Birds of the Lower Ohio River Valley in West Virginia

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TOWHEES, SPARROWS, JUNCO, LONGSPURS, SNOW BUNTING

White-throated Sparrow  Zonotrichia albicollis

WINTER:  Very Common to Abundant Resident.  See Remarks section for CBC data.

SUMMER:  Casual Visitant.  Five records.  06 June 1943 (Edeburn et al. 1960); one on 10 and 12 June 1999 (HS); singing male from 30 May to 25 June 2000 at Huntington, WV (same location as 1999 record) (HS); one on 31 July 1968 (HS); one from 25 August to 06 September 1951, at feeder in Huntington, WV (Edeburn et al. 1960).

MIGRATION:

 Spring:  Common Migrant from late March to early May.  Uncommon Migrant from mid-May to late May.  Late dates, one banded (HS) on 28 May 1977; one (singing) on 27 May 2008 (MKE, JN); 22 May 1984 (HS); 15 May 1977 (HS).  Also, see Summer section.

 Fall:  Common to Very Common Migrant arriving from early to mid-October.  Early dates, 25 September 1963 (WA); 26 September 1963 (WA, LK); 26 September 2004 (MG, DP); 01 October 2006 (WA, MG, DP); 02 October 1973 (HS); 03 October 1970 and 1983 (HS).  Also, see Summer section.

REMARKS:

Fall Banding Data:  One U-U banded (HS) on 17 October 1976 at Huntington, Cabell Co., WV was trapped and released at Willow Grove, PA, on 21 November 1976 (400 miles from original banding site) (Slack 1989).

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT DATA

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Recorded on   97% of Counts.  Total Birds:  8,068.  Range:    2 to 412.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  Recorded on 100% of Counts.  Total Birds:  1,356.  Range:    1 to 256.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Recorded on 100% of Counts.  Total Birds:  6,801.  Range:  23 to 545.

Huntington, WV (1940 to 2001):        Total Counts:  61.  Birds/Party Hr.:  2.7.  Party Hr./Bird:  0.4.
Mason County, WV (1953 to 1976):  Total Counts:  18.  Birds/Party Hr.:  3.8.  Party Hr./Bird:  0.3.
Ona, WV (1962 to 2001):                  Total Counts:  40.  Birds/Party Hr.:  3.7.  Party Hr./Bird:  0.3.