10,000 Birds

JANUARY 17, 2019

The Christmas Bird Count was the answer. The IWC census starts from mid-January following the logic that it is the period when the birds have reached their wintering grounds and are rather static, so the chance of double-counting the same flock is minimal. But it is so frustrating to pass the birds by without IDing them!

Geese 139

Geese Serbia Birds Estonia 139

10,000 Birds

MARCH 5, 2017

Germany has only one high seas island it calls its own, the mighty (from a birding perspective) island of Heligoland. Denmark frequently held posession of the islands from the middle ages to the 18th century. But what is it about the species that makes the Germans think it is a bit dim-witted?

Germany 100

Germany Denmark Namibia Breeding 100

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 20, 2012

The very first thing we notice about this large member of the Galliformes is that there is a wild version and a domestic version, and although the two are rather different, they are both given the same species name, Meleagris gallopavo. This is not entirely unknown among domestic animals, but many domesticates have no living wild version.

Turkey 198

Turkey Columbus Spain Fowl 198