10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 4, 2021

I pointed at the bird shown below but he insisted it could not be that species – no long tail … For people of a certain age, gender and background, at some point The Smiths were the most important band in the world. Cattle Egrets have perfected that smudgy look. A juvenile Chinese Blackbird. But do we really care?

LACS 237

LACS Birds France Japan 237

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 8, 2013

This park protects the largest remaining tract of dry deciduous forest in the west of India, offering visitors 37 species of reptiles, 38 species of mammals and, not to be forgotten – almost 300 bird species. A low branch is decorated by a Green Bee-eater (above) and a tree top above it holds several Cattle Egrets.

Lions 232

Lions India Mammals Boars 232

10,000 Birds

JULY 7, 2012

Have you ever enjoyed one of those brilliant birding expeditions, the outing where every target species takes its cue with machine precision? The lush pastures of the Aripo Livestock Station sustained herds of happy Buffalypso , a special breed of T&T beef cattle named for their Water Buffalo heritage and Calypso-happy country.

Trinidad 181

Trinidad Fast Food Cattle Blackbirds 181

10,000 Birds

JUNE 9, 2022

After writing this last sentence, I looked up the species in the HBW and found the sentence “Song poorly documented” in the appropriate section, while with regard to calls, the description is that “call is a two-note raspy nasal ‘ryeeh-reh’”. These birds have too much taste.

Mountain Goats 147

Mountain Goats Singapore Giraffes Birds 147

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 18, 2020

The prospect of identifying a certain number of species in a given amount of time pushes us to pay more attention to birds no matter what the circumstances (although I suggest keeping the exclamations about species identifications to yourself during such solemn situations as funerals, graduations, and watching episodes of The Sopranos).

Costa Rica 262

Costa Rica 2020 Morals Farming 262

10,000 Birds

APRIL 4, 2014

During this time, the fish trapped in the shrinking pools of water attract hordes of herons, egrets, storks, and other wetland species. Raptors such as Savanna Hawk , Snail Kite , and Black-collared Hawk and up to five species of kingfisher also join the bonanza in one of the world’s great birding spectacles.

Brazil 165

Brazil Paraguay Blackbirds Birds 165

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 25, 2018

This refuge offers such a wide variety of species, that I wrote a post awhile back showing several species of wading birds in the same location on the auto tour route. Check out this image of a Great Egret ( Ardea alba ), Snowy Egret ( Egretta thula ) and Cattle Egret ( Bubulcus ibis ) together.

Wildlife 101

Wildlife Sacramento Bald Eagle Falcons 101

10,000 Birds

JULY 27, 2011

I’m only supposed to document one specific species, but I also note the other birds because in a 4 hour period, I’m lucky if I see the target species for 15 minutes. Cattle wandered this pasture along with me (one cow even attempted to taste my carbon fiber tripod). It’s a good strategy for Bobolinks to have.

Birds 162

Birds Cattle Blackbirds North America 162

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 2, 2018

We saw sparrows–a total of 14 species–and we saw many other great prairie birds, and we often saw them perched on posts. Brewer’s Blackbirds often joined the hordes of Red-winged Blackbirds flitting in and out of the taller grasses and few shrubs.

North Dakota 143

North Dakota Sparrows Birds Blackbirds 143

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 20, 2015

The warm, sunny climate beckons a wide variety of passerines, raptors, and shorebirds to spend the winter, inflating the species diversity to the extent that Miami-Dade can go toe-to-toe with counties in Texas and Arizona during this season. Can we hit 200 ABA-countable species in four days next year? Cattle Egret: 133.

Miami 167

Miami 2015 United States Florida 167

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 16, 2021

We have nearly 930 species on the official list and with some effort, 700 in a year is a feasible goal. Cattle Egret – Bubulcus ibis; San Joaquin de Heredia, 1-Jan. Red-winged Blackbird – Agelaius phoeniceus; Tirimbina, 9-Jan. Melodious Blackbird – Dives dives; San Joaquin de Heredia, 1-Jan.

Costa Rica 163

Costa Rica Parrots Birds Baltimore 163

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 11, 2019

For many grassland species, our vast expanses of tilled and plowed fields, orchards and vineyards, pastures and rangeland offer an abundance of convenient food and shelter – and some bolder birds even wander indoors to find these things in our barns and stables. For most of history, beer has thrived in agrarian settings, too.

Belgium 120

Belgium Vermont Farming Europe 120

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 17, 2017

In early August this year, I saw 77 species here (69 on the lake, plus 8 more in the surrounding areas) but barely more than a thousand individuals. A few Lesser Kestrels by the dyke wall, then a Black-eared Wheatear at some cattle fencing. Spring (migrants and breeding species) and winter (wintering waterbirds). Practicalities.

Greece 193

Greece Killing Pelicans Eagles 193

10,000 Birds

APRIL 4, 2011

Enjoy this blow-by-blow description of an amazing day of birding… Team name: The Shrikes Team members: Stavros Christodoulides (team leader), Melis Charalambides, Lefkios Sergides, Dan Rhoads Number of (sub)species seen: 119 (counting two ssp. With that, we turned westwards for the Larnaca district, at 11:40 with 95 species.

Cyprus 145

Cyprus 2011 Birds Owls 145

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 19, 2019

To surpass a challenging number of species, the planning, the conniving for major birding should have begun back in the past, in 2018. Every day counts and to seriously maximize the species total, a birder needs to maximize time in the field at the most productive places during the most productive times and then some.

Costa Rica 113

Costa Rica 2019 Parrots Woodpeckers 113

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 20, 2018

The pressure is on if you can only get certain species during the first month of the year but if you just want to add any old birds to the year list, everything is fresh! Since I’m in no big hurry to reach any number of species in 2018, my year birding is going to be a fresh one hopefully touched with a good dose of Zen.

Costa Rica 163

Costa Rica Parrots Woodpeckers Birds 163

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 21, 2017

Nevertheless, I still have over 232 species including the latest addition- a Striped Owl heard from my bedroom window as it called into a moonlit night. With luck, this bird list will also see species from other countries, I hope “wherever else” ends up referring to Colombia and Brazil!

Costa Rica 104

Costa Rica 2017 Woodpeckers Parrots 104

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 4, 2021

They birded 7 countries during August and recorded 542 species. The year list remains sluggish at 1489 , but the life list received a boost from the eBird taxonomy reshuffle and now includes 4076 species. Stay vigilant and safe. 10 of the beats have submitted 124 checklists which are collated below for your perusal.

Woodpeckers 207

Woodpeckers Sparrows Blackbirds Parrots 207

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 7, 2021

Yet, 79 checklists were submitted by 8 beats, accounting for 366 species in 5 countries. Yet, 79 checklists were submitted by 8 beats, accounting for 366 species in 5 countries. Yet, 79 checklists were submitted by 8 beats, accounting for 366 species in 5 countries.

Sparrows 250

Sparrows Woodpeckers Ducks Blackbirds 250

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 1, 2020

The 83 checklists submitted during July contained 459 species. Cattle Egret – Bubulcus ibis. Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. Chinese Blackbird – Turdus mandarinus. Red-winged Blackbird – Agelaius phoeniceus. Melodious Blackbird – Dives dives. Mute Swan – Cygnus olor.

2020 156

2020 Blackbirds Sparrows Woodpeckers 156

10,000 Birds

MAY 2, 2020

Between them they shared 63 checklists, spanning 5 countries and noted 231 species of birds. Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis). Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula). Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus). Melodious Blackbird (Dives dives). 7 beats contributed this month. Graylag Goose (Anser anser). Turdus sp.).

2020 155

2020 Woodpeckers Blackbirds Sparrows 155

10,000 Birds

JUNE 24, 2021

The fields near the Tiaozini mudflats look very much like a lunar landscape, but this does not seem to keep a number of species from breeding there, sometimes directly on dirt roads. The fourth species apparently breeding on these fields is Grey-headed Lapwing. Much better than some fiddly spoon-billed sandpipers. Not this one.

Uganda 224

Uganda Birds Rats Breeding 224

10,000 Birds

MARCH 6, 2021

9 beats from 8 countries (Australia, USA, UK, Serbia, Costa Rica, China, Trinidad and Tobago and Mexico), shared 138 checklists for 703 species. The year list to date is 1015 species and 7 have been added to the life list ( 4059 ) from Costa Rica, China and Trinidad and Tobago. 201 Cattle Egret – Bubulcus ibis.

Woodpeckers 188

Woodpeckers Sparrows Parrots Ducks 188

10,000 Birds

JULY 3, 2021

Between them, they found 389 species in 5 countries. Insects were held back by weird spring weather, but now the warmth returns and the birds are feasting on the late stirring bugs. June saw 8 beats get their birding boots on and share 90 checklists for your pleasure.

Woodpeckers 252

Woodpeckers Sparrows Ducks Niger 252

10,000 Birds

JUNE 6, 2020

149 checklists were submitted, accounting for 465 species. Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis). Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula). Chinese Blackbird (Turdus mandarinus). Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus). Melodious Blackbird (Dives dives). Gray Heron (Ardea cinerea). Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea).

2020 153

2020 Niger Sparrows Woodpeckers 153

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 2, 2021

11 beats have been out this month and have submitted 136 checklists from 7 countries ticking 634 species. 251 Cattle Egret – Bubulcus ibis. 374 Brewer’s Blackbird – Euphagus cyanocephalus. 381 Melodious Blackbird – Dives dives. 570 Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula.

Woodpeckers 212

Woodpeckers Sparrows Parrots Blackbirds 212

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 26, 2020

These include Little Corellas , Red Wattlebirds , Little Wattlebirds , Common Mynas , Common Blackbirds , Galahs , Australian Magpies , Superb Fairy-wrens , Grey Fantails , Crimson Rosellas and Red-browed Finch. There had been quite a few Cattle Egrets in the area until recently and so it was good to see them for the first time in 2020.

Buffalo 163

Buffalo Fish Koalas Cattle 163

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 31, 2018

Here we will actually stop for a full day, as there is a 10,000 acre wetland refuge, which should hold several species of gulls, White-fronted Geese and Black Brant, just to name a few. As far as my year’s list, this last weekend netted me 6 more species, putting me at 127 species.

Ducks 116

Ducks Blackbirds California Sparrows 116

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 3, 2019

They accounted for 562 species at this sluggish time of year. Cattle Egret – Bubulcus ibis. Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. Yellow-headed Blackbird – Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. Red-winged Blackbird – Agelaius phoeniceus. Melodious Blackbird – Dives dives. 01 Jul 2019.

2019 120

2019 Idaho Sparrows Woodpeckers 120

10,000 Birds

JULY 6, 2019

beats have still managed to share 82 checklists and accounted for 737 species. Red-winged Blackbird – Agelaius phoeniceus. Cattle Egret – Bubulcus ibis. Melodious Blackbird – Dives dives. Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. Brewer’s Blackbird – Euphagus cyanocephalus.

2019 121

2019 Jamaica Eggs Woodpeckers 121

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 23, 2016

Back in Costa Rica, walks through coffee and fields near the house, and a few other day trips have upped the list to 250 species. The year has just started, there are hundreds of other bird species to look for, I wonder if I can reach 700 species for Costa Rica by December 31st? White-eyed Vireo! .

Costa Rica 101

Costa Rica 2016 San Antonio Sparrows 101

10,000 Birds

MAY 1, 2021

9 beats submitted 172 checklists from 7 countries (UK, USA, Costa Rica, Australia, Serbia, China and Trinidad and Tobago) for 640 species. The list for the year has reached 1276 and the life list has been stretched to 4066 with red ticks from China, Australia and Trinidad and Tobago, thanks to Kai, Claire and Grant and Faraaz respectively.

Woodpeckers 155

Woodpeckers Sparrows Blackbirds Parrots 155

10,000 Birds

JULY 4, 2020

At time of writing (usually a couple of days early to avoid the deadline panic), UK is fielding 63 species. 102 Cattle Egret – Bubulcus ibis. 251 Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. 253 Chinese Blackbird – Turdus mandarinus. 281 Yellow-headed Blackbird – Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus.

2020 160

2020 Costa Rica Blackbirds Woodpeckers 160

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 6, 2021

9 beats submitted 140 checklists from 7 countries (USA, UK, Costa Rica, Serbia, Australia, Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago) during October to account for 585 species. 184 Cattle Egret – Bubulcus ibis. 424 Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. 480 Yellow-headed Blackbird – Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus.

Woodpeckers 243

Woodpeckers Sparrows Blackbirds Ducks 243

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 1, 2022

8 of them sent 153 lists, noting 645 species of bird across 7 countries (Mexico, UK, USA, Serbia, Australia, Costa Rica, Colombia). It has not resulted in extraordinary numbers of sightings personally, but the beats have been busy on their respective patches and have sent me their lists to collate. The year list finishes at 1628.

Woodpeckers 240

Woodpeckers Sparrows Parrots Owls 240

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 4, 2021

My birding list for November totals 15 species. Thank goodness that the rest of the beats have been busily birding,that’s what they like to do… 9 of them submitted 114 checklists via eBird and amassed 525 species from 7 (China, Australia, Mexico, Costa Rica, UK, Serbia and USA) countries during November.

Sparrows 212

Sparrows Woodpeckers Parrots Costa Rica 212

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 5, 2020

“Birding Over Time” compares the number of species recorded over a month with that month from previous years. Yellow-hooded Blackbird – Chrysomus icterocephalus. Eurasian Blackbird – Turdus merula. Brewer’s Blackbird – Euphagus cyanocephalus. Melodious Blackbird – Dives dives.

2020 151

2020 Sparrows Woodpeckers Blackbirds 151