10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 29, 2018

Nothing much tops birding in autumn. There are more birds in autumn than at any other time of year. Nice weather, lots of birds, and the potential for rarity. So, of course, I’ve been out and about looking for birds as often as family and job allow me to. No wonder I keep birding the Rockaways!

New York City 141

New York City Birds New York Sparrows 141

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 6, 2013

Even the solo birders out there have to appreciate that birding together is often better than birding alone. Corey and I don’t get out in the field together much, since we’ve determined that the ongoing security of 10,000 Birds requires the two of us to live in separate cities. Birding best bird weekend'

New York City 172

New York City 2013 New York Nashville 172

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 6, 2019

It’s never too late or too early to buy a children’s book about birds. It’s been a few years since my last roundup of children’s bird books, and children’s book writers, illustrators and publishers continue to produce picture books that feature avian protagonists. First, the board books.

New York City 159

New York City Pelicans Birds New York 159

10,000 Birds

JUNE 9, 2015

Over the last five or six years, Common Ravens have been sighted with increasing frequency in New York City, part of a resurgence throughout the Northeast after more than a century of regional extirpation. They’ve also recently nested in the Bronx and nearby in New Jersey. But let’s back up for a minute.

New York City 258

New York City New York 2015 New Jersey 258

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 6, 2022

At the end of 2022, let us celebrate the local field guide, a sub-genre that many of us feared would die, the victim of technology, development, and globalization, but which still shines bright, fewer in number but brilliant in quality, thanks to birders and birding organizations that believe in knowing your patch and your state.

Los Angeles 211

Los Angeles Birds District of Columbia Parrots 211

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 4, 2016

My family and I indulged this weekend in the kind of deep-fried treats you can only find at the New York State Fair… bacon-wrapped corn dog, anyone? What was your best bird of the weekend? Tell us in the comments section about the rarest, loveliest, or most fascinating bird you observed. How about you?

New York City 100

New York City 2016 New York Birds 100

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 6, 2014

On Sunday morning I was out birding across several Queens hotspots with my friend Seth. He’s a big fan of the grasshoppers and crickets that swarm over the landfill in autumn and he actually was talking about how he wanted to see birds too. Not a bad bird for number 306 on the Queens list.

New York 176

New York New York City Rights Family 176

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 15, 2018

Though temperatures have rebounded from the nadir and were temporarily above freezing here in New York City, the mercury has plummeted again and long outings out of doors are distinctly less pleasant than they would be if it were T-shirt weather. It beats wasting time on Facebook and I get to see birds from all over the world!

Dominican Republic 105

Dominican Republic New York City Culling Birds 105

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 17, 2015

It being mid-August in New York City there is one place where I have to be as often as I can. This year, what with family plans and other commitments, I didn’t get out on the pond until later than usual but it was worth the wait. Ain’t nuthin’ wrong with this bad-ass bird.

Jamaica 162

Jamaica New York City Wildlife New York 162

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 31, 2013

In 2013 I birded in two countries, submitted eBird checklists for seven U.S. At the beginning of the year I said the following about my goals for the year’s birding: I start 2013 with 297 birds on my Queens Life List , 500 birds on my ABA Life List , and 1,096 birds on my World Life List.

2013 179

2013 New York City New York Trinidad 179

10,000 Birds

MARCH 12, 2012

Disbelief probably seems like the proper response to the idea that there are woodpeckers in New York City. But even birders might be surprised to learn that eight species of woodpecker have graced New York City’s five boroughs with their presence! After all, woodpeckers peck on trees, not skyscrapers.

New York City 254

New York City New York Woodpeckers New Jersey 254

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 16, 2011

It was a gusty weekend in New York City and environs, with fall finally feeling like fall is supposed to feel. He lost nearly a day off of his trip but I am sure that he managed to see some birds once he arrived. Let’s assume that he saw something delightful and tropical like, say, the national bird of Costa Rica.

Costa Rica 181

Costa Rica New York City Atlanta 2011 181

10,000 Birds

APRIL 28, 2014

On Thursday, 24 April, Eugene Nichols was minding his own business, birding along the shore of Lake Ontario on Point Peninsula, in the far northern reaches of New York State. He found an all white bird that didn’t belong and eventually deduced that he was looking at a Willow Ptarmigan.

New York 241

New York New York City South Dakota Bald Eagle 241

10,000 Birds

MAY 26, 2014

Now that I live in New York City I rarely manage to make it that far north and when I do it tends to be winter, which is kind of odd. My string of winter-only visits to the Adirondacks is over now, happily, because of a three-day weekend with the family in Montreal. Shows what I know about when birds breed.

New York City 163

New York City New York Canada Woodpeckers 163

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 28, 2015

I routinely vow to put an emotional wall between the birds I care for and me, to keep in mind that a good percentage of them will not make it, and to realize my heart is already in pieces so I should protect myself from further damage. The month before we lost him to bone cancer at age eleven, I was in New York City and met a British man.

Wildlife 232

Wildlife Wildlife Rehabilitation New York City Dogs 232

10,000 Birds

JULY 5, 2013

I’ve seen Yellow Warblers in the low shrubs of Western New York pastures, the river valleys of Missoula, and the trees of abandoned industrial sites in New York City. Chuk makes his quip about the Black-winged Yellow Bird; my friend Molly insists that everything is a duck, a pigeon, or an owl.

Connecticut 184

Connecticut Baltimore North America New York City 184

10,000 Birds

JULY 20, 2015

New York City in July provides limited opportunities for birders to see birds. That said, there are still chances to observe birds and my favorite way to do so in the summer is at the beach. The wrens were a joy to watch, exploring, chattering, getting themselves into and out of trouble. You won’t regret it! ….

New York City 165

New York City New York Blackbirds Collecting 165

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Those of you who visit this blog on more than the rare occasion are probably aware that I live in Queens and love living and birding here. You are also probably aware that Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, one of the best urban birding sites in the world, is on my regular list of spots that I like to stop by and visit. Sign it now!

Jamaica 164

Jamaica New York City United States Wildlife 164

10,000 Birds

MAY 5, 2015

There is GISS and there is Birding by Impression and they are not the same. Birding by Impression is a conscious, deliberate method of identifying and recognizing birds based on the study and evaluation of “distinctive structural features and behavioral movements” and comparison with nearby and similar species. So say Kevin T.

Birds 172

Birds New Jersey Science Groups 172

10,000 Birds

MAY 25, 2013

We here in New York City (and in much of the northeastern United States) are dealing with a pretty major cold snap for late May, with temperatures last night falling down to 46 degrees Fahrenheit (8 degrees Celsius). So while the rest of my family slept in I nipped out to the park this morning to see how the swallows were doing.

Suffering 185

Suffering New York City United States New York 185

10,000 Birds

MARCH 14, 2011

home about advertise archives birds conservation contact galleries links reviews subscribe Browse: Home / Asides / Does This Make My Mom A Bird Blogger? Does This Make My Mom A Bird Blogger? These Blasts From The Past New York City Canada Goose “Kill Zones&# Revealed Help Save Migratory Birds!

2011 140

2011 Deer New York New York City 140

10,000 Birds

APRIL 3, 2012

Lest you think that I am overstating the likelihood of the raccoon being rabid please take into consideration that signs like the one below hang near every entrance to the park and rabid raccoons have been found not only in Central Park but all over New York City of late.

Raccoons 167

Raccoons New York City New York Squirrels 167

10,000 Birds

MAY 5, 2014

Reports abounded of a huge variety of birds, from thrushes to nightjars, terns to vireos. We New Yorkers were lucky though, that the wave of wood-warblers crested, for once, on a weekend, so for most of us it was unnecessary to risk our careers. But I had two birds in particular that stood out for me this weekend.

New York City 172

New York City New York Kentucky Abandon 172

10,000 Birds

MARCH 16, 2011

home about advertise archives birds conservation contact galleries links reviews subscribe Browse: Home / Asides / Bird Deaths in Washington D.C. Lead to Calls for a Lights Out Program Bird Deaths in Washington D.C. for migratory birds. for migratory birds. Get yours today! Thanks for visiting!

DC 145

DC Washington Deer 2011 145

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 7, 2013

My parents made the drive down to New York City to visit Daisy, Desi, and me in Queens on Sunday and I had a great plan for the day. In addition to my family I was also joined on the boat by Isaac Grant, who regular readers of this blog will recall as the birder doing a New York City big year.

New York City 168

New York City New York Whales Whaling 168

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 20, 2019

I haven’t yet been birding in Europe but whenever I occasionally skim a field guide about the birds on the other side of the Atlantic, I’m always encouraged to find that I’m already familiar with many species found over there, even though most of my birding experience has been limited to eastern North America.

2017 118

2017 Portugal Rabbits Europe 118

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 17, 2016

After sixteen days touring the interior west and west coast of the United States with my family I am back in New York City. And, let me tell you, it was an amazing trip with gorgeous scenery, lots of cool mammals, and, of course, a whole big bunch of birds! Clark’s Nutcrackers are one of my favorite birds.

Idaho 106

Idaho Colorado Wyoming San Francisco 106

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 3, 2012

Fort Tilden was totally closed and the cop standing guard at the road to Breezy Point looked at me like I was crazy when I asked if there was any chance someone who wanted to watch birds could get to the barrier beaches anywhere west of Fort Tilden. So is the response of people from all over New York City and beyond.

Battery 105

Battery Birds Suffering New York City 105

10,000 Birds

JULY 1, 2014

I enjoy collecting children’s books about birds and nature that I come across in the expected (book stores) and unexpected (academic library conference reports) places. The Taínos named the birds Iguacas, after their call. Spanish settlers arrived in 1493 and called the birds Coterras. The birds thrive.

Puerto Rico 241

Puerto Rico Parrots New York City 2013 241

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 22, 2016

Back on Friday, 12 February, I was dismayed when I read the weekly New York City Rare Bird Alert email. Why would a bird like that being reported in Queens dismay me? After all, birding under a highway is not exactly my idea of a pleasant experience. The locale where I found the bird.

Puerto Rico 125

Puerto Rico Geese Canada Porpoises 125

10,000 Birds

JUNE 28, 2011

We took a family outing up to that same Storm King Art Center, which is located about an hour north of New York City in Mountainville, Orange County, last weekend and had an absolute blast. We also observed some evidence of other species breeding.

New York City 160

New York City Soreing New York Breeding 160

10,000 Birds

MARCH 7, 2017

Even when hunting in sub-freezing temperatures on the edge of the Mongolian border or doing her chores around the family ger (yurt) in the isolated Altai Mountains, Aisholpan beams. Eagle hunting is a family tradition that goes back at least 12 generations, part of the larger nomadic Kazakh culture. .”

Eagles 102

Eagles Mongolia Hunters Hunting 102

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 14, 2011

She contacted Corey to ask permission to use a Masked Trogon image from the blog for an art show and Corey agreed provided she would write a post for 10,000 Birds about how she is inspired by birds and nature. Luisa is currently preparing a show that will open on 10 February 2011 at Agora Gallery in Chelsea, New York.

Venezuela 247

Venezuela New York New York City 2008 247

10,000 Birds

MARCH 10, 2011

home about advertise archives birds conservation contact galleries links reviews subscribe Browse: Home / Asides / Last Chance to Enter Last Chance to Enter By Corey • March 10, 2011 • No comments yet Tweet Share You only have until midnight tonight to enter the Wildlife Conservation Society Birds of Brazil giveaway.

Deer 140

Deer 2011 New York New York City 140

10,000 Birds

MAY 1, 2018

Here in New York City, May is a magic time for birders as the migration floodgates open. To celebrate spring migration, I usually review an exciting new bird book. Moths are more than bird food. I have a hard enough time with the 1,103 bird species on the ABA Checklist. Happy May Day!

North America 100

North America America Oklahoma Missouri 100

10,000 Birds

JUNE 4, 2019

Last year I reviewed The Feather Thief , an enjoyable tale centering on the use of feathers in the Victorian art of salmon fly-tying, and how that led to the theft of priceless bird skins by one obsessed young man. Fitting, since New York City and London were the centers of the millinery trade.

Industry 121

Industry Virginia Portland Campaign 121

10,000 Birds

MARCH 14, 2011

And, sure enough, as the sun set birds came over in ones and twos and fours and fives, adding to what was already a pretty darn big flock of birds spread out on the West Pond. Mostly the ducks were Red-breasted Merganser and Greater Scaup , the two most prevalent species on the pond, but there were a few other birds mixed in as well.

Ducks 174

Ducks 2011 Jamaica New York 174