10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 23, 2013

The current situation with exotic bird species in Florida is in a state of flux, particularly southeast Florida where the bulk of exotic bird diversity in the United States resides — and much of it “uncountable.” Egyptian Goose, looking for handouts at Kendall-Baptist Hospital, by Carlos Sanchez.

Florida 235

Florida Miami Bolivia Alligators 235

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 29, 2013

Nearly every species of heron and egret in North America forage only feet away, some of them in their dazzling breeding displays. An alligator makes an aggressive but half-hearted lunge for a group of dabbling Blue-winged and Green-winged Teals. A lone Merlin watches the proceedings as a Sora darts by underneath our feet.

Factory 250

Factory North America Alligators Trafficking 250

10,000 Birds

MARCH 15, 2021

That’s because this fascinating part-Caribbean, part-south American country holds well over 800 species of avifauna making it without doubt one of my top three countries in all of the continent to visit. Ok, maybe not the vampire bat…but some of the more “cuddly” species are actually quite easy to see.

Guyana 279

Guyana Otters South America Colombia 279

10,000 Birds

APRIL 28, 2024

So, maintaining habitat along the coastline is vital to supporting these species. Rose-breasted Grosbeak Wilson’s Warbler Painted Buntings Another spot to check is the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center is focused on educating visitors about the animals that live on the Gulf Coast, including a nice variety of alligators.

Texas 246

Texas Alabama Alligators Nashville 246

10,000 Birds

MAY 29, 2012

BIRDING SEA WORLD One would expect a marine-themed attraction to deliver some sweet bird species. My best wild bird of Legoland had to be some kind of heron hunting among the turtles and young alligators in a cypress swamp. I obviously didn’t anticipate a pelagic vibe, but even fish hatcheries can offer excellent birding.

Florida 230

Florida Alligators Birds Turtles 230

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 29, 2013

I want to see Limpkins and Snail Kites and American Alligators and Yellow-throated Warblers and Painted Buntings and this list could go on for quite some time. I did find this report from the same field trip in 2008 , when they had over sixty species on the field trip so this could be a really productive and fun outing!

Florida 235

Florida Alligators Wildlife 2008 235

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 17, 2015

At the close of the meeting, I had a morning to fool around Dare County with the goal to finally tick over 200 species for the county. The Golden Eagles at Alligator River NWR were soaring elsewhere. It was a state bird for me, and one I’d wanted for some time. Heard only, but that still counts.

North Carolina 225

North Carolina Alligators Geese Owls 225

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 7, 2013

Well known to tourists who visit the trail by the thousands every year to see their first wild alligators, the site is generally passed off by the serious birder as having little potential of seeing something truly special — just close views of herons, egrets, and ibis.

Wildlife 189

Wildlife Alligators Miami Florida 189

10,000 Birds

MAY 26, 2018

This fragile ecosystem is home to 344 feathered species, 300 fish species (salt- and freshwater), 50 species of reptiles, 40 mammal species, and 36 listed species (threatened and/or protected). Alligator on nest.

Miami 188

Miami Las Vegas Alligators Minnesota 188

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 21, 2019

Which explains why this birder, who lives only four hours from that coast, had only twice searched there for the region’s tropical and coastal species — both times on ministry trips I made without my wife. The first attracts lots of local tourists, because of the many alligators that live in its waters. And I didn’t.

Mexico 185

Mexico Alligators ALA 2019 185

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 3, 2018

Mom became especially enraptured with the baby alligators we spotted – less than a foot long, they basked in the grass next to their mothers, or crawled atop her back and tail for extra protection. Baby alligators. The species was a life-bird for my mother. I so badly wanted to spot their chicken-like forms. Cute right?

Alligators 113

Alligators Sharks Turtles Chickens 113

10,000 Birds

MAY 19, 2015

Turns out, Monday brought more than a little rain, and we got soaked as we explored the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge and the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge along the ocean. They formed their little clumps along the water, all the species mixed together until a walker approached too closely.

North Carolina 230

North Carolina Alligators Wildlife Woodpeckers 230

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 27, 2014

I saw or heard a total 0f 147 species in my six days in Florida, including two lifers and one new bird for the ABA-area. Let’s take a few moments and see… The first of my goals was to see two introduced exotic species, the Nanday Parakeet and the Budgerigar. Could I have had a perfect trip? Clearly the answer is yes.

Florida 157

Florida Alligators Wildlife Species 157

10,000 Birds

APRIL 19, 2011

So it goes, but the bird itself, in theory if not in actuality this time, is one of those great southeast species that draws people to the region. I mean come on, it’s not like it’s an Alligator or anything. This was nothing like that, of course, but don’t tell that to the guy driving the Cadillac three cars back.

Florida 154

Florida South Carolina Alligators Wounded 154

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 5, 2012

I am, of course, referring to Alligator mississippiensis , more commonly known as the American Alligator , or, colloquially, as gators. Though alligator attacks are rare they do happen. According to Wikipedia : Alligators are capable of killing humans, but are generally wary enough not to see them as a potential prey.

Alligators 211

Alligators Reptiles New York City Florida 211

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 10, 2016

Besides, I didn’t need a still image to identify my familiar Florida species. My husband remained more interested in the species below the surface. Brown water limits visibility, but I know that a ton of fish species call this river home, not to mention the alligators. The lone shrimp we pulled up in the cast net.

Bald Eagle 154

Bald Eagle Florida Alligators Pelicans 154

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 26, 2018

So, on the morning of his Gainesville commencement ceremony, I amused myself the way any birder would: how many species could I see from the stadium? The University of Florida’s mascot is an alligator, but a Red-tailed Hawk is a good emblem for any transition from one phase of life to the next. Red-tailed Hawk in Flight.

Alligators 113

Alligators Florida Birds Species 113

4 The Love Of Animals

MARCH 17, 2011

Elephants, whales, hippopotamuses, giraffes, and alligators use low-frequency sounds to communicate over long distances, often miles; and bats, dolphins, whales, frogs, and various rodents use high-frequency sounds to find food, communicate with others, and navigate. Animal Rescues: Feeling Compassion for Those in Need.

Emotional 100

Emotional Animal Whales Whaling 100

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 15, 2012

These guys could eat alligators for lunch. The most common species when I was there that first morning was Great Knots , a life species for me. But there were other species too, including Bar-tailed and Black-tailed Godwits , Eastern Curlews and Curlew Sandpipers. Swimming in this part of the world is a bad idea.

Alligators 211

Alligators Guinea Australia 2012 211

10,000 Birds

MAY 15, 2011

I then had a year in Florida – beware the alligators and hurricanes! Though wood-warblers, the mostly brightly colored birds of the family Parulidae, are only found in the New World we felt that birders the world over would be pleased to see a plethora of posts about these striking and sought after species.

South Africa 180

South Africa United States Alligators Austin 180

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 5, 2019

In reverse order, the medals were awarded for “most species seen in a country”, to Australia with 420, USA got the silver, scoring 556 while the runaway winner was Costa Rica with 646 species. Alligator River NWR–Wildlife Drive. And Pat gets to keep the awards in the remainder of the categories. 01 Jan 2018.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Sparrows 113

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 3, 2018

During October, 7 countries (Costa Rica, Australia, USA, India, Hong Kong, UK, Serbia) were birded by 11 beats who shared 135 checklists and noted 697 species. Alligator River NWR–Wildlife Drive. The equanimity occurred as the two totals passed 3560. Alphabetic Taxonomic. Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve. 06 Apr 2018.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Los Angeles 113

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 6, 2018

They noted 598 species as a team, bringing the year total to 2118 and pushing the life list to 3555. Alligator River NWR–Wildlife Drive. They are hungry, tired and don’t need to be chased. 9 beats shared 100 checklists from 8 countries (Costa Rica, USA, UK, Brazil, Serbia, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Australia.

2018 113

2018 Australia Los Angeles Woodpeckers 113

10,000 Birds

MAY 6, 2018

Their 185 checklists contained 951 species during April! Alligator River NWR–Wildlife Drive. April’s number are below; 11 countries were visited by 9 beats; Australia, USA, UK, India, Serbia, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Brazil, New Zealand and Argentina. Expanding that for the year so far gives 795 / 1512. 01 Jan 2018.

2018 100

2018 Australia Los Angeles Albatross 100

10,000 Birds

JULY 7, 2018

10 countries were birded by 9 beats and 892 species were noted from 144 checklists. Alligator River NWR–Wildlife Drive. Who is going to tell the clans? Does Mel Gibson know? The Year List has been boosted to 1999 and the Life List has passed another landmark to reach 3519. These are they… Alphabetic Taxonomic.

2018 100

2018 Australia Los Angeles Woodpeckers 100

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 1, 2018

8 beats shared 126 checklists accounting for 704 species. Alligator River NWR–Wildlife Drive. Tom and Pat were toe to toe in Costa Rica , so the numbers from there outshone anything else on the list for November, with over 60% of the month’s total shared between them. El Tapir hummingbird garden. 01 Jan 2018. Central Park.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Los Angeles 113

10,000 Birds

APRIL 2, 2016

All birds are equal on this list; parking lot birds or pelagic species, breeders or fly-overs, all will be accorded the same status and each shall be worth 1 credit on the list. Alligator River NWR–Milltail Rd. Alligator River NWR–Milltail Rd. a (manastirski put). 13 Feb 2016. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary.

2016 180

2016 Sanctuary Australia Wildlife 180

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 1, 2016

All birds are equal on this list; parking lot birds or pelagic species, breeders or fly-overs, all will be accorded the same status and each shall be worth 1 credit on the list. Alligator River NWR–Milltail Rd. Alligator River NWR–Milltail Rd. a (manastirski put). 13 Feb 2016. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary.

2016 154

2016 Sanctuary Ghana Australia 154

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 3, 2016

All birds are equal on this list; parking lot birds or pelagic species, breeders or fly-overs, all will be accorded the same status and each shall be worth 1 credit on the list. Alligator River NWR–Milltail Rd. Alligator River NWR–Milltail Rd. a (manastirski put). 13 Feb 2016. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary.

2016 122

2016 Sanctuary Ghana Australia 122

10,000 Birds

JULY 2, 2016

Despite recording 370 species during the month, the list total has advanced by just 45. Just to confuse things a little, only 14 new species were recorded since June 1 st. Alligator River NWR–Milltail Rd. Alligator River NWR–Milltail Rd. As at June 30 th , it stands at 1796. Ng Tung Chai. 06 Jan 2016.

2016 100

2016 Ghana Sanctuary Australia 100

10,000 Birds

MAY 7, 2016

All birds are equal on this list; parking lot birds or pelagic species, breeders or fly-overs, all will be accorded the same status and each shall be worth 1 credit on the list. Alligator River NWR–Milltail Rd. Alligator River NWR–Milltail Rd. a (manastirski put). 13 Feb 2016. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary.

2016 100

2016 Ghana Sanctuary Australia 100

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 6, 2016

All birds are equal on this list; parking lot birds or pelagic species, breeders or fly-overs, all will be accorded the same status and each shall be worth 1 credit on the list. Alligator River NWR–Milltail Rd. Alligator River NWR–Milltail Rd. a (manastirski put). 13 Feb 2016. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary.

2016 100

2016 Sanctuary Ghana Australia 100

10,000 Birds

JUNE 4, 2016

All birds are equal on this list; parking lot birds or pelagic species, breeders or fly-overs, all will be accorded the same status and each shall be worth 1 credit on the list. Alligator River NWR–Milltail Rd. Alligator River NWR–Milltail Rd. a (manastirski put). 13 Feb 2016. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary.

2016 100

2016 Ghana Sanctuary Australia 100

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 7, 2017

The Crossley ID Guide: Waterfowl covers every residential, migrating, vagrant, exotic, and introduced swan, goose, dabbling and diving duck in North America (Canada and the United States): 62 Species Accounts on four swan species and one vagrant subspecies; 15 goose species; 46 duck species; plus accounts for hybrid geese, ducks and exotics.

Ducks 178

Ducks Geese North America Hunters 178

10,000 Birds

MARCH 5, 2011

Orlando is so rich in roadside and overhead birds that I kept a list of species seen from the car which ran to 30+ on the first morning and included a Bald Eagle nonchalantly sitting on a street lamp by a Target store. This is not good habitat for a Redgannet ; I had to get out of line.

Alligators 152

Alligators 2011 Deer Florida 152