Buffalo Ornithological Society
Birding Western New York and the Niagara Peninsula of Ontario

Fox Sparrow - © Sue Barth

the over wintering Pine Warbler is ready for spring.. March 1st was 3 months since i decided to help him make it through the winter!
Contributed by: Shelley Seidman

This Ross's Goose was found on the 2nd by Barb Gee. Bruce Robinson took this photo at Forness Park, Olean on the same day.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Another image by Bruce Robinson of the Cattaraugus County Ross's Goose taken on the 2nd in Olean, NY.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

A very nice find by John Rappole while jogging near Jamestown, NY on the 3rd. This Saw-whet Owl with prey was photographed by James Berry in a roadside White Pine.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This interesting blue morph Snow Goose was photographed b y Gale VerHague on the 3rd at Cassadaga Lake, Chautauqua County.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Ruddy Duck was a nice find by Rick Thomas on the 3rd near the east marsh, Beaver Island SP, Grand Island.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

A few Killdeer started trickling into the region in late February. Another pulse of warm air on March 3rd brought noticeably more including this individual on the 3rd at Welland, Ontario. Photo by Lisa Bacon.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Kayo Roy photographed this beautiful light morph Rough-legged Hawk outside Niagara Falls, Ontario on the 3rd. Noticed the feathered tarsi...maybe they should be renamed Fluff-legged Hawk!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Turkey Trot...for real! John Gordinier snapped this image on the 2nd near Granger, NY (Allegany County).
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Cackling Goose in the Dunkirk Harbor on March 5th.
Contributed by: Gale VerHague

On the 5th, Bruce Hoover had an an impressive 6 Bald Eagles together from Black Rock Canal Park!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Barred Owl has been very cooperative at Reinstein Woods. Jordan Juzdowski caught up with the owl on the 4th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Mike Morgante and Chris Akins found this Saw-whet Owl at Tifft NP on the morning of the 7th. Ryder Shelley caught up with the bird later in the day and took this photo of the owl peacefully resting.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Spectacular! This immature Golden Eagle was breathtaking for John Gordinier at Keeney Swamp, Allegany County on the 10th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Sue Barth photographed this 2nd year Bald Eagle at the Hamburg hawkwatch on the 10th. We can age this bird as a 2nd year (having fledged last summer) due to the uniformly dark body and white-splotched underwing.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

One of the spectacles that winter along the Niagara is known for - rafts of ducks. Here we have mostly Canvasbacks with some Redheads mixed in. Can you make out the third species pictured? Photo by Jim Johnston on the 1st at Beaver Island SP.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Gull...it's whats for dinner. This adult Peregrine was photographed by Joan Burns along the Welland Canal on the 7th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Travis Suckow took this photo of a newly arrived Northern Pintail in Cattaraugus County (Bush Road) on the 9th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Tom Kerr found this Pileated Woodpecker on the 8th along Ellicott Creek Park. Seems like this species is slowly adapting to more urban settings locally!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

SSW winds on the 10th made for a nice early-season hawk flight at the Hamburg hawkwatch. This adult Red-shouldered Hawk dazzled observers and Sue Barth was quick to capture this image!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Rusty Blackbird migrants have started appearing, here on the 9th in Wainfleet, Ontario. Photo by Mourad Jabra.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

An early spring warm up on the 9th ushered north flocks of Tundra Swans. Karen Lee Lewis photographed this flock from Tifft NP.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Also on the 9th, Travis Suckow photographed this flock of Tundra Swans at Conewango Swamp, Cattaraugus County.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Continuing to increase locally, this Greater White-fronted Goose was photographed by Jean Hampson at Miller's Creek Marina, Fort Erie on the 7th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Redpolls can be difficult to tell apart so I thought I would share my photos of this female Hoary that was in our yard in the Town of Wilson on March 13th. Note the pushed-in bill, pale grayish upperparts, not just the center of the back, and reduced flank streaking. Although not photographed well, the undertail coverts were unstreaked.
Contributed by: Willie D'Anna

Redpolls can be difficult to tell apart so I thought I would share my photos of this female Hoary that was in our yard in the Town of Wilson on March 13th. Note the pushed-in bill, pale grayish upperparts, not just the center of the back, and reduced flank streaking. Although not photographed well, the undertail coverts were unstreaked.
Contributed by: Willie D'Anna

Redpolls can be difficult to tell apart so I thought I would share my photos of this female Hoary that was in our yard in the Town of Wilson on March 13th. Note the pushed-in bill, pale grayish upperparts, not just the center of the back, and reduced flank streaking. Although not photographed well, the undertail coverts were unstreaked.
Contributed by: Willie D'Anna

Redpolls can be difficult to tell apart so I thought I would share my photos of this female Hoary that was in our yard in the Town of Wilson on March 13th. Note the pushed-in bill, pale grayish upperparts, not just the center of the back, and reduced flank streaking. Although not photographed well, the undertail coverts were unstreaked.
Contributed by: Willie D'Anna

Redpolls can be difficult to tell apart so I thought I would share my photos of this female Hoary that was in our yard in the Town of Wilson on March 13th. Note the pushed-in bill, pale grayish upperparts, not just the center of the back, and reduced flank streaking. Although not photographed well, the undertail coverts were unstreaked.
Contributed by: Willie D'Anna

The Northern Shrike that has been at Reinstein Woods since late autumn 2020 continues. Photographed by Jordan Juzdowski on the 12th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Joel Strong took this nice close-up of a Common Redpoll visiting his feeders in Appleton, NY on the 13th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Merlin posed nicely for Jim Johnston in North Tonawanda on the 10th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

We have many elegant species of waterfowl that grace us here in WNY. These Northern Pintail were photographed by Gale VerHague at the Berry Road Marsh, Chautauqua County on the 11th. A lone male Ring-necked Duck photo-bombed this group.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

On a gorgeous sunny Saturday the 13th, Andrea Heine captured this group of American Wigeon coming in for a landing at Iroquois NWR.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Another fantastic in-flight shot by Andrea Heine on the 13th at Iroquois NWR of Northern Pintail at eye level.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Jon Wolff caught this unusual image of a pair of adult Trumpeter Swans in flight at Iroquois NWR on the 14th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This immature Northern Harrier was also photographed by Jon Wolff on the 14th at Iroquois NWR. Notice the bright caramel color of the breast indicating the bird’s age.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Originally and unknowingly documented by Tony Dvorak on the 11th, this male Eurasian Wigeon was refound by Marcus Rosten on the 14th. Marcus's report spread like wildfire and many birders enjoyed this bird's rare visit! Photo by Rob Sielaff on the 15th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This adult Little Gull was very obliging at the Queenston Sand Docks, Niagara, Ontario on the 15th. By the photographer known only as Old Bird...lol!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Rhesa Sy took this photo of a Sandhill Crane along Ort Road, Niagara, Ontario on the 14th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Long-tailed Duck made for an interesting photo by Dan Galvin along the St. Catharine's Pier, Ontario on the 14th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Hoary Redpoll on March 14th in Elma, NY
Contributed by: Bill Massaro

Common Redpoll on March 14th in Elma,NY
Contributed by: Bill Massaro

Merlin at Reinstein Woods
Contributed by: Bill Massaro

Resourceful male Hairy woodpecker drinking at a swale in Elma,NY
Contributed by: Bill Massaro

Hooded merganser at Cazenovia Creek in Elma,NY
Contributed by: Bill Massaro

Peg Clukey and I were at Kumpf Marsh at INWR when these 2 Trumpeter Swans put on a dazzling courtship display for us
Contributed by: Shelley Seidman

The Hamburg hawkwatch had a fantastic early-season flight on the 17th. Adult Red-shouldered Hawks moved through to the tune of 40 individuals, including this bird. Photo by Sue Barth.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Also on the 17th at the Hamburg hawkwatch, three Rough-legged Hawks migrated through including this intermediate morph photographed by Sue Barth.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Jim Johnston captured this sleepy Eastern Screech-Owl in a tree cavity at Tifft NP on the 17th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The Hardenburg’s, who hosted a White-winged Dove back in the fall, were visited by this Eurasian Collared-Dove on the 15th. Here photographed by John Etter on the 17th in Portland, NY (Chautauqua County).
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This male Eurasian Wigeon has been very cooperative during its now week-long-stay at Tifft NP. Tim Schadel caught up with it on the 17th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

David Woodhouse managed this sublime photo of an Eastern Meadowlark singing its heart out near Sherkston, Port Colbourne, Ontario on the 17th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Gale VerHague caught this Pileated Woodpecker in flight at the Town of Sheridan cemetery, Chautauqua County on the 16th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This adult male light morph Rough-legged Hawk seemed to be curiously looking at Christy Hibsch who photographed the bird in Freedom, NY on the 12th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Another image of the hit-or-miss Eurasian Collared-Dove from Carol Hardenburg’s yard in Portland, NY. Photo by Bruce Robinson on the 18th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Northern Harrier hunting over the Lewis Road grasslands on Boutwell Hill in Chautauqua County.
Contributed by: Gale VerHague

Wilson's Snipe in a flooded cornfield in the Chautauqua County town of Sheridan on March 21st.
Contributed by: Gale VerHague

Red-Shouldered Hawk soaring over photographer, Rob Sielaff’s house in Holland, NY on the 18th.
Contributed by: Robert Sielaff

Red-Shouldered Hawks in a courtship display on the 18th over Holland, NY. Photo by Rob Sielaff.
Contributed by: Robert Sielaff

About a month early as per the BOS Verification Date Guide, this Lincoln’s Sparrow was a fantastic find by Nate Johnson at Stiglmeier Park on the 19th!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Ruth Goldman captured this image of an adult Bald Eagle with what looks to be a Northern Pike on the 18th at Iroquois NWR.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Rusty Blackbirds are moving through our region en masse now. Jordan Juzdowski took this photo of a male at Tifft NP on the 22nd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Andrea Heine captured this image of a Tundra Swan in flight at Meadville Marsh, Tonawanda WMA on the 21st.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Greater Yellowlegs is one of the first of the season. Andrea Heine took this image on the 26th along Feeder Road, Iroquois NWR.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Matt Nusstein had a nice surprise visit by this Evening Grosbeak on the 20th at his property near Fillmore, NY.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This gorgeous adult female Northern Harrier had just captured its meal when Christy Hibsch took this photo on the 25th near Freedom, NY.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This adult Bald Eagle was busy tending to the next generation on the 22nd near Kill Buck, NY on the 22nd; photo by Annika Anderson.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Gale VerHague captured this group of Wilson’s Snipe in flight near Forestville, NY on the 24th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

David Woodhouse took this image of a displaying Wilson’s Snipe in Port Colbourne, Niagara, Ontario on the 24th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Red-throated Loon, still in basic plumage, posed for Andrea Heine at Golden Hill SP on the 27th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Karen Lee Lewis had this Common Raven fly over her house in East Amherst, NY on the 22nd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Continuing into the 25th, Tifft’s Eurasian Wigeon was sighted and photographed again by Tony Dvorak.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Flicker love as captured by Sue Barth at the Hamburg Hawkwatch on the 25th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Kyle Brock photographed this immature Golden Eagle on the 25th near Allegheny, NY.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This sharp image of an Eastern Meadowlark was taken by Rob Sielaff near his home in Holland, NY on the 24th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Possibly signaling the start of the return finch flight, this female White-winged Crossbill stopped by the feeders in the Appleton, NY yard of Joel Strong on the 28th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Lake Ontario Plains BOS field trip. Long-tailed Ducks 3/27
Contributed by: Robert Sielaff

Lake Ontario Plains BOS field trip Red-breasted merganser 3-27
Contributed by: Robert Sielaff

One of a few American Pipits in a muddy farm field seen on the 13th in North Collins.
Contributed by: Sue Barth

A flyover Wilson's Snipe seen on the 29th at Tillman Rd WMA.
Contributed by: Sue Barth