10,000 Birds

JULY 30, 2020

A Common Quail was calling from a small patch of greenery, across the mostly empty car park. Sitting in a cafe, I open my notebook and wrote it down, then look around for someone I know to share the bird, but I knew no other guests. The only strange thing about this observation, as I realised when I woke up a few seconds later, was that what I mentally transcribed wasn’t its “ wet-my-lips ” (or the Serbian onomatopoeia “puch-pu-rich”) but “whip-poor-will”!

Phoenix 241

Phoenix Serbia Birds 241

10,000 Birds

JULY 29, 2020

You know that feeling, when you get up early to go birding at your favorite lake, and when you get there, the lake is gone? I hate it when that happens. Lake Cuitzeo, some 30 km (19 miles) north of Morelia, is Mexico’s second largest lake. It stretches from east to west for around 40 km (25 miles), although for the most part it is only 5 km (3 miles) wide from north to south.

Mexico 188

Mexico Ducks 2017 2020 188

10,000 Birds

JULY 31, 2020

Like most North American birders, I never pay much mind to the European (Common) Starling ( Sturnus vulgaris ). Sure, they’re always a dependable, can’t-miss tick whenever you need them to be there, whether it’s the first day of the year, or the first few minutes of a Big Day or Christmas Bird Count. And, if you care to admit it, they do look rather attractive in their own sweet way, with their bright yellow beaks and their shimmering, purplish iridescence.

Farming 183

Farming New York Breeding Unwanted 183

10,000 Birds

JULY 26, 2020

Following on from the sad loss of our first Pied Oystercatcher chick of 2020 the other eggs are now also hatching. The pair of Pied Oystercatchers that nest to the north of the vehicle beach access were due to hatch this week. I mentioned the disregard to the signage asking for vehicles to not go into the dune system two weeks ago. The vehicles continued to ignore the signage.

Eggs 158

Eggs Family 2008 2020 158

Speaker: Steve Romanco

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10,000 Birds

JULY 31, 2020

The year 2020 has delivered (mostly unwelcome) surprises just about every month. Who can guess what August will hold? I’m hoping for more birds! I plan to get out to enjoy some outdoor excitement in beautiful upstate New York. Corey will attempt the same in muggy, buggy downstate NY. How about you? Where will you be this weekend and will you be birding?

2020 155

2020 New York Birds 155

10,000 Birds

JULY 26, 2020

I know that June has a poetic reputation for perfect days , but July in upstate New York may offer the ultimate summer nights. Not many owls or nightjars in these parts, though, so we can’t consider them perfect. The last weekend lived up to my meager expectations of delivering only common species, but I did enjoy the Carolina Wrens in my yard chattering away, undoubtedly in delight that their aggressive House cousins were occupied elsewhere.

2020 160

2020 New York City New York Birds 160