10,000 Birds

JULY 22, 2017

Birds with white on them are much more likely to take the form of goodies like the Snowy Cotinga , or two species of tityras. In Costa Rica, even the super shy Slaty-backed Forest-Falcon is seen more often than the island pigeon with the snow-white cap. The Bat Falcon that joined us for breakfast. .

Costa Rica 100

Costa Rica San Jose Bats Birds 100

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 25, 2018

The photo blind at Delevan National Wildlife Refuge gave me this close up of a Peregrine Falcon ( Falco peregrinus ). 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. Click on photos for full sized images.

Wildlife 101

Wildlife Sacramento Bald Eagle Falcons 101

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 24, 2015

If you thought that migrant traps and spring in south Texas were birdalicious (and they can indeeed be spectacular), how does an ecosystem with 400 and even 500 plus species tickle your birding fancy? This brings us to the first obvious upside of rainforest birding in Costa Rica; a chance at a lot more species than other habitats.

Costa Rica 168

Costa Rica Birds Texas Cattle 168

10,000 Birds

MARCH 4, 2017

In keeping with high diversity in other aspects of the avian kingdom, including falcons and excluding owls, this small country has a raptor list that tops fifty species. There might be a lot of species, but competition and other factors result in fewer individuals of each species. and Short-tailed Hawk.

Costa Rica 100

Costa Rica West Virginia Eagles Monkeys 100

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 186

Uganda Senegal Africa Game 186

10,000 Birds

APRIL 7, 2015

Normally the lighthouse is obscured in fog, but when we arrived the air was crystal clear, and in addition to seeing groups of Gray Whales migrating past, I spotted hundreds of Surf Scoters , a Pigeon Guillemot , and a pair of Peregrine Falcons from my perch atop the lighthouse cliff. White-crowned Sparrow.

Seals 185

Seals Elephants Whales Whaling 185

10,000 Birds

APRIL 13, 2015

Its great diversity of habitats hosts an incredible bird count of over 900 species, including Africa’s 2nd highest list of endemics and near-endemics (after South Africa). Quality time was spent with a friendly Hamar family at their homestead of grass huts surrounding their cattle corral. Yellow-billed Stork.

Ethiopia 241

Ethiopia Sudan Leopards Game 241

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 231

Sparrows Woodpeckers Parrots Owls 231

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 16, 2021

We have nearly 930 species on the official list and with some effort, 700 in a year is a feasible goal. Cattle Egret – Bubulcus ibis; San Joaquin de Heredia, 1-Jan. Laughing Falcon – Herpetotheres cachinnans; Tirimbina, 9-Jan. Bat Falcon – Falco rufigularis; Tirimbina, 9-Jan. Snowy Egret – Egretta thula; Tirimbina, 9-Jan.

Costa Rica 160

Costa Rica Birds Parrots Woodpeckers 160

10,000 Birds

MAY 2, 2020

Between them they shared 63 checklists, spanning 5 countries and noted 231 species of birds. Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis). Laughing Falcon (Herpetotheres cachinnans). Other sightings have been included from legitimate outings for work and exercise (at all times maintaining a respectable distance). Graylag Goose (Anser anser).

2020 153

2020 Woodpeckers Sparrows Blackbirds 153

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 203

Sparrows Woodpeckers Parrots Costa Rica 203

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

Surely they couldn’t be the same species, across a continent. The Internet was prepared to offer plenty of information on what Carolina grasshoppers eat – grasses and forbs, mostly weed species but sometimes crops like tobacco,corn, and alfalfa. But they are. Far scarcer are specifics on what eats Carolina grasshoppers.

Montana 166

Montana Cooking Texas Cattle 166

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 222

2020 Sparrows Woodpeckers Parrots 222

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. 201 Cattle Egret – Bubulcus ibis.

Woodpeckers 181

Woodpeckers Sparrows Ducks Parrots 181

10,000 Birds

MAY 10, 2012

Other species I was looking forward to as possibilities included Anhingas , Magnificent Frigatebirds , and seeing as the sun was supposed to shine, some raptors soaring. Creatures like another species of monkey, White-headed Capuchin , Cebus capucinus , which are also known as White-faced Capuchins.

Honduras 158

Honduras Wildlife Monkeys Transported 158

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 243

Sparrows Woodpeckers Ducks Blackbirds 243

10,000 Birds

MAY 8, 2013

The smellier the better, particularly as, unusually for birds, many species can boast a robust sense of smell. In any case, our hang-ups with vultures clearly stem from our own issues rather than any inherently bizarre trait of the species themselves. Vultures famously feed on carrion. Dead things. New World Vultures.

California Condor 180

California Condor Turkey North America Jordan 180

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 2, 2021

11 beats have been out this month and have submitted 136 checklists from 7 countries ticking 634 species. 251 Cattle Egret – Bubulcus ibis. 279 Collared Forest-Falcon – Micrastur semitorquatus. 483 Bat Falcon – Falco rufigularis. 557 Peregrine Falcon – Falco peregrinus.

Woodpeckers 203

Woodpeckers Sparrows Parrots Blackbirds 203

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 198

Woodpeckers Sparrows Blackbirds California 198

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 20, 2018

The pressure is on if you can only get certain species during the first month of the year but if you just want to add any old birds to the year list, everything is fresh! Since I’m in no big hurry to reach any number of species in 2018, my year birding is going to be a fresh one hopefully touched with a good dose of Zen.

Costa Rica 156

Costa Rica Birds Parrots Woodpeckers 156

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 28, 2014

This is a very hot and dry region known as El Chaco where many interesting bird species can be found. This land has gone through extensive ecosystem destruction from farming cattle and soybeans. This road trip took us south-east moving away form the mountains and to lower flat land which had been converted to farmland.

Argentina 184

Argentina Farming Chile Birds 184

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 13, 2014

Instead of going on about zip lines and other modern, adventure tourism attractions, the birding crowd talks about taking photos of Resplendent Quetzals , seeing dozens of hummingbird species, and the seemingly odd absence of raptors in Costa Rica but nope, we don’t really talk about extinction. Resplendence.

Costa Rica 217

Costa Rica Species Panama Birds 217

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. Whistling Kites and Black Kites were active in the area too due to the nearby fire and we observed a Brown Falcon perched in a nearby tree. Cattle Egret. Ducks, Ibis and Egrets.

Cattle 266

Cattle Ducks Zebras Australia 266

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. 184 Cattle Egret – Bubulcus ibis. 262 Laughing Falcon – Herpetotheres cachinnans. 266 Peregrine Falcon – Falco peregrinus.

Woodpeckers 234

Woodpeckers Sparrows Blackbirds Ducks 234

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 19, 2019

To surpass a challenging number of species, the planning, the conniving for major birding should have begun back in the past, in 2018. Every day counts and to seriously maximize the species total, a birder needs to maximize time in the field at the most productive places during the most productive times and then some.

Costa Rica 113

Costa Rica 2019 Parrots Woodpeckers 113

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 31, 2018

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. As far as my year’s list, this last weekend netted me 6 more species, putting me at 127 species.

Ducks 115

Ducks Blackbirds Sparrows California 115

10,000 Birds

JUNE 6, 2020

149 checklists were submitted, accounting for 465 species. Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis). Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus). I know that we are all looking forward to a time when we might return to the old normal, but until then, please stay safe and keep your distance. Gray Heron (Ardea cinerea). Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea).

2020 152

2020 Sparrows Niger Woodpeckers 152

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

MARCH 30, 2024

There was a large raft of hundreds of American Coot , an American White Pelican and lots of duck species. A Merlin had just attempted to grab breakfast before our very eyes… She missed and while we were happy for the sandpipers – they are very pretty – the excitement we felt was for the falcon. The birds warmed us too.

Ducks 153

Ducks Emotional Cattle Owls 153

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 1, 2020

The 83 checklists submitted during July contained 459 species. Cattle Egret – Bubulcus ibis. Peregrine Falcon – Falco peregrinus. In case you were worried, Our Man in Shanghai is still flying the flag. He is currently safe and well and watching, with his cats, from the window. The year list now stands at 1613.

2020 154

2020 Blackbirds Sparrows Woodpeckers 154

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 23, 2016

Back in Costa Rica, walks through coffee and fields near the house, and a few other day trips have upped the list to 250 species. The year has just started, there are hundreds of other bird species to look for, I wonder if I can reach 700 species for Costa Rica by December 31st? White-eyed Vireo! .

Costa Rica 101

Costa Rica 2016 San Antonio Sparrows 101

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 21, 2017

Nevertheless, I still have over 232 species including the latest addition- a Striped Owl heard from my bedroom window as it called into a moonlit night. With luck, this bird list will also see species from other countries, I hope “wherever else” ends up referring to Colombia and Brazil!

Costa Rica 103

Costa Rica 2017 Woodpeckers Parrots 103

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 30, 2021

From there, we entered a side tributary full of Ringed and Amazon Kingfishers , with Chestnut-fronted and Scarlet Macaws in flight… and then the noise: groans, croaks and grunts… and the smell… of this 65 million years old species, so old that the last dinosaurs must have fed on them!

Dolphins 260

Dolphins Colombia Otters Birds 260

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 3, 2019

They accounted for 562 species at this sluggish time of year. Cattle Egret – Bubulcus ibis. Collared Forest-Falcon – Micrastur semitorquatus. Laughing Falcon – Herpetotheres cachinnans. Bat Falcon – Falco rufigularis. Prairie Falcon – Falco mexicanus. These are the numbers.

2019 119

2019 Sparrows Woodpeckers Idaho 119

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 4, 2020

They contributed 150 lists accounting for 1032 species and more than 36,000 individual birds. Thus 100 species were missed by the time he woke up and noticed that eBird had reset the counters at midnight(do you guys have nothing better to do?). Cattle Egret – Bubulcus ibis. Laughing Falcon – Herpetotheres cachinnans.

2019 167

2019 Chile Texas Sanctuary 167

10,000 Birds

JUNE 20, 2019

We are entering the mixed colony of 11 species ( Grey , Squacco , Purple and Black-crowned Night Herons ; Great , Little and, recently, Cattle Egrets ; Eurasian Spoonbill (below) and Glossy Ibis ; Pygmy and Great Cormorant ). What is the status of this species in the Kerkini NP? I’m in Greece, after all.

Greece 194

Greece Pelicans Buffalo Fish 194

10,000 Birds

MAY 22, 2022

Munkajarra Wetlands is always a good location for the various duck species and you can expect to observe Plumed Whistling-Ducks , Wandering Whistling-Ducks , Pacific Black Ducks , Hardheads , Grey Teal and sometimes Radjah Shelducks and Pink-eared Ducks. Dragonflies photobombing on the right as we approach. Purple Swamphens.

Geese 196

Geese Ducks Breeding 2015 196