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The Summer Doldrums

10,000 Birds

Nothing is quite as much of a downer to a birder than the summer doldrums. Tanagers, woodpeckers, gnatcatchers – missing! Migration hasn’t really kicked in, the breeders aren’t tied to breeding territories any more, and it is hot and sweaty outside. Uncomfortable weather and a lack of birds make birders grumpy.

Downers 163
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Hey, What About the Great Auk?

10,000 Birds

In 1952, at least in the US, no one wanted to be a Debbie Downer. Or the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. That’s one reason, probably the biggest reason, why we don’t have centennials for animals that become extinct in the wild. If you choose to consider 1944 the year, most people were a little busy right then. Will it work?