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

Black-capped Chickadee - © Joel Strong

Peg Clukey and I found this beautiful Immature Black-Legged Kittiwake on December 1st at Erie Basin Marina. Photo by Chris Hollister, also from the 1st.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Margaret Hough came across this flock of Snow Buntings on the 2nd at the Niagara-on-the-Lake sewage lagoons. There’s just something about birds, birders and sewage lagoons…
Contributed by: Alec Humann

When you see a Red-throated Loon in good light like this, the difference between this species and a Common Loon is striking! Ed Poropat took this photo from Nelson Park, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario on the 3rd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Ben Nieman and Rob Sielaff braved high winds and heavy rain on the 3rd to get up close views of this Black-legged Kittiwake in the Black Rock Channel at Bird Island Pier.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

An impressive photo of an impressive bird. This Pileated Woodpecker posed nicely for Ben Nieman at Majors Park, East Aurora on the 4th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Continuing into December is this Eared Grebe that has been entertaining from the foot of Porter Avenue/La Salle Park. Kyle Gage took this image of the grebe surfing alongside a Mallard on the 4th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Red-necked Grebe was a nice record for Cassadaga Lakes, Chautauqua County on the 1st. Gale VerHague took this photo of the grebe stretching out its hammie.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Alessandra Wilcox reported 2 Razorbills from the mouth of the Niagara River from Niagara-on-the-Lake on the 4th. Jay Solanki took this photo on the 5th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Razorbill photo was taken by Becky Harbison from Fort Niagara SP, NY on the 4th. The bird was feeding in Lake Ontario off the Fort.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

A very nice find by Shelley Seidman and Peg Clukey was this Orange-crowned Warbler that was traveling with a mixed-species flock at Fort Niagara SP, NY on the 8th. This species is occasionally found into December as it is quite hardy. Photo by Seidman.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This pair of sub-adult male Harlequin Ducks was a nice find at the Port Weller east pier, Niagara, Ontario on the 6th. Photo by Gina Turone.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Shelley Seidman found this western form of the familiar White-crowned Sparrow on the 5th. This form, known as Gambel’s, is rare in eastern North America. Photo by Wendy Harte on the 6th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Gray Catbirds have been found overwintering locally during the past few years. This individual was photographed by Gale VerHague near Forestville, NY on the 8th. Invasive Buckthorn has become an important food source for these birds overwintering this far north.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Another species that we don’t usually see locally during the winter months is Ruby-crowned Kinglet. This individual was photographed by Brad Carlson at the Batavia WWTP on the 5th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Ring-necked Pheasants can still be found locally but most, if not all, have been released from game farms. The species used to nest in numbers back in the 80’s and 90’s. This bird was photographed by Andrea Heine in Ransomville, NY on the 4th. They are quite stunning!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Lapland Longspur was a nice find at Buffalo Harbor SP on the 11th by Zach Almond. The bird stayed into the 12th when Becky Harbison took this photo.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The Niagara River corridor is well known for holding wintering Little Gulls; lucky for us! This adult, showing its petite features and translucent trailing edge to the flight feathers, was photographed by Ant Tab from Lewiston on the 10th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Always an exciting moment, Ben Nieman came across this majestic Barred Owl at Knox Farm SP on the 10th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Tom Kerr's Tufted Duck from November has continued at its original location, La Salle Park, into December. David Chernack took this photo on the 10th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Red-breasted Nuthatches are full of personality. This little gem was photographed by Sue Barth on the 5th at Woodlawn Beach SP. The species nests in the southern tier and is also an irruptive species tied to cone crop production in the boreal forests of Canada.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Baltimore Oriole is taking a leap of faith as it attempts to overwinter in Allegany County outside of Wellsville - and so far so good! Tim Liguori took this photo on the 12th. The bird continued through the 25th!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The long-staying Tufted Duck was photographed by Roger Higbee at LaSalle Park on the 13th. This bird was first identified by Tom Kerr back in November.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Bev Seyler found this group of Black Vultures near Model City, Niagara County on the 14th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Gale VerHague found this trio of Cackling Geese amongst a flock of Canadas on the 13th in South Dayton, Chautauqua County. Take note the short, stubby bills and gray-edged feathers giving the birds a lighter-backed appearance.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Andrea Heine photographed this beautiful adult male Rough-legged Hawk along Saunders Settlement Road, Lockport, NY on the 18th. Note the tail banding pattern with wide, dark sub terminal band with several dark and distinct narrow bands proximal to the wide band.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This stunning Lark Sparrow was a superb find by Sue Barth at Woodlawn Beach SP on the 21st. After initially identifying the bird, it flew, accompanied by a junco flock, into the nearby neighborhood where it was subsequently found attending a feeder. This is a first record for Erie County! Congratulations, Sue!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Chris Hollister took this photo of Barth’s Lark Sparrow, also on the 21st, as it attended the feeders along 7th Street, Blasdell.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Another angle on the Lark Sparrow. This image was taken by Becky Harbison, also on the 21st. The bird is not as striking from this angle but note the chestnut-black-white head pattern. This species also has wide white corners on the tail which are very noticeable as the bird moves around.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Bill Massaro took this photo of a Brown Creeper at Evangola SP during the Christmas Bird Count on the 17th. This species isn’t all that easy to find during the winter months.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Always lovely to see during the winter months, this American Robin was photographed by Uli MacDonald on the grounds of Hotel Henry on the 18th. The ornamental trees planted around the hotel offer winter fare for birds - this robin is feasting upon Hawthorn fruits.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Evening Grosbeaks are still in the area but tend to be very nomadic. This female was photographed by Dennis Thomas at his backyard feeder on the 20th in Sinclairville, NY, Chautauqua County.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Dennis Thomas has had an Evening Grosbeak flock, upwards of 20, descending upon his backyard feeders throughout December. He took this photo on the 20th. This is a sight we would all love to see in our own yards!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This dark morph Red-tailed Hawk is a returning bird from winter 2021-2022 east of Smithville, Ontario. Ryan Griffiths took this photo on the 18th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The Christmas Blizzard wreaked havoc on the region’s bird life. This Rusty Blackbird was lucky enough to locate Karen Lee Lewis’s feeders in East Amherst on the 25th. Merry Christmas to you, little buddy!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Brad Carlson took this expressive photo of the Blasdell, NY Lark Sparrow on the 22nd. Note the huge white tail corners this species exhibits. This bird was found on the 21st by Sue Barth.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

After an early December SW gale off Lake Erie, this 1st-cycle Black-legged Kittiwake appeared on a private pond on the Fredonia lakefront, which is a very odd location for a kittiwake! Unfortunately the bird was found deceased the following morning. The homeowner knew the bird looked different enough to take photos and contact the DEC. Photos by Karen Przybycien on the 3rd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

On the 8th at Stiglmeier Park, this Northern Shrike dove to the ground and captured this mouse. The shrike flew off to consume it - not bothering to cache it.
Contributed by: Sue Barth

This adult Snow Goose was a great find by Bill Massaro at his house in Angola, NY on the 30th. Erie County doesn’t get many Snow Geese during migration and this bird is very late in the season!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Razorbill was photographed on the 29th from Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario by Wendy Skirrow. This is the second winter in a row that this species has put in appearances at the mouth of the Niagara River.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This pair of Snow Geese was a nice find for Jim Johnston at Gratwick Waterfront Park in North Tonawanda on the 29th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann