10,000 Birds

APRIL 10, 2016

We have seen Peregrine Falcons fly through circling flocks of shorebirds and Brown Goshawks attempt a kill, but generally they are able to escape by their constant circling. Most of the Red Knot are in very good breeding plumage now and they do stand out very well on the grey rocks.

Taiwan 100

Taiwan Breeding Japan 2017 100

Animal Person

NOVEMBER 21, 2010

And managing means killing them, breeding them, and otherwise fiddling with their populations. When I was asked if I wanted to read Jeff Corwin's 100 HEARTBEATS (Rodale 2009) I was ambivalent. I know he's a conservationist, therefore I know he will advocate for "managing" the "resources" that are sentient nonhumans.

Polar Bears 100

Polar Bears California Condor Bald Eagle Lions 100

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 16, 2023

Shanghaibirding describes the Brown-headed Thrush as “a scarce passage migrant through northern and central coastal China, including Shanghai” – given that I only saw it once on Tianmashan, that is probably correct, though the date (January 09) seems rather late for a migrant. You pervert.

Birds 147

Birds China Killing Reptiles 147

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 18, 2022

Around this time of the year, the first few waders are back in Shanghai from their breeding grounds far further up north. Generally, being back here early is not a very good sign – it may indicate a failed breeding attempt, as suggested for Asian Dowitchers in a paper on their presence in Lianyungang somewhat further north of Shanghai.

Cattle 147

Cattle Portugal Buffalo Breeding 147

10,000 Birds

APRIL 6, 2021

192) from the timing of seasons to the ferocity of weather to the shape of breeding, wintering, and stopover habitat to even the size of birds themselves. 192) from the timing of seasons to the ferocity of weather to the shape of breeding, wintering, and stopover habitat to even the size of birds themselves.

Cyprus 250

Cyprus Slaughter Slaughtered Research 250

10,000 Birds

JUNE 26, 2018

Nonprofit organizations, science, and the best intentions in the world came to the rescue with a captive breeding program, and we now have over 400 Pink Pigeons living in Mauritius, the nearby island of Ile aux Aigrettes, and the zoos hosting the breeding program, including the Bronx Zoo. And, then there were the droppings.

Mauritius 101

Mauritius Stud Zoos Eggs 101

10,000 Birds

MAY 1, 2023

While the conclusion seems fairly established now, the paper still puts it in the usual wordy and careful statement: “The shorter minimum stopover duration of both species in spring may indicate a faster migration than in autumn, suggesting a time-minimizing strategy in spring to reach the breeding grounds as fast as possible.”

Monkeys 147

Monkeys Birds South Korea Owls 147

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

The White-shouldered Starling is not very common in Shanghai or even in China in general, despite its species name sinensis. I guess you cannot be too choosy while traveling, as I have learned when on trips in Ecuador and other places.

Birds 130

Birds Tigers Humane Ecuador 130

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 3, 2022

The bird “spent five months on Mindoro Island in the Philippines during the non-breeding season and migrated through Taiwan, the Chinese east coast, and the Korean peninsula” and on to the Russian Far East (indicating a certain lack of solidarity with Ukraine). This is not really an option at Nanhui though.

China 176

China Birds Ukraine Killing 176

10,000 Birds

JUNE 8, 2023

It is kind of rare to see a Fairy Pitta during Shanghai’s spring migration as those passing through are all adults rather than inexperienced chicks, and they are in a rush getting to their breeding grounds – but I was lucky. This should not be a problem in Shanghai as the pitta has not been reported to breed here.

Birds 130

Birds China Research Tenant 130

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 8, 2022

Hopefully, the winter time in Shanghai gives the Black-faced Buntings some time to relax from the challenges of the breeding season. A study found that for Plain Prinia , egg characteristics in a mainland China location with many cuckoos make it much easier to spot cuckoo eggs than in a Taiwan location with few cuckoos ( source ).

Birds 205

Birds Eggs Bangladesh China 205

10,000 Birds

JULY 4, 2022

For example, without this blog, would you know that the Barn Swallows of Nanhui are now having their own housing boom, ignorant of the overinvestment that has characterized China’s construction industry? There was a breeding pair at Binjiang Forest Park this June. So, the birds start collecting mud and small sticks.

Birds 184

Birds Sparrows Protection Humane 184

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 1, 2022

Shanghai parks are rather crowded and noisy places, but the goshawks – who unlike me have lived in China all their lives – apparently do not mind. The Little Grebe is of course a very common bird that can still surprise by its beauty in its breeding plumage. Black-naped Orioles are breeding in Fengxian. but they do.

Birds 147

Birds China Eggs Breeding 147