BirdForum is the net's largest birding community dedicated to wild birds and birding, and is absolutely FREE!

Register for an account to take part in lively discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="chris butterworth" data-source="post: 3164870" data-attributes="member: 64315"><p>I may be lucky living on The Wirral but there are two "bricks and mortar" places I use.  Focalpoint is about 1•5 hours away by road and overlooks farmland. The staff always make time to discuss optics, make suggestions and generally make each customer feel "special". In Focus is inside WWT Martin Mere and I tend to go by public transport ( I'm old enough to qualify for a travel pass <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /> ) , plus an excellent walk across the SW Lancashire mosses. Their premises overlook open water, reed beds and damp grazing. Yet again, no pressure and brilliant service plus the bonus of getting your entrance fee back if you make a purchase, no matter how small. The interaction with another human being, particularly one who is interested in what you are after is priceless, in a world that is becoming more isolated ( misanthropic ? ) as time goes on.  BTW, before anyone says " It's all right for you but I don't have the time".  I split my time between working in Japan, where I can often start my first lecture at 0700hrs, and often finish around midnight plus research and supervising doctoral students. I'll admit my lecturing hours are shorter in the UK but I still do about 60 hours a week.  I also have a full social life and, spending so much time away from my partner means I have to make a special effort to be with her, and I find time to go birding.  "Don't have time"? Rubbish.  There is always time, if you want it.</p></blockquote><p></p>

Verification