West Virginia Bird Highlights: Spring Migration 2002

The following sightings are excerpted from Robert C. Leberman's compilation of highlights from the Appalachia Region, as published in North American Birds (Volume 56, Number 3, Pages 304-307):

American White Pelican - 4 birds that appeared on the Kanawha River at Winfield Locks and Dam, Putnam County, on April 14 was the only report for the Appalachia Region (photo, Wendell Argabrite).

Cattle Egret - a "northward stray" stopped near a campground in Mason County on April 28 (Wendell Argabrite).

Greater White-fronted Goose - a flock of 6 birds that spent most of February at the Byrd Locks and Dam in Mason County was last seen there on March 3 (Wendell Argabrite).

"Black" Brant - a bird at Reedsville, Preston County, May 4-5, was a first record for the State and "the waterfowl record of the season" (Gary Felton).

Tundra Swan - a wintering bird at Green Bottom Wildlife Management Area, Cabell County, remained through March 3 (Wendell Argabrite).

Long-tailed Duck - small flocks were "widely reported" across northern West Virginia on March 16.

Osprey - among the "early returns" was 1 at Sandy Creek, Wood County, on March 24 (Jeanette Esker).

Sandhill Crane - 1 was at Green Bottom Wildlife Management Area on March 23 (Wendell Argabrite).

Willet - this species was "more frequent" in the Appalachia Region this spring, with a count of 20 at Huntington on April 25 (Wendell Argabrite), being the highest number reported.

Eastern Kingbird - 1 at McDonough Wildlife Management Area, Wood County, on April 22 was "rather early" ((Jon Benedetti).

Loggerhead Shrike - 1 at Green Bottom Wildlife Management Area on March 24 (Wendell Argabrite) was considered "a good find" as it is "rare anywhere in the Region."

Blue-winged Warbler - a reported occurrence in Wood County on April 17 (Jon Benedetti) is considered "early."

Lawrence's Warbler - an individual of this Blue-winged x Golden-winged warbler hybrid at Beech Fork Dam, Wayne County, on April 24 (Wendell Argabrite) was the only report from the Appalachia Region.

Cerulean Warbler - it was present at McDonough Wildlife Management Area on the "early" date of April 18.

Worm-eating Warbler - reported in Wood County on the "early" date of April 16 (Jon Benedetti).

Kentucky Warbler - 1 was in Wood County on the "early" date of April 15 (Jon Benedetti).

Blue Grosbeak - 1 at McDonough Wildlife Management Area on April 28 (fide Jeanette Esker) was "a rare, early find."