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Norfolk birding (29 Viewers)

Speaking as a birder-photographer with thirty years of experience and having only in the years since my dad died and left me a bit of cash got a "dustbin sized camera" I'd just like to point out that the noise comes from the camera body, so the plonkers with short lenses that are never going to achieve that picture make the same amount of camera noise. The latter also tend to end up trying to get even closer than idiots with long lenses.

I entirely agree with recent posts about naming and shaming, I look forward to seeing the names in print as not all of us know the Norfolk scene that well but would like to know whose stuff to boycott. Rather than moaning and hoping, get on and do it.

Long lenses are for standing further back. If your pic is sharp you can always crop it in, if its not then nothing will help.

Very few birders have fieldcraft these days. Or patience. Or manners. Or common sense. Birds are not disturbed by camera shutters but are by clumsiness with hide shutters. Birds are not disturbed by camera flash but are by quick hand movements (No, not that...)
Noise levels in hides are caused by people of all skill levels and ages, locals and visitors. The quietest people in hides are mostly sociopaths. I'm not sure that's a good thing for the hobby.

One final tip: if you think your neighbours will run you out of town because of other peoples' behaviour, you are already excluded, just in denial.

BTW I'm coming to Norfolk tomorrow. Please don't increase the noise level near birds by talking to me.

John
 
Time to name and shame!

Waiting patiently for the Rosy Pastor (much nicer name than RCS!) to show this afternoon at a sensible distance when the three muppets in the foreground arrived and decided they needed to be five yards closer than everyone else.
A polite request to stand a bit further back was met by a mumble from one of aforementioned than 'there hadn't been a problem earlier in the week' and they all stayed put. Felt especially sorry for the responsible birders who had been waiting for a couple of hours for the bird to come down to the bird bath only to find that when it did, one of the muppets quickly tried to reposition and the bird bolted back into the tree as a result.
I'm fortunate to have many contacts around the county and can say that more and more are getting thoroughly p*ssed off with the attitude of (mainly, but not exclusively) so called 'photographers' with all the gear but no f******g idea who despite £5K of equipment aren't happy unless they can shove their lens up the birds arse. As a result more and more birds are going to be either suppressed or else just shared with people who can be relied upon to act responsibly.
Apologies for the tone of the post but after initially missing the Roller and being told by two independent birders that it had been 'flushed by a photographer' and then 'it's being chased around by a photographer' it's time to say enough is enough.

PS: This isn't aimed at responsible photographers - there are some about, one of whom was kind enough to provide the people who's garden the bird is in with a framed print.
PPS: If there is a collection on site tomorrow (RNLI?) please give generously.

Mick

With all that camouflage I don't believe the starling could see them! ;)

Chris
 
Suspect there will be a big crowd at the RCS in the morning. Löök forward to long lens, noise, camo and perhaps even some fighting talk;) On the subject of fieldcraft, anyone tried chips, I understand Starlings quiet like them!
 
This is where forums are terrible places. I firmly believe that 90% of us on here have the same ideologies, and sat around a table would agree fully on most factors concerning suppression, fieldcraft and general behaviour in and around the scene.

It's impossible to come across completely diplomatic and 'PC' in one short post, so we really must give people a little slack and realise that they are not painting everyone with the same brush, just expressing frustrations about events that they witness, and seem to continue to witness again and again from certain people. If you know you behave well, then what have you got to get your back up about?

Mick, well done for voicing your concern on here and directly to the people who you felt were too close to the bird, I wish more had the bottle. I and another forum member were almost involved in a full scale battle royal at a twitch last year, and all because we wouldn't stand for the rude behaviour of a certain gentleman. It's not always appropriate to just pull someone aside while others are trying to still see the bird, I should imagine in most circumstances it would cause even more disturbance, I know our 'intervention' almost caused a Heysel like moment.

Keep pulling people up when they are being loud, getting too close and generally being foolish. People aren't perfect, but a quiet word can sometimes just help others understand that they could be putting people's opportunities of comfortable views and the birds welfare at risk. If they refuse, at least you have tried and slowly, with the right attitude and accretion, things can get better and hopefully we can see less accounts of this type of thing in the future.

Peace x
 
Time to name and shame!

Waiting patiently for the Rosy Pastor (much nicer name than RCS!) to show this afternoon at a sensible distance when the three muppets in the foreground arrived and decided they needed to be five yards closer than everyone else.
A polite request to stand a bit further back was met by a mumble from one of aforementioned than 'there hadn't been a problem earlier in the week' and they all stayed put. Felt especially sorry for the responsible birders who had been waiting for a couple of hours for the bird to come down to the bird bath only to find that when it did, one of the muppets quickly tried to reposition and the bird bolted back into the tree as a result.
I'm fortunate to have many contacts around the county and can say that more and more are getting thoroughly p*ssed off with the attitude of (mainly, but not exclusively) so called 'photographers' with all the gear but no f******g idea who despite £5K of equipment aren't happy unless they can shove their lens up the birds arse. As a result more and more birds are going to be either suppressed or else just shared with people who can be relied upon to act responsibly.
Apologies for the tone of the post but after initially missing the Roller and being told by two independent birders that it had been 'flushed by a photographer' and then 'it's being chased around by a photographer' it's time to say enough is enough.

PS: This isn't aimed at responsible photographers - there are some about, one of whom was kind enough to provide the people who's garden the bird is in with a framed print.
PPS: If there is a collection on site tomorrow (RNLI?) please give generously.

Mick

Whose that tall good looking chap at the back ?! I'd just like to say I asked them to move back but they refused, speaking to Mick whose stood next to me he said the bird had showed better and more frequently before said three got much closer, coincidentally one of said 3 was stalking the roller on monday when everyone else was viewing from a sensible distance.
 
Why was, Mark's Socialism comment removed? Big Brother, can you hear me?

In a socialist birding scene, could we all trade our gear in and hand out mid range bins, scopes and cameras too all? Dudeio Bandaras won't have his Swaro, I won't have my taped up AG80, but we both have a tidy Opticron? NICE!


Kieran
 
The big guy front left looks like the guy who knocked into me a couple of times at Dunwich Heath , he was rude and clumsey not only to me but a young couple who were their photoing the DWs
 
Kieran. Sorry socialism does not work. As for the lively discussion on behaviour at rares would suggest you can not apply hard and fast rules as every species and situation is slightly different. Suffice to say I would suggest that it is not clever to roll up at a big twitch with a long lens and expect to go to the front. Stuart do not see any thing other than poorly dressed "vagrants" in the photo you refer to;) As for what is appropriate behaviour at a small twich for what can prove to be an approachable species given a bit of "fieldcraft" I would suggest you are unlikely to get consensus! As I said earlier, socialism does not work:cat:
 
Sorry to hear that behavior has become inappropriate and good on Mick for voicing concerns.
I didn't find any problems with the behavior of photographers yesterday morning.
I was stood behind 3 gentleman (Including a well known Norfolk photographer) each armed with larger than average lenses (Far larger than mine anyway!) and the bird was more than happy to come down, only retreating to the small tree when flushed by other birds.
Saying this there was only around 10 people there in total and I think everyone was happy with the views they got.

I found it pleasantly refreshing that on Wednesday evening some present, including myself, asked permission of the homeowner before photographing near her house, courtesy she clearly appreciated.

Either way lets hope it doesn't escalate into the birders vs photographers at a rare twitch. This is a magnificent bird and we are very lucky to get views this good.

I may give it a look tomorrow afternoon if the sun shines. Hopefully see a few of you there too. :t:
 
Time to name and shame!

Waiting patiently for the Rosy Pastor (much nicer name than RCS!) to show this afternoon at a sensible distance when the three muppets in the foreground arrived and decided they needed to be five yards closer than everyone else.
A polite request to stand a bit further back was met by a mumble from one of aforementioned than 'there hadn't been a problem earlier in the week' and they all stayed put. Felt especially sorry for the responsible birders who had been waiting for a couple of hours for the bird to come down to the bird bath only to find that when it did, one of the muppets quickly tried to reposition and the bird bolted back into the tree as a result.
I'm fortunate to have many contacts around the county and can say that more and more are getting thoroughly p*ssed off with the attitude of (mainly, but not exclusively) so called 'photographers' with all the gear but no f******g idea who despite £5K of equipment aren't happy unless they can shove their lens up the birds arse. As a result more and more birds are going to be either suppressed or else just shared with people who can be relied upon to act responsibly.
Apologies for the tone of the post but after initially missing the Roller and being told by two independent birders that it had been 'flushed by a photographer' and then 'it's being chased around by a photographer' it's time to say enough is enough.

PS: This isn't aimed at responsible photographers - there are some about, one of whom was kind enough to provide the people who's garden the bird is in with a framed print.
PPS: If there is a collection on site tomorrow (RNLI?) please give generously.

Mick

Well said Mick. Bad names stick and are well deserved in a lot of cases.

Sadly the human race is a selfish species.
 
Yes, he also trod on me and walked in front of me at the Landguard Subalpine warbler!
Sean Nixon

Ditto. He blessed us all with his running commentary (mainly about how approachable the bird was) whilst constantly walking in front of the birders and even other photographers! Perhaps his monopod could be re-positioned ;)

Chris A.
 
Best sites in Norfolk

I am on holiday in July near North Walsham.
If I have one day only to do some watching away from that area what would local birders recommend as a feasible day out in Norfolk.
I know all about Minsmere from living in Essex years ago but never went into Norfolk.
 
Norwich Cathedral Peregrines

It wasn’t that long ago that the Peregrine was merely a very scarce winter visitor to Norfolk. Much to the dislike of some Pigeon fanciers their numbers have blossomed in England to such an extent that they now breed in Norfolk.
There was a lot of fuss in the media when a pair of Peregrines successfully fledged four young at the Norwich Cathedral of the Holy and Undivided Trinity.

For the first few days after the juveniles left their breeding platform on the spire, the youngsters flying ability was fairly questionable. It only amounted to semi-controlled, fumbling descents. The downward motion only interrupted, in large steps, by the varying roof heights of the cathedral.

The caring staff from the Hawk & Owl Trust provided round the clock chat to the streams of visitors attracted to the Cathedral to see the spectacle.
 

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  • 449 Peregrine (Falco peregrinus) Norwich Cathedral June 2013 cp pt crs sl 130dpi.jpg
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