Thursday, April 30, 2015

Common Terns


The graceful Common Terns have returned from wintering in South America to breed here on the Great Lakes and in areas of Canada.  These photos were taken in the Dunkirk Harbor.


Saturday, April 25, 2015

Hermit Thrush


Neotropic Cormorant in Western New York!


An extremely rare visitor to Western New York State this week is a Neotropic Comorant.  The bird was first spotted in our area on early Thursday morning and is still here as of today.  This is only the second time one has been reported in all of New York State.  This is a bird native to Central and South America with a range that normally extends as far north as Texas.  The first sighting of one in NYS was a few years ago on Lake Ontario.


Thursday, April 23, 2015

Monday, April 20, 2015

Pine Warblers


The Pine Warbler is almost never found away from a stand of pine trees.  They are also one of the few warblers that will come to a backyard bird feeder.  We have been treated to their visits to suet feeders hanging in pine trees in our yard over the last few days.





Thursday, April 16, 2015

Pine Siskin


Pied-billed Grebe


Also known as a "hell diver" for the way it dives underwater to feed on fish, insects, crayfish and amphibians. The Pied-billed Grebe is listed as a "threatened" species in New York State.

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Carolina Chickadee


Almost identical in appearance to the Black-capped Chickadee of the north but they have a very different song.

Sunday, April 12, 2015

Friday, April 3, 2015

Blue-winged Teal


The Blue-winged Teal spends the winter in a range from the southeastern part of the United States to as far south as Venezuela and Brazil.  It's good to see them back.


Killdeer

Much happier looking than the one pictured in the snow last Saturday!


Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Great Egret



The first returning Great Egret that I've seen this Spring.

Eurasian Wigeon

A Eurasian Wigeon was in the area this past weekend and I was able to get a photo of it.  It was a very distant shot and not the best quality, but good enough for a positive ID.  This adult male bird most likely originated from Siberia or Iceland.  (He is the duck with the rufous head, buff colored forehead and peach breast in the center right of the photo.)  A truly rare sighting in Western New York or anywhere in North America!


Snow Squall over Lake Erie