Lapland Longspur © Sue Barth
Scoping March
They say March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb, but around here, March exits with a roar as well! Hang in there, the Hamburg Hawkwatch is open for business officially on the 15th. Please stop by and say hello to the volunteer posted at the site for the day. This hawkwatch is covered by volunteers daily from March 15 thru May 15. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Jim Landau (Landaujr@gmail.com). In addition to migrant raptors, the first blackbird and robin flocks are on the move this month.
Waterfowl migration also begins in ernest during March. If you're looking for Snow Geese, head to the eastern side of Niagara County, as well as Orleans and Genesee Counties. This species is far less frequently encountered in Erie County. The ponds and marshes at Iroquois NWR and the Tonawanda WMA are thawing and attracting scores of dapper ducks. Just what the doctor ordered...Pintail, Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler and other puddle ducks are looking smitten in their high breeding plumage.
Red-throated Loons and Red-necked Grebes are also on the move in March and if looking for these birds, check the Lake Ontario overlooks at Ft Niagara SP, Golden Hill SP, Wilson-Tuscarora SP and Wilson Harbor. These birds can also be found in the upper Niagara and at Erie Basin Marina (if ice free). Do yourself a favor and spend some time watching Red-breasted Merganser drakes displaying to the ladies in the aforementioned waterways.
This is a great time of year to put in some time looking for Saw-whets. Spruce and pine groves along the Lake Ontario plain are great places to peek into after a night of light southerly winds. As always with any owls, if you do find one of these magical tiny birds, please keep a respectable distance.
At the end of the month, herons and egrets are returning to their rookeries. Bring your spotting scope to the foot of Sheridan Drive and scan Motor Island from the boat launch to see these newly arrived migrants displaying on their nests.
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
Final Year for the NYS Breeding Bird Atlas - New Criteria!
We are entering the last year of the NYS Breeding Bird Atlas Project. Completion data has shown that we need to make some significant changes to ensure we collect as much statewide data as possible this year. Read more about changes for 2024 here: 2024 ATLAS CHANGES
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.)
Mar 23, 2024 (Saturday)
Field Trip - Purple Martin Set-Up Social at Batavia WWTP with Sarah Balduf and Janie Mellas
Details: (click for more info)
Batavia Wastewater Treatment Plant, 17 Treadeasy Ave, Batavia, NY 14020
UPDATE - Celeste will be joining in the fun as well!
Leaders - Sarah Balduf, Janie Mellas and Celeste Morien s_balduf@yahoo.com (585) 356-2432 janiemellas@yahoo.com (716) 345-3376
WEATHER DATE - Sunday, March 24
Location - Batavia Wastewater Treatment Plant, 17 Treadeasy Ave, Batavia, NY 14020
Meet at 10:00am at the Batavia WWTP main building to sign in. This is a different type of field trip - one with a purpose other than listing! Come help Sarah, Janie and Celeste set up the Purple Martin gourd-style houses on the rack at the Batavia Wastewater Treatment Plant. Who knows - if time allows, we can organize a quick spin through the facility to check for migrant waterfowl. If you plan to attend please e-mail Sarah to let her know and so we have a head count for coffee and donuts!
Purple Martin photographed by Joshua Ketry on 5/20/2018 at Batavia WWTP.
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Mar 24, 2024 (Sunday)
Field Trip - Lake Ontario Plains with Joel Strong
Details: (click for more info)
Top's Market in Wrights Corners, Wilson, NY
March 24th, Sunday. Lake Ontario Plain Field Trip for early migrants.
Meet at 8 AM at Tops Market in Wright's Corners. This is on the east side of Route 78 at Route 104, north of Lockport.
Leader: Joel Strong (727-519-4043 or joelstrong78@yahoo.com)
This popular field trip seeks returning birds, like Killdeer, blackbirds, and Eastern Meadowlark, overwintering birds, like Rough-legged Hawk, Snow Bunting, and Lapland Longspur, and an abundance of waterbirds. We will look for loons, grebes, a variety of ducks and geese, and any goodies that might be around. Seven species of geese have been found on this trip in the past! We will also keep our eyes to the skies in search of migrating raptors, which are often prevalent in spring up by Lake Ontario. Previous trips have recorded Golden Eagle. Come join us and start to get over your cabin fever!
This pair of Red-necked Grebes was photographed by Willie D’anna on March 22, 2016 at the Wilson Pier.
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Apr 10, 2024 (Wednesday)
Meeting - Taking a Closer Look in the Nest of Purple Martins
Details: (click for more info)
Buffalo Museum of Science
Meet at 7 pm in the Cummings Room.
Dr. Heather Williams, Teaching Assistant Professor at University at Buffalo, presents, "What really happens inside the nest box of a Purple Martin?" Explore the breeding ecology of this swallow, and its many blood feeding roommates.
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Apr 14, 2024 (Sunday)
BOS April Bird Count
Details: (click for more info)
Throughout the BOS Study Area
Sunday, April 14, 2024
All BOS members will hopefully plan 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 Joel Strong (joelstrong78@yahoo.com ) who will put you into contact with the correct section compiler.
Please visit the April Count information page on the website at the address below. Thank you so much!
More About the April Count: Click here »
Photo of a Common Tern by Chris Hollister, Beaver Island SP on April 23, 2023.
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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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