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. 424 Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. 434 House Sparrow – Passer domesticus. 452 Stripe-headed Sparrow – Peucaea ruficauda.

Woodpeckers 225

Woodpeckers Sparrows Blackbirds Ducks 225

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 234

Sparrows Woodpeckers Ducks Blackbirds 234

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 194

Sparrows Woodpeckers Parrots Costa Rica 194

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 189

Costa Rica Birds Parrots Sparrows 189

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 222

Sparrows Woodpeckers Parrots Owls 222

10,000 Birds

JUNE 6, 2022

The juvenile Chinese Blackbirds get older but still look kind of stupid. Some of the more conservative Light-vented Bulbuls in my compound were trying to make the wearing of a tie mandatory for the species. But the stars of the month were some breeding Eurasian Tree Sparrows. So, I took these photos for them.

Birds 147

Birds Sparrows China Abandon 147

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 5, 2018

This is a water reclamation plant, so the water is not quite as sweet as the name might suggest, but it certainly is a magnet for a lot of bird species. Deborah and I had a wonderful morning, and found 39 species. I spent quite a bit more time in the area this time and was able to see a total of 55 species. Stay tuned!

Tucson 122

Tucson Arizona Blackbirds Texas 122

10,000 Birds

MAY 2, 2020

Between them they shared 63 checklists, spanning 5 countries and noted 231 species of birds. Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula). House Sparrow (Passer domesticus). House Sparrow (Passer domesticus). Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus). Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina). Graylag Goose (Anser anser).

2020 152

2020 Woodpeckers Sparrows Blackbirds 152

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 236

Woodpeckers Sparrows Ducks Niger 236

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 2, 2019

Stuff wanders in, others things wander out and in the meantime, birds like Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl , two species of caracara, flycatchers, Clay-colored Thrushes , doves, and others make themselves at home. In typical blackbird fashion, this common garden bird gave occasional, loud, ringing calls. Right at home. These were. These were.

Costa Rica 162

Costa Rica Barn Owls Stray Dog Blackbirds 162

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 190

Woodpeckers Sparrows Blackbirds California 190

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 3, 2020

They noted 719 species between them. 525 Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. 547 House Sparrow – Passer domesticus. 548 Eurasian Tree Sparrow – Passer montanus. 573 Stripe-headed Sparrow – Peucaea ruficauda. 574 Black-chested Sparrow – Peucaea humeralis.

2020 280

2020 Sparrows Woodpeckers Blackbirds 280

10,000 Birds

JUNE 23, 2022

The Red-winged Blackbirds were wet. The Song Sparrows were wet. And the White-crowned Sparrows were very, very wet. I’m fond of photos of birds in a visible mist or drizzle. But these ones looked almost as bedraggled as I did. The Spotted Towhees were wet. I was also very, very wet.

San Francisco 147

San Francisco San Jose California Battery 147

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 25, 2019

This being our winter season, the most interesting species for most of us were the northerly and migratory ones. That Great-tailed Grackle we almost ignored turned out to be a very unexpected Brewer’s Blackbird. One of my biologist colleagues was delighted to see his first American Pipit and, believe it or not, Song Sparrow.

2019 142

2019 Birds Blackbirds Sparrows 142

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 19, 2017

Their birding checklist includes hundreds of birds, fifty-four of which are designated as a local nesters, including four species of grebe, three species of teal, Swainson’s Hawk, Greater Sandhill Crane, American Avocet, Wilson’s Phalarope, and five species of Owl (including Burrowing Owl).

Wildlife 100

Wildlife Chipmunks Sparrows Blackbirds 100

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 1, 2020

The 83 checklists submitted during July contained 459 species. Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. Chinese Blackbird – Turdus mandarinus. House Sparrow – Passer domesticus. Eurasian Tree Sparrow – Passer montanus. Stripe-headed Sparrow – Peucaea ruficauda.

2020 153

2020 Sparrows Blackbirds Woodpeckers 153

10,000 Birds

MAY 2, 2022

But of course, in a suburban compound, the species diversity is low, and the number of decent photos you get is even lower (noisy passers-by see to that). It has almost no tail, so “stubtail” is a good name for it – much better than the Latin species name of squameiceps (scaly-capped, of which I do not see much).

Los Angeles 167

Los Angeles Birds China Blackbirds 167

10,000 Birds

MAY 1, 2021

9 beats submitted 172 checklists from 7 countries (UK, USA, Costa Rica, Australia, Serbia, China and Trinidad and Tobago) for 640 species. The list for the year has reached 1276 and the life list has been stretched to 4066 with red ticks from China, Australia and Trinidad and Tobago, thanks to Kai, Claire and Grant and Faraaz respectively.

Woodpeckers 152

Woodpeckers Sparrows Blackbirds Ducks 152

10,000 Birds

JULY 4, 2020

At time of writing (usually a couple of days early to avoid the deadline panic), UK is fielding 63 species. 251 Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. 253 Chinese Blackbird – Turdus mandarinus. 260 House Sparrow – Passer domesticus. 261 Eurasian Tree Sparrow – Passer montanus.

2020 156

2020 Costa Rica Blackbirds Sparrows 156

10,000 Birds

JUNE 6, 2020

149 checklists were submitted, accounting for 465 species. Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula). Chinese Blackbird (Turdus mandarinus). House Sparrow (Passer domesticus). Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus). Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum). Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina).

2020 151

2020 Sparrows Niger Woodpeckers 151

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 155

Sparrows Woodpeckers Blackbirds Ducks 155

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 15, 2018

We had persevered through four years at the top of Battery Harris Platform and could bring our experience to bear on the task of trying to record as many species as possible on a single day from that single spot. At 8:30AM we were already at 53 species and we knew we still had many more easy birds to find. Note the wet weather gear.

2018 192

2018 Bald Eagle Battery Birds 192

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 20, 2013

For those of us in the Americas, nine-primaried oscines are among our most familiar and beloved birds: finches; sparrows, juncos, and towhees; warblers; blackbirds, meadowlarks, and orioles; cardinals and grosbeaks; and tanagers. Passerellidae : the New World sparrows. Icteridae : New World blackbirds, orioles, meadowlarks, etc.

Family 174

Family Blackbirds Groups Sparrows 174

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 212

2020 Sparrows Woodpeckers Parrots 212

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 2, 2021

11 beats have been out this month and have submitted 136 checklists from 7 countries ticking 634 species. 15 Stripe-headed Sparrow – Peucaea ruficauda. 16 Olive Sparrow – Arremonops rufivirgatus. 33 Brewer’s Sparrow – Spizella breweri. 65 Rusty-crowned Ground-Sparrow – Melozone kieneri.

Woodpeckers 194

Woodpeckers Sparrows Parrots Blackbirds 194

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 5, 2020

“Birding Over Time” compares the number of species recorded over a month with that month from previous years. White-eared Ground-Sparrow – Melozone leucotis. Lincoln’s Sparrow – Melospiza lincolnii. Black-striped Sparrow – Arremonops conirostris. Management ?)

2020 150

2020 Sparrows Woodpeckers Blackbirds 150

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. Those are very unripe Jocote fruits, along with a Stripe-headed Sparrow , in the header photo above.). The Hot Country is, well… hot.

Mexico 168

Mexico Blackbirds Sparrows Owls 168

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 2, 2018

I love sparrows, so seeing a feather-worn Vesper Sparrow this past July filled my heart with joy. We saw sparrows–a total of 14 species–and we saw many other great prairie birds, and we often saw them perched on posts. Baird’s Sparrow was one of those elusive creatures.

North Dakota 134

North Dakota Birds Sparrows Blackbirds 134

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. 487 Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula.

Woodpeckers 176

Woodpeckers Sparrows Ducks Parrots 176

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 5, 2019

62 species have been added to our combined life list, breaking through the next hundred which has been proving very stubborn. Even 916 for September is a bit heavy, so for this month only, the list will feature just the new, red-letter species. Italian Sparrow – Passer italiae. The autumn is upon us. This is them; .

2019 117

2019 China Italy Argentina 117

10,000 Birds

MARCH 30, 2020

Over the years I’ve seen a variety of open-country birds there, including Bobolinks , Vesper Sparrow , and American Kestrel. Over the years birding Willow Lake I had added nearly eighty eBird checklists at the preserve and netted myself 127 species, good for number two on the eBird hotspot list.

Bald Eagle 178

Bald Eagle New York City Birds New York 178

10,000 Birds

JUNE 12, 2019

I like seeing as many species as possible on my life list, year list, state list, patch list, any kind of list. But even in summer I can usually count on 60+ non-endemic species per visit, and in winter, a decent effort can usually result in 80 or more species. Which can also be said for the Yellow-headed Blackbirds.

Ducks 115

Ducks Blackbirds United States Pelicans 115

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 6, 2021

The beats are famed for their inclusion on the nice side of the ledger and this month 9 of them shared 163 lists from 7 countries (Australia, Costa Rica, USA, UK, Serbia, China and Trinidad and Tobago) and accounted for 735 bird species. Mike doubled up with “smushed”, a new addition to the adjective list.

Sparrows 179

Sparrows Woodpeckers Ducks Parrots 179

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 20, 2015

The warm, sunny climate beckons a wide variety of passerines, raptors, and shorebirds to spend the winter, inflating the species diversity to the extent that Miami-Dade can go toe-to-toe with counties in Texas and Arizona during this season. Song Sparrow is a genuine rarity in Miami-Dade. Clay-colored Sparrow: 1.

Miami 165

Miami 2015 United States Birds 165

10,000 Birds

MAY 12, 2017

Now that I can travel, I have perversely discovered the charms of really working over one spot of habitat across the seasons and the years; as such I’m on a mission to find 100 species of bird in Socrates Sculpture Park, a bit of Queens between the East River and Vernon Boulevard where artists create open-air displays. Why an asterisk?

New York 103

New York New York City Illinois Wisconsin 103

10,000 Birds

JUNE 19, 2015

Then we looked for some common species. By far the most popular bird we saw was the Red-winged Blackbird. Red-winged Blackbird is easy to understand and easy to remember. Plus a lot of other sparrows and thrushes are also shades of brown that could be described as clay-colored, depending on the clay.

Blackbirds 161

Blackbirds Owls Sparrows Ducks 161

10,000 Birds

MARCH 23, 2014

Big news about a small bird broke earlier this month when bird researchers from several nations announced that the species formerly known as Spotted Wren-Babbler ( Spelaeornis formosus ) — a tiny, secretive bird of montane forests from the eastern Himalayas to southeast China — is not a Spelaeornis wren-babbler at all.

Family 266

Family Comoros Asia Birds 266