10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 24, 2022

Yes, we do have warm, tropical weather and a fancy assortment of resident and wintering species. Nor is there any trudging through snow in search of extra hardy species or visits to feeders with the hope of finding a grackle or Red-winged Blackbird that failed to fly south. These were some of the highlights. The Count Meeting.

Costa Rica 254

Costa Rica Eagles Species Blackbirds 254

10,000 Birds

MARCH 21, 2015

These and several other species might end up being armchair ticks if and when we take a closer look at their evolutionary history. This bunch of possible Costa Rican crypto birds can be grouped into four main categories: (1). A species that lives in both Costa Rica and South America but might be two separate species. (3).

Costa Rica 223

Costa Rica Species South America America 223

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 2, 2021

Go to Hispaniola and a birder has the pleasure of admiring two species of tody for the price of one, checking out the odd, mono familiar Palmchat , and listening to the parrotish calls of the White-necked Crow. Watch the streams for fish, we saw a few, unidentified yet cool looking tropical species! Want to see a roosting potoo?

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Costa Rica Puerto Rico Birds Owls 264

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 26, 2019

The Shoebill serves as the symbol of the magnificent wildlife experiences Uganda offers visitors, which may seem a bit odd. That honor goes to the Gray-crowned Crane , a very sexy species in its own right. Having finally seen this iconic species, I can assure you that the experience wildly exceeds expectations.

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Uganda Africa Birds Penguins 276

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 15, 2020

Even photos of the rarest of birds can be found, even heart-wrenching images of bird species that are no longer with us. Species like the Gyrfalcon , the aerial powerhouse of the tundra, of stunning, breeding-plumaged May warblers. Posters of three groups of birds are currently available; toucans, trogons, and hummingbirds.

Costa Rica 264

Costa Rica Birds Species Woodpeckers 264

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 18, 2019

(Someday I will get up the nerve to write about the ten, yes, TEN Empidonax species I believe I have seen in my little corner of Mexico. But I am afraid to post my photos of these with IDs, since I am never quite sure I got them right.). Many of these species are common and widespread, making them just that much more challenging.

Mexico 144

Mexico Argentina Experience Experiments 144

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 7, 2021

The female isn’t quite so unreal but is still a cool little bird in her own right. When you see a photo of a Snowcap, it’s easy to see why this species is a perennial top target for birding trips to Costa Rica. That acts as a fine source for birds visiting the gardens as well as other species that stick to the forest.

Costa Rica 264

Costa Rica San Jose Birds Farming 264

10,000 Birds

APRIL 24, 2021

Earlier in the day, as we ventured out towards the deep waters off of Malpais, Costa Rica at 6 in the morning, another Galapagos Shearwater was the first real pelagic species we encountered. A world birder who has seen literally thousands of species, Pirjo had hoped to connect with this small striking gull.

Costa Rica 264

Costa Rica Dolphins Sea Turtles Turtles 264

10,000 Birds

MARCH 14, 2022

I learned of the trip right as it had been delayed and made a vow that I would be on that ship. So, I anxiously followed the “Flock to Marion 2022” Facebook group in anticipation for open cabins to come up for sale. Marion has a fascinating history with invasive species. I waited…and waited…and waited. Salvin’s Prion.

South Africa 264

South Africa Mice Albatross Africa 264

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 7, 2023

Galápagos: A Natural History, Second Edition by John Kricher and Kevin Loughlin gives the traveling naturalist the tools needed to fully appreciate and experience the Galápagos Islands. Where once there were 13 species of “Darwin’s finches,” there are now 17. I wish I had read this book.

2006 262

2006 Tortoises Sea Lions Sea Turtles 262

10,000 Birds

JUNE 17, 2023

Nestled between the Huangpu River and the East China Sea, Shanghai offers a captivating blend of urban charm and natural wonders, making it a must-visit destination for birders seeking a unique and diverse avian experience. Among the most notable is Chongming Dongtan, a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance.

China 176

China Endangered Species Sanctuary Protection 176

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. and Canada. I’ve submitted 448 such checklists.

Puerto Rico 153

Puerto Rico Virgin Islands Michigan Washington 153

10,000 Birds

MARCH 20, 2015

After all, Teale Fristoe, the designer of Birds of a Feather , had offered a free prototype to try out so it’s not as if I was risking my own money on this seemingly odd experiment. Each player plays a card and can count any species from the same habitat group as the card played. It’s fun, fast, and easy to learn.

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Game Family Birds Groups 206

10,000 Birds

MARCH 1, 2024

With its striking combination of colour rings I suspected that it would be easy to find out more about this particular bird, and I was right. They are of the race islandica , a sub species of the nominate race, limosa. Rings are not the only way of marking birds, and with a number of species wing tags are more often used.

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Lithuania Morocco Iceland Ireland 130

10,000 Birds

JULY 24, 2021

Even so, he still knew many species and always yearned to learn about the wildlife he encountered. Groups them by family too and by their shape” His extra long arm extended and passed me that precious book. One such surprising experience happened with grouse. “Check it out!”

Costa Rica 264

Costa Rica Chickens Pennsylvania Litter 264

10,000 Birds

APRIL 12, 2022

I do not (yet) have any accessibility issues, and my only experience regarding anything akin to accessibility has been limited to the period when my daughter was in a stroller, which presents only a tiny sliver of the challenges faced by many. That’s the hashed-out area to the right of the top space in the photo below.)

Portland 204

Portland Oregon Laws Experience 204

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

These arid hills, cloaked in a mosaic of deciduous scrub and desert vegetation, form a northern outpost for several Neotropical species while also harboring several key endemics and southwestern Nearctic species. The birds we observed were nesting right into the cliff face. Think Arizona meets Costa Rica with a Mexican twist.

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Mexico Costa Rica Arizona Birds 201

10,000 Birds

JULY 9, 2019

Getting to actually see four species, in the last two weeks, and to hear two more is almost unheard of in my experience. The Great Horned Owls that live in the palm trees right above our RV have returned and brought with them a pair of fledglings. That was no deterrent from landing right in the middle of the road.

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Owls Arizona Tucson South Africa 161

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 10, 2016

The female of the species is beautiful in her own right but only the male had been seen here. It’s always fun to add another life bird to your list, especially when you get to share the experience with several birding friends. I was not disappointed! Photo of female (below) by Gary L. Clark, courtesy Wikipedia Commons.

California 112

California Sacramento Wildlife Groups 112

10,000 Birds

MARCH 29, 2015

That was the first thing we–our New Jersey Audubon group of 11 birders, led by Scott Barnes–noted as we exited the airport. Excellent 10,000 Birds posts have been written about Pico Bonito and Honduras by Corey and Carlos , so I’m going to focus on some of my most memorable experiences. There was no snow. And, no snow.

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Honduras Birds Costa Rica Groups 256

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 4, 2014

I found those comments insightful and inspiring, valuable experiences and opinions worthy of sharing to a wider audience than the FB groups where they were initially posted. Eric DeFonso: “I think a ‘good guide’, in the most generic sense, is one who provides for a gratifying nature experience for his or her clients.

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Greece Birds Zambia Experience 216

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 9, 2015

However, there are those species which have a hard time bringing attention to themselves such as Yellow-shouldered Blackbird , Giant Nuthatch , and Vinaceous-breasted Parrot. Regardless of their popularity, these species and the threatened ecosystems they inhabit are equally spectacular. Curassows are such stately birds.

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Brazil California Condor Parrots Texas 224

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 6, 2022

we learn) that are home to coveted boreal species, breeding wood-warblers, and two species of Grouse. There are 461 species on the Maine checklist. This field guide covers 265 species, the ones most likely to be seen–residential and migratory, almost all nesting birds, many wintering birds.

Los Angeles 210

Los Angeles Birds District of Columbia Parrots 210

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 8, 2013

If there’s one group of birds that just won’t let you be miserable it would have to be the Grey-crowned Babbler. They are usually in a group and our garden regularly has a family group of eight visit it. If you have any experience with these birds then it makes perfect sense.

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Australia Groups Family Experience 157

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 28, 2016

While nations, groups, and individuals all over the world observe time in their own particular ways, the world comes together under the idiosyncratic structure of the Gregorian calendar. If you’ve blogged about your weekend experience, you should include a link in your comment. What was your best bird of the weekend?

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2016 Virginia Jamaica Birds 100

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 31, 2019

I saw 863 species of birds, bringing my life list to 1,820. Such travel brings a lot of birds and the 863 species I saw this year is the most species I have ever seen. How can I narrow down the eight-hundred-sixty-three species to ten? How can I, by listing only ten, call eight-hundred-fifty-three species not worthy?

2019 142

2019 Barbados Uganda Costa Rica 142

10,000 Birds

JULY 4, 2018

But our adventurous group, led by Oliver Komar and Yobani A. Since he first started walking his property, he’s located a slew of species so exciting that birders are starting to turn up at his doorstep. Alex first led our group to nesting Yellow-tailed Orioles , which made spotting these exquisite but elusive birds gratifyingly easy.

Honduras 148

Honduras Birds Farming America 148

10,000 Birds

JUNE 27, 2011

Back in 2006, Problogger Darren Rowse proposed a fun Group Writing Project challenging bloggers to put together a good “How To&# post. The next logical step was to explain the right way to get started. With luck, you’ll hit the right ones and sway someone to your side. Consult the Calendar Timing is everything.

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Birds United States 2006 Breeders 208

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 4, 2013

Therefore I have decided to right my wrong by providing first and foremost some avian eye candy, and not talk. Instead, the species distinguises itself as one of the worst ambassadors of conservation there are in the avian world. Seriously, they hate our guts. Aspect one is feeding when humans are not around.

Germany 179

Germany Russia Iceland India 179

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 7, 2019

Travel to Tiquicia for birding is high on the list of most birders because it’s not too far from Canada or the USA, there is good tourism infrastructure, and most of all, it’s pretty easy to see hundreds of eye-catching bird species. Watch that one and keep an eye on the others because all sorts of species can show at any time.

Costa Rica 220

Costa Rica Cooking Birds Chickens 220

10,000 Birds

JULY 11, 2018

Now, dont get me wrong, there have been some nice birds, and locations in between, but these two experiences are just so hard to put out of my mind. I found this little grouping of Guillemots, with parents, babies and even an egg. While there were way less Puffins than any of the other species, they are still so much fun to see.

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Puffins Wildlife Reserve 2003 Farming 100

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 2, 2018

Audubon Associate Naturalist, have led this tour many times, through tornados, droughts, questionable restaurants, and, sadly, the advent of fracking, and every one of my friends who has participated over the years has raved about the experience and the birds (in fact, one member of our group was on his third or fourth trip, I lost count).

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North Dakota Birds Sparrows Blackbirds 147

10,000 Birds

MAY 5, 2015

GISS—general impression, size, shape—is intuitive, the result of an unconscious cognitive process derived from experience in the field. It is not a handbook, though it approaches species from a collective viewpoint. These chapters differ in length and content, depending on the number of species in each group.

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Birds New Jersey Science Groups 172

10,000 Birds

MAY 28, 2015

And, of course, there was a group of youngsters barbecuing. They got the message right. After that experience, I stopped complaining about their hides, realising that they are as good as they ever will be. More or less, a proper picnic site. Both benches were turned towards the table, hence one had its back towards the reserve!

Serbia 254

Serbia Birds Spain Hungary 254

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 4, 2014

The small group was a good counterpart to the large, convivial ABA Safari group of 98 birders. That’s a lot, and the organizers of the safari did an excellent job of creating an environment that offered small group birding during the day and a birders party every night. Wait, let’s backtrack a bit.

South Africa 254

South Africa Africa Leopards Penguins 254

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 13, 2014

I lean towards the second group. I like to see birds for a long time and hear their vocalization; even if these are common species. After banging my ribs against one side of the boat every time the boat landed hard after a short jump, we made it to the right area. Some of the pelagic goodies began to appear.

Peru 195

Peru Birds Albatross Experience 195

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. I observed this species in the Little Rann of Kutch in India and since then, have been burning with desire to see them back home. And the citizens of Kikinda are justly proud of it. Long-eared Owls are irresistibly cute.

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Serbia Owls Rodents Eagles 244