10,000 Birds

JULY 16, 2014

The animals aren’t quite so closely packed as Hollywood can manage, and they tend towards slightly smaller species, in general, but still, its impressive. The lodge is unusual in having a raised walkway behind the lodge, allowing those of us keen to bird or watch wildlife when most normal people are resting in the middle of the day.

Rhinoceros 168

Rhinoceros Apes Elephants Monkeys 168

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 29, 2011

Before my trip to Washington the only species of puffin I had ever seen in the wild was the puffin of the Atlantic Ocean, the appropriately named Atlantic Puffin. The first obstacle was getting to the general range of the species, which is the west coast from northern California to Alaska and across to Russia.* I love puffins.

Washington 169

Washington Protection Puffins Rhinoceros 169

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 11, 2011

A question I am frequently asked by birders and wildlife enthusiasts is: “ if I only visit Africa once, where should I go ?” This country boasts over 1,000 bird species, vast wildernesses, a superb network of protected areas, the greatest concentration of large game and predators on the planet, excellent lodges and friendly people.

Tanzania 214

Tanzania Africa Stud Leopards 214

4 The Love Of Animals

NOVEMBER 13, 2009

November 12, 2008) – Busch Gardens Tampa Bay welcomed a new baby white rhinoceros on Wednesday, Nov. Busch Gardens participates in the American Zoological and Aquarium Association (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) to ensure genetic diversification among threatened and endangered animals in zoological facilities. TAMPA, Fla.

White Rhinos 100

White Rhinos Rhinos Tampa 2008 100

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 2, 2014

Did I dare dip my toe into this catalog of tantalizing species? Phillipps’ Field Guide (I’ll be using this shortened form of the title) covers 673 avian species, including 59 endemics, and 53 species that have not been documented yet for the area but which may show up in the next few years. Now, I’m not so sure.

Brunei 174

Brunei Asia Birds China 174

10,000 Birds

JUNE 17, 2015

That’s a threatened habitat, and one much sought after by wildlife enthusiasts. There wasn’t much around, and aside from a lifer Yellow-bellied Bulbul the two most impressive species were heard not seen – a Blue-headed Pitta an a Banded Kingfisher. An oversubscribed night drive didn’t help.

Lemurs 158

Lemurs Rhinoceros Uganda Leopards 158

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 5, 2020

Knowing that there are reserves with long lists of 600 or more species, I set my threshold at more than 600 birds… and found only a few such hotspots. In early November 2020, there were 15 countries with more than 1000 species eBirded so far. Other than that, there are barely a few hotspots with over 500 species.

Asia 270

Asia Malaysia Papua New Guinea Thailand 270

10,000 Birds

MARCH 11, 2011

Frigatebirds (Fregatidae) Five species of frigatebird ply the planet’s tropical skies and seas. Ringer Cormorants and Shags (Phalacrocoracidae) Cormorants are more speciose than other families in the order; 30-40 species range widely on every continent and many islands. Duncan, I’m also entertained by your comment!

2011 152

2011 Pelicans Papua New Guinea California 152

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 1, 2016

And one that is easy to use, because, let’s face it, you want to spend most of your time looking at wildlife, not searching for information. Species that belong to the famous “Big Five” get special badges. And, with weight allowances what they are, it’s best to take a guide that is light in weight.

Rhinos 238

Rhinos Animal Mammals White Rhinos 238

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 27, 2013

Assuming you have a passing interest in wildlife, or at the least you know someone that does, and chances are in the last week or so you’ve become aware that some lady from America shot a lion. I’ve certainly seen the story plenty in my Facebook news feed, and were I more of a Twitter user I am sure I would have seen it there too.

Lions 183

Lions Killing Hunting Hunters 183

10,000 Birds

APRIL 2, 2014

The reason Borneo lends itself to this type of birding holiday is that tourism in Borneo leans towards outdoorsy, wildlife based tourism anyway. Contrast this in Asia to, say, Singapore, Hong Kong or Bangkok, all of which have great birding nearby but are destinations people go to for reasons other than wildlife. And the birds?

Bats 182

Bats Birds Elephants Badgers 182

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 2, 2017

They submitted 144 checklists, noting 628 species adding 72 to the year’s running total bringing it to 1890. Ra’s al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary. Merritt Island NWR–Black Point Wildlife Dr. 08 Jan 2017. Ra’s al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary. Ra’s al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary–Flamingo Hide.

2017 100

2017 Australia Sanctuary Woodpeckers 100

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 3, 2018

During October, 7 countries (Costa Rica, Australia, USA, India, Hong Kong, UK, Serbia) were birded by 11 beats who shared 135 checklists and noted 697 species. Trinidad Lake SP–Watchable Wildlife Trail. Ra’s al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary–Flamingo Hide. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge–East Pond.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Los Angeles 113

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 6, 2018

They noted 598 species as a team, bringing the year total to 2118 and pushing the life list to 3555. Ra’s al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary–Flamingo Hide. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge–East Pond. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge–East Pond.

2018 113

2018 Australia Los Angeles Woodpeckers 113

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 5, 2019

In reverse order, the medals were awarded for “most species seen in a country”, to Australia with 420, USA got the silver, scoring 556 while the runaway winner was Costa Rica with 646 species. Tuttle Marsh Wildlife Area. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge–East Pond. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Sparrows 113

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 1, 2018

8 beats shared 126 checklists accounting for 704 species. Tuttle Marsh Wildlife Area. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge–East Pond. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge–East Pond. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. Garret Mountain Reservation (Park).

2018 113

2018 Australia Woodpeckers Los Angeles 113

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 1, 2016

All birds are equal on this list; parking lot birds or pelagic species, breeders or fly-overs, all will be accorded the same status and each shall be worth 1 credit on the list. Bund Baretha Wildlife Sanctuary. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. Bund Baretha Wildlife Sanctuary.

2016 154

2016 Sanctuary Ghana Australia 154

10,000 Birds

JULY 7, 2018

10 countries were birded by 9 beats and 892 species were noted from 144 checklists. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Tuttle Marsh Wildlife Area. Rhinoceros Hornbill – Buceros rhinoceros. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. Who is going to tell the clans? 23 May 2018.

2018 100

2018 Australia Los Angeles Woodpeckers 100

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 3, 2016

All birds are equal on this list; parking lot birds or pelagic species, breeders or fly-overs, all will be accorded the same status and each shall be worth 1 credit on the list. Bund Baretha Wildlife Sanctuary. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. Bund Baretha Wildlife Sanctuary.

2016 101

2016 Sanctuary Ghana Australia 101