10,000 Birds

MAY 9, 2017

Controversies about federal public lands, including the 2016 occupation of Malheur NWR in Oregon and proposed bills in Congress to dispose of certain land, has focused attention on the value of federal lands to birds and birders. There are also smaller breeding colonies in Washington and Oregon, including Oregon Islands NWR.

Albatross 137

Albatross Hawaii Alaska Puerto Rico 137

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 19, 2018

We are wrapping up our last week in the great state of Oregon, and made visits to many of the old haunts of my childhood. Then, to finish the week, we visited the famous, and not necessarily for all the right reasons, Malhuer Wildlife Refuge. I only ran across this one Clark’s Grebe mixed in with in the groups of Westerns.

Oregon 114

Oregon Owls Wildlife Barn Owls 114

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 28, 2019

In addition to spotting exciting new species in Florida, including the rare Snail Kite, travel across the country brought me into contact with birds in Oregon, California, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Alabama, and more. 2018 proved to be one of my best birding years ever.

Bald Eagle 143

Bald Eagle Alabama Kansas Florida 143

10,000 Birds

JULY 2, 2014

I had the pleasure of attending the first Mountain Bird Festival in Ashland Oregon recently and it was great! Once s/he showed itself and I began taking photographs, the bird seemed to be intrigued by the sound of the camera clicking, flying up into the tree right in front of us where I took the featured image above and this one.

North America 192

North America Oregon Birds Owls 192

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 12, 2018

Right, smack dad in the middle of Summer Lake Wildlife Refuge. Our 5th wheel and truck are parked in just about as close to the middle of this central Oregon refuge as possible. Not another person for miles, and a pair of friendly, well, almost, Great Horned Owls living in the tree right above us. Now that is a first.

Blackbirds 119

Blackbirds Mules Beavers Wildlife 119

10,000 Birds

JULY 3, 2019

For example, if I drive due east a half hour and then turn right, in another half-hour I drop from about 7,000 to 3,300 feet. But if I skip the right turn and continue east on the “Thousand Peaks (Mil Cumbres) Highway”, the same half-hour will take me up to an altitude of 10,000 feet.

Mexico 125

Mexico Washington Birds United States 125

10,000 Birds

MARCH 14, 2022

Hannah Buschert was first exposed to birds and birding during a required ornithology course at Oregon State University and she quickly caught the birding bug. I learned of the trip right as it had been delayed and made a vow that I would be on that ship. You can hear more about that in this interview with Dr. Wolfaardt.

South Africa 261

South Africa Mice Albatross Africa 261

10,000 Birds

MARCH 3, 2022

At the beginning it was so big that I was afraid, I kept running and running, and I was glad when I saw walls far away to the right and left, but these long walls have narrowed so quickly that I am in the last chamber already, and there in the corner stands the trap that I must run into.” … and a Ring-necked Pheasant.

Raccoons 204

Raccoons Birds Oregon China 204

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 15, 2018

Right after getting the anchor set, what to my eyes should I see, but several P urple Martins flying above the boat! Right after a couple of quick photos, it was gone, off to more secluded locations. Right in the middle of the presentation, this Greater Yellowlegs wandered right thru to everyone’s delight.

Oregon 100

Oregon Bald Eagle Owls Groups 100

10,000 Birds

MARCH 15, 2016

Crotty is a birder and lawyer living in Portland, Oregon. This is Jason’s first contribution to 10,000 Birds: Birders were rightly alarmed by the armed occupation of the Malheur NWR in Oregon. One of the nation’s premier birding locations had been overrun by an armed militia and the occupation unexpectedly endured for weeks.

Wildlife 189

Wildlife Grizzly Bear Puerto Rico United States 189

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 23, 2019

The places I expected ( Pillar Point Harbor in California and Ridgefield NWR in Washington) are right at the top of the list, but even places I thought I’d been to countless times have modest numbers. Predictably, the states I have lived in (California and Oregon) have the most species, as does nearby Washington.

Puerto Rico 143

Puerto Rico Virgin Islands Michigan Washington 143

Critter News

DECEMBER 29, 2011

New legislation in California increases the misdemeanor penalty for animal neglect and makes it a crime to sell a live animal on any street, highway, public right-of-way, parking lot, or carnival. California SB 917 Two new laws in Oregon and California prohibit the possession, sale, trade or distribution of shark fins.

Laws 100

Laws California Sharks Animal Neglect 100

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 14, 2018

These aeronautic insectivores are still plentiful in eastern New York, but they’ll soon depart for points south in just a few more days – right around the time the hop harvest ends. All in all, Breakside IPA is a well-brewed showcase for the wonderful Pacific Northwest hops grown right in Portland’s backyard.

Portland 113

Portland South Africa New Zealand Oregon 113

10,000 Birds

APRIL 1, 2016

Tom Brown grew up in the high desert area of Central Oregon. In just the right light, they seem to glow. His love for birds and photography started at a young age. Thru the course of time, travel, and a lot of different occupations, he ended up living in Seattle, and met a girl with a sailboat.

San Diego 103

San Diego Seattle Mexico Oregon 103

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 27, 2017

Located about 20 miles from Lakeview, Oregon, and sitting at an elevation of 5100 feet, this 208 acre lake is home to many species of fish, including Largemouth Bass, Crappie and Bluegill. Finally we came to a cross road, where I went straight, and he turned right.

Dogs 102

Dogs Mules Deer Oregon 102

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 9, 2013

Two days ago I went on Facebook and queried some of my exhausted compatriots: if you could have one wish right now – anything in the world – what would it be? “I That more rehab centers would accept non-natives, like pigeons house sparrows, and starlings,” wrote Charis in Oregon. Change in Government Attitude.

Wildlife 241

Wildlife Wildlife Rehabilitation Oklahoma New York 241

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 20, 2017

Growing up in central Oregon, allowed me to experience such a diverse amount of habitat, and the wildlife that resides there. For me, the real jewel of central Oregon is Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge. This small group of Pronghorn Antelope were right at the refuge entrance. I guess they were the greeters!

Sheep 111

Sheep Oregon Mules Livestock 111

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 14, 2018

I know these winds had a lot of the birds all settled in, and not moving much, but right off the bat, I got a new Lifer, in a pair of Nuttall’s Woodpeckers. Now it is on to Oregon. We made 350 miles and pushed on into the Great State of Oregon, my home state. The Oak Titmouse here was also a great new Lifer for me!

Woodpeckers 100

Woodpeckers Oregon California Geese 100

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 17, 2012

The first time I spent any quality time with them was in Klamath Basin on the border of California and Oregon. But suddenly a switch was flipped and she decided something wasn’t right. She turned and headed right for me with a few powerful flaps of her wings, screaming the whole way. This is a lovely dark morph.

Gophers 170

Gophers Argentina Oregon California 170

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 2, 2013

I wondered, last August, how animals endure it — the tiny ever-pumping lungs of hummingbirds, the lungs of bighorn sheep shouldering their way up mountains, they must get filled with smoke too, right? And I think this is a good move, the right move, even though part of me still welcomes the rain.

Endangered Species 160

Endangered Species South Dakota Woodpeckers Sheep 160

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 25, 2016

In Oregon, the Barred Owl is taking over Northern Spotted Owl territory and threatening that smaller bird’s survival. He likes books too, which made him the ideal reviewer for Cat Wars: The Devastating Consequences of a Cuddly Killer. This is Mark’s first contribution to 10,000 Birds.

Feral Cats 252

Feral Cats Cats Tnr Feral 252

10,000 Birds

JULY 18, 2018

We had contacted the staff at the observatory, and with Jonnies help, arranged to stay right there in their newly built hostel type facility. The staff there was friendly and very helpful, it is a great place to stay that is very reasonable, and it puts you right in the middle of an amazing amount of birding areas.

South Africa 100

South Africa New Zealand Costa Rica Qatar 100

10,000 Birds

MAY 10, 2022

So I attempted to apply the access considerations to Tualatin River NWR near Portland, Oregon. And what, if anything, tends to get done right? As a follow-up, Freya agreed to a Q&A about Birdability and its work. Her responses, lightly edited, are below, and I thank her for her time. # # #.

Virginia 223

Virginia Portland Oregon Branding 223

10,000 Birds

MARCH 6, 2019

I have lived most of my life in a desert of some form, be it the high desert areas of Oregon, to the more arid Southern Baja of Mexico, so I am truly amazed at the birding opportunities this area provides! From there you go one mile and make a right at Whitehouse Road.

Arizona 132

Arizona Tucson Florida 2018 132

10,000 Birds

MARCH 8, 2016

Tom Brown grew up in the high desert area of Central Oregon. After a few days, I could stand right next to the nest, 2-4 feet away, and she would swoop right in and off load her meal to the quickly growing little ones. Many times she would even buzz over look me right in the eye, and then go back to feeding.

San Diego 164

San Diego Seattle Eggs California 164

10,000 Birds

JULY 25, 2018

It seemed like a lot of the birds still had little ones to feed, much like this Oregon Junco , with its bill full of bugs for some hungry mouths back in the nest. It ran right out to greet me, and then ran all around me, checking out the cool smells on my tripod legs. In the winter this place is alive with thousand of ducks and geese.

New Zealand 110

New Zealand Seattle Qatar South Africa 110

10,000 Birds

JUNE 26, 2012

Portland, Oregon. This Snail Kite, photographed from my treacherous 1999 Honda Accord, was right outside Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, FL. Walking right up to one and identifying it with your naked eye. Much to the amazement of birders, this Snow Bunting wintered in a parking lot next to an airport.

San Francisco 202

San Francisco Birds North Dakota Oakland 202

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 10, 2011

And great appreciation for all the guesses and answers, right and wrong, throughout these years. Jon lives in Portland, Oregon, three thousand miles distant. The final answer. Thank you all for your good wishes on this last quiz. After a few months, I hired three full time staff members to assist in this task.

2011 152

2011 Portland Oregon New York 152

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 16, 2011

Others say it is the west coast analog to the Fish Crow - a marine specialist that is a species in its own right. Species or subspecies the range of the Northwestern Crow extends from extreme northwestern Oregon through coastal Washington, British Columbia, and well into Alaska.

Seattle 208

Seattle Washington Alaska Fish 208

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 2, 2019

With four days to go in 2018, why not try for a few more, right? Marty St Louis – Manager at Summer Lake NWR, Summer Lake Oregon. A few nights ago, I sat out in a light snow/rain mix, in the pitch black of Madera Canyon, trying to find a Whiskered Screech Owl. Nick Coetzee – South Africa. Carol and Livia – Doha, Qatar.

Costa Rica 128

Costa Rica Tucson South Africa Bahamas 128

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 1, 2017

They have a nice large back yard, complete with a variety of bird feeders, and a fence that backs right up to a Green Belt. Over the last weekend, my wife and I made a whirl-wind trip from Mexico, up to the Pacific Northwest, the Seattle area, where we stayed with the in-laws.

Seattle 135

Seattle Birds Mexico Laws 135

10,000 Birds

APRIL 7, 2016

Crotty is a birder and lawyer living in Portland, Oregon. Right now, it is in the midst of an ambitious recruiting drive , to expand its membership from about 12,000 to 16,000. Jason’s first contribution to 10,000 Birds tackled the importance of the National Wildlife Refuge System. How many birders are there in America?

Wildlife 164

Wildlife Portland 2002 Collecting 164

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 17, 2014

Nelson, a Professor of environmental philosophy and ethics at Oregon State University, points out that recreational hunting was only one of several important factors that led to improved conservation in North America. Interpretation of these rights must be adaptable to contemporary concerns, such as biodiversity and species extinction.

Wildlife 232

Wildlife Coyotes Hunters Wolves 232

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 23, 2014

Larry starts us off right with an owl that makes birders drool: I was able to see and photograph many great birds in 2014 but my Best Bird of the Year would have to be the Great Gray Owl , the largest Strix in North America. Below are our Best Birds of the Year. What was yours? Let us know in the comments…see you there!

2014 183

2014 Costa Rica South Africa Birds 183

10,000 Birds

JUNE 17, 2015

That’s right, the overwhelming benefits to the environment and the economy are generated by non-consumptive uses of the refuges like wildlife photography, environmental education, wildlife observation and interpretation, not hunting and fishing. Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge : Open to migratory bird hunting (youth only).

Fish 142

Fish Wildlife Hunting Game 142

10,000 Birds

MARCH 13, 2011

I’ve spotted Buffleheads a few times here in Oregon, part of their winter range. Wicked, right? I agree – Buffleheads are anything but bland. The black and white plumage of the males reminds me of formal wear – very snazzy! One place I’ve seen them is in southeast Portland. What Makes You Stare So, Bufflehead?

2011 150

2011 Ducks Deer New York 150

4 The Love Of Animals

JANUARY 14, 2011

In 2007 – at age 50 – I realized that the answer was right in front of me. A resident of Bend, Oregon, McGee Bennett lives on a 10-acre farm with her husband, Brad, two dogs, two cats, five llamas, 11 alpacas, and super composting red wigglers, number unknown.

Llamas 100

Llamas Camels 2007 Raccoons 100