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

Purple Sandpiper - © Sue Barth

Early April saw a nice incursion of Common Loons into the region. This individual was photographed by Bruce Hoover at Wheatfield Lakes, Niagara County on the 1st.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Dunlin have arrived as of the 7th. This individual was photographed by Jean Hampson at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. These early arrivals haven’t fully molted into their alternate plumage yet.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Pectoral Sandpipers are one of the first expected shorebird arrivals in early spring. These were found by Brad Reinhardt on the 7th at Wainfleet, Ontario.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This beautiful Vesper Sparrow posed for Sue Barth at the Hamburg Hawkwatch on the 5th. This location is one of the more reliable locations in spring for this species.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Along with Common Loons, Horned Grebes arrived en masse in early April. At this time of year there are birds that span the spectrum of plumage; some being in high breeding plumage while others are still in basic plumage. This beauty was photographed by Rob Sielaff at the Union Ship Canal on the 7th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Bill Massaro captured this image of a Caspian Tern on the 8th at Bennett Beach, Erie County.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

A benefit of spending the day at the Hamburg Hawkwatch is seeing non-raptors in active migration. This Belted Kingfisher was photographed by Sue Barth as it winged its way north on the 5th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This fantastic photo of a Bald Eagle and Osprey interaction was taken by Barb and Lynn at Beaver Island SP on the 3rd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

These Long-tailed Ducks put in a rare appearance at Tifft Nature Preserve on the 3rd as documented by Megan Miller. This species is very unusual on bodies of water other than the Great Lakes and Niagara River.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Wow! This Tom Turkey in all of its glory was photographed by Gale VerHague in Forestville, Chautauqua County on the 2nd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Tim Lenz found this rare Black-headed Gull on the 8th at Barcelona Harbor, Chautauqua County. Note the deep red bill and the hood that cuts straight up close to and behind the eye, as well as being slightly larger than the nearby Bonaparte’s Gull.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This adult female Northern Harrier was photographed in Allegany County at Keeney Swamp on the 2nd by John Gordinier. Note the well marked streaking on the breast unlike the rich caramel color of young birds.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

A handsome Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was a little on the early side at Sturgeon Point on the 16th.
Contributed by: Sue Barth

One of two Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks seen in the Town of Sheridan in Chautauqua County on April 17th. Photo by Gale VerHague.
Contributed by: Gale Verhague

This adult Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was an excellent find by Matt Cohen sitting among the Black-crowned Night-Heron rookery on the scrubby islands at the brink of Niagara Falls on the 22nd. Photo by Russell Kopp on the 23rd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

From mid to late April, American Avocets can show up when a front passes through the region with rain/thunderstorms. These birds get grounded on their way to breeding grounds in the prairie states and provinces. Dan Pay located this duo at Jones Beach, Port Weller, Ontario. Photo by David Woodhouse on the 19th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Some of our common local birds are occasionally captured on film in spectacular poses. That is the case with this image taken by Bill Massaro at Tifft Nature preserve on the 20th of dueling Northern Flickers.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Louisiana Waterthrush was singing his heart out for Don Dixon at Emery County Park (Erie) on the 15th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Chuck Mitchell photographed this American Woodcock nest in his West Falls backyard on the 11th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

These Great Horned Owl nestlings are very close to leaving home on the 2nd. Chris Hollister took this photo out at UB North campus. This species begins nesting in January-February!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This unique angle of a Horned Grebe was taken by Charlie Kaare at the Union Ship Canal on the 1st.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

A species in decline regionally, this Upland Sandpiper was photographed by Markus Legzdins at Smithville, Ontario on the 16th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Cattle Egret, in all of its spring finery, was found and photographed by Dan Curr at Iroquois NWR on the 18th. The bird only stayed for about 5 minutes in a field at the corner of Casey Road and Route 63.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Sue Barth took this endearing photo of a Palm Warbler at Lakeside Cemetery in Hamburg, NY on the 20th. This bird is of the eastern or ‘Yellow’ race; note the reddish streaks on the yellow breast. This subspecies is an unusual migrant through our region.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

A species that is very difficult to detect during migration, this Grasshopper Sparrow was found and photographed at Tifft NP on the 25th by Cindy Naughton.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Evening Grosbeaks are still filtering north through the region after staging a nice irruption south last autumn. This individual visited the Orchard Park home of BOS member, Gerry Thurn, on the 27th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Shelley Seidman found 2023’s first Yellow-throated Warbler birding her local patch of Lakefront Boulevard/Erie Basin Marina on the 29th. Way to go, Shelley!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

White-eyed Vireo found by Tim Lenz at Lake Erie State Park in Chautauqua County. Photo by Gale VerHague. Note the bird’s upper mandible has damage at the tip.
Contributed by: Gale Verhague

Shelley Seidman relocated the Yellow-Throated warbler in LaSalle Park on the 30th; it disappeared again before anyone else could see it.
Contributed by: Shelley Seidman

J. Miller photographed these Evening Grosbeaks at a backyard feeder just east of Olean, NY on the 15th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

A Northern Saw-whet Owl resting at Tifft Nature Preserve on the 11th.
Contributed by: Sue Barth