10,000 Birds

APRIL 2, 2013

A breeding bird atlas is a special kind of book. For the nature lovers and birders who participate in breeding bird surveys, the atlas represents hours, often hundreds of hours, of volunteer time spent within a community of citizen scientists doing what they love, observing birds. So, what exactly does a breeding bird atlas contain?

Pennsylvania 235

Pennsylvania Breeding Birds Sparrows 235

10,000 Birds

MARCH 14, 2011

For my new book, due out in 2012 from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, I’ve been researching sandhill crane hunting. Nationwide, wildlife watchers now outspend hunters 6 to 1. I’ve received letters and emails from a number of avid hunters who find the concept of shooting cranes repugnant.

2011 251

2011 Kentucky Tennessee Hunting 251

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 4, 2012

The length of each bird species account varies, depending on whether the bird is native or a “visitor” (the book’s term for migrant) or vagrant, breeding or non breeding. They breed in dense colonies, incubate their single egg on the feet, and take more than a year to fledge a chick.

Georgia 174

Georgia Penguins Wildlife Whales 174

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 15, 2012

As 2012 draws to a close we here at 10,000 Birds thought that it would be a great idea if we, like we did in 2010 and 2011 , shared our Best Birds of the Year. Considering the bird survived a season in an area saturated with hunters and birds of prey, this facemelting rarity deserves our respect.

2012 152

2012 Birds Guatemala Florida 152