Does anyone like me think twitching gives birdwatchers a bad reputation (1 Viewer)

[IAN JAMES THOMPSON]

So you go on field trips to see 'common' birds....all a matter of degree to me.

You're still going out of you way to see birds, stop judging others and just get on with it.

A

I go to see whatever birds there are to see. I don't go out my way specially hundreds of miles just to see a rare bird.
Ian.

 

[Jos Stratford]

I go to see whatever birds there are to see. I don't go out my way specially hundreds of miles just to see a rare bird.
Ian.

You do go out of your way specially to see birds, i.e. to reserves, etc, where you know there will be different birds to those in your garden, so what difference does it make? You travel to see birds, so do others.

 

[Mayo Corncrake]

No problem with people twitching as long as they respect the bird/land owner. One small thing annoys me though. The career conservationists who spend their whole time searching for rare species, while ignoring their work (Conservation). I know a few and it makes me vomit to see what they are at..........

 

[Stonefaction]

Ian, given your opinion of twitching, if you happen to chance upon a rarity while not looking for one, will you let the twitchers know or keep it to yourself?

I'm a birder first, a photographer second, and a twitcher somewhere a bit further down the list. If there is a bird I haven't seen, somewhere where I have a chance to see it, and I can get to it (via public transport/lift from a friend) then I will take the opportunity to have a look if circumstances allow, as I want to learn what to look for next time (hopefully) I chance upon whatever I'm looking at. If I see it great, if not, no big deal. I'm happy to see what I see, wherever I see it but the only time my pulse rate has actually quickened noticeably was when I found a 'rarity' and it flew off before anyone else saw it. I knew what I had seen, but there were no witnesses. I've never had a similar 'buzz/panic' from seeing something common (it was re-found and my heart rate settled back down). Some birds ARE more equal than others.

If you don't want to twitch, don't. As long as you/others enjoy what you/they are doing (and it isn't illegal) then where's the problem? Live and let live (or bird and let bird?).

 

[IAN JAMES THOMPSON]

Ian, given your opinion of twitching, if you happen to chance upon a rarity while not looking for one, will you let the twitchers know or keep it to yourself?

I'm a birder first, a photographer second, and a twitcher somewhere a bit further down the list. If there is a bird I haven't seen, somewhere where I have a chance to see it, and I can get to it (via public transport/lift from a friend) then I will take the opportunity to have a look if circumstances allow, as I want to learn what to look for next time (hopefully) I chance upon whatever I'm looking at. If I see it great, if not, no big deal. I'm happy to see what I see, wherever I see it but the only time my pulse rate has actually quickened noticeably was when I found a 'rarity' and it flew off before anyone else saw it. I knew what I had seen, but there were no witnesses. I've never had a similar 'buzz/panic' from seeing something common (it was re-found and my heart rate settled back down). Some birds ARE more equal than others.

If you don't want to twitch, don't. As long as you/others enjoy what you/they are doing (and it isn't illegal) then where's the problem? Live and let live (or bird and let bird?).

I don't give any birds to anyone except discussing the days birdwatching with friends. Why should I publicise what I see in a days birdwatching whether common or rare. No one else does of who I know.
Ian.

 

[Allen S. Moore]

Why is that? I get great pleasure in birdwatching and I go birdwatching with RSPB Local Group. They are all of the same belief as me, if you see a rare or common bird it makes no difference.
Ian.

It must be a rare group of birdwatchers to all have the same focus in their hobby. As most of us notice within the forum, there is a great diversity of levels of interest in birds. That is one of the many great things about the forum. As Stonefaction wrote, bird and let bird (good one that!).

 

[Stonefaction]

I looked back through a selection of posts just to see why you were on here if you're not a sharer of information (in some form or other). You appear to ask others to offer up information (on reserves/websites/binoculars etc). Fair enough, Birdforum is full of people who freely give of their sightings/experience/identification skills/information. Happy to take, but not to give?

If everyone took the view to not tell others of sightings (common or rare), then you wouldn't have any reserves to visit as no-one would be aware there was anything worth preserving/protecting.

While browsing your posts I discovered that you've traveled a lot further than me to see birds - including to Loch Garten. Wouldn't have been Ospreys and Crested Tits you were hoping to see? In my book, that's traveling to see 'rare' birds (Cresties - as most of Britain's birders have to do if they want to see one - Ospreys are a bit easier), some might say that was "twitching"..... but I'm guessing you wouldn't.....

 

[Maffong]

Ouch...

 

[Steve Babbs]

, if you see a rare or common bird it makes no difference.
Ian.

In what way does that make you a better person? Yes twitching is crazy; that's the attraction. Some of us like life to be a little crazy and not predictable.

 

[pratincol]

I looked back through a selection of posts just to see why you were on here if you're not a sharer of information (in some form or other). You appear to ask others to offer up information (on reserves/websites/binoculars etc). Fair enough, Birdforum is full of people who freely give of their sightings/experience/identification skills/information. Happy to take, but not to give?

If everyone took the view to not tell others of sightings (common or rare), then you wouldn't have any reserves to visit as no-one would be aware there was anything worth preserving/protecting.

While browsing your posts I discovered that you've traveled a lot further than me to see birds - including to Loch Garten. Wouldn't have been Ospreys and Crested Tits you were hoping to see? In my book, that's traveling to see 'rare' birds (Cresties - as most of Britain's birders have to do if they want to see one - Ospreys are a bit easier), some might say that was "twitching"..... but I'm guessing you wouldn't.....

Don't quite agree.
I have a life list of 690 birds but I don't twitch.
I never travel more than 20 miles from home bird watching, but we do go on a lot of holidays!It is these damn computers.It is just too easy to book a holiday-at the click of a button.
We try and find a nice all inclusive hotel where we can walk from the hotel or get on a local bus or train.
When we are away I spend an equal time loafing around the hotel,sightseeing,walking and bird watching.
I always try and establish an adopted bird patch or two and cover them regularly during the holiday.
I see what birds I see from the hotel, or on or walks and trips out.If they are there I will tick them off.If not, I am not that fussed.
So for example when we were in Cuba we were told there was a Cuban Trogan to be seen in a nearby mountain which involved a hot sweaty taxi trip.
Couldn't be bothered with that, so having gone to Cuba[twice] I have never seen a Cuban Trogan
Who goes all that way[twice] and doesn't see a Cuban Trogan?
Well the likes of me who doesn't consider myself to be a Twitcher more a patch bird watcher.
Ditto Bald Ibis in Morocco.We went there three times and were not that far from an area where they could be seen.We were on holiday though, enjoying the hotels,food,drinks,bantering with the locals, walks,scenery and the birds we saw along the way.Seeing a Bald Ibis would have involved driving along a long twisting road on a hot stifling day.
I had established an interesting patch within walking distance of the hotel by then,so I thought.'Why bother?'
So I didn't see a Bald Ibis.Who goes to Morocco three times and doesn't see a Bald Ibis?
If I was a true Twitcher I would have Bald Ibis,Cuban Trogan and at least another 100 birds on my life list.
If I wasn't so bone idle my life list would have been a lot bigger.

 

[Morg]

Does anyone like myself think that having your birdforum name in CAPITALS is completely wrong and gives birdforumers and birdforuming a bad reputation. I'm quite happy when I see lower case mixed with very rare upper case. It makes me very happy whatever sort of birdforum name I observe. And I certainly don't go rushing off hundreds of new threads.
Geoff.

 

[Xenospiza]

I think people who do not report any of their sightings give birdwatchers a bad name. Even sightings of common species will help in improving the knowledge of those species, which organisations like the RSPB require to take their decisions.
I feel bad enough about not being more methodical in my reporting, but at least I know some people enjoy watching the birds I discover (and it also helps me to get to know the birders around where I live).

 

[West End Birder]

Does anyone like myself think that having your birdforum name in CAPITALS is completely wrong and gives birdforumers and birdforuming a bad reputation.

That made me laugh! It's a bit shouty.

Everything in moderation, including moderation, CAPITALS and twitching.

 

[Stonefaction]

Don't quite agree.
I have a life list of 690 birds but I don't twitch.
I never travel more than 20 miles from home bird watching, but we do go on a lot of holidays!
We try and find a nice all inclusive hotel where we can walk from the hotel or get on a local bus or train.
When we are away I spend an equal time loafing around the hotel,sightseeing,walking and bird watching.
I always try and establish an adopted bird patch or two and cover them regularly during the holiday.
I see what birds I see from the hotel, or on or walks and trips out.If they are there I will tick them off.If not, I am not that fussed.
So for example when we were in Cuba we were told there was a Cuban Trogan to be seen in a nearby mountain which involved a hot sweaty taxi trip.
Couldn't be bothered with that, so having gone to Cuba[twice] I have never seen a Cuban Trogan.
Who goes all that way and doesn't see a Cuban Trogan?
Well the likes of me who doesn't consider myself to be a Twitcher more a patch bird watcher.
Ditto Bald Ibis in Morocco.We went there three times and were not that far from an area where they could be seen.We were on holiday though enjoying the hotels,food,drinks,bantering with the locals, walks,scenery and the birds we saw along the way.
So I didn't see a Bald Ibis.Who goes to Morocco three times and doesn't see a Bald Ibis?
If I was a true Twitcher I would have Bald Ibis,Cuban Trogan and at least another 100 birds on my life list.
If I wasn't so bone idle my life list would have been a lot bigger.

To a degree, I can relate to what you're saying here. I don't have Avocet on my life list despite one being a 60 minute bus journey away for a few days a few years ago. After being at work all day I didn't want to spend at least 3 hours there and back trying to see a bird that might/might not still be there when I got there. Likewise there was a Red Necked Phalarope locally one evening earlier this summer. I have seen the species before, albeit distantly, but again I couldn't be bothered having to hang around for a bus back if the bird had even still been there by the time I managed to get there. My own life list has only 1 bird on it that wasn't seen in Scotland and that was seen when I was watching planes near Heathrow (Ring Necked Parakeet). I can't be bothered with 'international' travel or anything that takes too long to get to. When they invent teleportation, my life-list will take a jump..... (wish they'd hurry up!).

Cuba is a holiday destination with (interesting) birds around, whereas folk tend to go to RSPB Loch Garten specifically to see the birds even if they are on holiday at the time (usually for the Ospreys but also Crested Tit, and Capercaillie or Scottish/Parrot Crossbills if you're really lucky- nobody really goes for the Coal Tits in the car park, though they are very tame and its great to have them buzzing about your ears). Speyside is a lovely part of the world for a holiday even without the birds. Nice scenery and whisky distilleries etc, but a visit to Loch Garten is 'for the birds'.

It's maybe not twitching as such (in the usual meaning of the word) but it is traveling in the hope of seeing a 'rare' bird. After all a Crested Tit/Capercaillie/Scottish Crossbill isn't likely to turn up on many folk's local patch anytime soon.

 

[Brosnabirder]

Does anyone like myself think that having your birdforum name in CAPITALS is completely wrong and gives birdforumers and birdforuming a bad reputation. I'm quite happy when I see lower case mixed with very rare upper case. It makes me very happy whatever sort of birdforum name I observe. And I certainly don't go rushing off hundreds of new threads.
Geoff.

This made me laugh out loud. Thanks. A gem among the really quite pitiful puns that usually pass for humour on Birdforum.

I too am a twitcher of sorts though not a particularly dedicated one. Yesterday I went to see a Great black backed Gull (which I've seen hundreds of in Ireland) and last Sunday I travelled to see a Yellow browed Warbler which I've seen a few times in Ireland. Why did I go?
Mostly because I've not seen either for a few years. Secondly because they're rarities in Switzerland where I am. But also because both birds involved a relaxing train journey of a few hours to places that are still relatively new to me. And also both birds enlivened dull Sundays, the gull considerably less so than the warbler
Does that make me some kind of vandal or a bad person? No I would venture. The yellow browed attracted seven people and the gull probably fewer. I even picked up my cigarette butts when I left the warbler. o

ps I also share all my bird sightings with the exception of rare breeders (which are not publicly accessible on the platform I use anyway) and I contribute to the Swiss breeding bird atlas.

ATB
Tom

 

[MSA]

Post deleted as a waste of virtual ink.

 

[stuartvine]

Now, I think non-sharing birders really give birding a bad name. I've been on various trips abroad where everybody was "Hey, there's a Motmot in the bush down that path", or similar. Except on one trip to South Africa where a particular woman was very happy to listen to everybody else, but would save her sightings up for a smug over dinner... "Oh, by the way, did any of you see the Palm Vulture? Oh, you didn't, what a pity, I must have watched it for at least half an hour". She didn't put anyone else onto a bird for two whole weeks. Unanimously voted least popular trip member (and here were some very strange people on that trip - present company not excepted ;-).

 

[pratincol]

To a degree, I can relate to what you're saying here. I don't have Avocet on my life list despite one being a 60 minute bus journey away for a few days a few years ago. After being at work all day I didn't want to spend at least 3 hours there and back trying to see a bird that might/might not still be there when I got there. Likewise there was a Red Necked Phalarope locally one evening earlier this summer. I have seen the species before, albeit distantly, but again I couldn't be bothered having to hang around for a bus back if the bird had even still been there by the time I managed to get there. My own life list has only 1 bird on it that wasn't seen in Scotland and that was seen when I was watching planes near Heathrow (Ring Necked Parakeet). I can't be bothered with 'international' travel or anything that takes too long to get to. When they invent teleportation, my life-list will take a jump..... (wish they'd hurry up!).

Cuba is a holiday destination with (interesting) birds around, whereas folk tend to go to RSPB Loch Garten specifically to see the birds even if they are on holiday at the time (usually for the Ospreys but also Crested Tit, and Capercaillie or Scottish/Parrot Crossbills if you're really lucky- nobody really goes for the Coal Tits in the car park, though they are very tame and its great to have them buzzing about your ears). Speyside is a lovely part of the world for a holiday even without the birds. Nice scenery and whisky distilleries etc, but a visit to Loch Garten is 'for the birds'.

It's maybe not twitching as such (in the usual meaning of the word) but it is traveling in the hope of seeing a 'rare' bird. After all a Crested Tit/Capercaillie/Scottish Crossbill isn't likely to turn up on many folk's local patch anytime soon.

I had a similar experience with a Great Knot[is that what it is called] as you did with your Avocet.
I was sitting on a bank overlooking the local estuary.It had a been a lovely sunny day.There were the usual birds I have seen a hundred times before.
There was a report of a Great Knot near Fleetwood which would have involved a 100 mile road trip.This may have been a once in a life time chance to see a Great Knot.
The only way to see it was to pile into a hide surrounded by a scrum of bird watchers.
The thought of this filled me with dread.
I decided against going and enjoyed a wonderful day on my local patch.
I haven't seen a Great Knot since and doubt I ever will.
By the way,many years ago I too couldn't be bothered with international traffic.
I got over it although I still hate airports and planes but the horrors of modern flight are soon forgotton as soon as you lie down in your sun bed and enjoy a cold lager- and you see a new bird for your life list!

 

[Robin Edwards]

The only way to see it was to pile into a hide surrounded by a scrum of bird watchers.
The thought of this filled me with dread.
I decided against going and enjoyed a wonderful day on my local patch.

The point being made here to Ian is that those that chose to see the Great Knot near Fleetwood most probably enjoyed their day too. There will be those that find themselves filled with dread doing all sorts of things but what it not helpful is to display negative judgement and prejudice to those that don't share the exact same expectations.

Some years back and for a period of ten years or thereabouts, I planned the outings schedule for the Bedford RSPB Group. I can still smile at those who were reluctant to join the trips if there was any hint of a flexible itinerary and a rare bird close to where we were going. There were one or two who would say that if they knew we would try to see something scarce or rare that wasn't at the planned and advertised destination then they wouldn't have traveled. Maybe Newcastle RSPB Group is similarly affected?

 

[pratincol]

The point being made here to Ian is that those that chose to see the Great Knot near Fleetwood most probably enjoyed their day too. There will be those that find themselves filled with dread doing all sorts of things but what it not helpful is to display negative judgement and prejudice to those that don't share the exact same expectations.

Some years back and for a period of ten years or thereabouts, I planned the outings schedule for the Bedford RSPB Group. I can still smile at those who were reluctant to join the trips if there was any hint of a flexible itinerary and a rare bird close to where we were going. There were one or two who would say that if they knew we would try to see something scarce or rare that wasn't at the planned and advertised destination then they wouldn't have traveled. Maybe Newcastle RSPB Group is similarly affected?

Oh dear Robin, your selective cutting and pasting does not give the full picture!
I did say,
'There was a report of a Great Knot near Fleetwood which would have involved a 100 mile road trip.This may have been a once in a life time chance to see a Great Knot.
The only way to see it was to pile into a hide surrounded by a scrum of bird watchers.
The thought of this filled me with dread'
It was as much the prospect of the 100 mile round trip, as being stuck in a hide, in a scrum of bird watchers, which put me off going.
Each to his own but it didn't sound like my idea of fun!