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

Purple Finch - © Sue Barth

This newly arrived Ruby-crowned Kinglet posed delightfully for Willie D’anna at Wilson-Tuscarora SP on the 15th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The Red-breasted Nuthatch is full of engaging personality - from its bold facial pattern, arboreal acrobatics to its tinny and playful call notes! Willie D’anna photographed this individual at his home near Wilson, NY on the 15th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

One of the earliest warblers to arrive in spring migration is the Pine Warbler. Males generally arrive first and they are colored brightly! This bird was photographed by Andrea Heine at Krull County Park, Niagara County on the 12th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This adult Little Gull is beginning to feature its alternate plumage as the black hood molts in. This individual was found by Willie D’anna on the Niagara at Lewiston on the 5th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Kyle Gage and Brad Carlson found Orleans County’s first record of Neotropic Cormorant on the 8th at Mallard Overlook, Iroquois NWR! The distance involved made for tough photos but note the long tail and bright, white ‘V’ at the base of the short bill. Photo by Gage.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

These Black Vultures were documented flying overhead at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario on the 3rd by Wally Parker.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This early-arriving Dunlin was found on the 9th at Port Colborne, Ontario and photographed by Brad Reinhardt. This bird has not yet molted into its distinctive alternate (breeding) plumage.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

At the very western edge of the BOS Study Area in Ontario, the Smithville Sewage Lagoons hosted this ornament-like group of Tree Swallows, with a few Barn Swallows, on the 12th, Photo by Shannon Hingston.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Staghorn Sumac is an important food source for spring migrants. While not at the top of the ‘preferred food’ list, sumac generally holds its fruit until spring when other sources have been exhausted. This American Robin was photographed by Sean Bates on the 7th at Port Weller, Ontario.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Originally identified on the 3rd by Ann Branch, this Snowy Egret continued at Beaver Island SP into the middle of the month. Don Dixon took this photo on the 12th, documenting the bird for the BOS April Bird Count!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

A bright spot on any day but especially on a cloudy, damp April-in-Buffalo day! This male Eastern Bluebird was photographed by Tim Schadel at Stiglmeier Park on the 12th for the BOS April Bird Count.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Caspian Terns generally arrive a few days to a week earlier than Common Terns in April. This Caspian was photographed by Bill Massaro at Bennett Beach on the 12th with Ring-billed and Bonaparte’s Gulls in the foreground.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This long-staying Snow Goose from UB North was reported again on the 16th by Chris Hollister who snapped this image.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

American Robins aren’t the only ones to forage on lawns for earthworms. This Brown Thrasher caught a meal on the lawn at the Hamburg Hawkwatch on the 14th as documented by Sue Barth.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Karen Lewis photographed the Beaver Island SP Snowy Egret on the 12th showing well its golden slippers and face.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

I can’t help but always be impressed when seeing a Pileated Woodpecker! This individual was documented by Bill Massaro as it fed on the lawn at Wendt Beach Park on the 12th. This species does migrate and the months of April and September can find these birds in unexpected locations!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

As if dipped in crushed raspberries, this male Purple Finch fed upon crabapple blossoms on the Houghton College campus on the 14th. Photograph by Ian Campbell.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The spectacular colors of the male Blue-winged Teal are only visible when in flight or arguing, as these two individuals are doing. Ian Campbell took this image on the 15th at Van Der Linden Marsh, Allegany County.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Seeing a Ruffed Grouse like this is akin to winning a lottery! Matt Nusstein photographed this bird at Keeney Swamp WMA on the 12th during the BOS April Bird Count.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Christy Hibsch found this Red Crossbill on the 12th near Canaseraga, Allegany County, also on the BOS April Count.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This tom Turkey is giving the ‘full Monty’ and trying to catch the eye of a hen in Williamsville, NY on the 15th. Photo by Jeffrey Hall.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This bird would make for an excellent quiz bird! This female Eastern Towhee posed nicely for Ken Czworka at Tifft NP on the 18th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Mid-April is traditionally the time when the bulk of the adult Broad-winged Hawks migrate through the BOS Study Area after spending their winter in Central and South America, a few in the FL Keys as well. Don Dixon photographed this bird on the 18th near the Hamburg Hawkwatch.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

With its neat, thin, white eyering, fine breast streaking and chestnut shoulder patch, this Vesper Sparrow posed for Suzanne Tuberdyke at Knox Farm SP on the 17th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This is a classic Western Palm Warbler with its distinctive rusty cap, yellow throat and yellow undertail coverts. Note that the breast and belly are creamy brown with fine streaks. The Eastern Yellow Warbler does move through the Study Area but earlier in April and will show yellow underparts from the throat all the way to the undertail coverts. Karen Lewis photographed this individual near Clarence, NY on the 16th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Rails are always a delight to see because they are so difficult to get looks at! The best time of year to catch a glimpse of these marsh-dwelling chickens is when they first arrive back and the cattail marshes haven’t greened up yet. Sue Barth photographed this Virginia Rail at the West Seneca Wetlands on the 16th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

A stunning image from Ryan Griffiths of a kettle of adult Broad-winged Hawks over Jordan, Ontario on the 17th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This second-year Bald Eagle is getting an escort by a pair of American Crows away from Johnson Creek, Lyndonville. Joel Strong documented the moment on the 12th. Note the secondaries are uniform in length and with the contour feathers indicating this bird is a subadult, we can determine this bird was hatched last year. As new secondaries are molted in, they will be shorter than the juvenile feathers, giving the rear wing edge a ragged appearance.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

These male Evening Grosbeaks made a surprise visit to the feeder at Carl Carbone’s house near South Wales on the 23rd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This American Bittern was a nice find at Reinstein Woods by Christopher Fimbel on the 23rd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Welcome back, BB! After being successfully overwintered indoors by Karen Slote, Kathy Tucker’s Broad-billed Hummingbird was released back at Tucker’s house on the 23rd. Affectionately named, BB, the hummer stayed within Kathy’s yard for several days before disappearing into the Great Unknown! Photo by Kathy Tucker.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Grassland birds in general are experiencing steep declines. Nathan Couturier photographed this crooning Eastern Meadowlark along Gasport Road in Niagara County on the 25th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

As the end of April approaches, so do to the warblers! One of our earlier arriving warblers is the Nashville. Ian Campbell photographed this sprite engaged in acrobatics at Keeney Swamp SF, Allegany County on the 27th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann