10,000 Birds

MARCH 15, 2012

John from A DC Birding Blog , and Patrick from The Hawk Owl’s Nest at Jamaica Bay at 8 AM Saturday morning for some birding. Tree Swallows squabbled and hunted in the air overhead and spent time examining the numerous nest boxes erected for them. Why does this matter? Needless to say, I was a bit groggy when I met up with them.

New York 166

New York Honduras Jamaica Geese 166

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 26, 2018

It was almost a month ago that I wondered how many species of ducks, geese, and swans could be found in my home borough of Queens in a single day this winter if I really put forth the effort. If I could just find all three scoters, an eider, and a couple good geese I could make it to twenty-nine species! Gadwall at Baisley Pond Park.

Geese 100

Geese Jamaica Ducks Barn Owls 100

10,000 Birds

JUNE 1, 2011

A female red-tail may leave a nest to hunt for her two chicks and return to feed a rabbit to three chicks without noting an increase in the number of chicks a rehabber has placed there. Owls are a little different. They don’t build nests and some like Great Horned Owls take over old hawk or squirrel nests. Leave it be.

Birds 266

Birds Fox Raised Ducks 266

10,000 Birds

MARCH 30, 2012

Like several of my favorite NWRs, this one was established as a haven for migratory birds, most notably waterfowl, during the bad old days when uncontrolled hunting and habitat loss had put the future of even species we now think of as common in doubt. A second pond held not only more of the same, but some American Coots and Canada Geese.

Wildlife 171

Wildlife Montana Geese Bald Eagle 171

10,000 Birds

APRIL 11, 2011

Snowy Owl – This winter turned out to be horrible for birders hoping to see Bubo scandiacus but pretty good for the birds themselves. Short-eared Owl – Finally, a bird that I saw! Black-headed Gull – A surprise pick-up, seen on the same day as my Short-eared Owl. Snow Bunting – Yes!

Jamaica 158

Jamaica Owls 2010 New York City 158

10,000 Birds

MAY 2, 2016

Anyway, we arrived, spotted a Great Horned Owl in flight and waited and waited and waited. En route to our next stop we slowed down next to a park and spotted the now countable Egyptian Geese. In fact, the owls were so disgusted by Carlos’s presence that one of them vomited upon seeing him. Only one cuckoo?

Florida 124

Florida Miami Birds Owls 124

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 11, 2018

American Kestrels, Cooper Hawks , and Northern Harriers also found the hunting here to their liking. I spooked three Barn Owls out of a dense scrub row, just as the sun was setting. A small group of Canada Geese fly over, and out in front of their formation was a pair of Sandhill Cranes. This one flew right over my head.

Albuquerque 125

Albuquerque New Mexico Mexico Sparrows 125