10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 6, 2023

As mentioned in many other posts on this blog, the avifauna of Trinidad & Tobago consists of several species and family groups occurring very interestingly, in threes. Short-tailed Nighthawk (above and below) Overall, this species seems to be poorly known, which is understandable given its habits. Well, kind of.

Trinidad 130

Trinidad Bats Falcons Groups 130

10,000 Birds

JUNE 25, 2012

Asa Wright Nature Centre in Trinidad holds a prominent position on that list of luminaries. The dichotomous republic of Trinidad and Tobago may be something of a cipher to anyone unfamiliar with the point where the Caribbean ends and South America begins. Now I’ve finally spent time at Asa Wright, I understand why.

Trinidad 249

Trinidad South America America Ecuador 249

10,000 Birds

APRIL 19, 2023

Some days ago I had the opportunity to explore the grossly underbirded southeastern corner of Trinidad. The Nariva Swamp is the largest wetland on Trinidad, giving to and taking from the relentless Atlantic Ocean on its eastern boundary. We managed to see both species of monkey, though – so we were ultimately well satiated.

Trinidad 29

Trinidad Falcons Primates Monkeys 29

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. 296 Bat Falcon – Falco rufigularis.

Woodpeckers 193

Woodpeckers Sparrows Ducks Parrots 193

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 237

2020 Sparrows Woodpeckers Parrots 237

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 17, 2024

Familiar, but beautiful regardless: Blue-headed Parrot Another small parrot species landed on a tree in the distance. It was a Black-headed Parrot , a species that I had meagrely attempted to see in Trinidad once without success. Until a small, falcon-like bird darted through the understory.

Guyana 223

Guyana Parrots Trinidad Woodpeckers 223

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 19, 2022

While the combination of the words “coast” and “forest” may conjure images of tidal mudflats and mangroves or even coconut trees, the northern coastline of Trinidad features tropical rainforest that plunges steeply into the bejeweled waters of the Caribbean Sea. It almost looks as if the bird is underwater!

Trinidad 264

Trinidad Woodpeckers Bats Venezuela 264

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. 262 Laughing Falcon – Herpetotheres cachinnans.

Woodpeckers 248

Woodpeckers Sparrows Blackbirds Ducks 248

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 1, 2020

8 countries were birded by 11 beats and I am delighted to include Faraaz and Trinidad and Tobago in those stats. The 83 checklists submitted during July contained 459 species. Peregrine Falcon – Falco peregrinus. Do you think that the pish is muted, dispersed or in some other way deprived of its urgency?

2020 157

2020 Sparrows Blackbirds Woodpeckers 157

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 10, 2018

Trinidad Colorado is located just a few miles north of the Colorado – New Mexico border, and home to the Trinidad Reservoir. This area also is where I hope to fill in a few target birds, like the newly spilt Woodhouse’s Scrub Jay, Pinyon Jays and Prairie Falcons. It’s not Prairie Falcon , but it is a great little Rock Wren.

Colorado 113

Colorado Texas Trinidad Albuquerque 113

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 23, 2020

Seven hours in total, reaching halfway up the second highest peak on Trinidad, El Tucuche. Trinidad Lancehead , or Fer-de-lance. The sandy forest yielded half-decent looks at several uncommon forest species such as this White-shouldered Tanager. This hulking Peregrine Falcon was very accommodating to say the least.

Trinidad 181

Trinidad Livestock 2015 Groups 181

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 6, 2023

Silvered Antbird has been one of my bogey birds here in Trinidad for many years, from sightings when I did not have camera in hand to having camera in hand, ready to go but being on opposite sides of a large tree trunk. When I showed it to our guide , he indicated that it was not a commonly seen species.

Guyana 148

Guyana Trinidad Bats Falcons 148

10,000 Birds

JULY 7, 2021

With that logic those trees, if left to grow, should produce something of use to at least one or two species of birds. It’s been some years since I’ve seen any Short-tailed Hawks as the entire valley is now overrun with concrete – but I’m trying my best to create some sort of oasis for any species.

Opossums 264

Opossums Barn Owls Hunting Reptiles 264

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 3, 2020

11 beats collaborated to enter 163 checklists from 8 countries (UK, USA, Costa Rica, Australia, Serbia, China, Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago). They noted 719 species between them. 298 Laughing Falcon – Herpetotheres cachinnans. 302 Aplomado Falcon – Falco femoralis. 5 Canada Goose – Branta canadensis.

2020 294

2020 Sparrows Woodpeckers Blackbirds 294

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 6, 2018

Covering 1,261 species with data and taxonomy current up to August 2017, the field guide is an exciting achievement. And, then there are the more familiar birds–Wood-warblers, sandpipers, hawks–some species migrants, some species with a wide range. Can you guess which of the species cited above are endemic?

America 214

America El Salvador Costa Rica Honduras 214

10,000 Birds

MAY 1, 2021

The list for the year has reached 1276 and the life list has been stretched to 4066 with red ticks from China, Australia and Trinidad and Tobago, thanks to Kai, Claire and Grant and Faraaz respectively. 9 beats submitted 172 checklists from 7 countries (UK, USA, Costa Rica, Australia, Serbia, China and Trinidad and Tobago) for 640 species.

Woodpeckers 156

Woodpeckers Sparrows Blackbirds Ducks 156

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 6, 2021

The beats are famed for their inclusion on the nice side of the ledger and this month 9 of them shared 163 lists from 7 countries (Australia, Costa Rica, USA, UK, Serbia, China and Trinidad and Tobago) and accounted for 735 bird species. Mike doubled up with “smushed”, a new addition to the adjective list.

Sparrows 197

Sparrows Woodpeckers Ducks Parrots 197

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 2, 2021

The year list ends on a provisional (some beats will be birding ’til the final whistle to try and salvage a ravaged year) 1803 species from 1602 checklists submitted by 12 beats from 16 countries. Imagine that, 13 lists per year where once there were only 12.

2020 230

2020 Sparrows Woodpeckers Ducks 230

10,000 Birds

MAY 4, 2019

April was a busy time for the beats with 10 of them contributing 164 lists to accumulate 744 species from 7 countries; Costa Rica, USA, Australia, Serbia, UK, Brazil and Barbados. Brown Falcon – Falco berigora. Peregrine Falcon – Falco peregrinus. Bat Falcon – Falco rufigularis. Back to numbers.

2019 113

2019 Australia Ghana Woodpeckers 113

10,000 Birds

APRIL 6, 2019

978 species were tallied this month from 163 checklists. Only 123 species appear on both sides of the life list. Calle La Trinidad, Heredia, CR (10,022, -84,152). Collared Forest-Falcon – Micrastur semitorquatus. Laughing Falcon – Herpetotheres cachinnans. Brown Falcon – Falco berigora.

2019 113

2019 Ghana Australia Woodpeckers 113

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 5, 2019

In reverse order, the medals were awarded for “most species seen in a country”, to Australia with 420, USA got the silver, scoring 556 while the runaway winner was Costa Rica with 646 species. Barred Forest-Falcon – Micrastur ruficollis. Collared Forest-Falcon – Micrastur semitorquatus.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Sparrows 113

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 3, 2018

During October, 7 countries (Costa Rica, Australia, USA, India, Hong Kong, UK, Serbia) were birded by 11 beats who shared 135 checklists and noted 697 species. Trinidad Lake SP–Watchable Wildlife Trail. Aplomado Falcon – Falco femoralis. Red-footed Falcon – Falco vespertinus. Alphabetic Taxonomic.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Sparrows 113

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 6, 2018

They noted 598 species as a team, bringing the year total to 2118 and pushing the life list to 3555. Trinidad Lake Watchable Wildlike Trail and Hides, Colorado. Aplomado Falcon – Falco femoralis. Red-footed Falcon – Falco vespertinus. New Zealand Falcon – Falco novaeseelandiae. 28 Sep 2018.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Los Angeles 113

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 1, 2018

8 beats shared 126 checklists accounting for 704 species. Barred Forest-Falcon – Micrastur ruficollis. Collared Forest-Falcon – Micrastur semitorquatus. Laughing Falcon – Herpetotheres cachinnans. Red-footed Falcon – Falco vespertinus. New Zealand Falcon – Falco novaeseelandiae.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Sparrows 113

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 1, 2016

All birds are equal on this list; parking lot birds or pelagic species, breeders or fly-overs, all will be accorded the same status and each shall be worth 1 credit on the list. Barred Forest-Falcon – Micrastur ruficollis. Collared Forest-Falcon – Micrastur semitorquatus. Brown Falcon – Falco berigora.

2016 154

2016 Sanctuary Australia Ghana 154

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 3, 2016

All birds are equal on this list; parking lot birds or pelagic species, breeders or fly-overs, all will be accorded the same status and each shall be worth 1 credit on the list. Barred Forest-Falcon – Micrastur ruficollis. Collared Forest-Falcon – Micrastur semitorquatus. Brown Falcon – Falco berigora.

2016 101

2016 Sanctuary Australia Ghana 101