Birds of the Lower Ohio River Valley in West Virginia

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BITTERNS, HERONS, EGRETS

Great Blue Heron  Ardea herodias

WINTER:  Fairly Common Resident.  See Remarks section for CBC data.

SUMMER:  Uncommon to Fairly Common Resident.  W. Smith reported a pair that apparently nested in 1972 at East Lynn Lake, Wayne Co., WV (Hall 1983).  Debbie Keener, Superintendent at Beech Fork State Park, found a pair with at least 2 young in a nest, in late summer 2001 (personal communication).  Adults and 14 nests were present on a small island adjacent to Green Bottom WMA in 2004 but the outcome was not determined; adults were present at this site in March 2005 (MG, HS).  Sixteen adults and 13 nests were present on 27 March 2005 along Mud River/Newman Branch, Cabell Co., WV (DW, DOW).  Five nests were present on 15 March 2008 on a small island in the Ohio River at Gallipolis, Ohio.  See Remarks section for high counts.

MIGRATION:

 Spring:  Uncommon to Fairly Common Migrant.  Data from Kyger Creek Power Plant indicates arrival in February and March (Slack 1978).

 Fall:  Uncommon to Fairly Common Migrant.  Numbers increase in August and remain relatively stable into December (Slack 1978).

REMARKS:

Summer High Counts:  As many as 75 (21 August 1999) were present in late summer at Green Bottom WMA in 1999 (WA, MG, HS) and 35 were still present on 23 August 1999 (HS); 41 on 26 July 2008 at Green Bottom WMA (MG); 35 on 17 July 2004 at Green Bottom WMA (MG).

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT DATA

Huntington, WV (1940 - 2001):        Recorded on 62% of Counts.  Total Birds: 258.  Range: 1 to 34.
Mason County, WV (1953 - 1976):  Recorded on 61% of Counts.  Total Birds:   85.  Range: 1 to 16.
Ona, WV (1962 - 2001):                  Recorded on 85% of Counts.  Total Birds: 377.  Range: 1 to 47.

Huntington, WV (1940 - 2001):         Number of Counts: 61.  Birds/Party Hr:: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird: 11.7.
Mason County, WV (1953 - 1976):   Number of Counts: 18.  Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird:   4.2.
Ona, Wv (1962 - 2001):                    Number of Counts: 40.  Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird:   4.8.