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

Purple Finch - © Sue Barth

Phil Mills photographed these three Ruddy Turnstones at the Batavia WWTP on the 2nd. This location has been one of the better places to find a nice variety of shorebirds this fall.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This male Hooded Warbler was photographed by Gale VerHague in her back yard, Forestville, NY, Chautauqua County on the 2nd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Bill Massaro captured this image of a Blue-winged Warbler at his home in Elma on the 1st.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This molting adult White-rumped Sandpiper was photographed by 'Old Bird' at Port Dalhousie, Niagra, Ontario on the 7th. Note the older, faded feathers with noticeable wear on the scapulars and wing coverts contrasting with the new, darker feathers. A great field mark other than the white rump are those fine streaks along the flanks of this peep species.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Note this Dunlin is replacing its chestnut-edged scapulars with basic-plumage gray feathers that it will wear for the winter months. Tim Culp took this image at Westcliffe Park, St. Catharines, Ontario on the 7th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This impressive group of 33 American Golden-Plovers was photographed by Brad Reinhardt near Port Colborne, Ontario on the 4th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Paula Thomas photographed this bathing beauty at her bird-friendly water feature on Grand Island on the 10th. Note this Gray-cheeked Thrush's uniform, grayish-brown back with indistinct eyering.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

In contrast to the previous photo of a Gray-cheeked Thrush, this Swainson's Thrush boasts a bright, buff wash to the breast as well as the bold eyering. This bird was photographed by Sue Barth at West Seneca Wetlands on the 7th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Olive-sided Flycatcher posed nicely for Gale VerHague near Forestville, Chautauqua County on the 10th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

When scanning flocks of gulls on a beach during the autumn months, look carefully for American Avocets tucked into the group! Gary Bletsch found and photographed 4 at Dunkirk Harbor on the 5th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

These adult Red-shouldered Hawks seem to be engaged in some sort of territorial behavior. R. Stineman took this photo at Jamestown School Forest on the 15th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This is a great image of both Black-bellied and American Golden-Plovers. Gale VerHague took this image at Dunkirk Harbor on the 18th. The Golden-Plover is in the rear - note the well-demarcated cap as well as the length of dark primaries compared to the Black-bellied; bill size is also notable.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

David Woodhouse captured this impressive image of a Common Nighthawk on the 17th as it foraged over Thorold, Ontario.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Charlie Kaars photographed this Whimbrel along the Buffalo Outer Harbor Bell Slip on the 13th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This American Pipit paused on the shore at Woodlawn Beach SP on the 7th. Photo by Tim Schadel.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Merlin was caught being mobbed by a group of Northern Flickers by Ryan Pfahl on the UB North Campus on the 13th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Phil Mills found this Whimbrel along Dickersonville Road, Ransomville, NY on the 10th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Gray-cheeked Thrush dropped in to Morgan’s Point, Port Colborne, Ontario on the 16th. Note the ‘cold’ grayish-brown tones to the plumage, the in distinct eye ring and that the spots are light and generally match the color of the back vs the dark spotting present in Swainson’s and Hermit. Photo by Diana Werezak.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This beautiful Northern Paula was photographed by Sue Barth at Woodlawn Beach SP on the 20th. This is one of the smallest of our warblers and is a fairly common fall migrant.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

An annual ID challenge for Niagara region birders is separating Warbling from Philadelphia Vireos. Note this bird has the richest yellow coloring at the center of the breast combined with a large head/small bill proportion giving the bird a ‘soft’ or ‘gentle’ appearance. Sue Barth photographed this Philly Vireo at Majors Park, East Aurora on the 19th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Always a welcome sight, this Red-headed Woodpecker was photographed at Wendt Beach Park on the 17th by Bill Massaro.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This is one of the easier fall warblers to ID - note the bright yellow and greenish face pattern contrasting with bright cream underparts and that touch of green barely visible on the rump. This Black-throated Green was photographed by Shelley Seidman near Erie Basin Marina on the 17th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The Northern Flicker is undoubtedly one of our more spectacular birds. Luckily this species is common throughout our region. Bill Massaro captured this individual probing the lawn at Evangola SP on the 17th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

It is easy to overlook the common species we see. Occasionally, when a photo like this appears, an opportunity presents to take in all the colors and subtleties on birds like this Red-tailed Hawk. Photo by Jim Johnston from Tifft NP on the 17th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Always a surprise to cross paths with when in healthy forest, this Ruffed Grouse, was photographed at Hanging Bog WMA, Allegany County on the 22nd by Ian Campbell.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This is a great quiz bird so all I am going to mention is that Phil Mills took this image on the 22nd at Bond Lake County Park. Text me your guess at (716) 604-2971.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

These Bobolinks were photographed by Gale VerHague at the Sheridan Cemetery, Chautauqua County on the late date of the 28th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

A nice little fallout of Lincoln’s Sparrows occurred on the 28th in the town of Sheridan, Chautauqua County. Gale VerHague took this image and counted 15 of these beauties!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Cape May Warbler was photographed by Tim Schadel at Tifft NP on the 26th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Rating quite high on the cuteness scale is this Ruby-crowned Kinglet, photographed at Reinstein Woods NP by Sue Barth on the 28th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

A sign of things to come, this adult Snow Goose was documented by Pam Inzinna at Turtle Pond, Genesee County on the 29th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Always an impressive sight, this trio of Sandhill Cranes was photographed by Kyle Gage on the 28th along Sour Springs Road, Iroquois NWR.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

James Kroeker captured these American Golden-Plovers as they came in for a landing along Clark Road, Port Colborne, Ontario on the 4th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann