October-Average temperatures:

The first killing frost is usually expected about October 23, which is essentially the end of the migration of our insectivorous birds. This is also the period when many sparrows and other seed-eating species leave for the South, and it is also the period when many winter visitants come from the North. Among the species which usually arrive in early October are:

About 25 parties take part in the October Bird Counts of the Buffalo Ornithological Society, which usually are held just prior to the opening of tbe duck hunting season around mid-October. On both October 15, 1950, and October 13, 1963, totals of 147 species were reported. The maximum number of species, 149, was recorded on October 15, 1961. Although fall migration dates vary considerably from year to year because of changes in the weather and fluctuations in food supply, nevertheless we will list the species which may be expected to arrive in, an average year between October 10 and November 1:

At this time of year one should be on the watch for rarities among the water birds such as Gannet, Snow Goose, Blue Goose, King Elder, Red Phalarope, Black-headed Gull and Black-legged Kittiwake.

November-Average temperatures:

The freezing of bodies of water to the north of our region forces more and more waterfowl to move southward and swell the ranks of the winter visitants. Early November, as well as the last few days of October, is the period when Brant migrate in numbers on Lake Ontario. A late wave of Bonaparte's Gulls usually appears at this time, often accompanied by a few Little Gulls. In some years, Snowy, Long-eared and Short-eared Owls may arrive by mid-November. Most of the Robins, Eastern Bluebirds, Eastern Meadowlarks, Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Crackles, Brown-headed Cowbirds and summer resident sparrows have departed before that time.

During flight years the ranks of the Northern Shrikes, Evening Grosbeaks, Pine Siskins, Lapland Longspurs and Snow Buntings, referred to in the previous list, are swelled during the first half of November. At this time similar incursions of Pine Grosbeaks, Common Redpolls, Red Crossbills and White-winged Crossbills usually take place during their flight years. The American Goldfinch also has incursions during certain winters and may then be seen either with flocks of Common Redpolls or Pine Siskins or else in flocks of its own.

December-Average temperatures:

Most of the birds in our area in December are either permanent resident or winter visitant species. There are, however, always a few laggards that remain until more severe winter weather or a dwindling food supply forces them to move farther south.

During the month the majority of such wintering ducks as Canvasbacks, Greater Scaups, Common Goldeneyes and Common Mergansers arrive, and most of the Great Black-backed, Glaucous and Iceland Gulls appear at this time.

The Buffalo Ornithological Society takes part in the Christmas Bird Counts sponsored by the National Audubon Society. These counts usually take place in late December or very early January and cover an area 15 miles in diameter centered on Grand Island. Between 70 and 80 species and subspecies have usually been listed in recent years, the maximum being 86 in 1963, following a rather mild autumn season. Christmas Counts have also been taken yearly by the Buffalo Audubon Society, the Genesee Ornithological Society and the Jamestown Audubon Society.

It is easy for an active observer in the field for most of the entire year to record 220 or more species in our region. In 1962, two of our members recorded over 280 species and recognizable subspecies, Kenneth P. Able listing 281 and Richard C. Rosche 283. The total for the Buffalo Ornithological Society in that year was 286, a record number for our region.