Kick off the 2025 BON International Birding Festival with a nature themed film screening. Join us at 6:30 for a reception. The screening begins at 7pm. We will be screening the PBS Nature episode about Niagara Falls and the short film, Banded: How a Birder’s-Eye View Made a Community (Andy Rice, 2024). BON Board member and WNY naturalist Marcus Rosten and Banded director Andy Rice will join us for a discussion following the screenings.

Date & Time: February 13th, 6:30pm reception, 7pm film screening
Location: Upton Hall 230 Buffalo State University, Free Parking, map will be emailed to those who RSVP.
Registration Required – Click HERE

Start with our BON scavenger hunt, and keep your eyes out for bird species all around the building. Find them all and show your sheet to our staff for a prize. Take your sheet with you when you leave and try to find them all in real life!

Bird walk at 10:30am. Binoculars and a spotting scope will be available to borrow – Please dress for the weather!

Inside of Great Lakes 360, stop into our HOMES room for more activities – make a pledge to help local & migratory birds, explore bird biofacts and adaptations, and practice observations on our FeederWatch TVs. Our educators will perform owl pellet dissections at 2:00pm & 4:00pm.

Date & Time: Friday, February 14th from 10:00am – 5:00pm

Location: 600 Discovery Way, Niagara Falls, NY 14303

Date & Time: Friday, February 14th from 10:00am – 11:30am

Location: Woodlawn Beach State Park 

Registration and more information: Click HERE

Start with our BON scavenger hunt, and keep your eyes out for bird species all around the building. Find them all and show your sheet to our staff for a prize. Take your sheet with you when you leave and try to find them all in real life!

Bird walk at 10:30am. Binoculars and a spotting scope will be available to borrow – Please dress for the weather!

Inside of Great Lakes 360, stop into our HOMES room for more activities – make a pledge to help local & migratory birds, explore bird biofacts and adaptations, and practice observations on our FeederWatch TVs. Our educators will perform owl pellet dissections at 2:00pm & 4:00pm.

Date & Time: Saturday, February 15th from 10:00am – 5:00pm

Location: 600 Discovery Way, Niagara Falls, NY 14303

• Feathers at Niagara Falls – Three Sisters Islands, Niagara Falls State Park, 10:00 – 11:00 AM, Registration Optional: Link

• Feathers at Niagara Falls – Cave of the Winds, Niagara Falls State Park, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Registration Optional: Link

• Feathers on the Niagara River, Beaver Island State Park, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Registration Optional: Link
• Feathers on Lake Ontario, Fort Niagara State Park, 2:00 – 4:00 PM, Registration Optional: Link

Join Buffalo Ornithological Society member, TJ Mudd, Jr. for a birding walk at Three Sisters Island in Niagara Falls State Park. We will try to find as many gull species as possible. Highlights will hopefully include Glaucous Gull and Harlequin Ducks. Bring binoculars and/or a spotting scope if you have them.

Date & Time: February 15th from 9:00am – 10:30am
Location: Niagara Falls State Park – Three Sisters Island
Registration Required – Click HERE

Take a walk along the Niagara River, in search of ducks, geese, and swans. Binoculars and spotting scope provided.

Date & Time: Saturday, February 15th from 9:30am – 11:00am

Location: Beaver Island State Park – Marina Parking Lot, 2136 W Oakfield Rd Grand Island, NY 14072

Registration Required: Click HERE

Bird watchers worldwide are identifying and counting birds to help track populations and understand their movements as a part of the Great Backyard Bird Count. Join the global effort on a walk with a Reinstein Woods Environmental Educator to search for winter residents like chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers, and hawks.

Date & Time: February 15th at 11:00am – 12:30pm

Location: Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve – Environmental Education Center

Registration Required – To register, call 716-683-5959

Celebrate winter bird ecology, enjoy a delicious group lunch, and connect with other bird enthusiasts at the Birds on the Niagara Flock and Forage Event! This year, we are honored to welcome Jean-François (J.F.) Therrien as our keynote speaker.

Keynote Presentation:
“Arctic Nomads: Movement Ecology of the Snowy Owl and Other Winter Irruptive Birds” – J.F. Therrien will offer insights into the migration patterns of one of our region’s most beloved winter visitors, their role in the Arctic ecosystem, and the critical conservation efforts needed to protect these majestic birds.

Date & Time: February 15th at 11:30am – 2:00pm

Location: Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Welcome Center, Niagara Falls State Park, Prospect Park Niagara Falls, NY 14303

Registration Required: Tickets are $20 per person, click HERE to register.

About the Keynote Speaker:
Jean-François (J.F.) Therrien was born and raised in Quebec, Canada. He earned his Ph.D. from Laval University in 2011, focusing on the movements and predation dynamics of Snowy Owls in the Arctic ecosystem. J.F. is the Senior Scientist and Graduate Studies Director at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Pennsylvania, where he leads research projects across various species and ecosystems. His work includes monitoring the American kestrel nest-box program, analyzing migration data, and mentoring future conservation scientists through Hawk Mountain’s graduate programs.

Join Joe Fell and Ruth Goldman for a walk around Goat Island highlighting winter gulls and ducks. This walk is suitable for any level of birder. This walk will depart directly from the Keynote Event at the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Welcome Center, Niagara Falls State Park and walk to Goat Island.

Date & Time: February 15th from 2:00pm – 3:30pm

Location: Meet at the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Welcome Center, Niagara Falls SP

Registration Required – Click HERE

Unity Island separates the Niagara River from the Black Rock Canal and is one of the best locations on the upper river to observe winter gulls and waterfowl. Join Marcus and Schuyler on a short walk along the north end of the island, where a restored lagoon and a pier provide great views of rafting ducks and congregating gulls that can have Iceland, Glaucous, and Great Black-Backed Gulls, hiding amongst the Bonaparte’s, Herring, and Ring-Billed Gulls. Don’t worry if you are new to birdwatching; beginners are encouraged to join, so come out and enjoy the beauty of nature with us.

Date & Time: February 15th from 4:00pm – 5:30pm

Location: Unity Island Park

Registration Preferred – Click HERE

Spread your wings and soar into an unforgettable evening as the Feminist Bird Club of Buffalo and Birds on the Niagara present The Gaggle at Duende on February 15th from 6-8PM. Join us for this inclusive social gathering featuring a basket raffle to benefit both organizations, delicious food and drinks available for purchase, and live music! Whether you are a life-lister or a first-timer, all are welcome to enjoy an evening of community connection as part of the Birds on the Niagara festival!

Date & Time: February 15th from 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Location: Duende, 85 Silo City Row, Buffalo, NY 14203

Registration Required – Click HERE

Start with our BON scavenger hunt, and keep your eyes out for bird species all around the building. Find them all and show your sheet to our staff for a prize. Take your sheet with you when you leave and try to find them all in real life!

Nature Stories/Bird walk 10:30am-11:30am. Binoculars and a spotting scope will be available to borrow – Please dress for the weather!

Inside of Great Lakes 360, stop into our HOMES room for more activities – make a pledge to help local & migratory birds, explore bird biofacts and adaptations, and practice observations on our FeederWatch TVs. Our educators will perform owl pellet dissections at 12:00pm & 4:00pm.

Date & Time: Sunday, February 16th from 10:00am – 5:00pm

Location: 600 Discovery Way, Niagara Falls, NY 14303

• Feathers at Niagara Falls – Three Sisters Islands, Niagara Falls State Park, 10:00 – 11:00 AM, Registration Optional: Link
• Feathers at Niagara Falls – Cave of the Winds, Niagara Falls State Park, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Registration Optional: Link
• Feathers on the Niagara River, Beaver Island State Park, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Registration Optional: Link
• Feathers on Lake Ontario, Fort Niagara State Park, 2:00 – 4:00 PM, Registration Optional: Link

Indoor Programming from 10:00am-4:00pm:

• Grand Island Winter Waterfowl Talk with Grand Island Nature Alliance at 10am.
• Photography Workshop with Dominic Licotta from 11am-1pm
• “Unheard Voices” Film Screening with Allies of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation at 1pm
• Climate Cafe at 2pm
• Beginner Nirder Talk with Grand Island Nature Alliance at 3pm.
• Tabling, information, and education with Birds on the Niagara, Grand Island Nature Alliance, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Aquarium of Niagara, Black Rock River Alliance, WNY Environmental Alliance, Allies of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation, and the University of Buffalo Department of Environment and Sustainability.

Join Devin Banning and Katelyn Davis at Fort Niagara to look for waterfowl and gulls. Fort Niagara hosts a diverse array of ducks such as Common Goldeneye, White-winged Scoter, and Long-tailed Duck, among others. We will look for our expected gull species (Ring-billed, Herring, Bonaparte’s, Great Black-backed) as well as some more infrequent species that occur here (Little, Iceland, Glaucous). Ten species of gull have been observed here! We may also see Horned Grebes as well as Common and Red-throated Loons. Scopes are ideal for this location so bring one if you have one.

Date & Time: February 16th from 9:00am – 10:30am
Location: Fort Niagara State Park – Beach Parking Lot 
Registration Not Required

Bring your binoculars and get ready to join a Park Naturalist for a leisurely bird viewing walk along the Niagara River.

Date & Time: Sunday, February 16th from 10:00am – 11:30am

Location: Beaver Island State Park – River Lea Loop Area, 2136 West Oakfield Road Grand Island, NY 14072

Registration Required: Click HERE

This hands-on workshop will introduce basic photo principles that you can use to capture outstanding bird photos in the field. Learn to control shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and understand how lens choices affect composition.

Please bring your own camera. The first hour will be indoor instruction, then we’ll head outside to put our new skills into practice.

Date & Time: February 16th from 11:00am – 1:00pm
Location: We will meet inside of the WNY Welcome Center – 1999 Alvin Rd.
Registration Required – Click HERE

Join Stewardship Director Josh Balisteri for a guided walk at the WNY Land Conservancy’s newest publicly accessible nature preserve, the Love Road Preserve. Originally owned by the Buffalo Ornithological Society (BOS), this remarkable property was purchased by the Land Conservancy to ensure its permanent protection. After extensive efforts to remove invasive species and create trails, the preserve is now ready to welcome visitors to come and explore this mature oak forest featuring swamp white oaks, pin oaks, red oaks, and impressive American elms. As we walk, we’ll search for overwintering birds in this exceptional example of interior forestland within the Niagara River Watershed.

Date & Time: February 16th from 11:00am – 1:00pm
Location: There is extremely limited parking on Love Road Preserve. We will meet at the WNY Welcome Center and carpool to the site.
Registration Required – Click HERE

Join NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Biologist Connie Adams for an outdoor talk at Aqua Lane Park, overlooking the beautiful Strawberry Island! Bring a chair, binoculars, or a spotting scope, and dive into a fascinating discussion about the archipelago of islands stretching across the upper Niagara River. We’ll explore the area’s rich ecology, including Bald Eagle nesting, Cormorant colony management, and the creation of Tern Island. Learn about the challenges terns face, discover the diverse waterbirds that call this area home—such as Great Egrets, Night Herons, and Great Blue Herons—and understand how waterfowl influence habitat restoration efforts underway around Strawberry Island. Birdwatching distractions are welcome, so come ready to observe and celebrate the island life of the Niagara River!

Date & Time: February 16th from 11:00am – 12:00pm

Location: Aqua Lane Park – Viewing Platform

Registration Required – Click HERE

Drop-by and enjoy FREE bird-themed table activities with our WNY community partners as part of the annual Birds on the Niagara: An International Winter Birding Festival! This program is just one of MANY offerings found throughout the region this weekend to celebrate bird biodiversity and the birding community in the Niagara River area. Tabling organizations include: WNY Young Birders Club, Birdability, The Spark Bird Project, Wild Birds Unlimited-Blasdell, US Fish and Wildlife Service (Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge), Feminist Bird Club of Buffalo, and New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation – Niagara Region.

Date & Time: Sunday, February 16th from 1:00pm – 3:00pm

Location: Tifft Nature Preserve

Registration Recommended: Click HERE

Join the Buffalo Women of Environmental Learning and Leadership (BWELL) for a cozy time and make some treats to keep our feathered friends fed this winter!

Date and Time: Sunday, February 16th from 1:00pm-3:00pm

Location: Undergrounds Coffee House and Roastery580 South Park Avenue Buffalo, NY 14210

Registration Required: Click HERE

With its 29 acres and over a quarter-mile of shoreline, the Stella Niagara Preserve is the largest privately-owned, undeveloped tract of land along the entire length of the Niagara River and is one of our region’s most ecologically and historically important places.Join Andrew Gaerte with the WNY Land Conservancy on hike down the natural landing of the gorge to enjoy the bountiful Bonaparte Gulls on the river, and try to find the Little Gulls and Iceland Gulls potentially mixed in the flock. Other highlights may include Long-tailed Ducks and White-Winged Scoters. Beginners are welcome, a spotting scope will be provided.

Date & Time: February 16th from 2:00pm – 3:30pm

Location: Stella Niagara Preserve – Park and meet in the parking lot for the Lewiston Senior Services Center (4361 River Rd, Youngstown, NY 14174)

Registration Required – Click HERE

Join Lauren Smith, a graduate student specializing in behavioral ecology, for a beginner birding walk at Beaver Island State Park. This easy-paced walk along the Niagara river is perfect for newcomers and will include tips on using binoculars, learning to identify common local birds, and more! Please dress accordingly and feel free to bring your own binoculars. Everyone is welcome!

Date & Time: February 16th from 2:00pm – 3:00pm

Location: Beaver Island State Park – East River Marsh

Registration Required: Click HERE

Join the Feminist Bird Club of Buffalo for birding at Beaver Island State Park. FBC Buffalo is dedicated to promoting inclusivity in birding while fundraising and providing a safe opportunity for members of the LGBTQ+ community, BIPOC, and women to connect with the natural world. Highlights may include Tundra Swans, Hooded Mergansers, Common Goldeneyes, Common Mergansers, Bufflehead and more. Beginners are welcome, a spotting scope will be provided. The walk will be led by FBC Buffalo member Ruth Goldman and Joe Fell.

Date & Time: February 16th from 4:00pm – 6:00pm

Location: Beaver Island State Park – East River Marsh

Registration Required – Click HERE

Join this night hike along woodland trails in search of owls, enhanced by hoots and whistles from your experienced leader. Total walking distance is about 1 mile. Feel free to bring a small flashlight and/or binoculars (but neither is necessary).

Date & Time: February 16th from 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Location: Beaver Island State Park 

Registration Required – Click HERE

-$5 off Zoo admission

-11am-1pm “All about birds” with docents at the Arctic Interpretive Center

-12pm Bald Eagle Talk (meet our eagles, learn about Eagles & the Niagara River)

Date & Time: Monday, February 17th from 10am-5pm, last entry at 4pm.

Location: 300 Parkside Ave. Buffalo, NY 14214

Bird walk at 10:30am. Binoculars and a spotting scope will be available to borrow – Please dress for the weather!

Date & Time: Monday, February 17th from 10:00am – 3:00pm

Location: 600 Discovery Way, Niagara Falls, NY 14303

Join Buffalo Ornithological Society member, TJ Mudd, Jr. for a birding walk at Three Sisters Island in Niagara Falls State Park. We will try to find as many gull species as possible. Highlights will hopefully include Glaucous Gull and Harlequin Ducks. Bring binoculars and/or a spotting scope if you have them.

Date & Time: February 17th from 9:00am-10:30am

Location: Niagara Falls State Park – Three Sisters Island

Registration Required – Click HERE