10,000 Birds

JUNE 3, 2015

I slept in hotel in Zurich but didn’t leave the airport or even clear immigration, so I can’t really say I’ve been to Switzerland either. I have caught a bus across Europe, but I can’t really claim to have “been” to Germany or Belgium. It’s arbitrary, but there you go.

Botswana 162

Botswana Birds Lesotho Elephants 162

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. And I did manage to get my first glimpses of some of the species listed in my European bird guides. Take that, Central Park!

Austria 131

Austria Switzerland Europe Geese 131

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 4, 2017

I saw Painted Wolves again, my favourite species ever. The Orange-fronted Parakeet is a critically endangered species that I came agonisingly close to seeing but didn’t. Singapore is a densely populated city-state which still manages to protect a number of species. I went to Ethiopia. I bought a house. Okay, context.

United Arab Emirates 100

United Arab Emirates 2016 Ethiopia New Zealand 100

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 31, 2018

” In other words, the New Zealand Scaup is so embarrassed by its association with the other scaup species that it not only tries to hide its affiliation with them but attempts to get out of being a diving duck altogether. At least Barnacle Geese are named for an arthropod. First, it’s not terribly difficult.

Ducks 214

Ducks New Zealand France Germany 214