Starting Out - Avoiding the Pitfalls

[grahamm]

If you are new to birdwatching you may wish to read an article I wrote for our website - you may then avoid some of the gaffs that I made!

The article can be read at: http://www.southendrspb.co.uk/starting.htm

Graham Mee
web Author
Southend RSPB Local group

[pduxon]

If you are new to birdwatching you may wish to read an article I wrote for our website - you may then avoid some of the gaffs that I made!

The article can be read at: http://www.southendrspb.co.uk/starting.htm

Graham Mee
web Author
Southend RSPB Local group

Very good Graham. Your son hasn't tried to get Bill to adopt him then?

[Geoff Brown]

Graham,

I've read that article many times and still think it is one of the best and funniest items on becoming a bird watcher.

[alan_rymer]

Graham

Thankyou for posting, and for your article on beginning birding. I have just read it, and found it hilarious. I sympathise and agree that the what initially seems like a fairly cheap hobby can become an awfully expensive way of life. Now where can I get a DSLR & 500mm lens and converter from, do I relly need the leica scope and Bins. And how do you tell a Hedge Sparra from a Reed Wobbler?. Me!, Whaja mean, Dude?.

[Steve T]

As amusing and well written as any of Bill Oddie's stories in Gripping Yarns.
Makes me think of the time............... no, better not go there.
Steve

[Gill Osborne]

Absolutely BRILLIANT....and I'm sure we have all been there!!!

GILL XXX

[rka]

Thank you for that very enjoyable article. In many respects, I'm currently where you were (but fortunately I didn't have an astronomical telescope to take into the field).

Typically, what I do is photograph any birds I am unsure of (if practical to do so) and refer to the guides after my trip to identify them. I've only recently started recognising different bird calls.

Unfortunately, here in Trinidad, not too many are involved in birding and those that are are somewhat inaccessible. Birding in groups is limited to mabye 6 times a year. I am therefore usually the only one on my birding treks.

This birdforum has been a godsend for me. However, I'm always on the lookout for anything that can really improve my ability to identify birds in the field.

Any ideas for a solitary birder with a camera and a few field guides?

What I think would be particularly useful would be a database of images, bird calls and narratives for the birds in Trinidad, but unfortunately that does not really exist (as least in a form for rapid identification).

rka

[tarves57]

Brilliant! Started my day off with a laugh for a change. I'm going to be late for work now, but who cares, it was worth it! :bounce: