PHALACROCORACIDAE

Double-crested Cormorant  Phalacrocorax auritus

WINTER:  Casual Visitant.  Occasional Rare Resident.  See Remarks section for CBC data.

SUMMER:  Casual Visitant in June and July since 1989.  One adult and three first year birds on 16 June 2005, at Gavin Power Plant, may indicate local nesting.  Numerous August records likely reflect early migrants.

MIGRATION:

 Spring:  Uncommon to Common Migrant from mid-April to late May.  Numbers variable in any given year. See Remarks section for high counts.

 Fall:  Uncommon to Very Common Migrant.  Numbers variable in any given year.  Migration prolonged from early August into late November.  See Remarks section for high counts.

REMARKS:

 Increased sightings in our area, since the mid 1980's, parallels the range expansion in the last few decades.  This species was first reported on the Huntington CBC in 1985 and on the Ona CBC in 1986, being recorded on 5 and 6 of these counts, respectively, through 2001.  Kiff, et al. (1986) had no records of this species from June through September and considered it rare at all other times.

Spring High Counts:  500 plus on 21 April 1997 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA); 100 on 28 March (WA) and 35 on 15 March (WA, MG, MO, DP) 2008 at Byrd Locks & Dam; 50 on 06 May 1989 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA, AT, LW); 27 on 03 May 1988 at Cox Landing, Cabell Co., WV (WA); 18 on 24 April 1987 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA).

Fall High Counts:  1,106 on 31 October 2002 in Cabell Co. (OH River Mile 296),WV (HS); 854 on 06 November 1997 at Harris River Front Park (GR, HS); 472 on 08 November 1996 at Harris River Front Park (HS); 140 on 16 October 2002 at Lesage, Cabell Co., WV (HS); 93 on 29 August 1999 at Huntington, WV (HS).

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT DATA

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Recorded on   8% of Counts.  Total Birds: 64.  Range: 2 to 45.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  Recorded on 10% of Counts.  Total Birds:   5.  Range: 1 to   4.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Recorded on 15% of Counts.  Total Birds:   8.  Range: 1 to   3

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Number of Counts: 61.  Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird:   47.2
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  Number of Counts: 18.  Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird:   70.6
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Number of Counts: 40.  Birds/Party Hr:: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird: 226.8.