10,000 Birds

APRIL 2, 2016

For those who happen to be faithful followers of posts about birding in Costa Rica, no, you haven’t accidentally browsed to the wrong place. Today, I am writing about another very birdy place and an event that I was very fortunate to have experienced, the Champions of the Flyway Bird Race in Eilat, Israel.

Costa Rica 163

Costa Rica Eagles Raised 163

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 17, 2022

As it turns out, birding can also be slightly delicate in this country. And I have lots of experience with my long lens drawing attention. I have constantly mentioned over the past several weeks that our trip to the Old World was not about birding, and that was even more true about our time in Jordan. Birders, be forewarned.

Jordan 147

Jordan Birds Turkey 147

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 4, 2020

For birders doing the year bird thing, the last day of the year is likely too late for most new additions but, luckily, those who don’t want to venture outside with optics in hand can always mark the end of the year by sharing tales of favorite sightings with favorite fellow birders. Bird counts. Three days, three hawk-eagles.

Costa Rica 176

Costa Rica 2019 San Jose Eagles 176

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 14, 2016

Did you see any birds that you particularly loved this weekend? That coupled with my preparations for a departure for Puerto Rico late on Sunday means that I didn’t get much birding done. The mergansers were nice but not as nice as a new bird for me in Queens would have been! What was your best bird of the weekend?

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Puerto Rico New York City 2016 100

10,000 Birds

MARCH 16, 2016

And so South Africa’s fifth largest park came to be (it’s worth remembering that its largest park, Kruger, is the size of Israel) on marginal land that no one in particular could do much with. Oh, this is a bird site, almost forgot. Yes, there are birds. I stumbled on Madikwe completely by accident. Or Cheetahs.

South Africa 138

South Africa Leopards Giraffes Africa 138

10,000 Birds

MAY 28, 2016

In the realm of birding, it might also be the season for Big Days. With all of those birds singing and showing off their breeding colors, it’s no surprise that we see major bird races like Champions of the Flyway and The World Series of Birding , along with other main birding events like the Global Big Day.

Costa Rica 100

Costa Rica Birds Research Center 100

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

I also love large congregations of birds. I take comfort in that, when I see a huge flock of birds, I feel so insignificant, it’s liberating. One of those places is the Hula Valley in northern Israel, home to the large Lake Hula which was drained in the 1950s to make way for more agricultural opportunities and prevent malaria.

Hoarding 184

Hoarding Nebraska Minnesota 184