10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 15, 2020

On the birding side of life, winter birds were still around, there will still chances at finding some rare owl or getting binoculars on an undulating bunch of crossbills but mostly, I was tired of the cold and just counting the days until Spring. One of several beautiful owls (aren’t they all?) Resplendent Quetzal. Great Potoo.

Costa Rica 248

Costa Rica Birds Panama Woodpeckers 248

10,000 Birds

JULY 2, 2020

A Eurasian Blackbird is checking for the remaining maize seeds. A Common Chaffinch is singing, while one male Blackbird chases the other from his precious maize seeds. There are more than 1100 plant species, the most valuable being the 76 endemics. The longer I sit, the more focused I become. The waiting is on.

Serbia 264

Serbia Bears Birds Mammals 264

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 6, 2021

9 beats submitted 140 checklists from 7 countries (USA, UK, Costa Rica, Serbia, Australia, Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago) during October to account for 585 species. 1539 is the year list total so far and the life list has reached 4081 as Northern Pygmy Owl , Emperor Goose and Lined Seedeater swelled its numbers.

Woodpeckers 248

Woodpeckers Sparrows Blackbirds Ducks 248

10,000 Birds

JULY 20, 2019

If a list also shows the status for each species, birders on their way to Costa Rica would realize that they shouldn’t really expect vireos with white eyes nor blue heads (but would hopefully know that they should very much report those species on eBird so local birders can chase them!). Screech-Owls! Juvenile Gray Hawk.

Costa Rica 202

Costa Rica Birds Owls South America 202

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 17, 2019

As is typical of urban birding in Costa Rica, we had small flocks of this species fly over and good looks at the White-crowned Parrot , the other most common parrot in the valley. But, they still occur, the most common species being Black Vulture , Turkey Vulture , Gray Hawk , Short-tailed Hawk , and Yellow-headed and Crested Caracaras.

Costa Rica 200

Costa Rica Birds Parrots Sparrows 200

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 1, 2022

8 of them sent 153 lists, noting 645 species of bird across 7 countries (Mexico, UK, USA, Serbia, Australia, Costa Rica, Colombia). It has not resulted in extraordinary numbers of sightings personally, but the beats have been busy on their respective patches and have sent me their lists to collate. The year list finishes at 1628.

Sparrows 245

Sparrows Woodpeckers Parrots Owls 245

10,000 Birds

MAY 12, 2021

And many of these species are also strikingly beautiful. Yellow-winged Caciques , showy members of the Blackbird/New World Oriole family, are always conspicuous residents of the region. I’ll throw in an adorable Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl by way of an apology. Unfortunately, there is a downside to visiting Tierra Caliente.

Mexico 181

Mexico Blackbirds Sparrows Owls 181

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 18, 2020

The prospect of identifying a certain number of species in a given amount of time pushes us to pay more attention to birds no matter what the circumstances (although I suggest keeping the exclamations about species identifications to yourself during such solemn situations as funerals, graduations, and watching episodes of The Sopranos).

Costa Rica 263

Costa Rica 2020 Morals Farming 263

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 4, 2021

My birding list for November totals 15 species. Thank goodness that the rest of the beats have been busily birding,that’s what they like to do… 9 of them submitted 114 checklists via eBird and amassed 525 species from 7 (China, Australia, Mexico, Costa Rica, UK, Serbia and USA) countries during November.

Sparrows 218

Sparrows Woodpeckers Parrots Costa Rica 218

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 31, 2013

states and thirty-seven counties, and added a whopping ninety-two species to my life list. Despite that, I managed to see 511 species in 2013 , which is not half-bad. Hopefully I will see at least that many species in 2014! Checking out Red-breasted Blackbirds at the Aripo Agricultural Research Station. My life Gyrfalcon.

2013 179

2013 New York City New York Trinidad 179

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 1, 2014

The final tally for this thirty year old count circle was 123 species. There has been a high count of 130 species in the past with an average species count of 115 and lows of 95 species on two occasions. 1 Saw-whet Owl (4th time on the count). 1 Saw-whet Owl (4th time on the count). Short-eared Owl.

California 167

California Blackbirds Turkey Birds 167

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 8, 2013

This park protects the largest remaining tract of dry deciduous forest in the west of India, offering visitors 37 species of reptiles, 38 species of mammals and, not to be forgotten – almost 300 bird species. It belongs to the same species as those in Europe, but a smaller subspecies ( Sus scrofa davidi ).

Lions 236

Lions India Mammals Boars 236

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 1, 2020

The 83 checklists submitted during July contained 459 species. Barn Owl – Tyto alba. Great Horned Owl – Bubo virginianus. Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl – Glaucidium brasilianum. Little Owl – Athene noctua. Tawny Owl – Strix aluco. Barred Owl – Strix varia.

2020 157

2020 Sparrows Blackbirds Woodpeckers 157

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 7, 2021

Yet, 79 checklists were submitted by 8 beats, accounting for 366 species in 5 countries. Yet, 79 checklists were submitted by 8 beats, accounting for 366 species in 5 countries. Yet, 79 checklists were submitted by 8 beats, accounting for 366 species in 5 countries.

Sparrows 254

Sparrows Woodpeckers Ducks Blackbirds 254

10,000 Birds

JUNE 6, 2020

149 checklists were submitted, accounting for 465 species. Barn Owl (Tyto alba). Eurasian Scops-Owl (Otus scops). Tropical Screech-Owl (Megascops choliba). Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus). Little Owl (Athene noctua). Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula). Chinese Blackbird (Turdus mandarinus).

2020 154

2020 Sparrows Niger Woodpeckers 154

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 10, 2015

Although marching up and down and up and down can be a literal pain, the feathered rewards come in the form of super cool local species that rarely or never make it down to lower elevations. Here are ten of those special species: This yellow-eyed bird is a Volcano Junco. At least that’s the case for Costa Rica.

Costa Rica 150

Costa Rica Panama Nicaragua Honduras 150

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 12, 2018

Not another person for miles, and a pair of friendly, well, almost, Great Horned Owls living in the tree right above us. By the time we left, I had recorded one new Lifer, 12 New Year Birds, and a total of 76 species. The Little Big Years stand as follows: Little Big Year Species – 860. US species – 175.

Blackbirds 123

Blackbirds Mules Beavers Wildlife 123

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 19, 2018

There were not as nearly many birds around the area as in past visits, but the number of species that were using the water as either a summer home, or just passing thru in the early parts of their migration made the visit well worth it. This week ends with the Little Big Years numbers as follows: Little Big Year species – 870.

Oregon 115

Oregon Owls Wildlife Barn Owls 115

10,000 Birds

MARCH 6, 2021

9 beats from 8 countries (Australia, USA, UK, Serbia, Costa Rica, China, Trinidad and Tobago and Mexico), shared 138 checklists for 703 species. The year list to date is 1015 species and 7 have been added to the life list ( 4059 ) from Costa Rica, China and Trinidad and Tobago. 242 Barn Owl – Tyto alba.

Woodpeckers 193

Woodpeckers Sparrows Ducks Parrots 193

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 2, 2021

The year list ends on a provisional 1803 species from 1608 checklists submitted by 12 beats from 16 countries. Most species-prolific was Patrick in Costa Rica, followed by Paul from Mexico. December’s beats found 609 birds after submitting 116 checklists from 8 countries (USA, UK, Costa Rica, China, Mexico, Serbia and Australia).

2020 237

2020 Sparrows Woodpeckers Parrots 237

10,000 Birds

JULY 3, 2021

Between them, they found 389 species in 5 countries. Insects were held back by weird spring weather, but now the warmth returns and the birds are feasting on the late stirring bugs. June saw 8 beats get their birding boots on and share 90 checklists for your pleasure.

Woodpeckers 255

Woodpeckers Sparrows Ducks Niger 255

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 2, 2021

11 beats have been out this month and have submitted 136 checklists from 7 countries ticking 634 species. 7 Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl – Glaucidium brasilianum. 92 Crested Owl – Lophostrix cristata. 111 Mottled Owl – Ciccaba virgata. 271 Spectacled Owl – Pulsatrix perspicillata.

Woodpeckers 218

Woodpeckers Sparrows Parrots Blackbirds 218

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 4, 2021

They birded 7 countries during August and recorded 542 species. The year list remains sluggish at 1489 , but the life list received a boost from the eBird taxonomy reshuffle and now includes 4076 species. Stay vigilant and safe. 10 of the beats have submitted 124 checklists which are collated below for your perusal.

Woodpeckers 213

Woodpeckers Sparrows Blackbirds California 213

10,000 Birds

APRIL 4, 2014

During this time, the fish trapped in the shrinking pools of water attract hordes of herons, egrets, storks, and other wetland species. Raptors such as Savanna Hawk , Snail Kite , and Black-collared Hawk and up to five species of kingfisher also join the bonanza in one of the world’s great birding spectacles.

Brazil 165

Brazil Birds Blackbirds Paraguay 165

10,000 Birds

JULY 23, 2014

There are the endemics, which are odd in their own way, and then there introduced species, which are so varied in their type and origin that you get the feeling you’ve arrived at the aftermath of a small zoo that escaped. What is surprising is quite how many species did end up here, and how economically unimportant they were.

New Zealand 162

New Zealand Possums Rabbits Ferrets 162

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 20, 2019

I haven’t yet been birding in Europe but whenever I occasionally skim a field guide about the birds on the other side of the Atlantic, I’m always encouraged to find that I’m already familiar with many species found over there, even though most of my birding experience has been limited to eastern North America. I remember the talking (Song?)

2017 118

2017 Portugal Rabbits Europe 118

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 22, 2014

The second is to get an accurate account of species recorded, numbers of individuals seen, and effort exerted to record those birds. Fortunately, this year’s QCCBC had great, mild weather, a record fifty-three participants, and we tied our record for number of species seen with 124. and I had a pretty good day.

2005 154

2005 Birds Blackbirds Branding 154

10,000 Birds

APRIL 3, 2021

Our brave beats have been putting themselves at risk for your vicarious listing pleasure and 10 of them submitted 151 checklists for 692 species, 2 of which made it onto the life list. Please be careful, Corvid is still out there. Marsh Grassbird and Rufous-faced Warbler come to you all the way from China and bring the life list to 4061.

Sparrows 160

Sparrows Woodpeckers Blackbirds Ducks 160

10,000 Birds

JULY 16, 2012

I was delighted by the invitation and spent hours going through my photos, printing them out, imagining fifteen 4-year olds entranced by egrets, herons, and Burrowing Owls. Jake’s favorite before-bedtime book when he was just a bit younger was Owl Babies by Martin Waddell, a picture book I had picked up at a nature center.

Birds 223

Birds Owls Switzerland Lions 223

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 5, 2012

There were, in her book, three kinds: Owls, Pigeons, and Ducks. and birds that would fly over either (which included raptors, and therefore I’m going to spot him the owls.) And apparently, non-birders are more apt to divide birds into general kinds than species lists. Saw-whet Owl photo by Todd Zino. In the U.S.,

Montana 162

Montana Bald Eagle Owls Ducks 162

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 25, 2018

The auto tour route at SNWR even holds Great Horned Owls ( Bubo virginianus ). This refuge offers such a wide variety of species, that I wrote a post awhile back showing several species of wading birds in the same location on the auto tour route. Of course there are plenty of Red-tailed Hawks ( Buteo jamaicensis ) around.

Wildlife 101

Wildlife Sacramento Bald Eagle Falcons 101

10,000 Birds

MARCH 3, 2020

That’s pretty amazing–Bolivia has more bird species than India! The source of this ranking, BirdLife International, lists Bolivia as currently having 1,439 bird species, including 18 breeding endemics. The guide covers 1,433 species, the number of birds documented at the end of 2014, the cutoff point for the book.

Bolivia 181

Bolivia Birds Brazil Switzerland 181

10,000 Birds

MAY 10, 2013

Heading out of Ecclesdown Road on the second day of my trip, I had nailed all of my targets save four species ( Caribbean Dove , Yellow-billed Parrot , Jamaican Owl , and Stolid Flycatcher ). I told her that I had three target birds left to see, and she gestured at a tree near the guesthouse where three Jamaican Owls were roosting.

Jamaica 154

Jamaica 2013 Parrots Birds 154

10,000 Birds

JUNE 9, 2022

After writing this last sentence, I looked up the species in the HBW and found the sentence “Song poorly documented” in the appropriate section, while with regard to calls, the description is that “call is a two-note raspy nasal ‘ryeeh-reh’”. In New Zealand, the Spotted Dove is an introduced species.

Singapore 147

Singapore Birds Mountain Goats Giraffes 147

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 7, 2013

Along the trail, the barking duets of Barred Owl and whistled trills of Eastern Screech-Owl slowly diminish and give way to the wailing rattles of Limpkin and raspy notes of King Rail as sunrise draws closer. A flock of Red-winged Blackbirds , over a thousand strong, fly overhead in several waves towards their feeding grounds.

Wildlife 135

Wildlife Florida Miami Alligators 135

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 7, 2014

It’s not like I had forgotten lists created with friends of ‘songs with birds in the lyrics’, my personal favorites being Sondheim’s Green Finch and Linnet Bird and the Beatles’ Blackbird. As I explained to my nephews when they were younger, “The Burrowing Owls don’t think we’re their friends.

Birds 224

Birds Egypt Family Eagles 224

10,000 Birds

MAY 4, 2011

There are several species of birds we enjoy for their songs-- American Robins, Carolina Wrens, Wood Thrushes and maybe even Red-winged Blackbirds. The most important thing that you need to know is that plastic fake owls do not work.

Woodpeckers 262

Woodpeckers Owls Blackbirds Raised 262