10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 13, 2018

In a recent post, Corey listed five things to do when it is too cold to go birding and one of those things is planning birding travel. Here in Portland, Oregon, it is more frequently too rainy rather than too cold to go birding, at least comfortably. Thus, my “good birds” are likely the opposite of an eastern birder.

San Francisco 100

San Francisco Portland United States Puerto Rico 100

10,000 Birds

JUNE 26, 2012

The water this Northern Pintail is in has human poo in it, which completely ruins the experience of seeing this bird. The majority of diehard birders do not care where they get their birds. There is a caste of birders, however, that do not subscribe to this way of birding…no. Oh wait, it doesn’t. Portland, Oregon.

San Francisco 208

San Francisco Birds North Dakota Oakland 208

10,000 Birds

APRIL 7, 2015

I only had a few days in California while visiting my brother at Berkeley, but we couldn’t pass up on the opportunity to visit one of the most famous birding sites in the country: Point Reyes National Seashore. Add those life mammals to the life birds I already expected to see, and I was practically vibrating with excitement.

Seals 184

Seals Elephants Whales Whaling 184

10,000 Birds

MARCH 2, 2015

So what does climate change mean for birds? Though all birds will be somehow impacted by climate change, I think it is important to note that not all will suffer. As deserts expand, birds suited to arid climates may be just fine. Whats in it for birds? Well…it means everything.

North America 214

North America Birds San Francisco Suffering 214

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 3, 2014

The rodents eat the bait, stagger out of the building looking for water, and are easy prey for whatever carnivore happens to be passing by, be it wildlife or someone’s pet. This means not only can they continue poisoning kids, pets, and wildlife for years while the case drags through court, but now they have a monopoly on the market.

Rats 241

Rats Barn Owls Rodents San Francisco 241

10,000 Birds

APRIL 30, 2019

But every Monday, he explores the wonderful habitats and birds found within an hour of his house. This is Paul’s first post for 10,000 Birds. My first birding period was over 40 years ago, in the San Francisco Bay Area. I continued to bird off and on through my university years in Santa Barbara.

San Francisco 116

San Francisco Mexico Turkey California 116

10,000 Birds

MAY 9, 2017

Controversies about federal public lands, including the 2016 occupation of Malheur NWR in Oregon and proposed bills in Congress to dispose of certain land, has focused attention on the value of federal lands to birds and birders. But if one focuses on specific types of birds, the results can be both illuminating and surprising.

Albatross 138

Albatross Hawaii Alaska Puerto Rico 138

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 13, 2019

Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) attempts to calculate the economic contribution of National Wildlife Refuge visitation to local communities. Rather, birding and other wildlife observation ( e.g., photography) are lumped together as “non-consumptive” uses of a refuge. Much of this economic activity is due to birding.

Wildlife 245

Wildlife Maryland San Francisco Minnesota 245

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 26, 2012

In January 1971, two oil tankers collided under the Golden Gate Bridge, spilling more than 800,000 gallons of crude oil into the San Francisco Bay. 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.

Bird Rescue 198

Bird Rescue Rescue San Francisco Birds 198

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 4, 2021

I am sure this means millions of individual birds were displaced by this drought event. But it actually showed the extreme crowding, into the very small remaining area of water, of birds that should have been spread over many dozens of square miles. And are the birds returning with the water?

San Francisco 264

San Francisco 2018 Mexico Ducks 264

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 7, 2016

Years ago, I became a wildlife volunteer and advocate because of a cat who caught a bird. The wildlife center was an hour away if I was lucky. Back then, I didn’t know enough about birds, but I knew a lot about cats. I surprised her and she dropped the bird before vaporizing again. I scrambled for a box.

Cats 211

Cats Stray Cat Stray Wildlife Rehabilitation 211

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 14, 2017

I recently asked whether Puerto Rico should be part of the American Birding Association’s ABA Area. Both Puerto Rico and the USVI have active birding communities that are currently excluded from full membership in the ABA family. Although different territories, they are nearby and share many of the same birds.

Puerto Rico 152

Puerto Rico Virgin Islands Hawaii United States 152

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 29, 2021

This reserve, and that of the Filtros Viejos canyon, are the best options for the birding tourist who chooses to visit our city without traveling farther afield. Best of all, you can fly here direct from Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. “Respect this area; it is the home of wildlife.

Los Angeles 191

Los Angeles San Francisco Costa Rica Birds 191