10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 26, 2019

That honor goes to the Gray-crowned Crane , a very sexy species in its own right. Our satisfied group then moved on the other treasures to be found at Mabamba, a slew of kingfishers, waders, raptors, and assorted songbirds that quickly grew to a list of over 70 species in just a few blissful hours.

Uganda 264

Uganda Africa Birds Penguins 264

10,000 Birds

MAY 14, 2013

It has no avian endemic species (only one subspecies), and its most spectacular birds like Venezuelan Troupial and Fiery-Topaz Hummingbird can be found in greater numbers across a narrow strait in mainland South America, where you can pick up an additional 400-500 species besides. But they prefer to hang tight in the islands.

Cattle 158

Cattle South America Florida Colorado 158

10,000 Birds

JULY 5, 2020

Having observed the Cattle Egret in breeding plumage at the Derby Poo Ponds on June 19th we found ourselves at Windjana Gorge first thing the following morning. Green-backed Gerygones were calling and it is a species we always seek out when we visit. As we all well know there is something very different about 2020.

2020 262

2020 Australia Cattle Groups 262

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 7, 2021

Yet, 79 checklists were submitted by 8 beats, accounting for 366 species in 5 countries. Yet, 79 checklists were submitted by 8 beats, accounting for 366 species in 5 countries. Yet, 79 checklists were submitted by 8 beats, accounting for 366 species in 5 countries.

Sparrows 245

Sparrows Woodpeckers Ducks Blackbirds 245

10,000 Birds

JULY 3, 2021

Between them, they found 389 species in 5 countries. June saw 8 beats get their birding boots on and share 90 checklists for your pleasure. The year list remains low, at 1425 but the life list was bolstered this month by Donna’s Antillean Nighthawk and has reached 4069.

Woodpeckers 247

Woodpeckers Sparrows Ducks Niger 247

10,000 Birds

JUNE 11, 2015

There were no garden ponds, fountains or any other water sources there and to this day I have no clue what a wagtail was doing there (I also know that it raised an eyebrow in suspicion of my ID, but there are no other similar species around). Waders were represented by Kittlitz’s Plover , Ruff , Wood Sandpiper , Avocet and Black-winged Stilt.

Africa 212

Africa Botswana Birds Europe 212

10,000 Birds

JULY 10, 2014

With about 110 recorded species, the Kozara becomes truly magical place when the Danube swells and reclaims what is rightfully his. On the other side of the river, underneath the very buttresses of the Belgrade Fortress, with its 170 recorded bird species lies the Veliko Ratno Island (44°49’53.20″N, 20°26’4.98″E).

Serbia 242

Serbia Stray Dog Protection Botswana 242

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 16, 2018

Serbia has 317 eBirded species so far, or 89% of the 356 in the national checklist. The country has one eBird hotspot with 200+ and 48 with more than 100 bird species. The country has one eBird hotspot with 200+ and 48 with more than 100 bird species. Spring migration March to April , 270 eBirded species.

Serbia 155

Serbia Geese Owls Macedonia 155

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 26, 2016

It’s the place to learn your African waterbirds, particularly ducks. I’ve seen Cape Teal , Red-billed Teal , Yellow-billed Duck , Cape Shoveller , Maccoa Duck , Southern Pochard, Egyptian Goose and Spur-winged Goose here. Cattle Egret in spring flowers. Greater Flamingos. Strandfontein.

Penguins 172

Penguins Birds Mongoose Ostriches 172

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 25, 2018

This refuge offers such a wide variety of species, that I wrote a post awhile back showing several species of wading birds in the same location on the auto tour route. Check out this image of a Great Egret ( Ardea alba ), Snowy Egret ( Egretta thula ) and Cattle Egret ( Bubulcus ibis ) together.

Wildlife 101

Wildlife Sacramento Bald Eagle Falcons 101

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 4, 2021

My birding list for November totals 15 species. Thank goodness that the rest of the beats have been busily birding,that’s what they like to do… 9 of them submitted 114 checklists via eBird and amassed 525 species from 7 (China, Australia, Mexico, Costa Rica, UK, Serbia and USA) countries during November.

Sparrows 205

Sparrows Woodpeckers Parrots Costa Rica 205

10,000 Birds

JUNE 4, 2020

Among 60 or so heron species in the world this is the only one using this peculiar fishing technique. Bird Species (common English names after Ber van Perlo’s Birds of Southern Africa): Reed Cormorant 1. Cattle Egret 16. Knob-billed Duck 1. White-faced Whistling Duck 24. Yellow-billed Duck 2. Grey Heron 4.

Botswana 189

Botswana Africa 2001 Fish 189

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 1, 2022

8 of them sent 153 lists, noting 645 species of bird across 7 countries (Mexico, UK, USA, Serbia, Australia, Costa Rica, Colombia). It has not resulted in extraordinary numbers of sightings personally, but the beats have been busy on their respective patches and have sent me their lists to collate. The year list finishes at 1628.

Sparrows 234

Sparrows Woodpeckers Parrots Owls 234

10,000 Birds

JUNE 6, 2020

149 checklists were submitted, accounting for 465 species. Wood Duck (Aix sponsa). Eastern Spot-billed Duck (Anas zonorhyncha). American Black Duck (Anas rubripes). Mallard x American Black Duck (hybrid) (Anas platyrhynchos x rubripes). Mallard x American Black Duck (hybrid) (Anas platyrhynchos x rubripes).

2020 152

2020 Sparrows Niger Woodpeckers 152

10,000 Birds

MAY 2, 2020

Between them they shared 63 checklists, spanning 5 countries and noted 231 species of birds. American Black Duck (Anas rubripes). American Black Duck (Anas rubripes). Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca). Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis). Graylag Goose (Anser anser). Canada Goose (Branta canadensis).

2020 154

2020 Woodpeckers Sparrows Blackbirds 154

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 18, 2020

The prospect of identifying a certain number of species in a given amount of time pushes us to pay more attention to birds no matter what the circumstances (although I suggest keeping the exclamations about species identifications to yourself during such solemn situations as funerals, graduations, and watching episodes of The Sopranos).

Costa Rica 261

Costa Rica 2020 Morals Farming 261

10,000 Birds

MARCH 6, 2021

9 beats from 8 countries (Australia, USA, UK, Serbia, Costa Rica, China, Trinidad and Tobago and Mexico), shared 138 checklists for 703 species. The year list to date is 1015 species and 7 have been added to the life list ( 4059 ) from Costa Rica, China and Trinidad and Tobago. 10 Wood Duck – Aix sponsa.

Woodpeckers 183

Woodpeckers Sparrows Ducks Parrots 183

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 9, 2019

In an unhurried half-day of birding, we racked up over 90 species, including killers like Denham’s Bustard , Northern Carmine-throated Bee-eater , and Shelley’s Rufous Sparrow. Plus, the food, service, and accommodations meet the highest standards. How is birding in Murchison Falls, you ask? Mind boggling, I answer!

Uganda 188

Uganda Senegal Africa Game 188

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 2, 2021

The year list ends on a provisional 1803 species from 1608 checklists submitted by 12 beats from 16 countries. Most species-prolific was Patrick in Costa Rica, followed by Paul from Mexico. December’s beats found 609 birds after submitting 116 checklists from 8 countries (USA, UK, Costa Rica, China, Mexico, Serbia and Australia).

2020 224

2020 Sparrows Woodpeckers Parrots 224

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 6, 2021

9 beats submitted 140 checklists from 7 countries (USA, UK, Costa Rica, Serbia, Australia, Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago) during October to account for 585 species. 2 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck – Dendrocygna autumnalis. 3 Fulvous Whistling-Duck – Dendrocygna bicolor. 11 Wood Duck – Aix sponsa.

Woodpeckers 237

Woodpeckers Sparrows Blackbirds Ducks 237

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 15, 2022

It is often a lot hotter there than closer to the coast and many bird species roost in the area or come in for a drink and bathe during the day. Last Sunday there were plenty of bird species to see and it was easy enough to stand in the shade and watch the birds come in for a drink.

Cattle 212

Cattle Birds Zebras Wildlife 212

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 4, 2021

They birded 7 countries during August and recorded 542 species. The year list remains sluggish at 1489 , but the life list received a boost from the eBird taxonomy reshuffle and now includes 4076 species. Stay vigilant and safe. 10 of the beats have submitted 124 checklists which are collated below for your perusal.

Woodpeckers 201

Woodpeckers Sparrows Blackbirds California 201

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 31, 2018

A Eurasian Wigeon and a male Wood Duck will make for the first day target list. Here we will actually stop for a full day, as there is a 10,000 acre wetland refuge, which should hold several species of gulls, White-fronted Geese and Black Brant, just to name a few. The Ladder-backed Woodpecker is one of those that has eluded me so far.

Ducks 115

Ducks Blackbirds Sparrows California 115

10,000 Birds

MAY 29, 2012

Sure, the occasional Cattle Egret , Northern Mockingbird , or Red-shouldered Hawk can’t help but cross the path of those with eyes to see them, but the area is surprisingly bird-barren for a Florida zip code. The Magic Kingdom featured Donald, Daisy, and a few Mallards … we all know how much Disney likes ducks!

Florida 173

Florida Birds Alligators Turtles 173

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 27, 2022

There is only so much water that a bird can take and even the ducks appear to get a bit sick of constantly being wet! Wandering Whistling-Ducks under the fence. Pacific Black Ducks and Black-winged Stilt finding higher ground. Intermediate Egret in breeding plumage. Gathering birds under the fence.

Barn Owls 187

Barn Owls Cattle Ducks Reptiles 187

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 1, 2020

The 83 checklists submitted during July contained 459 species. Fulvous Whistling-Duck – Dendrocygna bicolor. Wood Duck – Aix sponsa. Eastern Spot-billed Duck – Anas zonorhyncha. American Black Duck – Anas rubripes. American Black Duck – Anas rubripes.

2020 155

2020 Blackbirds Sparrows Woodpeckers 155

10,000 Birds

JUNE 3, 2015

Along with the tiny pygmy geese there is Africa’s largest duck, the Spur-winged Goose , and perched high on dead branches above the river were White-breasted Cormorants (a subspecies of the Great Cormorant according to some), Reed Cormorants and African Darters. Hippo and attending Cattle Egret. Yellow-billed Stork.

Botswana 162

Botswana Birds Lesotho Elephants 162

10,000 Birds

MARCH 22, 2011

It didn’t take much imagination to name Cowbirds or Cattle Egrets or Cattle Tyrants , but there’s more fantasy, even more wit, involved in the naming of other bovine birds. The genus Bucephala includes three familiar ducks with big heads. The tertium comparationis between birds and cows isn’t always visual.

Cows 142

Cows Cattle 2011 Birds 142

10,000 Birds

APRIL 4, 2014

During this time, the fish trapped in the shrinking pools of water attract hordes of herons, egrets, storks, and other wetland species. Raptors such as Savanna Hawk , Snail Kite , and Black-collared Hawk and up to five species of kingfisher also join the bonanza in one of the world’s great birding spectacles.

Brazil 165

Brazil Birds Blackbirds Paraguay 165

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 15, 2015

I am checking the grass for any flash of white and soon my suspicion is confirmed: Cattle Egrets (cover photo)! This species is still uncommon in the Balkans and despite the recent spread, Kalamas is the most reliable site for it in Greece (and this made my only second ever observation of them in Europe).

Greece 233

Greece Dogs Pelicans Fish 233

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 2, 2021

11 beats have been out this month and have submitted 136 checklists from 7 countries ticking 634 species. 2 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck – Dendrocygna autumnalis. 3 Muscovy Duck – Cairina moschata. 251 Cattle Egret – Bubulcus ibis. 421 American Black Duck – Anas rubripes.

Woodpeckers 205

Woodpeckers Sparrows Parrots Blackbirds 205

10,000 Birds

APRIL 3, 2021

Our brave beats have been putting themselves at risk for your vicarious listing pleasure and 10 of them submitted 151 checklists for 692 species, 2 of which made it onto the life list. Please be careful, Corvid is still out there. Marsh Grassbird and Rufous-faced Warbler come to you all the way from China and bring the life list to 4061.

Sparrows 157

Sparrows Woodpeckers Blackbirds Ducks 157

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 2, 2018

We saw sparrows–a total of 14 species–and we saw many other great prairie birds, and we often saw them perched on posts. I don’t know much about prairies, but I have discovered that there is more to them than just grass, and that they are home to hundreds of butterfly and bee species and thousands of moth species.

North Dakota 140

North Dakota Birds Sparrows Blackbirds 140

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 17, 2017

In early August this year, I saw 77 species here (69 on the lake, plus 8 more in the surrounding areas) but barely more than a thousand individuals. In my homeland, some 800 km / 500 mi further north, these ducks are common on migration but very rare in the breeding season and I realized that these are my first young birds – ever.

Greece 189

Greece Killing Pelicans Eagles 189

10,000 Birds

MARCH 30, 2024

There was a large raft of hundreds of American Coot , an American White Pelican and lots of duck species. I will not name all ducks, but Bufflehead and Canvasback were lifers so they deserve a call-out. Sandpipers up in the air and a general panic among the coots and ducks. The birds warmed us too.

Ducks 155

Ducks Emotional Cattle Owls 155

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 7, 2021

We have observed huge flocks of Galahs there on previous visits and other times there are more bird species, but only one or two of each species. Walking out onto the bridge we soon observed a good mixture of other bird species. Brolga had come into drink and there were all three species of Ibis present. Cattle Egret.

Cattle 269

Cattle Ducks Zebras Australia 269

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 7, 2021

This bird species is known to travel large distances around Australia. Wedge-tailed Eagle -bigger than the cattle!? We also found our first Pink-eared Ducks for 2021 and also Red-kneed Dotterels. Before we reached the plains there was roadkill and we observed three Wedge-tailed Eagles in a tree. Three Wedge-tailed Eagles.

Geese 257

Geese Eagles Australia Breeding 257