Birds of the Lower Ohio River Valley in West Virginia

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MERGANSERS AND STIFF-TAILED DUCKS

Common Merganser  Mergus merganser

WINTER:  Casual Visitant.  Occasional Uncommon Resident.  See Remarks section for CBC data, Mid-Winter Aerial Survey Data and high counts.

SUMMER:  Accidental.  One on 09 June 2006 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA).

MIGRATION:

 Spring:  Uncommon to Fairly Common Migrant from early February to early March.  Records to early May.  Late dates, one on 09 May 1977 at Gavin Power Plant (HS); 07 May 1950 (Edeburn et al. 1960); one on 03 May 2008 at Byrd Locks & Dam (MG, DP); one on 05 April 1970 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS); two on 22 March 1976 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS).  See Remarks section for high counts.

 Fall:  Uncommon Fall Migrant from early to late December (Kiff et al. 1986).  Early dates, 06 November 1952 (Edeburn et al. 1960); fifteen on 15 November 1985 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (MG); one on  30 November 1995 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA).  See Remarks section for high counts.

REMARKS:

Winter High Counts:  41 on 04 February 1978 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS); 21 on 05 February 1977 at Kyger Creek Power Plant and Gavin Power Plant (HS); 20 on 09 February 1966  on the Ohio River, Cabell Co., WV (WA).

Spring High Counts:  50 on 01 March 1986 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (MG);  45 on 03 March 1979 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS); 40 on 15 April 2007 at Beech Fork Lake (LWC); 13 on 19 March 1978 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS).

Fall High Counts:  15 on 15 November 1985 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (MG).

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT DATA

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Recorded on 20% of Counts.  Total Birds: 49.  Range: 1 to 18.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  Recorded on 56% of Counts.  Total Birds: 29.  Range: 1 to   8.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Recorded on 33% of Counts.  Total Birds: 32.  Range: 1 to   4.

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Number of Counts: 61.  Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird: 61.6.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  Number of Counts: 18.  Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird: 12.2.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Number of Counts: 40.  Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird: 56.7.

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

Recorded (Merganser spp.) on 5 surveys from 1989 to 2005:  03 January 1996:  15.  04 January 1999:  9.  02 January 2001:  1.
                                                                                               06 January 2003:    2.  03 January 2005:  1.