Snowy Owl © Sue Barth
Scoping January
The new year begins and so do all the year lists! Now is the time to get out and find any of those rarities that were uncovered during the Christmas Bird Counts. Those who use eBird can watch all their newly submitted checklists autofill their new year's county and state lists. If you do not have an eBird account, why not make that a resolution! It's easy and you are adding valuable data as a citizen scientist! The BOS statisticians frequently pull data out of eBird for the monthly noteworthy records column in The Prothonotary newsletter.
Great Horned Owls are vocalizing this month as the birds begin nesting. During your birding outings, check old Red-tailed Hawk and Crow nests, they may have been repurposed by a Great Horned Owl! It's always exciting to see those ear tufts sticking up above the edge of the old stick nests!
Goat Island is a great place to begin your list. Catch up with Iceland and Glaucous Gulls at the roosting areas just south of Three Sisters Islands; in 2008 a Ross's Gull showed up here. Even if the access to Three Sisters is closed due to icy walkways, you can easily scan these flocks from the shoreline opposite the parking area. The resident passerines forage in mixed species flocks along the water's edge and by the parking area where people put out seed. Check these flocks for uncommon wintering species such as Winter Wren, Yellow-rumped and Pine Warblers.
Waterfowl are still plentiful above and below The Falls. There is a nice little pull off along the Niagara Scenic Parkway between the north Grand Island Bridge and Niagara Falls SP, appropriately called Waterfowl Viewing Area. You may catch massive rafts of diving ducks here with scattered dabbling ducks mixed in. Uncommon species such as Black and Surf Scoter may be found amongst the hordes as well as the rarer King Eider; bring your scope.
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
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.)
Jan 08, 2025 (Wednesday)
Meeting - WNY Land Conservancy presentation
Details: (click for more info)
Buffalo Museum of Science
Meet at 7 pm in the Cummings Room at the Buffalo Museum of Science.
Presentation on the WNY Land Conservancy by Andrew Gaerte.
Saving Land to Save the Birds
Come hear Andrew Gaerte, avid birder and BOS member, discuss how the Western New York Land Conservancy is permanently protecting and restoring critical bird habitats across the region. Learn how the Land Conservancy uses science, including the community science work of BOS members, in the preservation of vital migratory stopover sites and nesting areas, and how permanent land protection supports the diverse bird species that call Western New York home. Andrew will also share some exciting news about properties the Land Conservancy community will be protecting in 2025 as well as plans for more accessible birding opportunities in WNY.
|
Jan 19, 2025 (Sunday)
NYSOA Waterfowl Count and Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Survey
Details: (click for more info)
Open waterways within the BOS study area.
The 2025 count period is from Saturday, January 18 through Sunday, January 26. The preferred target date is Sunday, January 19.
Debbie Suggs is the count coordinator. Some sections will need a compiler, and more counters are always welcome. Please contact Debbie via email at [email protected]
Male Harlequin Ducks from the Bird Island Pier by Don Dixon on November 17, 2024.
|
Feb 12, 2025 (Wednesday)
Meeting - 2024's Rarity Roundup!
Details: (click for more info)
Buffalo Museum of Science
Meet at 7 pm in the Cummings Room.
Join Alec Humann as he presents a program highlighting the rare and unusual birds that were found throughout the BOS study area in 2024. Come and relive these high points of the past birding year with your friends!
|
See Our Full List of Events