10,000 Birds

MAY 2, 2014

Sure, Miami and the Florida Keys do not boast any endemics ( ‘Cape Sable’ Seaside Sparrow is close) at the species level. Many visitors who come through Orlando or Tampa see maybe eight or ten species on a winter trip. However, few realize how unique and how good the birding can be here.

Florida 172

Florida Miami United States Stray 172

10,000 Birds

JUNE 17, 2015

The Refuge is now home to nearly 200 species of birds, over 50 species of mammals, 25 species of reptiles and amphibians, and a wide variety of insects, fish and plants. The Louisiana black bear’s threatened status warrants protection under sections 7 and 9 of the Endangered Species Act.

Fish 144

Fish Wildlife Hunting Game 144

10,000 Birds

MARCH 11, 2011

Brown Pelicans , and the northernmost Brown Booby breeding colony on this side of the Pacific. Frigatebirds (Fregatidae) Five species of frigatebird ply the planet’s tropical skies and seas. Ringer Gannets and Boobies (Sulidae) Black-and-white gannets breed on the cold, rocky coasts of the northern and southern oceans.

2011 154

2011 Pelicans Papua New Guinea Birds 154

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

Like any birder visiting a new place, I had a target species list I was hoping to seek out during the one day I had available between business commitments. The experience was marvelous — but it also weighed heavily on me. In June, I visited North Dakota for the first time. That’s one of my photos above.

Species 177

Species Science Los Angeles Birds 177

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 20, 2015

However, few realize that this flat, densely populated county boasts one of the highest list totals of any county east of the Mississippi. The final species tally for the four day blitz was 186 ABA-countable species, an impressive total in winter for any location in the United States.

Miami 167

Miami 2015 United States Birds 167

10,000 Birds

APRIL 19, 2012

So, this pair (I assume there are two, though I only saw one today) of eagles has a territory including small dogs and stray children, baby coyotes, crows, but mainly squirrels and marmots right around its nest, and a major river backed up by a large dam about a mile or two away (the Mississippi) and several lakes.

Eagles 177

Eagles Bald Eagle Coyotes Mississippi 177