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 Sue Barth ([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.)
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]
|
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!
|
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.
|
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.
|
See Our Full List of Events