jforgham
Birding for fun
HI RR,
Good to read of your enthusiasm and your superbly apt coments re your average 12 - 15 yo,although must not use too wide a brush to tar them all with.
Having spent the last 20+ years teaching in primary school I have tried to develop a life long interest in natural history with children in my class. (Mini Colster was in my class although not too much birding etc done then.) I now run a school bird club, with monthly trips and weekly indoor meetings for powerpoint presentations on observation tips and spotting skills.
Regards myself, in 1960's I was member of the YOC (junior branch of RSPB) and each year went on organised holidays , staying at youth hostels and having guides to show you the local birds. My first, (still clear in my memory ) was er, now I'm sure I can remember, was Northumberland. Visited Farne Islands, Holy Island, Cheviots and local beaches. coming from city centre of Liverpool just about everything I saw was new (peregrine, puffin, purple sandpiper just to name the p's.
Don't know if these type of holiday/courses are now stioll available. I was 11 when I went ot Northumberland. Whole trip was just such a growing up experience for me before secondary school. I had to get train from Liverpool to Newcastle, changing at Leeds, Doncaster and York before getting a bus to Alnwick.
I appreciate in today's climate much more difficult for youngsters to travel alone but through this site, should meet some local birders who would be willing to help but beware of the obvious.
I wish you well and if you ever find a cheap way to get to Stansted airport by bus on a Saturday our local bird club visits areas around South East. Always welcome to join in.
Check out: www.fly.to/bsbg
I wish you well,
Jono
Good to read of your enthusiasm and your superbly apt coments re your average 12 - 15 yo,although must not use too wide a brush to tar them all with.
Having spent the last 20+ years teaching in primary school I have tried to develop a life long interest in natural history with children in my class. (Mini Colster was in my class although not too much birding etc done then.) I now run a school bird club, with monthly trips and weekly indoor meetings for powerpoint presentations on observation tips and spotting skills.
Regards myself, in 1960's I was member of the YOC (junior branch of RSPB) and each year went on organised holidays , staying at youth hostels and having guides to show you the local birds. My first, (still clear in my memory ) was er, now I'm sure I can remember, was Northumberland. Visited Farne Islands, Holy Island, Cheviots and local beaches. coming from city centre of Liverpool just about everything I saw was new (peregrine, puffin, purple sandpiper just to name the p's.
Don't know if these type of holiday/courses are now stioll available. I was 11 when I went ot Northumberland. Whole trip was just such a growing up experience for me before secondary school. I had to get train from Liverpool to Newcastle, changing at Leeds, Doncaster and York before getting a bus to Alnwick.
I appreciate in today's climate much more difficult for youngsters to travel alone but through this site, should meet some local birders who would be willing to help but beware of the obvious.
I wish you well and if you ever find a cheap way to get to Stansted airport by bus on a Saturday our local bird club visits areas around South East. Always welcome to join in.
Check out: www.fly.to/bsbg
I wish you well,
Jono