10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 28, 2015

Without further ado, here are our Best Birds of the Year for 2015… Jochen makes us all jealous with a bird that most of us would kill to see. During my previous five trips to Indonesia, I only heard but never caught a glimpse of three species. Now my tally stands at four species seen and a fifth heard-only.

2015 180

2015 Costa Rica Birds Sparrows 180

10,000 Birds

JULY 4, 2017

The guide presents 69 species and 1 subspecies, from “NEW WORLD VULTURES: Cathartiformes” to “OSPREY: Pandioninae” to “FAMILY: Accipitridae” (Kites, Hawks, Eagles, Hawk-Eagles), to “FALONIDS: Falconidae” (Falcons, Forest-Falcons, Caracaras, Kestrels, Merlin). The order is roughly taxonomic, with the priority showing similar species together.

Mexico 154

Mexico America North America Falcons 154

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 5, 2019

In reverse order, the medals were awarded for “most species seen in a country”, to Australia with 420, USA got the silver, scoring 556 while the runaway winner was Costa Rica with 646 species. Hopland Research and Extension Center (restricted access). May I extend my thanks to all the beats.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Sparrows 113

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 3, 2018

The two most prolific contributors, Pat and Tom, have been sharing their birding space in Costa Rica. During October, 7 countries (Costa Rica, Australia, USA, India, Hong Kong, UK, Serbia) were birded by 11 beats who shared 135 checklists and noted 697 species. Wattled Jacana – Jacana jacana. 03 Apr 2018.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Los Angeles 113

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 6, 2018

9 beats shared 100 checklists from 8 countries (Costa Rica, USA, UK, Brazil, Serbia, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Australia. They noted 598 species as a team, bringing the year total to 2118 and pushing the life list to 3555. In an unusual turnaround during September, more birds were seen in USA than in Costa Rica.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Los Angeles 113

10,000 Birds

MAY 6, 2018

April’s number are below; 11 countries were visited by 9 beats; Australia, USA, UK, India, Serbia, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Brazil, New Zealand and Argentina. Their 185 checklists contained 951 species during April! Hopland Research and Extension Center (restricted access). El Centenario Tidal Flats.

2018 100

2018 Australia Los Angeles Albatross 100

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 1, 2018

Tom and Pat were toe to toe in Costa Rica , so the numbers from there outshone anything else on the list for November, with over 60% of the month’s total shared between them. 8 beats shared 126 checklists accounting for 704 species. They birded 6 countries; USA, UK, Costa Rica, Serbia, Australia, and Mexico.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Sparrows 113