The Chat
Buchanan County Bird Club Newsletter
Editors Roger and Lynda Mayhorn

The Buchanan County Bird Club meets the
2^nd Monday of each month at the
Buchanan County Public Library at 6:00 PM

Volume 4     Issue 6     June 2005

Instead of a regular meeting in May club members opted to hike and bird the Grundy bike trail. After their monthly pre-meeting meal at the Italian Village restaurant in Grundy the birders started their hike at the western end of the trail in Grundy. The bike trail makes its way along the mountainside above Slate creek. Tall, mature hardwood trees shade the graveled trail. Hooded Warblers, Wood Thrushes, singing Cardinals and Pileated Woodpeckers were some of the species found. Some members, who were not up to the more than two mile hike, kept in touch with the group through the use of hand-held radios.

Birding Festival

A new Clinch Mt Trails Migratory Birding Festival took place on May 14 along the Clinch Mountain Birding Trail. Charles Kennedy of Raven Ridge Bed and Breakfast and Campground at Hayter’s Gap, along with officials at Hungry Mother Park and Saltville VA officials were those responsible for getting the festival organized. The festival consisted of four parts. It started with a 2 hour bird walk at 8:00 a.m. at Hungry Mother Park, led by our own Buchanan County Bird Club member Ed Talbott III. The second leg of the festival was a bird walk along the salt ponds in Saltville at 10:30 a.m., which was led by BCBC member, Dave Worley. The third birding event took place at Laurel Bed Lake at 2:00 p.m., led by Tom Hunter of the Russell County Bird Club. The last birding trip of the day was led by Roger Mayhorn at 5:00 p.m. at Raven Ridge at Hayter’s Gap. The events were timed so that those interested could participate in as many of the four events at they wished. 31 people took part in the bird walks and 81 bird species were counted. The same festival is going to be repeated on the weekend of Sept 17.

On May 18 two members of the Virginia Dept of Game and Inland Fisheries met Roger Mayhorn in the Breaks Park to look over the site for the release of young Peregrine Falcons, and to assure themselves that no adult Peregrines were in the area. Adult Peregrines will kill young falcons. The three spent several hours looking over the park and possible release sites. No evidence of adult Peregrines being within the park was found. The fellows from VDGIF plan to return in the fall to train Buchanan County Bird Club members in the care and release of the young falcons. Hopefully, young falcons will be hacked (acclimated and released) in the park in the spring of 2006. This species once nested on the tall cliffs of the Towers area within the park.

Club Secretary/Treasurer, Lynda Mayhorn has been working hard in organizing the VSO Conference for May of 2006. She has been corresponding with those who know how the event should be planned. On May 31 Lynda and Roger met with Ed Talbott III to discuss proposed plans. On June 1, Roger & Lynda met with park officials to finalize plans for the event. Club President, Roger Mayhorn signed a contract with the park concerning the renting of conference rooms, food, and the renting of rooms for the speaker and VSO award winners.

Buchanan Club members, who plan to stay in the park that Friday and Saturday, May 5th. and 6th. should make their reservations soon, as the rooms in the park tend to fill up early. 

Eight members of the Buchanan County Bird Club (photo top left) and Dan Kendrick, a member of the Eastern KY Bird Club, traveled to the shores of Lake Erie on the weekend of May 21 to enjoy the birds at Magee Marsh. Magee is a part of the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge located in Ottawa County Ohio just 20 miles east of Toledo. The birds gather in the marsh and along the shore before continuing their northward migration across and around the lake into Canada. 

The weather and the birds cooperated to make a memorable weekend. Bay-breasted Warblers, Blackburnian Warblers, American Redstarts, Black-throated Green Warblers, Baltimore Orioles and Scarlet Tanagers were some of the birds that were observed from only a few feet away. Great Blue Herons, Sandpipers and Bald Eagles were also seen. Some of the group arrived on Thursday evening, while others didn’t arrive until Friday morning. The group birded all day Friday along the boardwalk that runs out into the marsh, then on Saturday the birders went to a different area of the refuge, where different species were found. In the bottom left photo Susan Raines, Lynda Mayhorn and Marie Miller are enjoying the birding along the lakeshore. Roger Mayhorn, David Raines and Sheldon Woods spent Saturday evening trying to see some rails that could be heard out in the marsh. On Sunday morning everyone departed on the return trip home. Those who went on the trip (upper photo) were Janice Martin (of Bristol) Marie Miller, Lynda & Roger Mayhorn, Orpha & Sheldon Woods, Dan Kendrick and David & Susan Raines. Some of the birds photographed on the trip by Roger Mayhorn can be found at http://users.mikrotec.com/mayhorn/BIMG/OttawaNWRP1.htm

Each year The VSO (Virginia Society of Ornithology) chooses a different area of the state and conducts a breeding bird survey within that area sometime in the month of June. The survey is to find the species that are nesting and raising young within that area. This year the area chosen was Wise and Russell Counties. On June 4, Ed Talbotts II and III along with Richard Kretz of Elk Garden birded the high elevation area of Laurel Bed Lake of the Clinch Mountain Wildlife Management Area of Russell County, while David Raines and Roger & Lynda Mayhorn birded Rt. 640 in Russell County from the eastern end of Russell to Lebanon. The hikers at Laurel Bed Lake, while hiking 7 miles, found the high elevation nesters such as Canada Warblers, Magnolia Warblers, Dark-eyed Juncos as well as Least Flycatchers. They logged 47 species. It was unusual that they did not find a single chickadee, titmouse, cardinal or Downy Woodpecker.

The Raines – Mayhorn team found 73 species in the lower elevations with Blue Grosbeaks and Loggerhead Shrikes being the highlight of the day. This team birded 13 hours finishing up with a Screech Owl answering David Raines good imitation of that species.

The following Monday, June 6, Roger & Lynda Mayhorn returned to the Elk Garden section of Russell County and within an hour they had counted 38 species. The VSO Foray ended on Saturday, June 11. The House Wren in this photo was one of many found in Russell County. Notice the overall brownish-gray coloring that is different from the more chocolate brown of the Carolina Wrens we have in Buchanan County. Notice also that it doesn’t have the bold white supercillium ( stripe above the eye ) that the Carolina has. To see some video stills taken by Ed Talbott III on the June 6 Foray go to http://www.grundynet.net/talbott/birding/hikes/2005/Foray1.htm

On May 7 Roger & Lynda Mayhorn went looking for Swainson’s Warblers that nest in Buchanan County each year. This species nests in thick cover and is hard to observe. Roger & Lynda went to a hollow called the Head of Slate Creek very near Compton Mountain off Rt. 83. After making several stops along the creek that runs through Rhododendron thickets and tall Hemlocks, they heard the song of the Swainson’s Warbler. After waiting for a few minutes the bird finally moved to the edge of the Rhododendron thicket, where it was photographed (upper right) by Roger. More photos of the bird can be found at http://users.mikrotec.com/mayhorn/BIMG/SwainWarb/SwainWarbP.htm

Roger & Lynda have also found Swainson’s Warblers in the Breaks Park this year. Ed Talbott III has recently heard a Swainson’s Warbler along the Levisa River near his home at Weller Yard. He believes the bird probably nested somewhere close by.

Members of the Bibbee Nature Club of Bluefield joined members of the Buchanan County Bird Club on June 11, 2005 to bird Horn Mountain in Buchanan County. Horn Mountain is a part of the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail system. Traveling 6 miles along a graveled road among tall deciduous trees the group made periodic stops to listen and watch for birds. Ovenbirds, Indigo Buntings and Hooded Warblers were at almost every stop. Also found were Wood Thrushes, Cerulean Warblers, a Kentucky Warbler, Blue-winged Warblers, American Redstarts, Black-and-White Warblers, Acadian Flycatchers and four species of Vireo - Yellow-throated, Blue-headed, White-eyed and Red-eyed. Chestnut-sided Warblers that are usually found in the area were noticeably absent. They may have finished nesting and have stopped singing. 45 species was the total for the day.

After spending three hours birding the birders made their way to Keen Mountain Park, where they picnicked on hot dogs, chips, fresh fruit salad, homemade brownies and freshly baked zucchini bread. It was a great day of sharing birding and good food with nice people. 

An adult Red-headed Woodpecker, like the one pictured here, showed up at the feeder of Ernest & Shirley Raines in the Breaks community in Buchanan County on May 10. This is only the third record of this species coming to a feeder in the area. The first was Nov. 7, 2004 at the feeder of Johnnie & Betty Ratliff of Little Prater near Grundy. The second record was an immature bird at the feeder of Roger & Lynda Mayhorn on Compton Mountain on Nov. 18, 2004.

Orioles

Baltimore (top left) and Orchard Orioles (top right) seem to be more numerous this year in the area. Johnnie & Betty Ratliff had a male Orchard Oriole at their feeder as early as April 25. The species has been there ever since and is now nesting in a Crab Apple tree in their yard. Orioles have also shown up on Compton Mountain at the orange halves put out by the Mayhorns. A male Baltimore showed up there on May 1. A male and female Baltimore came in on May 9 with a female Orchard on the same day. A female Baltimore was back on May 10 and 12. A pair of Baltimores came in to the oranges on May 15. An immature male Orchard Oriole showed up in the Mayhorns’ yard on May 17 and has been hanging around ever since. An immature male Baltimore came in again on June 6. Ed & Barbara Caudill had their first ever Baltimore Oriole in their yard on Elkins Branch of Slate Creek on June 6.

As most of you know, birders keep a life list, a list of all the species they have seen since they started birding. On Sunday, May 29, BCBC members, Fred and Janice Martin of Bristol, VA came to the home of Roger & Lynda Mayhorn in hopes of seeing the elusive Swainson’s Warbler and adding it to their life list.

The Mayhorns took them to the area where the Swainson’s had been seen and photographed. The Swainson’s was heard deep in the Rhododendron thicket singing a part of its normal song. It sang twice, and was then quiet. It didn’t show itself, so Fred and Janice were unable to add it to their list. However, a short time later as the group birded farther along the creek a bird was heard doing a sharp chip note. Finally they were able to see the bird. It turned out to be a Kentucky warbler, a species that Fred and Janice also needed for their list. Later the group ate lunch in the Mayhorns’ yard as they watched the birds there. Fred got to see the Baltimore Oriole in a tree near the edge of the yard. It was an enjoyable day of birding.

Morris Wallace of Elkhorn City, KY has been in touch with Roger Mayhorn this spring, talking about attracting bluebirds to his bluebird boxes. Morris had been trying for 30 years, but had had no luck.

On May 12 Morris sent an e-mail to Roger saying that after 30 years he believed he had succeeded. He had a pair of nesting Eastern Bluebirds, and they were feeding 4 young birds. The nestlings had hatched on one of the cold nights and had survived in spite of it. On May 17 Morris sent another e-mail saying that the male Bluebird and 3 of the 4 young had been found dead in the nest. The fourth young one died later that day. There was no sign of predators. It is possible that there was some spraying done in the area and the birds had eaten contaminated insects. 

The Buchanan County Bird Club owes many thanks to Kenneth and Patty Horn of Keen Mt. for allowing the club to put bluebird nest boxes on their property. The Horns live just below the Keen Mt. Correctional Facility and have open fields with apple trees, which is ideal habitat for bluebirds. Ten of the nest boxes of the Early White Bluebird Trail are located on the Horns’ property. The other ten are along the road going out to Keen Mt. Park, which is nearby. Johnnie & Betty Ratliff monitor the 20 boxes regularly. The boxes on the Horns’ property are being used by more birds this first year than the ones at Keen Mt. Park. A House Wren is nesting in one box and Eastern Bluebirds are using others.
(Photo by Johnnie Ratliff)

In late May Ed & Mary Talbott had a Bobwhite Quail coming to their feeder at Big Rock, VA. A short time later Ed Talbott III saw one at his feeder at Weller Yard. It is not clear if this is the same bird or a different one. Bobwhites have become really scarce in the past few years, so this is encouraging news. It is not known why this species is declining in numbers. Perhaps it is because fewer people raise grain crops now and so there is less food for them. It may also be related to the increase in the number of coyotes in the area. 

On June 5 Michelle Talbott and her mother, Shirley Justus birded the Justus property at Guesses Fork of Hurley. They found both Golden-winged Warblers and Blue-winged Warblers. Unfortunately the Blue-wings are slowly taking over the Golden-winged habitat. The Blue-wings mate with the Golden-wings, but their offspring mate with Blue-wings, so fewer Golden-wings are being produced, and are becoming harder to find. It is possible that within a few years Golden-wings may become very rare.

Michelle and Shirley also found two Black-billed Cuckoos, which is a somewhat unusual find in our area. We usually see the more common Yellow-billed Cuckoos, sometimes referred to locally as “Rain Crows”.

Carolina Chickadees have nested in several of the nest boxes throughout the area. This group of 6 young birds were hatched in a bluebird nest box on the Mayhorns’ property on Compton Mt. Some of the birds in front in this photo are hard to see, as they are hidden by the moss, but if you look closely you can see a bit of their little black heads. These young birds fledged a few days after this photo was taken. 

This White-crowned Sparrow stopped off during its northward migration at the Mayhorns’ feeders on May 15. This species is seen in Buchanan county during the spring and fall migration, but usually does not spend the winter here. However, just an hour’s drive away in Russell County these birds are plentiful throughout the cold months. Russell County has more open farmland that this species prefers.

House Wrens were not known to nest in Buchanan County until June of 2003, when two nests were found in newly erected bluebird nest boxes in the Breaks community. They now seem to be expanding their range within the county. One pair was found by Johnnie & Betty Ratliff in one of the bluebird boxes on Keen Mt. when the couple was checking the nest boxes of the Early White Bluebird Trail. Another male House Wren sang for a few weeks at the home of David & Susan Raines of the Breaks. No evidence was found of it nesting successfully. This male House Wren (see photo) built a nest in a chickadee box in the Mayhorns’ yard on Compton Mt. He first cleaned out the chickadee nest that had been in use just days before. After singing continuously for about two weeks the bird disappeared. It is believed that no mate was found in the area, so he decided to move on.

On May 31 Ed Talbott III stood in his yard and within 5 minutes heard or saw 5 species of warblers. The species were Yellow Warbler, American Redstart, Common Yellowthroat, Ovenbird, Kentucky Warbler and Yellow-throated Warbler.

The pair of Northern Mockingbirds that had been hanging around the Mayhorns’ property during May suddenly disappeared. It was hoped that they would nest in the area, since no nest has yet been found within Buchanan County. It was believed that they had left the area until June 7, when one was observed by Roger at the top of the hill on a neighbor’s property. Perhaps this pair had just moved farther away to nest in the neighbor’s pasture. Mockingbirds are usually very vocal on their breeding territories, but nothing was heard from these two. 

Departure dates for migrating birds leaving the area are hard to get because the birds just aren’t there anymore, and they may not be missed for sometime. The following departure dates were established by Roger Mayhorn because as the time drew near for these species to leave Roger kept records on Compton Mt. each day, when one of those species was seen.

Dark-eyed Junco – Last observed April 18
White-throated Sparrow – Last observed May 5
Purple Finch – Last observed May 8
Pine Siskin – Last observed May 18

If anyone has later dates than these for these birds in the area please notify Roger. 

Did you know that birds are believed to have descended from small dinosaurs? Archaeopteryx, a fossil of a small reptile with teeth and wings with feathers, found in Germany in the 1860’s is said by scientists to be proof that birds descended from dinosaurs.