Getting Started in the Sunny(?) Isle of Man

[Time-Enough]

I have decided that the time has come to make time in my life for stuff I've always wanted to do (Wife and 2 kids not totally in support of this decision). I know nothing about birdwatching but have always wanted to find out more. I've read lots on the Internet since making this decision but I'm just not sure how to get started. I have a cheap/old pair of bins that I guess will see me through the realy days(?).

I know this is almost certainly a long-shot but does anyone know of contacts on the Isle of Man who may be able to help me out or take me on a tour of good places to go. Alternatively are there people in the UK who could show me the ropes.

I learnt fishing last year and having a guide really helped me get started and make the most out of the sport.

All help very gratefully received :-)

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Hi Time-enough,

And welcome to Bird Forum. There's a few fairly active Manx folks on the forum so you could be in luck. You might want to get some new bins at some stage (especially if you get to try others out) but I would concentrate on getting out there in the field as much as you can. Do you have a decent field guide? The Collins Guide by Svensson et al is recommended.

[walt-m]

Hi Time-enough,
As Andrew as told you get yourself a good guide book then get your boots on and get out in the freshair don't forget to take your bins, go in for the best new bins you can afford after trying as many as possible, also it may help you to try and get
The CD-ROM Guide to British Birds it's verry good in helping to get you Hooked on birds.
Walt-m

[KCFoggin]

Hi there Time-Enough and welcome to BirdForum from me ;) and the rest of the staff here.

You've picked the best site possibly to get all your questions answered. As you can see, there are plenty of helpful members willing to assist you.

[dvc214]

I started in June, and I've tried to get out and about as much as possible, got some fairly decent bins 10 x 30 from 7dayshop.com, quite cheap as well. I have to say that nothing replaces the learning gained by spotting a bird, and then looking it up in a field guide. I remember my seeing my first pair of Bull finches (or is the plural Bull finch???), the first time I realised that a female house sparrow has no patterning on it's belly. The first time I realised that the brown bird with black wings in the garden was a blackbird, just juvenile! I've recently seen my first grey wagtail, I'm loving it!!!