10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 25, 2015

Targets acquired, we piled into cars and headed south to Pea Island National Wildlife Refuges, the jewel of the Outer Banks, where we were likely to cross paths with the vast majority of our species for the day. In a little less than two hours we had gone from 2 species to nearly 70. We set up scopes and started tallying.

North Carolina 150

North Carolina Rattlesnake Sparrows Owls 150

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 31, 2011

California Quail , being ground nesting game birds, have many predators which are assumed to be the primary cause of the specie’s mortality. In spring, the male seeking a mate will give a single note “advertisement call&# as in the beginning of the recording linked above.

California 253

California Gophers Rattlesnake Eggs 253

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 25, 2021

As birds aren’t the only compelling critters we encounter when afield, some episodes showcase other animals such as marmosets, rattlesnakes, and scorpions, and we even have an iNaturalist tutorial. The programming is diverse, and capitalizes on the particular passions of each our guides.

Rattlesnake 158

Rattlesnake 2020 Connecticut Parrots 158

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 1, 2015

Walking along a dirt track next to a prairie, my friend and I were on the look-out for different sparrow species when a large bird suddenly darted into the clearing. Rattlesnakes are fair game, as are other reptiles, scorpions, frogs, birds, and insects. I saw my first real Greater Roadrunner on a cold winter day in the Southwest.

New Mexico 103

New Mexico Mexico Coyotes Rattlesnake 103

10,000 Birds

APRIL 1, 2014

In the early morning light I made out nearly all of the expected species, with the exception of night herons and bitterns and including Roseate Spoonbills and Wood Storks , two I’d missed three years previous. Another species I’d missed years previous that I managed to see in multiples was Purple Gallinule. For the better?

Florida 192

Florida Rattlesnake North Carolina Ducks 192

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 20, 2019

A closer look reveals our seemingly sweet little cardinal is clutching a small green rattlesnake in its beak, making the image a little less “Christmas card” and more an obvious sendup of the national coat of arms of Mexico. Well, at least at first glance.

Rattlesnake 152

Rattlesnake Mexico Virginia Eagles 152

10,000 Birds

JUNE 17, 2011

There are also rattlesnakes, amazing views, fascinating tales of history and prehistory, and of course, many birds. To my disappointment the biggest and most visible species I saw was the introduced Common (Ring-necked) Pheasant , and my first lifer was the equally introduced Gray Partridge. It’s hard to say.

Rattlesnake 166

Rattlesnake Mules Bald Eagle Mammals 166