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

Wild Turkeys - © Joel Strong

One of two Short-eared Owls at the Dunkirk Airport on January 2nd. Happy New Year!
Contributed by: Gale VerHague

Snowy Owl continuing at Buffalo Harbor State Park. Observed January 11th
Contributed by: Matthew Nusstein

This adult Snow Goose was photographed by Lisa Bacon (who found last year’s Marbled Godwit at Dufferin Islands) on the 9th along the Welland Canal, Welland, Ontario.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Goat Island, Niagara Falls, NY is a fantastic location to pick up your annual Lesser Black-backed Gull during the winter months. Joshua Ketry photographed this 3rd winter adult on the 5th
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This juvenile Black-legged Kittiwake has been fairly reliable in the Niagara Gorge from Whirlpool SP since late December 2019. Joel Strong took this image on the 2nd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

First noted on November 29, 2019, this adult Black-headed Gull has been present along the lower Niagara River into January 2020. Here, Joel Strong photographed the bird displaying its diagnostic underwing pattern on the 2nd from Whirlpool SP.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

At this distance, identifying gulls can be tricky at best. Notice the bird on the far right...ever so slightly lighter gray back, reddish coloration at the base of the bill...this is the adult Black-headed Gull rafting with Bonaparte’s Gulls from Whirlpool SP by Joel Strong on the 2nd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Sue Barth photographed this wintering Merlin at Beaver Island SP on the 11th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Three Winter Wrens were found by Barth and Seidman on the 11th at Beaver Island SP. The day had a high of 61 degrees and several of these wrens were singing!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

A nice surprise that popped up on eBird was this Greater White-fronted Goose within a Canada Goose flock at Spaulding Lake in Clarence, NY. Moe Aderman found and photographed this bird on the 5th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Marcie Jacklin took this photo on the 6th of a Greater White-fronted Goose in Welland, Ontario. This could possibly be the same bird reported the previous day in Clarence, NY.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The Dunkirk Airport has been reliable this winter for Short-eared Owls as reflected by this beautiful photo taken by Gale VerHague on the 9th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Long-eared Owl was a great surprise in Barker. It was utilizing some of the conifer plantings that the local school students have planted over the years.
Contributed by: Joel Strong

These Black Vultures were warming up atop St. Peter’s Church in Lewiston, NY on the 25th. Photo by Tom Kerr.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Ken Czworka took this beautiful profile image of a Merlin at Buckhorn Island SP on Grand Island on the 25th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Tom Riley took this photo which is sure to soothe the color-starved soul on a winter’s day. This dynamic duo of a Northern Cardinal and Red-headed Woodpecker were entertaining at Bennett Beach on the 2nd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

A specialty of the Niagara Region during the winter months, this adult Little Gull was superbly photographed by Don Dixon along Unity Island in Buffalo on the 12th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Another photo by Don Dixon of an adult Little Gull foraging along the pier at Unity Island in Buffalo on the 12th. This bird was in the company of Bonaparte’s Gulls...as is the norm.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Trumpeter Swan was spotted by Ed Conboy Jr. at his house near Bennett Beach in Angola on Jan 30th. An unexpected find for Ed and I was happy he shared the picture with me!
Contributed by: Matthew Nusstein