birding...

Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis ©Cal Vornberger http://www.calvorn.com/index.htm

At some juncture before the United States reached it`s current geo-political size, it was said of West Virginia, Its the most northern of the southern states, the most southern of the northern states, the most eastern of the western states and the most western of the eastern states. Even although it`s a safe bet that someone from West Virginia coined the phrase, that adage held true at the time and still describes with some accuracy, it`s geo-political boundaries. It`s northern most point extends farther north than Pittsburg, Pa., Huntington in the west extends farther west than Cleavland, Oh., Bluefield is farther south than Richmond, Virginia. and it`s eastern most town, Harper`s Ferry, lies at the same approximate longitude as Hagerstown, Md.

Even though West Virginia lies soley within the Appalachian Mountain System, it can be divided into three distinct physiographic regions, the Ridge and Valley Province in the eastern panhandle, the Allegheny Mountains and the Unglaciated Allegheny Plateau. The eastern panhandle can be further divided into the Potomac and Shenandoah River valleys and the Blue Ridge Mountain Section. Principal rivers in the Allegheny region are the Ohio along the western border and northern panhandle, the New, Kanawha, and Gauley in the south and the Monongahela, Cheat and Tygart in the north-central region.

The majority of the state is covered by deciduous forest, but conifer, mixed conifer/deciduous and boreal habitats are also to be found in the Allegheny Mountains. The eastern panhandle and southwestern area of the state contain extensive enough tracts of pine that Pine Warblers nest regularly. Very little marsh habitat exists in the state, but enough is present in the Eastern panhandle and along the Ohio River that Pied-billed Grebes, Least and American Bitterns, Virginia Rails, Soras, Comon Moorhens and Marsh Wrens nest.

The geographic scope of the state coupled with habitat diversity provides the basis for West Virginia`s distinction of having more breeding species of new-world warblers than any other state. Currently, 29 species of eastern warblers, including two of the most sought after ones, Swainson`s and Mourning, breed in West Virginia. Breeding Least Bittern`s, Loggerhead Shrikes, Dickcissels and disjunct populations of breeding Northern Goshawks, Olive-sided Flycatchers and Nashville Warblers, give West Virginia a unique ornithological flair. The diversity of breeding species in the state has been increased with the re-introduction programs of Bald Eagles, Ospreys and Peregrine Falcons.

Birding Locations

The vast majority of rarities that appear in West Virginia, seem to turn up at Greenbottom Wildlife Management Area and at Robert C. Byrd Locks and Dam. Both of these areas are found along state route 2 which parallels the Ohio River just west of Huntington in the southwestern corner of the state. In addition to this being the most rairity-rich area in the state, Least Bitterns, Common Moorhens, Virginia and Sora Rails, Summer Tanagers and Blue Grosbeaks nest here.

To find Swainson`s Warblers in West Virginia a trip to the rhododendron thickets of the southern part of the state is a must. For specific locations try Babock State Park off of state route 41 north of Beckley and Coonskin Park in Charleston. In addition to searching for Swainson`s Warblers here, a visit to New River National Gorge can be visually rewarding. Most of the breeding species found in deciduous habitats, are also present in this area of the state.

Some more top sites are set out below.

Additional information and details regarding birding locations can be found in the Birding Guide to West Virginia which is published by the Brooks Bird Club.