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Because West Virginia has such
diverse habitat types and so many great places to view the numerous species of
birds found here, it’s a challenge to make a list of the state’s best birding
spots.
Most
think of winter as a slow time for birding. Many of the colorful
migrant warblers, vireos and tanagers have gone south and only a few
wintering species can occasionally be heard singing. Winter is the
best time, however, to see migratory and wintering waterfowl in West
Virginia. More than 30 species of waterfowl have been reported from
West Virginia. Some species live here all year, such as the wood
duck, Canada goose and mallard.
All of the state’s
rivers, reservoirs and small impoundments serve as resting or
feeding areas for migratory waterfowl, as long as they remain free
of ice. Some good places to look are the state’s major rivers: the
Ohio, Kanawha and Monongahela, especially near locks and dams; and
the Tygart, Little Kanawha, Potomac, Greenbrier, New, Gauley,
Guyandotte and Tug Fork rivers. Other smaller rivers and streams are
good places to look also, but normally the flocks of waterfowl will
be in smaller numbers. All of these places make wonderful outings to
get out and enjoy nature.
Other
bird species to keep an eye out for when visiting these areas are
the many species of gulls and sandpipers along with our national
symbol; the bald eagle. Bald eagle sightings are increasing in West
Virginia around all major waterways and many of our reservoirs every
winter.
As
the snow thaws, and spring approaches West Virginia comes alive with
bird song and flashes of color. More than 75 species of birds are
known to breed in West Virginia. Many of these are neotropical
migrants that winter in Central and South America. In fact, because
of the excellent habitat and great numbers of neotropical migrants
that nest in the state, West Virginia is considered an important
source population of these neotropical migrants for surrounding
states, where populations are declining.
One of the more
popular springtime birding destinations is Kanawha State Forest, a
particularly diverse area. Because of its geographic location, it is
a crossover area for many northern and southern species of plants
and animals, including birds. Nineteen species of warblers are known
to nest in the area and some of the highest cerulean warbler
densities in the state can be found here. Another good springtime
birding spot is Short Mountain WMA. Various species of warblers,
vireos and flycatchers can be found here as well as many interesting
wetland species.
For excellent
summer birding, the Monongahela National Forest is the place to be. Because of
its high elevations, the Mon is a great place to view some unique bird species
more associated with northern latitudes.
Many colorful and interesting species of birds can be observed
within the northern hardwood forest including northern goshawk,
Swainson’s thrush, hermit thrush, veery, and magnolia,
black-throated blue and black-throated green warblers. Birds such as
the bobolink, vesper sparrow and savannah sparrow can be found in
many of these high elevation fields.
Bird
watching in West Virginia is excellent at any time of the year. So
no matter what season it is--summer, fall, winter or spring
--opportunities await to view many species of birds in some of the
most scenic areas of the Mountain State.
Other
bird species to keep an eye out for when visiting these areas are
the many species of gulls and sandpipers along with our national
symbol; the bald eagle. Bald eagle sightings are increasing in West
Virginia around all major waterways and many of our reservoirs every
winter.
As
the snow thaws, and spring approaches West Virginia comes alive with
bird song and flashes of color. More than 75 species of birds are
known to breed in West Virginia. Many of these are neotropical
migrants that winter in Central and South America. In fact, because
of the excellent habitat and great numbers of neotropical migrants
that nest in the state, West Virginia is considered an important
source population of these neotropical migrants for surrounding
states, where populations are declining.