Chiff-Chaff, Nutcrackers, Yellowhammers, Anyone?? (Birdwatching)

Member Name: luigi0778

Product:	Birdwatching
Date:	09/06/09 (119 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Get outside in the fresh air, rewarding if thats what you like, environmentally friendly hobby

Disadvantages: Image, weather not always suitable

***General Background***
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Confused by the title? Well I am not being clever making up words, but of course i'm talking about our feathered friends. It is probably fair to say that when I was at school some 10 years ago, twitchers (the name for bird watchers) were still viewed in an almost similar regards as train spotters. Yes, you know the types.

An quite frankly the lessons when Ornithology (the study of birds) was mentioned, well they were just not taken seriously.

Not since finding out that my Grandad enjoyed a rough shag (tobacco) in his pipe, have I laughed so much as in those classes. All to often did the poor teacher have to endure rumbles of laughter in the classroom whenever she uttered the words Tit. You can imagine what happened when we talked about Blue ones, (giggle giggle), Great ones (giggle giggle) and even Crested ones! (chortle). An lets not even mention feeding them nuts in sacks, in the wintertime.

Although not a twitcher myself, I do know several people (including my dad) who are. Thankfully for their sakes in recent years, Bird Watching has undergone a bit of a renassiance, with the likes of Bill Oddie, and the Spring Watch team (now minus Bill) bringing the matter of observing, and appreciating our feathered friends to the forefront of TV.

Largely because of this mainstream TV exposure, I am quite sure most people would now be able to recognise the common garden birds such as House Sparrows (although now less common), Robins, Starlings, Blackbirds, and even the aforementioned Great Tits.

An as for twitchers themselves, well things have changed there too, I would aruge that some are now almost seen as cool.

However there is much more to this Ornitholo-thingy than just staring at birds, or watching celebrity twitchers on TV.

There are a host of clubs to join, not withstanding the famous RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) there are lots of local ones, with family events, and flash bulletins alerting members to the wherabouts of any rare arrivals to our shores.

Mentioning families, twitching is now no longer the solo hobby of the past, its now if desired, a family affair with the creation of wonderful places such as several (run by) wetland trust places to visit. Places that have specially constructed hides, places that are painstakingly managed, and maintained solely for the purpose of conservation.
As well as being family orientated, they boast a huge array of rare visiting or migratory birds (not only wetland birds though) for the avid twitcher to enjoy.



***How to get Started***
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Probably the easiest way to get started, if so interested, is to buy a simple illustrated pocket guide with common birds, a simple pair of binoculars, and to get out there locally and observe.

In much the same way as Astronomers start by familiarizing themsevles with the night sky and the constellations by naked eye, the twitcher will first become familiar with the birds commonly found at varying habitats.

Once a twitcher is proffecieint, he/she then has a choice of pursuing the hobby further by becoming a club member, and improving their skills, and purchasing some more advanced observing optics.
For others, it becomes an obsession to find and see all of the resident UK birds, and to intercept and see any occasional visitors, such as lost migrants.

As mentioned although im not a twitcher, I do know people who are, and I do have a passing interest. You will be amazed at what is out there if you know where to look.

It is only recently that I realised that Buzzards (yes Buzzards?) are very common in the Brittish Isles, with wing spans exceeding 4 feet they are impressive when spotted. It was quite shocking to know that such a large bird of prey were living so close to big cities.



***Summary***
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This is probably a hobby that wont appeal to everyone, however just like me, there is no harm in having an outside interest and a fairly decent level of knowledge of whats out there.

You need'nt go out specifically to watch birds, you can just incorporate it into your usual outside pursuits such as walking, or fishing (perhaps not shooting). Or even just staring out of your kitchen window.

An for those of you who have children, I think every child should be woken early in spring, taken to woods and be made to listen to the hugely impressive deafening choir of the dawn chorus (just as I was, thankfully social services were not called).

It will no doubt inspire the next generation of twitchers, and safeguard our little feathered friends future, in the ever increasing fierce battle between commercial interests and ecology. They need our help, and without doubt a world without birds would be a drabb, worse place (although if they stopped crapping on the car it would be appreciated).

Summary: A fantastic hobby if you want to enjoy the great outdoors.