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 132

Mexico Tucson Arizona Ducks 132

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 31, 2018

Now that we have “settled” in Tucson, Arizona, or at least this is where the 5th Wheel is for the time being, it has been nice to be able to spread out a bit. Now that we have been in sunny, dry Arizona, it has rained 5 of the last seven days. By the time we left there four hours later, I checked off, seven total hummingbird species.

Tucson 113

Tucson Costa Rica Arizona Woodpeckers 113

10,000 Birds

MARCH 6, 2019

Now that Jeanne and I have finally settled on Tucson, Arizona at least for a while, I will pick up where I left off at the end of 2018. Arizona, specifically the South East portion of the state, will be my “beat” for the rest of this year. This area has no less than 17 eBird hotspots recorded, many of which boast nearly 200 species.

Arizona 136

Arizona Tucson Florida 2018 136

10,000 Birds

JUNE 21, 2013

After nearly a week of traveling through Arizona’s very dry southeastern corner, I decided to make a detour to Flagstaff for a change of pace, a change of scenery, and a chance at seeing an assortment of birds more typical of the Great Basin than the Sierra Madre of Mexico. Lewis’s Woodpecker, flycatcher or woodpecker?

Arizona 140

Arizona Woodpeckers Phoenix Birds 140

10,000 Birds

JUNE 7, 2013

I had the pleasure of paying this national park a visit on a trip to Arizona in late May, and I was immediately struck by how important this species of plant is to this ecosystem. Thriving in a hostile, rocky, arid environment, these cacti are oases for nearly all vertebrate species that have evolved to live in the Sonoran Desert.

Arizona 163

Arizona Tucson Miami Shelters 163

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 6, 2022

we learn) that are home to coveted boreal species, breeding wood-warblers, and two species of Grouse. There are 461 species on the Maine checklist. This field guide covers 265 species, the ones most likely to be seen–residential and migratory, almost all nesting birds, many wintering birds.

Los Angeles 194

Los Angeles Birds District of Columbia Parrots 194

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

These arid hills, cloaked in a mosaic of deciduous scrub and desert vegetation, form a northern outpost for several Neotropical species while also harboring several key endemics and southwestern Nearctic species. Think Arizona meets Costa Rica with a Mexican twist.

Mexico 191

Mexico Costa Rica Arizona Birds 191

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

AUGUST 23, 2012

Common species like Lesser Goldinch , White-winged Dove , and Verdin quickly gave way to more rarified fare. The attraction of Southeastern Arizona in summer stems from the presence of certain highly range-restricted species. Where else can you see something like that?!

Tucson 154

Tucson Arizona North America Sparrows 154

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 1, 2022

8 of them sent 153 lists, noting 645 species of bird across 7 countries (Mexico, UK, USA, Serbia, Australia, Costa Rica, Colombia). It has not resulted in extraordinary numbers of sightings personally, but the beats have been busy on their respective patches and have sent me their lists to collate. The year list finishes at 1628.

Sparrows 230

Sparrows Woodpeckers Parrots Owls 230

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 18, 2012

bicolor ), like the Red-bellied Woodpecker and Turkey Vulture , has expanded its range dramatically to penetrate northern reaches. A half-century ago, this species might have been restricted to Iowa or New Jersey, but now it can be found throughout New England and even south-eastern Canada. The Tufted Titmouse ( B.

Arizona 264

Arizona Oklahoma Texas Mexico 264

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 14, 2014

Many Nearctic species and families reach their southern terminus in the Northern Central American Highlands, such as Common Raven , Red Crossbill , Steller’s Jay , and even Brown Creeper. Alex also masterfully worked another tricky species into view for us during that first afternoon, Ruddy Crake (a close relative of the Black Rail ).

Honduras 213

Honduras Costa Rica El Salvador Arizona 213

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 24, 2018

Right in our camp, we found Ladder-backed Woodpeckers. We are now headed to Tucson, Arizona, where we will park the 5th wheel for an extended amount of time, possibly as long as March 1st. The Little Big Year numbers up to this point are as follows: Little Big Year species – 908. US species – 243.

New Mexico 113

New Mexico Mexico Tucson Arizona 113

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 1, 2018

One particular issue had a feature on the birds of Madera Canyon, Arizona. They claimed 15 species of bejeweled hummingbirds, 36 wood warblers, a Flame-colored Tanager , Greater Roadrunners (straight from the cartoon), and an oddly perched, metallic green-headed fellow called the ‘elusive’ Elegant Trogon. Acorn Woodpecker.

Arizona 139

Arizona Tucson Birds North America 139

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 15, 2014

Or the ones in Arizona that make you feel prety dang satisfied with life? No muddy trails : Muddy trails can’t be helped and you might have to walk on a few to see forest interior species but it’s nice to watch a well-stocked feeder when you get tired of the sticky, tropical mud.

Costa Rica 194

Costa Rica Birds Arizona Woodpeckers 194

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 3, 2016

We just had to stop on the way, even if briefly, at Cinchona, Cinchona- always an easy place for in your face views of hummingbirds and species that visit the fruit feeders. Numbers were impressive, especially because that euphonia species isn’t the commonest of birds in Costa Rica. This is a female Green Thorntail.

Costa Rica 123

Costa Rica Falcons Birds North Carolina 123

10,000 Birds

APRIL 26, 2013

One of the perks about living in Miami is that plane tickets to the bird-rich Caribbean, Central, and South America are often cheaper than going to places like Arizona, Colorado, or California. I made my way to the coast to Hotel Jamaican Colors just north of Manchioneal for the night having seen 23 of my target species already.

Jamaica 178

Jamaica Puerto Rico 2013 Birds 178

10,000 Birds

JULY 30, 2014

the same few states always come to mind first…Alaska, Arizona, Texas, and Florida. Other specialties include Bobolink , Sandhill Crane , Black Tern , Pinyon Jay , Juniper Titmouse , Bohemian Waxwing (rare) , Northern Shrike , Black-backed Woodpecker and American Tree Sparrow. That’s where everyone goes, and for good reason.

California 198

California San Diego Birds Oakland 198

10,000 Birds

MARCH 8, 2011

In the right season, with a little luck, we often find it, and sometimes it perches high and long enough that we can admire its scimitar of a bill, its stern face pattern, and even the patch of rusty red on the undertail that gives the species its English and its scientific names. I had no idea I should have been embarrassed.

2011 140

2011 Tucson Arizona Deer 140

10,000 Birds

APRIL 2, 2013

The core of the book are the Species Accounts, 190 accounts by 52 authors, some names that readers will easily recognize, others birders and ornithologists well-known in Pennsylvania. You can see the Species Account for Henslow’s Sparrow above, in the banner photo. Pileated Woodpecker, for example.

Pennsylvania 227

Pennsylvania Breeding Birds Sparrows 227

10,000 Birds

APRIL 2, 2019

I like observing them, reading about them, grappling with species and subspecies identification, and even—on a good day—talking about sparrow taxonomy. Peterson Reference Guide to Sparrows of North America covers 61 species of the New World sparrow family Passerellidae that breed in Canada, the United States, and northern Mexico.

North America 147

North America Sparrows America United States 147

10,000 Birds

JULY 6, 2019

beats have still managed to share 82 checklists and accounted for 737 species. Black-cheeked Woodpecker – Melanerpes pucherani. Red-bellied Woodpecker – Melanerpes carolinus. Acorn Woodpecker – Melanerpes formicivorus. Ladder-backed Woodpecker – Dryobates scalaris. Laguna Lagarto Lodge.

2019 119

2019 Jamaica Eggs Woodpeckers 119

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 2, 2019

172 lists were shared and 1004 species were seen, both records for October, so well done beats! Bearded Woodpecker – Chloropicus namaquus. Chestnut-colored Woodpecker – Celeus castaneus. Golden-tailed Woodpecker – Campethera abingoni. Golden-naped Woodpecker – Melanerpes chrysauchen.

2019 114

2019 China Battery Jamaica 114

10,000 Birds

MARCH 30, 2022

So here are some numbers: As I write this, on March 24th, my 2022 list includes 239 species, all from within the state of Michoacán. The latest species I picked up is the Spotted Wren , a rather common endemic here that I had somehow managed to not see, until three turned up in my garden this morning.

Mexico 186

Mexico Arizona Horses Texas 186

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 7, 2019

In publishing the most current thinking, eBird have become the month’s biggest contributor to the life list, expanding it by 7 brand new species and pushing it to 3774. 7 species were added to the life list in the time-honoured fashion of actually identifying the birds in the field. I just live for this stuff! 11 Aug 2019.

2019 117

2019 Arizona Ghana Tucson 117

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 7, 2020

They submitted 124 checklists for 671 species of bird. In particular 272 species were noted from 14 checklists submitted on October 17th, eBird’s October Big Day. 20 Cinnamon Woodpecker – Celeus loricatus. 30 Pale-billed Woodpecker – Campephilus guatemalensis. This brings our all-time total to 4040.

2020 128

2020 Sparrows Woodpeckers Parrots 128

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 20, 2015

The warm, sunny climate beckons a wide variety of passerines, raptors, and shorebirds to spend the winter, inflating the species diversity to the extent that Miami-Dade can go toe-to-toe with counties in Texas and Arizona during this season. Can we hit 200 ABA-countable species in four days next year? Red-headed Woodpecker: 1.

Miami 166

Miami 2015 United States Birds 166

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 1, 2020

Though all are well-written, there are several that standout for excellence of the writing, challenge of topic, or stylistic daring.

New York City 185

New York City Birds Owls Fox 185

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. Red-bellied Woodpecker – Melanerpes carolinus. Downy Woodpecker – Dryobates pubescens. Hairy Woodpecker – Dryobates villosus.

2019 113

2019 Australia Ghana Woodpeckers 113

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 2, 2021

The year list ends on a provisional (some beats will be birding ’til the final whistle to try and salvage a ravaged year) 1803 species from 1602 checklists submitted by 12 beats from 16 countries. Imagine that, 13 lists per year where once there were only 12.

2020 213

2020 Sparrows Woodpeckers Ducks 213

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. Lewis’s Woodpecker – Melanerpes lewis. Red-headed Woodpecker – Melanerpes erythrocephalus. Acorn Woodpecker – Melanerpes formicivorus. That’s just 3.35%. 21 Feb 2019.

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. Red-headed Woodpecker – Melanerpes erythrocephalus. Acorn Woodpecker – Melanerpes formicivorus.

2019 113

2019 Australia Jamaica Sparrows 113

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 1, 2015

The ABA series currently lists guides on New Jersey (Rick Wright), Florida (Bill Pranty), Arizona (Rick Wright), Colorado (Ted Floyd), and California (Alvaro Jamarillo). Brit birder Goodie didn’t do an ordinary big year; he decided he would see every Pitta species in the world (32 at the time) in one year. Press, 2012).

Papua New Guinea 181

Papua New Guinea 2014 Penguins Birds 181

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. Mexican Whip-poor-will – Antrostomus arizonae. Gray-and-buff Woodpecker – Hemicircus concretus.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Sparrows 113

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 1, 2018

8 beats shared 126 checklists accounting for 704 species. Mexican Whip-poor-will – Antrostomus arizonae. Gray-and-buff Woodpecker – Hemicircus concretus. Lewis’s Woodpecker – Melanerpes lewis. Red-headed Woodpecker – Melanerpes erythrocephalus. Garret Mountain Reservation (Park).

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. Syrian Woodpecker – Dendrocopos syriacus. White-backed Woodpecker – Dendrocopos leucotos. Chestnut-colored Woodpecker – Celeus castaneus.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Sparrows 113

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. Puerto Rican Woodpecker – Melanerpes portoricensis. Red-headed Woodpecker – Melanerpes erythrocephalus. Acorn Woodpecker – Melanerpes formicivorus. Great Tinamou – Tinamus major.

2017 100

2017 Australia Sanctuary Woodpeckers 100