10,000 Birds

MARCH 30, 2012

Around thirty miles from Missoula in the Bitterroot Valley lies the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge. Fish and Wildlife Service a. At last we plunged into the woods, hoping for Great Horned Owls. Terry McEneaney did a spectactular job as guide, and meeting the local Audubon Society crew for the first time was a lot of fun.

Wildlife 167

Wildlife Montana Geese Bald Eagle 167

10,000 Birds

JULY 9, 2015

Further down the road, we reach a derelict building with a large veranda hidden among the trees – an abandoned hunting lodge (if I were in a situation to invest, I would choose to upgrade this into a luxury wildlife lodge). To Nitin, this was a recce trip for his new wildlife photography tours enterprise.

Tigers 237

Tigers Dogs India Snow Leopard 237

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 29, 2023

They’re not, alas particularly impressive. It’s a total I’ve never approached since, which might explain why in recent years I stopped counting. However, 12 months ago I decided to do a 2023 year list, so now, with 2024 just hours away, I can reveal the results. My British total was a mere 172 species – not bad, but not very good.

Estonia 224

Estonia Portugal Greece Barn Owls 224

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 27, 2013

My fiance and I drove nearly two hours to the Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area in rural Indiana to watch them come in for the evening. Alas, the bird had flown. Alas, this year was the first since Mike started birding that he didn’t see a single lifer. What’s a birder to do? Tragic, right?

2013 167

2013 Birds Costa Rica India 167