wolfbirder
Well-known member
Not quite twitching, but when I was at Point Pelee in 2008 during Spring Migration, it really struck me how different twitchers / birders were in Canada (Ok not the USA) compared to Brits.
Again, I acknowledge the scenario was slightly different, people weren't chasing after one rarity, there were literally goodies flitting all around, so you could more or less stay put instead of charging around like some people do (I've been guilty of this).
What struck me was how large numbers of teenagers were involved in this pass-time, and they really knew their stuff (listening for the occasional sound of a hidden Mourning Warbler for instance). Sometimes in the UK, you get the impression that 'us' twitchers are a bit nerdy, desperate beyond belief to see the species in question. Again, I've been one of them regularly
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But the Canadian and American birders at Pelee seemed more chilled, though that may have been because there were good birds everywhere.
Again, I acknowledge the scenario was slightly different, people weren't chasing after one rarity, there were literally goodies flitting all around, so you could more or less stay put instead of charging around like some people do (I've been guilty of this).
What struck me was how large numbers of teenagers were involved in this pass-time, and they really knew their stuff (listening for the occasional sound of a hidden Mourning Warbler for instance). Sometimes in the UK, you get the impression that 'us' twitchers are a bit nerdy, desperate beyond belief to see the species in question. Again, I've been one of them regularly
-.But the Canadian and American birders at Pelee seemed more chilled, though that may have been because there were good birds everywhere.
