10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 6, 2019

For most avian migrants heading south towards Mexico, Central and South America, crossing thru the Arizona desert areas can provide very few water, food and resting areas. This 90 acre lake, managed by Arizona Fish and Wildlife is about a 45 mile drive from Tucson, and 9 miles from Mexico, as the Chihuahuan Raven flies.

Mexico 130

Mexico Tucson Arizona Ducks 130

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 4, 2021

This lake, with a surface area of up to 150 square miles in good years, is my go-to site for dozens of waterfowl and shorebird species, so I take its health personally. It is also a vital wintering and migratory site for most of these species, so I imagine they take its health very personally, as well.

San Francisco 263

San Francisco 2018 Mexico Ducks 263

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 14, 2017

Birders have been apprehensively watching developments regarding the construction of a border wall through the renowned birding location of Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge in Texas. There is a pending wall-related lawsuit in Arizona regarding potential action under an Executive Order issued by President Donald J. Trump. # # #.

Laws 130

Laws San Diego United States Arizona 130

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 24, 2016

Alas, now that the Arizona Cardinals have fallen to the Carolina Panthers, we face the prospect of a Super Bowl without bird-themed football teams. I got a good dose of seaducks this weekend up at the mouth of Irondequoit Bay; the most interesting species amidst the mixed flocks was a lone Bufflehead hobnobbing with Common Goldeneyes.

2016 101

2016 ALA Arizona Horses 101

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 12, 2017

When the news broke about a possible border wall through Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge in Texas, I decided to make plans to visit before it got bisected by a concrete barrier. After all, each refuge has been set aside to permanently protect birds and other wildlife. Indeed, The U.S. Indeed, The U.S. A key part of Donald J.

Texas 183

Texas United States Mexico Campaign 183

10,000 Birds

APRIL 2, 2024

Osborn, a passionate field biologist who participates to the core of her being three re-introduction projects aimed at saving three very different, endangered species: Peregrine Falcon, Hawaiian Crow (‘Alala)*, and California Condor. Sophie Osborn’s stories are personal and inspiring, but this is more than a personal memoir.

California Condor 168

California Condor Falcons California Birds 168

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 26, 2018

At last count, there are 25 species of birds named for U.S. But only two states have more than one bird named for them: Hawaii and California, with nine and seven extant and eponymous species, respectively. states, with varying degrees of geographical relevance (sorry, Tennessee Warbler ).

2015 113

2015 San Diego Family California Condor 113

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 8, 2017

Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) in the 1980s to be part of a captive breeding program. The arguments were framed by legal standards under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and the Administrative Procedures Act (APA). But they disagreed on the means to obtain that shared goal.

California Condor 104

California Condor California District of Columbia Utah 104

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 9, 2018

Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently decided that the Sonoran Desert population of Bald Eagle is not a listable taxon under the Endangered Species Act. Under ESA, the term “species” actually has three categories: (1) species, (2) subspecies, and (3) distinct population segments (DPS). What does that mean?

Bald Eagle 100

Bald Eagle Eagles Endangered Species 2017 100

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 13, 2018

As of mid-October 2018, the Collaborative had submitted more than 1,700 checklists and observed 618 species in the United States. The heat map is revealing: Unsurprisingly for a site founded and run by two New Yorkers (one of whom literally wrote the book on birding New York), the Empire State boasts the highest number of species (316).

Rhode Island 114

Rhode Island United States West Virginia Puerto Rico 114

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 19, 2012

Note the long yellow gape, a characteristic field mark of this species. Ferruginous Hawks were petitioned for listing under the federal Endangered Species Act in 1991 but rejected; currently they are listed as a Category 2 Species by the U.S. They are listed as vulnerable in Canada.

Squirrels 156

Squirrels Prairie Dogs North America Rabbits 156

10,000 Birds

APRIL 5, 2022

” are the big questions at the heart of Vagrancy in Birds by Alexander Lees and James Gilroy, an impressive, fascinating book about what ornithologists and wildlife biologists have found out about avian vagrancy so far and their theories explaining this phenomenon. ” and its companion question, “Why is this bird here?”

Birds 254

Birds Compassion Eagles Science 254

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 18, 2015

National parks like Rocky Mountain, the Grand Canyon, and the Great Smoky Mountains, as well as national wildlife refuges, national forests, rivers and lakes, community parks, trails, and ball fields in every one of our 50 states were set aside for Americans to enjoy thanks to federal funds from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).

Legislation 172

Legislation Montana America Wyoming 172

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 2, 2019

When we returned to Tucson, from the Bahamas, I was approaching a milestone number, 1300 bird species, and drove myself hard, climbing, hiking, searching, and driving all over the state of Arizona looking for those last eight birds. So below is what the year looked, by the numbers: Total Number of Little Big Year Species: 1302.

Costa Rica 128

Costa Rica Tucson South Africa Bahamas 128

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 10, 2018

The west end of the lake has been designated as a Watchable Wildlife Reserve, with some nice walking trails and a couple of very nice hides built overlooking some varied waterways. The numbers are as follows: Little Big Year Species – 892. species – 224. Guess I was just not holding my mouth right?

Colorado 113

Colorado Texas Trinidad Albuquerque 113

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 17, 2013

The problem of free-roaming cats — and their predation on birds and other wildlife — is hotly contested in communities across the country, and it triggered a lively exchange in the hearing room. Cats are domesticated animals that are not indigenous wildlife in North America. In Yuma, Arizona, they don’t take no prisoners.

Feral Cats 201

Feral Cats Feral Cats Minneapolis 201

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 31, 2012

I even managed to shoot a video with hands trembling of excitement, probably a first of the species. However, as regular readers will remember, I finally defeated my nemesis bird over Thanksgiving break at Veterans Oasis Park Chandler, Arizona. It was a mythical bird I didn’t ever expect to see. Thainamu chose a snipe !

2012 133

2012 Ghana Ireland Birds 133

10,000 Birds

JULY 30, 2014

the same few states always come to mind first…Alaska, Arizona, Texas, and Florida. Modoc National Wildlife Refuge, CA. Humboldt and Del Norte Counties offer top-knotch birding, and a suite of species that can’t be found in the rest of the state. When one thinks of taking a birdcation somewhere in the U.S.,

California 192

California San Diego Birds Oakland 192

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 2, 2019

172 lists were shared and 1004 species were seen, both records for October, so well done beats! Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge–East Pond. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Ash Creek Wildlife Area (LAS Co.). Ash Creek Wildlife Area (LAS Co.). Ash Creek Wildlife Area (LAS Co.).

2019 112

2019 China Battery Jamaica 112

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 27, 2013

My best bird of the year is based on the sighting rather than the species. Obviously my best bird of the year is going to come during this trip, what with several species of endemic pitta and broadbill possible, not to mention 8 species of hornbill and numerous babblers, storks, kingfishers, trogons and even the endemic Bornean Bristlehead.

2013 167

2013 Birds Costa Rica India 167

10,000 Birds

MAY 4, 2019

April was a busy time for the beats with 10 of them contributing 164 lists to accumulate 744 species from 7 countries; Costa Rica, USA, Australia, Serbia, UK, Brazil and Barbados. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Back to numbers.

2019 113

2019 Australia Ghana Woodpeckers 113

10,000 Birds

APRIL 6, 2019

978 species were tallied this month from 163 checklists. Only 123 species appear on both sides of the life list. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.

2019 113

2019 Ghana Australia Woodpeckers 113

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 2, 2019

The engaged and generous beats ( 10 of them) have shared 188 checklists during January and have accounted for 859 species from 8 countries (USA, Australia, Costa Rica, Brazil, Argentina, UK, New Zealand and Serbia. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. 03 Jan 2019.

2019 113

2019 Australia Jamaica Sparrows 113

10,000 Birds

JULY 6, 2019

beats have still managed to share 82 checklists and accounted for 737 species. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. 02 Jun 2019.

2019 118

2019 Jamaica Eggs Woodpeckers 118

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 2, 2017

They submitted 144 checklists, noting 628 species adding 72 to the year’s running total bringing it to 1890. Ra’s al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary. Merritt Island NWR–Black Point Wildlife Dr. 08 Jan 2017. Ra’s al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary. Ra’s al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary–Flamingo Hide.

2017 100

2017 Australia Sanctuary Woodpeckers 100

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 5, 2019

In reverse order, the medals were awarded for “most species seen in a country”, to Australia with 420, USA got the silver, scoring 556 while the runaway winner was Costa Rica with 646 species. Tuttle Marsh Wildlife Area. Mexican Whip-poor-will – Antrostomus arizonae. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Sparrows 113

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 1, 2018

8 beats shared 126 checklists accounting for 704 species. Tuttle Marsh Wildlife Area. Mexican Whip-poor-will – Antrostomus arizonae. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge–East Pond. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge–East Pond. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. 07 May 2018.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Sparrows 113

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 3, 2018

During October, 7 countries (Costa Rica, Australia, USA, India, Hong Kong, UK, Serbia) were birded by 11 beats who shared 135 checklists and noted 697 species. Trinidad Lake SP–Watchable Wildlife Trail. Ra’s al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary–Flamingo Hide. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge–East Pond.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Los Angeles 113

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 6, 2018

They noted 598 species as a team, bringing the year total to 2118 and pushing the life list to 3555. Ra’s al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary–Flamingo Hide. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge–East Pond. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge–East Pond.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Los Angeles 113

10,000 Birds

JULY 7, 2018

10 countries were birded by 9 beats and 892 species were noted from 144 checklists. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Tuttle Marsh Wildlife Area. Mexican Whip-poor-will – Antrostomus arizonae. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. 23 May 2018.

2018 100

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Los Angeles 100

10,000 Birds

MAY 6, 2018

Their 185 checklists contained 951 species during April! Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Mexican Whip-poor-will – Antrostomus arizonae. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Alligator River NWR–Wildlife Drive. Expanding that for the year so far gives 795 / 1512. 01 Jan 2018.

2018 100

2018 Australia Los Angeles Albatross 100