Fall Waterbirds of West Virginia

Matt Orsie has started keeping a running tally of waterbirds reported by observers in four distinct regions of West Virginia. Although a crude index of species diversity and relative abundance, the data clearly show the overwhelming abundance of Canada Goose. The vast majority of Canada Geese found in West Virginia are resident birds that are derived from past successful introduction of Giant Canada Geese ( Branta canadensis maxima), a subspecies not native to the Mountain State. Of 5,397 individuals of 37 species reported as of November 10, fully 35 percent percent were Canada Geese.