Buffalo Ornithological Society
Birding Western New York and the Niagara Peninsula of Ontario

Orange-crowned Warbler - © Sue Barth

A flock of 38 Willets were at the Main Street beach of the Dunkirk Harbor in Chautauqua County on May 2nd.
Contributed by: Gale VerHague

Matt Nusstein and Claudia Rosen found this American Golden-Plover at the Seaway Slip on the 1st. Interesting that this bird is in the same location as the late March 2022 bird and looks very similar, having not molted into alternate plumage by this late date.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

On the same day that Gale VerHague found 38 Willets at Dunkirk Harbor, RYan Griffiths found 26 Willets at Jones Beach, St. Catharines, Ontario. Photo by Jean Hampson.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Joel Strong’s continuing Ruff near Somerset, Niagara County was photographed by Mary-Ann Ingrao on the 1st.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Black-bellied Plover in the Dunkirk Harbor on May 4th.
Contributed by: Gale VerHague

On May 3, Joel Strong photographed this Yellow-crowned Night-Heron on private property in Somerset, Niagara County.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Cerulean Warbler was a nice find at Forest Lawn Cemetery on the 4th. Obligingly, the bird continued into the 5th when Rachel Swenson took this photo.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Blue-Headed Vireo posing at Forest Lawn May 8th
Contributed by: Shelley Seidman

A great find any time of the year, but exceptionally so in May, this Black-headed Gull was photographed by Ryan Griffiths on the 7th at the Queenston Sand Docks, Niagara, Ontario.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Another view of Ryan Griffiths’s Black-headed Gull from the 7th at the Queenston Sand Docks, Ontario.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Sue Barth documented this lingering Iceland Gull at Woodlawn Beach SP on the 6th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This 2nd year male Orchard Oriole has been entertaining birders in the flowering cherry trees surrounding Mirror Lake, Forest Lawn Cemetery for several days. Rob Sielaff took this image on the 7th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

On the 4th, Joel Strong found this adult Long-billed Dowitcher in Orleans County along Countyline Road.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Unusual in May, this lone White-fronted Goose was photographed on the 4th by Celeste Morien along Countyline Road, Orleans County. The bird was originally found previously by Joel Strong.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This female Golden-winged Warbler was a nice find at Majors Park in East Aurora on the 10th by Ben Nieman.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Phil Mills photographed this Grasshopper Sparrow at Times Beach NP along the Buffalo Outer Harbor on the 8th. This species is rarely encountered during migration away from known nesting areas.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Sue Barth took this sumptuous image of a Bay-breasted Warbler on the 10th at Amherst SP.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Kyle Gage took this engaging photo of a male Northern Parula at Amherst SP on the 10th. We have seen a nice push of migrants over the past few days and it is always lovely to watch them among the blossoms!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The WNY area experienced an influx of Cape May Warblers in early May. Up to 20 or more put down at Forest Lawn Cemetery where this male was photographed on the 6th by Bill Massaro.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Worm-eating Warbler was a great find by Wally Parker across the border at Waverly Woods, Fort Erie on the 13th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

A tough species to find away from known nesting locales, this male Prothonotary Warbler was found by Ryan Griffiths on the 15th near Jordan, Ontario. Photo by Old Bird.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Another late Iceland Gull was loafing at the Port Weller East Pier, St Catharines, Ontario on the 11th. Photo by Philip Downey.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Bill Massaro photographed this Wood Thrush constructing its nest at Reinstein Woods NP on the 14th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

John Garrett found this singing Yellow-throated Warbler at the Audubon Community Nature Center in Jamestown, NY on the 15th. Photo by Tim Lenz on the 15th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Whimbrel appeared during the expected window in late May at Morgan’s Point, Port Colborne, Ontario on the 21st. Photo by Diane Werezak.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Phil Mills found this fantastic White-faced Ibis within the Tonawanda WMA in Niagara County o the 22nd. Photo by Willie D’Anna on the same day.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Joel Strong found this subadult Forster’s Tern resting upon the Wilson Pier, Niagara County on the 22nd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Inclement weather on the 19th likely grounded this group of Short-billed Dowitchers found by Joel Strong along Countyline Road, Orleans County.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Becky Harbison photographed this pair of Sandhill Cranes with two colts at Kumpf Marsh. Iroquois NWR on the 21st.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Batavia Wastewater Treatment Plant is always worth checking after stormy weather during migration. John Sojda photographed this group of Black-bellied Plovers accompanied by a lone Ruddy Turnstone at this location on the 21st.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Cerulean Warbler was singing his heart out for Ben Nieman in Newstead, Erie County on the 21st.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Ben Nieman photographed this Prairie Warbler in Glenwood, southern Erie County on the 22nd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Josh Ketry made an excellent find with a flock of 52! Red Knots at Conewango Valley, Cattaraugus County on the 19th. This furnished a first record for this species for the county in eBird.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Joe Mitchell also caught up with the Conewango Red Knots on the 19th; originally found by Josh Ketry.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Short-Billed Dowitcher digging in the mud at UB! originally found by Schuyler Lawson on May 22 . Glad he stuck for another few days May 24. Photo by Shelley Seidman.
Contributed by: Shelley Seidman

White-Faced Ibis and Glossy Ibis having escaped a pass by a Peregrine ! continuing at Tonawanda WMA on May 24th. Photo by Shelley Seidman.
Contributed by: Shelley Seidman

Brant moved through the region in late May. This individual rested at Morgan’s Point, Port Colborne, Ontario on the 26th. Photo by Joey Grouly.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Viv Kinnaird took this photo of a Worm-eating Warbler at her home near Fonthill, Ontario on the 4th. Unfortunately this bird appears to have suffered a collision - possibly a window strike.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This immature Little Gull was photographed by Ryan Griffiths at Niagara-on-the-Lake on the 22nd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Sedge Wrens were discovered on the 24th by Brad Carlson behind the Visitor’s Center at Iroquois NWR. Andrea Heine took this image on the 25th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Short-billed Dowitcher was a great find by Schuyler Lawson out at UB North campus on the 22nd. This bird hung around into the 27th to the delight of many local birders. Don Dixon photographed the bird on the 23rd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

A fantastic find by Kevin Rybczynski was this flyover Glossy Ibis at Tifft NP on the 25th. Unfortunately the bird did not land and therefore was not found by observers combing Tifft. Kevin was not the only lucky birder at Tifft that day, Hedy Bisen happened to photograph the ibis as it flew over her! Now that’s teamwork!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Jeremy Collison documented these Red Crossbills on the 20th near Almond, NY, Allegheny County. This species has been found breeding at multiple locations in the Southerntier this year.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Bruce Hoover found this Northern Phalarope out at the Tonawanda WMA at the draw down Paddy 1 on the 28th. Willie D’anna took this photo, also on the 28th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Also present at Paddy 1 on the Tonawanda WMA was this White-rumped Sandpiper. Willie D’anna captured this image on the 28th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Brad Reinhardt found this sweet Piping Plover on the 31st at Wainfleet Wetlands CA, Niagara, Ontario. Through the bird’s band combo it was determined this individual was hatched at Wasaga Beach in 2019! Photo by Old Bird on the 31st.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Wally Parker took this photo of the Wainfleet Wetlands CA Piping Plover on the 31st.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Clay-colored Sparrow at the Dunkirk Airport on May 29th.
Contributed by: Gale VerHague