Immature Little Blue Heron - photo by Alec Humann
Scoping August
Shorebird migration is in full swing this month. Juvenile shorebirds are arriving in the region and some of the better locations to look include Tifft Nature Preserve, Gallagher Beach, Times Beach, Wilkeson Pointe, Dunkirk Harbor, Tonawanda WMA and Modern Wetlands. Niagara County farm fields that have been recently plowed are also good places to scan for species such as Upland Sandpiper, Buff-breasted Sandpiper and Baird’s Sandpiper as well as American Golden and Black-bellied Plovers.
Neotropical migrants are also moving in decent numbers - check Forest Lawn Cemetery, Tifft Nature Preserve and other migrant traps. Late August is the best time to find a Golden-winged Warbler. Yellow Warblers are moving in huge numbers this month.
Swallows and martins are flocking up and can be found along local waterways as they leisurely make their way south. From mid- to late August, Common Nighthawks can be found patrolling the late summer skies.
This is also the time of year for southern wading birds to occasionally disperse north so keep an eye out for southern herons, Wood Storks, Snowy Egrets and White and Glossy Ibis. These birds, usually young of the year, ride warm fronts northward as they disperse away from their natal grounds. Another species known to engage in this type of behavior is Swallow-tailed Kite.
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.)
Sep 26, 2026 (Saturday)
Field Trip - Roger Tory Peterson Institute Fall Bird Walk with Devin Banning and Katelyn Davis
Details: (click for more info)
Roger Tory Peterson Institute, 311 Curtis Street, Jamestown, NY 14701
UPDATE - Please take note of new field trip date!
Saturday, September 26
9:00am-11:00am
Devin Banning and Katelyn Davis as leaders
[email protected]
Please join birders from the Chautauqua-Warren Birding Association for a guided bird walk through the Peterson Preserve in search of southbound migrants. The Preserve hosts over 140 species throughout the year, and we should be able to get our eyes on dozens of them as they make their way south through WNY. After the walk, enjoy our discounted admission fee of $5 to the museum to take in the current exhibitions.
Last year’s eBird checklist…
Https://ebird.org/checklist/S274443902
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Oct 07, 2026 (Wednesday)
Field Trip - Darien Lake SP with Matt Nusstein
Details: (click for more info)
Route 20 parking area for Darien Lakes SP
Meeting time is 10:00am in the Route 20 Parking Area (GPS coordinates: 42.900706, -78.422602).
Leader is Matthew Nusstein - (716) 446 3376; [email protected]
Matt will be leading our group in search of mid-autumn migrants at Darien Lake SP in Genesee County. In the fields and shrub edges at this location, we will be looking for species attracted to the many berry-producing shrubs along the paths. This trip will be a collaborative effort by Matt with NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and will last approximately 2 hours.
Philadelphia Vireo photographed by John Garrett at Darien Lakes SP on September 6, 2020.
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Oct 10, 2026 (Saturday)
BOS October Bird Count
Details: (click for more info)
Throughout the BOS Study Area
Saturday, October 10th, 2026
BOS members are encouraged 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 Marcie Jacklin who will put you into contact with the correct section compiler. Thank you so much!
Compiler: Marcie Jacklin ([email protected] or 905-871-2577)
More about the October Count: more info »
Photo of a Northern Shoveler from the Batavia WWTP on October 23, 2025 taken by Andrea Heine.
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Oct 14, 2026 (Wednesday)
Meeting - Birding the Adirondacks with Ryan Shostack
Details: (click for more info)
Buffalo Museum of Science
Meet at 7 pm in the Cummings Room at the Buffalo Museum of Science.
This meeting will be shared via Zoom. Ryan is a graduate of Canisius University and has worked at the Buffalo, Syracuse and Tulsa, OK Zoos. Waterfowl are Ryan’s favorite family of birds and we met at Forest Lawn Cemetery one spring taking in the newly arrived ducks! Ryan has also created a Facebook group called Birders for Inclusiveness to create awareness for members of the community with autism.
The Adirondack Park boasts an incredible variety of habitats from alpine meadow and krummholz, to lowland boreal bogs, Lake Champlain wetlands as well as some of New York’s remaining old growth deciduous forest. The Park hosts the only breeding populations of Boreal Chickadee, Black-backed Woodpecker and Canada Jay in New York State as well as one of the most diverse collections of breeding wood warbler species in the Lower 48! Tune if to hear Ryan discuss this unique park which is only a few hours’ drive from WNY.
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Oct 31, 2026 (Saturday)
Field Trip - Lake Ontario Plains with Willie D’anna
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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See Our Full List of Events