The Democrat and Chronicle recently published an unfortunately misleading article titled “If You’re Going to Feed Wildlife, At Least Do it Correctly.”  The RBA Board of Directors has written the following letter to the editor, hoping to address several misconceptions contained in the article.   To the Editor: Members of the Rochester Birding Association brought… Read more

With migration largely behind us and breeding season in full swing, it’s time to think about the use of birdsong recordings (commonly called playback) to attract birds in the field. This controversial practice has become more and more commonplace as phone apps put these recordings in the hands of many more birders. Why does anyone… Read more

The Final Scoping Statement of the Heritage Wind Project in the Town of Barre, Orleans County, New York (DPS Case No. 16-F-0546) has been filed with the Department of Public Service by APEX Corporation.  Interested persons have until September 19, 2019 to submit comments to the DPS and APEX. Send comments to the applicant’s designated… Read more

by Amy Kahn, RBA President   Doing bird surveys last November and then again in early February I found Blacklegged ticks (deer ticks) upon doing my now mandatory nightly tick checks.  But the only time I got bitten was last fall gardening in my own backyard when I wasn’t checking nightly.  Now I wear repellent… Read more

Finding and Identifying the Crown Jewels of Spring & Entering Sightings into eBird WHAT: Join regional birding experts for a Saturday workshop designed to enrich your experience with warblers this season. We’ll cover identification, song, resources and conservation INDOORS in the morning with Kevin Griffith, then head OUTDOORS with Kimberly Sucy and other leaders for… Read more

On August 13, 2016 the RBA hosted a Shorebird ID workshop. Led by Dominic Sherony and attended by 40 area birders, the workshop revealed a systematic approach to the identification of area shorebirds. In the last two years, many area birders have submitted images to RBA of area shorebirds. We have grouped those images similar… Read more

President’s note: The RBA conservation committee recently submitted a letter to the  New York State Public Service Commission in regards to the planned Apex Lighthouse Wind Project. Below is a summary of that letter. We need New Yorkers to register their comments on this important issue. Please send a letter of your own to the address below. The… Read more

Summer is at its peak, but the start of “fall migration” is at hand. Southbound shorebirds are already moving through our area, as other species finish raising their young in the fields, woods, and marshes, and begin dispersing.

It doesn’t get any better than this. This is what Rochesterians live for! In fact, more species are reported in May than any other month. On average 68 new species arrive, and 230 are seen overall this month…