10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 17, 2013

Corey’s Best Bird of the Weekend was any of the Long-tailed Ducks he spotted this weekend along the coast in a fruitless search for his first Harlequin Ducks of the year. The long-tails were a nice consolation prize. How about you? What was your best bird of the weekend?

2013 159

2013 Science Ducks Birds 159

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 15, 2013

Corey’s Best Bird of the Weekend could have been either his first Harlequin Duck or his first Glaucous Gull of the year. One of the only upsides of this winter wonderland I’m trapped in is the appearance of cold season specialties like the handsome Rough-legged Hawk I spotted this weekend.

2013 163

2013 Shelters Birds Science 163

10,000 Birds

MARCH 17, 2013

Corey’s Best Bird of the Weekend was actually a pair of birds, his first Wood Ducks of the year. My weekend was utterly dominated by an attenuated celebration of my son’s 9th birthday, but I could still appreciate the reappearance of Common Grackles in my backyard. He spotted them at Baisley Pond Park in Queens. How about you?

2013 162

2013 Birds Ducks Experience 162

10,000 Birds

MAY 10, 2013

Having seen all my targets, I slowly made my way to Elim Pools west of Mandeville to see some wetland species , which included a small flock of West Indian Whistling-Ducks along with more regular species for the location such as Northern Jacana , Limpkin , and Purple Gallinule.

Jamaica 152

Jamaica 2013 Parrots Birds 152

10,000 Birds

MARCH 25, 2014

They include Black-footed Albatrosses , Laysan Ducks , and roughly 65 percent of the world’s Laysan Albatrosses. Between 2012 and 2013, populations of Laysan and Black-footed Albatrosses at Midway reached near-record levels. Photos of the Black-footed, above, and the Laysan, below, both from Duncan.).

Albatross 185

Albatross Goats United States Japan 185

10,000 Birds

MAY 12, 2020

There were similar FWS studies using similar methodologies with similar findings in 2003 , 2007 , and 2013. But, I think most would agree that driving a mile to walk at the local park and seeing ducks on the pond does not a birder make. Note : This is based on an earlier post that assessed the 2013 version of the FWS survey.

2016 257

2016 North America 2020 2019 257

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 19, 2011

But if you want herons and ducks and shorebirds and geese and egrets and swans and rails the best bet is the famed Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge along State Route 2 in Oak Harbor, Ohio. Thanks to the folks at the symposium for having me and I’ll see you all in 2013! … a.

Wildlife 193

Wildlife Ohio 2013 Boston 193

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 8, 2014

Amazon had a brilliant press release on Cyber Monday 2013 about using drones as a possible delivery service for their products in the near future. Say a duck hunter knows that the closed pools nearby has ducks and it’s dead in the pool where they are hunting.

Bald Eagle 191

Bald Eagle Mississippi Eagles Ducks 191

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 1, 2016

The shallows are full of ducks in eclipse, a real puzzle that requires a bit of time and a sharp eye – something you usually reserve for warblers and such. Wigeons are only migrants and not a breeding species in Serbia and August is a bit too early for any longer distance duck movements. The autumn migration has clearly started.

Serbia 159

Serbia Protection Eagles Ducks 159

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 16, 2017

This leads me to my third twitch for the celebrated Falcated Duck ( Anas falcata ) at Colusa National Wildlife Refuge in January of 2012. In September of 2013 there was an Eastern Kingbird ( Tyrannus tyrannus ) seen in Redding, California, less than 30 miles from my home. This was a no-brainer.

California 100

California North America Wildlife Campaign 100

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 4, 2022

We need a Spotted Woodpecker’); a trip to Arizona where Rogers meets up with an old friend who has also ‘converted’ to birding and an old lover; the glory of being the number 1 birder in Dutchess County (NYS) in April 2013; the magic of experiencing the dawn chorus on May 10th at Thompson Pond, NYS, a birding adventure honoring the (..)

Birds 261

Birds Sparrows Connecticut New York 261

10,000 Birds

MAY 6, 2013

… where the Spring Wings Festival will be held from March 17–19, 2013! In addition to kayak tours and birds of prey demos, Spring Wings has plenty to do for even the most casual birders, including a decoy-carving workshop, a photography seminar, and a chance to help band baby Wood Ducks (and who wouldn’t love that!).

Nevada 159

Nevada Las Vegas Jordan North America 159

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 16, 2014

Highlight species: Ferruginous Duck , Goosander , Red-breasted Merganser , Red-crested Pochard , Greater Scaup , Velvet Scoter , Black-throated Diver. In late February and March, the only duck species that does not overwinter here is heading back – the Garganey. Ducks mostly migrate in November, reaching their peak by mid-December.

Serbia 226

Serbia Birds Ducks Eagles 226

10,000 Birds

MAY 3, 2016

My Eastern Sibley served me well, replacing the Peterson’s with which I learned my ducks and waders. I was a little sad to see that the newer editions don’t have the second signature birds (Wood Duck for Eastern, Tufted Puffin for Western) and regional maps on the spine. Font: It is amazing what you can do with a font.

North America 152

North America 2003 Birds America 152

10,000 Birds

JULY 30, 2014

One or two Tufted Ducks show up at Lake Merritt in Oakland every year, with this drake in particular often lending itself for soul-satisfying views. The lake is a great place in winter for seeing grebes and diving ducks close up, and can offer some good gulling as well. Lake Merritt, Oakland, CA. Bodega Bay, CA. Ventura, CA.

California 193

California San Diego Birds Oakland 193

10,000 Birds

MARCH 4, 2013

Sadly, lots of good birds were lacking on our 2 March 2013 trip out of Freeport, New York. We not only struck out on that but also on the Harlequin Ducks that were not near the jetties at Point Lookout. I made do with other common ducks in the fading light. Long-tailed Ducks Clangula hyemalis.

New York 146

New York Iceland Puffins Ducks 146

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 7, 2013

I wonder how many I’ll be able to add in 2013. Mottled Duck ? Then I slowed down a bit but still found an insanely good bird for Queens , chased a rare duck , went out to Montauk , saw a pelican , and nabbed a good goose in the Bronx. There is no way 2013 will be as good as year for me birding-wise as 2012 was.

2012 142

2012 Czech Republic Hedgehogs Hungary 142

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 5, 2017

Therefore, I greatly expanded the structure of my year list in 2013 to include maps, statistics and a diary. Now, I really like the 2013 layout and am planning on keeping it, but I’ll make the diary shorter this year and will keep the list in chronologic order instead of systematic. Tufted Duck, Aythya fuligula.

2017 100

2017 Germany 2012 2013 100

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 1, 2018

Talking of gulls, I had a new meeting with an old acquaintance, the Black-headed Gull ringed in 2013 in the north of the country that I already met twice in 2015 and now again – I even recognized its ring because the combination of letters sounds a bit like “Yahoo”. Ferruginous Duck – Aythya nyroca.

Owls 104

Owls Greece Serbia Woodpeckers 104

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 10, 2013

For January 1st, 2013, I decided to do something a little different this year — a Big Day in Miami-Dade, which involves seeing or hearing as many species as possible within a 24-hour period inside my home county. On January 1st, 2013 at 4:30AM, I woke up to my alarm, and the race was on.

Miami 137

Miami Virginia Bald Eagle 2013 137

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 2, 2014

Published by the National Park in 2013. Serbia, the Bradt Travel Guide by Laurence Mitchell, 4th edition, 2013 (offers extensive coverage of birding sites by yours truly). Recommended books: (Bilingual coffee table book): “Ptice Djerdapa/Birds of Djerdap” by B. Milovanovic and M. Useful links: The National Park.

Serbia 182

Serbia Turtles Birds Eagles 182

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 22, 2015

Maharashtra, February 2013. The Little Egret walks in front of her, a dozen Lesser Whistling Ducks flies noisily low above water and through a flooded grass wades one Black-winged Stilt. Trying not to inhale so much of the dust cloud that envelops us, I am sporting a bandana tied bank-robber style.

Tigers 238

Tigers India Killing 2012 238

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 11, 2014

Here’s his third stop: In June of 2013, we arrived in Helsinki, the capital and largest city in Finland, and our third destination on our European getaway. You can take in views of waterfowl including Eurasian Wigeon , Barnacle Geese , Trumpeter Swan , and a plethora of ducks and gulls. Of course, birding was on the itinerary!

Finland 162

Finland Estonia Birds Europe 162

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 27, 2013

As 2013 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 , 2011 , and 2012 , shared our Best Birds of the Year. This ABA Code 4 bird was found hanging out with some Wood Ducks in Missoula, conveniently enough, by Radd Icenoggle. Sociable Lapwings by Nate Swick.

2013 167

2013 Birds Costa Rica India 167

10,000 Birds

APRIL 7, 2016

In 2013, the U.S. But driving a mile to walk at the local park and seeing ducks on the pond does not a birder make. Jason’s first contribution to 10,000 Birds tackled the importance of the National Wildlife Refuge System. How many birders are there in America? As it turns out, there are very few estimates.

Wildlife 164

Wildlife Portland 2002 Collecting 164

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 31, 2012

After lazing in the heat I decided to visit the forest pools one last time, hoping for another sighting of Hartlaub’s Duck or White-bellied Kingfisher. Here’s hoping 2013 brings you as many great birds as 2012 did! Isaac, my local guide was hesitantly following. Suddenly Isaac whispered: Grey-throated Rail. Happy New Year!

2012 133

2012 Ghana Ireland Birds 133

10,000 Birds

MARCH 21, 2024

I photographed the first of only two Northern Parulas ever reported in my state, way back in 2013. Like the previous park, there were no ducks, coots, or grebes to be seen. I know of only one place to see a wintering American Redstart in Morelia, where I live. But it is a private property, to which I don’t have access.

Mexico 185

Mexico Birds Raccoons Baltimore 185

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 21, 2015

Somehow I forgot that the last time I predicted what the next ten species I would see in Queens would be was back on 30 December 2013, when my list was sitting at 302. What did I predict back in December of 2013? Long-eared Owl, 3 Jul 2010, 25 Mar 2013. Long-eared Owl, 31 Oct 2010, 15 May 2012, 25 Mar 2013. Good times!

2013 160

2013 2010 2012 2011 160

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 4, 2016

There are drawings comparing the hind claws on pipits, images of hybrid ducks, a table of key identification features of redpoll species, a table on the key features of Chiffchaff races, drawings of tails of Collared Dove, Turtle Dove, and Rufous Turtle Dove, comparisons of the bills of Rook, Carrion Crow, and Raven.

Ireland 140

Ireland Birds Groups Falcons 140

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 4, 2014

” The Labrador Duck “is memorialized by forty-four stuffed specimens in museums and by countless antique featherbeds.” Ammo Books; Anniversary ed edition; November, 2013 (originally published 1972, reissued 2008). After that the Paroquet spent his days, which ended in 1904, as a highly visible target.”

Betty Crocker 170

Betty Crocker Birds 2008 2007 170

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 3, 2013

The term “Eastern Waterbirds” may include many different types of birds, from waders to shorebirds to ducks such as the stunning King Eider above to any of the many gulls and terns that migrate through Atlantic waters. Wood Duck, for example, is included with dabbling ducks, even though it is in a separate genus.)

Ducks 225

Ducks Groups Species North America 225

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 25, 2015

Caspian Terns in the back, large flocks of ducks or all the regular dabbling varieties, American White Pelican s staked out in the center, ibis, herons, and egrets set against the crackling soundtrack of Red-winged Blackbird s and Boat-tailed Grackle s. The three main impoundments at Pea Island were packed with birds. Photo by Steven Howell.

North Carolina 150

North Carolina Rattlesnake Sparrows Owls 150

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 6, 2014

I am no different from other birders that keep a year list and while my 511 species in 2013 wasn’t an absurdly good year it also wasn’t half-bad. Ruddy Ducks almost invariably make me happy. I wish the Ruddy Duck had used this Canvasback as an role model. Click to embiggen.). Canvasback are awesome.

2014 155

2014 Fox Birds Owls 155

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 29, 2013

There were plenty of Australian Pelicans, Royal Spoonbills, Black-winged Stilt and Gull-billed Terns, but the numbers were down on the Plumed Whistling Ducks which normally line the edge of the ponds in their thousands. The variety of ducks was good and especially the high presence of Pink-eared Ducks. Common Sandpiper.

Ducks 154

Ducks Birds Parrots Australia 154

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 30, 2013

Long-eared Owl* Harlequin Duck* Connecticut Warbler* Alder Flycatcher. Long-eared Owl – 25 Mar 2013 – This was another twitch which I managed to get on a drizzly morning before work where it roosted in a pine stand in Forest Park. The last of the regularly expected owls in Queens.

2012 158

2012 2013 New York City Jamaica 158

10,000 Birds

MARCH 14, 2011

I feel certain that, given Tennessee’s 18-year track record of celebrating cranes in a tremendously successful festival, the opposition will only be stronger in 2013. You don’t even have to have a duck stamp! From July 1 2008-June 30 2009 Ducks Unlimited raised 200.4 Isn’t that neat? It’s free!

2011 239

2011 Kentucky Tennessee Hunting 239

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 13, 2013

We were able to add Wood Sandpiper, Galah, Pink-eared Duck, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Red-kneed Dotterel, Black Swans, Spinifex Pigeon and Variegated Fairywren to our year list at the Poo Ponds and there were numerous other waterbirds that we had already seen at the Broome Poo Ponds on New Year’s Day.

Birds 150

Birds Industry Transported Ducks 150