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

Rufous Hummingbird - © Sue Barth

A species that one can miss during a year’s birding, this Yellow-billed Cuckoo was a nice find in Ridgeway, Ontario on the 2nd by Brad Reinhardt. This bird is feeding on tent caterpillars.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

On the 4th, Sue Barth found this juvenile Red Knot at the FedEx retention pond in Blasdell, NY. The weather on the 3rd and overnight into the 4th was calm and clear, the location very odd for a species this uncommon regionally…you just never know what may show up during migration!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This is another angle of the juvenile Red Knot that Sue Barth found on the 4th at the unlikely location of the FedEx water retention pond in Blasdell, NY. This is the species famous for congregating along the Delaware Bay shoreline in springtime to feast on horseshoe crab eggs on the journey north to the arctic tundra.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This is a classic Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and is probably the easiest Empidonax flycatcher to identify. Note the overall yellow-green color, the lack of contrasting throat, and the eyering that is widest behind the eye. From the front, this species can look ‘vested’ as the center of the breast is lighter in color. The lighting in this photo seems to be exaggerating the overall color, but this species really does come across as very greenish-yellow. Brad Reinhardt took this photo on the 4th at
Contributed by: Alec Humann

After the passage of a cold front with heavy rain the night of the 6th-7th, Joel Strong found a flock of 20 American Golden-Plovers in a dirt field along Mountain Road, Niagara County. Some individuals still retained quite a bit of breeding plumage. Photo by Joel on the 7th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

September 8 and 9 provided a southwest wind event that was truly epic for rare and uncommon avian visitors. This basic plumage Little Gull was photographed by Shannon Hingston near the Peace Bridge, Ft Erie on the 9th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

On the 8th, this juvenile Sabine’s Gull did a close fly-by for Walter Parker at the Peace Bridge, Fort Erie.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Ryan Griffiths photographed this adult, basic-plumage Little Gull near the Peace Bridge, Fort Erie on the 8th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

In amongst the 1000+ Bonaparte’s Gulls blown into the source of the Niagara at the Peace Bridge were multiple Sabine’s Gulls, Ryan Griffiths photographed this individual on the 8th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Juvenile Sabine’s Gulls exhibit a unique and striking upper wing pattern of black, white and brownish-gray color blocks. Photo by Ryan Griffiths on the 8th at the Peace Bridge, Fort Erie.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Western Willet was found resting at Morgan’s Point, Port Colborne on the 1st by Terri Kershaw.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The region saw a little pulse of Red Knots early in the month. This fresh juvenile decided to layover on its journey south at Jones Beach, St Catharines on the 8th. Photo taken by Brad Reinhardt.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Here is what the upper surface of an adult Little Gull looks like; soft gray and white, no black anywhere save for small bits on the head. Photo by Ryan Griffiths at the Peace Bridge, Ft Erie on the 8th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This molting adult American Golden-Plover was photographed by John McKay on the 13th along Macomber Road, Genesee County. To separate from Black-bellied, note the wingtips extending past the tail as well as the slight bill proportions.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Batavia Wastewater Treatment Plant is a true birding hotspot. On the 11th, John Sojda captured this image of 5 Red-necked Phalaropes taking flight under a group of Northern Shovelers.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Echoing last year’s ‘Great Phalarope Fallout’, this group of 6 Red-necked Phalaropes at Batavia WWTP on the 11th was a nice showing! Photo by John Sojda.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Appearing a world of difference in the autumn, this poised Bobolink sat pretty for Brad Carlson on the 2nd in Wyoming County near Java Center.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Philadelphia Vireo was photographed at Beaver Meadow Audubon Center, Java, NY on the 2nd. Note the dark lores and the brightest yellow being centered on the throat/upper breast - these are the best features to distinguish from yellowish-toned Warbling Vireos in autumn. Photo by Brad Carlson.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Common Yellowthroat was photographed hanging out at Hanging Bog WMA, Allegany County on the 14th by Ian Campbell.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Bill Massaro found and photographed this adult basic Black-headed Gull at Bennett Beach, Erie County on the 14th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Another image of Massaro’s Black-headed Gull that entertained observers at Bennett Beach for several days, beginning on the 14th when Bill took this photo.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Sanderlings are a fairly common migrant through the region, especially in the autumn. Bill Massaro photographed this group as they dusted a Ring-billed Gull at Bennett Beach on the 7th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Becky Harbison photographed this adult basic Black-headed Gull at Woodlawn Beach SP on the 9th. Note the diffuse line across the back of the head - when in alternate (breeding) plumage, adults exhibit a high rear hood. Also note the dark portion of the outer underwing.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

While looking for the previously reported Black-headed Gull at Bennett Beach, Seth Winkleman photographed this Whimbrel on the 15th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This juvenile Peregrine Falcon was caught harassing a juvenile Herring Gull at Bennett Beach by Bill Massaro on the 15th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This beautiful male American Goldfinch was feasting on sunflower seeds on the 11th at the Naval Park, Erie Basin Marina. Shelley Seidman captured the moment.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

There were at least 5 Sabine’s Gulls present at the source of the Niagara near the Peace Bridge on the 9th. This may be the highest count ever for the region. Brad Carlson photographed 4 in one fame from the West Side Rowing Club.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Incredibly, this is the second Western Kingbird for the BOS Study Area this fall. Incredibly, this bird was found by Rob Sielaff in his Erie County BACKYARD on the 10th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Phil Mills took this photo showing the diagnostic underwing pattern of a Black-headed Gull at Woodlawn Beach SP on the 9th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Mike Morgante stumbled upon this juvenile Long-tailed Jaeger resting on the shore at Woodlawn Beach SP. This was during the SW wind event on the 9th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Red-necked Phalarope took to the beach at Woodlawn for a rest during the strong wind event on the 8th. Photo by John McKay.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Charlie Kaars found this Forster’s Tern at Woodlawn Beach SP on the 8th. Yet another species that can be found during/after a strong SW wind event.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This adult Broad-winged Hawk was a nice find by Andrea Heine along Tonawanda Creek Road on the 5th. This species is not often detected during migration outside of northbound kettles in spring.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Bill Massaro crushing it with this image of a fresh juvenile Red-necked Phalarope from Barcelona Harbor on the 8th. Note the soft peachy-buff wash to the neck!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The 10th brought this sublime Whimbrel to Barcelona Harbor when it was photographed by Bruce Robinson.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

That crisp, neat white eyering is a great field mark for a Vesper Sparrow. This Vesper was photographed by Gale VerHague in the town of Sheridan, Chautauqua County on the 6th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Plovers from a different mother. Nathan Stimson captured this side-by-side image of an American Golden (left) and a Black-bellied Plover at Dunkirk Harbor on the 16th. Golden Plover shows a uniform light buff underwing while the Black-bellied has a pale underwing and sports a black wingpit.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Nathan Stimson took this beautiful image of the American Golden-Plover that graced the shores of Dunkirk Harbor on the 16th. Note the wing tips that extend beyond the tail. The soft, golden tones to the spotting on the head and back is also a good field mark but really only stands out in optimal lighting.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Don’t we all dream of seeing a Connecticut Warbler this well!!! Devin Banning found this bird at Point Gratiot, Chautauqua County on the 15th and Phil Mills was able to get there and photograph this skulky species like a champ!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Another image of the Point Gratiot Connecticut Warbler found by Devin Banning and photographed by Phil Mills on the 15th. Note the well defined white eyering as well as the dusky wash that extends down the breast.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker was showing off for Brad Reinhardt at Morgan’s Point, Port Colborne on the 18th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

On the page of a field guide, a Black-throated Green Warbler would pop out at you with its beautiful green, yellow and gray plumage, but when the bird is poised in a tree, Voila, it becomes the leaves! Bill Massaro took this photo on the 19th in southern Erie County.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Cuckoos can be tough to dig up some years, however, September 2024 has been fruitful for these birds locally. Sue Barth caught up with this Yellow-billed at Woodlawn Beach SP on the 17th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

On the morning of the 22nd, Greg Lawrence found a pair of American Avocets at Woodlawn Beach SP. The birds lingered for a few others to see them before departing to the south and stopping at Hamburg Town Beach. Charlie Kaars took this photo at Woodlawn .
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Basic-plumaged American Avocets are a beautiful study in black and white. CHarlie Kaars captured this image as the pair departed Woodlawn Beach SP for Hamburg Town Park on the 22nd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The nesting Barn Owls in Chautauqua County received a visit by Katelyn Davis on the 7th to check on the three owlets. All three were doing well and were close to fledging! One of the adult birds photographed by Katelyn.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This adult basic Franklin’s Gull was an excellent find by Dave Bennett at the Batavia WWTP on the 22nd. This species used to occur far more frequently a decade ago.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Wilson’s Phalarope dropped into the ponds at the Batavia WWTP on the 23rd. Initially identified by Sue Hoffman, the bird was subsequently photographed by Ann Branch.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Paul Hess found an amazing 21 Hudsonian Godwits at Kumpf Marsh, Iroquois NWR on the 23rd! This is the 2nd largest flock ever recorded in the BOS Study Area. The largest flock was of 37 at Times Beach back in 1974! Photo by Phil Mills.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Phil Mills was able to get some photos of the 21-member Hudsonian Godwit flock that set down at Kumpf Marsh, INWR on the 23rd. Refuge manager, Paul Hess, initially identified these birds.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The Batavia Wilson’s Phalarope continued into the 24th when Celeste Morien took this photo.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The adult basic Franklin’s Gull found at Batavia WWTP also stuck around for a few days, allowing many birders to see it. Brad Carlson took this photo on the 24th
Contributed by: Alec Humann

First found by Sid Wood on the 29th, this Buff-breasted Sandpiper put in a wonderful repeat appearance at Jaeger Rocks, Fort Erie on the 30th as documented by Brad Reinhardt.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This late season Buff-breasted Sandpiper put in a welcome appearance at Jaeger Rocks in Fort Erie on the 29th and 30th. James Kroeker took this photo on the 30th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann