First Belgian in this thread?
I started birding without even noticing it at that time, I was between 6-10 years old.My mother used to feed the birds in wintertime with leftovers from the table.
It was not so common in Belgium to feed the birds just for fun at that time!She named quite a lot off the visitors at our garden and i was wondered how She could recognised them all?
The next not so nice birdexperience was when i visit my Father's caugthing place!
It was very common to catch birds for selling in the 60' or so.Gladly he did this only for a short period .
I broke his sticks (from a short off clapping net?)on an occasion just because I didn' t like what he was doing ,and fortunately for Me there was no punishment but understandig from him" I.... think"
The third and pre birding moment was, when i was on a holiday camp with a youth organisation.One off the leaders while hiking around pointed us youngsters, to see at overflying Buzzards.
At that time i was around 12 year and i recall seeing them a little bit as vultures.
This was my pre birding live My actual started in 1979 (19 years old) just married
,Me and my Lady at that time where in a bookclub and we must buy every 3 month's at least one book.
Accidentally? i bought a photobook (Fieldguide) about birds i don't know the right name of it now but still have it in the addict I think?
Anyway i was so impressed by the nice colors and variety off all the species in this book that i wanted to photograph myself.
But because it was quite expensive for the photo equipment i just bought a cheap bino and went outside first discoveries where (Jay-Blue& Great Tit)
But very different to the UK at that time when walking around with a bino You looked silly? or odd to the majority.
I can tell a lot more, but it's a little bit difficult to write it in English or to write at all
I hope you enjoyed my story
Greetz Raymond