Raring to go - any do's and don'ts top 10.

[Quacker]

Ok I have my trusty binoculars 8x42 very bright, and my trusty guides, Collins & Kingfisher amonst others (I've always loved Bird Books).

I've purchased the CD Rom guides to British Birds (vol7), and on the verge of purchasing my first scope.

I've spent the winter/spring period learning the basics and identifying local feeder sites, as well as my own, as well as local ponds etc.

I'm trying to now find and join a local birding club, as I require help with id'ing certain birds. When does the "bouncing" bird flying past become an instant i.d.? - this impresses me as i usually have to wait for it to land and be studied. Is this something that comes with practice, I also have means od learning birdcalls, again is there a set way to do this? - learn a group at a time? or listen and phonetically write what I hear against what I see?

I'm sure everyone has their own ideas, but I'm so enthusiastic to learn.

As a bit of fun, with a bit of room for debate here is what I'd consider the essential top 10 things for birding.

1 Reliable binoculars

2 Quality field guide(s)

3 Time & patience

4 An understanding spouse/partner

5 Someone (experienced) appearing beside you when stuck for a positive i.d.

6 A reliable car and source of cheap petrol (wishlist)

7 An occupation which allows lots of time off or rural travel

8 An extremely optimistic demeanour

9 Wellies (green otional)

10 Competitive Overdraft facility

Some of you may have your own?

[Dave B Smith]

Quacker,
All of the things you mention will certainly help, but if someone asked me the most important thing, I'd say "just get started". Go out as often as you can / enjoy, study the birds in your bins (or just wide open eyes) and then try to ID them in your field guide.

All of your suggestions will help one learn both better and faster, but once you get started, everything becomes more real and therefore relevant and this encourages learning.

There are several good threads hidden in this forum for beginning birding and they would also merit a perusal. But again, just "get started"!
Good luck,

[birdman]

I like your list... you will go far...

... but as a serious comment, and to echo in a way Dave's post... just go and do it.

In your case, why not take the bus over to Swallwell/Whickham and get yourself walking up towards the Gibside Chapel.

Regularly.

I've been doing my local match for 12 months now, and I've learnt more in a year, than in the previous 20!

[Beverlybaynes]

I love your list!

But I echo Dave's suggestion: just get out there and get started.

I remember, very early on, being with a highly experienced and knowledgable local birder on a chase after a Lesser Black-backed Gull (I had begged to go along, and since I knew the man's wife well . . .) being utterly amazed at his ability to ID those little dark figures streaking past the car, or seen from the corner of an eye at 60 mph.
How on earth did he learn to do that!?!

Experience. That's the only answer.

I'm certainly not 'there' yet, but I'm working on it. A case in point: a trip last fall to a reserve about 50 miles south of here. I was walking back to the cars (it was an Audubon field trip) alongside a good friend who is really, really good at snap IDs. We both spotted this hurtling black streak off to our left. I said, "Is that a falcon?" at the same time that John called out, "MERLIN!!!" At least I got the falcon part right . . .LOL!

[Gill Osborne]

Love your list Quacker...it certainly rings true on a lot of points!

From where you live I would say either Durham Bird club or even the Northumberland & Tyneside Bird Club would be ones to join...the N&TBC being just across the river with meetings held in Newcastle.
Or what about your local Wildlife Trust? I know the Northumberland one has a Gateshead Group which, I'm 90% sure, hold meetings in Whicham. Or, again, Durham....depends I suppose on which is nearer/more convenient for you!

Either way, as the others have said, get your bins and notebook and pencil and just get out there and look, make sketches and notes and it's amazing just how quickly things begin to make sense and bird songs and sounds take on meaning....tis like most things in life....practice makes perfect! And what an enjoyable thing to practice on!!!

Happy birding......and let us know how you are doing and what you are seeing!

GILL

[Dave B Smith]

Quacker,
And a suggestion from my wife, start writing down all the birds you see and ID (include place and date). Whether it's in the margins of your field guide, a scrap of paper, or a proper notebook just for birds. This will help you recall what you saw and how you ID'd it as well as be a good start for a life list later on.

[Quacker]

Quacker,
And a suggestion from my wife, start writing down all the birds you see and ID (include place and date). Whether it's in the margins of your field guide, a scrap of paper, or a proper notebook just for birds. This will help you recall what you saw and how you ID'd it as well as be a good start for a life list later on.

I am a stickler for logs and records - I'm that way inclined Dave - I'm amazed how many people don't but perhaps they have photographic memories - anyway each to their own.

I try to i.d each bird, or take the relevant points for home i.d. - sometimes I can other times I can't - I'm learning and as everyone suggests, I'm "doing" Thanks for everyone's advice and encouragement, as a beginner, I have a total of 124 confirmed, without boring everyone, I hope to improve the total and fill in the gaps - at present I go for quantity, quality will possibly come later, but I'm having fun and not harming anyone;-)

Cheers one and all

Steve

[cuddy]

Welcome to the world of birds Quacker great list mate, Gill and Dave B have covered the only other things i would have added ( clubs / notebook ) , try to find a local patch and check it often Shibdon pond is not to far away.

Both bird clubs have websites.

Cuddy

[osborne]

Quacker,
Have you ever tried this excellent website with up to date information :

www.gatesheadbirders.co.uk

[Quacker]

Quacker,
Have you ever tried this excellent website with up to date information :

www.gatesheadbirders.co.uk

I have Osborne mate and very helpful it is too - I've met a few of the lads as well. They put me on to some of the sites, Clara Vale, Thornley Wood, Shibdon Pond, Lamesley Meadows etc. It's a fun site and I check it daily just to see what i missed;-)

[hunter63]

Ok I have my trusty binoculars 8x42 very bright, and my trusty guides, Collins & Kingfisher amonst others (I've always loved Bird Books).

I've purchased the CD Rom guides to British Birds (vol7), and on the verge of purchasing my first scope.

I've spent the winter/spring period learning the basics and identifying local feeder sites, as well as my own, as well as local ponds etc.

I'm trying to now find and join a local birding club, as I require help with id'ing certain birds. When does the "bouncing" bird flying past become an instant i.d.? - this impresses me as i usually have to wait for it to land and be studied. Is this something that comes with practice, I also have means od learning birdcalls, again is there a set way to do this? - learn a group at a time? or listen and phonetically write what I hear against what I see?

I'm sure everyone has their own ideas, but I'm so enthusiastic to learn.

As a bit of fun, with a bit of room for debate here is what I'd consider the essential top 10 things for birding.

1 Reliable binoculars

2 Quality field guide(s)

3 Time & patience

4 An understanding spouse/partner

5 Someone (experienced) appearing beside you when stuck for a positive i.d.

6 A reliable car and source of cheap petrol (wishlist)

7 An occupation which allows lots of time off or rural travel

8 An extremely optimistic demeanour

9 Wellies (green otional)

10 Competitive Overdraft facility

Some of you may have your own?
What are "welles"?

[Michael Frankis]

What are "wellies"?Hi Hunter,

Welcome to BirdForum!

Wellies are waterproof rubber boots - named after Lord Wellington (a British warlord of about 180 years ago), who invented them, or made sure that all his troops had them, or something like that.

Michael

[christineredgate]

Hi Hunter,

Welcome to BirdForum!

Wellies are waterproof rubber boots - named after Lord Wellington (a British warlord of about 180 years ago), who invented them, or made sure that all his troops had them, or something like that.

Michael
Just to add to Michaels comment,Hunter wellies(pref green) are the elite of wellies;)

[Steve-O]

(another Yank chimes in...)

Quacker,

A good list of things, with some humorous but true entries, all of your things are necessary at one point or another.

My first item is always - Brain - What time of year, type of terrain, folliage, or water, weather, time of day and fauna known (or usually found in) in my planned location. Maybe I should call this preparation, patience and optimism follow closely on my list.

I have one more item that I would put ahead of more material things, and I am surprised that no one else mentioned it (since you ask about it explicitly)....ears. I was once told, "Ears, eyes, optics." Songs, of course, are obvious, they need to be learned; but a wing beat can identify (or pinpoint) a bird as can the thrashing of leaves or hammering on a tree.

As far as I know there is no best way to learn the sounds that birds make, other than actually watching them make the sounds. If I am going somewhere to see a new bird that I hope to see, I will put on a CD the day before. Of course, CDs will not help you with that most exciting of birds - the rarity. (Preparation might though.)

My only other suggestion is - look at every bird, watch it fly, land, eat or display - even if you think you know what it is. Those people that can identify a fast moving bird on the wing are using pattern recognition, something humans are good at, given enough information (i.e. experience).

One more thing....have fun. :)


Steve-O

[Quacker]

What are "welles"?

Hello and welcome Hunter. Apologies for such a local reference, others have explained wellies, or wellington's better than I could. The green was my (pitiful) attempt at humour. Green wellies are the "red spot/Swaro/Zeiss (delete as applicable) of rubber footwear;-)

My day off yesterday was spent looking at a few scopes, predicably leaving me more confused than ever, although helping with elimination is probably a good thing. I did manage to eventually have a look around a few local sites, Nuthatch & Great Crested Grebe being the highlights. I'm hoping to venture north to Druridge Bay & East Chevington if i can find the latter lol.

The other half fancies a "nice ride out" to enjoy the weather. She gave me a very strange look today when I casually mentioned how far Minsmere/ Suffolk was from Peterborough, (her parent's location) and an even stranger look when I mentioned a visit to her mothers. I get really suspicious looks everytime the daysack comes into the car. Perhaps the veteran birders out there can let me know if and when this passes.

[hunter63]

Took me awhile to find the responses, to my question,"what are welles", sorry, still finding my way around on this site. My experience with "welles" are leather boots, over the ankle. Any way, my boot supply goes from slip-on's(over the shoe) to chest- waders, and no matter what, I usually get wet!
My best spoting spot is in a lawn chair, on my deck at "the place", 16 acres of south facing hill-side, w/ 1500 ft. frontage on a small river,fields, large trees,brush, trails, and wetland.
Sighted my first bluebird last week.
Thanks again for clearing that up.

[Chris D]

Dear Quacker, I would advise 2 things. One you've already got --- that is (Living in the U.K.) Lots of help and support from a people with a great history of Natural History. The 2nd thing I'd recommend is to read Ken Kaufman's "Kingbird Highway". He could be any lad or lass in any land, and his story! Hmm.........just perfect. Today he makes great strides in Science, but he had to start somewhere. Read it. Then go look at birds........

[Manvulture7]

Quacker,
Rumour has it that Birdwatching Magazine is running a series on' Beginning Birding' in a month or twos time...
In the meantime I suggest learning Bird Topography til it come out your ears!
MV7

[Geoff Brown]

Hello Quacker,
Tell your other half that Rutland Water is not far from Peterborough. She can have a nice peaceful cruise on the Rutland Belle whilst you give Egleton bird watching centre the "once over"!

[Tim Allwood]

as well as your list quacker I'd add

another interest or two to cure the 'obsession'!
a set of good mates
a very good sense of humour
a relaxed attitude to it all - so you don't die of stress when a White-tailed Plover turns up 20 miles away and you can't get off work
the occasional 'lost weekend' to recharge the batteries B (:
a notebook and pencil is probably tops though....and if u can draw a bit so much the better
leave the scope at home now and again - forces you to 'see' more

and get a job as a teacher - bit of hassle but lots of time for travelling and holidays o:)

[Dave B Smith]

Tim,
Some of the best suggestions yet. Perspective. Knew I had lost something 8-)

[Quacker]

Hello Quacker,
Tell your other half that Rutland Water is not far from Peterborough. She can have a nice peaceful cruise on the Rutland Belle whilst you give Egleton bird watching centre the "once over"!

Geoff I think I may be on borrowed time! - she went for the "I believe Welney WWT is not far from your mums" - I've also just discovered Peterborough 3rd Annual Birdfair (or something with a similar name) on September 7th, and sure enough, Rutland Water is on the way to Peterborough.

Egleton birdwatching centre is on the list though;-)

[Quacker]

Quacker,
Rumour has it that Birdwatching Magazine is running a series on' Beginning Birding' in a month or twos time...
In the meantime I suggest learning Bird Topography til it come out your ears!
MV7

I've stocked up with reading material as well and ordered a few birding aids, a couple of the Where to Watch series among others. - I'll keep an eye out for those articles too though - thanks for the info MV7

Steve

[ChrisP]

I've stocked up with reading material as well and ordered a few birding aids, a couple of the Where to Watch series among others. - I'll keep an eye out for those articles too though - thanks for the info MV7

Steve

Hi Quacker, Try and plan your trip around 20th - 22nd of August. The Bird Watching Fair is on at Rutland Water then. Think you will get away with it?

Cheers, Chris.

[Quacker]

Hi Quacker, Try and plan your trip around 20th - 22nd of August. The Bird Watching Fair is on at Rutland Water then. Think you will get away with it?

Cheers, Chris.

I'm working the 21st, but have just found out that the aforementioned mother-in-law is having the kids for part of the holidays and wants them week commencing 23/8 we can go down and back 22nd - this gets better!

Now to see if I can get away with being dropped off at Rutland Water and picked up on the way back. You may well be cited ChrisP if this doesn't quite work out ;)

[ChrisP]

I'm working the 21st, but have just found out that the aforementioned mother-in-law is having the kids for part of the holidays and wants them week commencing 23/8 we can go down and back 22nd - this gets better!

Now to see if I can get away with being dropped off at Rutland Water and picked up on the way back. You may well be cited ChrisP if this doesn't quite work out ;)

My back is broad enough, LOL. It is advertised as a FAMILY day out so if you can't get dropped off take them with you. By the way their web site is : http://www.birdfair.org.uk/
Cheers, Chris

[Vectis Birder]

As a bit of fun, with a bit of room for debate here is what I'd consider the essential top 10 things for birding.

1 Reliable binoculars

2 Quality field guide(s)

3 Time & patience

4 An understanding spouse/partner

5 Someone (experienced) appearing beside you when stuck for a positive i.d.

6 A reliable car and source of cheap petrol (wishlist)

7 An occupation which allows lots of time off or rural travel

8 An extremely optimistic demeanour

9 Wellies (green otional)

10 Competitive Overdraft facility

Some of you may have your own?

I don't have 4, so I have no worries in that department, nor do I have 10 anymore (a long story involving credit cards and bank loans!); 7 Temping is always good for that - you can practically work when you like. 6 is a slight problem as my car has a fuel system problem which is, so far, defying all attempts to fix!
Cheap petrol? Ha! No such thing, not in the UK anyway where we pay far too much tax on it.

[withoutfire]

I quite like the 7-fold path on BetterViewDesired:

http://betterviewdesired.com/7fold.html

And the one that made the most difference to me is "attempt to ID everything" even if you think you know what it is.

[jurek]

Most important - go and enjoy it! Do it the way you like.

[Hanno]

Tim, I think you are my kind of birder. Whilst I really do enjoy birding, I have, on ocassion, just said "s...w it, I am having a pint instead":-))) It is supposed to be fun, after all.

[michaelboustead]

Hi Hunter,

Welcome to BirdForum!

Wellies are waterproof rubber boots - named after Lord Wellington (a British warlord of about 180 years ago), who invented them, or made sure that all his troops had them, or something like that.

Michael


Are "Wellies" comfortable? Rubber boots don't sound comfortable. At 50 years old with very flat feet I would rate comfortable shoes very high on any list.

Michael Boustead

[pete1950]

Hi Hunter,

Welcome to BirdForum!

Wellies are waterproof rubber boots - named after Lord Wellington (a British warlord of about 180 years ago), who invented them, or made sure that all his troops had them, or something like that.

Michael

QI the other week effectively debunked the Lord Wellington invented 'wellies' theory, because it was in fact Amazonian Indians who first used liquid rubber to waterproof their legs, by standing in the stuff until it dried.

Wellington was the first to utilise vulcanised rubber to make waterproof boots. Vulcanisation is a process invented by Goodyear, the man not the company, completely by accident, he was ripped off and received no royalties.

[Mickymouse]

QI the other week effectively debunked the Lord Wellington invented 'wellies' theory, because it was in fact Amazonian Indians who first used liquid rubber to waterproof their legs, by standing in the stuff until it dried.


QI great silly program, can't understand why it is not more popular.

Mick

[Geoff Brown]

I always thought Vulcanisation was invented in Startrek!