Turkey Vulture  Cathartes aura

WINTER:  Casual Visitant prior to 2000.  Rare to Uncommon Resident, from winter 2000 as records and number of individuals increased in December and January.  Common to Very Common Resident in winter of 2004-2005 based on increased records and high counts at roost in Proctorville, Lawrence Co., OH.   See Remarks section for CBC data and high counts.

SUMMER:  Common to Very Common Resident.  Nesting has been confirmed in Cabell Co., WV (Kiff 1986).

MIGRATION:

 Spring:  Common to Very Common Migrant. Arrives mid-February to mid-March.

 Fall:  Common to Very Common Migrant from late September to mid-November.  See Remarks section for high counts.

REMARKS:

Winter High Counts:  79 (72 at Proctorville Roost) on 02 January 2005 (Huntington CBC); 75 on 07 December 2004 at Proctorville, Lawrence Co., OH (HS); 60 on 06 December 2004 at Proctorville, Lawrence Co., OH (HS); 33 on 28 January 2005 at Proctorville, Lawrence Co., OH (HS); 20 on 14 January 2005 at Proctorville, Lawrence Co., OH (HS).

Fall High Counts:  289 on 24 October 2004 at Ohio River Mile 296, Lesage, Cabell Co., WV (HS); 150 on 09 November 1968 at Gallia Co., OH (WA).  153 on 15 November 2000 at Ohio River Mile 296, Lesage, Cabell Co., WV (HS).

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT DATA

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2005):        Recorded on 20% of Counts.  Total Birds: 108.  Range: 1 to 79.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  NO RECORDS.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2005):                  Recorded on 23% of Counts.  Total Birds:   44.. Range: 1 to 17.

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Number of Counts: 65.  Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird:   30.0.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  NO RECORDS.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Number of Counts: 44.  Birds/Party Hr.: <1.0.  Party Hr./Bird:   45.9.