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The Jewel Hunter: A Book Review About One Birder’s Quest for Pittas and Beer

10,000 Birds

And, to give his dream year a little more oomph, he created a grand once-in-a-lifetime goal: to track down and see every pitta species in the world in one year. Gooddie describes his quest in terms of a contest of wills and strategy. Each chapter of The Jewel Hunter reads like a mini-travel novel. And mosquitos. And leeches.

Hunters 202
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Flock to Marion

10,000 Birds

Finally in 1799, the first visitors on this volcanic land were a group of French seal hunters who were after the fur seals that can be found hauled out on the beaches for fur and oil, which almost wiped out the local population of the species. Marion has a fascinating history with invasive species. Just get rid of the mice.

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Ghana – Rainforest Birding on the Brink by Adam Riley

10,000 Birds

Nineteen days later we had racked up an amazing list of 436 species, including some of Africa’s least known birds such as Congo Serpent Eagle , Yellow-footed Honeyguide , Tessmann’s Flycatcher , Yellow-bearded Greenbul , Black-collared Lovebird and much besides. We also knew we had discovered Africa’s next hot birding destination.

Ghana 199
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A review of the birdcentric novel “Accidentals” (the title of which is in the plural for a reason)

10,000 Birds

In the marshes of the estancia , he discovers what he comes to believe is a new species of rail – one of the “accidentals” of the title. And the nandu, a South American rhea, has an intriguing chick-survival strategy: a week before hatching, the male (who does the incubating) pushes one egg out of the nest. Accidentals. By Susan M.

Uruguay 156
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The Crossley ID Guide: Waterfowl–A Book Review

10,000 Birds

The Crossley ID Guide: Waterfowl covers every residential, migrating, vagrant, exotic, and introduced swan, goose, dabbling and diving duck in North America (Canada and the United States): 62 Species Accounts on four swan species and one vagrant subspecies; 15 goose species; 46 duck species; plus accounts for hybrid geese, ducks and exotics.

Ducks 124
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Proposed Changes to the Duck Stamp Not Well Received

10,000 Birds

a) Recommendation : Develop and support implementation of a communications strategy that targets groups identified in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) National Stakeholder workshops and survey. The physical stamp could be sent to hunters after March 10th each year. 1) Action : U.S. no physical stamp required).

Ducks 100
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It’s the Holiday Season — Give Birding Books!

10,000 Birds

He also thoughtfully and harshly critiques Big Conservations’ strategies in developing countries. Another great birding adventure book is The Jewel Hunter by Chris Gooddie (Princeton Univ. Brit birder Goodie didn’t do an ordinary big year; he decided he would see every Pitta species in the world (32 at the time) in one year.