The Buffalo Ornithological Society, Inc. (BOS) was established in 1929 to promote the study of the birds of the Niagara Frontier Region. Annual grants are awarded by the BOS to fund member-sponsored avian research projects. We are proud of our extensive scientific research databases, our continuing involvement in environmental and conservation activities that impact birds, and our promotion of the enjoyment of ornithology.
The Buffalo Ornithological Society has something to offer to anyone passionate about birds: from the backyard feeder- watcher, the avid lister or the environmental activist, to the dedicated citizen scientist or the professional ornithologist. Society activities include regular programs, field trips, intensive long-term bird counts, checklist and date guide development, varied research activities, and involvement in local conservation efforts. We invite you to join in the activities of the society!
Apr 27, 2024 (Saturday)
Field Trip - Montezuma NWR
Details: (click for more info)
Montezuma NWR
April 27, 2024 (Saturday) 8:30 AM Field Trip - Montezuma NWR with David and Debbie Suggs. Meet at the Visitor's Center, 3395 US-20, Seneca Falls, NY. The refuge is a two hour drive from Buffalo. Plan for a full day to explore the main pool and the extensive Northern Montezuma areas. DSuggs@Buffaloornithologicalsociety.org.
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May 04, 2024 (Saturday)
Field Trip - Tifft Nature Preserve with Seaghan Coleman
Details: (click for more info)
Tifft Nature Preserve, 1200 Fuhrmann Boulevard, Buffalo, NY 14203
Meet at 7:30am on the bridge just past the Visitor Center.
Leader: Seaghan Coleman (716-435-7753 or seaghanc@gmail.com)
This trip will focus on newly arrived neotropical migrants as well as lingering waterfowl and sparrows. Tifft holds the distinctive honor of having the highest number of species recorded on premises in our region - 268; with the latest being last October’s American Avocet! The list of highlights is long and includes Kentucky, Connecticut and Yellow-throated Warblers, Summer Tanager, Sedge Wren, Barn Owl, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron and so much more.
We will hike the trails in search of early-arriving warblers, thrushes and other long-distance migrants as well as look over the marsh for rails and bitterns. If we are lucky, we may see late migrant raptors.
This will be an easy walk over level ground and boardwalks, possibly muddy trails. The trip will span the morning hours so make sure to bring snacks and something to drink. Remember that the south end of Tifft is plagued by red ants, the biting kind, so wear appropriate footwear.
This photo of an American Bittern was taken by Tony Dvorak at Tifft NP on April 19, 2021.
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May 06, 2024 (Monday)
Field Trip - Beginner Bird Walk at Knox Farm SP with Schuyler Lawson and Stephen Giamberdino
Details: (click for more info)
Knox Farm SP, 437 Buffalo Rd, East Aurora, NY 14052
Please note that the meeting time is 6:00pm on MONDAY, May 6. This trip has a weather date of MONDAY, May 13 at 6:00pm.
Leaders are: Steve Giamberdino 716-983-6155 stephengiamberdino@gmail.com
Schuyler Lawson 205-901-5126 slawson1991@gmail.com
Please meet at the barn parking lot on Seneca Street where we will begin our hike through a variety of habitats. Expect to see at least 40 different species of birds by the end of this outing. Stephen and Schuyler will help you learn how to identify them when you’re out on your own! Expect to see: Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, Eastern Bluebird, Savannah and Field Sparrows, Killdeer, Tree and Barn Swallows, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker and Wood Thrush. We also may possibly see: Scarlet Tanager, Indigo Bunting, Baltimore Oriole, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Pileated Woodpecker, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Brown Thrasher, Northern Mockingbird and Ruby-throated Hummingbird. This is during peak spring migration so we hope to see a variety of migratory warblers, vireos and flycatchers! There will also be familiar favorites such as American Goldfinch, Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Song Sparrow, Blue Jay, Red-winged Blackbird and American Robin. Migrant raptors are a possibility as well!
>> Bring binoculars and a field guide if you have them. We will have a couple extra of each if you need one. We will probably hike over 2 miles, so be prepared for that. Dress mindful of ticks and exposure to the sun. Trails can be muddy so don’t wear your favorite sneakers or dress shoes (boots would be best)!
Photo of a Wood Thrush taken by Bill Massaro at Knox Farm SP on 5/04/2021.
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May 08, 2024 (Wednesday)
Meeting - Dr. Gregory Cunningham St. John Fisher University : Studying Leach’s storm-petrels in Nova Scotia
Details: (click for more info)
Buffalo Museum of Science
Meet at 7 pm in the Cummings Room.
Dr. Gregory Cunningham of St. John Fisher University will present: Studying Leach’s storm-petrels in Nova Scotia: Research into their sense of smell and response to Hurricane Dorian.
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May 11, 2024 (Saturday)
Field Trip - Letchworth SP with Matt Nusstein
Details: (click for more info)
6773 Trailside Road, Castile, NY 14427
Leader - Matt Nusstein (Matthew.Nusstein@parks.ny.gov; (716) 446-3376)
Location - Meet at 8am at the Humphrey Nature Center, 6773 Trailside Road, Castile, NY 14427 (see map link above).
Scenic Letchworth State Park, embracing the Genesee River, boasts incredible numbers of migratory birds in May and June. In addition, more than twenty species of warblers nest in the park annually making for an exciting birding destination. This list includes the local Louisiana Waterthrush as well as gems like Hooded, Blue-winged and Mourning Warblers. Acadian Flycatcher is another local species we hope to cross paths with during our outing. We will be birding along the gorge making various stops with short hikes as we go. The trip could last 5-6 hours and we will have lunch overlooking the river. Carpooling is suggested. Bring a lunch, snacks and beverages.
Photo of a male Common Yellowthroat taken by Sue Barth on June 26, 2019 at Letchworth SP.
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May 12, 2024 (Sunday)
Field Trip - Chautauqua County Hotspots with Katelyn Davis and Devin Banning
Details: (click for more info)
Dunkirk City Pier, 8 Central Avenue, Dunkirk, NY 14048
NOTE: Rescheduled from May 18th
Meet at 8:00am on the Dunkirk Pier (parking available on the pier and by the shops right before the pier).
Leader: Devin Banning (716) 260-8889, Devin.Banning@Fredonia.edu
This trip will be targeting various habitats around the Dunkirk-Fredonia area. After looking over Dunkirk Harbor, we will continue to Point Gratiot where we will look and listen for newly arrived migrants as well as the local Red-headed Woodpeckers. Point Gratiot serves as a migrant trap in the city of Dunkirk and funnels northbound migrants into the DEC woodlot; the crown jewel of the park. In years past, Gratiot has produced such coveted rarities such as Harris's Sparrow, Worm-eating and Kentucky Warblers, Summer Tanager and others. Our next birding destination will be dependent upon the weather and migration patterns on the days leading up to our outing. We may travel to the Dunkirk Airport for grassland species including nesting Grasshopper Sparrow, Berry Road Marsh and/or Lake Erie State Park. Last year's trip report can be viewed here https://ebird.org/tripreport/171944
Photo of a Harris's Sparrow by Gale VerHague at Point Gratiot on May 19, 2021.
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May 19, 2024 (Sunday)
BOS May Bird Count
Details: (click for more info)
Throughout the BOS Study Area
Sunday, May 19, 2024
All BOS members will hopefully participate in the 86th annual May Bird Count.
BOS members are encouraged to participate. Please help us add to the decades of records that the BOS has collected reflecting population dynamics of the area birdlife. You can be part of a field team or simply count birds at your backyard feeder. All observations are important! If you don't know what section you live in, please contact Bob DeLeon who will put you into contact with the correct section compiler. Please visit the May Count information page on the website at the address below. Thank you so much!
More about the May Count: more info »
Photo of a male Blackburnian Warbler by Josh Ketry at Wilson-Tuscarora SP on May 22, 2019.
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