American Avocets at Bennett Beach -
photo by Sue Barth ©
Scoping July
Many of our WNY breeding species have fledged their young by now. Your feeders are probably being visited by young Black-capped Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, woodpeckers, Baltimore Orioles, Mourning Doves, and more! The American Goldfinch, however, is just beginning!
Shorebirds are beginning to arrive as they slowly meander south. You may find them at mud flats or along the shores of lakes and ponds. Dunkirk Harbor is a great spot to spend time at if you are hoping to see Western Willets or American Avocets. These two species are rare but occur here annually and most reliably after a thunderstorm which can ground these birds. You have to arrive at the beach early to beat the dog walkers and runners!
Some common species that we could see would include: Sanderling, Least Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs, and Solitary Sandpiper. On drier years, the marshes at Tifft Nature Preserve dry up and provide excellent mud flats which attract shorebirds to our generally shorebird-habitat-starved side of Lake Erie. The north end of Woodlawn Beach SP also provides a suitable stopover site for species which prefer sandy beaches. Check in the vicinity of the creek outlet into Lake Erie.
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 BOS coverage area includes Western New York and parts of nearby Ontario, Canada. This region is rich in bird life with over 380 species and 25 recognizable subspecies of birds recorded. Explore our site to learn more about where to report and find birds, both regional specialties and rare visitors.
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!
JOIN the BOS
It's July, a Great Month to Atlas!
Our BOS June meeting and field trips may have been cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions but there are some great opportunities for our NYS members that can be valuable and rewarding.
The NYS BBA III project needs YOU to cover some blocks (areas) in Western New York! Click on the map link below to find a block near you (or be adventurous and go further!) and submit any evidence of breeding you might find for a species. (Purple blocks are open for sign-up!)
Atlasing is easy and you'll be contributing to an important project that will benefit the birds in New York State. Just follow these 3 simple steps:
- 1) Familiarize yourself with the proper breeding codes (click on the Volunteer Handbook link below)
- 2) Use eBird to submit your checklists (change the portal to "New York Breeding Bird Atlas")
- 3) Bird within one of the priority blocks
- 4) Bonus step: have FUN!
It's really that simple - AND we need your help!
New York Blocks Volunteer Handbook
Upcoming Field Trips and Events
For a full list of our upcoming field trips, meetings, and events, visit our calendar page. You don't have to be a member to join our field trips or meetings! (Note that meetings run from September through June.)
Jul 11, 2020 (Saturday)
Field Trip - Krull Park with Joel Strong - Breeding Bird Atlas Boot Camp
Details: (click for more info)
Breeding Bird Atlas Boot Camp with Joel Strong
Leader - Joel Strong (joelstrong78@yahoo.com)
Meet at 8am at 6148-6152 East Lake Road (this is where the soccer fields are located and we will park here).
This trip will cover the basics of atlasing for the New York State Breeding Bird Atlas that is currently collecting data. Krull County Park covers two atlas blocks and Joel will cover how to stay within a block as well as how to code breeding bird activity. Our route will cover the area where Clay-colored Sparrows are known to nest, a spruce stand as well as an area by the lakeshore where Pine Warbler and Red-headed Woodpeckers nest. This trip will be limited to 10 participants. If you are interested in this trip, you need to contact Joel to let him know and to make sure there is a spot for you!
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Jul 12, 2020 (Sunday)
Field Trip - Beaver Meadow Audubon Center
Details: (click for more info)
RESCHEDULED from June to Sunday, July 12th.
Leader - Tom Kerr, Audubon Staff Naturalist, tkerr.buffaloaudubon@gmail.com, (716) 310-0380
Meet at 8AM at the Visitor Center. This will be a 1/2 day trip wrapping up around noon.
This half-day trip takes us meandering the grounds of Beaver Meadow Audubon Center in Java Center, NY. Tom will guide our group using his superlative knowledge of the nesting birds of this preserve. Species we will be looking for include nesting Blue-winged, Hooded and Mourning Warblers and possibly Alder Flycatcher. Maintained trails offer us views of the glacial kettle ponds, meadows and marsh boardwalk where Virginia Rails have raised young in past years. The visitor center has a fantastic gift shop so please support this refuge with your purchase. It is recommended to bring water and a snack/lunch.
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