10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 23, 2019

During the decade, I submitted 1,219 checklists and observed 555 bird species, all in the U.S. In other words, eBird is effectively a complete history of my birding experiences. After an initial period when all species are new, the lifers begin to follow a pattern. Texas and Florida round out the Top 5. and Canada.

Puerto Rico 164

Puerto Rico Virgin Islands Michigan Washington 164

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 13, 2021

“This beautiful and singular bird, although a constant resident in the southern extremities of the peninsula of Florida, seldom extends its journeys in an eastern direction beyond the State of North Carolina.

New York 264

New York South Carolina North Carolina Massachusetts 264

10,000 Birds

APRIL 1, 2014

We took in a bit of the Disney experience this time down – it’s hard to avoid it with young children and doting grandparents – and even I cannot deny the skill at which the Disney corporation packages and sells nostalgia. As with most watery, natury, places in Florida, the birding is always good and often spectacular.

Florida 185

Florida Rattlesnake North Carolina Ducks 185

10,000 Birds

MAY 19, 2015

They formed their little clumps along the water, all the species mixed together until a walker approached too closely. ” Now me, with my infinite bird knowledge, quickly scoffed at her, “They can’t be frigatebirds, Mom, we are way too far from Florida.” Shorebird cluster along the beach.

North Carolina 185

North Carolina Alligators Wildlife Woodpeckers 185

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 14, 2014

Because when you’ve painstakingly built your life list over the years, visiting the corners of North America for specialties and pushing your ABA list to 600 or so, Alaska almost always remains as the last place a birder can visit where bucket-loads of lifer, the sort of haul you really only get in the early years, are still possible.

Alaska 167

Alaska Bears Grizzly Bear North Carolina 167

10,000 Birds

MARCH 31, 2014

We assembled at nine in the morning in a small parking lot outside the naval base in Key West, Florida. There were ten students in total that had signed up for the spring break “Seabirds” course in Dry Tortugas National Park, and after long drives down from North Carolina we had all made it right on time.

Birds 196

Birds Florida Groups Breeding 196