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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Chewbaxter" data-source="post: 1303561" data-attributes="member: 67079">Have to say I enjoy swimming, yet I find myself using various exercise machines more whilst at the gym (even though there's a pool there which I do use on occasion).When my 'Man Flu' has cleared up - I'll have to go back - sooner rather than later hopefully!Here's some info on what I've done today - I DEFINITELY "Birded Away The Blues", and did my first 'twitch' (sort of) - I'll post the info. in it's entirety - excuse some of the 'we know that' information, it's just that I've posted this on some non-birding forums also as I'm pretty chuffed - therefore everyone has to know about it lol.:t:Well, although I'm already a 'Birder' I reckon I can now officially class myself as a 'Twitcher'.?Info. here as to what the heck I'm going on about first...The term "birdwatching" was first used in 1901 while "bird" was introduced as a verb in 1918. The term "birding" was also used for the practice of "fowling" or hunting with firearms as in Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor (1602) "She laments sir... her husband goes this morning a-birding." Birding and birdwatching are today used interchangeably. They are both used to refer to people who observe birds for pleasure.The term "twitcher" was however reserved for those who travelled long distances just to see a rare bird that would be "ticked" off on a "list". The usage of the term twitcher began in the 1950s originating from a phrase used to describe the nervous behaviour of Howard Medhurst, a British birdwatcher. Prior to that the term used for those who chased rarities was "pot-hunter", "tally-hunter", "tick-hunter" or "tick-hunter". The practice of travelling long distances to spot rarities was aided by the rising popularity of cars.The goal of twitching is often to accumulate species on one's lists. Some birders engage in competition with one another to accumulate the longest species list. The act of the pursuit itself is referred to as a "twitch" or a "chase". A rare bird that stays put long enough for people to see it is called "twitchable" or "chaseable".Twitching is highly developed in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark, Ireland, Finland and Sweden. The smaller regional size of these countries make it possible to quickly travel inside their borders with relative ease. The most popular twitches in the UK have drawn large crowds, such as a group of approximately 5,000 people who came to view a Golden-winged Warbler in Kent. Twitchers have developed their own vocabulary. For example, a twitcher who fails to see a rare bird has dipped out; if other twitchers do see the bird, he may feel gripped off. Suppression is the act of concealing news of a rare bird from other twitchers.Okay... so that's explained what 'twitching' is... the only reason I put the explanation in is because 'twitcher' is often a name given to people who enjoy 'birdwatching', and it's often used incorrectly to describe a 'Birdwatcher' or a 'Birder' (the latter term sounds better doesn't it?)Anyhow... so  I've been 'twitching' - how far did I travel and what did I see?Well, not too far - in fact only a few miles away from where I live. Wigan Flashes, and in particular 'Scotsman's Flash'.I'd found info. from a birdwatching forum that reported a Red-throated Diver which had been present for a few days - now that's a rare bird for this part of the country!<a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/r/redthroateddiver/index.asp" target="_blank">Click Here For More Info. On This Bird</a>So I got all my essential equipment ready... 'scope (telescope) and tripod, bins (binoculars), field guide and two dogs (the last bit hardly a 'Birding Essential' but they enjoy the walk, so I thought to take 'em).When we got there, there were already a few folk looking at this bird, unfortunately I couldn't see it as it had gone across to the other side of the flash (lake)... plus the sunlight was shining on the area where it had last been seen, so I decided to move to another location (as did other people).A bit further on, one chap there with his 'scope (who I'd spoke with previously), so I asked him if he'd spotted it again - he pointed it out to me - and it was quite close to where we were - probably only about 10 metres away (which was very kind of it, as it meant 'finding it' with my 'scope was much easier).Excellent stuff and a great feeling to have seen a rare bird - I'd never seen one before, and don't know if I'll see one again so I'm pretty chuffed with this!When I carried on walking, I got chatting with one lady and her father, she enquired if there was a rare bird in the area as she'd seen a number of people out and about with all their birding paraphernalia - I told her as to what we'd all been looking at and showed her the bird in my field guide - she thanked me for telling her and showing her the book... I thought after as to how weird it must be to see an invasion of people with 'scopes and the like... in fact, I rarely take the 'scope there, but usually take my bins with me. So there you have it... it may not sound all that exciting unless this is something you're 'into' - but it's not been a bad day for me I have to say... especially seeing that I'm coughing and sneezing and generally feeling sorry for myself - so it's brightened up my day!<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />N.</blockquote>

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