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

Purple Finch - © Sue Barth

Phil Mills photographed this stunning male Purple Martin at the Batavia WTP on the 1st.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Dunkirk Harbor hosted this Glaucous Gull on the 1st and was documented by Gale VerHague. Note how small the eye appears on the large head and well as the two-toned bill.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This gorgeous photo of a male Eastern Bluebird was taken by R. Stineman on the 6th at the Jamestown Airport.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This is the best time of year to catch up with a Common Loon as they are featuring their immaculate alternate (breeding) plumage. Nathan Stimson took this photo at Cassadaga Lakes, Chautauqua County on the 6th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

American Goldfinches are beginning to molt into their alternate (breeding) plumage this time of year. This beauty paused on a forsythia branch for Brad Reinhardt on the 10th in Niagara, Ontario.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Hands down, Cedar Waxwings are one of our most stunning of passerines! Ken Czworka photographed these birds at Tillman WMA, Erie County on the 10th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

It is always exciting to see your first Tree Swallow of the spring! Bill Massaro captured this beauty in soft light at Times Beach NP on the 9th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Ruffed Grouse seem to show up when least expected. In fact, it is a tricky bird to catch up with most of the time. Nathan Stimson caught this individual strutting his stuff roadside on the 8th in Jamestown, NY.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Batavia Wastewater Treatment Plant hosted this Spotted Sandpiper on the 11th. Brad Carlson captured this image.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Two American White Pelicans flew over Erie Basin Marina on April 13. Photo by Shelley Seidman.
Contributed by: Shelley Seidman

Brad Reinhardt also caught up with the American White Pelican that appeared at the source of the Niagara. This photo was taken on the 14th from the Peace Bridge area.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Laurence Blight caught up with Seidman's American White Pelican on the 14th off the Catharine Street parking lot in Fort Erie, Ontario. Note the growth on the bird's upper mandible - this is called a caruncle and is only present at the onset of nesting season. Both sexes exhibit this growth and the size is variable.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Great Horned Owl found a nice snug fit in this standing dead tree trunk to raise its young near Port Weller, Niagara. Cameron Young took this photo on the 13th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This male Pine Warbler was a nice find by Andrew Gaerte on the BOS April Bird Census at Golden Hill SP on the 14th. With most migrants, it is the male of the species that arrives first.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Looks like the Mallards got a jump on the nesting season this year! The incubation period is about 4 weeks so this hen must have laid her full clutch by mid-March! Shelley Seidman documented these newly hatched fluffballs at Erie Basin Marina on the 16th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Downy Woodpecker seems to be quite interested in the denizen of this tree hollow! Ken Czworka captured this Eastern Screech-Owl catching some rays at Tifft NP on the 15th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Seemingly a screen capture from Willy Wonka, this dapper Bonaparte's Gull was captured foraging over turbulent chocolate waters of Lake Erie at Grandview Bay by Bill Massaro on the 12th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Yellowlegs have been filtering north through our region since mid-March. Nathan Stimson photographed this Greater on the 17th in Jamestown, NY. Shorebirds are frequently grounded during nocturnal migration by inclement weather. Mornings following such events are good times to check flooded farm fields for these birds.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

During the April Bird Census on the 14th, Christy Hibsch found this pair of Red Crossbills gritting roadside near Angelica, NY.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Orange-crowned Warbler was a great find by Sue Barth at Woodlawn Beach SP on the 18th. This species is more frequently encountered during the autumn migration in the BOS Study Area.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Like a punk rock star in skinny jeans, this male Ruby-crowned Kinglet was sounding off along the Genesee Valley Greenway, Allegany County on the 18th. Photo taken by Ian Campbell.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Ian Campbell photographed this newly arrived Virginia Rail in Allegany County near the town of Belfast on the 18th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Brad Carlson photographed this male Blue-gray Gnatcatcher at Klossen Marsh, Tonawanda WMA on the 14th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Willie D’anna and Betsy Potter had this male Dickcissel show up at their backyard feeder on the 19th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Phil Mills photographed this Eastern Screech-Owl at Amherst SP on the 18th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Louisiana Waterthrush prefer fast flowing streams that run through forest and are predominantly found in the southern tier. Ben Nieman photographed this individual at Emery County Park on the 20th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The region has seen a smattering of Pine Siskins moving north through April. These feisty birds were visiting Karen Lewis’s Clarence backyard feeders on the 18th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Most, if not all, Ring-necked Pheasants are presumed escapes nowadays. Back in the 80’s and 90’s, this species had quite the stronghold on the region and was naturalized. Brad Reinhardt photographed this stunning male on the 20th near Port Colborne, Ontario.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Greater WHite-fronted Goose was a great find by Evan Reynolds on the 20th at McCrea Point Park, Chautauqua County. Photo by John Gustafson on the same day.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

On the 19th, Gary Bletsch found this Long-billed Dowitcher in Chautauqua County near the Audubon Community Nature Center. The bird continued into the next day when Nathan Stimson took this photo.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Many Neotropical migrants arrived early this spring. Tim Schadel photographed this female Orchard Oriole at Forest Lawn Cemetery on the 30th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

On the 29th, this White-eyed Vireo was found and photographed at Forest Lawn Cemetery by Moe Aderman.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Willet was a nice find by Diana and Rick Werezak at Morgan’s Point, Port Colborne on the 30th. Photo on the same day by Matthew Cowley.
Contributed by: Alec Humann