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

Gray Catbird fledgling - © Sue Barth

This Bobolink (by the swollen gape I am thinking it a juvenile) was photographed at Humberstone Marsh CA, Port Colborne on the 1st by Donna Johnston. Note the long claws!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Don Dixon captured this image of the Wilkeson Point Brown Pelican as it scratched an itch on the first. This pelican was originally reported by Adam Farid who reported his sighting to the Discord RBA.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

A fantastic find by Leah Bernal in the Town of Marilla on the 2nd were these two Swallow-tailed Kites! The image was shared to a local photography Facebook page and unfortunately did not surface until the next day. Maybe the birds are still around?!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Shorebirds can be a bane or a blessing - many field birders lump shorebirds in the ‘difficult to ID’ category along with sparrows and fall warblers. These Sanderlings were photographed at Port Dalhousie by David Goodridge on the first. Both adults, the bird in the rear in a more advanced stage of molt into basic (winter) plumage - note the lack or orangish-brown color in the face and upper breast as well as the newly grown pale gray scapulars.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This adult Semipalmated Plover is southbound! Brad Reinhardt photographed this bird near Wainfleet, Ontario on the 6th. Note the fresh, dark, razor-edged primaries contrasting with the faded and worn tertials and coverts - aging this bird as an adult. A juvenile at this time of year would be covered entirely in fresh new feathers.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The Bartel Road (Tonawanda WMA) Sedge Wren continues into August - here on the 8th when Suzanne Tuberdyke photographed the bird.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Here is a freshly fledged and feathered Osprey! Note all of the pale feather edges indicating this is a juvenile bird. Adult Osprey exhibit a solid-brown back, lacking all of those pale edges. James Johnston photographed this bird on the 3rd at Cayuga Overlook, Iroquois NWR,
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This spectacular image of an immature Caspian Tern with a fresh catch was executed by Sue Barth at Woodlawn Beach SP on the 5th. Note all of the beautiful brown barring and feather edging across the bird’s back and wings as well as that tail pattern!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Shelley Seidman captured the antics of a young Green Heron at Reinstein Woods on the 4th. Looking a bit like a bittern, Green Herons frequently choose to hunt from open spaces affording great views!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Joining the ranks of other southern birds that have recently established a pattern of regular vagrancy into the BOS Study Area is the Neotropic Cormorant. Joel Strong and Willie D’anna found two resting on the Olcott Pier on the 17th. Note the overall smaller size, lack of any orange in the lores and the thin, white border at the bill gape. Photo by Joel Strong.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

When trying to separate Neotropic from Double-crested Cormorants, obtaining photographs is very important in order to be able to scrutinize features ruling out a small Double-crested. Note the overall size, darker color, lack of orange in the lores and the thin white border to the lower mandible, all indicative of Neotropic. Photo by Joel Strong on the 17th, Olcott Small Pier.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Ian Campbell photographed this Great Horned Owl at Keeney Swamp SF on the 11th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This White-winged Dove was a superb find by Darcie McLachlan’s bird-cam feeder in her Chautauqua County backyard on the 15th. The bird did not return unfortunately. Tom Riley had a similar experience with the Broad-billed Hummingbird in fall 2025 when his bird feeder cam alerted him to the presence of a bird which turned out to be the mega h’bird!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Facebook has been responsible for several nice records for the BOS Study Area including this Red-necked Phalarope from Chautauqua Lake on the 15th. Not all records get funneled through eBird. Thanks to Devin Banning for alerting me to this, and other, posts from Facebook!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Again, thanks to Devin banning for bringing this Brown Pelican record to my attention, also from Chautauqua Lake. Chris Eichmann photographed this pelican on the 18th from Lakewood Community Park.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The Chautauqua Lake Brown Pelican has continued to the 21st. Bill Rugg photographed the bird in the Chautauqua Institution boat harbor.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Karen Lee Lewis captured this image of an Osprey just before striking a fish at Beaver Island SP on the 22nd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Peeps are considered a difficult group of birds to identify in the field. For this individual, note the rich, Buffy coloration around the neck, the shape of the bill (long, slender with slight droop) and those long primaries. If the bird were in a relaxed pose, those wingtips would extend beyond the tail. This Baird’s Sandpiper was photographed at Reebs Bay, west of Port Colborne by Brad Reinhardt on the 19th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Likely the same Baird’s as in the previous photograph, note the neat and tidy scaled appearance to the wing coverts and scapulars. Then note how the long primaries extend beyond the tail, tips crossing. Brad Reinhardt photographed this bird at Reebs Bay on the 22nd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

A SW wind event on the 25th brought a staggering 28 Red-necked Phalaropes to the source of the Niagara at the Peace Bridge. This image of 15 was taken by Brad Reinhardt.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Here is a closer look at a fresh juvenile Red-necked Phalarope from the Niagara River, Fort Erie on the 25th. Note the needle-like bill, dark cap and rusty tones around the neck. Photo by Brad Reinhardt.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Black Tern was blown in off Lake Erie towards the Peace Bridge on the 24th. Wally Parker took this image the same day. Historically, large numbers of Black Terns would congregate here at the source of the Niagara River in late summer - now we are lucky to get a handful each year.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Sandhill Crane is molting in fresh, new, gray feathers to replace the rusty feathers of the breeding season. Adults preen mud into their feathers during the nesting season, changing their color from clean gray to a brownish-rust color. Brad Reinhardt photographed this individual near Port Colborne, Niagara on the 22nd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Several American Golden-Plovers were found in a Genesee County field on the 25th. This beautiful adult sporting most of its alternate plumage was photographed by Alex Ullrich the same day.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This exciting moment when a Caspian Tern decided to give this young Bald Eagle a piece of its mind was caught by Sue Barth at Woodlawn Beach SP on the 26th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This magnificent young Peregrine Falcon was documented patrolling the Erie Shoreline at Woodlawn Beach SP by Sue Barth on the 10th. This species of falcon specializes in capturing its avian prey mid-flight, even consuming its prey on the wing!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Gina Granville was lucky enough to catch these 4 American Avocets at Woodlawn Beach SP on the 27th. These mark the first record for the species for 2026 autumn migration in the Study Area.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The four American Avocets found at Woodlawn Beach SP on the 27th by Gina Granville were also seen by Wendelin Long who took this image of the birds in flight.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Whimbrel was an excellent find by Gale VerHague at Sunset Bay State Marine Park on the 28th (Chautauqua County). This species is an uncommon fall migrant through the BOS Study Area.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Wow! Gale VerHague strikes gold with this young Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at the Dunkirk Airport on the 30th! Gale found another Scissor-tailed Fly at this same location back in October of 2021. Way to go, Gale!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Long-tailed Duck, photographed by Sid Wood at the mouth of Frenchman’s Creek, Niagara River on the 29th, made for a nice late summer record.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This immature Forster’s Tern is still sporting brown juvenile plumage on its crown, scapulars and wing coverts. Ryan Griffiths photographed this bird at at the Port Weller - East Pier, Niagara on the 29th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Nathan Stimson found and photographed this basic-plumaged, adult Forster’s Tern at Barcelona Harbor on the 27th. Note the ‘neat’ black eye mask and white forehead and crown, separating this species from Common Tern.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Don Dixon was at Woodlawn Beach SP on the 24th looking for a previously reported Baird’s Sandpiper when he found this juvenile Laughing Gull!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Another image of the juvenile Laughing Gull that Don Dixon found at Woodlawn Beach SP on the 24th. This species has become almost annual in recent years.
Contributed by: Alec Humann