10,000 Birds

MAY 1, 2018

Here in New York City, May is a magic time for birders as the migration floodgates open. To celebrate spring migration, I usually review an exciting new bird book. The Southeastern guide has many more contributed photographs, which makes sense since the authors are from Canada. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, April 2012, $29.

North America 100

North America America Oklahoma Missouri 100

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 5, 2019

My personal preference is the block prints, which perfectly capture the spirits of western woodpeckers, jays, and even a Ruby-crowned Kinglet, but there is a Canada Jay watercolor at the end that would look very nice in my living room. And, John Laws widely praised The Laws Guide to Drawing Birds (2012) is mysteriously missing.

Birds 145

Birds Eggs Laws Oregon 145

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 23, 2013

Though Ron is based in Ontario his reports are eagerly anticipated by birders across the northeastern United States and eastern Canada because it takes into account a vast array of data to figure out which irruptive species might show up where. Ron Pittaway has published his winter finch forecast for the winter of 2013-2014.

2013 161

2013 2014 Alaska Canada 161

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 4, 2018

There are 35 raptor species that have a presence in the United States and Canada, 56 (more or less) if you count by subspecies, and they are all covered in admirable, exhausting, unbelievable detail in B irds of Prey of the East: A Field Guide and Birds of Prey of the West: A Field Guide by Brian K. Abieticola).”

North America 187

North America Mississippi Bald Eagle Falcons 187

10,000 Birds

APRIL 2, 2013

Corey did just this in this 2011 posting about Vesper Sparrow Pooecetes gramineus in New York State. of New Mexico Press, 2005). The Second Atlas of Breeding Birds in New York State (Cornell Univ. University Park: The Pennsylvania State University Press, 2012. Geoff Malosh, Photo Editor; Catherine D.

Pennsylvania 223

Pennsylvania Breeding Sparrows Birds 223

10,000 Birds

MARCH 14, 2011

For my new book, due out in 2012 from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, I’ve been researching sandhill crane hunting. Kills in Canada, Alaska and Mexico are not included in the count. The Sandhill Crane is no different than the Aleutian strain of Canada goose. Canada Geese and Crows can figure it out, so can Cranes.

2011 241

2011 Kentucky Tennessee Hunting 241

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 4, 2012

Richard Fried spent 2011 doing a New York State Big Year and managed to top the record of 350 species which was only set in 2008 by Scott Whittle. Richard totaled 352 species, an impressive number, by seeing almost all of the regularly occurring New York birds and the vast majority of the rarities that showed up in 2011.

New York 172

New York Puerto Rico 2011 Japan 172

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 1, 2013

There were quite a few big years that took place in 2012. Perhaps the biggest big year of 2012 was in Australia. A new Australian Big Year Record was set by John Weigel, who did his big year to raise money for Tasmanian Devil conservation. Here are the final results, so far as I was able to figure them out. Did I miss anyone?

2012 152

2012 South Dakota Costa Rica Houston 152

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 1, 2016

Canada Goose – Branta canadensis. US-NY-New York-Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center – 40.6603x-73.9325. Canada Warbler – Cardellina canadensis. Barnacle Goose – Branta leucopsis. US-NJ-Monroe-20 S Middlesex Ave – 40.3293x-74.4564. 15 Jan 2016. Cackling Goose – Branta hutchinsii.

2016 154

2016 Sanctuary Ghana Australia 154