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Hello from The Netherlands - and an ‘Opportunity for bird watchers, book lovers and collectors’ (1 Viewer)

Erna Horn

Active member
Netherlands
Hello all,

My name is Erna Horn. I am based in The Netherlands, back on home ground after having spent 26 years living in the UK. I am not a specific birder myself, but did grow up with a brother whose passion in life was nothing but birds, birds and more birds. My brother’s enthusiasm, keen eye and expertise, whenever I accompanied him on his birdwatching trips – home or abroad - were a joy to experience. I learned a lot from him about birds from all over the world, though consider myself still no more than a reasonably informed layperson.

My brother died nearly 5 years ago. Going for walks now is not the same any longer. No longer is he there to effortlessly point out that little brown bird hiding in the reeds being such and such warbler, or sight a dark silhouette gliding over the fields and tell me without hesitation that it’s a male hen harrier hunting for food. I tried to make myself feel better with the purchase of a decent pair of binoculars; a poor substitute though when you are an amateur, and all you really want is your brother back instead.

My beloved brother left me a legacy of over 1000+ bird and natural history books. He would appreciate his books finding new owners who love birds as much as he did. I too would like to give them a good home, and I am therefore reaching out to all of you birdwatchers from around the world.

I left another post, titled ‘Opportunity for bird watchers, book lovers and collectors’ on the For Sale - Birding Optics & Nature related Items forum https://www.birdforum.net/forums/for-sale-birding-optics-nature-related-items.723/

Here you will find some specifics about the book collection, and my email address if you would like to receive the inventory of books for sale. You are more than welcome to contact me.

For now, happy bird watching wherever you are!
Erna
 
Hi, welcome to the forum on behalf of the staff and moderators. We do have some rules on posting items for sale: you need to be a member for at least 5 days, and have 10 posts (not gallery posts, or for sale posts) prior to posting an item for sale.
 
Thank you for your welcoming messages! Nice (-,

My apologies for inadvertently not adhering to the rules with regards to putting up a post in the for sale section (minimum 5 days member/10 posts). I did look for rules and regulations but couldn't find them anywhere. Should have looked harder (-;

I will get active on the forum then, so I can re-submit my ‘Opportunity for bird watchers, book lovers and collectors’ post in the for sale section again in a little while.

In a way this delay has inspired me to start a diary on the 3 stork nests which are all within a kilometre of my house. The storks arrived back a few weeks ago. It will get me out and use my brand new pair of binoculars and hopefully divert me from the sadness of not having my brother with me, using a different focus whilst observing birds. That would be a good thing.

Please, can someone tell me where I should post such a diary. Does that fall under Blogs? (I've never used a forum before and find all the options slightly bewildering).

Have a nice day!
Erna
 
Welcome! I’m sorry for the loss of your brother.

Yes, Blogs is the right place for a diary.
 
I read this just now and am touched by your loss very much. I will probably search what your brother left you, but for now I would like you to know How deeply sorry I am for your sadness.
 
Hi Erna and a warm welcome to you from all the Staff and Moderators. How sorry I am to hear about the untimely death of your brother. Very sad.

Regarding your reports, there are a few options, Blogs would be one, or you could start a thread about your Stork nest (how exciting) in the Local Patch section Europe>Netherlands. Another option would be a thread in "Your Birding Day". The choice is entirely yours. I love how storks clap their bills when their partner is returning to the nest.

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I look forward to hearing your news.
 
I read this just now and am touched by your loss very much. I will probably search what your brother left you, but for now I would like you to know How deeply sorry I am for your sadness.
Hello Gregg,

Thank you for your kind message. I appreciate that very much. There is a deep sadness, though the thought of him also puts a big and loving smile on my face. Best brother ever (-;

Your name rings a bell with me; it told me America (before I saw the flag with your name) and Los Angeles, but I might be wrong and imagining things. Did you meet Ewold? Did we meet? I would love to know.

It is kind of you to want to take a look at his books. I recently posted updated pdf inventory bird/nature book lists on the Forum; you will find those in the section: For Sale - Birding Optics & Nature related Items - page 2. I get totally lost on this forum, I must admit, but I just checked and found them there (Hundreds of Bird Books For Sale / Hundreds of Nature Books for sale).

With kind regards,

Erna
 
Hello Gregg,

Thank you for your kind message. I appreciate that very much. There is a deep sadness, though the thought of him also puts a big and loving smile on my face. Best brother ever (-;

Your name rings a bell with me; it told me America (before I saw the flag with your name) and Los Angeles, but I might be wrong and imagining things. Did you meet Ewold? Did we meet? I would love to know.

It is kind of you to want to take a look at his books. I recently posted updated pdf inventory bird/nature book lists on the Forum; you will find those in the section: For Sale - Birding Optics & Nature related Items - page 2. I get totally lost on this forum, I must admit, but I just checked and found them there (Hundreds of Bird Books For Sale / Hundreds of Nature Books for sale).

With kind regards,

Erna
Hello Erna, I wish I had met your brother, possibly you, but alas, I am from Idaho with few ties to Ca. Again, I am terribly saddened by your loss. I have not looked at the list yet but will, (I get very lost in this Forom as well, as much as it is well organized). Thank you for responding, I wish you the very, very best! Kind regards, Gregg.
 
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Hi Erna and a warm welcome to you from all the Staff and Moderators. How sorry I am to hear about the untimely death of your brother. Very sad.

Regarding your reports, there are a few options, Blogs would be one, or you could start a thread about your Stork nest (how exciting) in the Local Patch section Europe>Netherlands. Another option would be a thread in "Your Birding Day". The choice is entirely yours. I love how storks clap their bills when their partner is returning to the nest.

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I look forward to hearing your news.
Hello Delia,

Thank you for your welcoming words and your condolences with regard to my brother. I do appreciate that very much.

I posted my 10-part A Tale about Storks last year in the Blogs section. After that was done, I posted my advert about my brother's books again in September.

Following 14 stork nests for a handful of months was quite an interesting adventure, and you might be entertained by my not-to-serious approach in reporting on it (-;

The storks came back late February and are nesting again. I hear the nearest couple clappering their greetings every day. Always a lovely sound indeed.

With kind regards,

Erna
 

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