10,000 Birds

MARCH 18, 2011

UNLESS that is you get yourself down to the internationally-renowned Tambopata Research Centre in southern Peru where literally hundreds of macaws (and other parrots) congregate around a 50 meter high clay bank. At this hour I am a reluctant, under-caffeinated sherpa – and concentration must be given to the dangers of the footpath ahead.

Peru 255

Peru Parrots 2011 Deer 255

10,000 Birds

JULY 22, 2017

Birds with white on them are much more likely to take the form of goodies like the Snowy Cotinga , or two species of tityras. The Caribbean slope of Costa Rica also differs from the islands in having a lot more bird species. White-crowned Pigeon might be on the list, but that rare prize for Costa Rica is far from regular.

Costa Rica 100

Costa Rica San Jose Tigers Bats 100

10,000 Birds

APRIL 13, 2015

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, a landlocked country situated in the Horn of Africa, has firmly established itself as one of Africa’s top birding destinations. Yellow-billed Stork.

Ethiopia 246

Ethiopia Sudan Leopards Cattle 246

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 30, 2017

1,712 species, 12% of which are endemics. News flash–I just received the trip report from Carlos, and the tally is 419 species recorded, of which 16 were heard only; plus Ian and I saw an additional species before the tour started, courtesy of Paulo Boute. Oh my gosh! I shouldn’t have been surprised. Any suggestions?

Brazil 155

Brazil Los Angeles Birds Tigers 155

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 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

JULY 17, 2012

The population of parrotlets they studied was located on one of the many huge hatos (cattle ranches) in the Venezuelan llanos, a vast swath of flat flooded savannah in the central third of the country that drains into the Rio Orinoco. You don’t really know a bird until you’ve studied it on its breeding grounds. The Auk 108: 863-871.

Eggs 269

Eggs Venezuela Porcupines 2008 269

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 162

Costa Rica Parrots Woodpeckers Birds 162

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

MAY 25, 2013

The birding is not exceptional, but you can easily see some of Singapore’s and South-east Asia’s more common species and it does throw up the occasional jewel. My personal list for Paser Ris runs to 75 birds over 15 visits that average out at around 25 species per outing. My favourite site in Singapore is Paser Ris. Spotted Wood-owl.

Singapore 160

Singapore Woodpeckers Parrots Zebras 160

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 7, 2014

The second edition of the National Geographic Complete Birds of North America, 2nd Edition has one of the longest book names in bird bookdom: National Geographic Complete Birds of North America, 2nd Edition: Now Covering More Than 1,000 Species With the Most-Detailed Information Found in a Single Volume. This volume is no exception.

North America 178

North America America Family Falcons 178

10,000 Birds

MAY 2, 2016

The reason the location is remaining undisclosed is that reliable Mangrove Cuckoos are difficult to find in the American Birding Association area and are a very sought after species. From the bulbuls we went in search of another introduced species that has taken to south Florida like home. We needed countable species!

Florida 121

Florida Miami Birds Owls 121

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 28, 2014

This is a very hot and dry region known as El Chaco where many interesting bird species can be found. This land has gone through extensive ecosystem destruction from farming cattle and soybeans. This road trip took us south-east moving away form the mountains and to lower flat land which had been converted to farmland.

Argentina 190

Argentina Chile Farming Birds 190

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

MARCH 19, 2011

Diabolical A to Z Quiz in Queens Quiz Pic 1 Answer: Barrow’s Goldeneye Finally we come to the most unfair of the three quiz pictures, that which depicted feather detail of a Thick-billed Parrot. Diabolical A to Z Quiz in Queens Quiz Pic 2 Answer: Thick-billed Parrot So who wins? DIABOLICAL!!!

Bald Eagle 113

Bald Eagle Zoos 2011 Deer 113

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 187

Woodpeckers Sparrows Parrots Ducks 187

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 206

Woodpeckers Sparrows Blackbirds Parrots 206

10,000 Birds

JULY 26, 2015

This is cattle country and it is actually fenced, which many parts of the Kimberley are not and you pass through Ruby Plains and then Carranya station to reach the crater. It is of course the food of the Night Parrot , but none were observed on this occasion! The rim trail. Dragon on the rim. Grevillea wickhamii flowers. Mulla mulla.

Camels 166

Camels Birds Cattle Zebras 166

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). White-crowned Parrot (Pionus senilis). White-fronted Parrot (Amazona albifrons). 7 beats contributed this month. Graylag Goose (Anser anser). Canada Goose (Branta canadensis).

2020 154

2020 Woodpeckers Blackbirds Sparrows 154

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 29, 2015

It has a small population of approximately 1100 people and is a major hub for the local indigenous people and for the cattle industry. Halls Creek is situated inland on the Great Northern Highway, which is the only bitumen road around the north of Australia. Spinifex Pigeons inside the fence line!

Australia 100

Australia Ducks Cattle Industry 100

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 251

Woodpeckers Sparrows Ducks Niger 251

10,000 Birds

MAY 22, 2022

Munkajarra Wetlands is always a good location for the various duck species and you can expect to observe Plumed Whistling-Ducks , Wandering Whistling-Ducks , Pacific Black Ducks , Hardheads , Grey Teal and sometimes Radjah Shelducks and Pink-eared Ducks. Dragonflies photobombing on the right as we approach. Purple Swamphens.

Geese 204

Geese Ducks Breeding Cattle 204

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 2, 2021

11 beats have been out this month and have submitted 136 checklists from 7 countries ticking 634 species. 50 Red-crowned Parrot – Amazona viridigenalis. 251 Cattle Egret – Bubulcus ibis. 280 Brown-hooded Parrot – Pyrilia haematotis. 281 Red-lored Parrot – Amazona autumnalis.

Woodpeckers 211

Woodpeckers Sparrows Parrots Blackbirds 211

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 1, 2020

The 83 checklists submitted during July contained 459 species. Cattle Egret – Bubulcus ibis. White-fronted Parrot – Amazona albifrons. Orange-winged Parrot – Amazona amazonica. In case you were worried, Our Man in Shanghai is still flying the flag. The year list now stands at 1613.

2020 156

2020 Blackbirds Sparrows Woodpeckers 156

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 2, 2018

Whenever you encounter one bird species near the edge of the track it is worth stopping, because invariably there are several species in the vicinity. All of these species need water and will travel to nearby cattle troughs for water, because there is very little in the way of naturally occurring water in the area now.

Marsupials 100

Marsupials Camels Birds Zebras 100

10,000 Birds

JUNE 6, 2020

149 checklists were submitted, accounting for 465 species. Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis). White-crowned Parrot (Pionus senilis). White-fronted Parrot (Amazona albifrons). I know that we are all looking forward to a time when we might return to the old normal, but until then, please stay safe and keep your distance.

2020 153

2020 Niger Sparrows Woodpeckers 153

10,000 Birds

JULY 6, 2019

beats have still managed to share 82 checklists and accounted for 737 species. Brown-hooded Parrot – Pyrilia haematotis. White-crowned Parrot – Pionus senilis. Red-lored Parrot – Amazona autumnalis. Cattle Egret – Bubulcus ibis. Mealy Parrot – Amazona farinosa. 01 Jun 2019.

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

AUGUST 21, 2016

Due to the fact that we have recorded up to eighty species on any visit in recent weeks I will break them down into the larger species and then the smaller species next week. There are no trails as such, but you can follow in the cattle tracks along the edge of the river or the gravel tracks used by vehicles.

Pelicans 100

Pelicans Birds Eagles Ducks 100

10,000 Birds

JUNE 19, 2013

I pulled over, as this was only the third time I have seen this species, and found a few Australian White Ibis among them, along with Purple Swamphens. Better yet, I saw a small parrortflying overhead, and putting my bins on it managed to identify it as a Red-rumped Parrot. Also noticeable by call were several Eastern Whipbirds.

Parrots 145

Parrots Barn Owls Eagles Australia 145

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 3, 2019

They accounted for 562 species at this sluggish time of year. Cattle Egret – Bubulcus ibis. Brown-hooded Parrot – Pyrilia haematotis. Yellow-naped Parrot – Amazona auropalliata. White-fronted Parrot – Amazona albifrons. These are the numbers. Alphabetic Taxonomic. Lago de Cuitzeo.

2019 120

2019 Idaho Sparrows Woodpeckers 120

10,000 Birds

MAY 31, 2015

One species we are more likely to find in this area than others is the Varied Sittella. Although there were not a lot of individual species there was a great variety. Boab tree with several Egret species roosting and Whistling Kite nests. Our bush camp was far from quiet, but we know that Australian birds are not quiet species!

Birds 157

Birds Ducks Zebras Species 157

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 239

Woodpeckers Sparrows Parrots Owls 239

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 154

Woodpeckers Sparrows Blackbirds Parrots 154

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 211

Sparrows Woodpeckers Parrots Costa Rica 211

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 1, 2022

Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks , Muscovy Ducks and Blue-winged Teals were around us, together with Green , Great and Little Blue Herons , Cattle and Great White Egrets , Black-crowned and Yellow-crowned Night-Herons , plus one locally rare Pinnated Bittern in the floating vegetation, as well as several dozen Neotropical Cormorants.

Costa Rica 242

Costa Rica Nicaragua 2019 Farming 242

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 2, 2021

The year list ends on a provisional 1803 species from 1608 checklists submitted by 12 beats from 16 countries. Most species-prolific was Patrick in Costa Rica, followed by Paul from Mexico. December’s beats found 609 birds after submitting 116 checklists from 8 countries (USA, UK, Costa Rica, China, Mexico, Serbia and Australia).

2020 230

2020 Sparrows Woodpeckers Parrots 230