10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 30, 2013

Brown Pelican Lapland Longspur Sooty Shearwater Whimbrel. We had a family picnic at Fort Tilden less than two weeks after my last set of predictions and a single Purple Martin was flying low over the fields with Barn Swallows and Tree Swallows. Number 300 in Queens!

2012 158

2012 New York City Jamaica 2013 158

10,000 Birds

MAY 8, 2012

Furthermore we have another very special stork-like bird, the regal Shoebill , previously known as the Whale-headed Stork but now placed in its own family. This colossal bird is now placed in its own family Balaenicipitidae and it forms an ancient link between storks and pelicans.

Africa 243

Africa Tanzania South Africa Uganda 243

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 3, 2013

It is acceptable to point out other sea creatures–dolphins or whales or dragonflies–but the main goal is the observation and identification of the birds. Not all of the group introductions go into this much depth, but they all provide clues for separating out that specific family from other possibilities.

Ducks 236

Ducks Groups North America North Dakota 236

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 5, 2016

I’ve been on a whale-watching trip in Orange County , twice gone out to Santa Cruz Island , and even visited Protection Island off the Olympic Peninsula in Washington. So you can imagine my great pleasure when it worked out for me to stay in California for two extra days at the end of our family vacation out west.

Whales 112

Whales Whaling Albatross Sea Lions 112