Hi Jason,

     There is a little yellow book "Birding Guide to West Virginia"
that gave me good directions to a spot along the river near the town
of "Fayetteville". I had great success. Believe it or not, it took
quite awhile (and visual confirmation) to separate it from the
Louisiana Waterthrushes in the area. Some of Swainson's Warbler
vocalizations on the audio CDs we all likely have are very distinctive
sounding but when you are in a spot where there are 8 Louisiana
Waterthrushes singing at once and one or two Swainson's Warblers (they
are probably all grow up listening to each others songs too because
they weren't as distinctive sounding "to me" as they are on the CDs).

     Top WV lister Wendell Argabrite writes these directions in the
book I mentioned ... "At 0.6 miles n. of the bridge [(reading as if
you were coming from the south; from Fayetteville)] turn right on
Lansing Road. At 0.3 miles, Lansing Road narrows and people drive in
the middle of the road, so be careful. One mile from US 19, there is a
parking area on the right. Pull in and park. ... Take a path to a
small creek (about 30 yards). blah blah ... If you don't see them
here, continue on Lansing Road for 0.4 miles. Stop at a pull off on
your right. Park and take the path down the hill to a fork in the
trail (about 50 yards). Take the right fork to the creek (about 20
yards) and play your tape [(book is published in 1999)]. If you don't
have any luck at the right fork, try the left one.

     I can't see where the stops are on google maps but the turnoff
appears to be here (38.076921,-81.070229). I did this tour one time
(May 30th, 2000) and got my WV Swainsons (I think it was the 2nd spot
because I remember a bit of searching). As you mentioned, eBird is a
great way to get the most up to date information. The Birds Eye App
(iPhone) has been useful for me in finding birds when I'm travelling
in unfamiliar territory.

Best of Luck,

J.B. Churchill
Frostburg, MD

On Tue, May 8, 2012 at 4:02 PM, Jason Berry <> wrote:
> Hi Everyone,
>
> I'd like to go this weekend to West Virginia to look for the elusive Swainson's Warbler. I see on eBird that the New River Gorge area seems a good bet.  Does anyone know where I can find more detailed information (trip reports, etc.) that would give me a better chance of finding this little guy? Or personal experience tracking it down?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Jason Berry
> Washington, DC
>
>
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-- 
John B. Churchill
Frostburg, MD
http://www.jbchurchill.com/
http://www.westernmdbirding.com/

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