Birds of the Lower Ohio River Valley in West Virginia

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MERGANSERS AND STIFF-TAILED DUCKS

Ruddy Duck  Oxyura jamaicensis

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

SUMMER:  NO RECORDS.

MIGRATION:

 Spring:  Uncommon Migrant from mid-March to mid-April.  Late dates, one on 06 May 1989 (WA, AT, LW); six (4 at Byrd Locks & Dam, WA, PD, MG, DP, PT and 2 at Green Bottom WMA, JW) on 30 April 2005; 15 on 21 April 1997 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA); two on 19 April 1970 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS).  See Remarks section for high counts.

 Fall:  Uncommon to Fairly Common Migrant from mid-October to late November.  Early dates, one on 09 October 1970 and 1972 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS); one on 11 October 1969 at McClintic WMA (HS); one on 19 October 1975 at McClintic WMA (HS).  Most December records are likely late migrants.  See Remarks section for high counts.

REMARKS:

Winter High Counts:  12 on 04 January 1976 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS); 10 on 29 January 2011 at Byrd Locks & Dam (DP) and 10 (8 ay Gallipolis Ferry, Mason Co., WV, 2 at Byrd Locks & Dam) on 22 January 2012 (GR); 9 (7 at Byrd Locks & Dam and 2 at Gallipolis, Gallia Co., OH) on 18 December 2010 (WA, MG, DP); 7 on 19 February 2011 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA, MG, DP); 4 on 19 January 1997 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA); 3 on 30 January 2000 on the Ohio River at Green Bottom WMA (GR) and 22 December 2005 at Gavin Power Plant (HS).

Spring High Counts:  15 on 21 April 1997 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA); 6 (4 at Byrd Locks & Dam, WA, PD, MG, DP, PT and 2 at Green Bottom WMA, JW) on 30 April 2005; 4 on 12 March 1972 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS).

Fall High Counts:  41 on 25 October 2007 at Byrd Locks & Dam (DP);  28 on 25 November 1960 on the Ohio River, Mason Co., WV (WA, TI, LK, HCL);  20 on 30 November 1995 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA); 16 on 26 October 1975 at Byrd Locks & Dam and Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS). 

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT DATA

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Recorded on 12% of Counts.  Total Birds: 22.  Range: 1 to 14.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  Recorded on 44% of Counts.  Total Birds: 34.  Range: 1 to 12.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Recorded on 18% of Counts.  Total Birds: 10.  Range: 1 to   2.

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Total Counts: 61.  Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird: 137.3.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  Total Counts: 18.  Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird:   10.4.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Total Counts: 40.  Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird: 181.5.