10,000 Birds

MARCH 27, 2015

Since we’ve covered some generalities already, once a month I’ll be exploring how a species, genus, or family of birds got its name, and how those names fit in with our larger understanding of, and relationship with, birds. Images courtesy of the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Gosh-awk would be undignified.

Falcons 260

Falcons Eagles Meat Geese 260

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 24, 2021

On a recent visit I threw my bags in the hotel room and went straight there, and got over 60 species of birds in a few hours and fantastic views of Nilgai , the largest antelope in India. Commoner species include Bar-headed Geese , parakeets, shrikes, mynas and minivets. You should also see Gharial and Mugger Crocodiles there.

India 195

India Wildlife Tigers Eagles 195

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 19, 2020

These large parrots are popular in the pet trade, and that’s a likely source of the population of this species on Trinidad. About one hundred yards away an Anhinga surfaced with a freshly skewered fish. Peregrine Falcon. Noisy Yellow-crowned Parrots indicated that it was time to stop the car and get out. Little Blue Heron.

Trinidad 212

Trinidad Birds Parrots Falcons 212

10,000 Birds

MARCH 12, 2020

If you intend to spend the whole day in the sands, you may chill out the hottest part of it in the shade of one of several fish restaurants in Stara Palanka, about 7 km south of the Vracev Gaj Village. During May migration, European Roller and few dozen strong flocks of Red-footed Falcons were observed on the wires. To be continued.

Europe 236

Europe Serbia Birds Woodpeckers 236

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 1, 2023

The official Ontario bird checklist, produced by Ontario Field Ornithologists , June 2022 listed 506 bird species**, putting it in the top tier of U.S. Small Species Accounts: Each species is allotted one page (with certain exceptions) offering basics–bird names and size, one or two photographs, and a one-paragraph description.

North America 219

North America Birds Owls America 219

10,000 Birds

JUNE 12, 2014

Defining Belgrade bird specialties is the hard part – there is no defined criterion, beside attractiveness which often comes from how uncommon some species is. E.g., a few weeks ago I guided a British couple around Belgrade, visited about four major sites and found more than 60 species. My friend B.C,

Serbia 181

Serbia Eagles Birds Sparrows 181

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 9, 2019

In an unhurried half-day of birding, we racked up over 90 species, including killers like Denham’s Bustard , Northern Carmine-throated Bee-eater , and Shelley’s Rufous Sparrow. Plus, the food, service, and accommodations meet the highest standards. How is birding in Murchison Falls, you ask? Mind boggling, I answer!

Uganda 195

Uganda Senegal Africa Game 195

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 24, 2018

A falcon-like bird coursing through the wave-troughs? It’s not falcon-like. It’s a falcon. Bob Dieterich arrived and we enjoyed a look at a second Lesser Black-backed Gull before we walked up the beach to the edge of our circle, slowly adding a few species here and there. A jaeger on the Christmas count?

2018 113

2018 Birds Bald Eagle Falcons 113

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 13, 2021

The birdlife here is wonderful, a ten-night safari should give you over 200 species, (2018 & 2019 both gave us 242!). Hornbills, Paradise Flycatchers , day roosting Giant Eagle Owls or if we’re really lucky Pel’s Fishing Owl , the holy grail! The woodlands will give us barbets, terrestrial kingfishers, Brubru’s and wood hoopoes.

Botswana 181

Botswana Africa Elephants Angola 181

10,000 Birds

MAY 24, 2016

The oldest known Golden Eagle was over 30 years old, and as a species they prefer open and semi-open landscapes. ” Urbanization, poisoning, and collisions with vehicles and wind turbines are all causes for concern for this species. They also prefer open country as habitat, and feed on insects, mammals, birds, fish, and carrion.

Albania 101

Albania Mexico Eagles Kazakhstan 101

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 19, 2012

I took a ride up to the Fall River Valley back in October and spotted both morphs in the large grasslands where we also usually see Rough-legged Hawks and Prairie Falcons. Note the long yellow gape, a characteristic field mark of this species. Fish and Wildlife Service and as a Sensitive Species by the Bureau of Land Management 1.

Squirrels 157

Squirrels Prairie Dogs North America United States 157

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 14, 2014

Many Nearctic species and families reach their southern terminus in the Northern Central American Highlands, such as Common Raven , Red Crossbill , Steller’s Jay , and even Brown Creeper. Alex also masterfully worked another tricky species into view for us during that first afternoon, Ruddy Crake (a close relative of the Black Rail ).

Honduras 221

Honduras Costa Rica El Salvador Arizona 221

10,000 Birds

APRIL 7, 2015

Normally the lighthouse is obscured in fog, but when we arrived the air was crystal clear, and in addition to seeing groups of Gray Whales migrating past, I spotted hundreds of Surf Scoters , a Pigeon Guillemot , and a pair of Peregrine Falcons from my perch atop the lighthouse cliff. White-crowned Sparrow.

Seals 190

Seals Elephants Whales Whaling 190

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 1, 2015

Pelicans and cormorants breeding at the Mikri often go to the Megali Prespa to fish the cold, deep waters – actually, cormorants to dive for fish and pelicans to wait for the cormorants at the surface to steal their prey. In all that swirling of swallows, I am not certain was there a third species, so I keep watching.

Greece 252

Greece Pelicans Geese Breeding 252

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 21, 2016

Some birds are essentially just cooler than others and raptors are cool: an Osprey with a fish, a Northern Goshawk , Peregrine Falcons , Golden Eagles , feisty little Merlins , all these impressive birds make hawkwatching fun and exciting.

Bald Eagle 243

Bald Eagle Los Angeles Connecticut Eagles 243

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 1, 2022

8 of them sent 153 lists, noting 645 species of bird across 7 countries (Mexico, UK, USA, Serbia, Australia, Costa Rica, Colombia). It has not resulted in extraordinary numbers of sightings personally, but the beats have been busy on their respective patches and have sent me their lists to collate. The year list finishes at 1628.

Sparrows 240

Sparrows Woodpeckers Parrots Owls 240

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 4, 2021

My birding list for November totals 15 species. Thank goodness that the rest of the beats have been busily birding,that’s what they like to do… 9 of them submitted 114 checklists via eBird and amassed 525 species from 7 (China, Australia, Mexico, Costa Rica, UK, Serbia and USA) countries during November.

Sparrows 212

Sparrows Woodpeckers Parrots Costa Rica 212

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 28, 2018

In 1974, Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge was established to protect the delta and its diversity of fish and wildlife habitats. Over 200 species of birds can be found on the refuge, depending on the time of year. The Nisqually estuary was restored in 2009 by removing dikes and reconnecting 762 acres with the tides of Puget Sound.

Fox 131

Fox Washington Geese Sparrows 131

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 2, 2021

The year list ends on a provisional 1803 species from 1608 checklists submitted by 12 beats from 16 countries. Most species-prolific was Patrick in Costa Rica, followed by Paul from Mexico. December’s beats found 609 birds after submitting 116 checklists from 8 countries (USA, UK, Costa Rica, China, Mexico, Serbia and Australia).

2020 231

2020 Sparrows Woodpeckers Parrots 231

10,000 Birds

MAY 1, 2014

Nick finds a bird-shaped protrusion at the top of the rock – Black-eared Wheatear , not exactly a species I expect to observe from a boat deck. A few weeks from now (it was early April), Eleonora’s Falcons will become a possibility, too, once they return from Madagascar. The Sun already sets and I haven’t seen a new species in a while.

Greece 239

Greece Malta Croatia Birds 239

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 2, 2014

In winter, try to bird the “Golubac Sea” (scope necessary), where good species include Smew , Velvet Scoter and Common Eider ; while the cliffs and quarries near the mediaeval Golubac Fortress offer the elusive Wallcreeper (which still eludes me, although I’ve tried this area last winter).

Serbia 193

Serbia Turtles Birds Eagles 193

10,000 Birds

MARCH 30, 2012

Like several of my favorite NWRs, this one was established as a haven for migratory birds, most notably waterfowl, during the bad old days when uncontrolled hunting and habitat loss had put the future of even species we now think of as common in doubt. Fish and Wildlife Service a. Welcome back waterfowl, indeed.

Wildlife 169

Wildlife Montana Geese Bald Eagle 169

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 1, 2012

The Rose-ringed Parakeet’s European (=feral) range is surprisingly coherent for an introduced bird that is dependent on large metropolitan areas, and the species occurs in very decent numbers from UK’s London throughout the Netherland’s large cities all the way up along the Rhine to Germany’s Heidelberg.

Germany 248

Germany Netherlands Zoos Geese 248

10,000 Birds

MARCH 6, 2021

9 beats from 8 countries (Australia, USA, UK, Serbia, Costa Rica, China, Trinidad and Tobago and Mexico), shared 138 checklists for 703 species. The year list to date is 1015 species and 7 have been added to the life list ( 4059 ) from Costa Rica, China and Trinidad and Tobago. 289 Barred Forest-Falcon – Micrastur ruficollis.

Woodpeckers 188

Woodpeckers Sparrows Ducks Parrots 188

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 9, 2017

From there, we head to a local restaurant to join the rest of the team for lunch, an excellent fish spiced by a reggae/calypso band in the background. But why would someone look for that, an easy and common one among the 920+ bird species of Costa Rica? In the off season, at least. Or a mammal. Or even those pooie reptiles.

Costa Rica 144

Costa Rica Reptiles Farming Mississippi 144

10,000 Birds

APRIL 2, 2012

I remember way back in that same year commissioning the services of an active sport fishing boat to head out into the ‘deep’, 30 miles beyond the lighthouse at Cape Point itself, in search of a working trawler, in the hope of adding a suite of pelagic sightings to my expanding ‘life list’ of Southern African birds.

Albatross 185

Albatross Penguins Dolphins Whales 185

10,000 Birds

APRIL 13, 2015

Its great diversity of habitats hosts an incredible bird count of over 900 species, including Africa’s 2nd highest list of endemics and near-endemics (after South Africa). They are traditionally pastoral people, but have from necessity accepted agriculture, fishing and crocodile hunting as means of survival. Yellow-billed Stork.

Ethiopia 246

Ethiopia Sudan Leopards Birds 246

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 7, 2021

Yet, 79 checklists were submitted by 8 beats, accounting for 366 species in 5 countries. Yet, 79 checklists were submitted by 8 beats, accounting for 366 species in 5 countries. Yet, 79 checklists were submitted by 8 beats, accounting for 366 species in 5 countries.

Sparrows 250

Sparrows Woodpeckers Ducks Blackbirds 250

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 4, 2021

They birded 7 countries during August and recorded 542 species. The year list remains sluggish at 1489 , but the life list received a boost from the eBird taxonomy reshuffle and now includes 4076 species. Stay vigilant and safe. 10 of the beats have submitted 124 checklists which are collated below for your perusal.

Woodpeckers 207

Woodpeckers Sparrows Blackbirds California 207

10,000 Birds

MARCH 17, 2022

Should you be impressed by this list and the underlying ambitions, take a look at the migration route of the Amur Falcon ( Wikipedia ). The falcon breeds in south-eastern Siberia and Northern China but winters in Southern and East Africa. ” If in doubt, just classify species as LC? Still as impressed as before?

Falcons 249

Falcons Japan China South Africa 249

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 6, 2021

9 beats submitted 140 checklists from 7 countries (USA, UK, Costa Rica, Serbia, Australia, Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago) during October to account for 585 species. 262 Laughing Falcon – Herpetotheres cachinnans. 266 Peregrine Falcon – Falco peregrinus. 358 Fish Crow – Corvus ossifragus.

Woodpeckers 243

Woodpeckers Sparrows Blackbirds Ducks 243

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 26, 2020

I have introduced you to the sections from Foster to Fish Creek and also Foster to Toora. This week I will introduce you to the section from Fish Creek to Buffalo. My journey this week was a return trip from Fish Creek to Buffalo. Leaving the small community of Fish Creek you soon cross Fish Creek itself, which is a small creek.

Buffalo 163

Buffalo Fish Koalas Cattle 163

10,000 Birds

APRIL 3, 2021

Our brave beats have been putting themselves at risk for your vicarious listing pleasure and 10 of them submitted 151 checklists for 692 species, 2 of which made it onto the life list. Please be careful, Corvid is still out there. Marsh Grassbird and Rufous-faced Warbler come to you all the way from China and bring the life list to 4061.

Sparrows 159

Sparrows Woodpeckers Blackbirds Ducks 159

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 5, 2021

The distance to the coast for the pair of Brahminy Kites to collect fresh fish is not far. Brahminy Kites can often be seen perched on our street lights around Broome as they feast on recently caught fish too! As you can see above the Brahminy Kite does have some serious talons for catching fish!

Fish 210

Fish Eagles Australia Falcons 210

10,000 Birds

JUNE 6, 2020

149 checklists were submitted, accounting for 465 species. Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus). Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus). I know that we are all looking forward to a time when we might return to the old normal, but until then, please stay safe and keep your distance. Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus). crow sp.)).

2020 153

2020 Sparrows Niger Woodpeckers 153

10,000 Birds

MARCH 30, 2024

Fishing with explosives has been explicitly forbidden as a helpful sign informed. There was a large raft of hundreds of American Coot , an American White Pelican and lots of duck species. The bird hovered, plunged and caught a large fish. We then checked the Presa El Nogalito for one bird species in particular.

Ducks 158

Ducks Emotional Cattle Owls 158

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 24, 2022

Raptors to look for in this reserve are Golden Eagle and Short-toed Snake Eagle , European Honey-buzzard and Peregrine Falcon. About 120 species have been recorded so far. About 180 species have been recorded so far. Almost 230 species have been recorded so far. Use the Zrenjanin road to reach the area.

Serbia 262

Serbia Woodpeckers Owls Eagles 262