Northern Shrike © Sue Barth
Scoping February
Depending on the winter's grip, Lake Erie has either frozen over or still has lots of open water. When the lake freezes over, hordes of waterfowl settle onto the Niagara River and the rafts of ducks can be spectacular. This is one of the reasons that the Niagara River corridor has been designated an IBA (Important Bird Area).
Some of the better viewing locations include Broderick Park at the foot of West Ferry street, the north end of Unity Island, Black Rock Canal Park and the many access points around the perimeter of Grand Island. Tundra Swans tend to cluster around Beaver Island State Park at the south end of Grand Island as well as off the north end at Buckhorn Island State Park. Canvasback rafts numbering in the thousands can also be found off Grand Island.
If temperatures are cold enough to limit one's desire to walk outdoors, driving the rural roads of Niagara and Orleans Counties can provide great birding opportunities while staying warm in your car. Annual visitors such as Northern Shrike, Lapland Longspur, Snow Bunting and Snowy Owl frequent the weedy fields along the Lake Ontario Plain. When driving these roads, look for Northern Harriers and Rough-legged Hawks. Where you find these species, you may also see Short-eared Owls using the same field in late afternoon.
The plentiful fruit orchards of Niagara County as well as the cluster of crabapple trees at the entrance to Fort Niagara State Park are worthy of a look-over for possible Bohemian Waxwings and Pine Grosbeaks. Of course these species are not annual, but it's always a pleasant possibility. Another favorite stop this time of year is along the lower Niagara River at Lewiston to watch the Long-tailed Ducks engaging in courtship display. Listening to their endearing vocalizations are an annual 'must'!
At the end of the month, the first warm fronts kick into gear waterfowl migration as well as the first hawk flights of the season. Resident birds start singing as well and nothing sounds sweeter than the first Cardinal song of the year! The shuffling of the deck begins.
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 . . . "
. . . Steph Foraker
It's a cold, still, dark April morning for my first ever bird count. I see so many birds my brain is full. Such nice people, my heart is full. Then it's a glorious, unforgettable field trip for spring migration at Braddock Bay Bird Observatory. So many birds...such nice people... Over the next years, I pepper my calendar with meetings, talks, field trips, counts, cleaning Purple Martin houses! The birds...the people...
BOS shares with me the richness of birding in WNY, its long and valuable history, the textured knowledge of its members. What BOS means to me is that open-heartedness and generosity are always to be found. I've made a few friends, I've gained a community -- here and abroad. BOS feeds and nurtures and grows my birding habit in the best ways. I hope I can be even just some of this for others, too.
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.)
Oct 31, 2026 (Saturday)
Field Trip - Lake Ontario Plains with Willie D’anna and Joel Strong
Details: (click for more info)
Top's Market in Wrights Corners, north of Lockport, NY
Saturday, October 31, 2026 - Lake Ontario Plain Field Trip for fall 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. Leaders are Willie D’Anna and Joel Strong.
Leaders:
Willie D'Anna
P: 716-471-7595 or E: [email protected]
Joel Strong
P: 727-519-4043 or E: [email protected]
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Nov 11, 2026 (Wednesday)
Meeting - Chris Rockwell takes the BOS to Northern Colombia
Details: (click for more info)
Buffalo Museum of Science
Meet at 7 pm in the Cummings Room at the Buffalo Museum of Science.
In January of 2026, a group of BOS members flew to Bogota, Colombia to begin a 13-day tour through the northern part of the country. We visited the famous Santa Marta Mountains with its many endemic species, staying at Mountain House Lodge. We birded north to the Guajira Peninsula, then to Perija (the northernmost extension of the Andes) and ending the trip at Sumapaz NP seeing the exquisite Green-bearded Helmetcrest!
Chris will take you on a photographic journey of our route which ended with close to 400 species. We made new friends along the way with Pablo and Luz, our guides from Adventures Colombia, and look forward to seeing them again when the BOS goes back to Colombia in January of 2028 for a different birding itinerary through the region called the Coffee Triangle!
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Nov 21, 2026 (Saturday)
Field Trip - Dunkirk Harbor with Devin Banning and Katelyn Davis
Details: (click for more info)
Dunkirk City Pier
Leaders: Katelyn Davis and Devin Banning (716-260-8889) [email protected]
Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026
Meeting time: 9:00am
Place: Dunkirk Harbor Pier
Alternate meeting place (to be used if pier is closed): Dunkirk Memorial Park (just west of the pier on Route 5)
This trip will be targeting newly arrived waterfowl that use the Dunkirk Harbor and the surrounding area to winter. It is not unusual to see over a dozen species of waterfowl in a morning here!
We will also be looking for gulls and shorebirds along the way, as well as the harbor’s resident Bald Eagles and Peregrine Falcons. Previous year’s highlights have included Snowy Owl, Brant, Glaucous Gull and Red-throated Loon. Bring a scope if you have one, if not we can share!
Depending on recent bird reports from surrounding hotspots, we may choose to bird Point Gratiot, the Berry Road Marsh and/or Lake Erie SP after birding the harbor. Dress for the weather, there is often a breeze coming off the lake.
Link to the 2025 trip report…
Https://eBird.org/trip report/551590
Photo of a Long-tailed Duck taken by Bill Massaro on November 20, 2021.
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Nov 29, 2026 (Sunday)
Field Trip - Niagara River with Tom O’Donnell and the RBA
Details: (click for more info)
Ft Niagara SP, Youngstown, NY
Leader is Tom O’Donnell
[email protected]
(716) 622-5185
This is a joint field trip with the Rochester Birding Association
Meet at 9:00 a.m. Sunday, Nov 29 at the large parking lot overlooking Lake Ontario at Fort Niagara State Park in Youngstown. From here we will scope the lake for waterfowl, loons and gulls. This is a good location for White-winged Scoter and Long-tailed Ducks. This location has hosted rarer birds such as King Eider, Razorbill and Western Grebe in years past.
We will check the usual locations on the US side before crossing into Canada; Goat Island/Three Sisters and the Whirlpool. A stop at St Peter’s Church on Center Street in Lewiston should add wintering Turkey and Black Vultures to our day list.
This will be an all-day trip that will cross through customs into Canada. Participants MUST bring passport or Enhanced Driver’s License if you want to continue the trip into Canada. Here we will peer down upon the lower Niagara for white-winged gulls as well as possible Little Gulls.
Be prepared for potentially cold weather/wind. Would be easiest for participants to bring their own lunches/snacks and beverages…dig out your thermos! If you have a spotting scope, this would be a great trip to bring it along on!
Leader: Tom O’Donnell of the Buffalo Ornithological Society (BOS) 716-622-5185 or [email protected]
Photo of White-winged Scoters and a solo Black Scoter taken by Ryan Griffiths on November 23, 2025 from Fort Mississauga, Niagara.
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