Birds

The Friends of Times Beach Nature Preserve

BIRDS
of Times Beach Nature Preserve

Times Beach Nature Preserve is for the birds! certainly. We have five recognized ecological zones: aquatic, emergent marsh, mudflat, upland, and woodland. Couple that with the astoundingly important location of the Nature Preserve- on the shoreline of the eastern end of Lake Erie where it becomes the Niagara River Strait; at the mouth of the Buffalo River; in downtown Buffalo; and as the gateway to the Niagara River "globally significant" Important Bird area and you have a unique place that attracts more birds and more varieties of birds than almost any place in the Great Lakes.

The sweetwater seas that are the Great Lakes comprise one of the earth's largest freshwater resources -20% of the planet's fresh water is found in the Great Lakes. Because of their size and location, more or less in the center of the North American continent-The shorelines, waters, and watershed systems are critical travel corridors and breeding habitats for many species of wildlife including fish, mammals, insects, and birds.

The urban and industrial complex that surrounds the Nature Preserve has a tremendous impact on the wildlife that make up the biodiversity that a healthy planet, a bioregional ecosystem, and important resources such as clean water, clean air, and human health depend upon.

A great deal of our biodiversity including a wide variety of migratory and breeding birds depend upon Times Beach Nature Preserve throughout the year. These include songbirds such as warblers, shorebirds, waterfowl, hawks and raptors, gulls, terns, woodpeckers, and owls. Did we leave any out? there have been over 240 species of birds observed at Times Beach.

The story of birds at Times Beach and in our urban and lake wilderness region is fascinating, accessible, and provides a critical opportunity to learn about and conserve birds and the other wildlife that depend on this small 50 acre parcel with such an important location.

RESOURCES

Check out our Resources and Links Page for more information

The Niagara River Corridor Globally Significant Bird Area

Slideshow of the Birds of Times Beach

Checklist of Birds Observed at Times Beach

Iconic Species of Times Beach Nature Preserve