Birds of the Lower Ohio River Valley in West Virginia

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GULLS, TERNS

Ring-billed Gull  Larus delewarensis

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

SUMMER:  Casual Visitant. 

MIGRATION:

 Spring:  Common to Very Common Migrant from late February to early May.  Often Abundant from late February to late March.  Uncommon to Fairly Common Migrant from mid-May to early June.  See Remarks section for high counts.

 Fall:  Fairly Common to Very Common Migrant from late October to late December.  Uncommon to Fairly Common from late September to mid-October.  See Remarks section for high counts.

REMARKS:

Winter High Counts:  710 (360 at Gavin Power Plant and 350 at Kyger Creek Power Plant) on 28 February 2007 (WA); 497 on 24 February 2003 at Lesage, Cabell Co., WV (HS); 319 on 04 February 2009 at Byrd Locks & Dam (MG); 300 on 10 February 2007 at Harris River Front Park (GR).

Spring High Counts:  600 on 15 March 1970 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS); 598 on 09 March 2003 ( 450 at Harris River Front Park (JH, JLH) and 148 at Lesage, Cabell Co., WV (HS); 283 on 13 March 2005 at Lesage, Cabell Co., WV (HS); 144 on 28 April 2007 at Gavin Power Plant (HS); 120 on 01 May 1971 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS).

Fall High Counts:  309 on 29 November 1993 at Harris River Front Park (WA); Edeburn et al. (1960) cites November peaks of 170; 52 (50 at Byrd Locks & Dam, 2 at Gavin Power Plant) on 25 November 2005 (MG, DP); 50 on 29 September 1997 at Kenova, Wayne Co., WV (HS).

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT DATA

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Recorded on 59% of Counts.  Total Birds:  1,638.  Range:  1 to 380.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  Recorded on 83% of Counts.  Total Birds:     284.  Range:  1 to   70.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Recorded on 58% of Counts.  Total Birds:     348.  Range:  1 to   82.

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Number of Counts:  61.  Birds/Party Hr.:  <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird:  1.8. 
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  Number of Counts:  18.  Birds/Party Hr.:  <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird:  1.2.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Number of Counts:  40.  Birds/Party Hr.:  <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird:  5.2.