10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 8, 2018

I would wake up in darkness, gather my camera and binoculars and drive to Alabama for a birding tour along a river. There was nothing exciting about my birding as I slowly counted feathered creatures on eBird. In fact, even with the tern and waterfowl species designations I only made it to 11 avian varieties.

Florida 113

Florida Alabama Kansas Pelicans 113

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 30, 2014

There’s a new proposal before the American Ornithologists’ Union’s North American Classification Committee to split Painted Bunting into two species (yay! — maybe, more later) and to name the new species “Eastern Painted Bunting” and “Western Painted Bunting” (no!). Gorgeous Bunting.

Mississippi 273

Mississippi Mexico Alabama North Carolina 273

10,000 Birds

JULY 5, 2013

Although both species are widespread in North America as breeders in shrubby edge habitats, that is not the case in the southern half of the sunshine state (the more northerly race of Prairie Warbler is an uncommon breeder in the panhandle). Everyone, I would like you to meet the ‘Florida’ Prairie Warbler ( S.

Florida 190

Florida Breeders Miami Tampa 190

10,000 Birds

APRIL 28, 2024

There are a few spectacles in the birding community that are high energy, happen quickly, and is worth any effort to experience it. One such experience is a bird grounding event, sometimes called a fallout. However, if the wind blows in from the north, then these poor little birds have much more of a struggle.

Texas 216

Texas Alabama Alligators Nashville 216

10,000 Birds

APRIL 17, 2012

Oil on the beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama I covered the spill for several months for a special TV series on the Gulf Disaster. Oil begins to wash up on the beaches throughout May and June of 2010 May 6, 2010 Oil washes ashore on the Chandeleur Islands off the Louisiana coast, an important nesting and breeding area for many bird species.

2010 240

2010 Louisiana 2012 2011 240

10,000 Birds

APRIL 6, 2021

His second book on migration is a tale of many birds and many research studies all connected by the theme of migration and by his thoughtful narrative voice. In fact, early, photographic versions of several chapters appeared in Living Bird and Audubon Magazine (see the above links). is through the personal and the specific.

Cyprus 257

Cyprus Slaughter Slaughtered Research 257

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 13, 2018

Since 2016, writers at 10,000 Birds have been contributing checklists to a joint eBird account called the “10,000 Birds Collaborative.” The writers at 10,000 Birds span the globe, but I am particularly interested in the lists for the United States, as that is my “beat.” Citizens), it would do well, with 107 species.

Rhode Island 114

Rhode Island United States West Virginia Puerto Rico 114

10,000 Birds

MARCH 20, 2011

Over the winter, the universe lost four whooping cranes to what appears to be recreational shooting: three gunned down together in Georgia on December 30, 2010, and another in Alabama on January 28, 2011. It may be as sick as deliberately targeting an endangered species for death. Speculation is useless in acts of vandalism.

2011 243

2011 Hunting Kentucky Hunters 243

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 9, 2022

Last week, I received an email from an American couple that has recently moved to Morelia; they found me right here on 10,000 Birds. Although birding is not their first reason for moving here, they are enjoying meeting the lovely locals, such as the Broad-billed Hummingbird and Vermilion Flycatchers. Fame suits me, I must humbly admit.)

Mexico 226

Mexico Birds Costa Rica Alabama 226

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 22, 2018

Other reminders of December in Costa Rica are palm trees festooned with Christmas lights, an abundance of annual bird counts, and sightings of winter birds like gulls, ducks, and a scattering of Yellow-rumped Warblers. Personally, I had a year accompanied by a blend of changes and birds. It has been good, I am grateful!

Costa Rica 174

Costa Rica 2018 Birds West Virginia 174