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

Fox Sparrow - © Sue Barth

This stunner of a Krider's Red-Tailed Hawk was hunting along Griswold St. in the northwest corner of Tonawanda WMA on the 1st. This bleached out population of Red-tailed Hawks is typically found in the Great Plains region of the US. This juvenile bird shows the characteristic thinly banded pale tail, pale head, and white underside showing the reduced and sparsely spotted belly band and patagials.
Contributed by: Joel Strong

One of two Vesper Sparrows seen in a Sheridan grape vineyard in Chautauqua County on April 5th.
Contributed by: Gale VerHague

An early Blue-headed Vireo in Cassadaga on April 10th.
Contributed by: Gale VerHague

This Vesper Sparrow was photographed by Don Dixon along the Buffalo Outer Harbor on the 9th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Sue Barth captured this image of a Brown Thrasher during the BOS April Count on the 11th at Woodlawn Beach SP.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Singing in all of its LBJ glory was this Vesper Sparrow on the 4th in North Collins. Photo by Sue Barth.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Early April is the time of year you need to catch up with Common Loons in their spring finery! This individual posed for Shelley Seidman on the 5th at the Union Ship Canal.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Rob Sielaff took this photo of a Bonaparte’s Gull at the Union Ship Canal on the 6th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Rob Sielaff took this endearing photo of a Golden-crowned Kinglet on the 6th near Holland, NY.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Shorebirds began arriving at the beginning of the month. This Greater Yellowlegs dropped into the Ridge Lea retention ponds on the 8th where Don Dixon snapped this photo.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

One of my personal favorites, this Field Sparrow was beautifully photographed by Tony Dvorak at Amherst SP on the 10th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Bill Massaro found these Wilson’s Snipe in South Wales on the 7th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This American Coot was artfully photographed by Jordan Juzdowski at the West Seneca Wetlands on the 9th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Even though common, there is something special about this image taken by Tom Riley at South Park, Buffalo on the 6th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Likely still lingering from November, this Purple Sandpiper was photographed by Matt Kauffman along the Bird Island Pier on the 5th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

An iconic grassland species, this Eastern Meadowlark sang and posed for Bill Massaro at Knox Farm SP on the 4th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Joel Strong took this photo of a kettle of Turkey Vultures over Appleton, NY on the 9th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

A bit humorous of an angle on this American Coot. Photo taken by Andrea Heine at Iroquois NWR on the 11th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Just loving the metallic blue of this Tree Swallow contemplating life for Andrea Heine at Iroquois NWR on the 7th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

It is not easy to capture a Ruby-crowned Kinglet while its crest is being displayed! Gale VerHague took this photo at Cassadaga Lakes, Chautauqua County on the 10th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Christy Hibsch lucked into this Ruffed Grouse near Freedom, NY on the 7th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Rough-legged Hawk photo is a stunner! Sue Barth expertly crafted this at Carlton Hill MUA on the 10th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

These two male Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers were squaring off for Diana Werezak near Port Colbourne, Ontario on the 10th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Savannah Sparrow was playing hide and seek with Jean Hampson on the 6th near Wainfleet, Ontario.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Lesser Yellowlegs in an agricultural field in Sheridan (Chautauqua County) on April 14th.
Contributed by: Gale VerHague

What a find by Matthew Klassen! This adult Little Blue Heron was found by Matt at Miller’s Creek along the Niagara River in Fort Erie on the evening of the 15th. The bird continued into the morning of the 16th but around 1030am it was seen flying north. Photo by Jean Hampton on the 16th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Another photo of the Little Blue Heron from Miller’s Creek, Fort Erie by Shirley Chambers on the 16th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Tom Kerr found a flock of 14 Red Crossbills at Beaver Meadow Audubon Sanctuary on the 17th. These birds stayed the day to the delight of many observers. Photo by Jerry Anderson.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

One of the 14 Red Crossbills, a female, found at Beaver Meadow on the 17th by Tom Kerr. Photo by Jerry Anderson.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

One more for good measure...this photo by Jerry Anderson really shows the size of the bill on this species. Tom Kerr found this flock of 14 and it was the 200th species for Beaver Meadow!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This stunning dark adult Peregrine Falcon was photographed by Amanda Guercio on the 16th at Sir Adam Beck generating station, Niagara, Ontario.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Palm Warbler made for a sumptuous photo by Terri Kershaw on the 15th at Morgan’s Point, Port Colbourne, Ontario. This individual looks to be of the eastern race or ‘yellow’ Palm Warbler - a few move through earlier in the spring than the much more common ‘western’ Palms.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This American White Pelican was found by Ron Tyler at Iroquois NWR on the 18th. Nathan Lefort took this photo as the bird flew out of the marsh on the south side of Feeder Road.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Sue Barth caught up with a Louisiana Waterthrush on territory at Chestnut Ridge Park on the 11th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This beautiful adult Broad-winged Hawk was photographed soaring over Rob Sielaff’s house near Holland, NY on the 13th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This cryptically patterned American Bittern was photographed by Becky Harrison at Tifft NP on the 18th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

On April 5, Brad Carlson caught up with this Glaucous Gull at Woodlawn Beach SP.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Short-eared Owl was a fun surprise and a relatively late record for Brian Safari at Iroquois NWR on the 19th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This immaculate male Wood Duck was photographed by Kevin Szen at Cazenovia Park in Buffalo on the 19th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

A stellar find by John Barton at Amherst SP on the 20th was this adult male Black-throated Gray Warbler. Dozens of local birders were able to catch up with this bird including Sue Barth who took this photo.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Another image of the Amherst SP Black-throated Gray Warbler by Ryder Shelley from the 20th. The yellow lore spot really stands out, even at a distance!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

And another...this image taken by Jerry Anderson exhibits how chickadee-like this male Black-throated Gray can appear.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Janet Hellner took this photo of a very cooperative and visible American Bittern at Tifft NP on the 19th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Chautauqua County has been claimed by this beautiful leucistic Red-tailed Hawk, photographed by Janice Strandburg-Strong on the 19th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Andrea Heine photographed this pair of Sandhill Cranes bugling as they came in for a landing at Windmill March, Oak Orchard WMA on the 17th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

A nesting pair of Eastern Bluebirds on our property like to sit in the tulip trees and hunt for insects in the lawn every morning.
Contributed by: Carl Carbone

Barton’s Black-throated Gray Warbler graciously continued into the 21st when the bird, and birders, were greeted with 4” of fresh snow! Photo by Tom Riley from Amherst SP.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This photo by Josh Ketry on the 21st of the Amherst SP adult male Black-throated Gray Lovliness!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Ryder Shelley took this image of the famous Black-throated Gray. This bird was seen by dozens on the 21st, the second day of its visit.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This female Evening Grosbeak was a nice backyard surprise for Janice Strandburg-Strong on the 21st near Frewsburg, Chautauqua County.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Steve Pitt hit a home run with this photo of the Black-throated Gray Warbler at Amherst SP on the 22nd. This was the bird’s third day entertaining throngs of spectators!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Tim McIntyre also used his skills to capture this winning photo of the local celebrity on the 22nd at Amherst SP.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Sandy Geschwender took this photo of a pair of male Blue-winged Teal taking flight in a snow squall on the 22nd at Iroquois NWR.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This pair of Surf Scoters provided an unusual inland record at Reinstein Woods on the 20th. Photo by Sandy Geschwender.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

A pair of Carolina Wrens constructed their nest inside Willie and Betsy’s garage in Wilson, NY. Betsy took this photo on the 19th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

April 2022 has been phenomenal for rarities! The latest is this male Yellow-headed Blackbird coming to a private residence in Hamburg, NY on the 23rd. Photo by Josh Ketry.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Don Dixon took this fireworks photo of the Hamburg, NY male Yellow-headed Blackbird on the evening of the 23rd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This American Bittern posed for Heather Desorcie at Tifft NP on the 23rd. The Heritage Boardwalk is one of the best locations to catch up with this species locally.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Tony Dvorak’s artistic eye was responsible for this phenomenal photo of the Black-throated Gray Warbler as it peered from behind a snow-covered branch on the 21st.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Another Dvorak photo from the 22nd of the Black-throated Gray. This bird entertained for a staggering 5 days!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Pine Warbler was taking advantage of a little ice melt on the 22nd in the yard of Sue Barth, Orchard Park, NY.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Jay McGowan captured the overall vibe on the 22nd at Amherst SP as snow flurries and wind reminded WNY that winter isn’t quite over yet! Yellow-rumped Warbler.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Virginia Rail made a stopover at Amherst SP on the 24th. Photo by Sue Barth.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This isn’t how we usually see a Lapland Longspur, but by April 21, the males are looking dapper. Terri Kershaw took this photo along Holland Road, Niagara, Ontario.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Upland Sandpiper cooperated nicely for James Kennerley in Wainfleet, Ontario on the 23rd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Another Upland Sandpiper struck an iconic pose atop a wooden fence post in Smithville, Ontario on the 24th for George Prieksaitis.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Joel Strong had a rare opportunity to enjoy a Golden Eagle low and perched in Somerset, NY on the 20th. Most local records are of birds in active migration, high overhead.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Evening Grosbeak stopped by the Somerset feeders of Sandra Wagner on the 28th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Osprey looks like she has something important to say. Photo by Sandra Wagner on the 28th in Somerset.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This White-eyed Vireo was a nice find for Steven Pitt at Tifft on the 28th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Eastern towhee carrying possible nesting material at Beaver Meadow.
Contributed by: Bill Massaro

Spotted sandpiper foraging at Cazenovia creek falls in Elma.
Contributed by: Bill Massaro

This image of the Tifft White-eyed Vireo was taken by Don Dixon on the 28th as the bird entertained several observers.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Gale VerHague keeps her streak going with the first American Avocet of the year on the 29th at Dunkirk Harbor during an all-day rain event.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Cattle Egret was a surprise find by Duncan Ross, proprietor of Arrowhead Springs Vineyard, Lockport, NY on the 29th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This is a great quiz bird! Taken by Steven Pitt at Tifft NP on the 28th. Get your guides out and get to work! Email me with your guess ([email protected])!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This sumptuous American Avocet was found by Gale VerHague on the 29th at Dunkirk Harbor. Bruce Robinson took this splendid photo!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

A bit on the early side, this Swainson’s Thrush was a nice yard visitor for Karen Lee Lewis on the 30th in East Amherst, NY.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The White-eyed Vireo found at Tifft NP on the 28th continued into the 30th, photographed by Sue Barth on the 30th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Shelley Seidman lucked into this Wood Thrush at Forest Lawn Cemetery on the 30th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This pair of Purple Martins were trying to stay warm at Beaver Island SP on the 29th. Photo by Jay Burney.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

One of the most animated of the Wood Warblers is this Black-and-White photographed by Barn Zaenglein at Forest Lawn Cemetery on the 30th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann