10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 2, 2018

If you like birds on posts, if seeing “little brown jobs” posing nicely in the distance as you drive or walk along a dirt road only to have it fly away as you approach makes you deliriously happy, then North Dakota is the place for you. Scott Barnes, N.J. Audubon Naturalist, and Linda Mack, N.J.

North Dakota 183

North Dakota Birds Sparrows Blackbirds 183

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 2, 2011

Any day of birding in New York State that includes a sighting of a Vesper Sparrow is a better-then-average day. The precipitous plunge of Vesper Sparrow populations has been largely because of changing land use practices. The Vesper Sparrow is named for its tendency to sing in the evening, right before the end of the day.

Sparrows 165

Sparrows North Dakota United States Downers 165

10,000 Birds

MARCH 7, 2016

Well, no one comes on a field trip at Space Coast trying to see a Carolina Wren except for someone from North Dakota where, from what I can see in eBird , there have been three records of Carolina Wren ever. What about a Swamp Sparrow ? No one comes on a field trip at Space Coast trying to see a Carolina Wren !

North Dakota 161

North Dakota Birds Florida Wildlife 161

10,000 Birds

JULY 28, 2011

While we continue to decimate our short and tall grass prairies many species reach their inevitable peril. Furthermore, with the rapid expansion of oil and gas development in the norther tier states like North Dakota, birds like Sprague’s Pipit and Baird’s Sparrow become more at risk.

Prairie Dogs 172

Prairie Dogs Colorado North Dakota Soreing 172

10,000 Birds

APRIL 4, 2011

At Magee (Ohio) or Pelee (Canada) you might find yourself face-to-face with a male Magnolia Warbler (or any one of 25+ other regular warbler species found there in May) but you are also likely to be enjoying it with other people. Sometimes many other people.

North Dakota 145

North Dakota Birds Ohio West Virginia 145

10,000 Birds

MAY 17, 2011

This sighting came at the end of five days at the Potholes & Prairie Birding Festival in Jamestown, North Dakota. And when I found I could not fly out of Fargo, North Dakota on Sunday (nothing affordable available) I picked a Monday afternoon flight and promptly set my sights on breaking this birding curse.

Connecticut 205

Connecticut North Dakota Ohio Owls 205

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 19, 2011

It is my best bird because it is just such an incredible species, and looking at it made me realize that I had temporarily stopped to fully appreciate birds during the stressful last few years. This year I watched them from the day they arrived , until two chicks successfully hatched, the northernmost breeding record for the species.

2011 227

2011 Birds South Korea North Dakota 227