10,000 Birds

JUNE 17, 2015

Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe today announced as part of Great Outdoors Month the agency is proposing to expand fishing and hunting opportunities on 21 refuges throughout the National Wildlife Refuge System. National wildlife refuges provide premier outdoor recreational opportunities across the Nation.

Fish 144

Fish Wildlife Hunting Game 144

Critter News

FEBRUARY 23, 2012

Outcry is growing against one of California’s top wildlife officials after a photo of him holding a dead mountain lion surfaced online last week. Hunting mountain lion is legal in Idaho, but illegal in California. What was this idiot thinking? The full story is below and it comes from kcra.com.

Mountain Lions 100

Mountain Lions Lions Humane Society Of The United States Idaho 100

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 26, 2018

But only two states have more than one bird named for them: Hawaii and California, with nine and seven extant and eponymous species, respectively. I suppose a case could be made for renaming California’s two avian endemics – the Yellow-billed Magpie and the Island Scrub-Jay – after the state to pull it into a tie with Hawaii.

2015 113

2015 San Diego Family California Condor 113

10,000 Birds

APRIL 16, 2022

As with any patch, wildlife refuge or other birding locale, that birding gold can also be minted in the form of a rare and unexpected vagrant. With all the fish guts and pieces it wants, the dark-backed gull from California is probably happily lost and loving it. It doesn’t seem to venture far from home and why would it?

Costa Rica 250

Costa Rica Fish Belize Nicaragua 250

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 23, 2019

For me, there was the Limpkin in Loxahatchee NWR in Florida, the Atlantic Puffin at Petit Manan NWR in Maine, the Falcated Duck at Colusa NWR in California. Predictably, the states I have lived in (California and Oregon) have the most species, as does nearby Washington. Naturally, a walk through one’s life lists triggers memories.

Puerto Rico 150

Puerto Rico Virgin Islands Michigan Washington 150

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 12, 2018

Right, smack dad in the middle of Summer Lake Wildlife Refuge. Not another person for miles, and a pair of friendly, well, almost, Great Horned Owls living in the tree right above us. Hundreds of Black-necked Stilts were around the refuge, this group passed right by me on a short morning walk. Now that is a first.

Blackbirds 122

Blackbirds Mules Beavers Wildlife 122

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 31, 2019

I also spent a week in northwestern Costa Rica on a family vacation, a long weekend in Barbados, a week in Georgia, and two week-plus-long trips to visit relatives in southern California. Let’s get right into it, shall we? Let’s get right into it, shall we? I’m not sure, but I’m going to try!

2019 141

2019 Barbados Uganda Costa Rica 141

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 28, 2019

In addition to spotting exciting new species in Florida, including the rare Snail Kite, travel across the country brought me into contact with birds in Oregon, California, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Alabama, and more. Marks National Wildlife Refuge replenished by naturalist spirit, but remained all I could manage.

Bald Eagle 150

Bald Eagle Alabama Kansas Florida 150

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 20, 2013

The trap had been set in the woods right next to my house. I knew the wildlife. I have a book about injured wildlife coming out soon, and I couldn’t buy better publicity.”. The states which have essentially banned leghold traps are Florida, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Arizona, Colorado, Massachusetts, California, and Washington.

Wildlife Rehabilitation 236

Wildlife Rehabilitation Rhode Island New Jersey Wildlife 236

10,000 Birds

MARCH 26, 2014

In 1975 there were less than 35 of these birds remaining on the planet prompting the creation of the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge. That festival is supported by the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge. “You don’t want them to go extinct, so we want to protect them. I’m looking forward to that!

Mississippi 170

Mississippi Endangered Species Florida Wildlife 170

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 15, 2014

My very first rescue was a House Sparrow caught in a glue trap,” says Donna Osburn, a wildlife rehabilitator in Kentucky. The Barn Swallow at right was rescued by Rebecca Dmytryk of Wildlife Emergency Services in Moss Landing, California, and transferred to Native Songbird Care and Conservation in Sebastopol.

Wildlife Rehabilitation 279

Wildlife Rehabilitation Mice Rodents Rescue 279

10,000 Birds

JUNE 20, 2012

The term “take” is defined as killing a listed species but also includes “harm,” which is defined in regulation as including “significant habitat modification or degradation where it actually kills or injures wildlife by significantly impairing essential behavioral patterns, including breeding, feeding, or sheltering 2.

San Diego 165

San Diego illegal California South America 165

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 6, 2017

Lakeview Oregon is located in central Oregon, just north of the California border, and is the highest altitude city in the state. During the weekend that I was there, it was announced that there were over 1300 fires burning just within the state of Oregon, not to mention California, Washington, Montana and British Columbia, Canada.

Oregon 100

Oregon Birds Montana California 100

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

First, you get to tour one of their California centers , you get a special opportunity to see a Pelican getting its final medical exam and numbered leg band, plus you get the honor of releasing one, or in my case, two of their rehabilitated pelicans! There are advantages to being a “Pelican Partner” for International Bird Rescue

Bird Rescue 201

Bird Rescue Pelicans Rescue Birds 201

10,000 Birds

JUNE 24, 2013

The one thing I really wanted to do on this most recent trip to southern California was visit Santa Cruz Island again. First off, Felonious Jive ‘s brother-in-ornithology, Seagull Steve , who you will remember from my trip to southern California back in December , came aboard the boat after a two-week stint doing field work.

Whales 151

Whales Whaling Dolphins California 151

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 14, 2018

Dad-level bird jokes are right at home at Christmas Bird Count compilation dinners. This particular figure was carved by Richard Ludwig “Fresh Air Dick” Janson, a legendary California carver who earned his nickname in his days as a seafaring fisherman in Alaska for his strange penchant for sleeping on the main deck no matter the weather.

2016 107

2016 Ducks California Hunters 107

10,000 Birds

JULY 4, 2014

When, in my junior year of high school, this wrong was righted, I was very pleased. Images courtesy of the US Fish and Wildlife Service. You’ll note that I felt robbed of the Baltimore Oriole. Birding Baltimore Oriole Bullock''s Oriole Life Birds orioles'

Baltimore 174

Baltimore California Condor Montana Cleveland 174

10,000 Birds

MAY 9, 2017

Although some of the most popular Pacific pelagic trips depart from Monterey Bay in California, there are also regular trips out of Half Moon Bay, California; Newport, Oregon; and Westport, Washington. Channel Islands NP , also in California, supports most of the other 50%. The target birds tend to be similar.

Albatross 139

Albatross Hawaii Alaska Puerto Rico 139

10,000 Birds

MARCH 24, 2014

“People say there are too many crows and they eat all the crops,” says Missy Runyan, director of the Friends of the Feathered and Furry Wildlife Center in nearby Hunter, NY. Runyan has no problem with hunting; she gives wildlife and gun safety presentations to Rod and Gun clubs across the state. This is baloney.

Killing 272

Killing Slaughter Slaughtered Animal Abuse 272

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 15, 2017

Last Saturday, I was walking around the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, on a cloudy, gray 28F morning. This female Black-and-white Warbler must have found a sweet spot, as it sat right there and nibbled on something. This Ladder-backed Woodpecker was chipping away, right above my head. Ahh, what a difference a week can make!

Mexico 100

Mexico Sanctuary Seattle Woodpeckers 100

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 24, 2014

So I asked seven wildlife rehabilitators, “Tell me your favorite (or one of your favorites) release story – the kind that makes you keep going, in spite of everything.”. “A But lets see … I’d say one of my most memorable releases is that of a Purple Martin , a species of special concern in California. So gorgeous!

Wildlife Rehabilitation 228

Wildlife Rehabilitation Ohio Tulsa West Virginia 228

10,000 Birds

APRIL 30, 2019

Paul Lewis moved from California to Mexico 36 years ago. Wildlife photography, of course, was out of reach for us mere mortals, before the advent of digital cameras. But then I moved to Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico, which has almost no opportunities to see interesting species (except for a good population of burrowing owls).

San Francisco 117

San Francisco Mexico Turkey California 117

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

who can be found regularly at the bird and wildlife blog Birdland West. However, he’s been known to share his perspicacious avian observations around the web, including right here! He claims that he modeled Woody on the Acorn Woodpeckers who entertained him and his wife on their honeymoon in California.

Woodpeckers 231

Woodpeckers Wildlife Rehabilitation Wildlife Seattle 231

10,000 Birds

MAY 30, 2019

such as California Condors and Passenger Pigeons. His parents moved where opportunity beckoned, taking him from San Angelo, Texas, to Columbus, New Mexico, then to Dallas, and finally on to California. Author Sherrida Woodley thinks deeply about dearly departed birds. She’s already written about Rachel Carson: Secret Birder.

Falcons 186

Falcons California Condor Alaska Texas 186

10,000 Birds

JUNE 26, 2012

One of my all-time favorite places to go birding is the area around California’s Salton Sea, which was created when the Colorado River burst its levees and flowed into the Salton Sink…so not only does this place exist due to the hand of man, it was also an accident! Walking right up to one and identifying it with your naked eye.

San Francisco 216

San Francisco Birds North Dakota Oakland 216

10,000 Birds

MAY 10, 2013

I recognized it right away, having seen some in California in my time, but in the same moment I didn’t recognize it, because I knew I shouldn’t be seeing it. Lesser Goldfinch photo courtesy of the US Fish and Wildlife Service/David Menke. And I saw a Lesser Goldfinch. It was still a good day.

California 160

California Sparrows Fish Wildlife 160

Critter News

NOVEMBER 1, 2011

For some bizarre reason (hopefully just ignorance), Reese Witherspoon has pissed off animal rights activists by purchasing and carrying around a purse made out of python skin. And it's illegal for her to have it at least in the State of California. Python skinning is horrible, brutal and repulsive. And she paid $4,000 for it.

Pythons 100

Pythons illegal California Animal Rights 100

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 21, 2016

Newly surrounded by wildlife, he found his love of birds reignited. He now lives in Los Angeles, California where he is employed as a natural history tour guide and as a member of the Leica Birding Team. Originally from London, England, Luke Tiller transplanted to Connecticut in 2003.

Bald Eagle 243

Bald Eagle Los Angeles Connecticut Eagles 243

10,000 Birds

MARCH 11, 2011

A Fascinating Blog Post Three Brave Boys Save Secretary Bird Black-backed Woodpecker to Get Protection in California? Fish & Wildlife comes in response to a lawsuit brought by the Center for Biological Diversity. Wicked, right? These Blasts From The Past Nature Carnivals Now and Later Why are Birds So Important to People?

2011 159

2011 Deer New York Cats 159

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 17, 2011

Any season is good for looking for birds if you have the right mindset. The snow stayed overnight, helped by further falls, and the following morning I went up to the path the runs along Karori Wildlife Sanctuary (or Zealandia) to see how it looked and how the birds were doing. A nearby playground.

New Zealand 113

New Zealand Sanctuary North America Guinea 113

Critter News

DECEMBER 20, 2008

recent report by wildlife organization, Care for the Wild (CWI).{accuses} Robyn Shelby, a law student from California, has been volunteering at the temple for seven months and told ABC News, "I haven't seen anything that I don't agree with, and I am very big on animal rights.

Tigers 100

Tigers Illegal Trafficking Thailand Trafficking 100

10,000 Birds

MARCH 2, 2011

In particular the South Island destination of Kaikoura is world-renowned for the flocks of albatrosses and giant petrels floating right off the pelagic boat, and the ease of the trip makes it a must-visit for any visiting birder. We soon were close to the Mokohinau Islands , one of the many islands in the area that serve as wildlife refuges.

New Zealand 175

New Zealand Albatross 2011 Cooking 175

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 5, 2019

In this new book, she puts everything she has learned in over 30 years of wildlife photography down in writing. The full title of this exceptional book by Marie Read is Mastering Bird Photography: The Art, Craft, and Technique of Photographing Birds and Their Behavior. Also, settings information is fully integrated into the later chapters.

Birds 196

Birds Ethics 2019 Experience 196

10,000 Birds

MARCH 11, 2011

Brown Boobies ( Sula leucogaster ), Islas Coronado, Baja California © David J. A pair of Brown Boobies ( Sula leucogaster ) tends a chick on Middle Rock, Islas Coronado, Baja California © David J. Fish & Wildlife comes in response to a lawsuit brought by the Center for Biological Diversity. Good day sir.

2011 154

2011 Pelicans Papua New Guinea Birds 154

10,000 Birds

JULY 11, 2012

In responding to Suzie’s post defending wildlife rehabilitation I began to think again about the areas in which animal rights and animal welfare overlap with the field of conservation, and the ways in which they don’t. Animal rights is concerned with preventing the suffering or even use of animals by humans.

Animal Rights 266

Animal Rights Rights New Zealand Animal 266

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 19, 2017

A few weeks ago I led a field trip to Butte Valley Wildlife Area. It was a destination I had never experienced so I made a few phone calls and got some information from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife agent who actually runs both the Butte Valley and the Shasta Valley Wildlife Areas, which are about 25 miles apart.

Wildlife 100

Wildlife Chipmunks Sparrows Blackbirds 100

10,000 Birds

JUNE 7, 2019

This Loggerhead Shrike ( Lanius ludovicianus ) was a life bird for me at the Salton Sea in California in 2018. In North America, the United States Fish & Wildlife Service estimates that up to 57 million birds perish every year in collisions with electrical utility lines. A common sight to all birders: the bird on the wire.

United States 118

United States Game North America New York City 118