10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 25, 2017

I just finished three days of guiding in Costa Rica, each of which was a day trip from the Central Valley, every one a bonanza of new birds. Costa Rica’s winning combination of small size and distinct habitats makes it possible to connect with species as different as Snowcap, Crested Owl, White-throated Magpie-Jay , and glittering tanagers in a matter of thirty-six short hours, even quicker if you push your luck (and your vehicle).

Costa Rica 151

Costa Rica Owls Birds Eagles 151

Animal Ethics

NOVEMBER 28, 2017

I created this blog 14 years ago today. There have been 323,991 visits, which is an average of 23,142.2 visits per year and 63.3 visits per day.

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10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 30, 2017

We conduct four Christmas Bird Counts in our part of Northern California, the first of which is the Fall River Christmas Bird Count coming up in just about two weeks. In contemplation of this event, my Audubon chapter scheduled an outing to Fall River and McArthur (location of the previously posted Snow Bunting – see map ). We began birding at Fall River overlook, a vista parking area overlooking a canyon.

California 104

California Sparrows Birds Philadelphia 104

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 27, 2017

Long ago I predicted that I would eventually see a Western Tanager in Queens. Last December one was even found on the Queens County Christmas Bird Count but it was only seen by one birder and subsequent searches by me and others did not rediscover it. So when Eric Miller found one on Sunday, 12 November, in the restoration area by the Alley Pond Environmental Center I was psyched to search for it even if I was upstate for the weekend and couldn’t look for it until the following morning bef

Fox 101

Fox Sparrows Suffering Rights 101

Speaker: Steve Romanco

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10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 1, 2017

Cedar Waxwings ( Bombycilla cedrorum ) have the unfortunate distinction of being the undisputed poster-birds for avian intemperance. It seems that at least once a year, mainstream journalism picks up on drunken bird tales of unwitting songbirds getting absolutely sozzled from gorging themselves on fermented mountain ash berries, chokecherries, crabapples, and other fruits that spent a bit too much time aging on the twig or vine.

Farming 100

Farming Pennsylvania Rabbits Fox 100

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 30, 2017

At last, we flip to the final page of our antiquated paper calendars and are forced to confront the painful but inevitable reality: we only have one more month to pad our year lists! Don’t panic yet, but do plan for how you’ll spend the rest of 2017 making this birding year one to remember. The denouement starts this weekend. I’ve dipped on a few fancy species recently, so I’ll be watching the wires for their potential return.

2017 100

2017 Birds Species 100

Animal Ethics

DECEMBER 1, 2017

This blog had 1,327 visits during November, which is an average of 44.2 visits per day. A year ago, the average was 53.3.

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Animal Ethics

DECEMBER 1, 2017

Here are the posts from December 2007.

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2007 40

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 26, 2017

At long last, we can put all that stuffing and gratitude behind us. The only thing we Americans, a curious people to be sure, love more than a holiday is the next holiday. If you haven’t already transitioned from turkeys to French hens and turtle doves , you’ll falling behind the rest of us… I’m terribly grateful for all the amazing seasonal birds I saw this weekend, but none more than the Glaucous Gull that winged by while a group of us waited fruitlessly for a formerly

2017 100

2017 Turtles Turkey Birds 100