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The Only International Birding Festival in North America!
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BIRDS ON THE NIAGARA
is an
INTERNATIONAL WINTER CELEBRATION
of the birds that call the Niagara River Corridor home.
is an
INTERNATIONAL WINTER CELEBRATION
of the birds that call the Niagara River Corridor home.
Birds on the Niagara (BON) is evolving into a year round recognition of birds, people, and conservation strategies in the International Niagara River region.
We have a mission to celebrate nature, conservation, biodiversity, and the outdoors, through the powerful lens of birds and the humans that both enjoy them and depend the natural world.
We have a mission to celebrate nature, conservation, biodiversity, and the outdoors, through the powerful lens of birds and the humans that both enjoy them and depend the natural world.
The International Niagara River Corridor
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Hemispheric Connections
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The Niagara River Strait is a Globally Significant Important Bird Area. The IBA is recognized by both Canada and the United States. It is a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. It is located at a critical flyway juncture. Year-round, birds from across the hemisphere and globe can be found here. In spring and summer, birds from as far away as the Amazon and South and Central America breed here. In fall and winter, many species of gulls from across the hemisphere, and birds from the arctic, near arctic, and western North American boreal forests stay here. During the BON February celebrations, the river is full of waterfowl in full breeding plumage, and engaging in courtship rituals.
BON celebrates birds both out of joyousness and to bring attention to critical conservation needs and strategies. This includes partner organizations that focus on birds and wildlife, the critical role of biodiversity, climate change, and protection and restoration strategies.
We are building an economic development model that focuses on conservation, and local and regional quality of life for residents and visitors.
We have a sharp focus on social justice and inclusiveness. We are growing leaders in the recognition and celebration of birding and conservation as transcending racial, ethnic, age, and gender.
It will take all of us to help to bring a future that protects generations to come by protecting our ecology and environment.
BON22 will include in person and virtual programming. Please join us! Watch this page for updates!
BON celebrates birds both out of joyousness and to bring attention to critical conservation needs and strategies. This includes partner organizations that focus on birds and wildlife, the critical role of biodiversity, climate change, and protection and restoration strategies.
We are building an economic development model that focuses on conservation, and local and regional quality of life for residents and visitors.
We have a sharp focus on social justice and inclusiveness. We are growing leaders in the recognition and celebration of birding and conservation as transcending racial, ethnic, age, and gender.
It will take all of us to help to bring a future that protects generations to come by protecting our ecology and environment.
BON22 will include in person and virtual programming. Please join us! Watch this page for updates!
Special Announcement May 6, 2021
Birds on the Niagara is celebrating Bird Migration Day (May 8, 2021) by launching a "Bird Friendly City" Initiative starting with a "Lights Out Niagara" Campaign to promote turning out non- essential nights in the international corridor during high migration periods.
Welcome
Virtual BON21
3rd Annual Birds on the Niagara International Winter Bird Festival and Celebration
Held February 12, 13, 14, 2021
Virtual BON21
3rd Annual Birds on the Niagara International Winter Bird Festival and Celebration
Held February 12, 13, 14, 2021
BON21 Has Concluded
Thank-you!
Thank-you!
FEATURE Presentations
BON 2021 Recorded Presentations
Keynote Presentation
Dr. Drew Lanham
"Coloring the Conservation Conversation"
Dr. Drew Lanham
"Coloring the Conservation Conversation"
FOR MORE ABOUT J. DREW LANHAM
CLICK HERE
CLICK HERE
Dr. Timothy Beatley
'The Bird Friendly and Biophilic City: Integrating Safe Natural Habitats into Urban Design and Planning"
'The Bird Friendly and Biophilic City: Integrating Safe Natural Habitats into Urban Design and Planning"
For More on Dr. Beatley CLICK HERE
Paloma Plant, Project Coordinator and a Co-founder of FLAP Canada Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP Canada)
"Your Pane is Their Pain"
"Your Pane is Their Pain"
YOU CAN SEE ALL OF OUR BON21 PRESENTATIONS
CLICK HERE
CLICK HERE
Because of the ongoing pandemic, this years Birds on the Niagara Festival (BON21) was virtual. All Programs are free, and no registration is required. Future BON events will hopefully include live, in-person events as well as virtual programming.
You can find all programs on this website. They will be made live according to the posted schedules on this home page, and archived on this website after the scheduled program time.
Although we had no official in-person programs this year, we encourage you go go outside and enjoy nature. There are lots of places to do this safely, including along the Niagara River Corridor on both sides of the border. Remember to wear your mask and socially distance when appropriate. Pay attention to and plan for changing weather conditions. Enjoy this years bounty of nature.
You can find all programs on this website. They will be made live according to the posted schedules on this home page, and archived on this website after the scheduled program time.
Although we had no official in-person programs this year, we encourage you go go outside and enjoy nature. There are lots of places to do this safely, including along the Niagara River Corridor on both sides of the border. Remember to wear your mask and socially distance when appropriate. Pay attention to and plan for changing weather conditions. Enjoy this years bounty of nature.
What better way to celebrate midwinter in Western New York and Southern Ontario, then by embracing Valentines Day Weekend as the BON21 Festival time? Many of the waterfowl are in breeding plumage and engaging in courtship, and socializing with friends and family. We like to do that as well! Friendship and romance are in the air! And you know what they say, "Birds Connect Us".
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Special: Birds on the Niagara adventure and education game:
AGENTS OF DISCOVERY
AGENTS OF DISCOVERY
Check out this adventure and educational game on your phone! Are you new to the world of winter birding along the Niagara Corridor, or just want more information about whats out there to see? We have developed an interactive, augmented reality game specifically for the Birds on the Niagara International Bird Festival. Download the app for free on any mobile device and play from home. Test your winter birding knowledge and explore other at home and in-park augmented reality games! Brought to you by New York State Parks
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Selected Videos
See The Birds on the Niagara team presentation at the Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival, virtually hosted from Florida, January 29-31, 2021. See the Presentation below.
Tundra Swans on the Niagara, January 28, 2021, Grand Island, New York, Beaver Island State Park
Thanks to the Peninsula Field Naturalists for sharing this Brock University Link to a virtual copy of Niagara Birds: A Compendium of Articles and species of the birds of the Niagara Region in Ontario. Written by John E. Black and Kayo J. Roy
Special Thanks
For More on Our Partners and Co-sponsors CLICK HERE
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BUFFALO RISING
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October 2020
September 2020 Birder's Roundtable with Jay Burney, Marcie Jacklin, Marcus Rosten, Tom Kerr, Jajean Rose-Burney
September 2020
Purple Martins gathering on Grass Island in the Niagara River, September 4, 2020
Celebrating World Migratory Bird Day 2020
Niagara Region Birder's Roundtable
With Tom Kerr (Buffalo Audubon); Jajean Rose-Burney (Western New York Land Conservancy); Marcus Rosten (Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper, WNY Prism); and Marcie Jacklin, Bert Miller Nature Club). Hosted by Jay Burney
See all of our "Birds on the Niagara World Migratory Bird Day" and "Staying Connected" VIDEOS CLICK HERE
February 2020
Introduction to the February 2020 BoN Celebration
The International Niagara River Corridor linking Lake Erie with Lake Ontario is a Globally Significant Important Bird Area (IBA), and a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. This unique place includes Buffalo, Grand Island, Niagara Falls, Lewiston, and Fort Niagara on the American side. Fort Erie, Niagara Falls, Queenston, and Niagara-on-the-Lake, can be found on the Canadian side. A passport or other border security ID is necessary to travel between the two sides.
This IBA and the Ramsar designation helps to characterize the region on a conservation level similar to the Galapagos, Yellowstone, and the Everglades relative to abundance, variety, and threats to bird species.
This IBA and the Ramsar designation helps to characterize the region on a conservation level similar to the Galapagos, Yellowstone, and the Everglades relative to abundance, variety, and threats to bird species.
The Niagara River Globally Significant Important Bird Area, and and the Ramsar Wetland of International Importance designations help to characterize the region on a conservation level similar to the Galapagos, Yellowstone, and the Everglades relative to abundance, variety, and threats to bird species.
The Niagara is a freshwater, flowing, permanent river, connecting two large freshwater lakes. It hosts numerous significant coastal fish and wildlife habitats including a riverine littoral zone in the upper Niagara River that is a unique ecosystem type in the Great Lakes. Rare and threatened ecological communities are present with at least 21 species such as the Blanding's turtle and the Lake Sturgeon. Seven species are on the IUCN Red List, such as the Black-capped Petrel (extremely rare), and the Piping Plover (extremely rare) both protected federally in the US. 45 species of wildlife found here are protected in New York State. The Niagara is an incredibly important overwinter site for water birds. 92 pecies of birds are known to overwinter on the site including large congregations of at least 40 species of waterbirds. The IBA designation lists 338 species of birds in all seasons can be found in Western New York and the Niagara Region of Ontario.
Birds
In the winter, gulls waterfowl and other arctic travelers populate the open waters and shorelines of the Niagara.
In spring and autumn, the parks along the river offer excellent opportunities for viewing of the migration seasons including neotropical songbirds.
In summer the Niagara River hosts breeding populations of several colonial water birds such as Common Tern, Great Egret, and Black-crowned Night-Heron.
The Niagara is a freshwater, flowing, permanent river, connecting two large freshwater lakes. It hosts numerous significant coastal fish and wildlife habitats including a riverine littoral zone in the upper Niagara River that is a unique ecosystem type in the Great Lakes. Rare and threatened ecological communities are present with at least 21 species such as the Blanding's turtle and the Lake Sturgeon. Seven species are on the IUCN Red List, such as the Black-capped Petrel (extremely rare), and the Piping Plover (extremely rare) both protected federally in the US. 45 species of wildlife found here are protected in New York State. The Niagara is an incredibly important overwinter site for water birds. 92 pecies of birds are known to overwinter on the site including large congregations of at least 40 species of waterbirds. The IBA designation lists 338 species of birds in all seasons can be found in Western New York and the Niagara Region of Ontario.
Birds
In the winter, gulls waterfowl and other arctic travelers populate the open waters and shorelines of the Niagara.
In spring and autumn, the parks along the river offer excellent opportunities for viewing of the migration seasons including neotropical songbirds.
In summer the Niagara River hosts breeding populations of several colonial water birds such as Common Tern, Great Egret, and Black-crowned Night-Heron.
