10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 18, 2014

Only several dozen of these swans wintered in the region (the region being, approximately, Montana, Idaho and Wyoming) and for some reason they were almost all at this river in this year, and on this day, they were right there in view. They were heavily hunted as food, and for the feathers. Canada has more than the US.

Minnesota 210

Minnesota Wounded Montana Wildlife Rehabilitation 210

10,000 Birds

MARCH 24, 2014

I am not anti-hunting. The “Crow Down” is a “hunting contest” where both adults and children slaughter as many crows as they possibly can in two days. Obviously killing contests have nothing to do with traditional hunting, and “animal abuse” is normally used when describing domestic animals. This is baloney.

Killing 272

Killing Slaughter Slaughtered Animal Abuse 272

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 17, 2019

Two hundred yards further, the first Common Goldeneye and Smew started to appear and, while counting Smew and geese, a Great Bittern took flight from one stand of reeds to another, right in front of us. And this one chose to fly right in front of us. The first idea was, it is probably wounded by poachers. we will kill it!”,

Geese 144

Geese Serbia Birds Estonia 144

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 17, 2016

One of the rangers at the refuge had some photos showing an injury on the bird’s breast, likely from a gunshot wound as the refuge is a popular site for waterfowl hunting, including hunting the thousands of Tundra Swans in the area. The next day I came upon two swans right where they were supposed to be. I guess so.

North Carolina 111

North Carolina Wounded Hunting Geese 111

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 4, 2012

We birders don’t always like to ruminate on missed birds, for some of us the wounds are worn too close to the surface. The hunt was on in earnest. Things looked right. But then the bird turned, and things didn’t look quite right. My quarry was near. The darker purplish gorget. Target nailed. COSTA’s!!

Arizona 158

Arizona Wounded North America 2012 158

10,000 Birds

APRIL 13, 2015

Early morning is of course birding prime time and a pre-breakfast stroll around our lodge produced sightings of the lovely Orange-bellied Parrot , which we tracked down to a nesting hole right next to the restaurant. Splashes of color were added by cryptic Bruce’s Green Pigeons and more raucous Abyssinian and Lilac-breasted rollers.

Ethiopia 240

Ethiopia Sudan Leopards Birds 240

Animal Ethics

SEPTEMBER 20, 2010

[T]here is another class of cases where the state is accorded the right to interfere with the individual when he is not interfering with any other person, namely, where cruelty to animals is involved.

Cruelty 40

Cruelty Legislation Kangaroos Animal 40