Birding on 3 continents

[xelas]

@Galana, @Peter Connan, @Tdgraves, @michael-ibk - thank you very much for your kind words, and to Michael, to push us hard during the Costa Rica trip .

 

While it might happen that this Big Year we will end up with the highest number of photographed birds, records are there only to be surpassed!

[xelas]

BY 601 / AM 221

Gray-breasted Wood-Wren - Henicorhina leucophrys

 

San Gerardo de Dota, 27.07.18

[xelas]

Following Michael's example:

 

BY 602 / AM 222

Scintillant Hummingbird - Selasphorus scintilla

 

 

 

 

BY 603 / AM 223

Volcano Hummingbird - Selasphorus flammula

 

 

 

San Gerardo de Dota, 27.& 28.07.18

[xelas]

BY 604 / AM 224

Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura

 

Turrialba, 25.07.18

 

Cabo Matapalo, 30.07.18

[xelas]

BY 605 / AM 225

Variable Seedeater - Sporophila corvina

 

female

 

male

 

Bijagua, 06.08.18

[xelas]

BY 606 / AM 226

Violet Sabrewing - Campylopterus hemileucurus

 

Bosque del Tolomuco, 28.07.18

[xelas]

BY 607 / AM 227

Violet-headed Hummingbird - Klais guimeti

 

 

Arenal, 18.07.18

[Dave Williams]

600...yep, very impressive indeed and well beyond anything I could have achieved . What is most impressive though is the high standard of photography even when the conditions have been against you. Your only problem now is beating it next year!

It was only a few years ago the warden from our local reserve gave up the job and spent the year trying to break the most birds seen in a year which he successfully achieved along with his partner. 4341in total. The record's been hammered since then but these are birds seen not photographed ( I'm not sure who validates the seen ones in such a record) and we all know it's much easier to see a bird rather than photograph it so that puts a score of 600+ in to it's proper context. Not only that but you haven't had 365 days to do it either.

So to anyone who has achieved this figure , or anywhere near it, hats off! Wonder if there is an entry in the Guiness Book of Records ?

[xelas]

9 minutes ago, Dave Williams said:

well beyond anything I could have achieved

 

Not really. Just travel to right places! Ecuador, or Colombia itself would generate close to that number. Add your beloved The Gambia, and instead of chasing bears in Estonia go back to Bulgaria, adding your backyard birding sites ... voila!

 

10 minutes ago, Dave Williams said:

Your only problem now is beating it next year!

 

I will indulge in a year where birds will not be our top priority. But 2020 ...

[Dave Williams]

If Claire was as interested as Zvezda I might be in with a chance !

[Peter Connan]

17 minutes ago, Dave Williams said:

...but these are birds seen not photographed ( I'm not sure who validates the seen ones in such a record) ...

 

I understand it is usually birds observed, not seen.

The distinction is that this then includes birds heard as well, which also helps with many of the shyer species. I have for example heard several of the Cuckoos and Bush-shrikes and quite a few owls frequently without ever catching a glimpse...

 

Not saying that makes it easy though...

[Galana]

4 hours ago, Peter Connan said:

The distinction is that this then includes birds heard as well,

Well anybody who cheats at that is only deceiving themselves so I suppose it is OK with aficionados unless.......

It reminds me of an old US cartoon where two 'duck hunters' were both calling away and end up shooting each other.

My good friend Emmy has Doherty's Bush-shrike as his ring tone. All I have to do is ring him to count that.

For me, as a newcomer to 'ticking' and practicing the art of EBC I think this forum is the only true path.

Edited November 26, 2018 by Galana

[xelas]

There is no way I could ever remember how any bird sing so that is off my list. I can also only ID about 10% of local birds, and elsewhere the percentage drops sharply . So clicking is the only way for me. And even with clicking, I have problems to find my way around all the clicks. Luckily I can always count on fellow experience birders . Saying that, much of our success of this year Big Year is due to their continuous support. Thank you all!

[PeterHG]

17 hours ago, Dave Williams said:

So to anyone who has achieved this figure , or anywhere near it, hats off!

 I couldn't agree more...! Incredible number.

[Zim Girl]

600  -  an amazing number of birds, well done to you both, Alex and Zvezda.

[xelas]

BY 608 / AM 228

Wedge-billed Woodcreeper - Glyphorynchus spirurus

 

Bijagua, 06.08.18

[xelas]

BY 609 / AM 229

Whimbrel - Numenius phaeopus

 

Isla Damas, 04.08.18

[xelas]

BY 610 / AM 230

White Hawk - Pseudastur albicollis

 

Arenal, 16.07.18

[xelas]

BY 611 / AM 231

White Ibis - Eudocimus albus

 

 

 

 

Cabo Matapalo, 30.& 31.08.18

[xelas]

BY 612 / AM 232

White-breasted Wood-Wren - Henicorhina leucosticta

 

Turrialba, 25.07.18

[xelas]

BY 613 / AM 233

White-collared Seedeater - Sporophila torqueola

 

female

 

male

Cano Negro, 09.08.18

[xelas]

BY 614 / AM 234

White-crowned Parrot - Pionus senilis

 

Turrialba, 24.07.18

[xelas]

BY 615 / AM 235

White-eared Ground-Sparrow - Melozone leucotis

 

Monteverde, 09.08.18

Edited November 27, 2018 by xelas

[xelas]

BY 616 / AM 236

White-fronted Parrot - Amazona albifrons

 

Monteverde, 09.08.18

[xelas]

BY 617 / AM 237

White-naped Brushfinch - Atlapetes albinucha

 

San Gerardo de Dota, 27.07.18