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

Killdeer - © Sue Barth

The Prairie Warbler continues at Erie Basin Marina; this time photographed by Patrick Sysiong.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

As I walked back to my car, I saw a small bird flutter right past me and into the closest tree. I initially thought it was a Brown Creeper but decided to check what it was anyways. To my surprise, it was the Prairie Warbler! This bird handles cold better than some people I know!
Contributed by: Patrick Sysiong

Beautiful first year Iceland Gull flying up the Buffalo River on 12-3-2019
Contributed by: Shelley Seidman

Northern Shrike at the Berry Rd. Marsh in Fredonia on December 7th.
Contributed by: Gale VerHague

Another shot of the White-eyed Vireo at Evangola on the 7th - showing off his "cuteness" factor! This bird continued until at least the 13th.
Contributed by: Sue Barth

It appears a group of Red-headed Woodpeckers will be over-wintering at Evangola SP again this year. This photo of an adult was taken on the 7th.
Contributed by: Sue Barth

My FOS Snowy Owl was spotted on 12/10/19 and that also included seeing the poor owl chased by upwards to 30 gulls!
Contributed by: Patrick Sysiong

Lifer Northern Shrike at Krull County Park! This bird perched on a branch for quite a bit giving me great looks.
Contributed by: Patrick Sysiong

Long-eared Owl seen in Sheridan (Chautauqua County) on December 13th.
Contributed by: Gale VerHague

Slaty-backed Gull!!! Ryan Griffiths found and photographed this MEGA on the 8th along the Welland Canal in Thorold, Ontario. Another of this species was located in the same location back in January of 2017.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Ryan Griffiths took a few photos of the Thorold, Ontario Slaty-backed Gull that he found on the 8th; this is another.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Snowy Owl has been present near St. Catharine’s, Ontario. Tyler Mate took this photo on the 11th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Gary Hallick has had great luck in his Springville, NY backyard for the past several years in a row with this adult Goshawk. Recently it paid him a visit on the 18th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Ketry scored at Three Sister’s Islands on Goat Island, Niagara Falls, NY with this adult Slaty-backed Gull on the 18th. This individual exhibiting the classic wing pattern of black outer webs of primaries, wide white apron to the flight feathers and white subterminal spots to the outer primaries.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

ANother of Josh Ketry’s photos of the Niagara Falls, NY Slaty-backed Gull he found on the 18th. Notice the dark streaking around the eye giving the bird a ‘tough ass’ appearance. Also note the wide white edge (apron) to the tertial and flight feathers.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Northern Shrike was found and photographed by Jay Barney on a Christmas Bird Count in Stevensville, Ontario on the 15th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

On the 22nd, Sue Barth found this Gray Catbird at Evangola SP. This species historically did not winter in the region, but during the past five years has become almost annual. They are found where abundant fruit, such as these multifloral rose hips, sustain them through the cold months.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Wilson-Tuscarora SP in Niagara County provided this rare sighting of an adult Northern Goshawk for Josh Ketry and Willie D’anna during a Christmas Bird Count on the 21st. Note the very pale gray undersides with medium gray upper parts. Also, the black line through the eye can just be made out.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Here is a closeup of the adult Goshawk from Wilson-Tuscarora SP on the 21st found by D’anna and Ketry.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Very local during all months of the year, but especially in the winter months, is this Red-headed Woodpecker photographed on the 23rd at Wendt Beach Park by Matt Nusstein.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Snowy Owl has been rewarding visitors to Buffalo Harbor SP for over a week now. Here on the 23rd photographed by Daniel Mlodozeniec.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Eared Grebe at Lake Erie State Park in Chautauqua County on December 27th.
Contributed by: Gale VerHague

Snowy Owl at Buffalo Harbor State Park. Observed December 28th
Contributed by: Matthew Nusstein

Shelley Seidman caught the juvenile Black-legged Kittiwake on the 26th as it fed and circled far below in the Niagara River Gorge from Whirlpool SP.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Northern Shrike posed nicely for Melissa Mance on the 30th in the town of Shelby, NY.
Contributed by: Alec Humann