Hermit Thrush during fall migration by Sue Barth ©
Scoping October
The month of October brings big changes to the local birding landscape. During the first week, Neotropical migrant stragglers are exiting the region and being replaced by temperate zone migrants; sparrows, kinglets, Eastern Towhee, Brown Thrasher, Hermit Thrush and others.
Stronger frontal systems occur this month and during high wind events from the SSW, the Niagara River should be your destination. Species to look for include Little, Sabine's and Franklin's Gulls, Parasitic Jaeger, and phalaropes. This is the month when the Brown Booby appeared at Erie Basin Marina during such a wind event. Other locations to view from include Hamburg Town Beach, LaSalle Park, Ontario Street Boat Launch and Woodlawn Beach SP.
Keep your hummingbird feeders filled and cleaned this month! If western vagrants are going to show up, this month is most likely when it happens. Brush up your ID skills of Rufous Hummingbird as that would be the most likely. If you have a contender at your feeder, get as many photos as possible, including the tail!
Also this month is the annual BOS October Bird Census. We need as many people in the field as possible, even if just an hour's time watching your bird feeder. Please contact the count compiler, Marcie Jacklin (mjacklin@brocku.ca), if you would like to assist. This count has been conducted for over 80 years and is a wealth of information on local bird populations. We need all members to help out!
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
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.)
Oct 10, 2020 (Saturday)
BOS October Count
Details: (click for more info)
Saturday, October 10th
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 Marcie Jacklin who will put you into contact with the correct section compiler. Thank you so much!
Compiler: Marcie Jacklin (mjacklin@brocku.ca or 905-871-2577)
More about the October Count: more info »
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Oct 14, 2020 (Wednesday)
Meeting - Capturing the Spirit of Birds
Details: (click for more info)
7:00 Zoom Meeing
Due to Covid-19, we will have an online Zoom meeting again. The link and login credentials will be added when available.
Join in to hear Marie Read speak on "Capturing the Spirit of Birds, a mix of bird behavior and photo how-to.
What does it take to create photographs that reveal the essential spirit of birds? For wildlife photographer Marie Read it means understanding and then capturing their behavior, and in this presentation she’ll show you how it’s done. Sharing the backstories to her compelling images of birds, many of which appear in her latest book Mastering Bird Photography: the Art, Craft and Technique of Photographing Birds and their Behavior, whether you’re a bird watcher or an experienced photographer, Marie's tips will help you improve your own images. You’ll learn that being observant, understanding birds’ body language and taking your time contribute far more to getting great bird shots than having the newest camera and the biggest lens.
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Oct 18, 2020 (Sunday)
Field Trip - Batavia Waste Water Treatment Plant
Details: (click for more info)
Leader: Doug Beattie (585) 356-3007 or sbeattie@rochester.rr.com
Meet at the operations center at 9 AM. The facility is located at the end of Industrial Blvd, which is off Pearl St. (Rte 33) at the western edge of the city of Batavia.
Doug Beattie will again lead our group through the famous wastewater treatment plant. This complex is a bonafide birding hotspot and has attracted such gems as Northern Wheatear, Harlequin Duck, Piping Plover and Eared Grebe. In fact, BWWTP is the only reliable location for Eared Grebe in Western and Central NY. This phenomenon has been running for close to a decade now and we hope it continues for this year.
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Oct 31, 2020 (Saturday)
Field Trip - Lake Ontario Plains
Details: (click for more info)
**Weather Date is Sunday 11/01/2020**
Lake Ontario Plain Field Trip for fall migrants.
Meet at 8 AM at Tops Market in Wright's Corners. This is on the east side of Route 78 and Route 104, north of Lockport.
Leader: Willie D'Anna (716) 751-3637 or dannapotter@roadrunner.com.
This trip is a car caravan of sorts, plying the rural roads of Niagara County in search of late fall migrants. Every year is different, but with all of the fields and open space habitat we will check, it is reasonable to see Northern Harrier, American Kestrel, and possibly early winter arrivals such as Northern Shrike and Rough-legged Hawk. Horned Larks should be added to the day's list as well. A few stops along the Lake Ontario shore lookouts should produce Horned Grebe and several species of scoters and other diving ducks.
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Nov 11, 2020 (Wednesday)
Meeting - Vaughn Lecture
Details: (click for more info)
Meet at 7 pm in the Cummings Room.
Vaughn Lecture - topic TBD
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