10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 4, 2016

At the snowy Danube riverbank, we are waiting for geese to come to their roost inside the mostly submerged island. A shot or two coming from the opposite bank, but they do not sound like geese shooting – more like boar hunting. warns me of two locally rare Bean Geese. An hour and 20,000+ geese later, we head back.

Geese 188

Geese Hunting Boars Birds 188

10,000 Birds

MAY 23, 2019

Geese (domesticated). Supposedly, all of these were recorded in the Seven Kingdoms, albeit most likely only in the books (of which I read only the first): Chickens (domesticated). Ducks (domesticated). Falcons – Gyrfalcon. Partridges. Ravens (domesticated). And this is all. Why, oh why George R.R.

Chickens 194

Chickens Falcons Birds Geese 194

10,000 Birds

APRIL 8, 2016

Eagles with appealing names like Fragile Eagle and Errant Eagle , as well as the extant Golden Eagle. Many are what we’d expect to see today: Mallards and Canada Geese. Golden Eagle and coyote fossils. Condors, of course. Water birds would get trapped in these deceptive lakes as well. La Brea Condor.

California Condor 198

California Condor Coyotes Eagles Turkey 198

10,000 Birds

MAY 16, 2018

The dam provided me with several new birds, including Green Pygmy-geese, Bar-breasted Honeyeaters, Wandering Whistling Ducks, Intermediate Herons, Pied Herons, Comb-crested Jacanas, Forest Kingfishers, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike , and the afore mentioned Rufus-banded Honeyeater. Here are some of the Green Pygmy Geese.

Geese 145

Geese Birds Australia Ducks 145

10,000 Birds

APRIL 2, 2019

My husband and I pulled through the gates of the refuge an hour or so from sunset, already invigorated by the Snow Geese, ibises, and Greater White-fronted Geese we had seen feeding in the fields near Lacassine’s entrance. The water was generally open, edges rimmed with cattails and other bronze-hued emergent vegetation.

Louisiana 115

Louisiana Wildlife Bald Eagle Geese 115

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 16, 2018

Imperial and Booted are the rarest eagles in the country, the first with only one heavily guarded pair left. Usually about 40K geese overwinter in Serbia, but the last cold spell, when the Danube was mostly frozen solid, pushed twice as many to Serbia. Glossy Ibises are localized, as well as Griffon Vultures.

Serbia 177

Serbia Owls Geese Macedonia 177

10,000 Birds

JULY 22, 2020

Ubiquitous Egyptian Geese dabbled in the shallows while a diminutive Squacco Heron stood motionless in some tangled vegetation over the water. The now familiar sound of a pair of African Fish-Eagles dominated the soundscape. Blue-cheeked Bee-eater (above), African Fish-Eagle (below). Goliath Heron. Squacco Heron.

Kenya 165

Kenya Fish Trinidad Eagles 165

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 5, 2024

I enjoyed a pleasant half hour watching from a hide, but only added the birds I was expecting – Greylag and Canada Geese, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Shoveler and Teal – without any bonus birds such as Little Egret or even Grey Heron.

Birds 239

Birds Albatross Barn Owls Sparrows 239

10,000 Birds

MARCH 27, 2015

Instead, the name comes from the fact that in falconry, the Goshawk could be used for large prey – geese, yes, and also pheasants, hares, and cranes. Austringers were doofuses and the cool falconry kids did not want to associate with them – at least in Britain, where flying eagles was not a done thing until the nineteenth century.

Falcons 260

Falcons Eagles Meat Geese 260

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 29, 2013

The series, which was four years in the making, follows birds across six continents, from eagles in North America to hummingbirds in South America, cockatoos in Australia, cranes in Asia, and flamingos in Africa. Above, Snow Geese approach the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor. And many more!). How cool is that?

Downers 206

Downers France South America North America 206

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 28, 2018

This cold weather and snow does not seem to have much effect on the huge number of ducks and geese, but the smaller song birds, all seem to wake up much later in the days, and only after it has warmed up a bit. Northern Harriers, Peregrine Falcons, American Kestrels, and a fair number of Bald Eagles all can be found on the refuge year round.

Fox 147

Fox Washington Geese Sparrows 147

10,000 Birds

JUNE 3, 2015

Even without being on the water it was possible watch birds across the river, as evidenced by my lifer pair of African Pygmy Geese , which flew down the river and landed on the Namibian side. It’s even possible to count exactly the same bird for both country’s lists. In particular, there are lots of waterbirds.

Botswana 162

Botswana Birds Lesotho Elephants 162

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 20, 2014

The first stop of the morning: young White–tailed Eagle , right next to the road and several dozen Rooks around. Numerous Mute Swans , Greylag Geese among them, together with Mallard , Gadwalls , Eurasian Wigeons , Eurasian Teals – practically the full hand of dabbling ducks at this lake.

Serbia 247

Serbia Owls Rodents Eagles 247

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 17, 2017

There was a Short-toed Eagle ahead, taking flight to be replaced by another ST Eagle. At first I dismissed them for some hybrid geese, until I recognized their JIZZ. Immediately north of it I found another Short-toed Eagle and a very cooperative close-range Long-legged Buzzard. Lesser Kestrel. Western Rock Nuthatch.

Greece 208

Greece Killing Pelicans Eagles 208

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 21, 2015

Clapper Rail , American White Pelican , Snowy Owl , Cackling Goose , Blue-winged Teal , Bald Eagle , Lark Sparrow , Clay-colored Sparrow , Pine Warbler , and Turkey Vulture are all good birds for the count. Oddly, on count day we only found one of the two Cackling Geese that have been around Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.

Bald Eagle 106

Bald Eagle Birds Sparrows Pelicans 106

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 1, 2015

Greylag Geese. Soon I hit the brakes for a 60 strong flock of Greylag Geese of the Siberian race rubrirostris grazing near the road. Back to the Mikri Prespa , where mostly Dalmatian, with two White Pelicans among them, were circling, while one Short-toed Snake Eagle glided across. eBird hotspots of Prespa lakes. Practicalities.

Greece 252

Greece Pelicans Geese Breeding 252

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 7, 2021

Before we reached the plains there was roadkill and we observed three Wedge-tailed Eagles in a tree. It is not unusual to see Wedge-tailed Eagles around Broome, but rarely three all together. Three Wedge-tailed Eagles. The Magpie Geese have dispersed from the previous area they were in, because it got too wet.

Geese 264

Geese Eagles Australia Breeding 264

10,000 Birds

APRIL 30, 2015

A quick check of the Collins 2 (I think American birders know this book as the “Birds of Europe”, but here, some branding mastermind has interconnected the company’s name and the book title) revealed that we are facing two Siberian Greylag Geese (race rubrirostris ). Picture 2: Lesser Spotted Eagle – Clanga pomarina.

Greece 256

Greece Woodpeckers Eagles Birds 256

10,000 Birds

MARCH 8, 2018

As an adult Bald Eagle and a first of the season flock of Tree Swallows flew overhead, several birds were cleaning up underneath the feeders. Lema Ranch has several ponds and is always a great spot for waterfowl but I was surprised to find four Snow Geese on secluded pond! Here is a male Lesser Goldfinch taking his turn.

2018 100

2018 Bald Eagle Woodpeckers Turkey 100

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 24, 2014

Black Kites and Whistling Kites are always quite quick at taking off as you approach, but the largest raptor the Wedge-tailed Eagle , is not as agile and they need time to lift off and you really need to allow them time and space. We saw an incredible 14 Wedge-tailed Eagles feasting on roadkill between Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek.

Ducks 150

Ducks Geese Eagles Australia 150

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 17, 2015

I was to go inland to Pocosin Lakes NWR, home of massive flocks of Tundra Swans and Snow Geese. We saw both, though the goose flock was too distant to pick out the Ross’s and Cackling Geese that are usually tucked within. The Golden Eagles at Alligator River NWR were soaring elsewhere. The second was better.

North Carolina 179

North Carolina Owls Geese Alligators 179

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 14, 2011

She started feeding the ducks and geese that used the open water in the 1980s. Another example would be the Eagle Lady in Alaska. It was a great way to get photos but many residents felt the eagles were a nuisance –having cleaned out my fair share of Bald Eagle traveling cranes, I can’t say that I blame them.

Bald Eagle 260

Bald Eagle Birds Deer Minnesota 260

10,000 Birds

MARCH 30, 2012

The park even features a Welcome Back Waterfowl day when the community is encouraged to come out and learn about the ducks, geese, and swans that visit the valley – an event that usually occurs in early April but this year took place on March 24. A second pond held not only more of the same, but some American Coots and Canada Geese.

Wildlife 178

Wildlife Montana Geese Bald Eagle 178

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. Established in 1974 to protect the delta, which is formed where the fresh water of the Nisqually River meets to nutrient rich, tidal salt water of the Puget Sound.

Wildlife 111

Wildlife Seattle Bald Eagle Geese 111

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 1, 2018

The best birds so far were two rare geese, Lesser White-fronted and Red-breasted Goose (both my second observations ever), plus Bewick’s Swan and Red-crested Pochard – all in Greece. Greater Spotted Eagle – Clanga clanga. White-tailed Eagle – Haliaeetus albicilla. Eurasian Spoonbill – Platalea leucorodia.

Owls 111

Owls Greece Serbia Woodpeckers 111

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 13, 2018

Lifers includes Gambel’s Quail and Neotropic Cormorant, but the real highlights were the morning fly-out of Sandhill Cranes and the evening fly-in of Snow Geese. For example, not much can beat the experience of seeing a Bald Eagle scare up thousands of Snow Geese at Sacramento NWR. Bosque del Apache NWR in New Mexico.

San Francisco 100

San Francisco Portland United States Puerto Rico 100

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 2, 2012

No Snow Geese or swans yet, and no Sandhill Cranes , but it did renew my taste for some of the simpler, homier pleasures of birding. With all my traipsing about this year I’ve actually been shamefully lax on birding Montana. And the Rough-legged Hawks should be here any time now, maybe bringing — dare I hope?

Bald Eagle 116

Bald Eagle Montana Owls Italy 116

10,000 Birds

JUNE 1, 2011

Young raptors like the above Bald Eagle chick are a different matter. If you find a young hawk or eagle out of the nest and it is covered in down and is unable to stand on its huge feet, it needs to get back in the nest. The first few years for female ducks and geese are kind of practice rounds. Above are Canada Goose goslings.

Birds 266

Birds Fox Raised Ducks 266

10,000 Birds

MARCH 2, 2017

Blue-winged Geese were common. Same with Golden Eagles , another European lifer that I got in the unlikeliest place imaginable. And the biggest staris also a mammal, the Ethiopian Wolf. Desperately endangered, they are reasonably easy to see here, and pretty much only here. Rouget’s Rail. So very bold! As were Moorland Chats.

Ethiopia 100

Ethiopia Mammals South America Rats 100

10,000 Birds

MAY 31, 2018

Saddle-billed Storks, Yellow-billed Storks, Woolly Storks, Sacred Ibis, Gray Herons, Reed Cormorants, Three-banded Plovers, White-crowned Lapwings, Blacksmith Lapwings, Egyptian Geese, White Faced Ducks and African Palm Swifts have been there every day. I have managed to find two owls, the first was this pair of Verreaux’s Eagle-owls.

Lions 126

Lions Buffalo United States Zebras 126

10,000 Birds

JUNE 29, 2013

Still, there are plenty of other birds and animals to see along the way, including Glaucous and other gulls, geese, herds of sheep and Icelandic horses. There you will find more breeding terns, gulls and dozens of Graylag Geese. Sadly, I missed out on seeing White-tailed Eagles and Harlequin Ducks.

Iceland 211

Iceland Puffins Europe Birds 211

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. A high-end restaurant called me to rescue a ‘baby eagle’ they’d found,” wrote Marianne Dominguez. Could you tell me what he is?”.

Wildlife 258

Wildlife Wildlife Rehabilitation Falcons Pit Bulls 258

10,000 Birds

APRIL 18, 2012

Still, we did manage to find some other impressive waterbirds, including Royal Spoonbills , Great Egrets , Striated Herons , Nankeen Night-herons (quite a good location for members of that family actually), Great Cormorants , Green Pygmy Geese and Australasian Darters.

Australia 163

Australia Asia Geese Eagles 163

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 27, 2024

The lakes usually have quite a few waterbirds, with Mute Swans and Egyptian Geese , Greylag Geese , and Canada Geese being abundant. Very rarely, Barnacle Geese are also seen feeding on the lawn, probably on passage. I have also heard Tawny Owl and Eurasian Eagle Owl at night.

Geese 130

Geese Birds Germany Woodpeckers 130

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 15, 2018

A pair Bald Eagles were doing fly-bys over our heads , and there were Belted Kingfishers, Canada Geese , A pair of Mallards, and three Great Blue Herons. In addition to the swallows and martins, there were Pelagic Cormorants, Glaucous-winged gulls, Mew Gulls, and one lonely Herring Gull.

Oregon 100

Oregon Bald Eagle Owls Groups 100

10,000 Birds

MAY 11, 2024

Europe lost the Buttonquail (but abundant in Africa) but the Griffon, Cinereous Vulture (José Leal’s picture below) and several eagles are making a spectacular comeback. Barnacle Geese even made it to “agricultural pest” status. In the book, one picture stood out in particular: the White-headed Duck.

Spain 243

Spain Ducks Morocco Europe 243

10,000 Birds

APRIL 5, 2024

Pinkfooted Geese in North Norfolk – winter visitors from Iceland My British list is, in fact, merely an East Anglian list, as I haven’t (so far) ventured out of the counties of Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex. Seeing eagles is always exciting, and I much enjoyed these two encounters.

Spain 130

Spain Eagles North America Ducks 130