10,000 Birds

JUNE 12, 2018

These remote islands, some more than 1,000 miles from Honolulu, are home to huge globally-significant colonies of Laysan and Black-footed Albatross, among many others. Many of these islands are part of the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge and one of the most important areas is Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge.

Mice 102

Mice Albatross Honolulu Endangered Species 102

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 9, 2014

For mankind to snatch away a species’ very existence is wrong on so many levels that I can’t begin to explain them. However, despite our best efforts to wipe them off the face of the earth, some of the more vulnerable species have managed to hang on. Fish and Wildlife Service. this species breeds.

Albatross 199

Albatross Endangered Species Geese Alaska 199

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 3, 2014

I actually have many targets, in a way, a I want to see lots and lots, but there is one species that the reason that the trip is even happening, the animal that has been pretty much the top of my animal bucket list for well over a decade. It’s a species that has bedeviled and bewitched me over the years. The African Wild Dog.

Sharks 170

Sharks Leopards Whales Whaling 170

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 1, 2022

The latest edition of the Clements Checklist that I could find, last modified in August 2022, lists 965 species (a little more manageable!), including 355 endemics, 28 introduced species, 6 extinct species, and 77 globally threatened species. There are three to four species on each page, for the most part.

Australia 231

Australia Birds 2017 Groups 231

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 19, 2016

I opened the year in California and even though I flew out in the evening on New Year’s Day I did see some species out there that I would otherwise not have seen for the year. Winter birding around New York City was just so-so but I did add one species to my Queens list. I finally saw an albatross!

2016 125

2016 Puerto Rico New York City New York 125

10,000 Birds

JULY 30, 2014

This time I’ll be working with Wildlife ACT in Zululand, helping that NGO monitor wildlife in a range of reserves and parks in the east of South Africa. I bring this up not to boast (well, not much) but because I think that this approach to wildlife travel is somewhat neglected in birding circles.

Uganda 160

Uganda Sharks Africa New Zealand 160

10,000 Birds

APRIL 3, 2013

The Fluttering Shearwaters continued to be common around the coasts of both North and South Island, and just outside the harbour, in sight of the city, I saw a White-capped Albatross, my first albie of the year. White-capped Albatross ( ( Thalassarche steadi, taken a day later in Kaikoura). A pretty good find!

Cooking 140

Cooking New Zealand Albatross Penguins 140

10,000 Birds

MAY 1, 2013

Even people with no other interest in wildlife, who couldn’t tell a sparrow from an ostrich (or even a dolphin from a fish) love dolphins. Yes, the same Kaikoura I keep banging on about that is a great place to see albatrosses. The routine for swimming with Hector’s Dolphins is slightly different to other species, however.

Dolphins 154

Dolphins Sharks New Zealand Albatross 154

10,000 Birds

JUNE 27, 2018

I am not immune to the siren call of posting images for likes… like this Salvin’s Albatross. It’s been the image for that species on Wikipedia for almost 8 years. Google-image the species. It’s been the main image for the species for over a decade, and seen by millions in the news.

Birds 134

Birds Malaysia Albatross Wildlife 134

10,000 Birds

MARCH 2, 2011

In particular the South Island destination of Kaikoura is world-renowned for the flocks of albatrosses and giant petrels floating right off the pelagic boat, and the ease of the trip makes it a must-visit for any visiting birder. The final large petrel species is another gadfly petrel, albeit a much larger one than the Cook’s Petrel.

New Zealand 174

New Zealand Albatross 2011 Cooking 174

10,000 Birds

APRIL 2, 2012

Birding has been an all-consuming interest for Patrick Cardwell since boyhood days spent in a wildlife-rich environment.

Albatross 178

Albatross Penguins Dolphins Whales 178

10,000 Birds

APRIL 7, 2015

Every section is excellent, Going from back to front, the Species Natural History section is where to go for answers to all your questions about penguins and then some. The introductory Penguin Who’s Who introduces each species visually. And that’s just the top section!

Penguins 193

Penguins New Zealand South Africa Albatross 193

10,000 Birds

APRIL 20, 2011

I was lucky enough to get a four month window into the lives of one species, the Great Frigatebird , Fregata minor , while working for the USFWS on French Frigate Shoals in the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge. White-headed juvenile and adult female with almost fledged Black-footed Albatross. Adult female at rest.

Albatross 156

Albatross Pelicans Family Hunting 156

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 7, 2011

To that end please enjoy this quick guide of where to go birding and wildlife watching when based at any of the many World Cup locations. Don’t forget you can also see some wildlife on the road as you go ! North of Dunedin is Orokonui , a wildlife Sanctuary modeled on Karori with a fence to keep introduced mammals out.

New Zealand 157

New Zealand Penguins Sanctuary Birds 157

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 28, 2012

ALWAYS assume there is some other bird species in there that you have not found yet. Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. Here is a flock of endangered species. Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge, North Dakota. This is my flock of Laysan Albatross , on Midway Atoll. Buldir Island, AK.

North Dakota 161

North Dakota LACS Oakland Falcons 161

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 27, 2013

My best bird of the year is based on the sighting rather than the species. Obviously my best bird of the year is going to come during this trip, what with several species of endemic pitta and broadbill possible, not to mention 8 species of hornbill and numerous babblers, storks, kingfishers, trogons and even the endemic Bornean Bristlehead.

2013 167

2013 Birds Costa Rica India 167

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 25, 2012

But as I walked around my local wildlife refuge seeing all my local birds for the first time it occurred to me I’d fallen into a competitive listing trap. It is one of several species I saw while backpacking here 12 years ago but haven’t seen while living here. This is one species I have never seen, period.

2012 166

2012 New Zealand Birds Albatross 166

10,000 Birds

JULY 30, 2014

Modoc National Wildlife Refuge, CA. Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge offers a fine show of raptors and waterfowl, Modoc National Wildlife Refuge has reliable Trumpeter Swans in winter, and the Warner Mountains are home to Cordilleran Flycatcher in spring and summer. Northeastern California. Arcata, CA. Northwestern California.

California 194

California San Diego Birds Oakland 194

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 1, 2020

This shows the top birders, by species or checklists submitted. Curu Wildlife Reserve. Curu Wildlife Reserve. Curu Wildlife Reserve. Curu Wildlife Reserve. Curu Wildlife Reserve. Curu Wildlife Reserve. Lago de Cuitzeo. 01 Jan 2020. Plain-breasted Ground Dove – Columbina minuta. 11 Jan 2020.

2020 156

2020 Wildlife Reserve Tigers Wildlife 156

10,000 Birds

APRIL 2, 2016

All birds are equal on this list; parking lot birds or pelagic species, breeders or fly-overs, all will be accorded the same status and each shall be worth 1 credit on the list. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary.

2016 118

2016 Sanctuary Australia Wildlife 118

10,000 Birds

MARCH 16, 2011

There are are presently thought to be five species of kiwi with a possible sixth extinct species, all of which have suffered varying degrees of range contraction since the arrival of humans. Both these tours are for the Little Spotted Kiwi , the smallest species and one now one mainly confined to offshore islands.

New Zealand 143

New Zealand 2011 Deer New York 143

10,000 Birds

MARCH 9, 2011

Like Kapiti the island is an offshore refuge for many species extinct on the mainland, with a lot of the work being done by the voluntary Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi. One species I really hoped to find on the trip was the Kokako. Fish & Wildlife comes in response to a lawsuit brought by the Center for Biological Diversity.

New Zealand 148

New Zealand 2011 Deer Cats 148

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 1, 2016

All birds are equal on this list; parking lot birds or pelagic species, breeders or fly-overs, all will be accorded the same status and each shall be worth 1 credit on the list. Bund Baretha Wildlife Sanctuary. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. Bund Baretha Wildlife Sanctuary.

2016 154

2016 Sanctuary Australia Ghana 154

10,000 Birds

APRIL 7, 2018

During March, 11 beats shared 122 checklists to accumulate 680 species from 8 countries; USA, Costa Rica, Serbia, India, Australia, New Zealand, UK and Japan. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Gray-headed Albatross – Thalassarche chrysostoma. Buller’s Albatross – Thalassarche bulleri. Alphabetic Taxonomic.

2018 100

2018 Australia Los Angeles Albatross 100

10,000 Birds

MARCH 3, 2018

They found 673 species and advanced the yearly total to 1019. White-capped Albatross – Thalassarche cauta. Kaikoura–Albatross Encounter pelagic. Salvin’s Albatross – Thalassarche salvini. Kaikoura–Albatross Encounter pelagic. Royal Albatross – Diomedea epomophora.

2018 100

2018 Australia Los Angeles Albatross 100

10,000 Birds

JULY 2, 2016

Despite recording 370 species during the month, the list total has advanced by just 45. Just to confuse things a little, only 14 new species were recorded since June 1 st. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. White-capped Albatross – Thalassarche cauta. Bund Baretha Wildlife Sanctuary. Sandy Hook. 14 May 2016.

2016 100

2016 Sanctuary Ghana Australia 100

10,000 Birds

MAY 7, 2016

All birds are equal on this list; parking lot birds or pelagic species, breeders or fly-overs, all will be accorded the same status and each shall be worth 1 credit on the list. Bund Baretha Wildlife Sanctuary. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. Bund Baretha Wildlife Sanctuary.

2016 100

2016 Sanctuary Ghana Australia 100

10,000 Birds

JUNE 4, 2016

All birds are equal on this list; parking lot birds or pelagic species, breeders or fly-overs, all will be accorded the same status and each shall be worth 1 credit on the list. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Bund Baretha Wildlife Sanctuary. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. Big Egg Marsh.

2016 100

2016 Sanctuary Ghana Australia 100

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 3, 2018

During October, 7 countries (Costa Rica, Australia, USA, India, Hong Kong, UK, Serbia) were birded by 11 beats who shared 135 checklists and noted 697 species. Trinidad Lake SP–Watchable Wildlife Trail. Ra’s al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary–Flamingo Hide. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge–East Pond.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Sparrows 113

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 3, 2016

All birds are equal on this list; parking lot birds or pelagic species, breeders or fly-overs, all will be accorded the same status and each shall be worth 1 credit on the list. Bund Baretha Wildlife Sanctuary. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. Bund Baretha Wildlife Sanctuary.

2016 101

2016 Sanctuary Australia Ghana 101

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 2, 2017

They submitted 144 checklists, noting 628 species adding 72 to the year’s running total bringing it to 1890. Ra’s al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary. Merritt Island NWR–Black Point Wildlife Dr. 08 Jan 2017. Ra’s al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary. Ra’s al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary–Flamingo Hide.

2017 100

2017 Australia Sanctuary Woodpeckers 100

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 5, 2019

In reverse order, the medals were awarded for “most species seen in a country”, to Australia with 420, USA got the silver, scoring 556 while the runaway winner was Costa Rica with 646 species. Tuttle Marsh Wildlife Area. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge–East Pond. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Sparrows 113

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 6, 2016

All birds are equal on this list; parking lot birds or pelagic species, breeders or fly-overs, all will be accorded the same status and each shall be worth 1 credit on the list. Bund Baretha Wildlife Sanctuary. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. Bund Baretha Wildlife Sanctuary.

2016 100

2016 Sanctuary Ghana Australia 100

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 6, 2018

They noted 598 species as a team, bringing the year total to 2118 and pushing the life list to 3555. Ra’s al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary–Flamingo Hide. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge–East Pond. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge–East Pond.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Los Angeles 113

10,000 Birds

MAY 6, 2018

Their 185 checklists contained 951 species during April! Gray-headed Albatross – Thalassarche chrysostoma. Buller’s Albatross – Thalassarche bulleri. White-capped Albatross – Thalassarche cauta. Kaikoura–Albatross Encounter pelagic. Kaikoura–Albatross Encounter pelagic.

2018 100

2018 Australia Los Angeles Albatross 100

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 1, 2018

8 beats shared 126 checklists accounting for 704 species. Tuttle Marsh Wildlife Area. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge–East Pond. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge–East Pond. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. Garret Mountain Reservation (Park).

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Sparrows 113

10,000 Birds

JULY 7, 2018

10 countries were birded by 9 beats and 892 species were noted from 144 checklists. Gray-headed Albatross – Thalassarche chrysostoma. Buller’s Albatross – Thalassarche bulleri. White-capped Albatross – Thalassarche cauta. Kaikoura–Albatross Encounter pelagic. Does Mel Gibson know?

2018 100

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Los Angeles 100