Five-day event embraces the chill, the gulls and our unique habitat

By Sara Ali
(image above: Buffleheads landing; Photo by Ruth Goldman)

For some Western New Yorkers, winter is a time to hunker down at home, embrace the warmth, and avoid going outside. For others, it’s a chance to sled, ski or snowboard down snowy hills. But if you’re a wildlife enthusiast, winter is an excellent time for birdwatching.

So grab your binoculars, a heavy winter coat and your camera (or smartphone) and join the birder community on Feb. 13–17 for Birds on the Niagara: The International Birding Festival of 2025.

Birds on the Niagara is North America’s only international winter bird festival — and for good reason. The Niagara region is a hub for birds. In fact, this area is a global biodiversity hotspot.

The festival kicks off with “The Flyway Film Forum” on Feb. 13 at Buffalo State University, featuring a double screening and discussion. Attendees can watch the PBS documentary Nature — specifically the episode about Niagara Falls directed by Michael Werner — as well as Banded: How a Birder’s-Eye View Made a Community, directed by Andy Rice.

The five-day schedule is packed with events for birders of all levels. Whether you’re just developing an interest in birdwatching or are an avid birder, you’ll find something for you. From the Winter Waterfowl Walk at Beaver Island to family-friendly indoor activities and inclusive events like the LGBTQ+ and Allies Sunset Walk, there’s plenty to explore.

Ruth Goldman wears multiple hats — she is a media production professor at Buffalo State University, the vice president of the board for Birds on the Niagara and a leader of some of the bird walks taking place during the festival. Her photos are included with this story.

Goldman said Birds on the Niagara is a collaborative effort with many volunteers helping to make the event a success as she shared insights about the birding community and the diverse array of birds found in the Niagara region. She emphasized that this area is especially significant for gulls — colloquially known as “seagulls,” even though no species is actually named that.

“The Niagara region supports one of the largest and most diverse concentrations of gulls in the world and is home to 300 bird species annually,” she said.

Goldman has been a birder since 2018 and soon after joined the Feminist Bird Club. Initially, she focused on birdwatching in the fall. But during the first winter of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many of us were confined to our homes, she ventured outdoors for hikes and began observing the bird population around her.

“I noticed there were all these different kinds of ducks. We have dabbling ducks, but these were diving ducks. These ducks were like loons — they could dive underwater and swim long distances,” she said.

If you’re anything like me and didn’t know the difference between these ducks, here’s what to know: A mallard is a dabbling duck — those cute, chubby ducks with the glistening green heads? Those are male mallards. Diving ducks, on the other hand, can dive deep underwater. And loons? They aren’t ducks at all — they belong to a different family of diving waterfowl.

The reason the Niagara region is such an incredible place for birds to thrive is because, as Goldman put it, the Niagara River “stays open.” Many of these birds migrate from the Arctic and boreal forests, where water freezes over. Here, they have access to food year-round, making it an excellent place to settle.

Stretching over 30 miles (55 kilometers), the Niagara River Corridor has been designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. It’s an ecologically vital area and is also considered an “Important Bird Area.”

But the festival isn’t just about embracing nature and enjoying birds — it’s also about building community. Goldman encourages everyone to give it a try.

“I think a lot of people assume everything in nature is dead in the winter. That’s just not true,” she said.

On the contrary, there is so much life during these cold months. And what better way to spend a chilly day than bundled up, admiring birds? As Goldman put it, “The outdoors is for everybody.” And birding is a great way to build connections while appreciating the beauty of nature.

“It’s an opportunity to make new friends, learn about local birds and the environment, and support ongoing conservation efforts in the region.”

Oh, and did I mention that almost every event during the festival is free? The only exception is the “Flock and Forage” keynote event.

Interested in checking out one of the events? Click here for the full schedule.

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Sara Ali is a member of The Buffalo Hive Board of Directors. She has been a professional writer for over 10 years and focuses on local arts, culture and community.