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...