10,000 Birds

MAY 21, 2019

I am originally from California, so it is easy for me to deal with a geography defined by a low coastal mountain range, a central valley, and a much higher inland range (in California, the Sierra Nevada). As a birder, I was eager to find the quickest ways to reach these species from my home. Those black eyes make this bird.

Mexico 114

Mexico Birds Nevada Sparrows 114

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 26, 2017

I had not previously considered a situation where the two species might come into conflict, but I bet it would be a real money-spinner on pay-per-view. The plucky underdog is always the British favourite though I do worry about Conor McGregor’s Western Palearctic complexion in the Nevada desert.

Las Vegas 103

Las Vegas Species Nevada Adoptable 103

10,000 Birds

JUNE 11, 2019

Although sometimes thought of a bird of the Southwest, the condor’s historical range reaches as far north as British Columbia. One management tool used by FWS is reintroduction of an endangered species into its former range. An “essential” population is, not surprisingly, required for the continued existence of a species.

California Condor 227

California Condor California Endangered Species Oregon 227

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 31, 2013

In 2013 I birded in two countries, submitted eBird checklists for seven U.S. states and thirty-seven counties, and added a whopping ninety-two species to my life list. I would like to end 2013 with 303, 512, and 1,150 birds on those lists. But what were my top ten birding moments of 2013?

2013 176

2013 New York City New York Trinidad 176

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 22, 2014

Audubon chapter leaders meet once a year for these council meetings to share their ideas and successes with other chapters and discuss ways to improve members participation and enjoyment of birding and conservation activities. This is the painting of the species by John James Audubon in the early 1800′s. v=Q7tVjohOIdI.

Nevada 160

Nevada North America Utah Oregon 160

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 1, 2013

A week ago today, the federal government proposed a “threatened” listing for the Greater Sage Grouse in Nevada and California , as part of a larger study considering whether the species as a whole should be listed. I am a great lover of these gallinaceous birds, though my encounters with them have been but brief.

Nevada 160

Nevada Endangered Species Montana Humane 160

10,000 Birds

JULY 13, 2013

One incredibly cooperative and confiding bird sang from a nearby bush and then flew to the rock I was photographing it from and briefly foraged there while I hustled to back up so I could get it in focus. It is an attractive and kind of awe-inspiring little bird, as most creatures that can survive in harsh conditions are (at least to me).

Las Vegas 174

Las Vegas Sparrows Nevada United States 174

10,000 Birds

MAY 7, 2019

But, sometimes an appreciation of birds and birding requires more than a reference book with images of birds and facts about their identifying field marks. There are large avian handbooks and small ‘how-to bird’ guides, and quite a few excellent books of both types have been published.

Birds 115

Birds North America Breeding America 115

10,000 Birds

MARCH 8, 2017

Spring is in the air, and all around the Baja desert I am seeing a plethora of species, all looking for love, in what appears to the right places. A member of the small Ptiliogonatidae family of silky-flycatchers, of which there are only three other species besides our local Phainopepla , Phainopepl nitens.

Costa Rica 106

Costa Rica Panama Nevada Guatemala 106

10,000 Birds

APRIL 30, 2012

One of the most exciting aspects of bird migration in a coastal location is the potential for large numbers of birds to find themselves over the ocean when dawn breaks. And, as you can imagine about a species with “Indigo” in its common name and Passerina cyanea for a scientific name, these birds are blue blue blue!

Nevada 248

Nevada United States Canada Breeding 248

10,000 Birds

APRIL 2, 2013

A breeding bird atlas is a special kind of book. For birders, it’s the extremely large book, shelved in a place where it can’t crush the field guides, used to research the history of a bird in their area. It included surveys of nocturnal and marsh birds, and a point count survey of songbirds.

Pennsylvania 233

Pennsylvania Breeding Birds Sparrows 233

10,000 Birds

JULY 30, 2014

However, I am here to make the case for birding California. With the largest state list by a considerable margin and a mind-boggling diversity of habitats, I reckon we have some amazing birding to offer. So if you are thinking of doing some birding out this way, here is a quick run-down of some of the state’s best birding areas.

California 203

California San Diego Birds Oakland 203

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 21, 2016

Newly surrounded by wildlife, he found his love of birds reignited. He now lives in Los Angeles, California where he is employed as a natural history tour guide and as a member of the Leica Birding Team. This is Luke’s first contribution to 10,000 Birds. His blog is still intermittently updated at www.underclearskies.com.

Bald Eagle 243

Bald Eagle Los Angeles Connecticut Eagles 243

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 12, 2013

To see birds? ” That small minded perspective is difficult to overcome despite Clare’s continued insistence on the excellence of Poo Ponds and my own small contribution from my visits to Florida’s Viera Wetlands and Nevada’s City of Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve. Voluntarily? What is wrong with you?”

Trinidad 175

Trinidad New Jersey Nevada Illinois 175

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 10, 2014

Up until now, though, I’ve never put my year list on 10,000 Birds. Other Rocky Mountain species I’d like to round up, in a perfect world, include Boreal Chickadee, Spruce Grouse, and Varied Thrush. There’s a big country out there, and I need to get more proactive about birding it. Birding year list'

2014 155

2014 Las Vegas Bald Eagle Nevada 155

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 15, 2014

I didn’t know what species of woodpecker it was, but I knew it was just in the clearing on the other side of the road. ” Note how well camouflaged this bird is atop a snag in its natural habitat of burned coniferous forest. Range map courtesy of South Dakota Birds and Birding. Siegel and, D. Craig, editors.

Woodpeckers 172

Woodpeckers California South Dakota Chad 172

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 6, 2012

I spent the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in the usual post-hurricane activities—looking for storm birds, making sure my loved ones were o.k., trying to grasp the enormity of what had just happened, and reading this book, The Feathery Tribe: Robert Ridgway and the Modern Study of Birds by Daniel Lewis. And, draw birds.

Collecting 150

Collecting Illinois United States Science 150

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 25, 2021

Ideally, it should be one even less relevant than previous ones (like the one on wet birds, the one on blue birds, or the ones just showing birds eating or sleeping). Then I had an idea – a post based on birds starting with the same letter. The American part of the A-Team includes the American Robin (Reno, Nevada).

South Africa 327

South Africa China Nevada Africa 327

10,000 Birds

APRIL 12, 2012

In North America, we have, traditionally at least, four species, the most familiar of which is the White-breasted Nuthatch ( Sitta carolinensis ). They identified the populations as follows: Eastern clade; Pacific clade; Eastern Sierra Nevada clade; and Rocky Mountain, Great Basin, and Mexico clade. In 2007, Garth M.

Species 268

Species North America Nevada 2007 268

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 29, 2019

With hope, your memories of birding in 2019 will evoke wonder, excitement, and satisfaction for years and decades to come. I recently despaired of ending this calendar year without seeing a single Wild Turkey when that species used to be so reliable in my part of New York. What was your best bird of the weekend? How about you?

2019 139

2019 Nevada Turkey New York 139

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 13, 2018

Since 2016, writers at 10,000 Birds have been contributing checklists to a joint eBird account called the “10,000 Birds Collaborative.” The writers at 10,000 Birds span the globe, but I am particularly interested in the lists for the United States, as that is my “beat.” Citizens), it would do well, with 107 species.

Rhode Island 114

Rhode Island United States West Virginia Puerto Rico 114

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 27, 2013

As 2013 draws to a close we here at 10,000 Birds thought that it would be a great idea if we, like we did in 2010 , 2011 , and 2012 , shared our Best Birds of the Year. We also want to know what YOUR Best Bird of the Year was. Now on to the Best Birds of the Year for those who write on 10,000 Birds! Sound good?

2013 167

2013 Birds Costa Rica India 167

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 7, 2018

In North American birding, east versus west is the most basic geographic division of the continent. It’s easy for West Coast birders to covet the variety of wood-warblers back east, while eastern birders may lament the dearth of hummingbird species on their side of the continent. Good birding and happy drinking!

Pelicans 113

Pelicans India Vermont San Diego 113

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 5, 2019

In reverse order, the medals were awarded for “most species seen in a country”, to Australia with 420, USA got the silver, scoring 556 while the runaway winner was Costa Rica with 646 species. Best wishes to you all for 2019, keep safe and keep birding. Nevada Drive. Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Sparrows 113

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 14, 2018

Birders have been encouraged by the American Birding Association and others to buy Federal Duck Stamps. The argument is straightforward: birders (and others, including hunters) buy stamps and the federal government turns around and obtains important bird habitat. In June, the 2018-2019 Federal Duck Stamp was released. And the U.S.

Ducks 203

Ducks Wildlife Texas Hawaii 203