Chirps and Cheeps

A Photo Journal of My Birding Experiences & Observations

My birding blog site


  BOS October Count

Published: October 13, 2013
Tags: General Observations, Brown Booby, Long-tailed Duck, Brown-headed Cowbird

Today the annual BOS October count was being conducted and, when some family plans got changed around, I found I was free to assist. Section 11 (parts of Tonawanda, Buffalo, Hamburg, Lackawanna, Amherst, Cheektowaga, etc...) was in need of volunteers, so I helped out with that section.

I spent some of my time down at the Erie Basin Marina, capturing the Brown Booby for the count as well as several other duck species.  Black Scoters, Common Mergansers, Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, and Greater Scaup.

Besides the Brown Booby making an appearance, the other highlight was watching a Peregrine Falcon take a bath. The distance was too far for a decent photo, but I had great views through the scope.  That's a sight you don't see every day!

After the marina, I stopped at Gallagher Pier and Beach and found a Long-tailed Duck sitting on the sand by the water. I had seen another just like it at the same spot in September and I can't help but wonder if this is the same one. I've been there a few times in the interim without seeing it, but I still wonder...

On my way back to the car, I spotted what I think was a Brown-headed Cowbird in mid-molt. He looked a little funny and didn't fly away as I approached. I took a few photos and then watched the little guy from my car. Eventually, he took off.  It's pure conjecture, but I'm guessing he flew into a car window or something, had his bell rung, and then just took a little while to recover.

Due to a little mishap (nothing serious), my time ended a little sooner than I had intended, so I never did get to bird Woodlawn Beach like I was planning.  I did mark down 1 Black-capped Chickadee that I heard in the parking lot, though!  I'm hoping someone else got over to that area.

Just a few photos from the day below...

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Long-tailed Duck

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Long-tailed Duck

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Long-tailed Duck

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Long-tailed Duck

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A slightly dazed Brown-headed Cowbird

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Brown-headed Cowbird in mid-molt, I think




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