Birds of the Lower Ohio River Valley in West Virginia

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MERGANSERS AND STIFF-TAILED DUCK

Red-breasted Merganser  Mergus serrator

WINTER:  Casual Visitant.  See Remarks section for CBC data and Mid-Winter Aerial Survey data.

SUMMER:  Accidental.  One on 26 June 2006 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA, MG).

MIGRATION:

 Spring:  Fairly Common to Common Migrant from early March to early April.  Uncommon Migrant from mid-April to late May.  Late dates, three on 29 May 1976 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS); one on 28 May 1971 and 1978 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS).  See Remarks section for high counts.

 Fall:  Uncommon Migrant from early November to late December.  Early dates, one on 28 October 1990 on the Ohio River at Crab Creek, Mason Co., WV (WA); 13 on 01 November 1970 at Kyger Creek Power Plant and the Ohio River, Mason Co., WV (HS); one on 04 November 1970 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS).  See Remarks section for high counts.

REMARKS:

Spring High Counts: 31 on 01 April 2006 south of Crab Creek, Mason Co., WV (MG, DP); 30 on 28 March 2008 at Crab Creek, Mason Co., WV (WA); 24 on 05 April 1970 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS); 23 on 16 March 1975 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS); (WA); 22 on 09 April 1976 at Gavin Power Plant (HS).

Fall High Counts:  13 on 01 November 1970 on the Ohio River, Mason Co., WV and Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS); 8 on 29 November 1968 on the Ohio River, Mason Co., WV (WA).

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT DATA

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Recorded on 18% of Counts.  Total Birds: 24.  Range:1 to   4.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  Recorded on 17% of Counts.  Total Birds:   6.  Range:1 to   3.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Recorded on 25% of Counts.  Total Birds: 36.  Range 1 to 10.

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):       Total Counts: 61.  Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird: 125.8.
Mason County, WV(1953 to 1976):  Total Counts: 18.  Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird:   58.8.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                 Total Counts: 40.  Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird:   50.4.

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.