Lapland Longspur © Sue Barth
Scoping March
They say March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb, but around here, March exits with a roar as well! Hang in there, the Hamburg Hawkwatch is open for business officially on the 15th. Please stop by and say hello to the volunteer posted at the site for the day. This hawkwatch is covered by volunteers daily from March 15 thru May 15. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Jim Landau ([email protected]). In addition to migrant raptors, the first blackbird and robin flocks are on the move this month.
Waterfowl migration also begins in ernest during March. If you're looking for Snow Geese, head to the eastern side of Niagara County, as well as Orleans and Genesee Counties. This species is far less frequently encountered in Erie County. The ponds and marshes at Iroquois NWR and the Tonawanda WMA are thawing and attracting scores of dapper ducks. Just what the doctor ordered...Pintail, Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler and other puddle ducks are looking smitten in their high breeding plumage.
Red-throated Loons and Red-necked Grebes are also on the move in March and if looking for these birds, check the Lake Ontario overlooks at Ft Niagara SP, Golden Hill SP, Wilson-Tuscarora SP and Wilson Harbor. These birds can also be found in the upper Niagara and at Erie Basin Marina (if ice free). Do yourself a favor and spend some time watching Red-breasted Merganser drakes displaying to the ladies in the aforementioned waterways.
This is a great time of year to put in some time looking for Saw-whets. Spruce and pine groves along the Lake Ontario plain are great places to peek into after a night of light southerly winds. As always with any owls, if you do find one of these magical tiny birds, please keep a respectable distance.
At the end of the month, herons and egrets are returning to their rookeries. Bring your spotting scope to the foot of Sheridan Drive and scan Motor Island from the boat launch to see these newly arrived migrants displaying on their nests.
The Buffalo Ornithological Society, Inc. (BOS) was established in 1929 to promote the study of the birds of the Niagara Frontier Region. Annual grants are awarded by the BOS to fund member-sponsored avian research projects. We are proud of our extensive scientific research databases, our continuing involvement in environmental and conservation activities that impact birds, and our promotion of the enjoyment of ornithology.
The BOS coverage area includes Western New York and parts of nearby Ontario, Canada. This region is rich in bird life with over 380 species and 25 recognizable subspecies of birds recorded. Explore our site to learn more about where to report and find birds, both regional specialties and rare visitors.
The Buffalo Ornithological Society has something to offer to anyone passionate about birds: from the backyard feeder- watcher, the avid lister or the environmental activist, to the dedicated citizen scientist or the professional ornithologist. Society activities include regular programs, field trips, intensive long-term bird counts, checklist and date guide development, varied research activities, and involvement in local conservation efforts. We invite you to join in the activities of the society!
JOIN the BOS
Reflections on "What the BOS Means to . . . "
. . . BOS Vice President, Vicky Rothman
I had always been watching birds from feeders at my parent's and my best friend's parent's homes. Both had binoculars and birds guides. Somewhere around 12 years old I had the courage to call the birding hotline to report a yellow warbler (not that special) but the person on the other end of the line was very fostering and made me feel as though it was. He gave me information
about meetings and places to see birds. Although I didn't have a chance at the time to take these opportunities, I always kept it in mind, what a nice organization it must be. Mainly knowing there was a group that cared about conservation, an overall knowledge of birds, habitats, hikes, arrival and departure dates of migration and so much more. Prior to that, I thought birding was a warbler gem show of spring migration and birds at feeders. Who knew this obsession could be taken throughout the year and other birders were willing to tell you where and when to find them?!? Such a wonderfully diverse group of sweet, giving people! Who could ask for more?
Upcoming Field Trips and Events
For a full list of our upcoming field trips, meetings, and events, visit our calendar page. You don't have to be a member to join our field trips or meetings! (Note that meetings run from September through June.)
Mar 29, 2025 (Saturday)
Field Trip - Lake Ontario Plains with Willie D’anna and Betsy Potter.
Details: (click for more info)
Top's Market in Wrights Corners, north of Lockport, NY
Saturday, March 29th. Lake Ontario Plains Field Trip for early migrants.
Meet at 8 AM at Tops Market in Wright's Corners. This is on the east side of Route 78 at Route 104, north of Lockport.
Leader: Willie D’anna (716) 471-7595
[email protected]
This popular field trip seeks returning birds, like Killdeer, blackbirds, and Eastern Meadowlark, overwintering birds, like Rough-legged Hawk, Snow Bunting, and Lapland Longspur, and an abundance of waterbirds. We will look for loons, grebes, a variety of ducks and geese, and any goodies that might be around. Seven species of geese have been found on this trip in the past! We will also keep our eyes to the skies in search of migrating raptors, which are often prevalent in spring up by Lake Ontario. Previous trips have recorded Golden Eagle. Come join us and start to get over your cabin fever!
Photo of a light morph adult male Rough-legged Hawk by Ben Nieman on March 12, 2023 at the Tonawanda WMA.
|
Apr 09, 2025 (Wednesday)
Meeting - Randi Minetor Presentation: The Complete Language of Birds
Details: (click for more info)
Buffalo Museum of Buffalo Museum of Science
Randi Minetor, President of the Rochester Birding Association is an author who will be giving a presentation on her book, The Complete Language of Birds
|
Apr 13, 2025 (Sunday)
BOS April Bird Count
Details: (click for more info)
Throughout the BOS Study Area
Sunday, April 13, 2025
All BOS members will hopefully plan to participate. Please help us add to the decades of records that the BOS has collected reflecting population dynamics of the area birdlife. You can be part of a field team or simply count birds at your backyard feeder. All observations are important! If you don't know what section you live in, please contact Joel Strong ([email protected] ) who will put you into contact with the correct section compiler.
Please visit the April Count information page on the website at the address below. Thank you so much!
More About the April Count: Click here »
Photo of a male Pine Warbler taken by R. Stineman on April 16, 2024 at the Jamestown School Forest, Chautauqua County.
|
Apr 20, 2025 (Sunday)
Field Trip - Batavia Wastewater Treatment Plant with Julia Garver and Sarah Balduf
Details: (click for more info)
5 Treadeasy Ave., Batavia, NY 14020
Sunday, April 20th with a rain date of Monday, April 21st.
Leaders: Julia Garver
(716) 474-1366
email: [email protected]
and Sarah Balduf
(585) 356-2432
email: [email protected]
Meet at the operations center at 830 AM (this is the building you will see in front of you as you drive in through the chain link fence/gate). The facility is located at the end of Industrial Blvd, which is off Pearl St. (Rte 33) at the western edge of the city of Batavia.
Julia and Sarah will lead our group through the famous wastewater treatment plant. This complex of man-made ponds and marshes is a verifiable birding hotspot and has attracted such gems as Northern Wheatear, Harlequin Duck, Piping Plover, Neotropic Cormorant and American Avocet.
While the fall months host most birders at this regional hotspot, the spring migration months are definitely under-birded here. The Purple Martin houses should be filling up with adults returning from wintering grounds in the Amazon. The various settling ponds will likely be playing host to a variety of waterfowl, possibly including Common Loon and Horned Grebe.
If you own a spotting scope, this would be a great location to put it to good use! This will be a 1/2 day trip. Bathrooms are available in the administration building.
Photo of a Virginia Rail on April 28, 2014 by Sue Barth at the Batavia WWTP.
|
Apr 26, 2025 (Saturday)
Field Trip - Beginner’s Bird Walk at Forest Lawn with Schuyler Lawson and Steve Giamberdino
Details: (click for more info)
Forest Lawn Cemetery, 1990 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14208
Meet at 9am at the small parking area behind the chapel (see map link above).
Join Schuyler and Steve on a walk through Forest Lawn Cemetery during the spring migration season. We will be looking for early-arrival warblers and other songbirds as they rest and refuel before continuing their journey north. Resident species will be busy singing and nest building. Additionally, we will also be looking for a variety of waterfowl, herons, and Belted kingfisher. Migrating raptors have been known to pass overhead as well so we will keep our eyes to the skies hoping for Broad-winged Hawks.
Bring snacks and water as we will likely be birding for a few hours. Restrooms are not available. Bring binoculars if you have them, we also have a few extra pairs to share.
While this walk is geared towards beginners, all are welcome!
Photo of a male Purple Finch by Ruth Goldman in May of 2023 at Forest Lawn.
|
See Our Full List of Events