10,000 Birds

JULY 23, 2022

They can’t provide the same ecosystem value as natural forest and woodland but in places intensely modifed by people, hedges are vital sanctuaries for birds and other wildlife. In pastures of the hot lowlands, they tend to be lines of stunted Gumbo-Limbo trees or some other heavily pruned species. Rufous-collared Sparrow.

Costa Rica 254

Costa Rica Birds Sparrows Woodpeckers 254

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 29, 2014

That will be the opening day of the 18th Annual Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival in Titusville, Florida. Florida is a great place to bird in January because in addition to the year-round species there are a host of birds that winter in the relatively balmy climate that Florida has in winter. It hasn’t happened.

2015 194

2015 Wildlife Florida Birds 194

10,000 Birds

MAY 5, 2022

pounds) heavy Colombia field guide with its 1900+ species. And that became heavier with each passing day… On the other hand, Europe’s Birds cover less than half of that number – 900+ species and a softback weighs 1.4 The number of species per page varies from one to two, rarely 3.

Europe 246

Europe Birds Colombia Branding 246

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 8, 2017

Nisqually Wildlife Refuge. Nearly 800 acres of wetlands and tidal flats provide diverse habitat for the local birds, as well as large numbers of migratory species, including thousands of ducks and geese. There were Song Sparrows, Spotted Towhees, American Robins , and of course the ever popular Yellow-rumped Warbler.

Wildlife 104

Wildlife Seattle Bald Eagle Geese 104

10,000 Birds

MARCH 3, 2016

Today is the United Nations World Wildlife Day, a time to celebrate and raise awareness of the living world around us. I already have a history of searches for this species. What are your best wildlife moments? And what are your wildlife dreams? At the Danube in practically downtown Belgrade – how odd is that?

Wildlife 174

Wildlife Tigers Asia Europe 174

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

WinGS volunteers visit gull roost sites, counting six key species: Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull and Great Black-backed Gull. One count I undertake every year is the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust’s Big Farmland Bird Count.

Ireland 211

Ireland Turtles Geese Farming 211

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 19, 2012

On Saturday, 28 January, while I was at the Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival, Doug Gochfeld and I made our way to central Florida for most of a day’s birding, looking for the specialty species of that region. One target species down, though barely, and one to go!

Wildlife 159

Wildlife North Carolina Woodpeckers Florida 159

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 21, 2014

The 18th Annual Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival is less than a month away and while we don’t have snow down yet here in New York City I am pretty sick of cold weather and could use some warmth and Florida sunshine! John’s National Wildlife Refuge” trip. I can’t wait to be in Florida!

Wildlife 157

Wildlife 2015 Bald Eagle New York City 157

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 29, 2019

This week offers the ideal opportunity to look back at your most recent wildlife watching adventures; next weekend, the game begins anew. I recently despaired of ending this calendar year without seeing a single Wild Turkey when that species used to be so reliable in my part of New York. How about you?

2019 136

2019 Nevada Turkey New York 136

10,000 Birds

MARCH 31, 2023

I mean that in a good way: By automatically showing one’s new year list each January 1st, and comparing it to one’s last several year lists, they always make me want to hit the ground running with as many species in my first week as I can manage. For example, of the 9 duck species we saw, 7 are winter-only.

Blackbirds 147

Blackbirds 2020 Ducks Mexico 147

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 7, 2021

Decades later, Richard Pough’s Audubon Bird Guide, Eastern Land Birds (I happily own the 1948 edition) included nest and egg descriptions for each species as well. And photographs of feathers in the species accounts, which surprised me. Text retrieved from the Hathitrust Digital Library. The first is accomplished well.

Eggs 222

Eggs Birds United States Sparrows 222

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 29, 2021

I may still develop this idea, but I’ll advance the information that the only species on his list that I commonly see here are, in order of prevalence, the Yellow-rumped , Wilson’s , Townsend’s , Black-and-White , and MacGillivray’s Warblers. “Respect this area; it is the home of wildlife.

Los Angeles 186

Los Angeles San Francisco Costa Rica Birds 186

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 2, 2023

I tried to get a better idea of what exactly the definition of cuckoo-dove is but am still not very clear about it – Wikipedia only offers the rather formal definition “any of several species of bird in the genera Macropygia , Reinwardtoena, and Turacoena of the pigeon family.” But I may well be wrong.

Birds 147

Birds Geese Fish Industry 147

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 26, 2019

The Shoebill serves as the symbol of the magnificent wildlife experiences Uganda offers visitors, which may seem a bit odd. That honor goes to the Gray-crowned Crane , a very sexy species in its own right. Having finally seen this iconic species, I can assure you that the experience wildly exceeds expectations.

Uganda 255

Uganda Africa Birds Penguins 255

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 1, 2020

No strangers to wildlife observation and birding, this American/Tica couple have been publishing handy pocket field guides for Costa Rica and other places since the 1990s. We did just that and were treated to a parade of species both in front of and behind the house. Olive Sparrow. Gartered Trogon. Painted Bunting. King Vulture.

Costa Rica 187

Costa Rica Falcons Birds Philadelphia 187

10,000 Birds

JULY 15, 2020

And while I definitely consider myself more of a writer than a wildlife photographer, for once I have enough good photos to let my pictures do most of the talking. Black-chested Sparrow is one of Paso Ancho’s flagship species. It wasn’t my fault; the Sparrow came to me. A Golden Vireo showed up.

Sparrows 161

Sparrows Cooking Squirrels Owls 161

10,000 Birds

MARCH 30, 2012

Around thirty miles from Missoula in the Bitterroot Valley lies the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge. My specific goal was to see Trumpeter Swans , which, let’s just say it’s lucky that they’re not my new nemesis species – we spotted a group of three from the parking lot as soon as we got out of our cars.

Wildlife 166

Wildlife Montana Geese Bald Eagle 166

10,000 Birds

MARCH 2, 2011

After several minutes of this deep water foraging behavior, this White-faced Ibis made its way toward me into more shallow water Posed for a little while, and then began to preen I’m glad I took the time to visit Colusa National Wildlife Refuge on this day. You never know what you might see! Get yours today! The proposal from U.S.

Wildlife 155

Wildlife 2011 Sacramento Jordan 155

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 28, 2011

And it looks even better in my hands while I dream about a visit to regions of Brazil I had scarcely heard of before being provided with a review copy of the first volume of the Wildlife Conservation Society Birds of Brazil.* Talk about a win-win!

Brazil 197

Brazil Wildlife 2011 Birds 197

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 17, 2019

However, as with many other places throughout the globe, this small country also has its fair share of urban wildlife. As is typical of urban birding in Costa Rica, we had small flocks of this species fly over and good looks at the White-crowned Parrot , the other most common parrot in the valley. Lesson’s Motmot. Blackbirds.

Costa Rica 191

Costa Rica Birds Parrots Sparrows 191

10,000 Birds

JULY 22, 2020

Even though some say good wildlife photography should not contain manmade elements, I like everything about this photo. The Rufous-collared Sparrow is apparently a common bird in Central and South America, but in Mexico it only occurs in the southernmost state of Chiapas. I think it is the most beautiful sparrow I have ever seen.

Mexico 164

Mexico Sparrows South America Collecting 164

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 28, 2018

This refuge came up as #4 on a recent list of the top 25 National Wildlife Refuges that were featured in a great story here by 10000 Birds own Jason Crotty. While most major estuaries in Washington state have been filled, dredged, or developed, Nisqually River’s has been set aside for wildlife.

Fox 122

Fox Washington Geese Sparrows 122

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 9, 2019

The route Corey and I took in advance of the 2019 African Birding Expo may not be the only optimal way to go, but this approach yielded an absolute bounty of wildlife excitement in just 48 action-packed hours. What makes this destination so magnificent? How is birding in Murchison Falls, you ask? Mind boggling, I answer!

Uganda 179

Uganda Senegal Africa Game 179

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 23, 2013

If constructed properly, these facilities can be not only a boon to birders and other wildlife enthusiasts but an obvious benefit to their local communities. One of the best examples in the world is the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary on the northern California coast. a Chipping Sparrow ( Spizella passerina ).

Sacramento 165

Sacramento Sparrows Sanctuary Geese 165

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 31, 2021

Lark Sparrow (photo above), 30 January, Fort Tilden, Queens, New York (self-found, way out of season). Black-bellied Whistling-Duck , 11 July, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens, New York (2nd Queens sighting). Rufous-crowned Sparrow , 26 August, Eaton Canyon, California (2nd sighting and first in over a decade).

New York 252

New York Birds California Owls 252

10,000 Birds

APRIL 22, 2021

Just last year, 5 new bird species and 5 new subspecies were discovered in a few short weeks of fieldwork on the islands of Taliabu, Peleng and Batudaka. In recent years Indonesia has been competing with the Andes as the region giving rise to the biggest number of undescribed bird species (naturally, all of them endemics).

Indonesia 263

Indonesia Timor Brunei Guinea 263

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 10, 2020

Both expected species of loons were around in numbers. It was my favorite type of wildlife watching, a real spectacle. Five Field Sparrows in February in Queens is unprecedented for me but that’s how many I counted in that one flock. Field Sparrow in February is a fine bird. I could watch gannets all day long.

Birds 173

Birds Sparrows Ducks Fish 173

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 5, 2015

Speaking of my balcony, I vastly exceeded my goal of seeing 65 species from it in 2014, clocking 81 species this year. That increased my total list from my balcony to 92 species! Further from my balcony I managed to see 257 species in my home county of Queens in 2014, a pretty decent number.

2014 238

2014 Costa Rica New York New Jersey 238

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 12, 2017

Before the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA), there was the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966. endangered species was issued on March 11, 1967, under the earlier law, and those listings were ultimately grandfathered into the ESA. Dusky Seaside Sparrow – Ammospiza nigrescens (likely extinct).

California Condor 102

California Condor Endangered Species Bald Eagle Parrots 102

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 25, 2015

Targets acquired, we piled into cars and headed south to Pea Island National Wildlife Refuges, the jewel of the Outer Banks, where we were likely to cross paths with the vast majority of our species for the day. In a little less than two hours we had gone from 2 species to nearly 70. We set up scopes and started tallying.

North Carolina 150

North Carolina Rattlesnake Sparrows Owls 150

10,000 Birds

JULY 20, 2019

If a list also shows the status for each species, birders on their way to Costa Rica would realize that they shouldn’t really expect vireos with white eyes nor blue heads (but would hopefully know that they should very much report those species on eBird so local birders can chase them!). Toucan species with new names.

Costa Rica 197

Costa Rica Birds Owls South America 197

10,000 Birds

JULY 18, 2014

“Okay, fellow songbird rehabbers,” wrote Vonda Lee Morton of Laurens Wildlife Rescue on her FaceBook page. “Is Is this a Song Sparrow ? BTW: Type “(species name) baby” into Google Images – do NOT use the terms hatchling, nestling or fledgling, or you’ll never get decent results.” Nearly inaudible.”.

Wildlife Rehabilitation 217

Wildlife Rehabilitation Birds Georgia Kentucky 217

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 25, 2016

Agonizing quandaries concerning invasive species are well-known to wildlife biologists. Still, with the help of various sources, the authors have a try: Ninety million cats live in 46 million American homes; There are 100 million feral cats that live outside and eat mostly wildlife, and 50 million owned cats (i.e.,

Feral Cats 253

Feral Cats Cats Tnr Feral 253

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 23, 2012

Southern Florida offers many unique wintering birds, but perhaps none more so then the sparrows that call different parts of Florida their winter homes. Tom Dunkerton tipped me off to an area on the Black Merritt National Wildlife Refuge where some of my target birds can be seen. There are always good birds to be found.

Florida 167

Florida South Dakota Sparrows Wildlife 167

10,000 Birds

JUNE 11, 2017

It could have been any of those from among the over 100 species that crossed Corey’s path this weekend but of them all he chose the singing Henslow’s Sparrow at the Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge as this state-threatened species is hard to see and it gave Corey the best looks he ever had of the species.

2017 101

2017 Louisiana Birds Breeding 101

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 1, 2020

This shows the top birders, by species or checklists submitted. Curu Wildlife Reserve. Curu Wildlife Reserve. Curu Wildlife Reserve. Curu Wildlife Reserve. Curu Wildlife Reserve. Curu Wildlife Reserve. Lago de Cuitzeo. 01 Jan 2020. Plain-breasted Ground Dove – Columbina minuta. 11 Jan 2020.

2020 156

2020 Wildlife Reserve Tigers Wildlife 156

10,000 Birds

JUNE 9, 2014

It was very shortly after five when I pulled up at Haven Road at the Bashakill State Wildlife Management Area and immediately heard an American Bittern busy “thunder-pumping.” The next hour plus netted me a host of other species, including my two other targets, Virginia Rail and Common Gallinule.

Breeding 152

Breeding New York Breeders Downers 152