Birds of the Lower Ohio River Valley in West Virginia

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BAY DUCKS

Canvasback  Aythya valisineria

WINTER:  Casual Visitant.  Occasional Winter Resident.  See Remarks section for CBC data and high counts.

SUMMER:  NO RECORDS.

MIGRATION:

 Spring:  Uncommon to Fairly Common Migrant from mid-February to early April.  Late dates, one on 20 May 2007 at Green Bottom WMA (GR); two on 11 May 1969 at McClintic WMA (HS); 28 April 1957 (Edeburn et al. 1960); one on 26 April 1970 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS); one on 19 April 1971 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS); one on 12 April 1971 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS).  See Remarks section for high counts.

 Fall:  Rare Migrant from early November to mid-December.  Early dates, 28 October 1951 (Edeburn et al. 1960) and one on 28 October 1990 Gavin Power Plant (WA); one on 09 November 1969 at McClintic WMA and three on 09 November 1970 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS).  All records are from one to three birds.

REMARKS:

Winter High Counts:  150 on 09 February 1966 on the Ohio River, near Green Bottom WMA (WA); 100 on 02 February 2004 (WA) and 14 February 2004 (MG) at Byrd Locks & Dam; 50 on 17 February 2007 (WA, DP) and 45 on 24 February 2007 (WA, MG, DP) at Byrd Locks & Dam; 40 on 12 February 1996 on the Ohio River at Gallipolis Ferry, Mason Co., WV (Smith 1996).

Spring High Counts:  40 on 04 March and 37 on 03 March 2007 at Byrd Locks & Dam (MG, DP); 30 on 01 March 1970 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (WA, HS); 29 on 19 March 1978 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS); 25 on 01 March at Byrd Locks & Dam (MG, DP); 12 on 12 March 1972 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS); 10 on 19 March 1966 (WA).

Banding Data:  57 (1.0% of total Anatidae) were banded at McClintic WMA from 1953 to 1964.  Of 8.8% (5) recovered, excluding WV and OH, 25% (1) and 75% (3), respectively, were recovered north and south of the banding station.  The only recovery north of the banding station was from Minnesota.  Recoveries south of the banding station, one each, were from Louisiana, North Carolina and Tennessee (Donnelly 1967).

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT DATA

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Recorded on 18% of Counts.  Total Birds:   79.  Range: 1 to 30.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  Recorded on 56% of Counts.  Total Birds: 147.  Range: 2 to 46.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Recorded on 25% of Counts.  Total Birds:   35.  Range: 1 to 16.

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Total Counts: 61.  Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird: 38.2.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 2001):  Total Counts: 18.  Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird:   2.4.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Total Counts: 40.  Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird: 51.8.