Snowy Owl © Sue Barth
Scoping January
The new year begins and so do all the 2018 year lists! Now is the time to get out and find any of those rarities that were uncovered during the Christmas Bird Counts. Those who use eBird can watch all their newly submitted checklists autofill their new year's county and state lists. If you do not have an eBird account, why not make that a resolution! It's easy and you are adding valuable data as a citizen scientist! The BOS statisticians frequently pull data out of eBird for the monthly noteworthy records column in The Prothonotary newsletter.
Great Horned Owls are vocalizing this month as the birds begin nesting. During your birding outings, check old Red-tailed Hawk and Crow nests, they may have been repurposed by a Great Horned Owl! It's always exciting to see those ear tufts sticking up above the edge of the old stick nests!
Goat Island is a great place to begin your list. Catch up with Iceland and Glaucous Gulls at the roosting areas just south of Three Sisters Islands; in 2008 a Ross's Gull showed up here. Even if the access to Three Sisters is closed due to icy walkways, you can easily scan these flocks from the shoreline opposite the parking area. The resident passerines forage in mixed species flocks along the water's edge and by the parking area where people put out seed. Check these flocks for uncommon wintering species such as Winter Wren, Yellow-rumped and Pine Warblers.
Waterfowl are still plentiful above and below The Falls. There is a nice little pull off along the Niagara Scenic Parkway between the north Grand Island Bridge and Niagara Falls SP, appropriately called Waterfowl Viewing Area. You may catch massive rafts of diving ducks here with scattered dabbling ducks mixed in. Uncommon species such as Black and Surf Scoter may be found amongst the hordes as well as the rarer King Eider; bring your scope.
The Buffalo Ornithological Society (BOS) 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!
BOS Membership
The Buffalo Ornithological Society, Inc. 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.
Upcoming Field Trips and Events
Several field trips, meetings, and events have recently been added to our calendar. Take a look and be sure to join us at a meeting or on one of our field trips!
Jan 25, 2019
Kickoff of A Winter Celebration: Birds on the Niagara
Details: (click for more info)
Kickoff event at Tifft from 5-7.
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Jan 26, 2019
A Winter Celebration: Birds on the Niagara
Details: (click for more info)
A celebration of the incredible diversity of bird life along the Niagara River Corridor. ALL are welcome - no birding experience necessary! FREE guided walks and spotting stations, from Lewiston to Buffalo, with special guest speakers and workshops! Discover the amazing stories of the birds that call the Niagara River home! Find event details at https://www.facebook.com/events/339833690173613/
Sponsored by NYS Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; Niagara River Greenway; Buffalo Audubon Society; Buffalo Museum of Science; and Times Beach Nature Preserve
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Feb 02, 2019
NYSOA Winter Weekend
Details: (click for more info)
NYSOA's winter weekend has been scheduled for February 2-3, 2019 and will take place in and around Clayton, NY. Clayton is located along the scenic St. Lawrence River in Jefferson County in an area that has a rich history for attracting several species of wintering raptors. If conditions are right, participants will find Short-eared and Snowy Owls, Rough-legged Hawks, and more. Other winter visitors may include Tundra and Trumpeter Swans, Northern Shrikes, Bohemian Waxwings, and irruptive winter finches.
The 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel, located at 200 Riverside Drive, Clayton, NY (315-686-1100), has blocked off rooms at $109.00 per room, plus tax (1000 Island Harbor Hotel Website). When booking a room, mention that you are with the NYSOA group.
For further details follow this link: more info »
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Feb 03, 2019
NYSOA Winter Weekend
Details: (click for more info) |
Feb 13, 2019
Meeting - Rarity Roundup!
Details: (click for more info)
Our now annual roundup of great finds from the previous year. Alec Humann with the help of others will showcase the rarest of the sightings from 2018, or at least those that were photographed.
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