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

Pine Siskin - © Sue Barth

Morgan’s Point, Port Colborne hosted this Purple Sandpiper on the 4th. Photographed by Brad Reinhardt.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Always a delight to see, this Eastern Bluebird posed for Jeremy Pete on the 2nd at the Batavia Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Kathy Tucker’s Broad-billed Hummingbird has continued into November, here photographed on the 2nd by Patrick Shure.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The Tifft Glossy Ibis also continued into November, here on the 1st as documented by Mourad Jabra.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

These Snow Buntings are perfectly color-matched to the sand and stones of the Bennett Beach shore. Bill Massaro took this image on the 1st.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Known as a Blue Jack by raptorphiles, this adult male Merlin, with its slaty-blue jacket, posed for Gale VerHague at Dunkirk Harbor on the 4th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The first week of November experienced several wind events off of Lake Erie. On the 5th, Gale VerHague found this immature Sabine’s Gull at Dunkirk Harbor.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Bev Seyler caught up with the Red Phalarope on the 5th that has been at Woodlawn Beach SP for a couple of days. This species can be very confiding at times. Across the Atlantic, this species is known as Grey Phalarope and you can see why!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The 2025/2026 Winter Finch Forecast is coming to light as Redpolls have moved into the BOS Study Area. This bird was photographed by Scott Diedrich on the 8th at Tifft Nature Preserve.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

What appears to be an immature/female-type Ruby-throated Hummingbird is exceptionally late on the 9th at a private residence in Fort Erie, Ontario. Photo by Wally Parker. Looks like this homeowner should look into a heater feeder vs using the ‘sock trick’!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Pine Siskins, another species of irruption winter finch, have made their way into the BOS Study Area. Brad Reinhardt photographed this individual in his Port Colborne backyard on the 10th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Strong southwest winds in early November can usher in Cave Swallows from the south. This year was one of those years and lucky observers got to see these birds huddled under a bridge, roosting for the night, on the 9th. Photo by Bev Seyler.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This radiant Peregrine Falcon was surveying its snowy domain from the Adam Beck generating station on the 11th, near Niagara Falls. James Kroeker captured this moment.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This demure yet equally luminous American Pipit was captured mid-flight along the shore at Morgan’s Point CA, Niagara by Brad Reinhardt on the 11th. Pipits have an affinity to rocky shorelines and jetties during migration, as well as fields and roadsides.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Originally found by Jean Hampson on the 14th, this Black-throated Gray Warbler proved uncooperative for a few days before coming out to play. Andrew Mactavish took this photo on the 16th at Morgan’s Point CA.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This very late Cape May Warbler has also been foraging the foliage at Morgan’s Point, CA for a few days. Andrew Mactavish took this image on the 16th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This flock of Cedar Waxwings includes the much rarer Bohemian Waxwing. This irruptive migrant is showing up regionally this winter causing much excitement. Ryan Griffiths took this photo at the Botanical Gardens in Niagara Falls, Ontario on the 16th. The BoWax is the bird just above left of center - larger and grayer.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Ryan Griffiths took this image that nicely shows the differences between Cedar and Bohemian Waxwings - note the larger size, overall gray color, black chin and rusty undertail coverts of the BoWax. Photo taken on the 16th at the Botanical Gardens in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Another image of the Morgan’s Point Black-throated Gray Warbler. This is likely an immature female by the white throat, gray, rather than black, cap and pale yellow lores. Sarah Sharp took this photo on the 16th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Of the three species of jaegers, Parasitic is the most frequent within the BOS Study Area. Their appearance is most closely associated with wind events. This individual was photographed on Lake Ontario off Fort Mississauga, Niagara on the 16th during a NW blow by Grant Stone.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This adult Little Gull (left) was found and photographed by Jay Burney at Beaver Island SP marina on the 14th. The Niagara Region is one of, if not THE, best locations in North America to see this species. The bird on the right is an immature Bonaparte’s Gull, with which Littles are frequently found amongst.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Jim Johnston caught up with the late Osprey that has been hanging around Beaver Island SP for a bit, here on the 14th. This is a young bird as told by the white feather edging on its back and wing coverts.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This beautiful Iceland Gull was captured in a wing stretch by Sue Barth as the bird rested on the shore at Woodlawn Beach SP on the 14th. Up close the uniform fine brown feather edging is quite intricate. At a distance, this bird’s color is reminiscent of a cafe-con-leche.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Along with several other irruptive finches, Evening Grosbeaks have moved into the region. Kevin Rybczynski and Rebecca Ploeger caught up with this individual in East Aurora on the 13th. This species prefers open platform-type feeders stocked with sunflower seed - black oil sunflower being the best.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Morgan’s Point CA (Conservation Area) has been HOT, HOT, HOT the past few days. Margaret Hough photographed this Northern Parula there on the 18th, joining the Cape May and Black-throated Gray Warblers at this location.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Evening Grosbeaks continue to filter into WNY, here at a feeder in Orchard Park. Joanna Lee took this photo on the 19th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Karen Markey captured this image of a male Belted Kingfisher perched atop the Three Graces statue at Mirror Lake in Forest Lawn Cemetery on the 17th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Kathy Tucker’s Broad-billed Hummingbird continues - going on 6 weeks now! Bill Massaro took this photo on the 22nd; Derby, NY.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Harlequin Ducks have set up temporary residence along the Bird Island Pier. Rob Hooten snapped this image of the adult male on the 22nd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Ryan Griffiths photographed this group of scoters from Fort Mississauga, Niagara-on-the-Lake on the 23rd. The Black Scoter, with the orange base to the bill, is the least common of the three species that we see on the Great Lakes.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Karen Lee Lewis captured this outstanding image of the adult male Harlequin Duck that has been frequenting the waters along the Bird Island Pier, here on the 25th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Long-eared Owl was a surprise find by Nathan Stimson and Sarah Buchanan at the Jamestown Airport on the 28th. This species doesn’t often come out of roost before dark so this was a very unique and special experience!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Ian Campbell captured this moment of interaction between a Blue Jay and a Northern Shrike near Belfast, NY at the Genesee Valley Greenway on the 22nd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Note the faint black mask, fine barring on the breast and overall brownish tones to the plumage on this immature Northern Shrike. Photo taken by Ian Campbell at the Genesee Valley Greenway, Chautauqua County on the 22nd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

These Snow Buntings were found foraging near the boat launch at Cuba Lake, Allegany County on the 20th. Photo taken by Ian Campbell.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This in-flight Pine Grosbeak photo was masterminded by Ryan Griffiths on the 29th at the Botanical Gardens of Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This White-eyed Vireo was a nice find by Sandy Geschwender at Beaver Island SP on the 29th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann