New York State Ornithological Association

04/14/2026

Did you ask for a bird fact? No, but you're getting one whether you like it or not. 🪶

04/05/2026

Last call for proposals to our inaugural 2026 New York State Ornithological Association Avian Research Award. This award may fund one or more professional or student applicants who are NYSOA members conducting avian research in New York state up to $2500 towards their research project. Applicants should be seeking support for research that will contribute new information to the biology, ecology, or conservation of New York state birds. Initial funding for this award was provided through the Herb Lightner Estate. Applications are due by April 6, 2026.

For application instructions and to apply, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/2026NYSOA-ARA

Please direct applications and any questions to Alison Kocek at [email protected]

04/01/2026

Important update on this special date.

03/12/2026

We are pleased to announce a request for proposals for our inaugural 2026 NYSOA Avian Research Award. This award may fund one or more professional or student applicants who are NYSOA members conducting avian research in New York state up to $2500 towards their research project. Applicants should be seeking support for research that will contribute new information to the biology, ecology, or conservation of New York state birds. Initial funding for this award was provided through the Herb Lightner Estate. Applications are due by April 6, 2026.

For application instructions and to apply, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/2026NYSOA-ARA

Please direct applications and any questions to Alison Kocek at [email protected]

03/12/2026

The votes are in and the winner of the 2026 New York Bird of the Year is the Belted Kingfisher!

This chonky fish-lover can be found along local waterways across New York state year round. This means you can grab your camera and your friends and go find this bird even as we are still in the grips of winter. Christmas Bird Counts have shown this species to be facing population declines over the past 30 years likely due to habitat loss, nest disturbance, and water quality issues. We will be sharing facts to inspire you to seek out our 2026 New York Bird of the Year across our social media platforms throughout the year. We hope you will take the time to check out your local lake, river, or stream in search of a Belted Kingfisher and share your favorite photo you take of the bird and its habitat! Sharing artwork and poems inspired by Belted Kingfisher are also encouraged! Send any high quality photos and/or artwork of the 2026 New York Bird of the Year to ([email protected]) for your chance to be featured in our New York Birders Newsletter, Kingbird Journal, and/or our social media. Be sure to include your name and where in New York you took the photo.

03/01/2026

Have you played the daily Birdie game yet? (Quite reminiscent of the fiendish NYS Young Birders Club quizzes at our annual meetings!)

A daily bird species identification game quiz for birders, birdwatchers, bird lovers, and bird enthusiasts. Similar to wordle, birdie is a daily birding ID quiz based on small crops of each bird and small snippets of their song, featuring a huge catalog of archived games as well!

02/05/2026

Excellent trip review and photos from NYSOA’s recent winter weekend by John J. Gavrity. Thanks to Joan Collins, Matt Young, Mary Beth Warburton and well as any others who assisted.