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

Bohemian Waxwing - © Sue Barth

Bruce Robinson found this Red-throated Loon at Dunkirk Harbor on November 29th. Gale VerHague relocated the bird and took this image on the 1st at the same location.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Brown Thrasher may be attempting to over winter, or is a late migrant, at Forestville, Chautauqua County. Gale VerHague photographed this individual on the 1st.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Rob SIelaff located 5 Eastern Meadowlarks in a Concord, NY field on the 1st when he took this photo.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Red Crossbill was a nice find near the Town of Almond, Allegany County on the 5th by Barbara Gee.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Sue Barth found a sizable number of Lesser Black-backed Gulls loafing on the shore at Woodlawn Beach SP on the 1st. How many can you find in this photo?
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Up to 4 (!!!!!) Razorbills have been entertaining birders at the mouth of the Niagara River from Fort Niagara SP since late November. Joel Strong took this photo of one of the birds on the 5th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Nate Ukens took this photo of a Razorbill from Fort Niagara on the 3rd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Three of the four Razorbills were captured in this image taken by Phil Mills on the 3rd from Ft Niagara SP.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Usually found at sea, this Razorbill incursion that happened was likely due to a strong Nor’easter event back in late October as birds were pushed into the Saint Lawrence River. Bill Massaro took this photo of an individual in flight on the 3rd from Ft Niagara SP.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

An adult male Harlequin Duck has claimed the small exposed rock east of 3 Sisters Islands for yet another winter stay. Photo by Steve Pitt on the 4th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Kayo Roy photographed this pair of Sandhills Cranes in a recently ploughed field in Welland, Ontario on the 2nd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This basic-plumage Red-throated Loon posed nicely for Ed Poropat on the 4th at Nelson Park, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This beautiful 1st cycle Glaucous Gull was photographed by Ryan Griffiths along the Welland Canal at Thorold on the 2nd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Snowy Owls have been arriving in the region since late October this year. An individual set up shop along the water control gates above Niagara Falls on the 3rd. Photo by Jean Iron from Niagara, Ontario.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Always a delight to see (and hear) is this Red-breasted Nuthatch, photographed by Bill Massaro on the 10th in West Seneca.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Not easy to find after mid-November, this Hermit Thrush was cooperative for Sue Barth on the 9th at Woodlawn Beach SP.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Bill Massaro bumped into a mixed flock of Cedar Waxwings and Eastern Bluebirds feeding on rose hips in Elma on the 11th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

These Cedar Waxwings were caught by Bill Massaro enjoying wild rose hips on the 11th in Elma, NY.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The Fort Niagara Razorbills have been present for over a week now! David Gersten photographed this individual on the 15th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Andrea Heine photographed this handsome male American Kestrel in Gasport, NY (Niagara County) on the 9th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This adult Peregrine Falcon was caught hunting gulls at Goat Island, Niagara Falls by Josh Ketry on the 15th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

2021 has seen a good early movement of Northern Shrikes into the region. John Barton photographed this individual at Knox Farm SP on the 13th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Bill Massaro took this beautiful portrait of a female Eastern Bluebird at Knox Farm SP on the 12th. In recent years, this species has wintered in higher numbers, especially in areas that offer fruit for them.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Occasionally Field Sparrows overwinter locally. Sue Barth photographed this beauty on the 9th at Woodlawn Beach State Park.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

No one will ever see enough Sabine’s Gulls! This juvenile bird was found and photographed by Sakura Paterniti at the north end of Unity Island, Buffalo on the 14th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Pine Warbler is a species that occasionally overwinters locally. This individual was photographed by Peter L at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario on the 15th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Another species of warbler that will rarely overwinter locally is the Orange-crowned Warbler. They will come to backyard feeders for suet an sunflower hearts. This bird was photographed by Gerard Phillips at Dufferin Islands, Niagara Falls, Ontario on the 11th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Sue Barth found this exceptionally late House Wren at Times Beach on the 16th. November 1 is the late date for this species in the BOS’s publication, Verification Date Guide.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Sakura’s immature Sabine’s Gull has hung around the north end of Unity Island to the delight of local birders. Becky Harbison took this photo on the 17th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Another photo taken by Becky Harbison on the 17th of the Unity Island Sabine’s Gull.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Lisa Bacon found this juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron at Merritt Island, Welland, Ontario on the 17th. This species is very local during the winter months.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The Sabine’s Gull continues into the 17th! Rob Sielaff took this incredible photo of the bird at the north end of Unity Island.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Rob Sielaff took this amazing photo, on the 17th, of the Sabine’s Gull that has been foraging at the north end of Unity Island for several days now; originally found by Sakura Paterniti.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Snowy Owl coming in hot! Christy Hibisch recorded her experience with this bird in East Aurora on the 17th,
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Sakura's Sabine's continued into the 18th when Andrew Gaerte caught up with the bird at the north end of Unity Island. Notice how the lighting affects the appearance of the bird as compared to the photos taken yesterday when it was sunny out.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This head-on angle was a really nice capture and unique angle of the Unity Island Sabine's Gull taken by Don Dixon on the 17th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The CBC at Knox Farm SP turned up yet another Northern Shrike. This bird is perched in some willow whips that must remind it of its tundra home back north. Photo by Bill Massaro on the 19th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This ribbon of Bonaparte's Gulls was photographed over Niagara Falls, Ontario on the 17th by Kenrith Carter. Occasionally flocks feeding low to the water will rise up in synchrony when spooked by something.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Joel Strong located a flock of 13 Greater White-fronted Geese in a field in Burt, NY on the 18th. A single Snow Goose was also in the mix.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This 2nd-cycle male King Eider was a nice consolation at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario for those looking for Razorbills on the 20th. Photo by Colleen Reilly.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The Sabine’s Gull was still showing well at the north end of Unity Island on the 22nd. Jim Pawlicki photographed the bird resting alongside a Bonaparte’s Gull.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Always a nice bird to come across during the winter months, this adult Red-headed Woodpecker was photographed by Jim Pawlicki at Evangola SP on the 24th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Alexandra Swonder and Don Dixon found this 1st cycle Laughing Gull at Erie Basin Marina on the 29th. This record is exceptionally late in the season! Photo by Dixon.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Terri Kershaw photographed this gorgeous Snowy Owl along Minor Road, Port Colborne, Ontario on the 24th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Fort Mississauga at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario hosted this Pine Warbler on the 28th. Photo by Garth Riley.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Andrea Heine took this photo of an immaculate adult male Sharp-shinned Hawk that had staked out her backyard feeders near Lockport, NY on the 27th. Note the deep red eye color, very thin legs, and all tail feathers being of the same length.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

With the mild winter we have been experiencing thus far it’s no surprise that an Eastern Towhee was reported from a backyard feeder. John Rosenburg photographed this male at his home in Cattaraugus County on the 23rd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Josh Ketry reported this female-type Tufted Duck on the 26th off of La Salle Park at the foot of Porter Avenue in Buffalo. This is the same location that an individual of this species has appeared in 2014, 2018, 2019 and now, 2021. Photo by Rick Thomas on the 26th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Bruce Robinson caught up with the La Salle Park Tufted Duck on the 28th, the last day this bird was reported.
Contributed by: Alec Humann