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Birding Ruoergai, Sichuan, China – The Raptor Edition

10,000 Birds

The relatively flat and open grassland of Ruoergai is also good raptor country – raptor here being used in the broadest sense of the word, i.e., including owls and vultures. As a result of this ongoing tradition, local people continue to value and protect these scavengers.” Himalayan Marmot. Himalayan Pica.

China 259
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Woodland for sale

10,000 Birds

After a lot of backing and forthing, the vendor accepted our offer and the wood is to become a trust to be protected in perpetuity. The real upside is that it is right by my house and the Tawny Owls occasionally stray into my oak tree at night. Anti-social behaviour has degraded the ambience of the wood in the past.

Litter 242
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Lewis's Woodpecker in New York State

10,000 Birds

Second of all, Lewis’s Woodpeckers are birds of the west and they rarely stray to New York State. Apparently in the past some birders and photographers had been not so polite in their behavior when a Northern Hawk Owl had been in the vicinity, and when this bird showed up the local law enforcement did not want it made public.

New York 204