10,000 Birds

JANUARY 12, 2024

On my 21-day Kenyan safaris we reckoned to find around 600 species of birds and around 60 mammals, both impressive totals. In 2023 I attempted to keep a year list of mammal encounters: the list barely exceeded 20 species, while it became complicated by seeing bats and voles that I was unable to name specifically.

Fur 194

Fur Bulgaria Otters Estonia 194

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 23, 2021

For some reason that is hard for me to fathom, there is no such bird as a Cape Woodpecker. In fact, this is probably a species that has substantially expanded its original range through the pet shop route and the resulting escapees. The HBW describes the species as “striking”, which is well deserved.

South Africa 241

South Africa Africa Lesotho Nigeria 241

10,000 Birds

JULY 18, 2012

Bufflehead ( Bucephala albeola ) Female at Cavity Entrance photos by Larry Jordan “Some 85 species of North American birds excavate nesting holes, use cavities resulting from decay (natural cavities), or use holes created by other species in dead or deteriorating trees.

North America 222

North America America Barn Owls Falcons 222

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 31, 2012

Sure, there are no woodpeckers here and very few places you can get a decent donut, and everything is quite a bit more expensive than you think it should be, but I still choose to stay. Living in New Zealand is fun and all, don’t get me wrong.

New Zealand 145

New Zealand Fur Malaysia Woodpeckers 145

10,000 Birds

JUNE 28, 2018

Even with today’s environmental laws, we are losing species at an alarming rate, and with Ryan Zinke as Interior Secretary it’s no wonder. With as many as 540 individuals in the wild the Amur Tiger ( Panthera tigris altaica ) is also listed as Endangered, being hunted for not only their fur but body parts as well.

Hunting 113

Hunting Hunters Gorillas Wolves 113

10,000 Birds

MAY 11, 2012

The species was extinct, a vanished part of the vanishing prairie — and not for the first time. Somewhere around the Platte River one of the Audubon boys received a black-footed hide from a fur trader. You couldn’t see it. John Bachmann headed west to gather material for Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America.

Ferrets 189

Ferrets South Dakota Wyoming Captive Animal 189