Buffalo Ornithological Society
Birding Western New York and the Niagara Peninsula of Ontario

Wild Turkeys - © Joel Strong

Don Dixon caught up with a flock of Common Redpolls at Batavia Wastewater Treatment Plant on the 1st. Redpolls found the day before by Shelley Seidman!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Another image of one of 10 Common Redpolls, and a few Siskins, at the Batavia WWTP on the 1st. Photo by Don Dixon.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Tim Schadel photographed this Common Redpoll at the Buffalo Audubon Society’s Beaver Meadow Preserve in North Java, Wyoming County on the 2nd. The small flock of 12 was feeding in a goldenrod field near the visitor center.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Christy Hibsch took this photo of a male Evening Grosbeak in her backyard near Freedom, NY, Cattaraugus County on the 1st.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This probable Hoary Redpoll was entertaining a few birders along the east pier at Port Weller, Niagara, Ontario on the 2nd. A few small flocks of Common Redpolls have arrived in the BOS Region and this ‘species’ should be looked for when sorting the flocks. Photo by Shirley Chambers.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Dunlin fed happily along the beach at Dunkirk Harbor for Gale VerHague on the 3rd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Tom Riley found this Snow Goose feeding with a flock of Canadas on the lawn at St Francis High School in Hamburg, NY on the 4th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This 1st winter Iceland Gull was a nice find for Willie D’Anna on the Wilson Pier, Niagara County on the 3rd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The Iroquois NWR Cattle Egret continues into the 4th. This time photographed along Feeder Road by Barb Zaenglein.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Two Brant hanging around the Dunkirk Harbor since November 3rd.
Contributed by: Gale VerHague

Bruce Robinson documented this dapper Rough-legged Hawk on the 6th in Conewango Valley, Cattaraugus County.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This pair of dueling adult male Northern Harriers was a sweet image to capture for Josh Ketry in the Conewango Valley, Catt County, NY on the 4th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Holly Sweeney was lucky enough to catch up with this male White-winged Crossbill at Krull County Park, Niagara County, on the 6th. A small group of this species graced the park for a few days in early November.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This very late Magnolia Warbler was an unexpected find at the Audubon Community Nature Center, Chautauqua County for R. Stineman on the 7th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Ken Czworka captured this fine image of several Pine Siskins feeding on White Pine cones at Krull County Park on the 7th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Common Redpoll was busy feeding on spent goldenrod flowers at Krull County Park when Andrea Heine snapped this photo on the 8th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This American Bittern posed nicely for Sue Barth at Beaver Island SP on the 5th. The restored marsh on the east side of the park has been producing fantastic birds in 2020!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Sue Barth also enjoyed this Little Gull on the 5th at Beaver Island SP.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Don Dixon photographed this Northern Shrike at Reinstein Woods, Cheektowaga on the 11th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Amherst SP produced this nice White-eyed Vireo for Andrew Gaerte on the 8th. November has been a good month to find this species locally over the past few years.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Common Redpolls have also been found at Beaver Island SP; here on the 8th by Joshua Ketry.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

A nice flight of over 100 Red Crossbills occurred at Krull County Park on the 8th. Recordings taken from a group of birds containing this individual by Alec Humann were identified as Type 10 (Sitka Spruce).
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The White-eyed Vireo at Amherst SP continued into the 10th and was seen again and photographed by Sue Barth.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This immature male Rufous Hummingbird found the yard of BOS members, Karen and Jim Landau, to its liking for over a week. Photo by Sue Barth on the 4th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Short-eared Owl was one of 7 at the Jamestown Airport, Chautauqua County on the 7th. Photo by R. Stineman.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Cave Swallow was a delightful and unexpected bonus to an early morning Finch flight at Krull County Park on the 8th. First found and identified, also photographed, by Brad Carlson.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

On the 13th, Schuyler Lawson found this late-season Gray Catbird at Amherst SP. Over the past few years, a handful of this species has overwintered successfully in the BOS Region.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Joshua Ketry came across this very rare Hoary Redpoll near the Seaway Slip along the Buffalo Outer Harbor on the 12th. Note the unstreaked undertail coverts (actually there is a single streak), very pale and sparsely streaked breast and sides, and small ‘pushed-in’ beak appearance.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This exceptionally late adult male Baltimore Oriole was feasting on apples at Amherst SP on the 14th. Photo by Chris Hollister.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Northern Paula was tempting fate on the 14th just east of Rock Point Provincial Park, Ontario. Photo by David Woodhouse.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This on-the-dark-side-intermediate-morph Rough-legged Hawk made for a nice photo op for Karen Lee Lewis on the 13th at Iroquois NWR.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This adult Ross’s Goose was a nice yard bird for John Hayward on the 16th, Belmont, NY, Allegany County.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Joshua Vandermeulen captured this spectacularly crisp photo of an adult Little Gull on the 15th near the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie, Ontario.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Another photo by Vandermeulen, this image showing just a smidge of the distinctive slaty underwing of an adult Little Gull. Photo taken on the 15th at the Peace Bridge, Ft Erie, Ontario.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Kevin Rybczynski found this beautiful immature Black-Legged Kittiwake at Erie Basin on the 20th . The bird put on quite a show for many of us . Photo by Shelley Seidman.
Contributed by: Shelley Seidman

Joshua Ketry CRUSHED IT with this spectacular photo of a juvenile Black-legged Kittiwake with Buffalo’s iconic City Hall in the background. Kevin Rybczynski found this bird on the 20th at Erie Basin Marina.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Tony Dvorak managed this photo of the Erie Basin Kittiwake on the 20th. Note the dark, striking wing pattern and black semi-collar.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Sue Barth found the BOS Region’s 4th Hoary Redpoll of the fall! This bird was found at Sturgeon Point, Erie County on the 19th. Note the overall frosty appearance, restricted and well-defined red cap, ‘pushed-in’ bill and few streaks on the flanks.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This is the same bird as the previous photo. Barth caught this pose showing the unstreaked undertail coverts and again, the appearance that the bill has been pushed in to the face giving a short-billed look. Photo taken by Barth on the 19th at Sturgeon Point.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Ketry took this holiday-season-inspiring photo of an immature Black-legged Kittiwake as it fed inside the Outer Harbor Breakwall near the Seaway Slip on the 22nd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Gale VerHague had this unusual visitor come to her backyard feeders on the 18th in Chautauqua County. This green-morph Pine Siskin exhibits an overall olive wash to the plumage, extensive yellow patches and a slightly larger size compared to the nearby Pine Siskins.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Bruce Hoover found one of THE MOST cooperative Sabine’s Gulls ever on the 27th at the Union Ship Canal. This bird continued throughout the following day - here photographed on the 28th with its sushi meal by Greg Lawrence.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The spectacular juvenile Sabine’s Gull photographed by Josh Ketry on the 28th at the Union Ship Canal.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Sue Barth was able to document the Sabine’s Gull found by Bruce Hoover around 3pm on the 27th. Luckily the bird delighted observers all day on the 28th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Tim Lenz photographed and recorded a small flock of Type 2 Red Crossbills at Lake Erie SP on the 23rd. Here is an adult male.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

A female Type 2 Red Crossbill photographed by Tim Lenz at Lake Erie SP on the 23rd. Tim submitted recordings to Matt Young at Cornell who identified these birds as to the ‘type’.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Willie D’Anna and Betsy Potter lucked out at Krull County Park on the 26th with this lone Pine Grosbeak. The bird was visible and calling for several minutes before flying off.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

James Johnston caught up with this sleepy Great Horned Owl on the 24th in North Tonawanda.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This tack-sharp photo of a Red-throated Loon was taken by Joshua Vandermeulen along the Port Weller east pier on the 24th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This late season Orange-crowned Warbler was found and photographed by Brad Carlson at Genesee County Park and Forest on the 27th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Lingering Fox Sparrows brightened late November checklists. This bird posed for Brad Carlson at Genesee County Park and Forest on the 27th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Kevin Rybczynski photographed up-and-coming-birder, Christopher Bertola, who was focusing on the Union Ship Canal Sabine’s Gull on the 28th. Mark my words - this kid is going to be big!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Short-eared Owl was one of at least a half a dozen using the Jamestown Regional Airport as their foraging territory on the 29th. Photo by R. Stineman.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Saw-whet Owl was a nice find for Wally Parker in Port Colbourne, Ontario on the 26th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Thank you Don Dixon!!!! Finally...someone walked out the Bird Island Pier and got a beautiful photo of the immature King Eider that has been showing for several weeks now and originally found by Joe Fell. Most observations have been from the West Side Rowing Club. Photo taken on the 29th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This exceedingly late Blackburnian Warbler makes for a unique record as it was photographed at Three Sisters Islands on the 27th by Tony Lee.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Definitely a strong contender for Bird of the Year was this Barn Owl found by Devin Banning and Katelyn Davis on the SUNY Fredonia campus. Tony Dvorak caught up with this individual on the 20th and was able to use to campus lights to snap a few amazing photos.
Contributed by: Alec Humann