10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 30, 2012

It’s southernmost third, given to Virginia by accident of history rather than geopolitical intention, lies apart from the rest of the state both culturally and geographically. Standing at the hawkwatch at Kiptopeke State Park, as I did for a significant amount of by visit to Virginia, was a humbling experience, not just for the word-class birding raptor watching but for the enormous numbers of passerines passing overhead at any moment. Birding ABA Virginia

Virginia 60

Virginia 2012 North Carolina DC 60

Critter News

MARCH 6, 2010

Why would this West Virginia University project be the recipient of federal stimulus money? From West Virginia Metro News. Tags: west virginia university animal research Obama tax dollars us Thanks to your tax dollars, federal stimulus money is being used to build a $14.5 million dollar research lab. It is the largest grant thus far under the stimulus package. It will house rodents for use in experiments.

West Virginia 109

West Virginia Virginia Animal Research 2010 109

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 17, 2011

Amazing photographs of an albino Ruby-throated Hummingbird that has been visiting a yard in Staunton, Virginia, can be viewed here. Asides hummingbirds

Virginia 71

Virginia 2011 71

Critter News

AUGUST 16, 2008

Attorney Julia Dudley said Blevins had bought animals for several years from trappers in different states and brought them to Virginia to sell to the owners of "fox pens." He was caught after a yearlong investigation by Virginia game officials that included the undercover purchases of 54 red foxes and 47 coyotes from Blevins. Howard Glen Blevins, 68, of Asheville, N.C., pleaded guilty in March to five counts of trafficking in wild animals. A statement from U.S.

Fox 100

Fox Virginia 2008 Coyotes 100

Critter News

NOVEMBER 29, 2008

Overlooked this one. Another nasty farm animal abuse story. Whatever you think about PETA, I admire them for exposing this crap. It's even got Chuck Jolley from the Cattle Network riled up. Bottom line: If you’re running a business where you allow the kinds of shortcuts that let animal abuse happen, please sell it and leave the industry now. Find another line of work. If you’re caught by PETA or HSUS, please do not plead ignorance and vow to clean it up. It will be too late.

West Virginia 100

West Virginia Virginia Turkey 2008 100

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 9, 2012

The Virginia’s Warbler that has eluded birders since Eric Miller first found it on 31 October has been refound – and photographed – by Andrew Baksh. This is the first documented record of this southwestern wood-warbler in New York State. Congratulations to Eric for the original find and to Andrew for forestalling any accusations of stringing against Eric!

Virginia 52

Virginia 2012 New York Birds 52

10,000 Birds

JUNE 27, 2017

One particular resting place brought me to familiar birding territory: Pleasure House Point, Virginia Beach. When I was first learning to bird in the summer of 2013, I spent a summer living with my fiance in Virginia Beach. During my three days in Virginia Beach, I knew I had to walk that path again. Virginia Beach is pretty built up, so each disturbance and loss of habitat weighs on our avian friends. Birding Virginia Virginia Beach Yellow-crowned Night-Heron

2017 40

2017 2013 Virginia Branding 40

10,000 Birds

MARCH 27, 2021

During migration, they occur in more places, I bet that golden-hooded bird with a rainforest mixed flock was on its way to Virginia or Alabama or wooded swamp in some other part of its ancient range that used to bear witness to the double knocks of Ivory-billeds.

Costa Rica 87

Costa Rica Alabama Vermont Baltimore 87

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 27, 2020

On Friday morning he unsuccessfully chased a LeConte’s Sparrow and a Connecticut Warbler in Queens but had his second ever encounter with Virginia Rail in Queens as well as a Yellow-breasted Chat.

2020 85

2020 Connecticut Virginia New York 85

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 20, 2019

On one hand, it’s already the official state bird of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the home state of Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery, just as it is for half a dozen other states, making it the most popular selection nationwide.

2019 61

2019 Rattlesnake Virginia Japan 61

10,000 Birds

JULY 17, 2014

Keep your eyes to the skies for brilliant sunrises, like the one my buddy Beau Walsburger snapped in Virginia Beach this morning. I’ll be finishing up my Virginia Beach vacation and admiring birds on the Chesapeake Bridge Bay Tunnel on the way back to Rochester this weekend. The month of July is more than half over, but those of us enjoying summer still have many weeks of hot fun ahead.

2014 71

2014 Virginia Birds 71

10,000 Birds

JUNE 23, 2019

He had a suspicion that it might be a Virginia Rail though it wasn’t a noise he was used to hearing from Virginia Rails. To confirm the identity, he played a quick snippet of Virginia Rail tape – literally less than five seconds – and, well, as you can see from the photo above the bird responded! If you’re not finding mid-June birding all that exciting, you’re definitely not alone.

2019 43

2019 Virginia Suffering New York 43

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 27, 2018

North Bend State Park, West Virginia. Strong populations of birds reside in the hardwood forests and dense understories in this north-eastern location of West Virginia. Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia. Known as a warbler haven, 30+ species visit this bi-state park near the Kentucky and Virginia southern border. Leaves and birds in the Appalachian Mountains.

2018 67

2018 West Virginia Virginia Kentucky 67

Critter News

MAY 21, 2009

Vick has returned to his home in Virginia. From the AJC: He will spend the next two months being monitored at home and working a $10-an-hour job as a construction laborer. He’s scheduled to be released from federal custody on July 20, and then faces three years of supervised probation.

2009 100

2009 Michael Vick Virginia Campaign 100

Critter News

JANUARY 7, 2010

US District Judge Emmet Sullivan signed the December 30 ruling in favor of Ringling's owner, Virginia-based Feld Entertainment Inc. Pretty heavy blow. FEI) at the outset of a nine-year-old suit brought by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) that culminated in a six-week trial in March.

Ringling Brothers 155

Ringling Brothers Elephants 2010 Bullhook 155

4 The Love Of Animals

AUGUST 21, 2012

Best Friends Pet Care is a leading national pet care company and offers boarding, daycare, grooming and training at 42 locations across 18 states, including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia.

2012 176

2012 Dogs Oklahoma Maryland 176

Critter News

APRIL 20, 2010

The high court case stemmed from the arrest and conviction of a Virginia-based documentary producer named Robert Stevens who sold videos containing scenes of dogfights. The Supreme Court struck down a law that outlawed the depiction of animal cruelty. Mr. Stevens said his videos were aimed at portraying the aggressive characteristics of pit bulls and the use of pit bulls in hunting. He argued that his documentaries were protected by the First Amendment.

Animal Cruelty 100

Animal Cruelty 2010 Cruelty Pit Bulls 100

Critter News

AUGUST 27, 2008

Wildlife Crime Watch" is a new program implemented by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. This program is a proactive effort to develop a partnership between citizens and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Sounds intriguing. I was particularly interested in the list of program sponsors. They were all hunting associations AND the National Rifle Association.

2008 100

2008 Wildlife Game Virginia 100

10,000 Birds

MARCH 24, 2021

Which may be why the photo here shows two Clay-colored Sparrows , one Yellow-rumped Warbler , and one lovely Virginia’s Warbler , all hiding among many vicious huizache thorns.

Sparrows 60

Sparrows Virginia Protection Humane 60

10,000 Birds

JULY 21, 2019

Despite getting good looks at Virginia Rail , lots of Eastern Kingbirds , and a host of other birds he decided to stick by his old standby as his Best Bird of the Weekend, a Green Heron. A hot weekend doesn’t necessarily make for hot birding, but things may be warming up on that front. One truth you learn in the birding business is that birds are always moving in one direction or another. If you didn’t see much this weekend, just wait a few weeks.

2019 61

2019 New York City Virginia New York 61

4 The Love Of Animals

OCTOBER 13, 2011

they are sending professional photographer Nanette Martin to take pictures of shelter pets at the Virginia Beach SPCA. We wanted to share this great initiative called “Bowl by Bowl” that challenges negative perceptions of shelter pets as well as helps feed animals in need. Purina One will donate a bowl of food to a shelter for every quiz completed on their Facebook page.

2011 125

2011 Shelters SPCA Homelessness 125

10,000 Birds

APRIL 10, 2021

When birding in parks and woodlots of Ohio, Virginia, and Toronto, places with groves of maples and old craggy oaks, it can be hard to imagine that the Red-eyed Vireos of constant song were foraging for caterpillar larvae in rainforest just a few months earlier.

Costa Rica 61

Costa Rica Nicaragua Ohio Honduras 61

4 The Love Of Animals

JULY 6, 2010

Puppy Bumpers manufactured in Virginia at STEPS, Inc., Puppy Bumpers are stuffed collars that keep dogs from getting out of fences. It’s a patented solution for people with dogs who fit through wrought iron fence rails or balcony slats! Though we haven’t tried them ourselves, we think they are a great solution to a common problem a lot of pet owners have. And, we are lucky enough to have one collar to giveaway !

Puppies 149

Puppies 2010 Virginia Dogs 149

Animal Person

JULY 21, 2009

Northern Virginia? From VegCooking , courtesy of PeTA: The vegan-friendly attitude of P.F. Chang's is largely due to the number of requests that management receives for meatless cuisine. Vegan dishes are among the bestsellers. One manager told PETA Eats that most people prefer the vegetarian lettuce wraps over those with chicken. Wok-seared tofu, red onions, and water chestnuts with hints of mint and lime and served with cool lettuce leaves are a combination that few can turn down.

Vegan 100

Vegan 2009 Vegetarian PETA 100

10,000 Birds

APRIL 7, 2021

March 23/24: A Virginia’s Warbler forages in my jacaranda tree.

Nashville 67

Nashville Virginia Sparrows Woodpeckers 67

10,000 Birds

JULY 6, 2020

And in April, he sees the return of the many species he has seen in that month in years past – but, also, weirdly, a Virginia Rail, a reclusive marsh bird, flopping around the sidewalk in downtown D.C. (the

2020 61

2020 DC New Hampshire Maryland 61

10,000 Birds

MAY 17, 2020

Photographers: Wil Hershberger (American woodcock, Eastern whip-poor-will); Marie Read (Virginia rail, Northern flicker); Robert Royse (Canyon wren, Wilson’s snipe).

2020 78

2020 Virginia Boston North America 78

Critter News

FEBRUARY 26, 2009

after pleading guilty to bankrolling a dogfighting operation at a home he owned in eastern Virginia's Surry County. Already? Imprisoned NFL star Michael Vick will be allowed to finish his sentence under home confinement because there is no room at a halfway house for him, a government official told The Associated Press Thursday. Vick is serving a 23-month sentence at the federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kan.,

2009 100

2009 Pit Bulls Michael Vick Virginia 100

10,000 Birds

MAY 26, 2019

Corey has been enjoying the beach and the sun down in Virginia all weekend. In the midst of a three-day Memorial Day observance, many American birders still have a day left to nail down a BBOTW. If you’re not happy with your progress so far, make the most of what is left of May.

2019 43

2019 Pelicans Breeders Virginia 43

10,000 Birds

MAY 24, 2019

Corey is taking his act down to Virginia Beach, which is a mighty birding destination in itself. Is May ending already? Some birders wait eleven months for just this moment, keenly feeling loss after its passing. How can you prevent the post-migration blues? Make hay while the sun shines: if birds are still passing through your corner of the world, get out and greet every one. Maybe they’ll come back in the fall!

2019 43

2019 Virginia Birds 43

10,000 Birds

APRIL 28, 2015

In addition to North Carolina, six other states have named the cardinal their state bird, including Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, and Ohio. When birders in the eastern United States see a flash of red up in the canopy or deep inside nearby bushes, more likely than not those crimson feathers belong to the iconic Northern Cardinal.

North Carolina 72

North Carolina 2015 Legislature West Virginia 72

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 10, 2012

You can imagine my excitement when Eric Miller, a fellow Queens birder, found a Virginia Warbler in Alley Pond Park in, yes, you guessed it, Queens, on 31 October, two days after Hurricane Sandy made landfall. That’s right, I was out looking for the Virginia’s Warbler with a whole big bunch of other birders. Dipping on a bird like a Virginia’s Warbler , which normally is no closer to New York than, say, Colorado, hurt.

Virginia 50

Virginia 2012 Colorado Zoos 50

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 26, 2020

If they don’t feel like it, they can just keep going and fly over a place the size of West Virginia in a day.

Costa Rica 107

Costa Rica 2020 West Virginia Panama 107

10,000 Birds

JUNE 23, 2014

Proving that cruelty knows no bounds, some (language unsuitable for a family blog) in Virginia Beach is shooting blow darts at birds. Birding in Israel? Report your sightings to help build an eBird-like database of the country’s avifauna.

Science 77

Science 2014 Hawaii Oregon 77

10,000 Birds

MAY 2, 2020

Virginia’s Warbler (Leiothlypis virginiae). As the rest of the world hides behind the curtains, our beats have thrown theirs open to record the avian life that passes outside their windows.

2020 63

2020 Woodpeckers Virginia Blackbirds 63

10,000 Birds

JULY 20, 2014

While it was neither the rarest or most interesting bird I saw this weekend, the Eastern Bluebird that flew over my car as I drove through Virginia has to take Best Bird of the Weekend honors just because it will be my third blue bird in a row. This is an interesting time of year when people are coming and going while birds mostly sit still. Except, of course, that some birds are also coming and going too.

2014 72

2014 New Jersey Virginia Rights 72

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 9, 2020

El Temascal does not (to the best of my knowledge) host the Ovenbird , Northern Waterthrush , Lucy’s , or Virginia’s Warblers , although I do see these species elsewhere each winter. Dear U.S. and Canadian birding friends: I feel your pain. I understand that my gain is your loss.

2020 74

2020 Nashville Virginia Shelters 74

10,000 Birds

MAY 29, 2013

My friend Virginia texted me the other day with the message with an MP4: “What is making this high pitched sound in my yard??” Learning bird calls is essential to improve your bird watching skills. But sometimes it’s not a matter of learning different species, but learning the different calls of the most common species. American Robins have a distinctive territory song (sometimes sung at 4:30am much to the chagrin of those of us who like to sleep with our windows open).

2013 80

2013 Virginia Cats Species 80

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 21, 2014

He’d heard reports of Virginia Rail being present there in winter but was amazed when one responded to a recording! So many people devoted serious time this weekend to acquiring gifts for family, friends, and strategic acquaintances. Hopefully, each of you found time to give yourselves the gift of a decent bird sighting or two. I tried to rustle up some Short-eared Owls down at Nations Road, a notorious haunt for these magnificent beasts.

2014 65

2014 Virginia Owls Family 65

10,000 Birds

JULY 10, 2014

The reason I mention vacation birding is that I’m headed down to Virginia Beach this weekend for sun, sand, and who knows what else. Anyone who knows me knows my favorite kind of birding: vacation birding. Enjoy your patches and your resident breeders. I’ll take new birds in new habitat any day. I’ve always loved traveling, but never as much as now when I can truly understand a place by learning about its birds and how they connect to other avifauna across the world.

2014 69

2014 Breeders Virginia Pelicans 69

10,000 Birds

APRIL 22, 2020

And, until recently, those forests also hosted Townsend’s , Hermit , Black-and-White , Virginia’s , and even a Colima Warbler or two each year. 10,000 Birds is having trouble with our website platform. If this post turns up on Wednesday, April 23, it will mean I was successful in uploading text. However, the platform did not allow me to include photos. Since I consider myself a better writer than photographer, I can live with that.

2020 58

2020 Nashville ALA Louisiana 58

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 2, 2013

Birders in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, West Virginia, Indiana, Minnesota, North Dakota, Maryland, and Virginia are all enjoying Snowy Owls , but none as much as the North Carolina birders, who are enjoying their first and second Snowy Owls in thirteen years. Snowy Owl in Queens, New York, 1 December 2013.

Owls 87

Owls 2013 Rhode Island North Carolina 87

10,000 Birds

JULY 13, 2014

I’ve only been in Virginia Beach for a few days and I’ve already knocked down most of my targets, including Blue Grosbeak and Yellow-breasted Chat at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Any Jimmy Buffet fans out there? His song, “C hanges in latitude, changes in birding attitude” really rings true when you’re on the road. Traveling really rejuvenates the passion when local breeders become banal.

2014 65

2014 Breeders New York City Virginia 65