Birds of the Lower Ohio River Valley in West Virginia

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SANDPIPERS, PHALAROPE

Wilson's Snipe  Gallinago delicata

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

SUMMER:  Accidental.  One on 05 August 1987 at Apple Grove, Mason Co., WV (WA, RW); one on 30 August 2006 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA, MG, DP); one on 31 August 1987 at McClintic WMA (MG).

MIGRATION:

 Spring:  Common Migrant from mid-March to early May.  Early dates, three on 02 March 2006 at Green Bottom WMA (CE); eight on 03 March 2002 at Apple Grove, Mason Co., WV (WA); two on 03 March 2007 at Green Bottom WMA (MG, DP);  two on 09 March 2003 at Byrd Locks & Dam (JH, JLH); 27 (25 at Byrd Locks & Dam and 2 at Green Bottom WMA) on 15 March 2008 (WA, MG, MO, DP); one on 16 March 1975 at Ashton, Mason Co., WV (HS).  Late dates, one on 18 May 1969 at McClintic WMA (HS); 15 May 1955 (Edeburn et al. 1960); one on 12 May 1970 at McClintic WMA (HS).  See Remarks section for high counts.

 Fall:  Fairly Common to Common Migrant from early September to late November.  Many December records likely represent late migrants.  Early dates, twelve on 03 September 2006 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA, MG, MO, DP); 05 September 1954 (Edeburn et al. 1960); one on 08 September 1970 at Barboursville, Cabell Co., WV (HS); four on 09 September 2000 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA, BD, MG, GR).  See Remarks section for high counts.

REMARKS:

Winter High Counts:  30 on 03 February 2007 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA, DP).

Spring High Counts:  62 (50 in Mason Co, WV, 12 at Byrd Locks & Dam) on 25 March 2006 (MG, DP);  60 on 01 April 1987 at Lakin, Mason Co., WV (MG); 56 on 01 April 1989 at McClintic WMA (WA, MG); 50 on 30 March 1991 at Green Bottom WMA (MG); 50 on 29 March 2008 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA, MG, DP). 

 Fall High Counts:  100 on 03 November 1990 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (WA); 45 on 31 October 2004 at Green Bottom WMA (MG, DP); 27 (20 at Green Bottom WMA, 6 at Byrd Locks & Dam, 1 at McClintic WMA) on 24 November 2005 (DP); 21 on 28 November 1979 at Green Bottom WMA (HS) and 21 (16 at Green Bottom WMA, 5 at Byrd Locks & Dam) on 12 November 2005 (WA, MG, DP).

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT DATA

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2002):        Recorded on   8% of Counts.  Total Birds:    7.  Range:  1 to   3.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  Recorded on 22% of Counts.  Total Birds:    7.  Range:  1 to   3.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2002):                  Recorded on 60% of Counts.  Total Birds:  62.  Range:  1 to 15.

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2002):        Number of Counts:  61.  Birds/Party Hr.:  <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird:  431.4.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  Number of Counts:  18.  Birds/Party Hr.:  <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird:    50.4.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2002):                  Number of Counts:  40.  Birds/Party Hr.:  <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird:    29.3