10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 26, 2016

I’m a big fan of city birding. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy getting away from it all out in some remote forest or desert, but a good city can combine some excellent birding and outstanding diving, drinking, dining and sightseeing. The gardens are so bird rich books have been written about what can be seen in them.

Penguins 171

Penguins Birds Mongoose Ostriches 171

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 9, 2019

An expanse of habitat as vast as Murchison Falls NP in Uganda, as excessively generous in beauty and biodiversity, permits endless ways to experience both its birds and animals. The Masindi Hotel holds the distinction of being the oldest and most historic hotel in Uganda and has some terrific birds on premises. Mind boggling, I answer!

Uganda 185

Uganda Senegal Africa Game 185

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 18, 2020

And this doesn’t mean you are obsessed or a little bit too much into birds because keeping track of a year list actually comes with some side benefits. Yeah, many of us living the birding life do so anyways because we can’t help it. Lifers are in caps and the most outstanding species are in bold. Go birding!

Costa Rica 260

Costa Rica 2020 Morals Farming 260

10,000 Birds

JUNE 11, 2015

A manicured green lawn in front of the building and an iridescent blue bird on a smallish aloe tree. It was June 1999 and I was observing my first ever bird on African soil. The next bird was some crow-like UFO observed from the shuttle bus. I asked the bus driver about the bird and he asked me back: “The bi’d?” “Umm,

Africa 209

Africa Botswana Birds Europe 209

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 16, 2018

Serbia has 317 eBirded species so far, or 89% of the 356 in the national checklist. The country has one eBird hotspot with 200+ and 48 with more than 100 bird species. The country has one eBird hotspot with 200+ and 48 with more than 100 bird species. Spring migration March to April , 270 eBirded species.

Serbia 152

Serbia Geese Owls Macedonia 152

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 4, 2015

One species I can always count on at Colusa NWR is the Black-crowned Night-Heron ( Nycticorax nycticorax ), which boasts a large resident population. I was pleasantly surprised to see that Colusa NWR was beginning to fill its impoundments during this drought, and there were quite a few ducks and geese present.

Wildlife 158

Wildlife San Francisco Sacramento North Dakota 158

10,000 Birds

JULY 5, 2020

Having observed the Cattle Egret in breeding plumage at the Derby Poo Ponds on June 19th we found ourselves at Windjana Gorge first thing the following morning. We soon added Sandstone Shrike-thrush to our 2020 bird list and it is a great place to find them without too much walking. The bird-life was quite different too this year.

2020 261

2020 Australia Cattle Groups 261

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 2, 2018

If you like birds on posts, if seeing “little brown jobs” posing nicely in the distance as you drive or walk along a dirt road only to have it fly away as you approach makes you deliriously happy, then North Dakota is the place for you. I wanted to see prairie birds and I wanted to experience a new state. Scott Barnes, N.J.

North Dakota 138

North Dakota Birds Sparrows Blackbirds 138

10,000 Birds

JUNE 3, 2015

I’ve never been one to be overly concerned about whether a bird “counts” People, and organisations, have complex and elaborate rules about whether a bird you saw or heard actually is a bird you saw or heard, which seems a very unnecessary way to add complexity to an already complex hobby. Yellow-billed Stork.

Botswana 162

Botswana Birds Lesotho Elephants 162

10,000 Birds

MAY 29, 2012

At least, thought I, Florida would produce some superior birds. So I packed my binoculars thinking that, even if the trip wouldn’t be as bird-rich as my last trip to the Sunshine State (for the mighty, mighty Space Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival ), at least a few crackers would wing my way. Not Sea World.

Florida 172

Florida Birds Alligators Turtles 172

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 16, 2021

2021 is already well underway, are you birding? During anxious times, birding is therapeutic, it brings us back to center, can wipe away the worries and act as a source of mental fortitude. Watch some birds today and see where it takes you. Watch some birds all year long and enjoy the journey, keep a list.

Costa Rica 160

Costa Rica Birds Parrots Woodpeckers 160

10,000 Birds

MAY 14, 2013

ARUBA — Of all the places that I’ve had the privilege to bird, Aruba is probably has the poorest birding coverage. None of the things that really lend themselves to high bird diversity. It’s a good bird, but there are a small handful of other records. For starters, it’s small. And really windy.

Cattle 157

Cattle South America Florida Colorado 157

10,000 Birds

APRIL 4, 2014

Among birders, wildlife photographers, and nature enthusiasts, it is renowned for its incredible concentrations of birds at the end of the dry season. During this time, the fish trapped in the shrinking pools of water attract hordes of herons, egrets, storks, and other wetland species.

Brazil 165

Brazil Birds Blackbirds Paraguay 165

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 17, 2017

There should be thousands of birds at this time of the year, Dimitris Michalakis from the Karla Lake management authority told me. In early August this year, I saw 77 species here (69 on the lake, plus 8 more in the surrounding areas) but barely more than a thousand individuals. Lesser Kestrel. I am trying to count them all!

Greece 186

Greece Killing Pelicans Eagles 186

10,000 Birds

MARCH 22, 2011

home about advertise archives birds conservation contact galleries links reviews subscribe Browse: Home / Birds , Terminology / Cow Birds Cow Birds By Rick • March 22, 2011 • 1 comment Tweet Share So what do Buffleheads and Bitterns and Hornbills have in common? They’re all named for livestock.

Cows 142

Cows Cattle 2011 Birds 142

10,000 Birds

JULY 10, 2014

Since I have started to bird by kayak, it took me a lot of time to realise that paddling is not the synonym for birding and that I can bird without a paddle, although I cannot paddle without a pair of binoculars. To avoid the predator, the duck – dived, and that was the only time ever to observe this species doing so.

Serbia 240

Serbia Stray Dog Protection Botswana 240

10,000 Birds

JULY 3, 2021

Insects were held back by weird spring weather, but now the warmth returns and the birds are feasting on the late stirring bugs. June saw 8 beats get their birding boots on and share 90 checklists for your pleasure. Between them, they found 389 species in 5 countries. Flaming June is busting out all over.

Woodpeckers 244

Woodpeckers Sparrows Ducks Niger 244

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 7, 2021

It’s a wonder that any of the beats managed to get out and wave their binoculars at birds this July. Yet, 79 checklists were submitted by 8 beats, accounting for 366 species in 5 countries. Yet, 79 checklists were submitted by 8 beats, accounting for 366 species in 5 countries.

Sparrows 242

Sparrows Woodpeckers Ducks Blackbirds 242

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 4, 2021

…we bird, bird, bird, bird, bird, bird, bird in the marsh the whole day thru. My birding list for November totals 15 species. 3 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck – Dendrocygna autumnalis. 4 Fulvous Whistling-Duck – Dendrocygna bicolor. Can’t think why.

Sparrows 202

Sparrows Woodpeckers Parrots Costa Rica 202

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 15, 2022

It is often a lot hotter there than closer to the coast and many bird species roost in the area or come in for a drink and bathe during the day. Borrow pit birds. Last Sunday there were plenty of bird species to see and it was easy enough to stand in the shade and watch the birds come in for a drink.

Cattle 208

Cattle Birds Zebras Wildlife 208

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 25, 2018

The auto tour at Colusa NWR also boasts several other pretty special birds, like this White-faced Ibis ( Plegadis chihi ) … and a Black-crowned Night-Heron ( Nycticorax nycticorax ) roost. Check out this image of a Great Egret ( Ardea alba ), Snowy Egret ( Egretta thula ) and Cattle Egret ( Bubulcus ibis ) together.

Wildlife 101

Wildlife Sacramento Bald Eagle Falcons 101

10,000 Birds

JUNE 4, 2020

While entering our double kayak I asked Andrew Hester, a local bird expert, if bilharzia is present in the shallows of the Ngotwane Dam, further down the river. Among 60 or so heron species in the world this is the only one using this peculiar fishing technique. Cattle Egret 16. Knob-billed Duck 1. Yellow-billed Duck 2.

Botswana 186

Botswana Africa 2001 Fish 186

10,000 Birds

MAY 2, 2020

Between them they shared 63 checklists, spanning 5 countries and noted 231 species of birds. American Black Duck (Anas rubripes). American Black Duck (Anas rubripes). Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca). Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis). Graylag Goose (Anser anser). Canada Goose (Branta canadensis).

2020 153

2020 Woodpeckers Sparrows Blackbirds 153

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

JUNE 6, 2020

149 checklists were submitted, accounting for 465 species. Wood Duck (Aix sponsa). Eastern Spot-billed Duck (Anas zonorhyncha). American Black Duck (Anas rubripes). Mallard x American Black Duck (hybrid) (Anas platyrhynchos x rubripes). Mallard x American Black Duck (hybrid) (Anas platyrhynchos x rubripes).

2020 152

2020 Sparrows Niger Woodpeckers 152

10,000 Birds

APRIL 4, 2011

This just in… Dan Rhoads, weary to the bone with eyes nearly burnt out from competitive bird watching, just completed his report of the Second Annual Cyprus Bird Race , transmitted it to the 10,000 Birds home office through secret back channels, and then collapsed.

Cyprus 145

Cyprus 2011 Birds Owls 145

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 2, 2021

Lock downs and restrictions have curbed our birding, so if you can summon any blessings to mind, count them instead. December’s beats found 609 birds after submitting 116 checklists from 8 countries (USA, UK, Costa Rica, China, Mexico, Serbia and Australia). Corey was far and away the most regular contributor.

2020 221

2020 Sparrows Woodpeckers Parrots 221

10,000 Birds

MARCH 6, 2021

9 beats from 8 countries (Australia, USA, UK, Serbia, Costa Rica, China, Trinidad and Tobago and Mexico), shared 138 checklists for 703 species. The year list to date is 1015 species and 7 have been added to the life list ( 4059 ) from Costa Rica, China and Trinidad and Tobago. 10 Wood Duck – Aix sponsa.

Woodpeckers 181

Woodpeckers Sparrows Ducks Parrots 181

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 15, 2015

“The estuary and the delta of the River Kalamas form the most important wetland of northwest Greece”, so the “ Birding in Greece ” guidebook claims for the area where I am heading, a bit late since I overslept this morning. Yet, beside a few Little and one Great Egret , a raft of Eurasian Coots , no birds. It is getting a bit hot.

Greece 231

Greece Dogs Pelicans Fish 231

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 31, 2018

Let the full time birding begin. While we have a bit of a deadline to get to Seattle, approximately 3000 miles north of here, we plan on making each driving day a short one, with a stop in some of the Baja’s best birding hotspots. A Eurasian Wigeon and a male Wood Duck will make for the first day target list.

Ducks 115

Ducks Blackbirds Sparrows California 115

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 1, 2020

8 countries were birded by 11 beats and I am delighted to include Faraaz and Trinidad and Tobago in those stats. 10,000 Birds has yet to take a stance on the developing situation between mainland China and Hong Kong. The 83 checklists submitted during July contained 459 species. Wood Duck – Aix sponsa.

2020 154

2020 Sparrows Blackbirds Woodpeckers 154

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 27, 2022

It didn’t take too long after the big rain event at the end of January for Roebuck Plains to flood and the birds to arrive. The highway out of Broome towards Derby has also become great for bird-watching. Sadly, one of the first birds that we saw was a recently deceased Barn Owl. Wandering Whistling-Ducks under the fence.

Barn Owls 184

Barn Owls Cattle Ducks Reptiles 184

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 4, 2021

They birded 7 countries during August and recorded 542 species. The year list remains sluggish at 1489 , but the life list received a boost from the eBird taxonomy reshuffle and now includes 4076 species. Stay vigilant and safe. 10 of the beats have submitted 124 checklists which are collated below for your perusal.

Woodpeckers 198

Woodpeckers Sparrows Blackbirds California 198

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 6, 2021

Wherever you might be birding, please stay safe and keep those around you safe too. 9 beats submitted 140 checklists from 7 countries (USA, UK, Costa Rica, Serbia, Australia, Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago) during October to account for 585 species. 2 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck – Dendrocygna autumnalis.

Woodpeckers 233

Woodpeckers Sparrows Blackbirds Ducks 233

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 20, 2018

The pressure is on if you can only get certain species during the first month of the year but if you just want to add any old birds to the year list, everything is fresh! Since I’m in no big hurry to reach any number of species in 2018, my year birding is going to be a fresh one hopefully touched with a good dose of Zen.

Costa Rica 155

Costa Rica Birds Parrots Woodpeckers 155

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 7, 2021

This bird species is known to travel large distances around Australia. All of the station access is flooded from the highway and the birds are lining the tracks. We expect more and more birds to arrive in coming weeks as we get more seasonal rain. It was keeping all of the other birds alert with its constant swooping.

Geese 255

Geese Eagles Australia Breeding 255

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 2, 2021

11 beats have been out this month and have submitted 136 checklists from 7 countries ticking 634 species. 2 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck – Dendrocygna autumnalis. 3 Muscovy Duck – Cairina moschata. 251 Cattle Egret – Bubulcus ibis. 421 American Black Duck – Anas rubripes.

Woodpeckers 202

Woodpeckers Sparrows Parrots Blackbirds 202