10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

We haven’t seen the reason yet, but suddenly you could have palpated a tension in the air that made the zebras step away and even one female Ostrich stand up… Then the Lord of the waterhole came, a young – although nine years old White Rhinoceros. Cover photo: White Rhinoceros, Wikimedia Commons.

Rhinos 173

Rhinos South Africa Rhinoceros Zebras 173

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 2, 2014

The danger of reviewing a field guide to the birds of an exotic country you’ve never been to is that you become obsessed with visiting that country, no matter how far away and how expensive it may be. I’m already looking up birding tours of Borneo and pricing airfares. Borneo, the authors say, is under-birded.

Brunei 175

Brunei Birds Asia China 175

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 152

2011 Pelicans Papua New Guinea Birds 152

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 5, 2020

Knowing that there are reserves with long lists of 600 or more species, I set my threshold at more than 600 birds… and found only a few such hotspots. Such places are clearly under-visited, under-birded or eBird isn’t that popular in those parts of the world. Other countries still have to reach the 300 birds threshold.

Asia 272

Asia Malaysia Papua New Guinea Thailand 272

10,000 Birds

JUNE 17, 2015

Danum Valley is the finest birding location I have ever been to. And places I have seen more birds. But a a package, if I had to rate the best places I’ve ever been birding, the only place I can think that comes close is Mweya, in Uganda, or maybe Tikal, in Guatemala. There are, certainly, places I’ve enjoyed more.

Lemurs 158

Lemurs Family Rhinoceros Fish 158

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 29, 2011

But then came the biggest obstacle of all… …would Daisy agree to a boat ride that had a bird as its goal? Maybe this Daisy character that I live with and who is mother to Desi is not the mean ol’ bird-hater that I have made her out to be. when the puffin flew past, a bird that the whole family can appreciate.

Washington 170

Washington Protection Puffins Rhinoceros 170

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 11, 2011

A question I am frequently asked by birders and wildlife enthusiasts is: “ if I only visit Africa once, where should I go ?” This country boasts over 1,000 bird species, vast wildernesses, a superb network of protected areas, the greatest concentration of large game and predators on the planet, excellent lodges and friendly people.

Tanzania 217

Tanzania Africa Stud Leopards 217

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 1, 2016

This is the thing—no matter how devoted you are to birds and birding, once you get to Africa, you can’t resist the mammals. This means you need to pack a mammal guide in addition to your bird guide. It’s a wonder we didn’t go into a tailspin from the sudden weight re-distribution. Believe me, I tried.

Rhinos 240

Rhinos Mammals Animal White Rhinos 240

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 2, 2017

9 beats, birded 9 countries this month; Belize , Guatamala , Costa Rica, UK, Iran, USA, Greece, Australia and Mexico. Those are the numbers, here come the birds; Alphabetic Taxonomic. Ra’s al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary. Merritt Island NWR–Black Point Wildlife Dr. 08 Jan 2017. Great Tinamou – Tinamus major.

2017 100

2017 Australia Sanctuary Woodpeckers 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

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

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

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

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

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. Rhinoceros Hornbill – Buceros rhinoceros. 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

APRIL 2, 2014

When you read trip reports of birders going to remote and interesting locations to see interesting (and not so interesting birds, I’m looking at you LBJs), these accounts are typically written by people who have either gone with groups of like-minded people or those that have gone it alone.

Birds 183

Birds Bats Elephants Family 183

10,000 Birds

JULY 7, 2018

10 countries were birded by 9 beats and 892 species were noted from 144 checklists. Ota Ward–Tokyo Port Wild Bird Park / Shioiri Pond). Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Gray Go-away-bird – Corythaixoides concolor. Tuttle Marsh Wildlife Area. Does Mel Gibson know?

2018 100

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Los Angeles 100

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

NOVEMBER 27, 2013

Assuming you have a passing interest in wildlife, or at the least you know someone that does, and chances are in the last week or so you’ve become aware that some lady from America shot a lion. The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the rest of 10,000 Birds. Qualifying statements to follow).

Lions 184

Lions Killing Hunting Hunters 184

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