Some of this is based upon personal experience but, most of it is based upon reports from knowledgable birders and hotline reports of birders in the Buffalo area. Surely, this is not all-encompassing, but is meant to give the reader a general impression of where local birders bird at certain times of the year. Buffalo area birders primarily bird the Niagara River area, and the lakeshores of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Additionally, the BOS region includes the entire Niagara Peninsula, which includes not only NYS, but also parts of southern Ontario.
Directions: Instead of a downtown route, take I-190, the Niagara section of the New York
State Thruway, exit onto the Skyway Bridge, Route 5 south. Just off the
bridge, exit at the first right onto the road that parallels Route 5. Observe
the inner harbor and grain elevators along this stretch for several miles,
(a Gyrfalcon has been seen along here in years past). At the first and only
traffic signal, turn left onto Tifft Street. Then another left onto Fuhrmann
Blvd, and follow past Tifft Nature Preserve. Do not turn off when Fuhrmann
turns under Route 5, follow straight into Ohio Street. Childs Street is on
the right before the Buffalo River. Also try Ganson Street to the left. Be
cautious on Childs, there are unmarked railroad crossing and it is a very
busy industrial area. Park out of the way and stay out of the way of truck
and train traffic.
Go to the Main Pier which is south of the city on Lake Erie. A power station exists which releases warm water into Lake Erie at this site. As such, open water exists year-round. Ducks congregate, especially in winter. A large variety of water birds occur here. Rarities such as Red Phalarope, Franklin's Gull (in winter), Sabine's Gull, Snowy Owl, are just a few of the delights of this place.
Directions:
View a map (44KB) of Dunkirk, harbor, airport and vicinity.
Dunkirk Harbor is easy to get to. Take the Thruway (I-90) to the NY Route 60 Exit for
Dunkirk and Fredonia. After paying the toll, take the first right and proceed
to NY Route 5, which runs along Lake Erie (perhaps 3 miles from the exit ramp).
If you go straight ahead across NY Route 5, you will get to the north part of the
harbor. To get to the main pier, turn left onto NY Route 5, then right in about
1/4 mile at a light (you should be able to see the pier from NY Route 5 and will
know where to turn).
(Courtesy of Willie D'Anna's description on GeneseeBirds-L)
This page was last updated on 08 December 2000. Comments or questions regarding this page should be sent to Webmaster. Buffalo Waterfront / Times Beach
Primarily to view waterfowl and gulls. Observe near the Coast Guard base
Dunkirk Harbor
In the words of Richard Rosche, "this site is a jewel of a place for
winter birding due to the warm water from the power plant."
Copyright, © Kurt Fox, 1999,2000.