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Message: <blockquote data-quote="ColinD" data-source="post: 1344941" data-attributes="member: 55409">Actually, until you just waded in, this thread was going along quite pleasantly. In all of my postings, I've been trying to point out what the differences are between birders and bird watchers. I've not been having a dig at anybody. These differences exist whether you like it or not, but yes, by my definition, most birders are more "serious" than most bird watchers, in that they take their hobby more seriously, and are probably more knowledgable about birds because they spend most of their free time pursuing their hobby. I could draw a comparison with anglers. During my visits to my local patch, I walk past people who camp out for a week, and who have 5 or 6 rods set up fishing. Yes, in my opinion those people are more serious about their hobby than the guy who once a year dangles a fishing line over Llandudno pier with his grandson.It's not about money, it's about passion and commitment. Anyway, it's a daft arguement, and I won't be contributing to this thread any more. Who cares if you're a birder or bird watcher, as long as you're happy. But the fact is, many of the fall outs here are simply because birding and bird watching are two quite different hobbies, and the two don't understand each other.</blockquote>