Southeastern Naturalist J. Northeimer 2015 Vol. 14, Special Issue 7 323 Canaan Valley & Environs 2015 Southeastern Naturalist 14(Special Issue 7):323–330 A General Overview of the Birds of Canaan Valley and Tucker County John Northeimer* Abstract - High elevation; harsh winter weather; variable topography, seasons, and habitats; and shifting ranges provide for a diverse bird community in Canaan Valley and Tucker County, WV. A total of 195 species has been recorded during censuses—50 permanent residents and 145 summer residents, migrants, and accidentals—and 86 species are confirmed as breeding in the county. Bird habitats include coniferous, hardwood, and mixed hardwood-conifer forests; old field and forest-field margins; and alder swamps, spirea thickets, and wet meadows. Harsh winter conditions limit the number of overwintering birds. All of these factors affect the occurrence and distribution of Canaan Valley’s birds. Introduction Canaan Valley (hereafter, the Valley) is located in Tucker County in the eastern highlands of West Virginia. This large, oval valley is 13.8 mi (23 km) long and 2.4–3.6 mi (4–6 km) wide. The Valley’s floor is 3218 ft (975 m) above sea level, with the surrounding mountain peaks rising to 4422 ft (1340 m). The Valley contains brushy fields; hardwood, coniferous, and mixed forests; and wetlands— bogs, wet meadows, and shrub swamps—that provide diverse feeding and breeding areas for birds. In this paper, I discuss the influences of spring migration, summer breeding season, fall migration, winter season, and range expansion on the occurrence of birds and their distributions within the Valley and throughout Tucker County. Spring Migration The Tucker County migration count is conducted annually on the second Saturday of May. Since 1992, this all-day, countywide census has recorded 139 bird species, providing a general status of migrating birds within Tucker County. Many neotropical migrants—birds that spend the summer in North America and the winter in the forests of South and Central America—move through and into Tucker County. These include cuckoos, flycatchers, thrushes, vireos, and wood warblers. The wood warblers are of particular interest to birders because of their diverse plumage patterns, colors, and songs. Thirty species of wood warblers have been recorded during spring migration in Tucker County. In order of abundance, the 5 most abundant wood warblers above an elevation of 2515 ft (762 m) are Geothlypis trichas (L.) (Common Yellowthroat), Dendroica magnolia (Wilson) (Magnolia Warbler), Dendroica coronata (L.) (Yellow-rumped Warbler), *Canaan Valley State Park, HC 70 Box 330, Davis, WV 26260. Current address - PO Box 1575, Charleston, WV 25326; hobblebush@frontier.com. Southeastern Naturalist J. Northeimer 2015 Vol. 14, Special Issue 7 324 Wilsonia canadensis (L.) (Canada Warbler), and Seiurus noveboracensis (Gmelin) (Northern Waterthrush) (Northeimer 2001). During spring migration, these species appear to associate with their preferred breeding habitat in the Valley. The Common Yellowthroat is a bird of brushy fields and forest margins. It is easily located by song—a series of intense, repeated “witch-a-dee, witch-a-dee, witch-a-dee” calls. A distinct field mark of the male is a black mask on the sides of its head that contrasts with the olive back and yellow body. The Magnolia Warbler is found in greatest numbers in Picea sp. (spruce)– Tsuga sp. (hemlock) forests on ridgelines where young spruces are present. This colorful wood warbler also frequents lower elevations within the Valley where suitable habitat occurs, particularly on the edge of mixed coniferous-hardwood forests near water. A common migrant, the Yellow-rumped Warbler can be found in brushy thickets along streams and forest margins and also in coniferous or mixed hardwood– conifer forests. Breeding bird point-counts indicate an increase in summer populations during 1997–2002. This warbler often lingers in the area through early winter. Canada Warblers, reclusive residents of Rhododendron maximum L. (Great Rhododendron) thickets, are difficult to find but worth the search. A yellow breast with contrasting black necklace serves as a definitive field mark. Canada Warblers occur in most forest types with a thick rhododendron shrub layer, particularly near small streams. They can be reliably found on the upper slopes of Canaan Mountain westward to Backbone Mountain. Northern Waterthrushes occur along brushy stream margins and Alnus sp. (alder) thickets with standing water. This bird wades in water when foraging and has a characteristic behavior of bobbing its tail while walking. Northern Waterthrushes are most plentiful on the Valley’s floor; however, they have been observed in ravines on the eastern slopes of Canaan Mountain. Summer Breeding During June, July, and August, 147 species of birds have been recorded in Tucker County. The confirmed breeding total in the county is 86 species, and an additional 34 are considered as probable breeders (Buckelew and Hall 1994; J. Northeimer, unpubl. data). Many breeding-bird records for the Valley came from the following 5 general habitat types, which exemplify the habitat diversity used by the region’s breeding birds. Coniferous forests The coniferous forests consist of Picea rubens Sarg. (Red Spruce) and Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carrière (Eastern Hemlock), with a variable mix of Acer rubrum L. (Red Maple) and Betula alleghaniensis Britton (Yellow Birch). The understory consists of juvenile specimens of canopy trees. A moderate to dense shrub layer of Great Rhododendron, Red Spruce, Kalmia latifolia L. (Mountain Laurel), and Eastern Hemlock is present. The predominant groundcover is forest litter with Southeastern Naturalist J. Northeimer 2015 Vol. 14, Special Issue 7 325 ferns, mosses, and seedlings of woody plants. This forest type is found along the ridgelines of Canaan and Cabin Mountains. Pure Red Spruce stands occur only in small areas along these ridgelines. Results of breeding bird point-counts show 31 bird species within this forest type (J. Northeimer, unpubl. data). Two of these, Vermivora ruficapilla (Wilson) (Nashville Warbler) and Junco hyemalis (L.) (Dark-eyed Junco), are associated with coniferous forests. Nashville Warblers have been observed in small numbers during June on Canaan Mountain, where young Red Spruce trees dominate canopy openings. A bird of northern forests, it reaches the southernmost extent of its breeding range in Tucker County (Buckelew and Hall 1994). Dark-eyed Juncos inhabit coniferous and deciduous forests, brushy areas, and bogs. This bird is a familiar winter resident throughout West Virginia and is a permanent resident in the Valley, where it breeds. Hardwood forests and hardwood-conifer forests The hardwood forests consist of Acer saccharum Marsh. (Sugar Maple), Red Maple, Yellow Birch, Prunus serotina Ehrh. (Black Cherry), and Fagus grandifolia Ehrh. (American Beech). In certain locations, Eastern Hemlock and Red Spruce contribute a component. This forest type, a transition between pure hardwood and mixed hardwood–conifer communities, provides breeding habitats for many woodland birds. The understory consists of American Beech, Eastern Hemlock, Red Maple, Acer pensylvanicum L. (Striped Maple), Ilex spp. (deciduous hollies), and Red Spruce. A sparse to dense shrub layer consists of Great Rhododendron, Red Spruce, and American Beech. The predominant groundcover is ferns, shrub and tree seedlings, and forest litter. Breeding bird point-counts have recorded 29 species within this forest type (J. Northeimer, unpubl. data). Troglodytes troglodytes (L.) (Winter Wren) and several species of spotted thrushes inhabit the species combinations of this forest mix. The Winter Wren inhabits mature mixed forests. It favors rocky, moss-covered areas near streams, and is common along the western slopes of Canaan Mountain. This bird has one of the longest sustained songs—a series of twitters and trills that lasts for 5 seconds—of any local songbird. Four species of spotted thrushes, including Catharus fuscescens (Stephens) (Veery), C. ustulatus (Nuttall) (Swainson’s Thrush), C. guttatus (Pallas) (Hermit Thrush), and Hylocichla mustelina (Gmelin) (Wood Thrush), favor habitats ranging from dry, open woodlands to moist, mixed forests. When they occur in the same area, as they do in the Valley, the Wood Thrush is socially dominant; while establishing their breeding territories, Wood Thrushes may displace the other species (Ehrlich et al. 1988). Because they are often hard to see, these thrushes are usually located and identified by their songs. The Veery, which prefers wetter conditions than the Hermit Thrush, can be found in moist, mixed Red Spruce–northern hardwood and Eastern Hemlock– northern hardwood forests. The Veery’s song is distinctive—a series of descending ringing notes. Southeastern Naturalist J. Northeimer 2015 Vol. 14, Special Issue 7 326 Swainson’s Thrush can be found in limited numbers in the Valley’s ravines where there is a canopy of Eastern Hemlock and Yellow Birch and a moderate shrub layer of Great Rhododendron and Red Spruce. There are also records for Swainson’s Thrushes from the Red Spruce–Yellow Birch forest at Rohrbaugh Plains (Eddy 1995) and in Eastern Hemlock stands on the western flank of Canaan Mountain. The Hermit Thrush lives in a wide range of forest types including conifer, mixed hardwood–conifer, and hardwood forests with patches of Eastern Hemlock. In the Valley, it is more widely distributed and abundant than the other three spotted thrushes. Its ethereal, flutelike song makes the Hermit Thrush one of our richest vocalists. In Tucker County, the Wood Thrush occurs in its greatest numbers at the lower elevations found at the Valley’s southern end, but it has been observed at elevations up to 3795 ft (1150 m). Breeding has been confirmed in the Valley (K. Sturm, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Canaan Valley NWR, Davis, WV, pers. comm.). This species is the largest-bodied of the Valley’s four spotted thrushes. Forest-field margin Crataegus sp. (hawthorn) shrubs typically occur on the Valley’s forest margins. This habitat includes patches of open field dominated by grasses and forbs with a low to moderate density of hawthorn trees. Rosa multiflora Thunb. (Multiflora Rose) and Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb. (Autumn Olive) sometimes occur in this shrub layer. Scattered individuals of canopy species usually invade the fields from the adjacent forests. Hawthorn shrubs typically form a narrow or wide margin between forest and old-field habitats. Breeding bird point-counts have recorded 36 species within this habitat type (J. Northeimer, unpubl. data). Two forest-margin specialists are Spizella pusilla (Wilson) (Field Sparrow) and Passerina cyanea (L.) (Indigo Bunting). Field Sparrows are common in brushy fields and forest edges throughout the Valley. One of the plain-breasted sparrows, it is distinguished by a pink bill, rufous crown, and white eye-ring. The male Indigo Bunting is unmistakable. With its brilliant, iridescent blue body, it can be found perched in the open on dead snags along woodland margins. Its song is a long series of paired notes. Speckled Alder and Meadowsweet thickets Alnus rugosa (DuRoi) (Speckled Alder) and Spiraea alba (DuRoi) (Meadowsweet) often form thick shrub layers along streams, around beaver ponds, and in poorly drained areas away from streams. Empidonax alnorum (Brewster) (Alder Flycatcher) and Melospiza georgiana (Latham) (Swamp Sparrow) use this habitat. The Alder Flycatcher is the most abundant of the four Empidonax flycatchers that occur within the Valley. It nests almost exclusively in Speckled Alder thickets. The Alder Flycatcher’s burry “weebeeo” song can be heard along the park road next to the golf course in Canaan Valley State Park. Southeastern Naturalist J. Northeimer 2015 Vol. 14, Special Issue 7 327 The Swamp Sparrow nests in Speckled Alder thickets and moves between this habitat and wet meadows and bogs. One of the rufous-crowned sparrows, it features a gray face and a plain gray breast. It can be found in almost any wetland area with shrubs. Old fields and wet meadows Old fields are present throughout the Valley’s southern end. They are composed of a mix of grasses and forbs; in low areas they may contain sedges and rushes. Scattered shrubs, including hawthorn, Meadowsweet, and Hypericum densiflorum Pursh (Glade St. John’s-wort), may be present. Breeding bird point-counts have recorded 29 species within this habitat type (J. Northeimer, unpubl. data). Two birds that live in old fields and wet meadows are Passerculus sandwichensis (Gmelin) (Savannah Sparrow) and Dolichonyx oryzivorus (L.) (Bobolink). Savannah Sparrows occur in tall-grass areas and open meadows that include a mix of grasses and forbs. They prefer moist conditions and may reach greatest densities in low, open meadows; however, this species can also occur in drier elevated grasslands. Bobolinks prefer tall-grass areas and hayfields. This species is set apart from other grassland birds by its reverse color pattern—light colored above and dark below. Bobolinks nest in the Valley’s southern end. They are also found in hayfields during June near the town of Red Creek, Tucker County, WV. Fall Migration The Allegheny Front, an east-facing escarpment that forms the eastern boundary of Tucker County, is the dividing line between the eastward Valley and Ridge Physiographic Province and the Allegheny Plateau Physiographic Province to the west. The powerful updrafts that develop along this ridge, as well as its northeast– southwest orientation, make it a natural flyway for migrati ng birds. The Allegheny Front Migration Observatory is located within the Dolly Sods Scenic Area along the Front. Staffed each day from dawn until noon between mid-August and early October, the bird-banding station is located at the scenic overlook opposite the entrance to the Red Creek Campground. It is an excellent location for observing migrating warblers in their fall plumages as well as various raptors. Migratory activity reaches its peak during mid September. During the 2000 season, the most frequently banded birds were Dendroica caerulescens (Gmelin) (Black-throated Blue Warbler), Dark-eyed Junco, and Dendroica virens (Gmelin) (Black-throated Green Warbler) (Hall 2001). Also banded at the station was the only state record for Ixoreus naevius (Gmelin) (Varied Thrush) (Ward 1995), a species native to the Pacific Northwest. Winter Harsh conditions limit the number of overwintering bird species in the Valley. Since 1991, 84 species have been recorded on the Christmas bird count in Tucker Southeastern Naturalist J. Northeimer 2015 Vol. 14, Special Issue 7 328 County. This early-winter count does not reflect the true status of birds present in the dead of winter, during January and February when heavy snow cover limits food availability and surface-water freezes. Only 39 species remain in the Valley on a regular basis through the winter. Most of the less hardy species move to the region’s lower elevations. Only birds with an effective strategy for dealing with extreme conditions remain. Poecile atricapillus (L.) (Black-capped Chickadee), which overwinters in the Valley, has the ability to create a mental map of food storage sites. Researchers have found that the region of the brain responsible for memory, the hippocampus, increases in size during the fall when these birds are storing food. It then shrinks, purging the current year’s map, so that a new one can be created the following year (Angier 1997). Another mechanism that allows Black-capped Chickadees to survive the Valley’s bitter nighttime temperatures is its ability to slow their metabolism and burn fat accumulated during daytime foraging. The Valley is within the winter range of several bird species that more commonly reside in northerly boreal forests and tundra. A shortage of seed crops or prey animals in their winter habitats causes these birds to move southward in search of food, sometimes in large numbers. These local invasions usually occur periodically during the species’ irruption years. For example, Coccothraustes vespertina (Cooper) (Evening Grosbeak) has appeared in the Valley every other winter since 1991–1992. With flocks as large as 75 birds, these northern finches can arrive as early as October and may linger until May. In contrast, Carduelis pinus (Wilson) (Pine Siskin) is a permanent resident, with its numbers increasing during irruptions. In winter, Pine Siskins can be seen picking up grit along roadsides. Although they often travel in large flocks, they usually visit feeders in smaller numbers. Carduelis flammea (L.) (Common Redpoll) has been observed sporadically during the winter. Only two records exist during 1992–2002 for the Valley’s region. Common Redpolls visited feeders in Davis during January of 1994 and 2000. These dates correspond to the Evening Grosbeak’s irruption years. Buteo lagopus (Pontoppidan) (Rough-legged Hawk) is a consistent winter resident in the Valley (Northeimer 1998a), although its numbers likely vary according to prey-animal densities to the north. This large hawk of the open tundra moves southward into the northern US during winter and can be found in many large open areas east of Backbone Mountain. Range Expansions Changes in the ranges of several bird species reflect at least 4 factors: penetration into newly available territories, changing habitats, pressures from competitors, and climate change. The following three species expanded their ranges into Tucker County during 1997–2002: Coragyps atratus (Bechstein) (Black Vulture), Spizella pallida (Swainson) (Clay-colored Sparrow), and Ammodramus henslowii (Audubon) (Henslow’s Sparrow). Southeastern Naturalist J. Northeimer 2015 Vol. 14, Special Issue 7 329 Black Vultures invaded the Blackwater Canyon during the winter of 1997–1998. On 4 January 1998, 20 Black Vultures roosted communally with 15 Cathartes aura (L.) (Turkey Vulture) (Northeimer 1998b), probably reflecting the former’s westward range expansion. Black Vultures prefer the northern rim of Blackwater Canyon, where thermal updrafts are strong. They have since been recorded throughout the Blackwater drainage and are now considered permanent residents. The Clay-colored Sparrow is a midwestern prairie species that expanded into the Great Lakes Region and is now populating the Appalachians. It prefers grassy fields with scattered shrubs near water. A single male Clay-colored Sparrow was discovered during a breeding land bird point-count in Canaan Valley State Park on 11 June 2001 (Northeimer and Keatley 2001). This individual was actively defending a territory, but breeding was not confirmed. I observed a Clay-colored Sparrow on 1 May 2002 at the same location as the 2001 record, and it remained in the area through 12 June 2002. Three additional birds were observed in the Sand Run drainage in the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge on 24 June 2002. Neither juvenile birds nor a nest was found. Although considered an accidental, it is plausible that this species may breed within West Virginia in the future. In July 2002, I saw Henslow’s Sparrows in fields near the Fairfax Stone Monument. Although previous records exist for Tucker County (Hall 1983), the West Virginia Breeding Bird Atlas (Buckelew and Hall 1994) shows no records for the county. These birds need a specific ephemeral habitat with weedy growth, which limits their distribution. Literature Cited Angier, N. 1997. To remember seed caches, bird grows new brain cells. Pp. 64–69, In N. Wade (Ed.). The Science Times Book of Birds. Lyons Press, New York, NY. 279 pp. Buckelew, A.R., Jr., and G.A. Hall. 1994. The West Virginia Breeding Bird Atlas. University of Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh, PA. 215 pp. Eddy, G. 1995. The 1994 Dolly Sods sortie singing male census. The Redstart 68(3):100–104. Ehrlich, P.R., D.S. Dobkin, and D. Wheye. 1988. Birder’s Handbook: A Field Guide to the Natural History of North American Birds. Simon and Schuster, New York, NY. 816 pp. Hall, G.A. 1983. West Virginia birds: Distribution and ecology. Special Publication No. 7, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh, PA. 180 pp. Hall, G.A. 2001. Allegheny Front Migration Observatory: Fall migration 2000. The Redstart 68(2):53–57. Maryland Ornithological Society state web site, rare bird gallery, 2001. Clay-colored Sparrow, Kinder Farm Park, Anne Arundel County, June 17, 2001. Available online at www.mdbirds.org/mdbirding/gallery/rarebirds33.html. Accessed 18 August 2001. Northeimer, J.E. 1998a. Winter Rough-legged Hawk observations from Tucker County, West Virginia, 1990–1998. The Redstart 65(3):80–81. Northeimer, J.E. 1998b. Black Vultures overwinter in Blackwater Canyon, Tucker County, West Virginia. The Redstart 65(4):136–137. Southeastern Naturalist J. Northeimer 2015 Vol. 14, Special Issue 7 330 Northeimer, J.E. 2001. Occurrence and distribution of wood warblers during spring migration, Tucker County, West Virginia. The Redstart 68(2):42–46. Northeimer, J.E., and M. Keatley. 2001. Clay-colored Sparrow: First state summer record, Canaan Valley, West Virginia. The Redstart 68(4):95–98. Ward, J.A. 1995. Varied Thrush: A state record for West Virginia. The Redstart 62(2):50–52.