10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

A number of species use Chongming as a wintering spot, not just the Cinereous Vultures I already mentioned in a previous post. The many small ponds and waterways attract quite a few ducks, though presumably due to their China experience, they are extremely wary of people. P eregrine Falcon. Again, very shy birds. Rustic Bunting.

China 160

China Ducks Transported Game 160

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 8, 2015

Each year, I hope to identify at least 600 species. That 600th species was a Streaked Xenops , an especially uncommon bird in Costa Rica usually seen at Tapanti National Park. That 600th species was a Streaked Xenops , an especially uncommon bird in Costa Rica usually seen at Tapanti National Park. Streaked Xenops.

Costa Rica 154

Costa Rica 2015 Species West Virginia 154

10,000 Birds

MAY 20, 2021

It was an unexpected bird tour, without too much planning and aimed at a few target species, of which we saw most, but the main one eluded us… Early morning, leaving the last houses behind… and a Little Owl awaits us on a traffic sign. Red-footed Falcon by Martin Mecnarowski/Wikimedia Commons. Did I mention Great Bustards ?

Serbia 228

Serbia Birds Romania Eagles 228

10,000 Birds

MARCH 27, 2015

Since we’ve covered some generalities already, once a month I’ll be exploring how a species, genus, or family of birds got its name, and how those names fit in with our larger understanding of, and relationship with, birds. At the request of blog management, I’m embarking on a series of posts on the names of birds.

Falcons 258

Falcons Eagles Meat Geese 258

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 16, 2021

Similar to 2020, more than 32,000 people participated, 78,000 checklists were submitted, and more than 7,200 bird species were identified. In Costa Rica, despite there seeming to be less enthusiasm than previous GBDs, enough local and visiting birders dedicated most of the day to binocular use to give us a fantastic total of 731 species !

Costa Rica 250

Costa Rica Species 2020 Falcons 250

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 222

Sparrows Woodpeckers Parrots Owls 222

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 18, 2020

The prospect of identifying a certain number of species in a given amount of time pushes us to pay more attention to birds no matter what the circumstances (although I suggest keeping the exclamations about species identifications to yourself during such solemn situations as funerals, graduations, and watching episodes of The Sopranos).

Costa Rica 256

Costa Rica 2020 Morals Farming 256

10,000 Birds

MAY 5, 2020

A Field Guide to the Birds: Giving Field Marks of All Species Found in Eastern North America was published in 1934 by Houghton Mifflin (note–Peterson was 26 years old), after being rejected by four publishers. Adding the 76 new species in the Hawaii section, this makes coverage of approximately 884 species.

North America 199

North America America Hawaii Birds 199

10,000 Birds

MAY 8, 2021

Seasonally, a good number of ducks were there too along with loons and other choice waterbirds. Brown Jays also flutter by and those are just a few of the species that still occur. This morning, the surprise was the call of Laughing Falcon. Field guides indicated that various birds were possible, just maybe even the Bobwhite.

Costa Rica 263

Costa Rica Falcons Farming Woodpeckers 263

10,000 Birds

MARCH 14, 2014

It was the height of baby season, I was insanely overworked and underslept, and I did not – I repeat, did not – do waterbirds, except for mallards and Canada geese and wood ducks and swans etc. I have received so many calls to come rescue a baby hawk or falcon or some kind of raptor,” wrote Jennifer Dudley, and attached this photo.

Wildlife 244

Wildlife Wildlife Rehabilitation Falcons Pit Bulls 244

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 16, 2018

Serbia has 317 eBirded species so far, or 89% of the 356 in the national checklist. The country has one eBird hotspot with 200+ and 48 with more than 100 bird species. The country has one eBird hotspot with 200+ and 48 with more than 100 bird species. Spring migration March to April , 270 eBirded species.

Serbia 145

Serbia Geese Owls Macedonia 145

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 26, 2019

That honor goes to the Gray-crowned Crane , a very sexy species in its own right. Our satisfied group then moved on the other treasures to be found at Mabamba, a slew of kingfishers, waders, raptors, and assorted songbirds that quickly grew to a list of over 70 species in just a few blissful hours.

Uganda 252

Uganda Africa Birds Penguins 252

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 194

Sparrows Woodpeckers Parrots Costa Rica 194

10,000 Birds

APRIL 7, 2020

It didn’t occur to me till I started reading The Falcon Thief: A True Tale of Adventure, Treachery, and the Hunt for the Perfect Bird that there was also a possible threat to the eagle herself: poachers, who steal raptor eggs and chicks. McWilliam realizes he’s dealing someone special, a career falcon egg-thief.

Falcons 200

Falcons United Kingdom Zimbabwe Eggs 200

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. 10 Wood Duck – Aix sponsa.

Woodpeckers 176

Woodpeckers Sparrows Ducks Parrots 176

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 212

2020 Sparrows Woodpeckers Parrots 212

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 11, 2021

A pair of flyover American Black Ducks , a flock of Green-winged Teal winging west way out over the ocean, and surprisingly, all three of our expected falcon species were all seen relatively early in the morning. Osprey are nice but after awhile you wish one would be a different species. The birders kept coming too!

Woodpeckers 225

Woodpeckers Battery Birds Species 225

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 20, 2020

The bird family that got his attention was originally the herons, egrets and other wading birds, but as time went on New World warblers, woodpeckers and ducks fueled the passion further. Luis is an avid eBirder and he likes to keep a good record of his lists, photograph as many species as he can, and he encourages others to do the same.

Canada 162

Canada Cuba Miami Florida 162

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

JULY 18, 2012

Bufflehead ( Bucephala albeola ) Female at Cavity Entrance photos by Larry Jordan “Some 85 species of North American birds excavate nesting holes, use cavities resulting from decay (natural cavities), or use holes created by other species in dead or deteriorating trees. Talk about cute! www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWDXIhy9oJA

North America 207

North America America Barn Owls Falcons 207

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 24, 2014

We had to visit the Poo Ponds, because we had encountered some good birds there last year and a there was a chance to add a few species to the year list. There were Plumed Whistling-Ducks , Radjah Shelducks with ducklings, Common Sandpipers , Wood Sandpipers, Pied Herons, Glossy Ibis, Black-winged Stilt and Magpie Geese.

Ducks 150

Ducks Geese Eagles Australia 150

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 21, 2015

This small bustard is perhaps the same species as the more widespread White-bellied Bustard, but if it is separate its a rare bird to see and pretty special. And watching this from above was a Lanner Falcon. After lunch we headed to Fickland Pan, a small farmstead overlooking a pool of water filled with ducks. A Pied Starling.

South Africa 145

South Africa Africa Falcons Family 145

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 234

Sparrows Woodpeckers Ducks Blackbirds 234

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 1, 2014

The final tally for this thirty year old count circle was 123 species. There has been a high count of 130 species in the past with an average species count of 115 and lows of 95 species on two occasions. There were also new high counts of the following species: Green-winged Teal 412 birds with a previous high of 237.

California 167

California Blackbirds Turkey Birds 167

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 24, 2018

Common Goldeneye , Black Scoter , Bufflehead , Ring-billed Gull , Long-tailed Duck , Lesser Black-backed Gull , Herring Gull , Brant …and, wait, what’s that? A falcon-like bird coursing through the wave-troughs? It’s not falcon-like. It’s a falcon. A jaeger on the Christmas count?

2018 113

2018 Birds Bald Eagle Falcons 113

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 1, 2018

I had just a split-second glimpse of this species – my only second ever – yet immediately knew what is it, but I was driving through a snowbound countryside and had another car behind me, therefore I stopped a good 50 metres later to eBird it. Ferruginous Duck – Aythya nyroca. Tufted Duck – Aythya fuligula.

Owls 104

Owls Greece Serbia Woodpeckers 104

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 13, 2021

The birdlife here is wonderful, a ten-night safari should give you over 200 species, (2018 & 2019 both gave us 242!). We will explore the dry savannah for korhaans, bustards, lapwings, Ostrich and smaller birds like waxbills and firefinches and we’ll look for Dickinson’s Kestrel , Lanner and Red-necked Falcons.

Botswana 170

Botswana Africa Elephants Angola 170

10,000 Birds

MAY 11, 2016

What is it that makes this area different from any other urban setting, which might play host to a nice selection of migrant and non-migrant species? This allows bird enthusiasts from around the world to enjoy exceptional access to a large number of species.

Mexico 127

Mexico Birds Pelicans Geese 127

10,000 Birds

MAY 28, 2015

For example, the White-headed Duck is nowadays a rarity in Europe (okay, excluding Spain, I know… that Spain …), but until some 50 years ago, it used to breed in Serbia. The hide overlooking the breeding colony of Red-footed Falcons. View from the Subotica Sands photographic hide.

Serbia 236

Serbia Birds Spain Hungary 236

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. 2 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck – Dendrocygna autumnalis. 3 Fulvous Whistling-Duck – Dendrocygna bicolor. 11 Wood Duck – Aix sponsa.

Woodpeckers 225

Woodpeckers Sparrows Blackbirds Ducks 225

10,000 Birds

APRIL 13, 2016

There are a few, mostly confined to domestic or game birds that people may be familiar with at all stages of their lives – young pigeons are squabs, ducks are duckings, swans are cygnets, geese are gosling. They may be, but the names haven’t caught on. Jackbirds are young South Island Saddlebacks.

New Zealand 103

New Zealand Parrots Rats Bats 103

10,000 Birds

JUNE 12, 2014

Defining Belgrade bird specialties is the hard part – there is no defined criterion, beside attractiveness which often comes from how uncommon some species is. E.g., a few weeks ago I guided a British couple around Belgrade, visited about four major sites and found more than 60 species. Ferruginous Duck – year round.

Serbia 171

Serbia Eagles Birds Sparrows 171

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 8, 2017

Nearly 800 acres of wetlands and tidal flats provide diverse habitat for the local birds, as well as large numbers of migratory species, including thousands of ducks and geese. Sit, relax and enjoy the surrounding areas full of birds and wonderful bird sounds. The Great Blue Herons did put on a very nice show for me though.

Wildlife 104

Wildlife Seattle Bald Eagle Geese 104

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 190

Woodpeckers Sparrows Blackbirds California 190

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 6, 2022

we learn) that are home to coveted boreal species, breeding wood-warblers, and two species of Grouse. There are 461 species on the Maine checklist. This field guide covers 265 species, the ones most likely to be seen–residential and migratory, almost all nesting birds, many wintering birds.

Los Angeles 186

Los Angeles Birds District of Columbia Parrots 186

10,000 Birds

APRIL 17, 2011

On the first day of the Great Texas Birding Classic , the Swarovski Roadside Hawks racked up over 180 species on the Upper Coast. The rest of the day looked something like this… Sunrise at Salineño for tons of RGV specialties , including a decidedly unmanky Muscovy Duck ! But one day does not a Big Week make.

Texas 152

Texas Falcons Birds Farming 152

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 2, 2021

11 beats have been out this month and have submitted 136 checklists from 7 countries ticking 634 species. 2 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck – Dendrocygna autumnalis. 3 Muscovy Duck – Cairina moschata. 279 Collared Forest-Falcon – Micrastur semitorquatus. 421 American Black Duck – Anas rubripes.

Woodpeckers 194

Woodpeckers Sparrows Parrots Blackbirds 194