`Birds of the Lower Ohio River Valley in West Virginia

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SURFACE-FEEDING DUCKS

Gadwall  Anas strepera

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

SUMMER:  Accidental.  Two August records likely represent early migrants.  One on 10 August 1987 at Apple Grove, Mason Co., WV (WA); nine on 30 August 1960 at McClintic WMA (WA, TI, LK).

MIGRATION:

 Spring:  Fairly Common Migrant.  Arrives from late February to mid-April (Donnelly 1967).  Late dates, one on 14 May 1968 at McClintic WMA (HS); Hall (1983) cites a date of 12 May; two on 20 April 1982 at Ona, Cabell Co., WV (HS); one on 16 April 1965 in Mason Co., WV (WA, TI) and six on 16 April 1978 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS).  See Remarks section for high counts.

 Fall:  Uncommon to Fairly Common Migrant from early October to late November.  Early dates , two on 10 September 1967 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS, RS); two on 18 September 1967 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS, RS); 35 at Kyger Creek Power Plant on 24 September 1972 (HS).  See Summer section also.  See Remarks section for high counts.

REMARKS:

Winter High Counts:  75 on 02 January 2007 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA); 50 on 06 January 2007 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA, MG, DP); 45 on 02 December 2006 at Byrd Locks & Dam (DP); 44 on 27 February 1976 at Kyger Creek Power Plant and McClintic WMA (HS) and 31 December 2005 at Byrd Locks & Dam (MG, DP); 40 on 29 February 1992 at Kyger Creek Power Plant and McClintic WMA (WA, MG); 36 on 31 January 1988 at Kyger Creek Power Plant and Cheshire, Gallia Co., OH (WA); 32 on 07 January 2006 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA, MG, DP).

Spring High Counts: 28 on on 02 March 1975 at McClintic WMA (HS); 25 on 26 March 1972 at McClintic WMA (HS); 22 on 10 March 2007 at Green Bottom WMA (MG, DP); 20 on 10 March 1972 at McClintic WMA (Smith 1996).

Fall High Counts: 35 on 24 September 1972 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS); 24 on 18 November 2006 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA, DP); 20 on 29 November 1987 at Cheshire, Gallia Co., OH (WA); 12 on 25 November 2005 at Gavin Power Plant (MG, DP); 11 on 09 October 1972 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS).

Banding Data:  5 (<1.0% of total Anatidae) were banded at McClintic WMA from 1953 to 1964.  There were no recoveries (Donnelly 1967).

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT DATA

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Recorded on 21% of Counts.  Total Birds: 32.  Range: 1 to   5.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  Recorded on 28% of Counts.  Total Birds: 30.  Range: 2 to 17.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Recorded on 35% of Counts.  Total Birds: 48.  Range: 1 to 19.

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Number of Counts: 61.  Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird: 94.4.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  Number of Counts: 18.  Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird: 11.8.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Number of Counts: 40.  Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird: 37.8.

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

Recorded on 3 surveys from 1989 to 2005:  06 January 1992:  2.  05 January 2000:  1.  05 January 2004:  12.

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