10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 3, 2015

You see, Myriam’s is located in what might be the Resplendent Quetzal capital of the world, the valley of San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica. Quetzal is THE beloved, sacred bird of Guatemala and they do live there (and in southern Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama) BUT are more accessible in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica 150

Costa Rica Panama Nicaragua Honduras 150

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 19, 2019

The latter is how I began 2019 in Costa Rica and I am grateful. Crimson-fronted Parakeets show red and yellow on their underwings as they fly above the towns and cities of Costa Rica’s Central Valley. Squirrel Cuckoo – Piaya cayana; Turrucares, 1-Jan.

Costa Rica 113

Costa Rica 2019 Parrots Woodpeckers 113

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 12, 2020

In Costa Rica, the urban raptor can take more than one form but usually, the local avian top predator is a Gray Hawk. Hasn’t happened yet but sometimes I see resident Rufous-naped Wrens, Red-billed Pigeons , and a Squirrel Cuckoo or two. Juvenile Gray Hawk. So far, the Gray Hawk was the best of the Cecropia sightings.

Costa Rica 309

Costa Rica Mice Arizona Squirrels 309

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 20, 2018

As usual, most of my birding will be in Costa Rica although if all goes well, come April, there should also be a sweet set of lifers from Guatemala, hopefully including one that has a red thing sticking out of its noggin. Squirrel Cuckoo – Piaya cayana; Santa Barbara de Heredia, 3-Jan.

Costa Rica 168

Costa Rica Birds Parrots Woodpeckers 168

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 21, 2017

It’s going to take a while but if I can expend time and energy (aka birding kung-fu) in the right places, I can certainly make that happen for Costa Rica. Squirrel Cuckoo – Piaya cayana; San Miguel reservoir, 8-Jan. This year, I’m hoping that combination will push the year list past 700.

Costa Rica 105

Costa Rica 2017 Woodpeckers Parrots 105

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 23, 2016

On the other side of the weather coin, now that I live in Costa Rica, the first month of the year also means warm sunny days punctuated by windy weather, and migrants like Yellow Warblers and Baltimore Orioles sharing green space with Blue-gray Tanagers and other avian locals. Squirrel Cuckoo – Piaya cayana; El Rodeo, 9-Jan.

Costa Rica 101

Costa Rica 2016 San Antonio Sparrows 101

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

Think Arizona meets Costa Rica with a Mexican twist. This is where Gila Woodpecker and Yellow-breasted Chat meet Squirrel Cuckoo , Bat Falcon , and Black-throated Magpie-Jay. There are many dusty side roads in this area, many of which offer productive birding.

Mexico 202

Mexico Costa Rica Arizona Birds 202

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 4, 2021

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. 66 Squirrel Cuckoo – Piaya cayana.

Sparrows 218

Sparrows Woodpeckers Parrots Costa Rica 218

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 2, 2021

December’s beats found 609 birds after submitting 116 checklists from 8 countries (USA, UK, Costa Rica, China, Mexico, Serbia and Australia). Most species-prolific was Patrick in Costa Rica, followed by Paul from Mexico. If you wish to see a full list for 2020, you can find it here. .

2020 237

2020 Sparrows Woodpeckers Parrots 237

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. 83 Squirrel Cuckoo – Piaya cayana.

Woodpeckers 193

Woodpeckers Sparrows Ducks Parrots 193

10,000 Birds

JUNE 6, 2020

7 beats contributed their sightings from 7 countries (Hong Kong, UK, China, USA, Serbia, Australia and, of course, Costa Rica). Squirrel Cuckoo (Piaya cayana). 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.

2020 154

2020 Sparrows Niger Woodpeckers 154

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. 60 Squirrel Cuckoo – Piaya cayana. 60 Squirrel Cuckoo – Piaya cayana. 1 Little Tinamou – Crypturellus soui.

Woodpeckers 248

Woodpeckers Sparrows Blackbirds Ducks 248

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 246

Sparrows Woodpeckers Parrots Owls 246

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 5, 2020

However, 10 beats from 7 countries were able to submit some 127 checklists containing 597 birds from 7 countries (USA, UK, Serbia, China, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago and Costa Rica). 237 Squirrel Cuckoo – Piaya cayana. 237 Squirrel Cuckoo – Piaya cayana. Nice distancing. That’s better.

2020 183

2020 Sparrows Woodpeckers Blackbirds 183

10,000 Birds

APRIL 3, 2021

Checklists came in from 7 countries (USA, UK, Serbia, China, Mexico, Costa Rica and Australia) and brought the year list for 2021 so far to 1143. Checklists came in from 7 countries (USA, UK, Serbia, China, Mexico, Costa Rica and Australia) and brought the year list for 2021 so far to 1143.

Sparrows 161

Sparrows Woodpeckers Blackbirds Ducks 161

10,000 Birds

MARCH 17, 2011

That’s why Costa Rica is at the top of every single birder’s list of desperately desired destinations. Lucky Patrick O’Donnell lives in Costa Rica and, as a guide , gets to enjoy the epic avifauna of that exquisite country.

Costa Rica 150

Costa Rica 2011 Birds Deer 150

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 4, 2020

Incidentally, Uganda ( 510 ) leap-frogged Australia ( 475 ) to become the list’s fourth most prolific country behind Costa Rica ( 763 ), USA ( 654 ) and Brazil ( 555 ). Squirrel Cuckoo – Piaya cayana. They contributed 150 lists accounting for 1032 species and more than 36,000 individual birds. 08 Dec 2019.

2019 179

2019 Chile Texas Sanctuary 179

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 3, 2019

During July, 11 beats birded 11 countries (USA, UK, Australia, Spain, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Japan, UAE, Mexico, China and Saudi Arabia) and submitted 82 checklists. Squirrel Cuckoo – Piaya cayana. They accounted for 562 species at this sluggish time of year. These are the numbers. Alphabetic Taxonomic. 01 Jul 2019.

2019 121

2019 Sparrows Woodpeckers Idaho 121

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 3, 2020

11 beats collaborated to enter 163 checklists from 8 countries (UK, USA, Costa Rica, Australia, Serbia, China, Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago). 61 Squirrel Cuckoo – Piaya cayana. They noted 719 species between them. This brings the yearly running total to 1723 and the life list has reached 4038.

2020 295

2020 Sparrows Woodpeckers Blackbirds 295

10,000 Birds

MAY 1, 2021

9 beats submitted 172 checklists from 7 countries (UK, USA, Costa Rica, Australia, Serbia, China and Trinidad and Tobago) for 640 species.

Woodpeckers 156

Woodpeckers Sparrows Blackbirds Ducks 156

10,000 Birds

JULY 6, 2019

Our two newest contributors have shared from Mexico and China, bringing the countries birded this month (also including; Costa Rica, Greece, Serbia, USA, UK, India, UAE and New Zealand) to 10. Squirrel Cuckoo – Piaya cayana. beats have still managed to share 82 checklists and accounted for 737 species. 01 Jun 2019.

2019 122

2019 Jamaica Eggs Woodpeckers 122

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 7, 2020

7 countries (Costa Rica, China, USA, UK, Mexico, New Zealand and Serbia) were birded by 11 beats during October. 168 Costa Rican Swift – Chaetura fumosa. 523 Squirrel Cuckoo – Piaya cayana. 168 Costa Rican Swift – Chaetura fumosa. This brings our all-time total to 4040.

2020 130

2020 Sparrows Woodpeckers Parrots 130

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 2, 2019

Visited this month were; Germany , France , Austria, South Africa, Hong Kong, USA, UK, Serbia, Costa Rica, Australia, China, Indonesia , Switzerland and Singapore). Squirrel Cuckoo – Piaya cayana. has reached 54. 06 Oct 2019. Short-billed Pigeon – Patagioenas nigrirostris. 06 Oct 2019. 06 Oct 2019. 06 Oct 2019.

2019 120

2019 China Battery Jamaica 120

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 6, 2021

The beats are famed for their inclusion on the nice side of the ledger and this month 9 of them shared 163 lists from 7 countries (Australia, Costa Rica, USA, UK, Serbia, China and Trinidad and Tobago) and accounted for 735 bird species. This is where they come in January while there is still nothing to do on the naughty and nice list.

Sparrows 197

Sparrows Woodpeckers Ducks Parrots 197

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 1, 2020

The year has started well with 10 new birds from India, China, Hawaii, Mexico and Costa Rica. 12 beats birded 10 countries (Costa Rica, USA, Brazil, China, India, Serbia, UK, Australia, New Zealand and Mexico), submitting 187 lists and spotting 902 birds. Squirrel Cuckoo – Piaya cayana. 01 Jan 2020.

2020 162

2020 Wildlife Reserve Tigers Wildlife 162

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 7, 2019

12 beats visited 12 countries (USA, UK, Costa Rica, Ghana, Nigeria, New Zealand, Serbia, Ireland, Australia, Mexico, China and Argentina), sharing 148 lists along the way and noting 844 species (old and new). Squirrel Cuckoo – Piaya cayana. Not to be out-done, the beats have been out doing their thing as well. 12 Aug 2019.

2019 118

2019 Arizona Ghana Tucson 118

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 7, 2019

They ranged across 10 countries (Costa Rica, USA, UK, India, Australia, China, Brazil, Mexico, Serbia and Uganda). Squirrel Cuckoo – Piaya cayana. The Management are still in Africa, suffering the buffering that comes with remoteness. Their Ugandan contribution reached 258 before contact was lost. Alphabetic Taxonomic.

2019 143

2019 Farming Sparrows Charlotte 143

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 2, 2019

The engaged and generous beats ( 10 of them) have shared 188 checklists during January and have accounted for 859 species from 8 countries (USA, Australia, Costa Rica, Brazil, Argentina, UK, New Zealand and Serbia. Squirrel Cuckoo – Piaya cayana. A gathering of the beats at the “Hot Duck” barbeque. 16 Jan 2019.

2019 113

2019 Australia Jamaica Sparrows 113

10,000 Birds

MARCH 2, 2019

Without including the new pin in the map, countries this month featured; USA, Australia, Serbia, Bahrain, India, Kuwait, New Zealand, UK, Ghana and of course, Costa Rica. Squirrel Cuckoo – Piaya cayana. All will be revealed in good time. They visited 11 countries and have pushed the yearly total to 1197. 01 Feb 2019.

2019 113

2019 Ghana Australia Jamaica 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. Squirrel Cuckoo – Piaya cayana. 01 Jan 2018.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Sparrows 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. In an unusual turnaround during September, more birds were seen in USA than in Costa Rica. Squirrel Cuckoo – Piaya cayana. Claire and Grant went walkabout for 20 FOYs.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Los Angeles 113

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. Squirrel Cuckoo – Piaya cayana. May I extend my thanks to all the beats. Taman Negara NP–Forest Loop.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Sparrows 113

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. They birded 6 countries; USA, UK, Costa Rica, Serbia, Australia, and Mexico. Squirrel Cuckoo – Piaya cayana. 19 Jun 2018.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Sparrows 113

10,000 Birds

APRIL 6, 2019

9 countries were visited during March by your tireless beats ( 11 of them); India, UK, USA, Serbia, Costa Rica, Japan, Australia, Singapore and Malaysia. Squirrel Cuckoo – Piaya cayana. There can be no denying that spring is coming and with it, the summer visitors and passage migrants. Bukit Tinggi. 02 Mar 2019.

2019 113

2019 Ghana Australia Woodpeckers 113

10,000 Birds

APRIL 7, 2018

During March, 11 beats shared 122 checklists to accumulate 680 species from 8 countries; USA, Costa Rica, Serbia, India, Australia, New Zealand, UK and Japan. Squirrel Cuckoo – Piaya cayana. The year list has progressed by 127 to reach 1257. King Vulture – Sarcoramphus papa. El Tapir hummingbird garden. 01 Jan 2018.

2018 100

2018 Australia Los Angeles Albatross 100

10,000 Birds

MAY 4, 2019

April was a busy time for the beats with 10 of them contributing 164 lists to accumulate 744 species from 7 countries; Costa Rica, USA, Australia, Serbia, UK, Brazil and Barbados. Squirrel Cuckoo – Piaya cayana. Make the best use of your binoculars and view from a distance. Back to numbers. Cerro Lodge entrance road.

2019 113

2019 Australia Ghana Woodpeckers 113

10,000 Birds

JUNE 1, 2019

These are the numbers acheived by 10 (we have a new contributor, Paul, from Mexico) beats during May; We visited 8 countries (Costa Rica, USA, UK, Australia, Serbia, Greece, Kuwait and Mexico) and noted 776 birds from 160 checklists. Squirrel Cuckoo – Piaya cayana. Here they are; Alphabetic Taxonomic. 03 Jan 2019.

2019 113

2019 Australia Ghana Woodpeckers 113