10,000 Birds

JUNE 4, 2020

What happens when you put a naturalist in a kayak, adrift in Africa? I have read canoeing articles from Africa and knew that the Nile Crocodile ( Crocodilus niloticus ) pays no attention to the boat and, in theory, as long as I’m inside I’m safe. Cattle Egret 16. There are no crocs around here,’ said a smiling bartender.

Botswana 250

Botswana Africa 2001 Monkeys 250

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 8, 2015

But if they obeyed the rules, which may be too strict – in the Kruger Park in South Africa, the limit is 50 km/h (31 mi/h) – they would not manage to show tourists much of the reserve in about three hours in the morning and the afternoon, which would reflect on their tip. Grey-headed Fish Eagle Copyright © Nitin Bhardwaj.

Tigers 255

Tigers Boars India Chickens 255

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 5, 2012

The Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator can be found all around the Mediterranean, including many parts of North Africa, and its range extends East into Iran. ” Which roughly translates to “Stationary in the area of the cattle pasture and the surrounding bushes and adjacent reed bed” This was going to be easy.

Cattle 134

Cattle Germany Iran Breeders 134

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 26, 2016

I’m not certain why the Cape of Good Hope is the cape everyone talks about, it isn’t the southernmost point in Africa (that goes to Cape Agulhas, 150 kilometres to the south east). Cattle Egret in spring flowers. Spotted Eagle Owl. Cape of Good Hope. Cape Mongoose are also easy to see. Greater Flamingos. Strandfontein.

Penguins 177

Penguins Mongoose Birds Ostriches 177

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 20, 2012

Thus, the cattle we raise for meat and dairy are sometimes called Bos taurus while the extinct wild form is always called Bos primigenius. This is not entirely unknown among domestic animals, but many domesticates have no living wild version. Bringing animals that would require feed and water at that early stage would have been unwise.

Turkey 249

Turkey Columbus Spain Fowl 249

10,000 Birds

MARCH 16, 2017

Somewhere behind it comes another song, those liquid bubbles of European Bee-eater , also my first – they returned from Africa only a week ago. Susliks are becoming rarer: they need cattle to graze and keep the grass short. Susliks are becoming rarer: they need cattle to graze and keep the grass short.

Eagles 120

Eagles Squirrels Cattle Serbia 120

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 28, 2013

They belong to the same species like those found back in Europe, Sus scrofa – which inhabits a belt stretching from northern Africa and Europe all the way to Indonesia, but a different subspecies, S.s. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis. A bit more winding and the first endangered Indian wild ass, Equus hemionus khur , is in front of us.

India 256

India Birds Boars Eagles 256

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 28, 2012

Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters are something of a speciality, breeding here before flying off to Africa for the winter. Perched on the large irrigation equipment were some of my favourites, including the gorgeous looking Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters, Indian Rollers and diminutive Green Bee-eaters.

United Arab Emirates 155

United Arab Emirates UAE Oman Feral 155

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 28, 2012

Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters are something of a speciality, breeding here before flying off to Africa for the winter. Perched on the large irrigation equipment were some of my favourites, including the gorgeous looking Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters, Indian Rollers and diminutive Green Bee-eaters.

United Arab Emirates 153

United Arab Emirates UAE Oman Feral 153

10,000 Birds

JULY 18, 2022

I do not get too many comments on my blog posts, but it seems that whenever I write about jacanas – whether in Africa, Australia, or Asia – there is an unusually high number of reactions (well, maybe one or two rather than the usual zero) from female readers. This Cattle Egret has just read a paper stating that it would be 3.6

Birds 162

Birds South Korea Japan Abandoning 162

10,000 Birds

MARCH 18, 2015

Ostritch ( Struthio camelus ); Wakkerstroom, South Africa, 22 February. White-backed Duck ( Thalassornis leuconotus ); Wakkerstroom, South Africa, 22 February. South African Shelduck ( Tadorna cana ); Madikwe, South Africa, 17 February. Yellow-billed Duck ( Anas undulata ); Madikwe, South Africa, 17 February.

2015 220

2015 South Africa Botswana Singapore 220

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

However South Africa doesn’t meet either of these criteria, but one special factor nevertheless carries it into this auspicious list of 17 nations – the Cape Florisitic Kingdom. The Southern Double-collared Sunbird is a common denizen of the West Coast of South Africa where-ever flowering plants abound.

South Africa 265

South Africa Africa New Zealand Asia 265

10,000 Birds

JULY 10, 2012

All the inhabited continents except Africa have experienced bird extinctions; however the 2012 update of the IUCN Red List shows a startling, but not altogether unexpected, trend in that more and more of our bird species are facing extinction.

Endangered Species 235

Endangered Species Species Morocco South Africa 235

10,000 Birds

APRIL 13, 2015

Ethiopia, a landlocked country situated in the Horn of Africa, has firmly established itself as one of Africa’s top birding destinations. Its great diversity of habitats hosts an incredible bird count of over 900 species, including Africa’s 2nd highest list of endemics and near-endemics (after South Africa).

Ethiopia 255

Ethiopia Sudan Leopards Cattle 255

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 3, 2013

Hence, I was quite surprised with a brave, almost exciting paper by Brown, Forbes and Symes: “Recent history of the Egyptian Vulture in Southern Africa” (Vulture News, 2000). Conservation Africa Balkans Egyptian Vulture vultures' However, these birds used to live in my country and I still wanted to see them closer to home.

Sudan 252

Sudan Macedonia Botswana Serbia 252

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 4, 2013

The tigers keep wandering out of their reserve and taking cattle from nearby villages, taking what little these already poor people have. And therein my quarrel with those that oppose game hunting in Africa. The conservation value of hunting in Africa is a reality. This may not be the way it should be, but it is the way it is.

Tigers 210

Tigers Hunting Game Iraq 210

10,000 Birds

JULY 6, 2013

A study showed that a herd of cattle from which ox-peckers were shooed away over a prolonged study period showed no significant reduction in ticks compared to a herd which were allowed to host the birds. Birds Red-billed Ox-pecker South Africa' In fact it is widely thought that they prefer blood to bugs.

Rhinos 164

Rhinos White Rhinos South Africa Wounded 164

10,000 Birds

JUNE 3, 2015

Along with the tiny pygmy geese there is Africa’s largest duck, the Spur-winged Goose , and perched high on dead branches above the river were White-breasted Cormorants (a subspecies of the Great Cormorant according to some), Reed Cormorants and African Darters. Hippo and attending Cattle Egret. Yellow-billed Stork.

Botswana 162

Botswana Lesotho Elephants Bald Eagle 162

10,000 Birds

JUNE 27, 2019

The noble Blue Tit once ranged from Iran through Turkey and Europe to the Canary Islands (the Spanish Islands off North Africa – the other bird was named for the islands incidentally) and North Africa. Similarly when the Hoopoe and Cattle Egret were split, these are widespread birds with huge ranges even after the split.

Iran 167

Iran Barn Owls New Zealand Europe 167

10,000 Birds

JUNE 20, 2019

We are entering the mixed colony of 11 species ( Grey , Squacco , Purple and Black-crowned Night Herons ; Great , Little and, recently, Cattle Egrets ; Eurasian Spoonbill (below) and Glossy Ibis ; Pygmy and Great Cormorant ). These visits are strictly regulated and the birds are habituated to people, showing no reaction to our presence.

Greece 203

Greece Pelicans Buffalo Fish 203

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 16, 2022

Pafuri lies in the northernmost part of the Kruger National Park and is described as “some of the most potentially productive birding territory in South Africa” on the SANParks website. It is the heaviest among the rollers in Africa. ” (HBW).

Elephants 147

Elephants Congo Birds Africa 147

10,000 Birds

MAY 8, 2013

Despite filling very similar garbage disposal related niches, the vultures in North America and the vultures in Eurasia/Africa are really not that closely related. Large, hulking, and menacing, the Old World Vultures , who reach their greatest diversity in sub-Saharan Africa, had a reputation, maybe undeserved, for viciousness.

California Condor 228

California Condor Turkey North America Jordan 228

10,000 Birds

MARCH 1, 2016

Then, we became birders again, noting Common Mynas and Eastern Cattle Egrets on the terraced lawns, Yellow-footed Pigeons, European-collared and Red-collared Doves in the trees bordering the garden squares. India was not on my list of places to go in 2016. We all participated in the photo party, I admit, plain old tourists for a few minutes.

India 190

India Tigers Owls Birds 190

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 5, 2020

That equates to almost six and a half days in South Africa. Cattle Egret – Bubulcus ibis. . “Birding Over Time” compares the number of species recorded over a month with that month from previous years. We are 140 ticks behind our August 2019 figures and 340 behind on the year as a whole. Any volunteers?

2020 161

2020 Sparrows Woodpeckers Blackbirds 161

10,000 Birds

JULY 6, 2023

Cattle Egrets are thoroughly modern birds – they were among the first species to ditch mailed letters for faxes, then switched to email early, and now (at least in China) mostly communicate by WeChat. They are also early adopters with regard to their foraging – nowadays mostly following tractors rather than cattle.

Birds 130

Birds Eggs Breeders McDonalds 130

4 The Love Of Animals

JUNE 3, 2010

The disease can attack domestic pets, such as dogs and cats, as well as livestock, such as horses, chickens, and cattle. The virus originated in Africa, around the Nile region and has only threatened the United States in recent years. In human cases, generally the illness only poses a danger to small children or the elderly.

Protection 100

Protection Pets Horses Cats 100

Animal Ethics

SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

It is argued that beef cattle and hogs are protein factories in reserve. In order to produce one pound of beef, cattle eat approximately sixteen pounds of grain; and in order to produce six pounds of pork or ham, hogs eat approximately six pounds of grain. The proponent of the argument wants to stop replacing them when they die.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Morals Meat Cattle 40

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 4, 2020

Cattle Egret – Bubulcus ibis. They came home exhausted. Tricolored Heron – Egretta tricolor. Embalse San Miguel, Turrúcares (acceso restringido). 02 Dec 2019. Reddish Egret – Egretta rufescens. Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. 22 Dec 2019. CalleCollege Periodistas. 02 Dec 2019. Squacco Heron – Ardeola ralloides.

2019 229

2019 Chile Texas Sanctuary 229

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 2, 2019

Visited this month were; Germany , France , Austria, South Africa, Hong Kong, USA, UK, Serbia, Costa Rica, Australia, China, Indonesia , Switzerland and Singapore). The year list has reached 2403 , a boost of 174 and the life list now stands at 3875 after beats’ efforts in Indonesia, South Africa and China added 39 ticks.

2019 153

2019 China Battery Jamaica 153

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 23, 2024

According to Storks, Ibises and Spoonbills of the World , a handsome volume written by James Hancock, James Kushan and Philip Kohl and published by Academic Press in 1992, Geronticus eremita “once nested in the mountains of central Europe, across northern Africa and into the Middle East. But this range is now much reduced.

Morocco 246

Morocco Austria Algeria Germany 246

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 19, 2014

Beyond that, I will try and initiate a business trip to northern Sumatra (Indonesia), and there is a certain chance (although the probability is below 50%) that work might take me to Africa somewhere south of the Sahara. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis : Camargue, Provence, France, 2 Jan.

2014 145

2014 France Germany Indonesia 145

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 10, 2022

Greater Flamingo (Cape Town, South Africa). Cattle Egret (Nanhui, China). Great Hornbill (Hongbenghe, China). Green Bee-eater (Nabang, China). Green Bee-eater (Delhi, India). Grey Heron (Nanhui, China). Black-throated Bushtit (Tianmashan, China). Black-winged Stilt (Nanhui, China). Blue-and-white Flyc atcher (Nanhui, China).

China 263

China India Homelessness South Africa 263

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 7, 2019

The Management are still in Africa, suffering the buffering that comes with remoteness. Cattle Egret – Bubulcus ibis. And that, in case you were wondering, is how the trip to Uganda came to pass and incidently, why none of us are allowed into Dunkin’ Donuts ever again. 01 Nov 2019. Cerro Lodge. 01 Nov 2019. Cerro Lodge.

2019 169

2019 Farming Sparrows Charlotte 169

10,000 Birds

JUNE 2, 2018

But the beats go on in Southern climes and our intrepid little-big-year beat, Tom enters Africa. No peace for the blessed (Are you all as impressed as I am that Tom is in Africa and still finding time to review photos, share checklists and write blog posts?). Cattle Egret – Bubulcus ibis. El Centenario Tidal Flats.

2018 100

2018 Australia Los Angeles Albatross 100

10,000 Birds

JULY 7, 2018

Honduras , Malaysia and the southern-most bits of South Africa feature large this month with Mike, Duncan and Tom all vying to be MVB for June. Cattle Egret – Bubulcus ibis. Cattle Tyrant – Machetornis rixosa. Of course we all know it will be Pat… again… , but let them have their fun. 01 Jan 2018.

2018 100

2018 Australia Los Angeles Woodpeckers 100

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 1, 2016

Duncan has been in Africa, sweeping all before him like a brush fire. Contributions this month have come from; Costa Rica, USA, Australia, Mexico, Serbia, South Africa, UK, Botswana, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and Iran. Cattle Egret – Bubulcus ibis. South Africa. Cattle Tyrant – Machetornis rixosa.

2016 154

2016 Sanctuary Ghana Australia 154

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 3, 2016

But our pin-up for August and worthy of a double-page-spread, is Duncan who is currently sharing from South Africa. Cattle Egret – Bubulcus ibis. South Africa. Cattle Tyrant – Machetornis rixosa. South Africa. In so doing, he has helped to push us through the 1900 milestone. Cutler Wetlands. Folha Seca.

2016 106

2016 Sanctuary Ghana Australia 106