10,000 Birds

APRIL 3, 2013

It’s been a busy week in bird news–some of it bad, some of it good, and some of it just plain head-scratchin’ Let’s start with the odd stuff first. Duck hunters and wildlife officials alike worry that the spill will affect both hunting season and migration. Or, as penguins do, waddle.) The end result?

Ostriches 138

Ostriches Penguins Ducks Arkansas 138

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 31, 2011

As I have explained before these islands are the best place for a lot of the birding here because they are more easily protected from introduced mammals which wreck such havoc on the wildlife here. Since 1984 it has been planted with native bush and pests were controlled, and is now used as a wildlife reserve.

Penguins 165

Penguins Parrots New Zealand Seals 165

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 7, 2021

When you bird afar and wander wide, you carry a field guide to the birds of the region you are exploring, a pair of binoculars, likely a camera, perhaps a spotting scope and a tripod too, plus clothing, medicines, toiletries, electronics, money and documents… Did you notice the missing item? Yet, those bird guides are hefty.

Madagascar 250

Madagascar Mammals Lemurs Seychelles 250

10,000 Birds

MARCH 14, 2022

Hannah Buschert was first exposed to birds and birding during a required ornithology course at Oregon State University and she quickly caught the birding bug. This is Hannah’s first contribution to 10,000 Birds. Hannah and Erik ready to see some birds! I love to go on cruises.

South Africa 264

South Africa Mice Albatross Africa 264

10,000 Birds

JUNE 18, 2013

But when you think about it, climate change might be more important to the people who read 10,000 Birds than a lot of other groups of people. Also, these human-occupied area are probably full of toxins and other impediments to normal use by wildlife. And penguins. Forget about penguins. These features will become rare.

Maryland 228

Maryland Birds Penguins Wildlife 228

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 26, 2012

Little was known about oiled bird care at that time and despite the courageous attempts of hundreds of volunteers, only 300 birds survived from the 7,000 collected. This 12,000 square-foot facility, completed in February 2001, is one of the two primary oiled bird facilities built by the Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN) in California.

Bird Rescue 204

Bird Rescue Rescue San Francisco Birds 204

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 155

New York City Pelicans Birds New York 155

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 23, 2014

2014 has been a good year for us at 10,000 Birds. We’ve traveled to lots of places, seen lots of great birds, and met lots of great birders. So, as we’ve done for the last several years we thought we would share our Best Birds of the Year with you. Below are our Best Birds of the Year. What was yours?

2014 194

2014 Costa Rica South Africa Birds 194

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 21, 2016

The Ross Sea is the most productive stretch of water in the Southern Ocean, teeming with large predatory fish, whales, seals, penguins and other animals that form the last intact marine ecosystem on Earth. There are 11 species of birds that breed in the Ross Sea region. Enough History – Back to the Future. Now you know.

Russia 178

Russia Penguins Whales Whaling 178

10,000 Birds

MARCH 12, 2011

As part of the Wildlife Conservation Society Birds of Brazil giveaway we asked readers of 10,000 Birds to name the bird in Brazil that they would like to see more than any other species. It is a really neat bird that I have not seen before. It would mean that I was birding in a really cool place!

Brazil 212

Brazil 2011 Birds Wildlife 212

10,000 Birds

APRIL 5, 2011

My 8-year old daughter got interested in birds from a VERY early stage. By age 2 she could identify over 10 species of birds in our Johannesburg, South Africa, yard by call alone. So I guess for some people birding skills come naturally but, for others, birding skills need to be learnt. And perhaps 20 others by sight.

Birds 279

Birds Game Wildlife Family 279

10,000 Birds

MARCH 22, 2011

Consequently, a spill of both fuel and heavy crude oil now threatens island wildlife, including nearly half of the world population of endangered Northern Rockhopper Penguin. A grounded cargo vessel wrecked on Nightingale Island, which is part of the Tristan da Cunha archipelago in the South Atlantic.

Penguins 153

Penguins Wildlife Birds 153

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 26, 2021

I did that with Peacocks & Picathartes – Reflections on Africa’s birdlife (published by Penguin Random House South Africa ). This book is essentially about those birds that breed on the continent south of the Sahara, a topic few birders are familiar with. Some are incredibly rare and hard to find.

Congo 264

Congo Africa South Africa Madagascar 264

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 7, 2011

If there is one thing that Kiwis care about, it’s birds. No, wait, not birds. One thing visitors love to see in New Zealand is Kiwi, the national (sort of) bird, and they also enjoy seeing some of the other birds the place has to offer. Don’t forget you can also see some wildlife on the road as you go !

New Zealand 157

New Zealand Penguins Sanctuary Birds 157

10,000 Birds

MAY 2, 2023

Flight Paths is a splendid but risky title for a book about bird migration. It could easily be mistaken for a book about aviation or space navigation or even a flight simulator game if you don’t read the long, adjective-filled subtitle: How a Passionate and Quirky Group of Pioneering Scientists Solved the Mystery of Bird Migration.

Science 195

Science Illinois Investigation Research 195

10,000 Birds

JULY 24, 2021

“Gamebirds” to some, cool, cryptic understory birds to the birding people, grouse crouch protected as unfettered winds sway the top of the tall prairie grass. Then there are the ones that live in PA , the state bird, “the grouse” that a great many non-birders are aware of, my Uncle Fred was one of them.

Costa Rica 264

Costa Rica Chickens Pennsylvania Litter 264

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 25, 2012

Like some of the other beat writers around here I’ve been roped into keeping a year list this year , and inspired by the other lists I looked at I thought about what I wanted to achieve this year in birding. I began by playing down expectations; on my list I state that I would be very happy to reach 300 birds for the year.

2012 166

2012 New Zealand Birds Albatross 166

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 22, 2015

The wildlife was what we expected. The birds were not as plentiful because we were there during the tail end of the summer when most species had already flown south. These are birds I regularly see in tropical regions as non-breeding visitors. But an opportunity presented itself and we took it.

Alaska 157

Alaska South America Penguins Owls 157

10,000 Birds

APRIL 6, 2016

I’ve been to the Sounds before, but I had never visited them specifically to bird, which means I hadn’t seen the specialities there. One last surprise on Motuara island were some Blue Penguins ! This trip was to rectify that. Also present was another lifer for me, the South Island Saddleback. So what are you waiting for?

Charlotte 117

Charlotte New Zealand Seals Fur 117

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 11, 2011

Timothy Barksdale is a birder, Prairie Chicken documentarian , and wildlife videographer well-known for his stunning Adventures with Birdman. He’s got a different view on how bird watchers should respond to The Big Year than the one Corey recently expressed here. However, I reacted totally differently.

West Virginia 236

West Virginia Chickens Missouri United States 236

10,000 Birds

APRIL 2, 2012

Birding has been an all-consuming interest for Patrick Cardwell since boyhood days spent in a wildlife-rich environment. In this epic post, Patrick depicts just how dynamic the pelagic birding is off Cape Point in South Africa.

Albatross 186

Albatross Penguins Dolphins Whales 186

10,000 Birds

APRIL 3, 2013

The Cook Strait can also serve as a good introduction to marine birds for people visiting New Zealand. Australian Pied Shags and the endemic Spotted Shag also fish the calm waters by the city, and if you are lucky you can see Blue Penguins as well.

Cooking 140

Cooking New Zealand Albatross Penguins 140

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 1, 2016

Electric storms closed the new walkway there and he amassed a total list of just 3 birds! It is a dream, nay, a mission statement of 10,000 Birds to see as many of the World’s birds as possible. Should the fancy take you, you could call up a 10,000 Birds life list (from 2016 onwards. Bund Baretha Wildlife Sanctuary.

2016 154

2016 Sanctuary Australia Ghana 154

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 3, 2016

Duncan has contributed to break through the unspoken target of 2000 birds for 10,000 Birds and on to a running total of 2011 as at August 31st. It is a dream, nay, a mission statement of 10,000 Birds to see as many of the World’s birds as possible. Bund Baretha Wildlife Sanctuary. 10 Feb 2016. 05 Mar 2016.

2016 101

2016 Sanctuary Australia Ghana 101

10,000 Birds

JULY 2, 2016

The same can be said of 10,000 Birds beat writers, but we are not as sensitive on the whole. Next month, there will be a sweepstake open to all 10,000 Birds readers. It is a dream, nay, a mission statement of 10,000 Birds to see as many of the World’s birds as possible. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.

2016 100

2016 Sanctuary Ghana Australia 100

10,000 Birds

JUNE 4, 2016

It is a dream, nay, a mission statement of 10,000 Birds to see as many of the World’s birds as possible. Thus, a combined list of current beat writers will be compiled to see how many birds, weird and wonderful, common or unusual we can find between us. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.

2016 100

2016 Sanctuary Ghana Australia 100

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 6, 2016

It is a dream, nay, a mission statement of 10,000 Birds to see as many of the World’s birds as possible. Thus, a combined list of current beat writers will be compiled to see how many birds, weird and wonderful, common or unusual we can find between us. Bund Baretha Wildlife Sanctuary. 10 Feb 2016. 05 Mar 2016.

2016 100

2016 Sanctuary Ghana Australia 100

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 3, 2018

The two most prolific contributors, Pat and Tom, have been sharing their birding space in Costa Rica. The beats have now contributed more checklists than birds. During October, 7 countries (Costa Rica, Australia, USA, India, Hong Kong, UK, Serbia) were birded by 11 beats who shared 135 checklists and noted 697 species.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Sparrows 113

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 6, 2018

It’s September and time for birds to start their southerly journeys. Please remember to give migrating birds the space that they need. Jason hoisted his colours in Kansas and claimed the state for 10,000 Birds. In an unusual turnaround during September, more birds were seen in USA than in Costa Rica. 09 Sep 2018.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Los Angeles 113

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 5, 2019

Best wishes to you all for 2019, keep safe and keep birding. Gray Go-away-bird – Corythaixoides concolor. Tuttle Marsh Wildlife Area. Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve. Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve. La Cotinga Birding B&B. So please keep at it and keep sending me your shared checklists.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Sparrows 113

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 1, 2018

They birded 6 countries; USA, UK, Costa Rica, Serbia, Australia, and Mexico. Gray Go-away-bird – Corythaixoides concolor. Tuttle Marsh Wildlife Area. Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve. Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve. La Cotinga Birding B&B. 8 beats shared 126 checklists accounting for 704 species.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Sparrows 113

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 1, 2018

Is it wrong of me to go birding to get away from the kids now that they are at home all day? Happy birding if you suddenly find yourself single. 458 birds were seen by 7 beats in 8 countries. 458 birds were seen by 7 beats in 8 countries. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge–East Pond. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary.

2018 100

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Los Angeles 100

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 4, 2018

The UK has been birded clean by Tom as he ends his Little Big Year (Part 1). 9 beats visited 8 countries, submitting 102 checklists along the way, accounting for 609 birds. African Penguin – Spheniscus demersus. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Tuttle Marsh Wildlife Area. And so to summer. Cheers beats.

2018 101

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Los Angeles 101

10,000 Birds

JULY 7, 2018

10 countries were birded by 9 beats and 892 species were noted from 144 checklists. Yellow-eyed Penguin – Megadyptes antipodes. Katiki Point Penguin reserve. Little Penguin – Eudyptula minor. African Penguin – Spheniscus demersus. Ota Ward–Tokyo Port Wild Bird Park / Shioiri Pond).

2018 100

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Los Angeles 100

10,000 Birds

JUNE 2, 2018

May by numbers looked like this; 11 beats shared 194 lists and ticked 943 birds between us. Yellow-eyed Penguin – Megadyptes antipodes. Katiki Point Penguin reserve. Little Penguin – Eudyptula minor. Ota Ward–Tokyo Port Wild Bird Park / Shioiri Pond). Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.

2018 100

2018 Australia Los Angeles Albatross 100

10,000 Birds

APRIL 7, 2018

Tom continues his odyssey around the world, bumping into birds and beats along the way. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Ota Ward–Tokyo Port Wild Bird Park). Ota Ward–Tokyo Port Wild Bird Park). Yellow-eyed Penguin – Megadyptes antipodes. Katiki Point Penguin reserve. Perdue Pond Wildlife Area.

2018 100

2018 Australia Los Angeles Albatross 100

10,000 Birds

MAY 6, 2018

In fashion news this week… (since 10,000 Birds does not have, and is unlikely ever to have, a dedicated fashion section please feel free to use the comments section of this post) … according to the Sunday Times of London, next season’s must have colour is… dramatic pause… Khaki! Katiki Point Penguin reserve.

2018 100

2018 Australia Los Angeles Albatross 100