`Birds of the Lower Ohio River Valley in West Virginia

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GULLS, TERNS

Herring Gull  Larus argentatus

WINTER:  Uncommon to Fairly Common Resident.  See Remarks section for CBC data and high counts.

SUMMER:  Casual Visitant.  Small colony (likely 3 or 4 pairs) confirmed breeding at Gavin Power Plant in 2004.  Recently hatched young were present on 05 June 2004 and nine HY-U had successfully fledged on 22 July 2004 (Argabrite et al. 2005).  As many as five nests were present during late April and May 2005 and three HY were present on 26 May.  However, no HY were located after 26 May and complete nest failure was noted.  As many as four nesting attempts in May and June 2006 failed.  Four to five nests hatched at least six young in early July 2007.  A single Herring Gull nest with 3 eggs on 22 May 1971 was destroyed by high water on 28 May 1971 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS).

MIGRATION:

 Spring:  Uncommon to Fairly Common Migrant from early March to late April.  Uncommon Migrant during May.  See Remarks section for high counts.

 Fall:  Uncommon to Fairly Common Migrant from early November to late December.  Early migrants occur in September and October.  See Remarks section for high counts.

REMARKS:

Edeburn et al. (1960) and Hall (1983) considered the Herring Gull to occur more often than the Ring-billed Gull.  Since the 1970's, the Ring-billed Gull has replaced the Herring Gull as the most numerous Gull in our area during winter and migration.  Peterjohn (2001) noted the population explosion of the Ring-billed Gull along Lake Erie in Ohio during the 1960's.  It is likely the increased population of the Ring-billed Gull in Ohio has resulted in the increase in our area since the 1970's.

Winter High Counts:  81 (75 at Kyger Creek Power Plant and 6 at Gavin Power Plant) on 28 February 2007 (WA).

Spring High Counts:  50 on 15 March 1970 (HS) and 25 March 1970 (WA) at Kyger Creek Power Plant; 20 on 06 March 1971 and 19 April 1970 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS).

Fall High Counts:  11 on 11 October 1997 at Harris River Front Park (HS).

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT DATA

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Recorded on 52% of Counts.  Total Birds:  189.  Range:  1 to   46.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  Recorded on 83% of Counts.  Total Birds:  459.  Range:  1 to 193.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Recorded on 55% of Counts.  Total Birds:    95.  Range:  1 to   24.

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Number of Counts:  61.  Birds/Party Hr.:  <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird:  16.0.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  Number of Counts:  18.  Birds/Party Hr.:  <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird:    0.8.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Number of Counts:  40.  Birds/Party Hr.:  <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird:  19.1.