The annual Christmas Bird Count in Pocahontas County, held December 29th, started off with wind at 20 – 25 mph, temperatures of 15 degrees and about 20 to 30 inches of snow. But hey that’s considerably warmer than last year. We warmed up with coffee, juice and breakfast snacks at Barnett cabins at Mill Point in the southern part of the county. We met with the State of West Virginia ornithologist Rob Tallman and discussed specific areas that needed to be inventoried.

The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) center point is Mill Point. The diameter from the center point is 15 miles which means that no area outside of the 15 mile diameter is included in the count. Essentially the area covers from Marlinton south to Beartown. This year’s official count was 50 different species with a total bird count of 1326. Some unusual sightings were the Common Barn Owl, a Great Blue Heron, a Bufflehead, and a Hooded Merganser.

Everyone returns to the cabins for lunch to warm up around the fireplace, swap stories, and make sure everyone is safe. The team who counted at Cranberry Glades remarked how deep the snow was. They also told of a couple backpackers they met along the way.

The whole group assembled again at 4:30 p.m. to tally their counts and say good bye to one another. The Pocahontas Nature Club heads up the count and the Pocahontas County CVB hosts the event with lunch and snacks. Thanks to West Virginia Division of Natural Resources for coming out for this even in the coldest of years. Their organization provides the maps, the tally forms and the expertise. It continues to be a good example of what the government and private citizens can accomplish if we work together.

Bird watching is great here especially during spring migration and summer nesting /breeding season. This link takes you to our birding page that features bird trail maps and inventories. Enjoy!