10,000 Birds

MAY 10, 2024

I have encountered a few of the more quirky members of the family, including the brilliant and aptly-named African Emerald Cuckoo, India’s ultra-shy Sirkeer Malkoha, and the fascinating Lesser Ground Cuckoo in Costa Rica. I wonder whether birds that breed in Europe ever meet up with those nest in southern Africa?

Cyprus 215

Cyprus Africa Europe Asia 215

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 9, 2019

This years bird number 1300, the Whiskered Screech Owl, was found in the dark, in a snow storm, and no photo was gotten. This entire list could be made up of Costa Rican birds, but one of my favorites to capture was this Chestnut-backed Antbird. I finally caught this one in the Alexander Skutch Bird Sanctuary.

2018 159

2018 Costa Rica South Africa New Zealand 159

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 6, 2016

When I went to Honduras in 2014, I was advised to use The Birds of Costa Rica by Richard Garrigues and Robert Dean (2014) and The Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America by Steve N.G. It has been a long time between field guides for most of these countries. Howell and Sophie Webb (a classic, but big and published in 1995).

El Salvador 232

El Salvador America Costa Rica Honduras 232

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 23, 2014

Larry starts us off right with an owl that makes birders drool: I was able to see and photograph many great birds in 2014 but my Best Bird of the Year would have to be the Great Gray Owl , the largest Strix in North America. Larry’s BBOTY – Great Gray Owl. What was yours? I also blogged about that dreamy day.

2014 187

2014 Costa Rica South Africa Birds 187

10,000 Birds

MAY 16, 2015

Although I could have spent a morning birding at one of my favorite sites in Costa Rica, I couldn’t just settle for that. Rufous-winged Woodpecker – one of the many forest-based birds in Costa Rica. ” : Shorebirds play a crucial role on Big Days in Costa Rica. Never heard of Pocosol?

Costa Rica 157

Costa Rica Species Owls 2015 157

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 31, 2012

I think my official Best Bird of 2012, though, was (finally, finally seeing) the Burrowing Owl. Burrowing Owl Tai Haku liked Mike’s choice of a chicken in our original post but decided to do him one better. 2012 was one of my best years for birding in Costa Rica. What exquisite taste!

2012 133

2012 Ghana Ireland Birds 133

10,000 Birds

MARCH 6, 2011

I had a beautifull view on 5 horned grebe here (one in breeding plumage), in Ann Arbor Michigan, for the 3 seconds it lasted, until I heard a huge “CRRACK&# , and I fell through the ice. When I first saw it I thought it might be a snowy or a barn owl because it was almost white. And my first Killdeer of year! Wicked, right?

2011 154

2011 New York Deer Birds 154

10,000 Birds

MAY 28, 2016

With all of those birds singing and showing off their breeding colors, it’s no surprise that we see major bird races like Champions of the Flyway and The World Series of Birding , along with other main birding events like the Global Big Day. They got all three potoo species in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica 100

Costa Rica Birds Species 100

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 6, 2018

The guide covers the all–1194 species in the Species Accounts, including 959 native breeding species, 219 Nearctic migrants, 8 breeding visiting species, and 5 introduced species. Of the native breeding species, 112 are endemic or “very nearly endemic.” (Can Press, 2010), The Birds of Costa Rica: A Field Guide, 2nd ed.by

America 213

America El Salvador Costa Rica Honduras 213

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 19, 2011

This year I watched them from the day they arrived , until two chicks successfully hatched, the northernmost breeding record for the species. What’s not to like about an owl that lives underground? That’s right, my Best Bird of the Year is the Burrowing Owl !

2011 181

2011 Birds South Korea North Dakota 181

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 27, 2013

I was fortunate to rack up a number of lifers in 2013, both at home and abroad ( Varied Thrush in Washington, Brewer’s Blackbirds in California, Burrowing Owl in the Nevada desert). Larry adds our second owl species to this list of stellar birds. It was a race between the Snowy Plover and the Spotted Owl.

2013 167

2013 Birds Costa Rica India 167

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 3, 2017

If you haven’t read the 10 Best lists of my 10,000 Birds compadres, you may also want to read about Corey’s birding achievements , Pat’s envy-inducing Costa Rica list , Tom’s Ten Best , featuring his beautiful photographs, and Clare’s wonderful British Top Ten. 1) Dusky Eagle-Owl. 6) Garganey.

2016 109

2016 India Ducks Birds 109

10,000 Birds

MARCH 15, 2011

Over the next few days, the Alpine Accentors ( Prunella collaris ) will arrive on their high-Alpine breeding grounds – it is time to start singing, despite that the treeless Alpine landscape is still under metres of snow. all Alpine Accetor photos digiscoped (c) Dale Forbes. all Alpine Accetor photos digiscoped (c) Dale Forbes.

2011 209

2011 Breeders Breeding Deer 209

10,000 Birds

APRIL 2, 2016

For those who happen to be faithful followers of posts about birding in Costa Rica, no, you haven’t accidentally browsed to the wrong place. It might not be Costa Rica, but it is one of the most important, birdiest events on the planet, and checking it out was a dream come true. VisitIsrael!

Costa Rica 172

Costa Rica Eagles Birds 172

10,000 Birds

MARCH 12, 2011

Not to mention, its brilliantly bulbous crimson throat, bloated during breeding season must be a sight! My first tropical birding trip was to Costa Rica when I was 8 and the Jabiru was at the top of my list even then, but sadly none were encountered. The Magnificent Frigatebird is the bird I would want to see. Wicked, right?

Brazil 203

Brazil 2011 Birds Wildlife 203

10,000 Birds

MARCH 21, 2011

On the other hand, I quite enjoyed an array of Long-tailed Ducks at Irondequoit Bay, including one male in breeding plumage. My best bird was Ocellated Antbird seen in middle elevation rainforest near San Ramon, Costa Rica. Patrick ODonnell Mar 21st, 2011 at 5:35 pm Beautiful Long-tailed Duck! Wicked, right?

2011 140

2011 Deer Birds Costa Rica 140

10,000 Birds

JUNE 30, 2022

It is slightly larger than Costa Rica, and in the most strategic places it has a well-developed infrastructure. Sri Lanka is a ‘must visit country’ for any keen birder. In addition, it has over 450 bird species and more than 30 in-country endemics, of which it is possible to see every single species! Where to look for the birds?

Sri Lanka 147

Sri Lanka Ghana Uganda Eagles 147