Birds of the Lower Ohio River Valley in West Virginia

Home | Geographical Scope | Historical Perspective | Format | Species Accounts | Hypothetical List | Acknowledgements | Literature Cited

MERGANSERS AND STIFF-TAILED DUCK

Hooded Merganser  Lophodytes cucullatus

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

SUMMER:  Handley (1976) recorded nesting at McClintic WMA from 1956 to 1962.  From one to four females were present from 12 June to 22 July 2004 at Gavin Power Plant and Kyger Creek Power Plant (WA, MG, HS); one female on 15 June 2006 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS).

MIGRATION:

 Spring:  Uncommon to Fairly Common Migrant from early March to early April.  Many mid-February to late February records are likely  migrants.  Uncommon Migrant from mid-April to early May.  Late dates, one on 09 May 1977 at Gavin Power Plant (HS); 06 May 1951 (Edeburn et al. 1960); three on 05 May 1983 at Beech Fork Lake (HS).  See Remarks section for high counts.

 Fall:  Uncommon to Fairly Common Migrant from late October to late December.  Early dates, one on 10 October 1976 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS); four on 25 October 1987 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA); 31 October 1953 (Edeburn et al 1960) and four on 31 October 1976 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS).  See Remarks section for high counts.

REMARKS:

Winter High Counts:  45 on 11 December 2004 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (WA, MG, DP, HS); 35 on 18 December 1992 on the Ohio River in Mason Co., WV (WA, MG); 32 on 31 December 2004 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS); 21 on 22 December 2005 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS); 14 on 20 December 1970 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS) and 30 January 2000 at Byrd Locks & Dam (GR).

Spring High Counts:  100 on 06 April 2002 on the Ohio River at Crab Creek, Mason Co., WV (WA); 23 on 06 March 1971 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS); 21 on 27 March 1971 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS).

Fall High Counts:  30 on 30 November 2004 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (WA) and 25 November 2005 (25 at Kyger Creek Power Plant, 4 at Gavin Power Plant, 1 at Crab Creek, Mason Co., WV) (MG, DP); 23 on 06 November 1987 on the Ohio River at Glenwood, Mason Co., WV (WA); 16 on 28 November 1971 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS).

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT DATA

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Recorded on 28% of Counts.  Total Birds:   61.  Range: 1 to 10.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  Recorded on 67% of Counts.  Total Birds: 155.  Range: 1 to 55.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Recorded on 40% of Counts.  Total Birds:   79.  Range: 1 to 15.

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Total Counts: 61.  Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird: 49.5.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  Total Counts: 18.  Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird:   2.3.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Total Counts: 40.  Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird: 23.0.

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

Recorded (Merganser spp.) on 5 surveys from 1989 to 2005:  03 January 1996:  15.  04 January 1999:  9                            
                                                                                               02 January 2001:  1.    06 January 2003:  2.
                                                                                               03 January 2005: 1.

Recorded (Hooded Merganser) on 1 survey: 03 January 2005:  3..