10,000 Birds

AUGUST 3, 2019

It would be uber cool to lay eyes on a rare lifer, on species that only seem to live on the pages of a field guide but isn’t that somewhat discriminatory? And why spend time only looking for one or two species when those hours could be used to put binos focused on a few dozen? Rufous-winged Woodpecker. Great Green Macaw.

Costa Rica 201

Costa Rica Panama Birds Eagles 201

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 2, 2014

Even among the protected areas of Serbia, the Iron Gates National Park (in Serbian: Djerdap) stands out as better preserved. Keep in mind that the special nature reserves (dark green on the park map) enjoy the highest level of protection and are off limits to visitors (possible only with research permits issued by the park authorities).

Serbia 183

Serbia Birds Turtles Eagles 183

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 3, 2019

eBird doesn’t offer such an option, so I used the second best: the species was observed in one month only. What qualifies a bird to be included in the top-5? My first criterion was that I observed it only once during the year 2018. This version extended the list a bit and it turned out that almost every fourth bird was an one-monther.

2018 116

2018 Serbia Falcons Greece 116

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 23, 2017

This park protects the primary rainforest of the Tarcoles River basin, together with the one of the three remaining populations of Scarlet Macaws in the country. Beside macaws, Carara eBird hotspot has a bird list of 424 species. Off to the Macaw Lodge, over the hills skirting the Carara National Park. Royal Terns.

Costa Rica 150

Costa Rica Pelicans Owls Woodpeckers 150

10,000 Birds

JULY 18, 2018

This remarkable area is best know for its huge wall that was used for centuries to protect the city from invasion, but for me, the Conwy RSPB refuge was fantastic. We were visited by a couple of Great Spotted Woodpeckers. Unfortunately, their numbers are beginning to dwindle rapidly, as farm lands eliminate their habitat.

South Africa 100

South Africa New Zealand Costa Rica Qatar 100

10,000 Birds

JULY 29, 2021

The very best wetland birding around Belgrade, Serbia, is not to be found in the locally famous and tourist-promoted Obedska or Carska Bara Ramsar areas, but at Beljarica Backwaters and the fish farm triangle of Centa, Baranda and Sakule villages, in the Tamis River floodplain. mi, to the Vrbovski turnoff.

Farming 264

Farming Birds Fish Boars 264

10,000 Birds

MARCH 7, 2011

We were driving up to northwestern Michigan from our homes in Ohio (me) and West ByGod Virginia (Geoff) in search of a bird species that would be a lifer for both of us: the Bohemian Waxwing. A wide-open field in a wind-protected spot, recently visited by both mechanical and living manure-spreaders. This was Snow Bunting heaven.

2011 212

2011 Birds Michigan Ohio 212

10,000 Birds

APRIL 27, 2017

I am a birder and I can claim that out of Serbia’s total of 350+ bird species, highly urbanised inner city areas of Belgrade hold almost 100 birds, while the outskirts have more than 200 species. eBird says that, at the time of writing (April 2017), there are some ten hotspots that have crossed the 100 bird species mark.

Birds 201

Birds 2017 Eagles Otters 201

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 11, 2018

I chalked up 132 species in a pretty relaxed eight days, during which birds shared the agenda with culture. With 154 eBirded species almost single-handedly spotted by the UK expat Geoff Laight, the Paljuvi is the latest addition to the top-5 list. With 154 eBirded species, the Beljarica shares the 4th place on the list.

Serbia 151

Serbia Birds Farming Bulgaria 151

10,000 Birds

APRIL 16, 2012

The aptly named Fire-bellied Woodpecker drummed above our heads and a Blue Cuckooshrike sang out the loudest as its beautiful song echoed around the forest. Chocolate-backed Kingfisher , sometimes seen from the canopy walkway Woodland Kingfisher – A very common species, but always a pleasure! Truly fantastic.

Ghana 173

Ghana Guinea Birds Eagles 173