10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

Counting the Birds I was in my teens when I undertook my first bird-survey: it was field work for the British Trust for Ornithology’s The Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland. The breeding and wintering birds of Britain and Ireland. Published in 1976, The Atlas was, I believe, the very first work of its kind.

Ireland 215

Ireland Turtles Geese Farming 215

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 4, 2016

It also makes it a little intimidating to be doing a review of Britain’s Birds: An Identification Guide to the Birds of Britain and Ireland. Over 3,200 photographs have been used, most showing species in their habitats. So, how do you find the species account for Kestrel if falcons are not placed between woodpeckers and parakeet?

Ireland 142

Ireland Birds Falcons Turtles 142

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 25, 2022

All month long we’ll be visiting – in spirits, at least – the rugged Celtic landscapes of Scotland and Ireland where whiskey was born and – with luck – have a look at the birds that inhabit them. I must admit that this isn’t the bottle I had planned for the final installment of this year’s edition of Whiskey Month at Birds and Booze.

Eagles 204

Eagles Ireland Oregon Protection 204

10,000 Birds

MARCH 2, 2023

Not a cover species The Black Kite is not actually black, but of course, misleading bird names are not exactly rare. Maybe those should be protected too? No surprise then that the species is listed as Vulnerable. But then, sanity (or maybe respect for you, the reader) prevailed. Fortunately, they are quite common in Shanghai.

Iraq 130

Iraq Birds China Ireland 130

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 24, 2020

But seeing as the month is also bookended by Hogmanay and Burns Night, we’ll gladly take the opportunity to visit– in spirits, at least – the rugged Celtic landscapes of Scotland and Ireland where whisky was born and – with luck – have a look at the birds that inhabit them. Gilbert: The Famous Grouse.

Sheep 194

Sheep Branding Ireland Fowl 194

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 17, 2020

But seeing as the month is also bookended by Hogmanay and Burns Night, we’ll gladly take the opportunity to visit– in spirits, at least – the rugged Celtic landscapes of Scotland and Ireland where whiskey was born and – with luck – have a look at the birds that inhabit them.

Lions 159

Lions Eagles Hunting Lamb 159

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 17, 2011

ForestPuffin was targeting this species as it is very habitat dependent and, unbeknownst to me, such habitat exists within a big stone’s throw of my house. Many ‘blue’ chrysalises are found within ant nests, enjoying the warmth and protection until they emerge as adults. The male is on the left.

Rabbits 155

Rabbits Ireland 2002 Sheep 155