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

Purple Sandpiper - © Sue Barth

Always a welcome sight, this Blue-winged Warbler entertained at Forest Lawn Cemetery on the 3rd. Photo by Becky Harbison.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

A few Lesser Yellowlegs dropped into the Ridge Lea Retention Ponds on the 2nd as documented by Don Dixon.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Cute as a button! This Blue-gray Gnatcatcher sang its little heart out for Sue Barth at Tillman WMA on the 1st.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Unusual for this late in the spring, this Tundra Swan dropped into Dufferin Islands, Niagara Falls, Ontario on the 3rd. Photo by John Read.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Wilson’s Phalarope was a sweet find on the 1st in Port Colbourne, Ontario. Photo by the photographer known as ‘Old Bird’...lol!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

James Berry documented this nesting Sandhill Crane at Watts Flats WMA in Chautauqua County on the 1st.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Brad Carlson photographed this Red-necked Grebe at the Batavia Wastewater Treatment Plant on the 1st. A nice record away from the Great Lakes!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Tony Dvorak also caught up with the Blue-winged Warbler at Forest Lawn on the 3rd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Shelley Seidman caught this image of a Prairie Warbler at LaSalle Park on the 4th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

One of up to 3 (!!!) White-eyed Vireos at Tifft Nature Preserve this spring. Brad Carlson took this photo on the 1st.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Pileated Woodpecker was a nice find at Sturgeon Point for Josh Ketry on the 3rd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Scott Dietrich captured this image of a Sora at West Seneca Wetlands on the 3rd. This location has been turning up more and more nice birds as folks check it more regularly!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Another one from Scott Dietrich at West Seneca Wetlands was this Virginia Rail on the 2nd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The cattail marshes at Tifft NP provided for this fun photo of a Marsh Wren doing yoga on the 1st for Becky Harbison!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Forster's Tern at Sunset Bay State Marine Park in Chautauqua County on May 4th.
Contributed by: Gale VerHague

Vicki Rothman found this Worm-eating Warbler on Cinco de Mayo at Goat Island, Niagara Falls. This was not the most cooperative of individuals as it stayed deep in the tangles. Photo by Josh Ketry.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Bobolink performed for Bill Massaro at Knox Fram SP on the 4th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The second record this year/spring of Yellow-headed Blackbird was this female coming to the backyard feeders of Janice Strandburg-Strong near Frewsburg, NY, Chautauqua County.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Black-Throated Blue Warbler at Forest Lawn one of my favorite spring arrivals!
Contributed by: Shelley Seidman

This Prairie Warbler was a great find for Sue Barth on the 8th at Sturgeon Point, Erie County.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Jason West photographed this immature male Orchard Oriole at his home feeder in Gasport, NY on the 6th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The third Yellow-headed Blackbird of 2021 was this male at a private residence in Niagara Falls, Ontario on the 7th. Photo by our friend, Old Bird.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

A very unusual spring record of a Marbled Godwit on the 6th at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Photo by Old Bird.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Sue Barth took this interesting photo of a Least Bittern at Tifft NP on the 12th. A fresh perspective!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Becky Harrison took this photo of a male Golden-winged Warbler at Forest Lawn Cemetery on the 12th. This bird was originally found by Tai Ho Shin on the 11th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Red-headed Woodpeckers have returned to Tifft NP. Brad Carlson caught up with the pair on the 6th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This male Summer Tanager was an excellent find for Cassandra Kamery at Forest Lawn Cemetery on the 12th. As with most SUTA records, this is a 2nd year male sporting blotchy plumage.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The Forest Lawn Summer Tanager, this photo by Andrew Gaerte, also on the 12th (initially found by Cassandra Kamery).
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Celeste Morien scores with this female Ruff (Reeve) from the Kanyoo Trail at Iroquois NWR on the 11th. This bird continued into the 12th delighting many chasers!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Willie D’Anna found this Long-billed Dowitcher from the Kanyoo Trail at Iroquois NWR on the 10th. The dowitcher continued into the 11th when it was joined by a Ruff! Photo of both species by Kevin Rybczynski.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This female Common Merganser with her youngsters were photographed at Cazenovia Park, South Buffalo on the 12th by Kevin Szen.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Common Terns use the Wilson Pier as a courtship site. Here an individual presents a fish to a hopeful love interest. Photo by Gerry Teal on the 13th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Always a sought-after migrant, especially during spring was this Orange-crowned Warbler that Betsy Potter photographed in her Wilson, NY yard on the 12th. Note the yellowish eye arcs and the saturated greenish plumage.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Reminders of the winter months, this Iceland Gull was found lingering on the Olcott Pier by Joel Strong on the 11th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Blue-gray Gnatcatchers can cast a fierce glance for their size! Photographed by Don Dixon at Woodlawn Beach SP on the 9th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Yet another White-eyed Vireo...this time at Gargoyle Park, Olean NY. Brad Carlson found and photographed this bird on the 10th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Also on the 10th at Gargoyle Park in Olean, NY was this male Hooded Warbler. Photo by Brad Carlson.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Cute overload...these hatchling Killdeer posed for their debut in a field of dandelions for Lisa Bacon in Welland, Ontario on the 1st.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Cold, wet weather brought numbers of swallows into wetland areas where food was more available. Here is a trio of Tree, Cliff and Northern Rough-winged at the Niagara College Ponds, Niagara, Ontario. Photo by Joan Burns.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Ryan Griffiths took this amazing photo at Queenston, Ontario on the 11th. Great-crested Flycatchers eat many insects that have a hard outer shell, or carapace, that needs to be coughed up! And there it is!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Wilson's Phalarope in a muddy field in Forestville (Chautauqua County) on May 16th. Photo by Gale VerHague.
Contributed by: Gale VerHague

Harris's Sparrow at Point Gratiot Park in Dunkirk on May 19th. Found and photographed by Gale VerHague.
Contributed by: Gale VerHague

Fabulous find by James Sawuch .. a pair of Wilson's Phalaropes . Watched her do her circular spinning foraging motion ! spectacualr bird!!
Contributed by: Shelley Seidman

Cherish Masocco, a 6th grade teacher at Lackawanna Middle School, took this photo of 2 Sandhill Cranes at the school's baseball field on the 14th. Her students were excited to watch them!
Contributed by: Sue Barth

Bruce Hoover came across this Snowy Egret at the East Marsh, Beaver Island SP on the 15th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Acadian Flycatcher was photographed by Sue Barth at a known breeding territory at Chestnut Ridge County Park, Orchard Park, NY on the 18th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

A phenomenal find was this Harris’s Sparrow by Gale VerHague at Point Gratiot, Chautauqua County on the 19th. Photo by John Barton.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

James Sawusch discovered this pair of Wilson’s Phalaropes at the Ridge Lea retention ponds off Niagara Falls Blvd, Amherst, NY on the 21st. This pair entertained throngs of birders on the day of discovery as well as for several days after. Photo by J Sawusch.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Cassey Kamery caught the Ridge Lea Wilson’s Phalarope pair copulating on the 21st. Might there be a nesting attempt at this location?
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Tony Dvorak absolutely struck gold with this photo of the Ridge Lea female Wilson’s Phalarope on the 21st!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Lest he not be forgotten, the male Wilson’s Phalarope posed nicely for Don Dixon on the 21st at Ridge Lea retention ponds. Phalaropes have reverse sexual dimorphism in case you were wondering...
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Continuing from the Autumn 2020 mega finch flight, this Evening Grosbeak was a nice find by Tim Schadel on the 22nd in Cheektowaga, NY.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Kevin Rybczynski came across these four Whimbrel on the breakwall off La Salle Park, Buffalo on the 22nd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Rybz strikes again with a flock of 38 (!) Whimbrel on the 25th on the breakwall opposite La Salle Park, Buffalo.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This close-up of a Least Bittern was taken by Steven Diloia at Tifft NP on the 24th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Also at Tifft NP on the 24th, this Red-headed Woodpecker posed nicely for Steven Diloia.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Dave Lemke managed this photo of copulating Black-billed Cuckoos at Beaver Meadow Audubon Sanctuary in Java, NY on the 23rd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Generally signaling the wrap-up of spring warbler migration, this male Blackpoll Warbler was photographed y Rob Sielaff at Forest Lawn Cemetery on the 23rd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Jean Hampson photographed these Whimbrel at Morgan’s Point, Port Colbourne, Ontario on the 22nd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Common Nighthawks have a short migration window during migration. Bruce Robinson photographed these two in Chautauqua County on the 24th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

One of two Yellow-breasted Chats found at the Canadaway Creek WMA in Arkwright on May 27th (Chautauqua County). Photo by Gale VerHague.
Contributed by: Gale VerHague

Prothonotary Warbler popped onto the fence at Iroquois's Swallow Hollow trail while we were watching and listening to a Cerulean Warbler singing his heart out ..
Contributed by: Shelley Seidman

Black-Billed Cuckoo at Iroquois
Contributed by: Shelley Seidman

Handsome Male Cerulean singing up a storm at Iroqouis
Contributed by: Shelley Seidman

Tillman WMA in Clarence, NY continues to support what might be the last known pair of breeding Upland Sandpipers in Erie County. Photo by Don Dixon and Harper Cisely on the 29th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This male Cerulean Warbler has a tasty treat! Photo by Don Dixon on the 29th in northeastern Erie County.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Christy Hibsch photographed the Ridge Lea pair of Wilson’s Phalaropes on the 28th. This is the last day that these birds were reported.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The Upland Sandpipers at Tillman WMA in Clarence, NY have recently been more visible. Scott Diedrich took this photo on the 31st.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Another in-flight image of the Tillman Upland Sandpiper. This photo by Jordan Juzdowski.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Ryesa Sy took this photo of a Short-billed Dowitcher at Morgan’s Point, Port Colbourne, Ontario on the 29th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This group of Dunlin used Morgan’s Point, Pt Colbourne as a rest stop along their journey to the Arctic. Ryesa Sy took this endearing photo on the 29th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Cattle Egret was a nice find by David Woodhouse on the 30th in Port Colbourne, Ontario.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Another photo of the Port Colbourne Cattle Egret, this time in flight. Image captured by Shirley Chambers on the 30th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Black-necked Stilt was a lovely find for Terry Bohling at the infamous, Kumpf Marsh, Iroquois NWR on the 30th. This photo was taken on the 31st by Rob Sielaff.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Kyle Gage took this photo of the Kumpf Marsh Black-necked Stilt on the 31st. This bird was found on the 30th by Terry Bohling.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

I know the Ridge Lea Wilson’s Phalarope pair has been photographed exhaustively, but this photo has the great perspective of the female mixed in with Mallard ducklings. Sandy Geschwender took this photo on the 26th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Andrew Gaerte took this photo of a singing Clay-colored Sparrow on the BOS field trip led by Joel Strong on the 29th at Krull Park.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Another image of the elegant Black-necked Stilt found by Bohling on the 30th at Kumpf Marsh, Iroquois NWR. Jerry Anderson took this photo of the bird on the 31st.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

On the 6th, Lisa Bacon confirmed and photographed Sandhill Cranes breeding in the Niagara Region of Ontario! Here a newly hatched chick is being attended to by one of the adults.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The always fabulous Lawrence’s Warbler! This individual dazzled Ryan Griffiths at Niagara Falls, Ontario on the 15th. What a stunner!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

A very unusual spring record of a Baird’s Sandpiper by Joshua Vandermeulen from Beamsville, Ontario on the 24th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann