10,000 Birds

MARCH 24, 2024

The festival headquarters is located on the southwest side of Mission Bay, overlooking a marina with nearby Black-crowned Night Herons and frequently plays host to several falcon species, and a short walk to the San Diego River. Granted, it is a large county spanning many different habitats, but San Diego County garners 515 species.

San Diego 200

San Diego Sea Lions Lions Birds 200

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 25, 2018

I think most of you know how important our National Wildlife Refuge system is to me. After all, I have written several posts on wildlife conservation and the Wildlife Conservation Pass that my co-founder Ingrid Taylar and I have been encouraging for years. I will close with a video from Colusa National Wildlife Refuge.

Wildlife 101

Wildlife Sacramento Bald Eagle Falcons 101

10,000 Birds

JUNE 8, 2019

Although Bobolinks are a very rare migrant, lots of other birds are possible, more than enough to rack up hundreds of species over the course of the year. Each January, I hope to identify at least 600 species over the next 12 months, this year, I’m hoping that Marilen and I (aka Team Tyto ) will find 700.

Costa Rica 199

Costa Rica Species Birds New York 199

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 29, 2014

To civilians who may have been puzzled by the wildlife crowd’s tossed-off references to peefas, modos or mice cubes, here is a beginner’s guide to Rehabberspeak. Some abbreviations roll off your tongue and are thus quite helpful – Mourning Doves are MODOs, Peregrine Falcons are PEFAs, Mississippi Kites are MIKIs.

Wildlife Rehabilitation 232

Wildlife Rehabilitation Wildlife Mice Vet 232

10,000 Birds

JULY 16, 2020

A Field Guide to the Birds of Mongolia by Dorj Ganbold and Chris Smith (2019) offers more than 500 species in one neat edition. I say “more than” because I am not certain what number of species is covered: on page 8, 512 bird species are mentioned, while on the back cover that number rises to 521.

Mongolia 273

Mongolia Falcons Birds 2019 273

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 17, 2015

That place is the fabled home of shorebirds, both common and rare, the East Pond of Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Combined, I netted eighteen species of shorebirds in the two days, a tally that included my favorite shorebird, featured above, a juvenile Short-billed Dowitcher. I’m so glad I’m not a shorebird.

Jamaica 162

Jamaica New York City Wildlife New York 162

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 8, 2017

Nisqually Wildlife Refuge. Nearly 800 acres of wetlands and tidal flats provide diverse habitat for the local birds, as well as large numbers of migratory species, including thousands of ducks and geese. The last weekend of January found me in the frosty Pacific Northwest, meeting some long over due work and family obligations.

Wildlife 105

Wildlife Seattle Bald Eagle Geese 105

10,000 Birds

APRIL 28, 2017

Instead it’s one you’re likely to turn to on coming home after a long day to find out a bit more about one of the species you spotted – or to consult before a trip to learn the little quirks of a target species. Birds of Prey: Hawks, Eagles, Falcons, and Vultures of North America by Pete Dunne with Kevin T.

North America 102

North America Falcons America Eagles 102

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 6, 2012

When you live in Queens and you only have one morning of an August weekend to go birding there is only one place to go – the East Pond of Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Get out to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge’s East Pond and enjoy those shorebirds. What makes it so good? Shorebirds! Was it worth it? Well, it is.

Jamaica 179

Jamaica Wildlife New York City Falcons 179

10,000 Birds

JULY 25, 2013

In a move that’s sure to stir controversy far beyond the borders of California, federal officials have announced that h enceforth, fledgling Peregrine Falcons won’t be relocated from nests built on bridges in the state. But it also means that some baby falcons are likely to plunge into a watery grave. What do you think?

California 183

California Endangered Species Falcons Jordan 183

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 27, 2021

This natural space of almost a thousand acres – once a deforested area for extensive cattle ranching – has been restored for four decades, considering every detail in the aesthetics and functionality of the landscape, seeking the regeneration of bird and wildlife populations that inhabit the ecosystem.

Costa Rica 239

Costa Rica Sanctuary Bats Woodpeckers 239

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 17, 2013

If I had my druthers I would be birding the East Pond of Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge pretty much every day from July until September. That said, I might have made an embarrassing call involving those species once or twice. Isn’t Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge a great place to see them? Aren’t shorebirds awesome?

Jamaica 170

Jamaica Wildlife Falcons Family 170

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 1, 2020

No strangers to wildlife observation and birding, this American/Tica couple have been publishing handy pocket field guides for Costa Rica and other places since the 1990s. We did just that and were treated to a parade of species both in front of and behind the house. Gartered Trogon. King Vulture.

Costa Rica 192

Costa Rica Falcons Birds Philadelphia 192

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 18, 2014

Fish and Wildlife Service has listed the “Rufa” population of Red Knot ( Calidris canutus rufa ) as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The other sub-species, Calidris canutus roselaari , migrates along the Pacific Coast and breeds in Alaska and the Wrangel Island in Russia. Conservation'

Endangered Species 160

Endangered Species Protection Delaware Species 160

10,000 Birds

MAY 10, 2012

Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge, Honduras, March 2009 After our trip to the Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge was rained out on our first morning at The Lodge at Pico Bonito we rescheduled our visit for our second and last morning at the lodge. Not only that, but we had a train ride to look forward to! It turned out to be pretty cool.

Honduras 158

Honduras Wildlife Monkeys Transported 158

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.

Uganda 262

Uganda Africa Birds Penguins 262

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 29, 2023

My British total was a mere 172 species – not bad, but not very good. Every one of my 171 species was a bird that I found myself. It keeps a monthly record of sightings, so I can tell you that it was in February that I recorded my highest monthly species total (106), while my lowest total was in August (39).

Estonia 225

Estonia Portugal Greece Barn Owls 225

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 259

Falcons Eagles Meat Geese 259

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 12, 2020

These are the neighborhood raptors that make do, even thrive, by preying on the wildlife of an urban landscape. Yes, it’s the same species that so many North American birders have looked for around the San Pedro River (myself included) and like those Arizona birds, our urban Gray Hawks likewise use riparian zones.

Costa Rica 293

Costa Rica Mice Arizona Squirrels 293

10,000 Birds

APRIL 2, 2015

I am inside the city of Belgrade, checking the theoretically possible Peregrine Falcon site. Yet, not a trace of a falcon. Serbia has a large number of pigeon fanciers and a long history of lack of law enforcement in the field of wildlife crime ( Newsweek on poaching in the Balkans ). One Feral Pigeon. A Great Tit.

Switzerland 193

Switzerland Serbia Feral Falcons 193

10,000 Birds

MARCH 30, 2012

Around thirty miles from Missoula in the Bitterroot Valley lies the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge. My specific goal was to see Trumpeter Swans , which, let’s just say it’s lucky that they’re not my new nemesis species – we spotted a group of three from the parking lot as soon as we got out of our cars.

Wildlife 167

Wildlife Montana Geese Bald Eagle 167

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 13, 2021

I am a wildlife artist based in the UK, I have never had a real job! Other than paint, the only other thing I do is organize and joint-lead wildlife tours, mostly in Africa and India. It teems with wildlife of every kind and is justifiably known as “The Jewel of the Kalahari”. My name is Ashley Boon.

Botswana 175

Botswana Africa Angola Elephants 175

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 13, 2020

Will the threatened species make it through if there are no birding tourists to make those birds and their habitats valuable to local people just the way they are (as opposed to tropical timber)? Here’s an example: in 2015, American birder Noah Strycker broke the global Big Year record with 6042 recorded species. Brazil 1847 sp. 3.

Uganda 248

Uganda Bolivia Ecuador Indonesia 248

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 31, 2021

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck , 11 July, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens, New York (2nd Queens sighting). Then we relocated to a spot where people were seeing several and arrived just in time to see the last one present get snatched by a Peregrine Falcon. Purple Gallinule, 01 July, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens, New York.

New York 256

New York Birds California Owls 256

10,000 Birds

JULY 8, 2015

The house , along with being my home for all that time, was as fine a place to enjoy urban wildlife as any I have ever seen. I had the pleasure of having four yard birds that are globally threatened or near-threatened; the Kaka , Stitchbird , Saddlback and New Zealand Falcon.

New Zealand 157

New Zealand Sanctuary Falcons Wildlife 157

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 11, 2018

I chalked up 132 species in a pretty relaxed eight days, during which birds shared the agenda with culture. With 154 eBirded species almost single-handedly spotted by the UK expat Geoff Laight, the Paljuvi is the latest addition to the top-5 list. With 154 eBirded species, the Beljarica shares the 4th place on the list.

Serbia 156

Serbia Birds Bulgaria Farming 156

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 19, 2020

Set in an abandoned oil refinery where wildlife is slowly regaining control save for the desperate attempts of golfers to retain all eighteen holes, industrial ghosts loom over rolling freshwater lakes bordered by fifty foot tall trees. Peregrine Falcon. For the most part, vultures occupied the sky. Gradually, the bird drifted nearer.

Trinidad 203

Trinidad Birds Parrots Falcons 203

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 9, 2014

For mankind to snatch away a species’ very existence is wrong on so many levels that I can’t begin to explain them. However, despite our best efforts to wipe them off the face of the earth, some of the more vulnerable species have managed to hang on. Fish and Wildlife Service. this species breeds.

Albatross 204

Albatross Endangered Species Geese Alaska 204

10,000 Birds

APRIL 6, 2021

Weidensaul worked on the first research project in Argentina 24 years ago, and his memories of that time in the pampas are both a baseline for what has happened since, a mini-story in itself, and a tribute to Pete Bloom and Brian Woodbridge, the wildlife biologists who originated the study of Swainson’s Hawks in Butte Valley.

Cyprus 251

Cyprus Slaughter Slaughtered Research 251

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 10, 2018

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. The west end of the lake has been designated as a Watchable Wildlife Reserve, with some nice walking trails and a couple of very nice hides built overlooking some varied waterways.

Colorado 113

Colorado Texas Trinidad Albuquerque 113

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 9, 2019

The route Corey and I took in advance of the 2019 African Birding Expo may not be the only optimal way to go, but this approach yielded an absolute bounty of wildlife excitement in just 48 action-packed hours. What makes this destination so magnificent? Plus, the food, service, and accommodations meet the highest standards.

Uganda 186

Uganda Senegal Africa Game 186

10,000 Birds

JULY 24, 2021

Even so, he still knew many species and always yearned to learn about the wildlife he encountered. There were also grouse, the Ruffed Grouse , and like so many other species, it just seemed impossible that I would ever see one. The remaining four species are the most grouse-like of the bunch. Bushwacking?

Costa Rica 264

Costa Rica Chickens Pennsylvania Litter 264

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 28, 2018

This refuge came up as #4 on a recent list of the top 25 National Wildlife Refuges that were featured in a great story here by 10000 Birds own Jason Crotty. While most major estuaries in Washington state have been filled, dredged, or developed, Nisqually River’s has been set aside for wildlife.

Fox 126

Fox Washington Geese Sparrows 126

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 156

Squirrels Prairie Dogs North America Rabbits 156

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 21, 2015

This small bustard is perhaps the same species as the more widespread White-bellied Bustard, but if it is separate its a rare bird to see and pretty special. And watching this from above was a Lanner Falcon. Amur Falcons are ubiquitous. A Pied Starling. We set out and quickly managed to find one of my targets. But we did.

South Africa 145

South Africa Africa Falcons Family 145

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 19, 2014

Besides the only Canvasbacks of the count, a species that I rarely see on my regular rounds, we encountered good numbers of water birds including Lesser Scaup, American Black Duck, Herring Gull , and those common but always entertaining little ducks the Bufflehead , to say nothing of our only Swamp Sparrow of the day.

Chinchillas 162

Chinchillas Ducks Lifestyle Sparrows 162

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 1, 2020

This shows the top birders, by species or checklists submitted. Curu Wildlife Reserve. Curu Wildlife Reserve. Curu Wildlife Reserve. Curu Wildlife Reserve. Curu Wildlife Reserve. Curu Wildlife Reserve. Lago de Cuitzeo. 01 Jan 2020. Plain-breasted Ground Dove – Columbina minuta. 11 Jan 2020.

2020 158

2020 Wildlife Reserve Tigers Wildlife 158