10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 27, 2015

Ah Hawaii, land of beautiful beaches, surfing, warm weather, and unique birds. Because of its distance to the mainland, Hawaii is home to over 60 species of endemic birds. Few are as unique (or rare) as the Nene , or Hawaiian Goose , Hawaii’s state bird. Unlike other geese, Nenes prefer walking to swimming.

Hawaii 158

Hawaii Feral Cats Mongoose Geese 158

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 19, 2011

When in northwest Ohio there are many options from which to choose a birding site. But if you want herons and ducks and shorebirds and geese and egrets and swans and rails the best bet is the famed Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge along State Route 2 in Oak Harbor, Ohio. … a.

Wildlife 206

Wildlife Ohio 2013 Boston 206

10,000 Birds

APRIL 9, 2019

Although little-known, WPAs provide critical breeding, resting, and nesting habitat for millions of ducks, geese, and swans, as well as shorebirds and grassland species. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) estimates that 2-3 million geese and 7-9 million ducks use use the basin every spring as staging grounds on the journey north.

Nebraska 146

Nebraska Dissection Geese Ducks 146

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 3, 2019

What qualifies a bird to be included in the top-5? This version extended the list a bit and it turned out that almost every fourth bird was an one-monther. Somewhat unfairly, the second criterion was that I described the observation at 10,000 Birds. Lesser White-fronted Geese, of course.

2018 118

2018 Serbia Falcons Greece 118

10,000 Birds

APRIL 9, 2019

Although little-known, WPAs provide critical breeding, resting, and nesting habitat for millions of ducks, geese, and swans, as well as shorebirds and grassland species. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) estimates that 2-3 million geese and 7-9 million ducks use use the basin every spring as staging grounds on the journey north.

Nebraska 113

Nebraska Dissection Geese Ducks 113

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 1, 2015

The other day I was exploring a new area for the first time, birding the national park that I’ve watched only in BBC documentaries, the place famous for the largest Dalmatian Pelican colony in the world – more than 1300 pairs! Greylag Geese. Checking the birds on the stork’s nest, I found both House and Spanish Sparrows.

Greece 252

Greece Pelicans Geese Breeding 252

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 28, 2018

Despite all this red tape stuff, I am still making some time for birding. This refuge came up as #4 on a recent list of the top 25 National Wildlife Refuges that were featured in a great story here by 10000 Birds own Jason Crotty. Over 200 species of birds can be found on the refuge, depending on the time of year. Nisqually NWR.

Fox 131

Fox Washington Geese Sparrows 131

10,000 Birds

MARCH 15, 2016

This is Jason’s first contribution to 10,000 Birds: Birders were rightly alarmed by the armed occupation of the Malheur NWR in Oregon. One of the nation’s premier birding locations had been overrun by an armed militia and the occupation unexpectedly endured for weeks. Individually, many NWRs protect crucial bird habitat.

Wildlife 189

Wildlife Grizzly Bear Puerto Rico United States 189

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 25, 2018

We were heading to the Djerdap (Iron Gates) Gorge National Park, stretching along the south bank of the Danube in eastern Serbia, to do the 400 km / 250 mi bird tour interconnecting possibly the very best sites around Belgrade reachable within a day. The deep beech forest of Djerdap was still full of birds. It shows again, flying back.

Serbia 120

Serbia Woodpeckers Birds Bears 120

10,000 Birds

MARCH 25, 2012

At the end of a half-morning’s birding I stopped at the south end of the Cross Bay Bridge, just north of Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Queens, New York. Though they seem to be learning from other geese and often feed on plain old grass like a Canada Goose.) Want to see that? Check out this post ! ……… a.

New York 195

New York North America Geese Jamaica 195

10,000 Birds

APRIL 2, 2017

Over the past few months there have been a lot of birds breeding around Broome with the excellent rain events that we have been having and the vegetation is at long last revived. The open plains are now busy with young Magpie Geese and numerous other waterbirds and the Sharp-tailed Sandpipers are busy feeding up before migration.

Breeding 100

Breeding Eggs Protection Cows 100

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 20, 2014

Birding that starts with the largest eagle of the continent certainly bears promises… The next stop is the town park in Opovo, north of Belgrade, where local bird expert Ceda Vuckovic reported one, locally rare, Short-eared Owl. Sakule is almost fully enclosed by its fishfarm and it is a tranquil home for numerous birds.

Serbia 243

Serbia Owls Rodents Eagles 243

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 8, 2017

This is not to say that there wasn’t a little birding time snuck in here and there. This wonderful piece of birding real estate can be found 8 miles east of Olympia, and an hour’s drive south of Seattle Washington, right along the I-5 corridor. Birds of prey took center stage out on the edge of the tidal flats.

Wildlife 106

Wildlife Seattle Bald Eagle Geese 106

10,000 Birds

JUNE 17, 2015

Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge : Open to migratory bird hunting (youth only). The Refuge is now home to nearly 200 species of birds, over 50 species of mammals, 25 species of reptiles and amphibians, and a wide variety of insects, fish and plants. This is an Urban Refuge ! Why would you open it up to hunting?

Fish 144

Fish Wildlife Hunting Game 144

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 27, 2017

With shore side access limited to the northern end of the lake, that protection allows for a large population of water based birds. This is a bird that I have no memory of when I was a kid growing up here. In a 3 mile stretch of grassland, with sprinklers flowing, I counted well over 100 of these dark birds.

Dogs 104

Dogs Mules Deer Oregon 104

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 27, 2016

My first ever story for 10,000 Birds was about the wonderful city reserve of Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, here in Wellington, a city that has been my home for 9 years this week. Sadly it was shut, so I should probably get back to the birds. From here Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Shovellers, Common Teal and Greylag Geese could be seen.

Geese 100

Geese New Zealand Germany Ducks 100

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 6, 2023

Serendip Sanctuary is a 250 ha protected area that is near the You Yangs and the small town of Lara, Victoria. I would advise allowing as much time as possible if you hope to walk all of the trails and to be able to explore the different environments and the many species of birds. The Cape Barren Geese had goslings when I visited.

Sanctuary 130

Sanctuary Kangaroos Geese Transported 130

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 27, 2012

A lot has happened since I’ve made an appearance on 10,000 Birds. Last month I accompanied Seagull Steve to South Florida for two weeks, which yielded some excellent birds…we missed the Fork-tailed Flycatcher on Big Pine Key, but that’s because we were on the Dry Tortugas, so we aren’t complaining.

United States 104

United States Colorado Virginia Pelicans 104

10,000 Birds

MARCH 6, 2011

All the local avian characters have been extra-antsy despite the weather, all contending for best bird of the weekend. What was your best bird of the weekend? Tell us in the comments section about the rarest, loveliest, or most fascinating bird you observed. Where Are You Birding This First Weekend of March 2011?

2011 155

2011 New York Deer Birds 155

10,000 Birds

MARCH 11, 2011

Which, naturally, got me to thinking about the newly erected order Suliformes, a development I mentioned in my December column, 2010′s Top 10 Developments in Bird Taxonomy and Systematics , but which I thought deserved further examination, for it’s one of those stories that defines the era in which we are living and birding.

2011 154

2011 Pelicans Papua New Guinea Birds 154

10,000 Birds

JULY 24, 2014

Yes, cute little Skylarks were all well and good, but what Kiwis really wanted were birds they could shoot and fish they could, uh, fish. New Zealand had, once upon a time, some fairly spectacular game birds, including massive flightless geese, massive flightles rails, and really enormous moa. We have Grallards.

Species 168

Species New Zealand Ducks Game 168

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 30, 2013

After a successful morning’s birding and a very fine lunch, Peter and I made our way to our next site, Bang Poo. It’s kind of an odd spot, a mix of protected wetland and mangroves mixed with some manicured lawns and parking. Straight off the bat we found a Little Grebe and a small flock of distant Cotton Pygmy-geese !

Thailand 103

Thailand New Zealand Family Bats 103

10,000 Birds

MARCH 8, 2011

home about advertise archives birds conservation contact galleries links reviews subscribe Browse: Home / Birds / Ring-billed Gulls in Breeding Plumage Ring-billed Gulls in Breeding Plumage By Corey • March 8, 2011 • 3 comments Tweet Share It should come as no surprise to readers of 10,000 Birds that I do not love gulls.

Breeding 145

Breeding 2011 Deer New York 145

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

Counting the Birds I was in my teens when I undertook my first bird-survey: it was field work for the British Trust for Ornithology’s The Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland. The breeding and wintering birds of Britain and Ireland. Published in 1976, The Atlas was, I believe, the very first work of its kind.

Ireland 227

Ireland Turtles Geese Farming 227

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 27, 2016

I dipped a bird recently – possibly a lifer. First I noticed a red cap – a male, then striped flanks and pale-red undertail, but couldn’t see its wing because some part of the bird remained hidden by a branch at any given time. I opt for the bird richest section of the lake, visible from the eastern dyke. What to say?

Greece 256

Greece Woodpeckers Boars Eagles 256

10,000 Birds

MARCH 8, 2012

Nick Lund , formerly at birdDC and then the Birdist , should be no stranger to readers of 10,000 Birds. He’s previously shared his surprisingly strong feelings about the bird logos of NFL and MLB teams. Like any obsessive birder, of course, I’ve found a way to make birding part of the job.

Birds 174

Birds Mississippi Vermont Texas 174

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

At Sea With the Marine Birds of the Raincoast opens with the unexpected appearance of a Laysan Albatross. Having shown us the bird, the boat, and the water, Fox then introduces herself: “Albatrosses, petrels, fulmars, puffins and gulls live out their lives along these transect lines; my job is to count them all.”.

Fox 100

Fox Albatross Geese Bald Eagle 100

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 5, 2014

When you are able to find a lagoon that is land-locked and offers great birding and you are able to walk around the edge it is a delight. The view from Sayer Road used to be very open and offered little protection many years ago and we contributed to the planting of small native trees in 1998 when we lived in Palmerston.

Geese 163

Geese Pelicans Ducks Hunting 163

10,000 Birds

APRIL 5, 2016

Ducks, swans, and geese may initially appear easy to identify. I started out my birding life sitting on Benches 2 and 7 at the Jamaica Bay NWR West Pond, my Peterson’s in my lap, studying Green-winged Teal, Northern Shovelers, and the occasional Pintail. Or, a Tufted Duck or Cackling Goose.

North America 157

North America Asia Europe America 157

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 4, 2017

I managed to actually beat my year list total, as accounted by eBird, by one bird. I also managed to go to 10 different countries, so rather than arbitrarily pick my top 10 birds of the year, I’ll arbitrarily pick a top bird from each country. I’ll also award each bird an award based on why I picked it.

United Arab Emirates 100

United Arab Emirates Ethiopia 2016 New Zealand 100

10,000 Birds

MARCH 14, 2011

home about advertise archives birds conservation contact galleries links reviews subscribe Browse: Home / Birds / Sandhill Crane Hunt in Kentucky?! If you wrote to Tennessee in the 10,000 Birds campaign this winter, you can cut and paste your letter, changing “Tennessee&# to “Kentucky.&# Kentucky Dept.

2011 252

2011 Kentucky Tennessee Hunting 252

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 22, 2016

Out of just under 200 bird species I observed this year in SE Europe, there are 6 threatened species. Some of them were always uncommon in the region, others are highly localised, some are hard to notice among thousands of similar birds, but others were abundant recently and one of them still is, despite the decrease in numbers.

Serbia 202

Serbia Greece Montenegro Bulgaria 202

10,000 Birds

JUNE 8, 2017

Shallows provide an ideal spawning ground for almost 50 fish species and submerged islands breeding ground for more than 100 bird species. Looking at the river, I cannot believe my memories of the same place this January – frozen solid, with just a small opening in the ice – and 26,000 geese in it! We observed some 15 birds here.

Romania 124

Romania Serbia Turtles Blackbirds 124

10,000 Birds

MARCH 13, 2011

Moved by an unseasonable bout of optimism, I went owl-chasing this weekend and actually encountered what has been a true nemesis bird for me: Northern Saw-whet Owl ! For Corey, this was a weekend without a single standout species but with many birds that were pretty darn neat. What was your best bird of the weekend?

2011 133

2011 Deer Birds Owls 133

10,000 Birds

MARCH 6, 2011

home about advertise archives birds conservation contact galleries links reviews subscribe Browse: Home / Birds / Orange-headed Thrush Orange-headed Thrush By Redgannet • March 6, 2011 • 18 comments Tweet Share The Orange-headed Thrush , Zoothera citrinus, is common across much of India and south-east Asia.

2011 188

2011 Deer India New York 188

10,000 Birds

MARCH 28, 2012

Mareeba Wetlands Just north of the town of Mareeba are the Mareeba Wetlands , a large lake reserve that protects both wetlands and northern savannah. One of Australia’s largest and most magnificent flying birds, this was a real treat for me. The swamp was certainly worth a visit though.

Geese 168

Geese Ducks Australia Pelicans 168

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 9, 2018

By protecting 25 free-flowing Alaskan rivers in their natural state, we are almost doubling the size of our Wild and Scenic Rivers System. ANILCA created, consolidated, expanded, or otherwise protected numerous units of federal public land systems, including: Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge.

Alaska 217

Alaska United States Puffins Wildlife 217