Birds of the Lower Ohio River Valley in West Virginia

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GULLS, TERNS

Bonaparte's Gull  Larus philadelphia

WINTER:  Casual Visitant.  See Remarks section for CBC data.

SUMMER:  Accidental.  Two records.  One on 09 August 1997 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (WA).  Two from 20 to 22 August 1994 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA).

MIGRATION:

 Spring:  Fairly Common to Common Migrant from late March to late April.  Early dates,  one on 09 March 2003 (JH, JLH) and seven on 13 March 2003 (JLH) at Harris River Front Park;  20 on 20 March 2002 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA); 30 on 22March 2008 at Byrd Locks & Dam (MG); 18 on 26 March 2002 at Lesage, Cabell Co., WV (HS).  Late dates, 25 on 11 May 1968 at Byrd Locks & Dam (HS); 20 on 02 May 1987 in Cabell and Mason Cos., WV (WA, AT, LW); one on 01 May 1971 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS).  See Remarks section for high counts.

 Fall:  Casual Migrant from late October to late November.  Early dates, two on 05 October 1997 at Harris River Front Park (HS); one on 22 October 1972 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS); one on 29 October 1997 at Harris River Front Park (HS) and 2006 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA, MG, DP); two on 31 October 1992 at Milton, Cabell Co., WV (WA, MG).  See Remarks section for high counts.

REMARKS:

Spring High Counts:  145 on 02 April 1977 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS); 60 on 12 April 1987 at Gavin Power Plant (WA); 50 on 21 April 1997 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA); 48 on 31 March 2000 at Lesage, Cabell Co., WV (HS).

Fall High Counts:  36 on 17 November 2002 at Beech Fork Lake (GR); 22 on 30 November 2008 at Byrd Locks & Dam (MG, DP); 16 on 21 November 2000 at Lesage, Cabell Co., WV (HS); 12 on 09 November 1997 at Harris River Front Park (HS).

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT DATA

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Recorded on   8% of Counts.  Total birds:  12.   Range:  1 to 6.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  Recorded on 11% of Counts.  Total Birds:    2.  Range:  1.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Recorded on 10% of Counts.  Total Birds:  11.  Range:  1 to 6.

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Number of Counts:  61.  Birds/Party Hr.:  <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird:  251.6.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  Number of Counts:  18.  Birds/Party Hr.:  <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird:  176.5.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Number of Counts:  40.  Birds/Party Hr.:  <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird:  165.0.