10,000 Birds

APRIL 2, 2013

A breeding bird atlas is a special kind of book. For the nature lovers and birders who participate in breeding bird surveys, the atlas represents hours, often hundreds of hours, of volunteer time spent within a community of citizen scientists doing what they love, observing birds. So, what exactly does a breeding bird atlas contain?

Pennsylvania 220

Pennsylvania Breeding Birds Sparrows 220

10,000 Birds

APRIL 26, 2012

Largely because of the same reason this past summer was a such a good year for Snowy Owls , resulting in a huge irruption of them into the south, we are seeing huge numbers of Arctic Hares this spring. Another effect of the bounty of lemmings is other prey species enjoyed a bit of a respite from their position at the bottom of the food chain.

Rabbits 201

Rabbits Breeding Litter Raised 201

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 21, 2012

But some species remain elusive when they shouldn’t be. Even a big trip to Canada, though it turned up many other delightful species ( Boreal Owl , anyone?) The husks of box elder seeds littered the ground, neatly stripped and devoured. Wood Stork and White Pelican. Orchard Oriole and Prothonotary Warbler.

Pythons 179

Pythons Litter Montana 2006 179

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 27, 2011

Many of you in the south are enjoying great sightings of Snowy Owls ( Bubo scandiacus ) this winter. Everywhere on Facebook I see friends and acquaintance posting photos of Snowy Owls , and or status updates on how they’ve succeeded or failed in their search for reported birds. Why is that? Did I mention they’re fast?

Owls 226

Owls Fox Oklahoma Soreing 226

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 3, 2017

1) Dusky Eagle-Owl. But the best was when we were gathering at the gatehouse to leave (many of us still taking Taj selfies) and a sister birder casually asked if I’d seen the Dusky Eagle-Owl. Seeing this giant, awkward yet majestic bird walk through the densely littered landscape was a surreal experience. (4) 6) Garganey.

2016 108

2016 India Ducks Birds 108