10,000 Birds

MARCH 5, 2024

These lands support countless birds, either year-round, as migratory stopovers, or as breeding grounds. In fact, the overwhelming majority of federal land is in just 11 western states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming). But what else should birders know?

Virgin Islands 208

Virgin Islands Alaska United States Endangered Species 208

10,000 Birds

JUNE 11, 2019

In 1806, Lewis and Clark saw condors near the Columbia River, which makes up much of the Washington-Oregon border. One management tool used by FWS is reintroduction of an endangered species into its former range. But condors have not been in the Pacific Northwest for more than a century.

California Condor 221

California Condor California Endangered Species Oregon 221

10,000 Birds

MAY 20, 2023

The Kirtland’s Warbler is an endangered bird species that breeds primarily in the jack pine forests of northern Michigan. Specifically, the warbler’s primary breeding range is concentrated in a few counties in the northern Lower Peninsula and the eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

United States 162

United States Michigan Texas Virginia 162

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 14, 2017

For the United States, the 50 states are included, as are Washington D.C. For example, the Endangered Species Act and Migratory Bird Treaty Act—America’s most important avian conservation laws—apply in both territories. But Washington D.C. The ABA Area includes all of Canada, which has both provinces and territories.

Puerto Rico 152

Puerto Rico Virgin Islands Hawaii United States 152

10,000 Birds

MARCH 20, 2011

Another 170 are in captivity, many of them breeding stock for reintroduction efforts. What could motivate gunmen (I cannot call them hunters) in two states to deliberately kill North America’s tallest and most critically endangered bird? It may be as sick as deliberately targeting an endangered species for death.

2011 242

2011 Hunting Kentucky Hunters 242

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). Meredith enjoyed her first sighting of an awesome migration spectacle. She blogged about it here.

2013 167

2013 Birds Costa Rica India 167