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

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - © Sue Barth

An unusual sight for November, this lingering American Bittern, with a little friend hitching a ride, was enjoyed by Donna Johnston on the 4th at Niagara College Ponds, Ontario.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This late-migrant American Bittern has been enjoying the Niagara College ponds, Ontario. Here it was photographed on the 1st by Pawel Starski.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Early November saw a large influx of Dunlin into the region. This flock was documented at Morgan’s Point, Port Colborne, Ontario on the 1st by Lisa Bacon.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This beautiful Lincoln’s Sparrow is running behind on its southbound migration. Matthew Cowley photographed this bird on the 5th at the Niagara College ponds, Ontario. Note the very fine breast streaking awashed in light buff, the buff malar and the flaring gray eyebrow and nape.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This juvenile Black-legged Kittiwake was photographed by Bill Massaro from the West Side Rowing Club on the 5th. This species can be found in late autumn mixed in with flocks of Bonaparte’s Gulls.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This red morph Eastern Screech-Owl has been entertaining visitors to Reinstein Woods recently. Bill Massaro took this photo on the 4th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This group of Snow Buntings were feeding along the berms at the Batavia Wastewater Treatment Plant on the 4th. Photo taken by Sue Barth.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Ring-necked Pheasants used to nest in fair numbers in WNY up until the mid-90s. Birds seen nowadays are generally considered escapes/released birds from hunting clubs, hobbyists and the like. Ian Campbell photographed this hen along Centerville Road in Allegany County on the 8th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This dark morph adult male (by the narrow tail banding) Rough-legged Hawk was a nice find by Kyle Brock along Flatiron Road, Conewango Valley, Cattaraugus County on the 1st.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

On the 10th, Jordan Juzdowski found this female King Eider at the source of the Niagara along the Bird Island Pier. Photo by Don Dixon on the 11th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

On the 11th at Beaver Island SP, Bev Seyler found several gems amongst the crowd of Bonaparte’s Gulls, including this adult Little Gull.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This male Eastern Bluebird combined with a bluebird sky rewarded Ian Campbell with this lovely image. Ian took this photo along the Genesee Valley Greenway, Belfast in Allegany County on the 13th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Celeste Morien found this Western Cattle Egret at Kumpf Marsh, Iroquois NWR on the 16th. Phil Mills took this image on the same day.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This 1st cycle Little Gull was photographed by Charlie Kaars at Beaver Island SP on the 17th. Thus is a plumage that does not get reported often, possibly being overlooked as a Bonaparte’s Gull.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Red-throated Loon was captured surfacing after a dive off Port Dalhousie, Ontario on the 20th by Donna Johnston.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Beaver Island SP has been hosting several Little Gulls for the past few weeks including this understated, yet exquisite, adult. Bill Massaro took this photo on the 22nd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Andrea Heine took this photo of a young Snow Goose that has taken with a flock of Canadas in Niagara Falls, NY. Andrea took this photo on the 22nd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This 1st-cycle Black-legged Kittiwake was found by Eric Sein on the 26th from Fort Mississauga, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Photo taken on the same day by Laurence Blight.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

These Purple Sandpipers were photographed by Donna Johnston on the 20th at Port Dalhousie, Niagara, Ontario. Note the orange legs and base to the bill as well as those beautiful arrowhead markings along the flanks. This species loves to glean food items from rock jetties and piers.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This beautiful portrait of an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was taken by Sue Barth at Hamburg Town Park on the 22nd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

A very nice find by Devin and Karen Banning was this Red Phalarope at Barcelona Harbor, Chautauqua County on the 25th. The phalarope had joined a gull feeding frenzy and was heard calling frequently, helping to cinch the ID. Photo by Banning.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

There has been a good southward movement of Rough-legged Hawks thus far this autumn. This gorgeous 1st year light morph was photographed along Flatiron Road, Cattaraugus County on the 16th by Sue Barth. This location is an excellent birding destination due to the unique grassland-wetland combo of the Conewango Valley.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Both of these Rough-legged Hawks are 1st year, light morph, individuals. Sue Barth captured this moment along Flatiron Road, Conewango Valley on the 16th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This family group of Trumpeter Swans was captured in flight by Jim Johnston on the 15th from Cayuga Overlook, Iroquois NWR.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

On a rare, sunny November day, Ian Campbell managed this beautiful image of a first year Peregrine Falcon on the 30th at the north end of Unity Island. This bird looks to be mostly of the ‘Anatum’ subspecies because it is so dark overall.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Here is another photo of the young Peregrine at the north end of Unity Island on the 30th as the bird selected its next meal. The Red-breasted Mergansers were definitely on the alert! Photo taken by Ian Campbell.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Not something you see often, this adult male Baltimore Oriole is so late that it seems to be attempting to overwinter. Karen Lee Lewis took this photo in East Amherst on the 28th. Interestingly, the past few winters have seen a handful of orioles during the winter months attending backyard suet feeders locally.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Gale VerHague took this photo of a very close Red Phalarope at Eagle Bay, Chautauqua County on the 30th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Devin Banning located this 1st-cycle Black-legged Kittiwake on the 29th at Barcelona Harbor. The width of the black semi-collar varies among kittiwakes at this age; this individual is well marked!
Contributed by: Alec Humann