A BIG Year; So Far

Black-bellied Whistling Ducks

I've had a pretty good bird year in 2015 and it is only July. Thanks to Facebook and WV Bird; it is easy to be notified of rarities. I am not going to drive 200 miles to look at gulls through a spotting scope; but there were some nice opportunities nearby. The first of the year was the Snowy Owl near Grafton and I was lucky enough to find it on my first attempt.

The most exotic place I have had to go to this year was Red House, MD for a lifer Upland Sandpiper (actually I drive past that location within a half-mile 2 or 3 times a week), but this was the farthest spot from my house.

In June we got a double whammy. Common Gallinule and a Red-necked Phalarope at the same spot and same time at Stonewall Jackson Lake The gallinule lingered for a while; the phalarope only for a day or so. Last Sunday (6/28) may have brought the most un-expected species to the area and it was only 7 miles away. I never thought one time about seeing a Black-bellied Whistling Duck in Randolph County, WV. But, there they were and once again I want to thank others for timely reporting on social media.

Always remember; the one and only key to seeing good stuff is: You Have To Be There When It Is...

(c) 2015 High Virginia Outdoors Photos (c)2015 High Virginia Images ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Not So Common

Common Gallinule

You never know what may show up. A Common Gallinule was spotted in Monongalia County earlier this month. One has been spotted in Lewis County, this week. It has been in the same location for 4 days, now. The last I heard was it was still present yesterday (5/30/15) at 11:00 am. This species is very rare in our region. It isn't something that would get much of a notice or even a mention in the wetlands of the southern US, but it is a Good bird here. Yep a very good bird.

there have been very few sightings of this bird over the years. The nearest are in Preston County at Terra Alta Lake

back in 1936 and Lewis County at Jacksons Mills back in 1934. So it's been
79 years since this species has been seen in north central West Virginia.
Most state records are in the Ohio River Valley and east of the Allegheny
Mountains, but it has been reported at only 11 locations in the state since
2000. The most recent sightings were May 3, 2015 in Kanawha County, Apr.
16, 2015 in Mineral County, May 5, 2012 in Mason County, and April 18, 2011
in Cabell County.

Therefore if you aren't doing anything; you might want to take a ride to the Georgetown Road/Old Georgetown Road intersection and see if it is still there. May be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Don't miss it.

(c) 2015 High Virginia Outdoors  Photo (c) High Virginia Images ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Largemouth Bass Virus In West Virginia

WVDNR Fish Health Survey Discovers Presence of Largemouth Bass Virus in Four Lakes

            SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Recent fish health surveys conducted by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources revealed the presence of largemouth bass virus (LMBV) in four West Virginia lakes, according to Bret Preston, assistant chief of the Wildlife Resources Section.

            Surveys performed during the summer and early fall of 2011 were focused on monitoring overall fish health in water bodies where WVDNR staff collects broodstock for hatchery production. Several species of fish were collected from 10 water bodies and samples were sent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Lamar Fish Health Laboratory for analysis. 

            Virology and bacteriology results were negative for targeted pathogens except for LMBV at East Lynn (Wayne County), North Bend (Ritchie County), Stonewall Jackson (Lewis County), and Sutton (Braxton County) lakes.  Fish health surveys also were conducted at Mount Storm (Grant County) and Moncove (Monroe County) lakes and Little Kanawha (Wood County), Monongahela (Monongalia County), Tygart (Barbour County), and New (Summers County) rivers. 

            “Largemouth bass virus is a common pathogen found primarily in southern United States largemouth bass populations, but has been expanding throughout North America,” said Chris O’Bara, WVDNR fisheries research biologist.  “LMBV has not been linked to any human health concerns but, as always, fish should be properly prepared prior to eating.”

            Largemouth bass populations infected with LMBV have experienced summer die-offs, depressed growth, and less than optimal health condition. LMBV is more problematic during summertime and elevated stressful conditions. The spread of LMBV has been linked to increased stress, fish to fish contact , and movement of fish and water between water bodies.

            To minimize the spread of LMBV and all fish pathogens, WVDNR encourages anglers not to transfer any live fish or water between water bodies, handle all fish with care prior to release, reduce stressful conditions especially during warm water months, and properly clean and maintain all boats, live wells, and tackle.

                WVDNR staff will continue to monitor fish health statewide and expand the survey into several new water bodies in 2012, according to O’Bara.  Results of the 2011 survey, as well as future surveys, will be provided on the DNR website at www.wvdnr.gov.

**DNR**

Center State Trout

The WVDNR has stocked the tailwaters of Burnsville, Sutton and Stonewall Jackson Lakes today. The bad news is that we are going to get another round of snow tonight.  In the mountains, Gandy Creek and Laurel Fork (Rt. 33 Bridge) were stocked today.  Dry Fork is in good shape, I came through there today; so Gandy should be in good fishing condition. Laurel Fork is a little high.  Blackwater is still ice covered and Shavers Fork is in good shape at Bowden.