10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 10, 2016

We are facing a plague of poaching that is again decimating the species. Will the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) conference delegates up-list them to Appendix I of the Convention, forbidding any future sale over international borders? One may say so. And it gave me a hope.

Elephants 194

Elephants Botswana Zimbabwe Africa 194

10,000 Birds

APRIL 13, 2015

Its great diversity of habitats hosts an incredible bird count of over 900 species, including Africa’s 2nd highest list of endemics and near-endemics (after South Africa). Ethiopia, a landlocked country situated in the Horn of Africa, has firmly established itself as one of Africa’s top birding destinations. Yellow-billed Stork.

Ethiopia 249

Ethiopia Sudan Leopards Birds 249

10,000 Birds

JULY 30, 2014

My third trip was six months spend working on a monkey project in the jungles of Uganda. In Uganda I would often cross paths with Chimpanzees as they went about their lives and I went about mine (which was living with a troop of monkeys). The second trip was for my masters project ( the one with the cave ).

Uganda 162

Uganda Sharks Africa New Zealand 162

10,000 Birds

JUNE 11, 2013

This was the local name meaning “ugly” used for these primates by the people of the Gonder area in northern Ethiopia when the German naturalist Rüppell “discovered” this species for science in the 1830’s. Their fierce physical appearances give way to a far more fascinating social structure once you spend a bit of time with them.

Ethiopia 161

Ethiopia Primates Mammals Fur 161

10,000 Birds

MAY 8, 2013

The smellier the better, particularly as, unusually for birds, many species can boast a robust sense of smell. In any case, our hang-ups with vultures clearly stem from our own issues rather than any inherently bizarre trait of the species themselves. Vultures famously feed on carrion. Dead things. millions years ago.

California Condor 190

California Condor Turkey North America Jordan 190

10,000 Birds

MARCH 2, 2011

Soon we were out of the protected harbour and into choppier waters, and here I have to say I suffered for about two hours from the dreaded affliction known as sea-sickness. The final large petrel species is another gadfly petrel, albeit a much larger one than the Cook’s Petrel.

New Zealand 176

New Zealand Albatross 2011 Cooking 176

10,000 Birds

MARCH 16, 2011

There are are presently thought to be five species of kiwi with a possible sixth extinct species, all of which have suffered varying degrees of range contraction since the arrival of humans. They are commonest where they are intensively protected and managed, but these places are often remote and hard to visit.

New Zealand 149

New Zealand 2011 Deer New York 149

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 20, 2013

Anyone considering a visit to Panti Forest should be enticed by the five different species that might be seen there. Plus, I saw awesome bats, bugs, butterflies, herps, pitcher plants, and four of the five possible monkey species: Dusky Leaf Monkey , Banded Leaf Monkey , Southern Pig-tailed Macaque , and Long-tailed Macaque.

Malaysia 181

Malaysia Singapore Monkeys Birds 181

10,000 Birds

MARCH 9, 2011

Like Kapiti the island is an offshore refuge for many species extinct on the mainland, with a lot of the work being done by the voluntary Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi. One species I really hoped to find on the trip was the Kokako. Saddleback ( Philesturnus carunculatus ) on the beach. Get yours today! The proposal from U.S.

New Zealand 149

New Zealand 2011 Deer Cats 149

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 11, 2023

Although work distracts him regularly from the observation of birds, he has managed to see a great many species regardless. Resident Red-tailed Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, and Bushbabies are fun to watch but they do throw “stuff” at your cabin. He firmly believes in the necessity of birders to contribute to conservation.

Uganda 235

Uganda Netherlands Monkeys Portugal 235

10,000 Birds

APRIL 15, 2015

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

Ghana Hunters Guinea Gambia 199

10,000 Birds

APRIL 16, 2012

Chocolate-backed Kingfisher , sometimes seen from the canopy walkway Woodland Kingfisher – A very common species, but always a pleasure! Ghana has recorded around 725 different species of bird of which around 490 are thought to be resident. Truly fantastic. All words and images by Chris Townend of Wise Birding Holidays a.

Ghana 181

Ghana Guinea Birds Eagles 181