10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 5, 2020

Ruddy Quail-Dove – Geotrygon montana. Yellow-hooded Blackbird – Chrysomus icterocephalus. Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. Brewer’s Blackbird – Euphagus cyanocephalus. Melodious Blackbird – Dives dives. Chinese Blackbird – Turdus mandarinus.

2020 150

2020 Sparrows Woodpeckers Blackbirds 150

10,000 Birds

JULY 6, 2019

Red-winged Blackbird – Agelaius phoeniceus. Melodious Blackbird – Dives dives. Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. Ruddy Quail-Dove – Geotrygon montana. Brewer’s Blackbird – Euphagus cyanocephalus. European Starling – Sturnus vulgaris. Jamaica Bay, Big Egg Marsh.

2019 118

2019 Jamaica Eggs Woodpeckers 118

10,000 Birds

APRIL 13, 2012

Last week was spring break at the University of Montana, and so, for me, a chance for a brief flying visit back east. Yesterday, there were none. Today, Tree Swallows are here, flashing light and dark above the river. Now, let’s back up. Though spring migration is only just starting to ramp up there, of course I had to visit the Ramble.

Chicago 172

Chicago Litter Louisiana Montana 172

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 28, 2014

Ferruginous Hawks breed in the grasslands of eastern Montana, but they are rare in the mountains and in winter, so this bird was certainly a surprise. It sat serenely while we scrambled to set up scopes and get our looks, and only took off as we did so ourselves. It was truly a fantastic bird-of-prey day.

Bald Eagle 169

Bald Eagle Falcons Geese Montana 169

10,000 Birds

APRIL 8, 2011

Outside of the Cinclus , Ouzel is also a common name sometimes applied to a variety of Turdus thrushes including the Common Blackbird of Europe, so the literal meaning of the name is “Water Thrush&#. But it sounds so much more sophisticated to say Ouzel. These are just a handful of the better-documented vernacular names.

Hunters 178

Hunters Falcons Ducks Montana 178

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 27, 2013

My best bird of the year was without a doubt the Montana Baikal Teal , a bird that combined rarity, beauty, and the good grace to stick around long enough for me to actually see it. Montana’s Baikal Teal by suneko. Making it just under two years old when it came back to the High Arctic to continue the cycle.

2013 167

2013 Birds Costa Rica India 167

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 2, 2021

The year list ends on a provisional (some beats will be birding ’til the final whistle to try and salvage a ravaged year) 1803 species from 1602 checklists submitted by 12 beats from 16 countries.

2020 205

2020 Sparrows Woodpeckers Ducks 205

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 7, 2019

Ruddy Quail-Dove – Geotrygon montana. Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. Yellow-headed Blackbird – Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. Red-winged Blackbird – Agelaius phoeniceus. Melodious Blackbird – Dives dives. Common Ground Dove – Columbina passerina. 17 Aug 2019. Cerro Lodge.

2019 116

2019 Arizona Ghana Tucson 116

10,000 Birds

APRIL 1, 2017

Ruddy Quail-Dove – Geotrygon montana. Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. Red-winged Blackbird – Agelaius phoeniceus. Tawny-shouldered Blackbird – Agelaius humeralis. Yellow-shouldered Blackbird – Agelaius xanthomus. Melodious Blackbird – Dives dives. 19 Jan 2017.

2017 133

2017 Australia Sanctuary Woodpeckers 133

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 4, 2017

Ruddy Quail-Dove – Geotrygon montana. Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. Red-winged Blackbird – Agelaius phoeniceus. Yellow-shouldered Blackbird – Agelaius xanthomus. Melodious Blackbird – Dives dives. Rusty Blackbird – Euphagus carolinus. 19 Jan 2017. road to Playa Azul.

2017 100

2017 Australia Sanctuary Woodpeckers 100

10,000 Birds

MARCH 3, 2018

Ruddy Quail-Dove – Geotrygon montana. Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. Yellow-headed Blackbird – Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. Red-winged Blackbird – Agelaius phoeniceus. Melodious Blackbird – Dives dives. Rusty Blackbird – Euphagus carolinus. 02 Jan 2018. 07 Feb 2018.

2018 100

2018 Australia Los Angeles Albatross 100

10,000 Birds

JUNE 1, 2019

Ruddy Quail-Dove – Geotrygon montana. Tricolored Blackbird – Agelaius tricolor. Rusty Blackbird – Euphagus carolinus. White-browed Shortwing – Brachypteryx montana. Brewer’s Blackbird – Euphagus cyanocephalus. Yellow-headed Blackbird – Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus.

2019 113

2019 Australia Ghana Woodpeckers 113

10,000 Birds

MAY 4, 2019

Red-winged Blackbird – Agelaius phoeniceus. Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. Melodious Blackbird – Dives dives. Yellow-headed Blackbird – Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. Brewer’s Blackbird – Euphagus cyanocephalus. White-browed Shortwing – Brachypteryx montana.

2019 113

2019 Australia Ghana Woodpeckers 113

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 2, 2017

Ruddy Quail-Dove – Geotrygon montana. Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. Yellow-headed Blackbird – Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. Red-winged Blackbird – Agelaius phoeniceus. Tawny-shouldered Blackbird – Agelaius humeralis. Yellow-shouldered Blackbird – Agelaius xanthomus.

2017 100

2017 Australia Sanctuary Woodpeckers 100

10,000 Birds

MAY 6, 2017

Ruddy Quail-Dove – Geotrygon montana. Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. Red-winged Blackbird – Agelaius phoeniceus. Tawny-shouldered Blackbird – Agelaius humeralis. Yellow-shouldered Blackbird – Agelaius xanthomus. Melodious Blackbird – Dives dives. 18 Apr 2017.

2017 100

2017 Australia Sanctuary Woodpeckers 100

10,000 Birds

APRIL 7, 2018

Ruddy Quail-Dove – Geotrygon montana. Melodious Blackbird – Dives dives. Rusty Blackbird – Euphagus carolinus. Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. Yellow-headed Blackbird – Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. Brewer’s Blackbird – Euphagus cyanocephalus. 21 Feb 2018.

2018 100

2018 Australia Los Angeles Albatross 100

10,000 Birds

MAY 6, 2018

Ruddy Quail-Dove – Geotrygon montana. Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. Yellow-headed Blackbird – Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. Red-winged Blackbird – Agelaius phoeniceus. Melodious Blackbird – Dives dives. Rusty Blackbird – Euphagus carolinus. 02 Jan 2018. 07 Feb 2018.

2018 100

2018 Australia Los Angeles Albatross 100

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 15, 2013

So, winter is very nearly upon us, and no, I never did find a Yellow-headed Blackbird. It has snowed in Montana, it has snowed at the Olde Homestead, and I have commenced my annual Andy Rooney-like wails of anguish about the earlier and earlier appearance of holiday decorations in stores.

Badgers 174

Badgers Montana North America Abandon 174

10,000 Birds

JUNE 2, 2018

Ruddy Quail-Dove – Geotrygon montana. Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. Yellow-headed Blackbird – Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. Red-winged Blackbird – Agelaius phoeniceus. Melodious Blackbird – Dives dives. Rusty Blackbird – Euphagus carolinus. 02 Jan 2018. 07 Feb 2018.

2018 100

2018 Australia Los Angeles Albatross 100

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 3, 2018

Unicolored Blackbird – Agelasticus cyanopus. Ruddy Quail-Dove – Geotrygon montana. Melodious Blackbird – Dives dives. Rusty Blackbird – Euphagus carolinus. Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. Yellow-headed Blackbird – Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. Reserva Ribera Norte.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Sparrows 113

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 6, 2018

Unicolored Blackbird – Agelasticus cyanopus. Ruddy Quail-Dove – Geotrygon montana. Melodious Blackbird – Dives dives. Rusty Blackbird – Euphagus carolinus. Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. Yellow-headed Blackbird – Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. Reserva Ribera Norte.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Los Angeles 113

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 4, 2018

Unicolored Blackbird – Agelasticus cyanopus. Ruddy Quail-Dove – Geotrygon montana. Melodious Blackbird – Dives dives. Rusty Blackbird – Euphagus carolinus. Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. Yellow-headed Blackbird – Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. Reserva Ribera Norte.

2018 101

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Los Angeles 101

10,000 Birds

JULY 7, 2018

Ruddy Quail-Dove – Geotrygon montana. Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. Yellow-headed Blackbird – Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. Red-winged Blackbird – Agelaius phoeniceus. Melodious Blackbird – Dives dives. Rusty Blackbird – Euphagus carolinus. 02 Jan 2018. 07 Feb 2018.

2018 100

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Los Angeles 100

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 5, 2019

Ruddy Quail-Dove – Geotrygon montana. Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. Yellow-headed Blackbird – Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. Red-winged Blackbird – Agelaius phoeniceus. Melodious Blackbird – Dives dives. Rusty Blackbird – Euphagus carolinus. 02 Jan 2018. 07 Feb 2018.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Sparrows 113

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 1, 2018

Ruddy Quail-Dove – Geotrygon montana. Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. Yellow-headed Blackbird – Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. Red-winged Blackbird – Agelaius phoeniceus. Melodious Blackbird – Dives dives. Rusty Blackbird – Euphagus carolinus. 02 Jan 2018. 07 Feb 2018.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Sparrows 113

10,000 Birds

MARCH 4, 2017

Ruddy Quail-Dove – Geotrygon montana. Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. Red-winged Blackbird – Agelaius phoeniceus. Yellow-shouldered Blackbird – Agelaius xanthomus. Melodious Blackbird – Dives dives. Rusty Blackbird – Euphagus carolinus. 19 Jan 2017. road to Playa Azul.

2017 100

2017 Australia Sanctuary Woodpeckers 100

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 1, 2016

Ruddy Quail-Dove – Geotrygon montana. Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. Chinese Blackbird – Turdus mandarinus. Red-winged Blackbird – Agelaius phoeniceus. Tricolored Blackbird – Agelaius tricolor. Yellow-headed Blackbird – Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. 23 Jan 2016.

2016 154

2016 Sanctuary Australia Ghana 154

10,000 Birds

JUNE 4, 2016

Unicolored Blackbird – Agelasticus cyanopus. Ruddy Quail-Dove – Geotrygon montana. Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. Chinese Blackbird – Turdus mandarinus. Red-winged Blackbird – Agelaius phoeniceus. Melodious Blackbird – Dives dives. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.

2016 100

2016 Sanctuary Ghana Australia 100

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 3, 2016

Ruddy Quail-Dove – Geotrygon montana. Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. Chinese Blackbird – Turdus mandarinus. Red-winged Blackbird – Agelaius phoeniceus. Yellow-headed Blackbird – Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. Melodious Blackbird – Dives dives. 23 Jan 2016.

2016 101

2016 Sanctuary Australia Ghana 101

10,000 Birds

MAY 7, 2016

Ruddy Quail-Dove – Geotrygon montana. Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. Chinese Blackbird – Turdus mandarinus. Red-winged Blackbird – Agelaius phoeniceus. Melodious Blackbird – Dives dives. Rusty Blackbird – Euphagus carolinus. 23 Jan 2016. 10 Mar 2016. 10 Mar 2016.

2016 100

2016 Sanctuary Ghana Australia 100

10,000 Birds

JULY 2, 2016

Unicolored Blackbird – Agelasticus cyanopus. Ruddy Quail-Dove – Geotrygon montana. Melodious Blackbird – Dives dives. Rusty Blackbird – Euphagus carolinus. Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. Chinese Blackbird – Turdus mandarinus. Loretto SF. 12 May 2016. 11 May 2016.

2016 100

2016 Sanctuary Ghana Australia 100

10,000 Birds

MARCH 8, 2020

Ruddy Quail-Dove – Geotrygon montana. Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. Chinese Blackbird – Turdus mandarinus. Red-winged Blackbird – Agelaius phoeniceus. Melodious Blackbird – Dives dives. Donde Cope- La Unión de Guápiles. 07 Feb 2020. Blue Ground Dove – Claravis pretiosa.

2020 153

2020 Sanctuary Australia Sparrows 153

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 6, 2016

Ruddy Quail-Dove – Geotrygon montana. Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. Chinese Blackbird – Turdus mandarinus. Red-winged Blackbird – Agelaius phoeniceus. Melodious Blackbird – Dives dives. Rusty Blackbird – Euphagus carolinus. 23 Jan 2016. 10 Mar 2016. 10 Mar 2016.

2016 100

2016 Sanctuary Ghana Australia 100

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 15, 2014

White-browed Shortwing ( Brachypteryx montana ); Heard Mount Kinabalu, Borneo, 7 January (Heard over and over again). Eurasian Blackbird ( Turdus merula ); Wellington, New Zealand, 12 January. Indigo Flycatcher ( Eumyias indigo ); Mount Kinabalu, Borneo, 6 January. TURDIDAE (THRUSHES). STURNIDAE (STARLINGS).

2014 150

2014 New Zealand Singapore Rhinoceros 150

10,000 Birds

JUNE 17, 2011

Unfortunately, flood conditions had washed out many of the edges and reed beds where I would have hoped to see Gadwalls and Goldeneyes , Yellow-headed Blackbirds and Wilson’s Phalaropes. I did spot a handful of Blue-winged Teal , and on a fencepost a single Wilson’s Snipe – my second and final lifer of the day.

Rattlesnake 163

Rattlesnake Bald Eagle Mules Mammals 163

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 1, 2018

Unicolored Blackbird – Agelasticus cyanopus. Ruddy Quail-Dove – Geotrygon montana. Melodious Blackbird – Dives dives. Rusty Blackbird – Euphagus carolinus. Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. Yellow-headed Blackbird – Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. Reserva Ribera Norte.

2018 100

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Los Angeles 100