10,000 Birds

JUNE 24, 2012

Which these days involves a frenzy to breed and raise a brood. I discovered that one of the Pacific Loons was back, and the first breeding plumaged Purple Sandpiper I’ve seen (having only seen them on fall migration), and Arctic Hare cavorting in their changing coats. In breeding plumage! And now mergansers.

Bald Eagle 173

Bald Eagle Breeding Raised Whales 173

10,000 Birds

JUNE 1, 2021

Pough “with illustrations in color of every species” by Don Eckelberry, Doubleday, 1946. If you remember that the first edition of Sibley was published with “National Audubon Society” on the cover, raise your hand. The press material says it covers over 800 species, so you know I had to do a count.

North America 279

North America America Birds California Condor 279

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 24, 2014

We let a one-eyed Bald Eagle go after a year of battling state officials in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Indiana and Kentucky. But lets see … I’d say one of my most memorable releases is that of a Purple Martin , a species of special concern in California.

Wildlife Rehabilitation 233

Wildlife Rehabilitation Ohio Tulsa West Virginia 233

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 19, 2011

It is my best bird because it is just such an incredible species, and looking at it made me realize that I had temporarily stopped to fully appreciate birds during the stressful last few years. This year I watched them from the day they arrived , until two chicks successfully hatched, the northernmost breeding record for the species.

2011 192

2011 Birds South Korea North Dakota 192

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 9, 2014

For mankind to snatch away a species’ very existence is wrong on so many levels that I can’t begin to explain them. However, despite our best efforts to wipe them off the face of the earth, some of the more vulnerable species have managed to hang on. this species breeds. this species breeds.

Albatross 215

Albatross Endangered Species Geese Alaska 215

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 12, 2014

Then a little later there was a spot of bother with DDT, but we pulled out of that one ok, with a toolbox that would surely stand us in good stead if we only had the will to use it – legislation and literature, captive breeding programs, nest platforms. And we did , for the Peregrine Falcon and Osprey , the Brown Pelican and Bald Eagle.

California Condor 205

California Condor United States Guam Whales 205

10,000 Birds

MARCH 14, 2011

Hunting sandhill cranes in Kentucky is a bad idea from a public relations standpoint, considering the growing cadre of birders and nature enthusiasts for whom cranes are a touchstone species. Initiating a hunting season on a large, charismatic species like a crane is no way to resuscitate hunting.

2011 254

2011 Kentucky Tennessee Hunting 254