Day ToursWestern New York enjoys some of the finest year-round birding in the United States. Almost 400 species have been recorded in this region, with over 300 observed annually. These half-day and full-day tours capitalize on this natural phenomenon by visiting the premier locations during peak seasons. A wide range of species are encountered, with attention given to identifications marks, behavior, and habitat. Focus is also given to viewing rare and uncommon species, as well as exceptional gatherings and movements.
Be sure to bring your enthusiasm and love for nature. We will provide the expert guidance and instruction to maximize your enjoyment and time in the field. A spotting scope and field guides will be available for your use on all of the tours. Transportation throughout the course of the tour is the responsibility of each participant. To register for an upcoming tour, please fill out the registration form and read the accompanying terms and conditions. Details and directions will be sent upon receipt of the registration form and tour fee. |
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The Niagara Loop - Waterfowl on the Niagara River
January 10, 2016. A plethora of wintering waterfowl and seabirds will be encountered on this tour. We will cover the Upper Niagara River, and all it has to offer, from the rapids by Goat Island to Fort Erie on the Canadian side. Along with the beauty of the Falls, we will enjoy close-up views of thousands of ducks, such as Canvasbacks, Redheads, Common Mergansers, and Buffleheads, as well as other wintertime birds. $25 (full-day tour). Register
Winter’s Rewards - Birding the Lake Ontario Plain
February 6, 2016. The pastoral setting afforded by the rural townships around Somerset hosts an exciting mix of wintering birds. Notable is the variety of raptors, including northern species like Rough-legged Hawk and Short-eared Owl. We will also search for specialties of the open fields and hedgerows, such as Snow Buntings, Horned Larks, Lapland Longspurs, and Northern Shrikes. Stops to scan the waters of Lake Ontario may produce many species of waterfowl and seabirds, including Red-throated Loons, Red-necked Grebes, scoters, mergansers, and white-winged gulls. $15 (half-day tour - after noon). Register
Exploring the Lakeshore - Winter Visitors and Early Migrants (Rochester)
March 13, 2016. The lakeshore near Rochester hosts an assortment of late-winter birds. Diving ducks and sea ducks are numerous at this time of year, and we will search for seabirds, such as Common Loons, Red-necked Grebes, Little Gulls, and more. Spring migration will already be underway and we may observe raptor and passerine species like Rough-legged Hawk, Northern Harrier, Snowy Owl, Horned Lark, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, blackbirds, and winter finches. $15 (half-day tour - morning). Register
Masters of the Air and Water - Braddock Bay
April 3, 2016. Experience the majesty of migrating waterfowl and birds of prey at the premier spring hawkwatching site in Eastern North America. You will have the chance to view hundreds, or even thousands, of Turkey Vultures, Northern Harriers, Cooper's Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks, and American Kestrels on their way to northern breeding grounds. This tour also focuses on the more uncommon species of raptors, like Bald Eagles, Northern Goshawks, and Red-shouldered Hawks. Learn the dynamics of this amazing flight and the skills needed to identify the many species passing through. We will also observe a wide variety of waterfowl species within the bay and search for roosting Saw-whet Owls and Long-eared Owls. $25 (full-day tour). Register
Birding the Gorge - A Day at Letchworth State Park
July 10, 2016. As well as being breathtakingly beautiful, the diverse and extreme habitats of Letchworth State Park host an amazing variety of nesting birds. In fact, Letchworth may have more nesting species of wood warblers per area than anywhere else in the world! We will explore the natural history and topography responsible during the peak of the breeding season. $25 (full-day tour). Register
From Woods to Water - Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
September 4, 2016. Similar to the trip to Iroquois N.W.R., this tour will focus on observing a wide range of bird species. However, on this adventure we will be looking for early fall migrants heading south, as well as resident species. We will explore a diversity of habitats in searching for waterfowl, marshbirds, songbirds, and shorebirds. $25 (full-day tour). Register
A Wave of Waterbirds - Migration at Hamlin Beach State Park
November 6, 2016. Every fall, thousands of loons, grebes, swans, geese, ducks, jaegers, gulls, and terns migrate along the southern shore of Lake Ontario. Hamlin Beach, designated a Globally Important Bird Area by the American Bird Conservancy, is the premier location for observing this spectacle. This tour is timed to capture the peak of duck species diversity, with over 20 species possible. Peak movements of specialties like Common Loons, Horned Grebes, Brant, Black Scoters, and Surf Scoters are possible, along with jaegers and phalaropes. Winter finches and other songbirds are also drawn to the habitat within the park. $15 (half-day tour - morning). Register
A River of Gulls - Birding the Niagara River
December 3, 2016. The Niagara River is largely regarded as the premier location in North America for observing a diversity of gull species. Fourteen species have been seen in a single day during this season. We are likely to encounter over 10 of these, with Black-legged Kittiwake, Little Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull and Sabine's Gull distinct possibilities. We will also observe a number of waterfowl and seabirds species that associate with the river. $25 (full-day tour). Register
Don’t see what you’re looking for? Let us plan a custom tour just for you!
January 10, 2016. A plethora of wintering waterfowl and seabirds will be encountered on this tour. We will cover the Upper Niagara River, and all it has to offer, from the rapids by Goat Island to Fort Erie on the Canadian side. Along with the beauty of the Falls, we will enjoy close-up views of thousands of ducks, such as Canvasbacks, Redheads, Common Mergansers, and Buffleheads, as well as other wintertime birds. $25 (full-day tour). Register
Winter’s Rewards - Birding the Lake Ontario Plain
February 6, 2016. The pastoral setting afforded by the rural townships around Somerset hosts an exciting mix of wintering birds. Notable is the variety of raptors, including northern species like Rough-legged Hawk and Short-eared Owl. We will also search for specialties of the open fields and hedgerows, such as Snow Buntings, Horned Larks, Lapland Longspurs, and Northern Shrikes. Stops to scan the waters of Lake Ontario may produce many species of waterfowl and seabirds, including Red-throated Loons, Red-necked Grebes, scoters, mergansers, and white-winged gulls. $15 (half-day tour - after noon). Register
Exploring the Lakeshore - Winter Visitors and Early Migrants (Rochester)
March 13, 2016. The lakeshore near Rochester hosts an assortment of late-winter birds. Diving ducks and sea ducks are numerous at this time of year, and we will search for seabirds, such as Common Loons, Red-necked Grebes, Little Gulls, and more. Spring migration will already be underway and we may observe raptor and passerine species like Rough-legged Hawk, Northern Harrier, Snowy Owl, Horned Lark, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, blackbirds, and winter finches. $15 (half-day tour - morning). Register
Masters of the Air and Water - Braddock Bay
April 3, 2016. Experience the majesty of migrating waterfowl and birds of prey at the premier spring hawkwatching site in Eastern North America. You will have the chance to view hundreds, or even thousands, of Turkey Vultures, Northern Harriers, Cooper's Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks, and American Kestrels on their way to northern breeding grounds. This tour also focuses on the more uncommon species of raptors, like Bald Eagles, Northern Goshawks, and Red-shouldered Hawks. Learn the dynamics of this amazing flight and the skills needed to identify the many species passing through. We will also observe a wide variety of waterfowl species within the bay and search for roosting Saw-whet Owls and Long-eared Owls. $25 (full-day tour). Register
Birding the Gorge - A Day at Letchworth State Park
July 10, 2016. As well as being breathtakingly beautiful, the diverse and extreme habitats of Letchworth State Park host an amazing variety of nesting birds. In fact, Letchworth may have more nesting species of wood warblers per area than anywhere else in the world! We will explore the natural history and topography responsible during the peak of the breeding season. $25 (full-day tour). Register
From Woods to Water - Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
September 4, 2016. Similar to the trip to Iroquois N.W.R., this tour will focus on observing a wide range of bird species. However, on this adventure we will be looking for early fall migrants heading south, as well as resident species. We will explore a diversity of habitats in searching for waterfowl, marshbirds, songbirds, and shorebirds. $25 (full-day tour). Register
A Wave of Waterbirds - Migration at Hamlin Beach State Park
November 6, 2016. Every fall, thousands of loons, grebes, swans, geese, ducks, jaegers, gulls, and terns migrate along the southern shore of Lake Ontario. Hamlin Beach, designated a Globally Important Bird Area by the American Bird Conservancy, is the premier location for observing this spectacle. This tour is timed to capture the peak of duck species diversity, with over 20 species possible. Peak movements of specialties like Common Loons, Horned Grebes, Brant, Black Scoters, and Surf Scoters are possible, along with jaegers and phalaropes. Winter finches and other songbirds are also drawn to the habitat within the park. $15 (half-day tour - morning). Register
A River of Gulls - Birding the Niagara River
December 3, 2016. The Niagara River is largely regarded as the premier location in North America for observing a diversity of gull species. Fourteen species have been seen in a single day during this season. We are likely to encounter over 10 of these, with Black-legged Kittiwake, Little Gull, California Gull, Thayer's Gull and Sabine's Gull distinct possibilities. We will also observe a number of waterfowl and seabirds species that associate with the river. $25 (full-day tour). Register
Don’t see what you’re looking for? Let us plan a custom tour just for you!
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For more information, call, email or write:
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