10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 29, 2023

I only scored 43 in March, but that was because I was away birding in Portugal and Estonia. I failed to score any lifers in 2023, which isn’t really surprising as there are very possibilities left for me in Europe, or even the Western Palearctic. My overseas trips did boost the overall year list considerably. These are Dunlins.

Estonia 236

Estonia Portugal Greece Barn Owls 236

10,000 Birds

MARCH 15, 2024

If you see a flock of kestrels in southern Europe, then the chances are that they will be Lessers, for the Common Kestrel never flocks, though occasionally in summer you will see a family hunting together. And unlike the Common Kestrel, Lessers are highly gregarious.

Falcons 210

Falcons Spain Europe 2012 210

10,000 Birds

APRIL 26, 2024

Tucked away at the extreme eastern end of the Mediterranean, Cyprus is regarded politically as part of Europe, but when it comes to birds it’s very much Middle Eastern in flavour, with a number of species that are hard or even impossible to find in Europe, plus a trio of endemics.

Cyprus 229

Cyprus Breeders Falcons Hunters 229

10,000 Birds

MARCH 29, 2019

While the hunting of game with trained birds of prey can be a controversial topic among birders , falconry was a valuable early source of information on birds, and its history, culture, and imagery continue to fascinate bird lovers, as we shall see. Portugal has a long history of both falconry and winemaking.

2016 133

2016 Portugal Falcons Japan 133