Birds of the Lower Ohio River Valley in West Virginia

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SURFACE-FEEDING DUCKS

American Wigeon  Anas americana

WINTER:  Casual Visitant.  Occasionally winters.  See Remarks section for CBC data and Mid-Winter Aerial Survey data.

SUMMER:  NO RECORDS.

MIGRATION:

 Spring:  Common to Very Common Migrant from late February to mid-April.  Uncommon from late April to mid-May. Late dates, one on 28 May 1971 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS); two on 26 May 1967 at McClintic WMA (Koch 1971); one on 14 May 1968 at McClintic WMA (HS); one on 11 May 1968 and two on 11May 1969 at McClintic WMA (HS).  See Remarks section for high counts.

 Fall:  Fairly Common to Common Migrant from late October to early December.  Uncommon Migrant from early September to mid-October.  Early dates, 04 September 1967 at McClintic WMA (RS); one on 08 September 1970 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS); three on 10 September 1967 at McClintic WMA (HS, RS); four on 03 October 1971 at McClintic WMA (HS); eight on 08 October 1978 at Kyger Creek Power Plant and Gavin Power Plant, Gallia Co., OH (HS).  See Remarks section for high counts.

REMARKS:

Winter High Counts:  26 on 27 February 1988 at Cheshire, Gallia Co., OH (WA, JF, MG); 19 on 04 December 1970 at Kyger Creek Power Plant and McClintic WMA (HS); 17 on 27 February 1976 at McClintic WMA (HS); 15 on 20 December 1970 and 31 December 1973 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS).

Spring High Counts:  80 on 02 May 1958 at McClintic WMA (Smith 1996); 63 on 30 March 1969 at Cabell and Mason Cos., WV and Kyger Creek Power Plant (WA, HS); 62 on 16 March 1969 in Cabell and Mason Cos., WV (WA); 57 on 15 March 1970 at McClintic WMA (50) and Kyger Creek Power Plant (7) (WA, HS); 57 on 28 March 1971 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (39) and McClintic WMA (18) (HS).

Fall High Counts:  63 on 27 October 1968 at McClintic WMA (WA); 29 on 26 October 1975 at McClintic WMA (HS); 24 on 21 November 1971 at McClintic WMA (HS).

Banding Data:  238 (2.6% of the total Anatidae) were banded at McClintic WMA from 1953 to 1964.  Of 8.0% (19) recovered, excluding WV and OH, 46.7% (7) and 53.3% (8), respectively, were recovered north and south of the banding station.  Recoveries north of the banding station were from Manitoba, Canada (2), Ontario, Canada (2), Wisconsin (2) and New Jersey (1).  Recoveries south of the banding station were Dominican Republic (2) and one each from Alabama, Florida, Haiti, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia (Donnelly 1967).

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT DATA

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Recorded on 31% of Counts.  Total Birds: 156.  Range: 1 to 75.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  Recorded on 83% of Counts.  Total Birds:   32.  Range: 1 to   4.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Recorded on 33% of Counts.  Total Birds:   38.  Range: 1 to 12.

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Number of Counts: 61.  Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird: 94.4
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  Number of Counts: 18.  Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird:   2.3
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Number of Counts: 40.  Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird: 47.8.

MID-WINTER AERIAL SURVEY DATA (WVDNR)
OHIO RIVER, POINT PLEASANT TO HUNTINGTON, WV

Recorded (Wigeon spp.) on 1 survey from 1989 to 2002:  03 January 1996:  2.

Recorded (American Wigeon) on 1 survey from 2003 to 2005:  05 January 2004:  2.