse. Several observers encountered larger numbers of American Coots. Semipalmated Plovers were seen in Raleigh County on November 17(A W). Almost everyone reported both yellowlegs across the state. The late date for Greater Yellowlegs was November 17(AW). The last date for Lesser Yellowlegs was November 10(WH). The last date for Solitary Sandpiper was September 28(MBC). The last date for Spotted Sandpiper was October 6(MO). Semipalmated Sandpipers were seen in Preston County the first week of September(GF). Hullet Good reported a Least Sandpiper, and Gary


Felton had a Baird's Sandpiper during September. Dunlins were reported more than ever. Reports came from Wood(MBC), Wetzel(WJ), Preston((GF), Hardy(LL), and Monroe(MO) Counties. The last date for this species was November ll(WJ), and the high count was 27(GF). Common Snipes seemed most noticeable in late October. There were a few reports of American Woodcocks. Bonaparte's Gulls were seen during October and November in Wetzel(WJ), Preston(GF), Cabell(HS,GR), Raleigh(AW), Wood(MBC), and Summers(JP) Counties. Almost everyone found Ring-billed Gulls, and there were a few Herring Gulls. About 200 Common Terns were seen over New River, Raleigh County, and Bluestone Lake, Summers County, on September 14. A group of about 100 was seen the next day just across the state line in Tazewell County, Virginia(JP). A single bird was observed on November 7 over Bluestone Lake(JP).

The last date for Yellow-billed Cuckoo was October 5(JT). Little mention was made of the owls. A Northern Saw-whet Owl was banded at AFMO, Grant County(GH). No one noted a large flight of Common Nighthawks. The last date for the species was October 13(KP). The last date for Whip-poor-wills was September 20(VC). Chimney Swifts were pretty well gone by the third week of October. The last date for Ruby-throated Hummingbirds was October 8(JB). Red-headed Woodpeckers were seen in Greenbrier(BW), Summers(JP), Wetzel(WJ), and Kanawha(DG) Counties. The first date for Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was September 29(MBC). Olive-sided Flycatchers were encountered in Summers(JP) and Wetzel(WJ) Counties in September. Most of the other flycatchers were gone by the end of September. The only report for Loggerhead Shrikes came from Greenbrier County(BW). The last dates for the vireos were as follows: White-eyed, September 28(WJ,MBC); Yellow-throated, October 3(BW); Blue-headed, end of period(JP); Red-eyed, October 12(WJ). A few American Crows were observed hovering over Bluestone Lake, catching fish in midOctober(JP). The only report of Fish Crows came from Berkeley County(JT). A number of Common Ravens were seen flying along Peters Mountain, Monroe County, on November 7(JP). Twenty-seven was the highest count at one time.

Not much mention was made of the swallows. Large numbers of Tree Swallows and Chimney Swifts were noted from Hanging Rock Raptor Migration Observatory, Monroe County, during September. On September 14, in Gap Mills, Monroe County, about 2,500 Tree Swallows, 150 Barn Swallows, and several dozen Bank Swallows were perched on power lines(JP). A group of several hundred was noted in Jefferson County(JT) on October 5. This species remained in the region later than usual with several sightings in early November and the last date seen being November 28(JH). The last date for Northern Rough-winged Swallows was November 23(MO). Brown Creepers had returned by October 11(WH). The first date for Winter Wren was October 2(JP). A Marsh Wren was found in Berkeley County on October 20(MO). The first date for Golden-


crowned Kinglets was October 11(WH) and for Ruby-crowned Kinglets was September 28(WJ).

Several observers noted good thrush flights on September 23, 29, and October 3. American Pipits were reported from Wetzel(WJ), Monogalia(SS), Marion(JH), Jefferson(MO), Preston(GF), and Raleigh(A W,JP) Counties. Some areas had several dozen individuals present. Last dates for warblers were as follows: Blue-winged, September 22(MBC); Golden-winged, September 22(MBC); Tennessee, October 27(MBC); Northern Parula, September 28(WJ); Chestnut-sided, October l(MBC); Magnolia, October 5(SS); Cape May, October 10(WJ); Black-throated Blue, October 6(WJ); Black-throated Green, October 21(MBC); Yellow-throated, October 20(MO); Bay-breasted, October 3(BW); Black-and-white, October 3(BW); American Redstart, October 3(BW,MBC); Ovenbird, October l(MBC); Common Yellowthroat, October 13(MBC); Hooded, September 24(MBC). Yellow-rumped Warblers first appeared September 22(WJ) and Palm Warblers on September 24(MBC).

American Tree Sparrows were reported from Pleasants(MBC), Preston(GF), and Berkeley(WH) Counties in November. Fox Sparrows were first noted on October 27(RD). There were a few reports of Lincoln's Sparrows. Swamp Sparrows were found in Jefferson(MO,JT), Berkeley(MO), Preston(SS), and Wood(MBC) Counties. The first date for White-throated Sparrows was September 28(MBC), and for White-crowned Sparrows was October 14(GF,MBC). Dark-eyed Juncos were first seen on October 12(WJ). A late Rose-breasted Grosbeak was visiting a feeder during the first week of November(MS,BS). A Dickcissel was seen on September 22 in Wetzel County(WJ), and one was banded in Mercer County on October 19(JM). Rusty Blackbirds were reported over most of the state. There were just a couple reports of Purple Finches and Pine Siskins.

I have retired as "Field Notes" editor. The winter, 2002-2003 "Field Notes" will be edited by Janice Emrick. Please send your notes to her by March 15,2003. Her address is 52713 SR 800, Jerusalem, Ohio 43747 or e-mail them to her at [email protected]

About 30 years ago, Oliver Johnson paid my dues in the Brooks Bird Club. He encouraged me to send my field observations to Nevada Laitsch, who was then the "Field Notes" editor. She was glad to receive material from the southern part of the state. Her successor, Glen Phillips, likewise offered encouragement. Little did I realize where this would lead. I have just completed 20 years as your "Field Notes" editor. I want to thank all of the various contributors from the past two decades. I really appreciate the effort you put forth to improve our knowledge of West Virginia birds. Keep up the good work. I encourage those Brooks Bird Club members who are not contributing to make an effort to send your sightings in the future to the "Field Notes" editor. Even though you may think your notes are not


important. you will be contributing to the overall picture of what is going on with our birds. Remember, the birds serve as a barometer for what is going on in the environment. I have appreciated the support and encouragement of many BBC folks, both living and dead. People like Charles and Helen Conrad, Dorothy and Carolyn Conrad, Ralph Bell, George Hurley, Leon Wilson, Nevada Laitsch, Zettie Stewart, Glen Phillips, and Doc Hutton are treasures. Finally, thanks to A. R. Buckelew Jr. for his patience and perserverance and Marjorie Keatley for her sharp eye. Enjoy the birds!

Contributors-Wendell Argabrite(W A), Jim Brown(JB), Holly Canfield(HC), Virginia Cronenberger(VC), Robert Dean(RD), Janice Emrick(JE), Gary Felton(GF), Donny Good(DG), Hullet Good(HG), LeJay Graffious(LG), George Hall(GH), Joey Herron(JH), Wil Hershberger(WH), Wilma Jarrell(WJ), Bill Kennell(BK), Hilar Klandorph(HK), Larry Lynch(LL), Ann McRae(AM), Jim Meyer(JM), Mountwood Bird Club(MBC), John Northeimer(JN), Matthew Orsie(MO), Keith Peters(KP), Bill Radke(BK), Gary Rankin(GR), Harry Slack(HS), Susan Schneider(SS), Margaret Straley(MS), Bob Summers(BS), Arline Thorn(AT), John Trapp(JT), Allen and Mindy Waldron(AW), and Barry Williams(BW),

61

HC 78 Box 42-C Pipestem, WV 25979

cneO [email protected]


Index for Volume 69 Prepared by Sandra Ewusiak Ricketts

Accipiter. 56 Allegheny Front Migration Observatory: Fall migration

2001. .. 9 Allen. Thomas. 20 American OrnithOlogists Union Check-list of !'."orth

American Birds. changes in. 118 Ammer. Frank K .... 7 Bell. Ralph K .. I .. , .. I Bittern. American, 120

Least, 36, 56, 120 Blackbird, Brewer's. 106

Red-winged, 13, 16, 9 .. , 95, 113 Rusty ... I, 58, 106. 123

Beatty. William H., 78 Bluebird. Eastern, 11. 15,90,93, 112 Bobolink. 13. 16, 123 Bobwhite, Northern. 37, 121 Brant, 120 Buckelew, Albert R. Jr., 30, 31. 35. 118 Bufflehead, 56, 103, 121 Bunting, Lark, 105

Indigo. 5, 13.16, 17, 18.53.58,91,9 .. ,95,96,97. 99, 113. 123 Snow. 106

Buteo, 36, .. 7 Bylaws of The Brooks Bird Club, Incorporated, 72 Canterbury, Ronald A .. 110 Canvasback. 56, 120 Cardinal, !'."orthern, 13, 16, 17.53,91. 9 ... 95, 96. 97. 99.

113 Catbird. Gray. 11. 15 ... 9, 52. 93. 95. 96. 97, 99,105.112 Chamblin. H. Douglas, .. 7 Chat, Yellow-breasted. 12, 16,90,9 .. ,99, 110, 113 Chickadee, Black-capped, ... 5, 10. 15.51

Carolina, 83, 89.93. 96. 97. 99. 111 Constitution of The Brooks Bird Club, Incorporated, 61 Coot. American, 57, 10 .. Cormorant, Double-crested, 36, 56, 103, 120 Cowbird, Brown-headed, 13, 16,53, 91. 9 .. Crane, Sandhill, 10 ... 121 Creeper. Brown, ... 5. 11, 38, 52, 58, Ill. 122 Crigger, Billie Jean, 110 Crossbill. Red. 13, 38, 58, 60 Crow, American ... , 5.10,15.17.18.89,93,95.96.97,

99, 105 Fish, 38

Cuckoo, Black-billed. 8, 121 Yellow-billed, 8. 1 ... 57.89.92,96, 121

Dove. Mourning. 8. I ... 82. 89. 92, 95. 99, 110, III Rock, 8, 89, 92

Dowitcher, Long-billed. 5 .. Short-billed 37

Duck, American Black. 103 Long-tailed, 56. 103, 121. Ring-necked, 56. 103, 120 Ruddy, 56, 103 Wood, 7, 36,56, 89, 120

Dunlin, 121 Eagle, Bald, 7.36,50.56. 103. 121


Golden. 50, 56, 10 .. Eddy. Greg, 2. 96 Egret, Cattle, 120

Great, 36, 56, 120 Snowy, 56

Ellis. Cynthia. II .. Emrick, Janice, 7

appointed as Field Notes editor, 119 Scott, 7

Erratum, 72 Falcon, Peregrine. 36, 50, 57, 10 .. , 108 Fenske. Jamie, .. 5 Field 1\otes, Fall Season. 56

Spring Season, 120 Summer Season, 36 Winter Season, 103

Finch, House, 13. 16,91,9 .. , 110, 113 Purple, 5,13,53,58,106,110,113,123

Flicker, Northern, ... 5. 9, 1".51, 89, 93. 96. 99,110, III Floyd Bartley A wards announced, 60 Flycatcher, Acadian, .. , 5,9, I .. , 17,51. 89. 93, 96, 97.

99, 122 Alder. 9, 1 .. ,37 Great Crested, 10. 15,89.93,96,97, 122 Least, 9, 15,51, 89,93, 111 Olive-sided, 37 Traill's, III Willow, 9, 37, 89, 93, 122 Yellow-bellied, 37, III

Foray. 2001. Camp Kidd. Tucker County. West Vir-ginia.2 Bird list, 7 Breeding bird records. 7 Ferns and fern allies, 27 Lepidoptera, 19 :>Iammals, 2 .. Participants, 3 .. Plants, 30 Reptiles and salamanders. 21 Singing male census. 2 Weather, 33

Fowler. Mariah, 33 Fox, Dawn, 27. 101

Thomas R .. 27, 88, 101 Gadwall, 103, 120 Gnatcatcher. Blue-gray, II, 15,52,90.93,96,112.122 Godwit, Marbled 5 .. Goldeneye, Common, 103 Goldfinch. American, 13, 16,50,53,91, 94, 110, 113 Goose, Canada, 7, 1 .. ,36,56,89.92. 120

Rosss, 5 .. Snow, 56, 103, 120 White-fronted, 103, 120

Goshawk. !'."orthern, 56, 108 Grackle, Common, 13, 16. 91, 9 .. , 110,. 113 Grebe, Horned, 103, 120

Pied-billed, 56, 103, 120 Grosbeak, Blue, 38, 123

Evening, .. !, 58, 106, 110. 113, 123

62

Pine, 41 Rose-breasted, 2,4,5, 13. 16,49,53,58,91, 9.\, 96,99, 110, 113, 123

Grouse, Ruffed, 8, 37 Gyrfalcon, 108. 109

gray phase, dark, 109 record at Hanging Rock Observatory in West

Virginia, 108 Gull, Bonaparte's, 45, 104, 121

Great Black-backed, 105 Herring, 37, 104 Ring-billed, 37, 57, 104, 112 Sabine's, 45, 46

at New Cumberland, West Virginia, .\5 Hall, George A., 49 Harrier, Northern, '\7, 56, 10.\ Hawk, Broad-winged, 8, 56, 10.\, 121

Cooper's, 9, 14, 10.\ Red-shouldered, .\, 5, 8 Red-tailed. 4, 6, 8, 89, 92, 10.\, 108 Rough-legged, 56, 10.\, 121 Sharp-shinned, 7, 51, 83, 10.\

Heron, Great Blue, 7, 36, 56, 88, 92, 103, 120 Green, 7, 36,56,89,92, 103, 120 Little Blue, 36

Hummingbird, Ruby-throated, 9, 1.\,37,50,57,89,93, 96, 1 10, 111, 122 Rufous, 60

Index for Volume 68, 73 Jay,Blue,.\,5, 10, 15,5~51,58,83,89,93,96,97,99,

111 Johnson, Virginia, 19, 100 Junco, Dark-eyed, 2,.\,5,13,16,41,42, .\.\, 49, 50, 53,

58, 110, 113, 122 Oregon, 106, 123

Kestrel. American. 37, 57, 80, 82, 89, 92, 10.\ Killdeer, 8, 1.\,57, 89, 92 Kingbird, Eastern, 10. 15, 89, 93, 122 Kingfisher, Belted, 9, 14, 89, 93. 99 Kinglet, Golden-crowned, 11, 15,38.52,58, 105. 111.

122 Ruby-crowned, 52, 58, 105, 111, 122

Kite, Mississippi. ,\7 Swallowtail. ,\7 Snail, ,\7 White-tailed. '\7, 48, 54

sighted in southern West Virginia, 47 Lark, Horned, 41, 58, 105 Loon, Common, 36, 56, 103, 120 Mallard, 7, 36, 89, 92 Martin, Purple, 10,38,58. 117, 122 McCullough, Carol, 14, 92 Meadowlark, Eastern, 13, 16. 91. 9-1 Merganser, Common, 36. 56, 121

Hooded, 56, 103, 121 Red-breasted, 121

Merlin, 57, 104 :Vleyer, James A., 110 :Vliller. Stauffer, 117 Mockingbird, Northern, 90. 93, 112 :Vloorhen, Common, 121 Night-Heron, Black-crowned, 36 Nighthawk, Common, 37, 57, 121 Nuthatch, Red-breasted, 5, 10,15,52,58,88,89,96.97,

63

105, 111, 122 White-breasted, 4, 5,11,15,52,83,90,93,96,99, 110, III

Oriole, Baltimore, 13, 16,58,91,9.\,96,99,113,123 Orchard, 13, 16,38,91,9-1. 123

Osprey, 7, 36, 56, 121 Ovenbird, -I, 5, 12, 16, 17, 18,52,90,9-1,97, 112, 122 Owl, Barred, 8, 9, 14, 37, 57, 89, 105

Great Horned, 37, 105 Northern Saw-whet, 37, 51, 57, 105 Short-eared, 37,55,57, 105 Snowy, 57, 105

Parula, Northern, 11, 15,52,90,93, 122 Pelican, American White, 114, 115, 116, 120

in Putnam County, West Virginia, 114 Phillips, James D., 36, 56, 103, 108, 120

to retire as Field Notes editor. 119 Phoebe, Eastern, 9, 15, 17,89,93, 105, 111 Pintail. Northern, 103, 120 Pipit. American, 58, 105, 122 Plover, American Golden, 37

Semipalmated, 37,121 Raven, Common, -I, 5, 10, 15,38,41,58, 105 Redhead, 103 Redpoll, Common, 106 Redstart, American, 4. 12, 16, 52, 90, 9-1, 96, 112, 122 Ricketts, Sandra Ewusiak, 73 Rieffenberger. Joe, 25 Robin, American,S, 11, 15, 17, 18.52,90,93,95,96.

97, 99, 105, 112 Sanderling, 37 Sandpiper, Least, 37. 121

Pectoral, 37, 57, 121 Semipalmated, 121 Solitary, 37, 57, 121 Spotted, 8, 37, 89, 121 Upland, 121 White-rumped, 121

Sapsucker, Yellow-bellied, 37. 51. 57, 105, 110. 111. 122

Scaup, Greater, 56, 103, 120 Lesser, 103, 120

Screech-Owl, Eastern. 8, 1.\,37,57,78,79,80,81. 82. 83, 8.\, 105 studies, 78

Shoveler, Northern. 103. 120 Shrike, Loggerhead, 38, 57,105,122 Siskin, Pine, 13, 16,38,58.106, 113 Smith, J. Lawrence. 85 Snipe, Common, 37, 57, 10.\, 121 Sora, 121 Sortie, 2001. 88

Bird list, 88 Breeding bird surveys, 92 Ferns and fern allies. 101 Lepidoptera. 100 Singing male census, 96

Sparrow, ~A';erican Tree, 5, 105, 122 Chipping, 13, 16, 17, 18,53,90,9-1,95,105,110, 113 Clay-colored, 13, 38, 5.\ Field. 13, 16,53,91,9-1,110,113 Fox, 53, 58, 105, 113, 122 Golden-crowned, 54


Grasshopper, 13, 16,38.91. 94. 113 House, 13. 16. -II, 91. 94,113 Lincoln's, 53, 58, 113. 122 Savanna~ 13, 38, 53, 91. 9~ 105. 122 Song. 13. 16, 17, 18 . .\1. 53. 91. 94. 95. 96, 96, 97, 110, 113 Swamp, 13,53. 110, 113 Vesper. 13, 38, 53, 122 White-crowned, 53, 58,105,113,122 White-throated . .\9, 50, 53. 58. 105, 113, 122

Starling. European, 11. 15. 17,83,90,93,95 Stover, Dollie M., 110 Swallow, Bank, 10,38.58,117,122

Barn, 10, 15, 38,58,89,93.117,122 Cliff. 10. 38. 58, 117, 122 fallout in Berkeley County, West Virginia, 117 l'orthern Rough-winged. 10, 15, 38, 58. 89, 93, JJ7,122 Tree, 10. 15, 38,58. 89, 105, 117

Swan. Trumpeter. 5.\. 55 Tundra, 103

Swift, Chimney. 9, 1-1.37,57,89,93, 122 Tanager. Scarlet, 4, 5. 12. 16. 17. 18. 38. 53, 58. 90. 9.\,

96,97,99,113,122 Summer. 38, 58, 122

Teal. Blue-winged, 103, 120 Green-winged. 56, 103, 120

Tern, Black. 37,57, 121 Caspian, 105 Common. 121 Forster's, 37. 121

Thrasher, Brown, 11. 15,38.52.90,93.97. 112 Three Rivers :Vligration Observatory: Fall migration

2001.110 Thrush, Gray-cheeked, 52. 110, 112

Hermit, 4. 5. 11. 15,38 . .\9.50.52. 112 Swainson's, 38, 50, 52, 58, 88, 90. 110. 112 Varied. 54 Wood. -I, 11, 15. 17,28.52.58.93.95.96.97.99. 110, 112, 122

Titmouse. Tufted. 5, 10. 15. 52. 89. 93. 95. 96. 97. 99, 110, III

Towhee. Eastern . .\. 5.13.16.17,18,53.90,9.\.95,96. 97.99.113

Turkey. Wild, -I, 5, 8. 1-1. 37, 89. 92. 96. 99 Veery, -I, 5, 11. 15. 38. 52. 88. 90. 112 Vireo, Blue-headed 4.10,15.51,57,105.111. 122

Philadelphia, 51. 57. 111 Red-eyed, 2,.\,5, 10. 15, 17, 18.51.57,89.93,95. 96.97.99, Ill. 122 SOlitary, .\. 5 Warbling. 10.57. 89. 93, 122 White-eyed. 10. 15,57,89,93.97,99. Ill. 122 Yellow-throated, 10. 15,51. 57. 89. 93, Ill. 122

Vulture, Black, 7. 36. 56, 103. 120 Turkey, 7, 36. 56. 89. 103, 120

Warbler. Bay-breasted. 50. 52. 110. 112. 122 Black-and-white,.\. 5, 12. 16.52.90.94,105. 112, 122 Black-throated Blue . .\. 5.12.15, .\9. 52, 58.112.


122 Black-throated Green, 2, -I. 5,12.15,17.49,52. 58, 112, 122 Blackburnian, 12, 16.38,50,52,58, 112 Blackpoll, .\9, 52, 88, 90. 110, 112, 122 Blue-winged. 38, 52, 58, 90, 93, 96, 97,112,122 Brewster's, 38, 122 Canada, 4, 5, 12.16,53, 110, 113 Cape May, 50, 52, 112. 122 Cerulean, 12, 16, 90, 94, 96 Chestnut-sided. 4, 11. 15, 52. 58, 90, 110, 112. 122 Connecticut. 53, 112 Golden-winged, 11, 15. 38,52, 112, 122 Hooded. -I, 5. 12, 16. 53, 90. 9-1, 96, 97. 99. 113. 122 Kentucky. 12. 16, 90, 9.\, 96. 97, 112, 122 Lawrence's. 122 MagnOlia. 4, 5. 12, 15,38,52,58, 112. 122 :Vlourning. 12, 16. 112 Nashville. 11,38,52.58, 112, 122 Orange-crowned. 122 Palm. 38, 52. 58, 105,112,122 Pine, 58, 112. 122 Prairie, 12. 16,52,58.90, 122 Prothonotary. 38. 88, 90, 122 Swainson's, 38 Tennessee, 38, 50. 52. 58, 110, II 2, 122 Wilson's, 50. 53, 110, 113. 122 Worm-eating, 12, 16,52,90,9-1, 112, 122 Yellow, 11. 15,52.90,9-1,95.99,112,122 Yellow-rumped. 12.38.52,58, 105. 112, 122 Yellow-throated, 12, 16.53,90,9.\, l12. 122

Waterthrush, Louisiana. 12, 16,58,90.9.\.96,99, 122 :-;orthern. 12. 16.52.9.\, 112. 122

Waxwing. Cedar. -I, 5,11. 15.38.52,90.93.96.97.112 West Virginia Bird Records Committee, sixth report of:

:V1arch 2002, 5.\ Whip-poor-will, 9. 37,57. 85, 86. 121

decline of after 1970 in West Virginia. 85 Whitaker, Jane 1.. 20. 21. 22, 2-1. 25 Wigeon, American. 103. 120 Willet. 121 Wood, Petra Bohall. ,\7 Wood-Pewee, Eastern, 5. 9. 1.\.51. 89. 93, 96. 99. Ill.

122 Woodcock. American. 37. 57. 104. 121 Woodpecker. Downy. 5.1-1,51. 89. 93. 96. 97. 99, III

Hairy, -I, 5. 9, 14,51. 89, 93, 110. 111 Pileated, .\, 5, 9, 1,\. 89. 93, 99 Red-bellied, 9. 1.\.51. 89, 93. 96. 97, 99, 111 Red-headed. 37, 57, 105

Wren, Carolina, 11. 15.83.90.93.96,99. 111 House, 11. 15.90.93.97, 105, Ill. 122 :Vlarsh. Ill. 122 Winter. 5. 11. 15. 38, 52. 58. 111

Yellowlegs, Greater. 37. 57.121 Lesser. 37, 57, 117, 121

Yellowthroat, Common. 12. 16 . .\9. 50. 53. 58. 90, 96, 97, 112, 122

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VOLUME 70, NUMBER 2 APRIL,2003 - Brooks Bird Club

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Transcript of VOLUME 70, NUMBER 2 APRIL,2003 - Brooks Bird Club