Least Bittern  Ixobrychus exilis

WINTER:  NO RECORDS.

SUMMER:  Rare Resident.  Hall (1983) and Kiff et al. (1986) indicate nesting likely occurs every year.  However, while there are many records of individuals in summer, there are few confirmed nesting records.  Nesting occurred at McClintic WMA in 1957 (Appel 1957).  A pair with 3 HY were found at Green Bottom WMA in 1997 (WA, MG, KP).  Adults and a probable nest were found in late May 1967 at McClintic WMA (Koch 1967).  A pair and recently constructed nest (photographed) were found at McClintic WMA on 18 May 1969 (HS, RS).  See Remarks section.  

MIGRATION:

 Spring:  Rare Migrant.  Arrives early May to mid-May.  Early dates, one on 06 April 2004 at McClintic WMA (CK, KK); one on 27 April 2008 at Green Bottom WMA (GR); one on 01 May 1993 (WA, MG, LW) and 01 May 1994 (WA) at Green Bottom WMA.

 Fall:  Status uncertain.  Presumed to be a rare migrant (Kiff et al. 1986).  The only record is a dead bird found at Huntington on 07 September 1957 (Edeburn et al. 1960).  This specimen is in the Marshall University collection.

REMARKS:

Singing Male Census (Koch 1971): McClintic WMA, Mason Co., WV (1967): shallow pond-cattail marsh (elevation, 183 m): 33 males/100 ha.