Rough-legged Hawk  Buteo lagopus

WINTER:  Casual Visitant.  Occasionally winters.  See Remarks section for CBC data and high counts..

SUMMER:  NO RECORDS.

MIGRATION:

 Spring:  Casual Migrant from early to mid-March.  Early Migrants likely occur in February.  Late dates, two on 19 March 1978 in Mason Co., WV (HS); 17 March 1963 at McClintic WMA (Hall 1983); one on 12 March 1978 at Green Bottom WMA (HS)..

 Fall:  Casual Migrant from mid-November to late December.  Early dates, 10 November 1978 at Green Bottom WMA (HS); 12 November 2004 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA); 16 November 1983 at Green Bottom WMA (HS); 17 November 1990 in Mason Co., WV (WA).

REMARKS:

Winter High Counts:  5 (4 light phase, 1 dark phase) on 02 February 2000 at Byrd Locks & Dam and Green Bottom WMA (WA).

Color Phase:  Of 40 records (Slack, unpublished data), 70% were light phase individuals.  Of 15 records (Griffith, unpublished data), 80% were light phase individuals.

Records of this species have decreased in our area since the mid-1990's.

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT DATA

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Recorded on   5% of Counts.  Total Birds:    5.  Range:  1 to 2.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  Recorded on 22% of Counts.  Total Birds:    7.  Range:  1 to 3.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Recorded on 48% of Counts.  Total Birds:  39.  Range:  1 to 7.

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Number of Counts:  61.  Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird:  603.9.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  Number of Counts:  18.  Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird:    50.4.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Number of Counts:  40.  Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird:    46.5.