10,000 Birds

APRIL 5, 2019

There’s little doubt that these unwilling but plucky exiles have beaten the odds over the last few months, first evading the sights of eager autumn hunters, and then the jaws of hungry foxes and weasels, only to endure the many privations of the harsh and long North American winter eking out their survival in a strange and inhospitable landscape.

North America 113

North America Vermont America Farm Animal 113

10,000 Birds

JULY 22, 2014

I find it astonishing that people argue of whether feral cats are bad for birds in North America. The plethora of approaches to the feral Cat problem is not an outcome of a diversity of great ideas; it is the ugly chimera of inappropriate compromise among biased and often poorly informed stakeholders. Which would be even worse.

Feral Cats 257

Feral Cats North America Feral Cats 257

10,000 Birds

JULY 20, 2014

European Red Foxes were brought into Australia in the 1850′s for recreational hunting and soon spread rapidly. Feral cats have been able to adapt very well in Australia and have grown larger over the years and can survive in areas that you would not expect. Feral cat predation on Pied Oystercatcher eggs.

Australia 157

Australia Species Feral Cats Feral 157

10,000 Birds

JULY 29, 2018

The animal is most likely a feral cat along that stretch of beach, but we also can’t discount a feral fox having encountered a dead one close to Broome recently. The animal walks from nest to nest and it is clear that the nest had been there some time by the number of footprints.

Eggs 175

Eggs Feral Cats Feral 2018 175

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 19, 2020

There is a family of feral foxes that I often encounter near Bennison Creek. Foxes were introduced to Australia in 1855 for hunting and have established themselves far and wide. Foxes have recently arrived around our home town of Broome, but we have only seen those that have been hit by traffic. Bennison Creek Bridge.

Fox 195

Fox Feral Ducks Horses 195

10,000 Birds

APRIL 2, 2024

The tiercels (young Peregrines) must deal with Golden Eagles, Ravens, adult Peregrines, and foxes; they must also learn to navigate the skies and make their own kills, luckily these skills appear to be innately learned. It’s not easy. Well-researched and footnoted, these sections never feel disconnected from the more personal sections.

California Condor 187

California Condor Falcons California Coyotes 187

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 18, 2012

Rounding off the waterbirds were Australian Pelicans, Eurasian Coots , the iconic Black Swans and feral geese. This unique and odd Australian endemic is famous for the strange wattle under the bill of the male, but sadly all I saw was a female.

New Zealand 203

New Zealand Ducks Australia Japan 203

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 7, 2014

Rats arrived on ships and cats, foxes and rabbits were all introduced and they were all detrimental to the bird population. Foxes have also been known to take their eggs and there are now numerous local groups who endeavour to help the populations of Hooded Plovers along their local coastlines.

Species 207

Species Australia Birds Parrots 207

10,000 Birds

JUNE 14, 2011

In the case of fox hunting (a true bloodsport), dogs are domesticated animals that are killing, not for food, but for sport. I will admit that there are legitimate concerns that have been raised about falconry – birds that are not native to an area sometimes escape and become feral; humans should minimize their influence on nature.

League Against Cruel Sports 270

League Against Cruel Sports Rabbits Falcons Hunting 270

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 16, 2013

Case in point: some of my family members have become active with feral cat colony organizations. On the one hand, it’s better than doing nothing with a feral cat colony. But I don’t agree with the supplemental feeding that happens with feral cats–if you’re gonna call them wildlife, treat them as such.

Feral Cats 238

Feral Cats Feral Cats Family 238