10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 6, 2019

Visiting the continent after the end of most of the autumn migration meant that the number of bird species I could see in northern France, Switzerland, southern Germany, and Austria was much reduced. Mute Swans seem equally adapted to human presence in Europe. Mallards were, of course, everywhere water could be found.

Austria 124

Austria Switzerland Europe Geese 124

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 4, 2021

Being a bit older myself now, I have to point out that young human males usually do not look that good, at least to me. For example, the main article states that “At Lac de Grand Lieu, W France, birds commute 2–38 km between colony and feeding territories.” A juvenile male. The real thing: an adult male.

Birds 228

Birds LACS France Japan 228

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 8, 2017

… Have I seen a Corn Crake… maybe in France? No, I’d remember that, I didn’t see that many birds in France. Instead, I stare at my phone while my brain goes through something like this, “Corn Crake? Is that even possible? Isn’t it a Eurasian bird?… What if it’s an escapee?

New York 156

New York North America France Feral Cats 156

10,000 Birds

JULY 22, 2014

When you think of invasives, you think of the birds that have been helped by human beings to get where they are, such as House Sparrow or European Starling. The species spread north to the Mediterranean, reaching parts of Spain and southern Europe, spread along the Atlantic coast of France and, at times, even reaching Britain and Ireland.

Cattle 170

Cattle South Korea Suriname Seychelles 170

10,000 Birds

JUNE 15, 2012

Not only is Spain a stronghold for these birds, but they are hard to miss — huge, bright white, social, and not in the least shy of humans and human dwelling-places. But the White Stork in Europe is a big, pretty bird that nests in plain view of humans, often in the middle of town on top of an important, prominent building.

Spain 171

Spain Europe Industry Rodents 171

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 22, 2016

It is threatened by habitat degradation as a result of the human exploitation of natural resources in the taiga and lower tundra regions of its breeding range, and by lake drainage for irrigation and hydroelectric power production (Armenia).” We, humans, seem to be quite hostile neighbours to other life forms around us.

Serbia 201

Serbia Greece Montenegro Bulgaria 201

10,000 Birds

JUNE 6, 2013

She has lived in Maine, California, France, New York, and currently makes her home in Virginia Beach Always bringing her camera along, Erika is building her life-list by trying to check off at least one new species each week in her field guide. It was amazing watching them swoop so deftly and then barely skim the surface.

Florida 163

Florida DC Washington Birds 163

10,000 Birds

MAY 1, 2012

Now that’s probably the equivalent of humans trying to eat bark to survive. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks flaunted their gaudy colors like topless sunbathers on a beach in the south of France. Yellow-billed Cuckoos were everywhere. An Upland Sandpiper wandered next to the lighthouse.

Florida 244

Florida Kentucky France North America 244

10,000 Birds

APRIL 13, 2013

She has lived in Maine, California, France, New York, and currently makes her home in Washington, DC. Despite all the people, the birds were incredibly active, rarely shy, and a reminder that natural wonders like the cherry blossoms interact with more than just us humans. I wanted to bird among the blossoms.

DC 192

DC Washington Birds Geese 192

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 20, 2012

Dates of first arrival listed by Schorger (1966) are: Italy 1520, Germany 1530, France 1538, England 1541, Denmark and Norway 1550, Sweden 1556. Early research suggested that “Fragmented distributions and population bottlenecks due to human activities appear to have increased genetic differentiation among populations” (Leberg 1991).

Turkey 202

Turkey Columbus Spain Fowl 202

Animal Ethics

MARCH 11, 2007

Americans do have a special relationship with horses, and how we treat them reveals much about our own humanity and how far we have evolved. Our American horses are not being shipped to the hungry in Africa; they are being served in the most pricey restaurants in France, Belgium and Japan. But horses are not cows, pigs or chickens.

New York Times 40

New York Times New York Horse Slaughter Horses 40

Animal Ethics

SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

The Argument from Human Grain Shortage All of the clearly moral arguments for vegetarianism given so far have been in terms of animal rights and suffering. New moral vegetarianism, however, rests on moral arguments couched in terms of human welfare. It is argued that beef cattle and hogs are protein factories in reserve.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Morals Meat Cattle 40

10,000 Birds

MARCH 14, 2011

March 14, 2011 Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Jon Gassett, Commissioner One Sportsman’s Lane Frankfort, Kentucky 40601 Dear Mr. Gassett, I am a writer, naturalist and artist with a special interest in human/bird interactions. Do away with hunters and allow If you want less hunting in your culture, I suggest France.

2011 245

2011 Kentucky Tennessee Hunting 245