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

Brant - © Sue Barth

On the afternoon of the 8th, Sarah Bacon found this mega Western Grebe on Lake Ontario off Point Breeze, Orleans County. Photos by Phil Mills later on the same day.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This adult Ross's Goose was a great find by Celeste Morien at Mallard Overlook at Iroquois NWR on the 6th. Photos by Celeste.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Dark-eyed Junco seems to be of the 'Oregon race' with the nice clean gray hood, brown back and pinkish-buff flanks. Celeste Morien had this bird visit her yard feeders on the 5th when she took this photo.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

American Pipits have been reported through the winter months over the past few years. This individual was documented by Diana Werezak at Morgan's Point, Ontario on the 8th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Marcie Jacklin photographed this Nashville Warbler at Dufferin Islands, Niagara Falls, Ontario on the 5th. A fantastic winter record! During mild winters, Neotropical migrants do sometimes linger and the corridor along the Niagara River is the best place to look for such anomalies due to the added heat released by the water and insect activity.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This adult Peregrine Falcon is exhibiting unusually dark plumage. Edward Cooper took this photo at the north end of Unity Island on the 5th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The long-staying immature male Harlequin Duck continued into the new year. Phil Mills took this image on the list from the West Side Rowing Club looking across the Bird Island Pier.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Short-eared Owls are back wintering in Cattaraugus County along Flatiron Road. Annika Anderson photographed this bird on the 7th. These Owls use habitat that also favors Northern Harrier, Northern Shrike, Rough-legged Hawk and American Kestrel, as they all dine on voles!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This spectacular duck is a welcome sight any time of the year, but during the gray January days, this Wood Duck is an especially welcome splash of color. Photo by Diana Werezak on the 6th at Dufferin Islands, Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

During mild winters just as the one we are experiencing this year, Sandhill Cranes will attempt to overwinter. These birds were found by Jean Hampson and Bob Highcock on the 6th near Welland, Ontario. Photo by Marcie Jacklin on the same date.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The Point Breeze Western Grebe, originally reported on the 8th, has continued to 12 January when Tim Schadel took this photo.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Willie D’anna counted 37 Sandhill Cranes at Kumpf Marsh, Iroquois NWR on the 12th. This species continues to increase in number regionally.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Ozzerina Gall documented this rare in winter Eastern Towhee attending her backyard feeder in Snyder, NY on the 14th. WNY had a major lake effect snow event this day which can drive more unusual birds to feeders.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Splish-splash…this first-cycle Glaucous Gull was enjoying a bath at Woodlawn Beach SP on the 8th. Photo by Sue Barth.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Barred Owl posed for Sue Barth at Emery County Park on the 11th. This species is more frequently encountered in the southern WNY counties.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This is a fantastic comparison photo between Cackling and Canada Geese. Note how disproportionate a Cackling looks when comparing its head and neck to its body size. Cackling will show an overall grayish cast to its contour feathers but this isn't always easily discernible. The very short neck and stubby bill are very apparent on this individual. Photo taken by Gale VerHague at Dunkirk Harbor on the 8th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

One of four Lapland Longspurs in Forestville (Chautauqua County) on January 17th. Photo by Gale VerHague.
Contributed by: Gale Verhague

Greater White-fronted Goose in the Dunkirk Harbor on January 18th. Photo by Gale VerHague.
Contributed by: Gale Verhague

Female Eastern Bluebirds possess an understated beauty within their muted color tones. Debbie Wright photographed this lovey on the 17th near Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Unusual during the winter months, even during mild years, this Brown Thrasher was a great find by Gale VerHague on the 15th in the Town of Arkwright, Chautauqua County.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Here’s lookin’ at you kid! This Barred Owl gave Barbara Blair a nice little wink when she photographed it on the 15th in Elma Center.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Available for a limited time, American Tree Sparrows arrive in our region in late October and are back north of us by late April. Jay Mitchell took this sharp photo on the 9th at Tifft Nature Preserve.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

After the heavy lake effect snow that the region received in mid-January, many birds were driven to feeders. This Rusty Blackbird was part of a small flock that found a seed offering at Buckhorn Island SP on the 23rd. Photo by Tim Schadel.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Marcie Jacklin documented these two ‘slam-dunk’ Cackling Geese near Chippewa, Ontario on the 16th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This photo epitomizes winter birding at Niagara Falls. Sam Zhang photographed this adult Lesser Black-backed Gull at The Falls, NY on the 22nd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This flurry of Snow Buntings was photographed by Andrea Heine near Middleport, NY on the 21st. After a fresh snow, SNow Buntings, among other field birds, will sometimes gather along the edges of roads where snow plows expose grasses for them to forage upon.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Long-tailed Ducks are one of the highlights of winter birding along the Niagara River and Lakes Erie and Ontario. Celeste Morien photographed this dapper gang at the Olcott Pier on the 5th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Trumpeter Swan appears cozy on the ice sheet at Kumpf Marsh, Iroquois NWR. Christy Hibsch took this image on the 27th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Horned Larks will gather roadside after a snowfall to take advantage of freshly plowed edges. Bill Massaro took this photo on the 21st in North Collins, Erie County.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Greater White-fronted Goose was a nice find by Gale VerHague on the 18th at Dunkirk Harbor.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The winter months are long around here, but seeing a Short-eared Owl can ease the blues! This stunner was photographed by Annika Anderson along Flatiron Road, Cattaraugus County on the 7th. The habitat here deserves much more coverage - a Yellow Rail was recorded here in spring 2023!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This coming breeding season, 2024, is the final year for us to participate in the NYS Breeding Bird Atlas. This pair of Bald Eagles was documented by John Gordinier on the 31st at Keeney Swamp SF, Allegany County.
Contributed by: Alec Humann