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

Rough-legged Hawk - © Sue Barth

This stunner of a Krider's Red-Tailed Hawk was hunting along Griswold St. in the northwest corner of Tonawanda WMA on the 1st. This bleached out population of Red-tailed Hawks is typically found in the Great Plains region of the US. This juvenile bird shows the characteristic thinly banded pale tail, pale head, and white underside showing the reduced and sparsely spotted belly band and patagials.
Contributed by: Joel Strong

One of two Vesper Sparrows seen in a Sheridan grape vineyard in Chautauqua County on April 5th.
Contributed by: Gale VerHague

An early Blue-headed Vireo in Cassadaga on April 10th.
Contributed by: Gale VerHague

This Vesper Sparrow was photographed by Don Dixon along the Buffalo Outer Harbor on the 9th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Likely still lingering from November, this Purple Sandpiper was photographed by Matt Kauffman along the Bird Island Pier on the 5th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

An iconic grassland species, this Eastern Meadowlark sang and posed for Bill Massaro at Knox Farm SP on the 4th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

It is not easy to capture a Ruby-crowned Kinglet while its crest is being displayed! Gale VerHague took this photo at Cassadaga Lakes, Chautauqua County on the 10th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Christy Hibsch lucked into this Ruffed Grouse near Freedom, NY on the 7th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Rough-legged Hawk photo is a stunner! Sue Barth expertly crafted this at Carlton Hill MUA on the 10th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

What a find by Matthew Klassen! This adult Little Blue Heron was found by Matt at Miller’s Creek along the Niagara River in Fort Erie on the evening of the 15th. The bird continued into the morning of the 16th but around 1030am it was seen flying north. Photo by Jean Hampson on the 16th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Another photo of the Little Blue Heron from Miller’s Creek, Fort Erie by Shirley Chambers on the 16th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Tom Kerr found a flock of 14 Red Crossbills at Beaver Meadow Audubon Sanctuary on the 17th. These birds stayed the day to the delight of many observers. Photo by Rob Sielaff on the 17th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This stunning dark adult Peregrine Falcon was photographed by Amanda Guercio on the 16th at Sir Adam Beck generating station, Niagara, Ontario.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Palm Warbler made for a sumptuous photo by Terri Kershaw on the 15th at Morgan’s Point, Port Colbourne, Ontario. This individual looks to be of the eastern race or ‘yellow’ Palm Warbler - a few move through earlier in the spring than the much more common ‘western’ Palms.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This American White Pelican was found by Ron Tyler at Iroquois NWR on the 18th. Nathan Lefort took this photo as the bird flew out of the marsh on the south side of Feeder Road.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Sue Barth caught up with a Louisiana Waterthrush on territory at Chestnut Ridge Park on the 11th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This beautiful adult Broad-winged Hawk was photographed soaring over Rob Sielaff’s house near Holland, NY on the 13th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

On April 5, Brad Carlson caught up with this Glaucous Gull at Woodlawn Beach SP.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Another image of the Amherst SP Black-throated Gray Warbler by Ryder Shelley from the 20th. The yellow lore spot really stands out, even at a distance!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Janet Hellner took this photo of a very cooperative and visible American Bittern at Tifft NP on the 19th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Chautauqua County has been claimed by this beautiful leucistic Red-tailed Hawk, photographed by Janice Strandburg-Strong on the 19th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Andrea Heine photographed this pair of Sandhill Cranes bugling as they came in for a landing at Windmill Marsh, Oak Orchard WMA on the 17th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Barton’s Black-throated Gray Warbler graciously continued into the 21st when the bird, and birders, were greeted with 4” of fresh snow! Photo by Tom Riley from Amherst SP.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This photo by Josh Ketry on the 21st of the Amherst SP adult male Black-throated Gray Lovliness!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This female Evening Grosbeak was a nice backyard surprise for Janice Strandburg-Strong on the 21st near Frewsburg, Chautauqua County.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

April 2022 has been phenomenal for rarities! The latest is this male Yellow-headed Blackbird coming to a private residence in Hamburg, NY on the 23rd. Photo by Josh Ketry.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Tony Dvorak’s artistic eye was responsible for this phenomenal photo of the Black-throated Gray Warbler as it peered from behind a snow-covered branch on the 21st.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Pine Warbler was taking advantage of a little ice melt on the 22nd in the yard of Sue Barth, Orchard Park, NY.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Jay McGowan captured the overall vibe on the 22nd at Amherst SP as snow flurries and wind reminded WNY that winter isn’t quite over yet! Yellow-rumped Warbler.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This isn’t how we usually see a Lapland Longspur, but by April 21, the males are looking dapper. Terri Kershaw took this photo along Holland Road, Niagara, Ontario.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Upland Sandpiper cooperated nicely for James Kennerley in Wainfleet, Ontario on the 23rd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Another Upland Sandpiper struck an iconic pose atop a wooden fence post in Smithville, Ontario on the 24th for George Prieksaitis.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This White-eyed Vireo was a nice find for Steven Pitt at Tifft on the 28th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This image of the Tifft White-eyed Vireo was taken by Don Dixon on the 28th as the bird entertained several observers.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Gale VerHague keeps her streak going with the first American Avocet of the year on the 29th at Dunkirk Harbor during an all-day rain event.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Cattle Egret was a surprise find by Duncan Ross, proprietor of Arrowhead Springs Vineyard, Lockport, NY on the 29th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This sumptuous American Avocet was found by Gale VerHague on the 29th at Dunkirk Harbor. Bruce Robinson took this splendid photo!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Shelley Seidman lucked into this Wood Thrush at Forest Lawn Cemetery on the 30th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This pair of Purple Martins were trying to stay warm at Beaver Island SP on the 21st. Photo by Andrew Gaerte.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

One of the most animated of the Wood Warblers is this Black-and-White photographed by Barn Zaenglein at Forest Lawn Cemetery on the 30th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann