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| Outdoor Activities - Birding in WV |
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The forests and mountains surrounding Harman’s is a birder’s paradise. From soaring Bald Eagles and Peregrin Falcons
to back yard favorites such as Cardinals, Blue Birds and Scarlet Tanagers to Wild Turkeys in our mountain vistas,
we have some of the most isolated and beautiful birding sites in the state of West Virginia.
Birds are among the easiest wildlife to locate and study because they are relatively easy to find. Many are colorful
or have songs which alert you to where they might be settled on a tree branch. Some travel in large groups, are
active during the day and can be studied from a reasonable distance, sometimes even without binoculars.
West Virginia, with its temperate climate, diverse vegetation and dramatic topography, plays host to numerous species
of birds throughout the year. In fact, there are 300 plus species of birds that inhabit the state during some portion
of the year. More than 75 of these species are known to breed in the state, with the remainder being migrants that
pass through or species that spend the winter here.
At Harman’s you can watch eagles soar over the River, listen to the songs of warblers courting in dense evergreen
forests atop the Allegheny Plateau, see woodpeckers scour the bark of oak trees for insects, wade through a high
elevation fen to glimpse a bittern, or watch waterfowl resting on a migration stopover. These and many other natural
wonders await even the casual bird watcher in West Virginia.
Late spring through early fall is when bird viewing opportunities are highest in the Mountain State. From April
to July you can rise early and hear the songs of the various species that breed here. Fall and spring are good
times to see birds migrating over major waterways and along mountain ridges. Even winter affords the bird watcher
access to over 50 species that brave West Virginia’s rugged
A few of West Virginia best viewing areas are nearby: Dolly Sods Wilderness Area, Spruce Knob/Seneca Rocks National
Recreation Area, Smoke Hole Recreation Area
| West Virginia State Bird - Cardinal |
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The Northern Cardinal is an easily-spotted red bird from the eastern USA. The cardinal was named by early American
settlers, after Catholic cardinals who dress in bright red robes. These birds are strongly territorial and have
a loud, whistling song.
Anatomy:
The Northern Cardinal is 8-9 inches (20.5-23 cm) long and has a wingspread of 10 -12 inches (25-31 cm). It weighs
from 1 to 2 ounces (28-57 gm). It has a short, wide bill. Males have brilliant red feathers, a tall head crest,
a wide, red bill, and a black face. Females and juveniles are gray-olive above and paler below, with some deep
red on the crest, wings, and tail, and a bright pink-to-orange bill.
Diet:
Cardinals eat seeds, insects, snails, and maple sap.
Nest and Eggs:
The Cardinal's nests are bowl-like and made from grass and twigs. Nests are built in bushes. Eggs are whitish with
brown and gray marking; females lay 2-5 eggs in each clutch (a set of eggs laid at one time). |
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Bird Watching list for the Monongahela National Forest
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/wildlife/wildlife/monongahela-bird-checklist.pdf
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Birding Web Sites
http://www.wvdnr.gov/Wildlife/GetStart.shtm
http://www.wvdnr.gov/wildlife/birdwv.shtm
http://www.wvdnr.gov/Wildlife/Viewing.shtm
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