10,000 Birds

MAY 1, 2013

People ascribe near mythic status to the members of the family Delphinidae (and other related families). Leaving from the harbour on boats were tours to swim with one of New Zealand’s most endangered mammal species, the Hector’s Dolphin. Which has always mystified me slightly. South Banks Peninsula.

Dolphins 154

Dolphins Sharks New Zealand Albatross 154

10,000 Birds

JULY 24, 2011

As far as I can tell it is the most northern breeding record for the species. The bird rears up, calls and splashes, it thrashes around on the surface and dives and porpoises about. A quick peek revealed a rapidly growing family of six nestlings. Last year the nest failed, the eggs apparently not viable, never hatching.

Porpoises 177

Porpoises Eggs Family Birds 177

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 22, 2016

I searched the entire northern end of the park, including the golf course, the reflecting pool, the open water by Porpoise Bridge, and every open grassy spot I could find. What a marvelous sight my seventh goose (and 313th species) for Queens was! I searched Meadow Lake. I searched the grassy areas all around Meadow Lake.

Puerto Rico 120

Puerto Rico Geese Canada Porpoises 120

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 5, 2016

Eighteen-hour trips are the rule and only about four or five hours are spent in the prime area to see the species most birders are hoping to see. So you can imagine my great pleasure when it worked out for me to stay in California for two extra days at the end of our family vacation out west. This one did too.

Whales 108

Whales Whaling Albatross Dolphins 108