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

Greater White-fronted Goose - © Sue Barth

These Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks were a phenomenal find by Kathy Tucker at Hoyt Lake, Delaware Park on the 2nd. The birds spent the day at this location for many birders to see. Photo by Tim Schadel.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This gorgeous Short-billed Dowitcher was found by Chris Hollister at the UB North Campus on the 6th. Note the orangish feather edging on the back as well as the spotting on the sides of the neck - these field marks help to separate from the similar Long-billed Dowitcher. Photo by Hollister.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Laughing Gull was an unexpected find by Sue Barth at Sturgeon Point on the 5th. The past few years have documented several spring/early summer records of this rare-for-the-region species.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This lovely portrait of one of the Hoyt Lake Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks was taken by Don Dixon on the 2nd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This male Golden-winged Warbler was found at the Nike Base Park on Grand Island on the 4th by Alec Humann. Don Dixon took this photo later on the same day. This increasingly uncommon species moves through out region during a small window in early May.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Wow - it is not often that birders in the Niagara Region get to see a Lapland Longspur in full alternate plumage glory in the month of May, bathing! Wally Parker snapped this image at Port Colborne, Ontario on the 5th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Sedge Wren entertained birders at Morgan’s Point, Ontario on the 1st. Brad Reinhardt found and photographed this individual.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

A very nice find by Marcie Jacklin and Lynda Goodridge was this Tricolored Heron at the Wainfleet Wetlands CA, Ontario on the 5th. Photo by Jean Farnan.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

We are so fortunate to have Sandhill Crane as a breeding species in our region! Andrea Heine caught up with a pair at Kumpf Marsh, Iroquois NWR on the 5th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

MEGA alert!!! This spectacular Swallow-tailed Kite was photographed by Celeste Morien on the 7th near Albion, NY (Iroquois NWR complex). Don Bemont initially discovered the bird!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This is one of those ‘Holy Grail’ birds for the Niagara Region! Don Belmont was lucky enough to catch up with Celeste’s Swallow-tailed Kite out near Albion, NY on the 7th. DOn obtained this photo.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Indigo Bunting posed for Sue Barth in a flowering Hawthorn at Chestnut Ridge Park on the 6th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The region has seen a very nice show of migrants this May thus far. Seems like there are several Blue-winged Warblers on territory at the Nike Base Park, Grand Island where Don Dixon photographed this stunning male on the 4th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Rob Sielaff photographed this Cliff Swallow as it zoomed by Gallagher Beach across from Tifft NP on the 4th. This species breeds colonially and does so on the old grain elevator at this site.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Veery was very cooperative for Rob Sielaff as it foraged Forest Lawn Cemetery on the 4th. This Catharus thrush is the easiest to ID due to the lack of dark spotting on the breast.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This fledgling Barred Owl gave Ben Nieman the stare-down at Knox Farm SP on the 5th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Rob Sielaff found this fledgling Eastern Screech-Owl at Tifft NP on the 4th. The youngsters look very different from the adults with all of that heavy barring.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Golden-winged Warbler entertained Jim Sawusch at Tillman Road WMA on the 4th. A handful of this species were reported across the region on the 4th and 5th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Orchard Orioles are local breeders across the BOS Study Area. This individual was singing away at Sturgeon Point when Bill Massaro took its photo on the 4th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This lingering Iceland Gull was a nice find for Sue Barth at Woodlawn Beach SP on the 2nd. As would be expected, this is a 2nd cycle individual meaning it was hatched last summer.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Devin Banning found this Snowy Egret on the 9th in Chautauqua County at the Canadaway Creek Preserve.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The Wainfleet, Ontario Tricolored Heron, originally found by Marcie Jacklin, was also photographed by Brad Reinhardt on the 5th during the bird’s one day stay.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This beautiful Lincoln’s Sparrow was photographed by Brad Reinhardt at his home near Port Colborne, Ontario on the 13th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Rob Sielaff captured this Cerulean Warbler in full song at Swallow Hollow Trail, Iroquois NWR on the 11th during a birdathon fundraiser for Buffalo Audubon.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The only known breeding Prothonotary Warblers in the BOS study area east at the Iroquois NWR complex. Becky Harbison photographed this male at Meadville Marsh, Tonawanda WMA on the 12th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Eastern Screech-Owl family has been delighting visitors at Tifft NP. Rob Sielaff took this image on the 17th featuring three fledglings and one of the adults.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Clay-colored Sparrows are difficult to come across during migration. Shelley Seidman found one near the entrance to Erie Basin Marina on the 15th and the bird stayed into the 16th. Photo by Shelley on the 15th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Prairie Warbler is another fairly local breeding bird in WNY. Sprague Brook Park is a know location and that is where Bill Massaro caught up with this stunning male on the 12th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Always fun to stumble upon, this Black-billed Cuckoo was photographed by Bill Massaro at Sprague Brook Park, Erie Co on the 12th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This very obliging Grasshopper Sparrow entertained a BOS field trip on the 12th led by Devin Banning. Christy Hibsch captured this image at the Dunkirk Airport.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Snowy Egret flyover was documented by Nathan Stimson on the 11th at the Audubon Community Nature Center, Chautauqua County.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This rare Lark Sparrow was an amazing find at Evangola SP on the 14th by Michael Adriaansen. This bird was a one-day wonder and only a handful of others were able to see this bird.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

On the 18th, Doug Rabjohns found this Glossy Ibis at Kumpf Marsh, Iroquois NWR. The bird continued into the 19th delighting many birders! Photo by Andrea Heine on the 18th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Andrew Gaerte found this female Wilson’s Phalarope while looking for the Glossy Ibis at Kumpf Marsh, Iroquois NWR on the 19th. Photo by Becky Harbison.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

A group of 5 American White Pelicans that dropped into Port Colborne, Ontario on the 17th were found by Jean and Blayne Farnan. Photo by David Woodhouse.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

These Whimbrel were photographed by Diana Werezak at Morgan’s Point, Port Colborne on the 14th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Riley Saxton photographed this late Fox Sparrow at Tifft NP on the 22nd. Most Fox Sparrows have moved through our region on their way to arctic breeding grounds by late April.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This splendid Red Knot graced the Port Colborne waterfront on the 19th when Ryan Griffiths took this photo.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The understated beauty of a Mourning Warbler documented by David Woodhouse on the 18th at Wainfleet Bog, Port Colborne.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Ryan Griffiths took this photo of the Port Colborne Red Knot keeping company with several dapper Dunlin on the 19th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The 5-pack of American White Pelicans tooling around Port Colborne, Ontario were photographed by Ryan Griffiths on the 19th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Memorial Day weekend has always been the traditional weekend to catch up with Whimbrel as they migrate north through our study area. This year the birds did not disappoint. Brad Reinhardt photographed this individual as it flew by Morgan’s Point, Port Colborne, Ontario on the 24th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This beautiful adult Laughing Gull was found by Blayne and Jean Farnan at Morgan’s Point, Port Colborne on the 22nd. This species has become annual locally in both spring and fall! Photo taken by Diana Werezak on the 22nd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Brad Carlson caught up with the Iroquois NWR, Kumpf Marsh Glossy Ibis on the 20th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Ben Nieman captured this image of a Prairie Warbler near Glenwood, Erie County on the 24th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This image that Sue Barth captured of a Canada Warbler is a view we ALL WANT TO SEE! Sue took this photo in her Orchard Park backyard on the 21st.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Common Nighthawks begin filtering north through the BOS Study Area in mid-May. Gale VerHague photographed this bird near Forestville, Chautauqua County on the 20th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Marcie Jacklin photographed this adult White-rumped Sandpiper at the foot of Kraft Road, Fort Erie on the 27th. Note the small arrowhead markings on the flanks as well as the rusty shoulder.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This in-flight image of a Least Bittern is a jewel! Ryan Griffiths captured the moment at Jordan Harbor, Ontario on the 26th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Quite the spectacular find by Tom Kerr at Allegany SP, this Northern Saw-whet Owl was a complete surprise for a group attending the annual Allegany Nature Pilgrimage on the 31st. Photo by Kerr.
Contributed by: Alec Humann