Birds of the Lower Ohio River Valley in West Virginia

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OSPREY, EAGLES, HARRIER, ACCIPITERS, BUTEOS

Bald Eagle  Haliaeetus leucocephalus

WINTER:  Rare Visitant since the late 1980's.  Rare Migrant from mid-January to late February.  Records from 2000 indicate some birds may be winter residents.  See Remarks section for CBC data.

SUMMER:  Casual Migrant in August.  Five July records of single birds : 06 July 2002 at Green Bottom WMA (HS); 15 July 1995 at Ashton, Mason Co., WV (WA); 15 July 2003 at Huntington, WV (KP); 21 July 2003 along the Ohio River near Green Bottom WMA (MG, HS); "immature" on 24 July 2004 at Beech Fork Lake (MG).  Only June record, one shot on 02 June 1953 at Lesage, Cabell Co., WV, is in the Marshall University collection (Edeburn et al. 1960).  See Remarks section for high counts.

MIGRATION:

 Spring:  Casual Migrant from early March (see Winter section) to mid-May.  May dates, one on 28 May 2008 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA, MG); one on 19 May 2001 at Lesage, Cabell Co., WV (HS); one on 16 May1998 at Lakin, Mason Co., WV (WA); one on 07 May 2005 at Green Bottom WMA (PT); one on 05 May 2007 at Green Bottom WMA (LWC); one on 01 May 1982 at Green Bottom WMA (TI, GR).

 Fall:  Casual Migrant from early September (and August) to late November.  See Remarks section for high counts.

REMARKS:

Kiff et al. (1986) considered this species a casual visitant and Hall (1983) stated there were records for every month except January.  Since the late 1980's, one or two have been recorded in January most years.  The increased number of records at all times of the year are probably a result of successful re-introduction programs.  In 2001, a record 105 Bald Eagles fledged in Ohio (Ohio Division of Wildlife  2001).

Summer High Counts:  5 (3 "adult", 2 "immature") on 18 August 2002 at Green Bottom WMA and near Glenwood, Cabell Co., WV (WA, MG, GF, MF, JF, MO, HS).

Fall High Counts:  3 on 16 September 2008 at Lesage, Cabell Co., WV (HS).

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT DATA

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Recorded on   5% of Counts.  Total Birds:  7.  Range:  2 to 3.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  NO RECORDS.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Recorded on 15% of Counts.  Total Birds:  7.  Range:  1 to 2.

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Number of Counts:  61.  Birds Per Party Hr:  <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird:  431.4.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  NO RECORDS.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Number of Counts:  40.  Birds Per Party Hr.:  <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird:  259.2.