10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 23, 2024

According to Storks, Ibises and Spoonbills of the World , a handsome volume written by James Hancock, James Kushan and Philip Kohl and published by Academic Press in 1992, Geronticus eremita “once nested in the mountains of central Europe, across northern Africa and into the Middle East. But this range is now much reduced.

Morocco 223

Morocco Austria Algeria Germany 223

10,000 Birds

JULY 13, 2023

Lake Kerkini National Park in the north of Greece is the very best birding area in the Balkan Peninsula and definitely among the top ten hotspots of Europe. We also observed nests of Pygmy Cormorants , Dalmatian Pelicans , Little Egrets , Cattle Egret (with a chick), Squacco Heron , and Spoonbills.

Greece 228

Greece Pelicans Birds Stray Dog 228

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 15, 2018

In breeding season grazing cattle may walk through the nest, breaking the eggs, while wild and domestic pigs may eat both eggs and chicks. Yours truly counting birds in the Pastures of Great Bustard from the Russian made UAZ 4×4 in February 2008. What treats do they face?

Serbia 104

Serbia Romania Hungary Hunting 104

10,000 Birds

MARCH 11, 2011

With a hardiness that belies their delicate looks (but helps explain their phenomenal success), these pioneering pigeons are already sitting on eggs at at least one location in Montana. So right now I’m feeling pretty good about Eurasian Collared-doves. It’s just that the exceptions are so much more attention-grabbing.

Montana 134

Montana 2011 New York Bahamas 134

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 18, 2022

In Europe, most of them winter south of the Sahara but an increasing share winters north of it – which sounds like an interesting research topic for people who, ahem, find such topics interesting. Apparently, the choice is for the nests to be flooded (those near streams) or to be trampled by cattle (those near the agricultural ponds).

Cattle 147

Cattle Portugal Buffalo Breeding 147

10,000 Birds

JULY 10, 2012

This species prefers wetlands and its numbers have been decimated due to a combination of habitat destruction caused by human population growth and illegal removal of birds and eggs from the wild for the pet and zoo trade. This strange but beautifully plumaged bird was widely known throughout Europe as the Waldrapp (meaning “Forest Crow”).

Endangered Species 188

Endangered Species Species South Africa Morocco 188