10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 1, 2015

Pelicans and cormorants breeding at the Mikri often go to the Megali Prespa to fish the cold, deep waters – actually, cormorants to dive for fish and pelicans to wait for the cormorants at the surface to steal their prey. For longest lists, go there in May when migrants are still passing while the local breeders are active and visible.

Greece 252

Greece Pelicans Geese Breeding 252

10,000 Birds

MAY 8, 2012

It is predominantly a wetland bird and most productive larger wetlands and lakes of Africa will support a population of these large, hulking birds that hang around the shallows searching for fish, waterbird nestlings and anything else remotely edible. They also prey on frogs and crabs.

Africa 246

Africa Tanzania South Africa Uganda 246

10,000 Birds

JUNE 9, 2016

Laight has recorded some 100 species here, including Slavonian (Horned) Grebe and Red-rumped Swallow (the first is a rare migrant/wintering species only, while the second one is an uncommon breeder). It is the first morning of June, half past six and I am parked at the dam wall, scoping a mile long water surface surrounded with low hills.

Turtles 117

Turtles Serbia Breeding Breeders 117

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 6, 2018

Although it wasn’t the optimal period (most migrants already gone and wintering birds not there yet), we were looking forward to discovering a new and less birded region of Europe. The mapping exercise works particularly well with birds confined to a specific habitat (Baranda fish farm S49396968 and Pecena slatina S49396887 ).

Serbia 143

Serbia Switzerland Farming Birds 143

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 30, 2020

Chamois is an agile goat-antelope with short hooked horns, found in mountainous areas of Europe from Spain to the Caucasus. Common Cuckoo is a fascinating bird, an obligate parasitic breeder that employs numerous strategies, including fraud and murder, to survive. Yes, yes, I know, not countable – it’s not a bird.

2020 245

2020 Birds Costa Rica Germany 245

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 3, 2013

There is a Linnet at Kissena Corridor Park in Queens, and though I bird this park regularly, the Linnet, a bird regularly found in Europe, Asia, and North Africa and also named in a sweet song by Stephen Sondheim (Green Finch and Linnet Bird from Sweeny Todd) has eluded me. I needed a book showing a Linnet.

Ireland 173

Ireland 2013 Breeders Ducks 173