Places go bird watching in West Virginia Altona Piedmont Marsh, TNC Preserve, Shannondale Springs WMA, Shenandoah River, Sleepy Creek WMA, Short Mountain WMA, Otter Creek Trail, Possession Camp Trail, Moore Run Trail, Lumberjack Trail, Limerock Trail, and Laurelly Branch Trail

Best time to bird watch Best time bird watch would be anytime of day depends on what kind bird species you want look for. You will learn different species come out at different times during the day. If you want find many species you will go out at different various times day.

Bird Watching in Morning Most birds are more active and alert during the morning. Because they are trying to find some food to scraf down. Advantage for early morning bird watching no one else is around disturb birds. In early morning your more likely to find song birds.

Late Morning or Early Afternoon Is worst time go birding because birds are less active and aren't feeding. Best time to observe birds of prey like hawks, eagles, accpiters, and falcons. They like utilize the thermals which are coulmns of thin air. There able to scan ground better for mice, voles and squirrels.

Late Afternoon and Early Evening If our not morning person still can catch song birds at bird feeders for another meal. But when light starts to dwindle you can start seeing the appearances of owls. Some species will come out random during different part of day

Night time birding There are different kinds of birds come out at night. Species that come out at night are owls, night jars and rails. Even different kind swallows will come at night.

Bird ID Skills: How To Learn Bird Songs And Calls Five Tips For Beginners Watch And Listen When you see a bird singing, the connection between bird and song tends to stick in your mind. Learn From An Expert It’s much harder to learn bird songs from scratch than to have a fellow bird watcher point them out to you. Check for a nearby bird club or Audubon chapter and join a field trip. Listen To Recordings Start by listening to recordings of birds you see often. Play them often to make the sounds stick. Our online bird guide has more than 600 sounds you can listen to, with thousands more available in a searchable format at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Macaulay Library. You can also purchase regional audio guides produced by the Macaulay Library. Say It To Yourself Some songs almost sound like words – who can mistake the Barred Owl’s “Who cooks for you all?” Mnemonics can make a song a snap to remember.

Warbler Identification Tips Most warblers have colorful, distinctive plumage that can be easy to identify by different field marks. When watching warblers, look for these characteristics... Color: Is there yellow, red, blue, black, gray, brown or orange on the bird? Where is the color brightest on the bird’s body? Head: What markings are visible on the head? Is there an eye ring, brow line or cheek patch? Is the chin or throat colored or streaked? Is there a visible cap or color difference on the nape? Bill: Is the bill delicate or bulky? Are both mandibles the same color? How thick or thin is the bill? Chest: What color is the chest, and does it show streaks, spots or a color wash? Are the chest and the throat the same color? Flanks: Is there a color wash along the bird’s sides or flanks? Are they spotted, streaked or striped? Mantle: Is the mantle the same color as the wings or head? Does it show any streaks or spots? Wings: What color are the wings? Do they show any spots, edging, bars or patches? Tail: How long is the tail? Does it show any color patches or outer tail feather colors? Are the undertail coverts or rump a different color? Is there a notch at the end of the tail? Legs: Are the legs pale or dark? It is possible to identify many species of warbler by visual clues alone, provided there is a good enough view of the bird to note its distinguishing marks. With only a brief glimpse, however, it may be necessary to take other factors into consideration when identifying the bird.

Other Ways to Identify Warblers In addition to visual clues, a warbler’s behavior and song can help to identify its species. Song and Sounds: Many warblers have distinctive songs, even though most don’t actually have a warbling quality. Learning how to bird by ear can help birders distinguish different species of warblers, even without the best views. Range and Habitat: While many warbler species have overlapping ranges, using geographic clues can be a good way to narrow down exact species. Noting habitat is also useful – some warblers prefer moist regions, while others are found in drier areas. Activity Height: Because all warblers eat insects, these birds have evolved to feed at different heights to accommodate many species’ needs. Note where in the brush and trees these birds appear most often and use that information to narrow down which species they could be. Warblers that prefer to feed at the tops of trees, for example, will rarely be found at the lowest heights, while warblers that feed on the ground are rarely found very high in trees. Migration Period: While spring is the height of warbler season for many birders, different warblers migrate at different times. Check with regional birding groups to learn which warblers migrate early or late, and use that information to help determine exact identities. Identifying warblers can be tricky, but it is also rewarding when birders spot many different species of these colorful birds. With care and patience, birders can feel confident in each warbler they see.

Identifying Some Common Sparrows There are about three dozen species of sparrows in North America. Look for key identification tips beneath the images of the most common sparrows shown on this page. Click on the image or the name of each bird for more photos, sounds, and detailed information on range and habitat. Key Id American Tree Sparrow and Chipping Sparrow Keys to ID: Size: 6 1/4 inches long Rusty-colored cap Gray breast with dark spot Lower half of beak is orange-yellow Keys to ID: Size: 5 1/2 inches long Rusty red cap Black and white eye lines Clear gray breast, no markings

Picture of American Tree Sparrow and a Chipping sparrow