Juvenile Red Knot by Alec Humann ©
Scoping September
September sees the largest number of southbound neotropical songbird migrants, including the warblers, which are in their more challenging to identify fall plumages. Hotspots like Tifft Nature Preserve, Amherst State Park, Goat Island, Fort Niagara State Park, and across the border in the Niagara Region, Morgan’s Point and Rock Point Provincial Park are some popular places to visit at this time. While fewer in number, shorebirds continue to push through the region. Dabbling ducks continue to build while diving ducks begin to trickle into the region at the end of the month.
Most pronounced movements will be following the passage of a cold front and fallouts are possible if storms usher in those fronts. Migrants can end up anywhere so all local hotspots hold possibilities.
A strong southwest blow down the stretch of Lake Erie can push in all sorts of birds, from rare small gulls accompanying Bonaparte’s Gulls to terns, phalaropes, jaegers, ducks, and a few raptors. Anywhere along the Buffalo waterfront can prove rewarding during these storms. One of the better locations is from the West Side Rowing Club at the foot of Porter Avenue. This location offers some cover if lake effect rain develops.
Buffalo's Outer Harbor is a great place to check for Black-bellied and American Golden-Plovers. The short grass areas near the Seaway Slip at the base of the Skyway are worth a scope. While here, you should also take a walk through Times Beach. Habitat restoration has been initiated here and birding will improve as native plants start maturing.
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
STAMP Project Lawsuit Update
Click on the link below to read a copy of an email from Gary Ciruczak to Uli MacDonald regarding the report he gave at the September 10, 2025 meeting of the Buffalo Orinithologcal Society regarding the development of a massive data center at a tech park in Genesee County run by GCEDC called STAMP (this would be located near the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge).
Read the Update
Reflections on "What the BOS Means to . . . "
. . . Kevin Rybczynski
To me, the Buffalo Ornithological Society is the foremost way to connect Buffalo-Niagara’s past, present, and future in terms of birds. The BOS has been around for over ninety years and through bird counts, activism, and love of the birds themselves, you can see its positive impact on the birding community and the next generation of Buffalo birders.
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 04, 2025 (Saturday)
Field Trip - A Big Sit at Silver Lake SP with Matt Nusstein
Details: (click for more info)
Silver Lake SP boat launch
Leader - Matt Nusstein
[email protected]
(716) 446-3376
The Big Sit: Saturday October 4th, 8:00am (8 hours, onsite)
Meeting location: Silver Lake State Park Boat Launch
Founded in 1992, The Big Sit is an annual, international birding event similar to a bird-a-thon. The catch is that all observations must be made from within a circle no more than 17 feet in diameter. Our count circle will overlook the southern portion of Silver Lake. You can stay for as little or long as you’d like to help with the count or to learn more about the birds of Silver Lake. Bring a picnic lunch if staying for the lunch hour. At the very least, you will have Matt's undivided attention for the duration! This is in Wyoming County for those of you looking to beef up your eBird list for Wyoming Co!
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Oct 08, 2025 (Wednesday)
Meeting - Holly Sweeney: The One and Onlies -an overview of the monotypic bird families of the world
Details: (click for more info)
Buffalo Museum of Science
Meet at 7 pm in the Cummings Room.
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Oct 11, 2025 (Saturday)
BOS October Bird Count
Details: (click for more info)
Throughout the BOS Study Area
Saturday, October 11th, 2025
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 ([email protected] or 905-871-2577)
More about the October Count: more info »
Photo of a Wilson's Snipe at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Outlet Collection Ponds, Ontario by Jean Hampson on October 26, 2024.
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Oct 21, 2025 (Tuesday)
Field Trip - Ralph Wilson Park Transformation with Andrew Gaerte
Details: (click for more info)
Ralph Wilson Park (formerly La Salle Park)
Leader: Andrew Gaerte (585) 610-6842
[email protected]
This field trip will be on TUESDAY, October 21, 2025.
Join Andrew Gaerte and the Buffalo Ornithological Society for a special behind-the-scenes birding trip to Ralph Wilson Park (previously La Salle Park)! As this iconic waterfront park, and favorite birding hotspot in Buffalo, undergoes a major transformation, discover how native plantings and habitat restoration are being thoughtfully integrated to support local and migratory bird species. Learn about the park’s innovative design features that promote biodiversity and enjoy birding in an evolving green space that’s becoming a haven for wildlife and people alike.
We will be guided through the construction area by Kari Bonaro, director of the Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy. Because this is an active job site, please read the following instructions from Kari…
The Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy, in partnership with Gilbane Construction, is offering small hard hat tours when possible, depending on the conditions at the park, which is an active construction site. We can tour groups of up to 25 people
We will cover up to 2 miles of uneven terrain without stopping to sit down. Please be advised of these conditions and only choose to join if you are able to walk 2 miles of uneven terrain in under 90 minutes.
All attendees must wear close toed shoes and pants. To join the tour, you must be over 18. The Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy will provide a construction helmet and high visibility vest, which must be worn while on site. Attendees must complete this waiver before entering the site, and must follow all safety instructions and protocols.
Map to 5 DAR Drive in Buffalo. Parking is available at the construction trailers. Take Porter Ave., enter the park on DAR Drive, go past the pool & football field, through the ‘road closed’ signs and enter through the gate. You can park in front of the construction trailers. Anyone who prefers not to drive/bike into the site can park in the football field parking lot and walk in. We will meet there to get hard hats and vests on and review the safety protocol.
Please email Andrew if you plan on attending this event!
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See Our Full List of Events