10,000 Birds

APRIL 27, 2022

While preparing an article this week for a local newspaper on the nighttime denizens of Tobago, it crossed my mind that I never considered owls as a group, far less target species for any particular outing (except for a select few, upon which I shall expound here). Some of my earliest bird-related memories (what other memories even exist?)

Trinidad 276

Trinidad Owls Barn Owls Abandon 276

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 19, 2020

Set in an abandoned oil refinery where wildlife is slowly regaining control save for the desperate attempts of golfers to retain all eighteen holes, industrial ghosts loom over rolling freshwater lakes bordered by fifty foot tall trees. The subtle white edging to the gape of this bird indicates it is near breeding time.

Trinidad 213

Trinidad Birds Parrots Falcons 213

10,000 Birds

APRIL 14, 2021

Among all the birding locations I have found, Pino Real was my first love. I was just getting back into birding, and had only gone to some urban sites, during 2012 and 2013. Since it was the first link in this chain, Pino Real was where I met many of Michoacán’s flagship species. That chain continues to this day.

2013 164

2013 Emotional Abandon Abandoning 164

10,000 Birds

JULY 5, 2013

It’s among a handful of species — American Robin, Black-capped Chickadee , the unholy trinity of House Sparrow – Rock Pigeon – European Starling , a few others — that have been everywhere I’ve ever lived. We never would have gotten all those extra species of Red Crossbill that way.

Connecticut 180

Connecticut Baltimore North America New York City 180

10,000 Birds

MAY 28, 2014

The next day we tried mist netting the cave entrance, and the day after I abandoned the project entirely. This species was a new species and genus for me, and a particularly attractive one that was a pleasure to watch as we wandered down the slippery walkway to the cave entrance. I think we caught perhaps three bats.

Bats 155

Bats Birds Vanuatu Namibia 155

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 26, 2018

When I began reviewing beers for 10,000 Birds, I knew I would eventually get around to writing about the Mendocino Brewing Company. While I’m happy whenever a brewery has just one bird-inspired beer, Mendocino offers an entire range of beers named for birds, with each bottle handsomely adorned with a namesake bird.

United States 100

United States North America Abandon Abandoning 100

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 19, 2017

In Costa Rica, we don’t get many chances to chase birds. While we could chase a number of local, rare residents, looking for super tough species like Pheasant Cuckoo and Tawny-faced Quail is more akin to searching and lurking in appropriate habitat and just hoping to get lucky.

Costa Rica 100

Costa Rica San Jose Falcons Nicaragua 100