10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 23, 2024

They were my target species, and I remember being delighted in not only seeing them well, but finding feeding flocks that were remarkably unconcerned about being watched. Many have been shot since the project started, despite a great deal of publicity raising awareness of the birds.

Morocco 223

Morocco Austria Algeria Germany 223

10,000 Birds

JULY 5, 2022

The first half describes the problem (why birds hit windows, the scale of the deaths, scientific research, what happens when birds strike windows) and the second half discusses what to do about it (community and worldwide education, window deterrent solutions, legal mandates and building codes, citizen science–what individuals can do).

New York City 253

New York City Birds Illinois Science 253

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 7, 2019

He raised his binoculars above his head and cried out with courage and clarity, “I am Sparticus!” 29 Nov 2019. 28 Nov 2019. 28 Nov 2019. 27 Nov 2019. 27 Nov 2019. 27 Nov 2019. 27 Nov 2019. 27 Nov 2019. 27 Nov 2019. 27 Nov 2019. 27 Nov 2019. 27 Nov 2019.

2019 139

2019 Farming Sparrows Charlotte 139

10,000 Birds

JULY 4, 2023

Jennifer Ackerman points out in the introduction to What the Owl Knows: The New Science of the World’s Most Enigmatic Birds , that we don’t know much, but that very soon we may know a lot more. What the Owl Knows: The New Science of the World’s Most Enigmatic Birds is a joyous, fascinating read.

Owls 209

Owls Science Barn Owls Penguins 209

10,000 Birds

MARCH 3, 2020

One of these days, Jeopardy will feature a category called “Field Guides” and the first clue will be: “This landlocked South American country finally got its own bird field guide in 2016, but it wasn’t available in the United State until 2019.” That’s pretty amazing–Bolivia has more bird species than India!

Bolivia 172

Bolivia Birds Brazil Switzerland 172

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 20, 2023

Even the Latin species name soror (“sister”) indicates the similarity to another pitta species (blue-naped). The eBird description of the Small Niltava starts with the surprisingly dull statement that “size distinguishes this species from other niltavas” Who would have thought.

China 226

China Birds Pythons Eagles 226

10,000 Birds

JUNE 1, 2022

I’ve never known quite what to do with the two Cardinal sightings I have had near our church in Morelia, since that species is not supposed to be seen there, or to be migratory, but both sightings occurred in winter. I have seen two Godwit species at Lake Cuitzeo. 2020 yielded a single sighting; 2019, two; 2018, four.

Mexico 218

Mexico 2018 Ducks Breeding 218