10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 21, 2018

We had already planned on at least one night in Eugene, and spending a day at Fern Ridge Wildlife Area. I have gotten to the point where there were very few waterfowl that I need for my years’ list, but I was able to add Canvasbacks , and Cackling Geese. This is a 60 mile side trip from Eugene, straight west to the Pacific coast.

Oregon 100

Oregon Geese Woodpeckers Seattle 100

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 16, 2017

In a typical birding year, no other month will bring you that many new species as January. A month ago I was in the Iron Gates National Park in eastern Serbia, where one Black Woodpecker flew across the road, right in front of us (proving it is an extant taxon). Fish and Wildlife Service. And I felt alive again!

Serbia 187

Serbia Geese 2001 Ducks 187

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 18, 2016

The nature reserve is really well managed by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust with numerous hides and wheelchair access to much of the reserve. The nature reserve is constantly evolving and although part of it is a former sand quarry it has been carefully developed to encourage wildlife. Greylag Geese in front of Wild Bird Cafe.

Geese 101

Geese Wildlife 2001 Woodpeckers 101

10,000 Birds

APRIL 4, 2014

Among birders, wildlife photographers, and nature enthusiasts, it is renowned for its incredible concentrations of birds at the end of the dry season. During this time, the fish trapped in the shrinking pools of water attract hordes of herons, egrets, storks, and other wetland species. I must mention one thing.

Brazil 165

Brazil Birds Blackbirds Paraguay 165

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 19, 2018

Two full days at Hart Mountain Wildlife Refuge, three days at Dog Lake, and a short visit to Upper Cottonwood Lake brought back many great memories, in addition to a nice list of birds. Then, to finish the week, we visited the famous, and not necessarily for all the right reasons, Malhuer Wildlife Refuge.

Oregon 115

Oregon Owls Wildlife Barn Owls 115

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 11, 2018

This did open up the area to a few new species, like this Wilson’s Warbler. Jeanne has long desired top photograph the Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Fiestas ( You can see her photos here )and I wanted to visit the Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge. Along the irrigation canal, there were over a dozen species flying around.

Albuquerque 125

Albuquerque New Mexico Mexico Sparrows 125

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 7, 2013

Seeing 525 species was nice, as was the fact that I birded in four countries, nine of the fifty states in the United States, and fifty-one counties. I want to reach 500 birds in the ABA, get my Queens list to 295, see a total of at least 500 species, and get my World Life List to 1,100. But how did I see so many species this year?

2012 145

2012 Czech Republic Hedgehogs Hungary 145

10,000 Birds

MARCH 8, 2012

It’s a real shame, though, because these battlefields can be a real haven for wildlife and are often located in parts of the country that don’t otherwise have a lot of preserved land. Before the counts, I was hoping to break 100 species, but after 21 parks reported data back to me we’re up to 183 species!

Birds 175

Birds Mississippi Vermont Texas 175

10,000 Birds

MARCH 14, 2011

of Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Jon Gassett has indicated that if enough people write in protest, the proposed hunting season–due to start this December– will be reconsidered. Hunting is on a steady downturn, and nonconsumptive wildlife pursuits are on a tremendous upswing. We can fight them back in Kentucky, too.

2011 254

2011 Kentucky Tennessee Hunting 254

10,000 Birds

MARCH 6, 2011

Corey encountered a bunch of winners, but 24 Common Redpolls at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, in almost the exact same spot he saw them a couple of years ago, feeding on birch inflorescence by the East Pond, were easily his best birds of the weekend. On Sunday at Kissena Park I saw five species of sparrows. No time to take a picture.

2011 156

2011 New York Deer Birds 156

10,000 Birds

MARCH 13, 2011

For Corey, this was a weekend without a single standout species but with many birds that were pretty darn neat. The Snow Geese at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge will soon be winging their way north, so he spent some quality time with them, his best birds of the weekend. Enjoy the details and proof here. The proposal from U.S.

2011 133

2011 Deer Birds Owls 133

10,000 Birds

MARCH 11, 2011

Other birds with webbed feet, including ducks and geese, have only three webbed toes; the hallux (which in birds is usually the “hind toe&# and in humans, the “big toe&# ) is free. Frigatebirds (Fregatidae) Five species of frigatebird ply the planet’s tropical skies and seas.

2011 155

2011 Pelicans Papua New Guinea Birds 155

10,000 Birds

MARCH 6, 2011

Very interesting species. Share Your Thoughts « A long way from nowhere Domestic or Ganky Geese » To learn more about 10,000 Birds, Mike, Corey, or the many marvelous Beat Writers, please click here. Fish & Wildlife comes in response to a lawsuit brought by the Center for Biological Diversity. That I understand!

2011 191

2011 Deer India New York 191