Birds of the Lower Ohio River Valley in West Virginia

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OSPREY, EAGLES, HARRIER, ACCIPITERS, BUTEOS

Northern Harrier  Circus cyaneus

WINTER:  Uncommon Resident.  See Remarks section for CBC data.

SUMMER:  Casual Resident.  Apparently nested at McClintic WMA until the mid-1950's (Handley 1976).  From 1960 to 1987 there were only four summer records, the latest being one on 22 August 1987 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (WA, MG).  Recently, two on 11 August 2004 at Crown City WA (CK, KK).

MIGRATION:

 Spring:  Uncommon Migrant from mid-March to mid-April.  Present in late May 1967 at McClintic WMA (Koch 1971), but absent in 1971 (Koch 1974).  Recent May records one female on 23 May 2004 and one male on 20 May 2007 at Crown City WA (MG, DP).  See Remarks section for high counts.

 Fall:  Uncommon Migrant from mid-September to late November.  See Remarks section for high counts.

REMARKS:

Spring High Counts:  9 on 02 March 2006 at Crown City WA (CE); 7 on 13 March 2004 at Crown City WA (HS); 6 on 16 March 1957 at McClintic WMA (Smith 1996).

Fall High Counts:  11 (10 at Crown City WA and 1 at Green Bottom WMA) on 19 November 2006 (MG, DP); 7 (6 at Crown City Wildlife Area and 1 at Byrd Locks & Dam) on 25 November 2005 (MG, DP).

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT DATA

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Recorded on 23% of Counts.  Total Birds:  16.  Range:  1 to 2.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  Recorded on 61% of Counts.  Total Birds:  19.  Range:  1 to 3.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Recorded on 75% of Counts.  Total Birds:  65.  Range:  1 to 7.

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Number of Counts:  61.  Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird:  188.7.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  Number of Counts:  18.  Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird:    18.6.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Number of Counts:  40.  Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird:    27.9.