Spring Birds

Spring is here and there's lots happening here at Tifft. Now that Earth Day celebrations have finally come to an end ( even though every day is Earth Day! ) I've finally gotten a chance to get outside and explore. Here's some updates from us at Tifft! Come Visit!


Robins are building a nest over the educators office window!


Can you spot the Palm Warbler?


Scarlet Tanager along Mosquito Junction Boardwalk


Scarlet Tanager along Mosquito Junction Boardwalk


Green Heron perched along Mosquito Junction Boardwalk


American Coots along Mosquito Junction Boardwalk


Geese strolling near the South Viewing Blind


High waters along the boardwalk


Signs of spring! Lots of green!!!


Deer peeking through the trees


Tree Swallow perched near the cabin


The Osprey pair are now nesting on top of the pole right across Lake Kirsty near the cabin!


Red-winged Blackbird outside cabin


Mallards possibly nesting along Lake Kirsty


Come in and visit because the weather lately has been pretty gorgeous!

April 17th - Friends of Tifft's Earth Day Celebration

Despite the weather, about 75 people came out on a cloudy sunday for Friends of Tifft's Earth Day Celebration. High wind warnings and rain didnt stop them from having a good time indoors. Exhibitors such as GrowWNY and Buffalo ReUse came with activities, along with Messinger Woods who brought different owls and educational materials. Raffles, crafts, and guided tours made for a day full of different activities for all ages to enjoy. Take a look at what we did!


Beautiful Barn Owl from Messinger Woods

BG the Eastern Screech Owl from Messinger Woods

Wayne Gall explaining various insects

Buffalo ReUse showing off their reusable materials

Trying out GrowWNY's FENDER BLENDER, the pedal powered smoothie maker!

Not everyone was tall enough to sit on the bike!


Girls enjoying their delicious, all natural, self-powered fruit smoothie!

Making homemade and completely recyclable kaleidoscopes!

Sprucing up some herb/flower pots made from yogurt cups

The few that were brave enough to go on a tour on a blustery day

Thank you to all of our sponsors for making this year’s Earth Day Celebration possible including:
Friends of Tifft Nature Preserve, WNY AmeriCorps, Caz Coffee, Wegmans, Walmart, Sahlens, GrowWNY, Messinger Woods, Lexington Co-op, Buffalo ReUSE, The Buffalo Bills, and Buffalo-Niagara Earth Day 2011.

April 16th - Earth Day Clean-Up

On the Saturday before Earth Day, volunteers came to Tifft to help clean-up of the preserve as part of the Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper Spring Clean-up. People of all ages, including boy scouts came out to join the effort in cleaning up trash blown in from Lake Erie’s winds. Thanks to all the 61 volunteers help, the preserve is finally ready for a busy spring and summer season. 883 lbs of garbage was cleaned up that day!


Volunteers prepared for the weather


Working hard in the rain!


Lots of boy scouts helped with the clean-up


Garbage was cleaned up all over the preserve, even near route 5


The things you find at Tifft...


Ecologist Dave Spiering with our pile of 883lbs of trash! There were two tires found amongst many other odd objects.

Thanks to Buffalo-Niagara Riverkeepers and all of our hardworking volunteers!

Earth Week!

Sorry its been awhile since our last post! Things have been quite busy here since the beginning of April in preparation for Earth Day Celebrations.
Look forward to pictures from this past weekends FOT's Earth Day Celebration but for now, we hope to see you at this weeks coming events.

Thursday, April 21st:
Earth Day Wellness Walk
10AM-Noon
Want to get outside on Earth Day eve and appreciate nature? Join Tifft volunteers for a healthy outdoor walk with a botanical emphasis. Suggested $3 donation per person.

Friday, April 22nd:
10AM - 2PM
Earth Day events will culminate with Spring Egg-stravaganza! on Aprill 22nd - the actual date designated as Earth Day to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's natural environment. Visitors to the preserve can create spring themed crafts made from recycled and natural materials, live animals that hatch from eggs including local birds, reptiles and amphibians, take home resources about our local environment as well as handy tips that everyone can use to keep our environment healthy!

A highlight of the event includes dying eggs using natural dyes made from such items as beets, red cabbage, goldenrod, blueberries and staghorn sumac (dyes are provided, please bring your own hard-boiled eggs; 6 eggs per person maximum)

Its sure to be an egg-stremely fun time for all!
Non-members: $7 Drop-in program


Call us about any details or questions at (716)825-6397