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    Williamsville Glen (Amherst State Park) often has an "island effect" attracting migrants from the neighboring in urban and suburban areas (much like Cobbs Hill Park in Rochester, or Central Park in NYC). The glen was formed by the water actions of Ellicott Creek. The public park, now called Amherst State Park, holds ample opportunities to find spring migrants.

    Park on Glen Ave. Walk to the water's edge. A footpath (worn from usage, not really an established trail) parallels the stream on the east. Walk north (downstream) paralleling the creek. The warblers and other spring migrants can be anywhere in the woody tract along the stream. Listen for Carolina Wren and Belted Kingfisher along the creek. After trekking about 1/3 to 1/2 mile, a bridge passes over the stream. The bridge is at the edge of a large mown lawn and an old orchard. Chimney Swifts can sometimes be seen foraging overhead. Migrating raptors might be seen, too. The warblers can be anywhere in the orchard, or along the edges of the field or stream. At the far edge of the field, is an old nun's house. One can cross the creek at the bridge and return to the lot on the west side of the creek (but be forewarned there is no worn footpath).

    Amherst State Park can be accessed from two other points: from a lot with an entrance at 400 Mill Street, and on the west side of the creek at the site of the former Reist Mill on Reist Street. (no parking at the latter locale).

Great Blue Heron

This guy landed downstream as I was shooing a Cardinal. He Took off after 5 minutes of hunting on the ice. Very quite. Amherst State Park, Amherst, New York. This photo was taken on December 30, 2010, By Peter Scumaci

Northern Cardinal

Ridiculously hard to photograph. This male northern cardinal kept flying around thick brush, eating some kind of seeds. Amherst State Park, Amherst, New York, This photo was taken on December 30, 2010, By Peter Scumaci

Amherst State Park (Williamsville Glen) Birding; May 12, 2007

We had another short outing at the Glen this evening, that was very productive! 14 Warbler species were located, and we got some really good photos!! Photos are bird list are below:

Warblers: YELLOW, YELLOW-RUMPED, PALM, CHESTNUT-SIDED, MAGNOLIA, REDSTART, BLACK-THROATED GREEN, BLACK-THROATED BLUE, BLACKBURNIAN, CAPE MAY, BLACKPOLL, BAY-BREASTED, BLACK-AND-WHITE, NASHVILLE, YELLOWTHROAT

Others: HOUSE WREN, CAROLINA WREN, RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, HAIRY WOODPECKER, WARBLING VIREO, HERMIT? THRUSH, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, SONG SPARROW, FIELD SPARROW, CHIPPING SPARROW, AMERICAN ROBIN, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, BALTIMORE ORIOLE, GREAT-CRESTED FLYCATCHER, RED-TAILED HAWK, RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, MALLARD, GREAT BLUE HERON, TURKEY VULTURE, BARN SWALLOW, CHIMNEY SWIFT.

American Redstart

Baltimore Oriole

Chestnut-Sided Warbler

Magnolia Warbler

Blackburnian Warbler

Black-Throated Blue Warbler

The Buffalo Ornithological Society (BOS) has something to offer to anyone passionate about birds. Members of the Buffalo Ornithological Society visit Amherst State Park regularly to observe the various species of birds that visit the park.

Great Blue Heron

We have lift-off. The Heron is one of the most awkward and ungainly looking birds while walking. It transforms into a beautiful and graceful bird when it takes flight. Amherst State Park, Amherst, New York. This photo was taken on December 30, 2010, By Peter Scumaci

Branta canadensis

Anas rubripes

Anas platyrhynchos

Aix sponsa

Aythya collaris

Phasianus colchicus

Meleagris gallopavo

Botaurus lentiginosus

Ardea herodias

Ardea alba

Butorides virescens

Nycticorax nycticorax

Cathartes aura

Pandion haliaetus

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Accipiter striatus

Accipiter cooperii

Buteo lineatus

Buteo platypterus

Buteo jamacicensis

Falco sparverius

Falco columbarius

Charadrius vociferus

Tringa solitaria

Actitus macularia

Gallinago gallinaga

Scolopax minor

Larus delawarensis

Columba livia

Zenaida macroura

Coccyzus erthropthalumus

Coccyzus americanus

Otus asio

Bubo virginianus

Asio otus

Aegolius acadicus

Chordeiles minor

Chaetura pelagica

Archilochus colubris

Ceryle alcyon

Melanerpes erythrocephalus

Melanerpes carolinus

Sphyrapicus varius

Picides pubescens

Picides villosus

Colaptes auratus

Contopus cooperi

Contopus virens

Empidonax flaviventris

Empidonax alnorum

Empidonax traillii

Empidonax minimus

Sayornis phoebe

Myiarchus criitus

Tyannus tyrannus

Lanius excubitor

Vireo griseus

Vireo solitarus

Vireo flavifrons

Vireo gilvus

Vireo philadelphicus

Vireo olivaceus

Cyanocitta cristata

Corvus brachyrhyncos

Progne subis

Tachycineta bicolor

Stelgidopteryx serripennis

Hirundo rustica

Poecile atricapillus

Baeolophus bicolor

Sitta canadensis

Sitta carolinensis

Certhia americana

Thryothorus ludovicianus

Troglodytees aedon

Troglodytes troglodytes

Cistothorus palustris

Regulus satrapa

Regulus calendula

Polioptila caerulea

Sialia sialis

Catharus fuscescens

Catharus minimus

Catharus ustulatus

Catharus guttatus

Hylocichla mustelina

Turdus migratorius

Dumetella carolinensis

Toxostoma rufum

Sturnus vulgaris

Bombycilla cedrorum

Vermivora pinus

Vermivora chrysoptera

Vermivora chrysoptera x pinus

Vermivora peregrina

Vermivora celata

Vermivora ruficapilla

Parula americana

Dendroica petechia

Dendroica pensylvanica

Dendroica magnolia

Dendroica tigrina

Dendroica caerulescens

Dendroica coronata

Dendroica virens

Dendroica fusca

Dendroica coronata

Dendroica pinus

Dendroica discolor

Dendroica palmarum

Dendroica castanea

Dendroica striata

Dendroica cerulea

Mniotila varia

Setophaga ruticilla

Protonotaria citrea

Helmitheros vermivorus

Seiurus aurocapillus

Seiurus noveboracensis

Seiurus motacilla

Oporornis formosus

Oporornis agilis

Oporornis philadelphia

Geothlypis trichas

Wilsonia citrina

Wilsonia pusilla

Wilsonia canadensis

Piranga olivacea

Cardinalis cardinalis

Pheucticus ludovicianus

Passerina cyanea

Pipilo erythrophthalmus

Spizella arborea

Spizella passerina

Spizella pusilla

Passerculus sandwichensis

Passerella iliaca

Melospiza melodia

Melospiza lincolnii

Melospiza georgiana

Zonotrichia albicollis

Zonotrichia leucophrrys

Junco hyemalis

Dolichonyx oryzivorus

Agelaius phoeniceus

Sturnella magna

Euphagus carolinus

Quiscalus quiscula

Moloyhrus ater

Icterus spurius

Icterus galbula

Carpodacus purpureus

Carpodacus mexicanus

Carduelis pinus

Carduelis tristis

Passer domesticus

Mallard Duck out for a swim with seven other mallards in the island area of Ellicott Creek.

This photo was taken on February 23, 2011.

A robin on the grass near the Gazebo.

This photo was taken on April 28, 2011.

Little bird in Amherst State Park. He just sat there singing while I took his picture. Maybe a Vesper Sparrow?  This photo was taken on April 16, 2011, By Peter Scumaci

Great Heron in flight at Amherst State Park, Amherst, New York. This photo was taken on April 16, 2011, By Peter Scumaci

Female Cardinal at Amherst State Park, Amherst, New York. This photo was taken on March 20, 2011, By Peter Scumaci

The Kingfisher was perched on a branch over Ellicott Creek. It was probably 150 feet from me. My camera telephoto was maxed out, but it is still a pretty good shot. This photo was taken on September 6, 2011.

Black-capped Chickadee hanging on the side of a tree. Amherst State Park, Amherst, NY. This photo was taken on January 7, 2012, By Peter Scumaci

Three crows in a tree. Amherst State Park Still one of my favorite birds to photograph. This photo was taken on September 25, 2011, By Peter Scumaci

Cardinal in Amherst State Park. Called this guy in using the Chirp! USA app on my iTouch. He flew right up to a fence then to this tree. This photo was taken on September 25, 2011, By Peter Scumaci

A Great Blue Heron near Ellicott Creek.

This photo was taken on April 4, 2012.

So stately. Getting some nice sun.

This photo was taken on April 4, 2012.