Birds of the Lower Ohio River Valley in West Virginia

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GREBES

Pied-billed Grebe  Podilymbus podiceps

WINTER:  Uncommon Resident.  Occasional higher numbers recorded on CBC's likely represent late fall migrants.  See Remarks section for CBC data.

SUMMER:  Rare Resident.  Nesting has been confirmed at Green Bottom WMA and McClintic WMA.  See Remarks section.

MIGRATION:

 Spring:  Fairly Common Migrant from early March to mid-April.  Most birds still present into mid- May are probably migrants.  See Remarks section for high counts.

 Fall:  Fairly Common Migrant.  Arrives early September to mid-September.  Mid-August to late August records probably indicate early arrivals, but may also represent dispersal from local breeding populations.  Peak numbers occur from mid-September to early November.  Most depart from mid- November into December.  See Remarks section for high counts.

REMARKS:

Nesting:  Hall (1983) mentions young birds at McClintic WMA in 1972.  An adult and 2 HY were found on 25 July 1993 at Green Bottom WMA and 2 nesting pairs were found in 1994 (WA).  Courtship displays observed during May and June at Green Bottom WMA during the 1990's (MG).

Breeding Bird Survey (Koch 1974): McClintic WMA, Mason Co., WV (29 May 1971): 50 Stops, 12.25 Mile. Number of Stops Recorded: 1. Total Birds: 1. 

Spring High Counts:  13 on 21 March 1971 at McClintic WMA (HS); 11 on 10 April 1976 and 12 April 1970 at McClintic WMA (HS).

Fall High Counts:  39 on 26 October 1975 in Mason Co., WV (HS); 26 on 19 September 1971 in Cabell and Mason Cos., WV. (HS).

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT DATA

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Recorded on 51% of Counts.  Total Birds: 103.   Range: 1 to 12.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  Recorded on 50% of Counts.  Total Birds:   28.   Range: 1 to 11.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Recorded on 68% of Counts.  Total Birds: 102.   Range: 1 to 15.

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Number of Counts: 61.  Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird: 29.3
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  Number of Counts: 18.  Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird: 12.6
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Number of Counts: 40.  Birds/Party Hr:: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird: 17.8

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