[fugl]

http://www.slate.com/id/2280960/

[flossiepip]

No matter what you might think of the content, a very well written article with some hope at the end!

[Mysticete]

Not a horrible article, but the author does strike a tabloid tone for at least most of the first half.

Also not sure how much of birding really is related to environmental concerns. I certainly don't think it arose because of concerns over manufacturing early last century. I suspect it has more to do with people having free time to pursue hobbies, availability of field guides, information sharing, etc. Birds are more likely to be a gateway to conservation than the other way around.

[Larry Lade]

An "interesting" article, as were some of the responses given at the end of the piece!

[John Cantelo]

Although I thought the prose style attractive, this was an odd article falling into two distinct and poorly connected parts. The first section was a peculiar rag bag comments which were pretty much 'guilt by association'. Some thoughtful comments interspersed by fairly tendencious observations. The latter part offered a more balanced approach rooted in what birdwatchers actually do and how the hobby evolved.