Birds of the Lower Ohio River Valley in West Virginia
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Common Loon Gavia immer
WINTER: Rare Resident. See Remarks section for CBC data.
SUMMER: Accidental. One on 17 July 2004 at Beech Fork Lake (RW).
MIGRATION:
Spring: Uncommon Migrant from early March to early May. Some mid-February to late February records may represent early migrants. Numbers highest from late March to mid-April. Late dates, one on 29 May 1996 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (MG); one on 22 May 1971 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS); two on 13 May 2005 at Huntington, Cabell Co., WV (MG); one on 09 May 1998 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA, JF, MG) See Remarks section for high counts.
Fall: Uncommon Migrant from early November to late November. Occasionally, Fairly Common to Very Common. Early dates, one on 24 September 1980 at Beech Fork Lake (GR); one on 09 October 2005 at Lesage, Cabell Co., WV (HS); two on 26 October 1975 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS); four on 01 November 1970 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS); three on 04 November 1997 at Harris Riverfront Park, Huntington, WV (HS). See Remarks section for high counts.
REMARKS:
Spring High Counts: Over 150 on 04 April 1992 on the Ohio River in Cabell and Mason Cos., WV (WA); 100 on 14 April 2007 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA); 40 on 16 April 1987 on the Ohio River in Mason Co., WV (WA); 31 on 15 April 2007 at Beech Fork Lake on 15 April 2007 (MG); 9 on 26 March 1994 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA) and 11 April 2005 at Crab Creek, Mason Co., WV (WA); 6 on 02 May 1995 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA).
Fall High Counts: At least 400 on 12 November 2004 along the Ohio River Valley (on the water and migrating from south to north) between Lesage, Cabell Co. (Ohio River mile 296) and Byrd Locks & Dam (WA, HS); 249 on 27 November 2002 on the Ohio River from Huntington, WV to Crab Creek, Masson County, WV (200 of these between Byrd Locks & Dam and Crab Creek) (MG); 34 on 31 October 2002 in Cabell Co. (OH River Mile 296), WV (HS).
CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT DATA
Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001): Recorded on 11% of Counts. Total Birds: 7. Range: 1 to 2.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976): Recorded on 17% of Counts. Total Birds: 7. Range: 1 to 5.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001): Recorded on 5% of Counts. Total
Birds: 2. Range: 1.
Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001): Number of Counts: 61. Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0. Party Hr./Bird: 431.4
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976): Number of Counts: 18. Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0.
Party Hr./Bird: 50.4
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):
Number of Counts: 40. Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0. Party Hr./Bird: 67.2