BBC Twitching Documentary (1 Viewer)

[AndyK]

Wow. I could barely stop cringing throughout, I honestly cant believe the way so many 'Adults' hang on every word of some bizarre man who claims to be like George Micheal, which is a pretty damning comparison even for the drugged up, toilet dwelling 'policeman'!

I love birdwatching but for me its not as much of an obsession as most of the people on the documentary, i've nothing against them or what they do I think its great to put so much energy into something. But for me its about the enjoyment of seeing so many different birds, not turning it into a contest of whose got the most ticks which is 'governed' by some paranoid.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

I'm a bit shocked at some of the stuff people are posting about Mya-Craig and her family (who I don't know at all). I was very into birds at her age and would have loved to have had the opportunities she's had to travel around the country seeing loads of species. That's despite the fact that I know I would have been very bored a lot of the time travelling and waiting around (as I still would). She seems like quite a feisty girl and I'm sure would let her parents know if she really didn't want to go birding.

 

[ColonelBlimp]

I remember meeting the older guy at the seawatch station at Flamborough, I'd just got there at about two in the afternoon, "anything about", "not much", "how long have you been here then", "oh just since six in the morning". Dedication!

 

[Birdforum]

LGRE Has sent this to Birdforum to post in response to the programme.

[FONT=&quot]As with all TV programmes, this one was no different in being sensationalist. They did a total of 5 hours filming with me but chose to only use those very negative comments that they carefully lured me into. In fact, I came out incredibly negative throughout.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]I am not an out-and-out twitcher - I love all birds and go out birding every day. I meticulously record each and every bird I see and frequently send in all of my counts and records to respective county recorders or provide a long email of my sightings. I do not class birds as just a tick in a book as was clearly portrayed in the film and it would not matter how many of an individual bird I had seen before, I would happily travel to see another one.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]I do however run a club (the UK400 Club) that records, lists and documents the activities of those birdwatchers that have seen more than 400 species of bird in Britain and Ireland, as well as other activities including listing. I cannot deny that this is not competitive and whenever competition is involved, you will sadly attract a percentage of cheating. The average birder would not believe the level of cheating, purposeful fabricating and observer incompetence/inexperience that the hobby entails but as I have spent a lifetime studying it and the psychology of birdwatchers, I have witnessed it at first hand.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]The references to George Michael and Gordon Brown that have been quoted have been taken out of context. The comparisons made with George relate to his life-style and the way that the general public have treated him whilst that of Gordon Brown relating to being the most despised person in British politics (for me being the most despised and hated person in British birding).[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]The programme was not actually made for the viewing of birdwatchers as far as I know but for the general public at large and in that respect, it achieved its aim - that hard-core twitchers are a very weird, very selfish bunch indeed.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Kind regards[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Lee Evans[/FONT]

 

[Pariah]

LGRE Has sent this to Birdforum to post in response to the programme.

[FONT=&quot]As with all TV programmes, this one was no different in being sensationalist. They did a total of 5 hours filming with me but chose to only use those very negative comments that they carefully lured me into. In fact, I came out incredibly negative throughout.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]I am not an out-and-out twitcher - I love all birds and go out birding every day. I meticulously record each and every bird I see and frequently send in all of my counts and records to respective county recorders or provide a long email of my sightings. I do not class birds as just a tick in a book as was clearly portrayed in the film and it would not matter how many of an individual bird I had seen before, I would happily travel to see another one.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]I do however run a club (the UK400 Club) that records, lists and documents the activities of those birdwatchers that have seen more than 400 species of bird in Britain and Ireland, as well as other activities including listing. I cannot deny that this is not competitive and whenever competition is involved, you will sadly attract a percentage of cheating. The average birder would not believe the level of cheating, purposeful fabricating and observer incompetence/inexperience that the hobby entails but as I have spent a lifetime studying it and the psychology of birdwatchers, I have witnessed it at first hand.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]The references to George Michael and Gordon Brown that have been quoted have been taken out of context. The comparisons made with George relate to his life-style and the way that the general public have treated him whilst that of Gordon Brown relating to being the most despised person in British politics (for me being the most despised and hated person in British birding).[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]The programme was not actually made for the viewing of birdwatchers as far as I know but for the general public at large and in that respect, it achieved its aim - that hard-core twitchers are a very weird, very selfish bunch indeed.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Kind regards[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Lee Evans[/FONT]

Haven't we heard that exact response before? Does he keep it handy for every time he needs it?

How did they lure him into comments such as "I've lived my life like George Michael?" or "I'm like the Prime Minister?"

Did they ask him which 80's pop star you most resemble? Did they ask him which political figure he most empathises with?

Hardly.

Some one wake him up before he go goes right off the deep end!

Owen

 

[John Hague]

LGRE Has sent this to Birdforum to post in response to the programme.

[FONT=&quot]As with all TV programmes, this one was no different in being sensationalist. They did a total of 5 hours filming with me but chose to only use those very negative comments that they carefully lured me into. In fact, I came out incredibly negative throughout.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]I am not an out-and-out twitcher - I love all birds and go out birding every day. I meticulously record each and every bird I see and frequently send in all of my counts and records to respective county recorders or provide a long email of my sightings. I do not class birds as just a tick in a book as was clearly portrayed in the film and it would not matter how many of an individual bird I had seen before, I would happily travel to see another one.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]I do however run a club (the UK400 Club) that records, lists and documents the activities of those birdwatchers that have seen more than 400 species of bird in Britain and Ireland, as well as other activities including listing. I cannot deny that this is not competitive and whenever competition is involved, you will sadly attract a percentage of cheating. The average birder would not believe the level of cheating, purposeful fabricating and observer incompetence/inexperience that the hobby entails but as I have spent a lifetime studying it and the psychology of birdwatchers, I have witnessed it at first hand.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]The references to George Michael and Gordon Brown that have been quoted have been taken out of context. The comparisons made with George relate to his life-style and the way that the general public have treated him whilst that of Gordon Brown relating to being the most despised person in British politics (for me being the most despised and hated person in British birding).[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]The programme was not actually made for the viewing of birdwatchers as far as I know but for the general public at large and in that respect, it achieved its aim - that hard-core twitchers are a very weird, very selfish bunch indeed.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Kind regards[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Lee Evans[/FONT]

Oh Lee that's priceless. You got involved so you can't really complain about being taken out of context. Maybe they cut the bits where you said that you love all the birders in Leicestershire?

I'd leave the psychology to us professionals Lee if I were you and think about getting your car tuned. For it not make half a mile in at least 15 minutes suggests something seriously wrong with the car...

Finally, I reckon at this moment in time I'm the most hated man in British (and Irish maybe, if the Irish don't adjudicate on hate on their own) Birding according to some of the emails and blog comments I received!

 

[Stoggler]

Although I'd heard of LGRE in the past, this was the first time I'd seen him. All I can say is, WHAT AN EGO!! :-O

To dismiss a sighting of a bird when he's not even there to see it himself is arrogant (especially when there was a apparently a photo of said bird in existence!). By the way, if LGRE is the policeman of the competitive listers, who polices him when his lists appear in the competitive lists (he was in first place in the year list for example)? Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

Having never been on a twitch, this was all eye-opening for me - and very interesting too, actually enjoyed it. Can't see the interest in the activity myself, but each to their own.

Didn't Gary think that being filmed for a TV programme using his mobile while driving was not a good idea...? Hands free kit anyone...?

The cuckoo programme afterwards was excellent!

 

[edenwatcher]

An enjoyable watch, and a pretty accurate portrayal.
It would have been good to see a few more people who don't follow UK400 "rules" having a say.

Rob

 

[stuart white]

I nearly switched off, but persevered to the end, quality viewing. Luckily my wife fell asleep. Didn't Lee also claim to be "the boss" of british birding ? Hilarious

A mere detail but If Barry needed cedar waxwing he must have only been twitching for say 12-13 years ?
How on earth has he got 500 on his 'British' list, does it include other countries and a load of non-bou splits ?
Last I heard Azorean Y-L gull wasn't a full species

Also, why would you drive to a different country to look for a bird then sit in the pub ?

 

[dantheman]

Can't see the problems with LGRE's statement above - he clearly is a hard-core twitcher, and is honest enough to admit that he is very weird and very selfish!! How more honest than that can you get?

Life would be very sad and boring if we didn't have extreme personalities in the various walks/fields of life out there.

 

[djprest]

I nearly switched off, but persevered to the end, quality viewing. Luckily my wife fell asleep. Didn't Lee also claim to be "the boss" of british birding ? Hilarious

A mere detail but If Barry needed cedar waxwing he must have only been twitching for say 12-13 years ?
How on earth has he got 500 on his 'British' list, does it include other countries and a load of non-bou splits ?
Last I heard Azorean Y-L gull wasn't a full species

Also, why would you drive to a different country to look for a bird then sit in the pub ?

i suspect in a few years barry will turn his back on birding and revert back to plane spotting.

if lee doesnt trust him who can?

 

[black kite 1964]

I agree. Why is that little girls enforced existance not a case for social services ?

Jokes aside. Anybody who knows Chris and Helena knows what top people they are, as are both their children.

Another LGRE quote from last night "... I only take children seriously when they are over ten..." Gary, six months to go then!!!!

 

[Pariah]

Can't see the problems with LGRE's statement above - he clearly is a hard-core twitcher, and is honest enough to admit that he is very weird and very selfish!! How more honest than that can you get?

Life would be very sad and boring if we didn't have extreme personalities in the various walks/fields of life out there.

True, but it is the inflicting of that personality, and all the negativity that goes with it, on others which I would think most people would find fault with.



Owen

 

[Richard Klim]

I think Lee's "I am like George michael" comment really translates to " I am an 80's throwback"

What's happened to Lee's white suit and patent leather shoes...?

Richard

 

[redeyedvideo]

I'm a bit shocked at some of the stuff people are posting about Mya-Craig and her family (who I don't know at all). I was very into birds at her age and would have loved to have had the opportunities she's had to travel around the country seeing loads of species. That's despite the fact that I know I would have been very bored a lot of the time travelling and waiting around (as I still would). She seems like quite a feisty girl and I'm sure would let her parents know if she really didn't want to go birding.

I couldn't agree more. Surely being taken out in the countryside is a better lifestyle to most kids who would rather be taken to McD*n*lds or sit in front of their xBox or computer all day.

I thought she was adorable and for her mother to take up birding makes for a rounded and happy family. I can only assume the negative comments are from those who don't have children. (Or who let them sit in front of their xBox or computer all day)

 

[NoSpringChicken]

If anybody else, like me, missed the programme, it is repeated on Thursday at 10.30 pm. I will probably watch it as there is nothing like a good freak show.:eek!:

Ron

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

I couldn't agree more. Surely being taken out in the countryside is a better lifestyle to most kids who would rather be taken to McD*n*lds or sit in front of their xBox or computer all day.

I thought she was adorable and for her mother to take up birding makes for a rounded and happy family. I can only assume the negative comments are from those who don't have children. (Or who let them sit in front of their xBox or computer all day)

To paraphrase a famous slogan: "The family that goes for Eastern Crowned Warbler together stays together."

 

[Amarillo]

I thought it was a very good programme and while Lee Evans came across as a very odd individual, I thought the others came across as more normal than I was expecting. I wouldn't have thought the average twitcher had ever had a girlfriend let alone wife and kids.

I thought it got across very well how addictive it can become and served as a useful warning for all of us. Birding and competition do not go well together because only YOU know whether you've seen something and the idea of this LGRE character going round trying to police what others have seen is quite frankly ridiculous!

As others have mentioned I did find it odd that Gary(?) was shown travelling to Ireland when all the talk was of a UK list. If the list is a UK and Ireland thing the commentary should have explained that - or was the reason Lee didn't travel because his list is only for UK birds whereas Gary just wanted to see it anyway even if it was in another country?

Finally I think the comments about the young girl are over the top. Its a pretty healthy thing for a young girl to be doing really and they seemed like a really happy family.

 

[sparrowbirder]

Not good,asking someone for "permission" if you can tick a bird or not,whats that all about,driving whilst using mobile phones (especially on camera) not clever,going to look for an aquatic warbler in a gale,not the best idea,driving all over the country with an obviously bored kid in tow,suppose they had to make it entertaining for Joe Bloggs in the street,and that bit at the end with the grey phal "oh ive seen that" you are having a laugh..

 

[Birdbrain]

I dont know what to make about that last night..!

We all look like a bunch of nutters lol