Birdpod

Thought I'd share this with you folks, hope you don't mind... hopefully it highlights my passion for this!

Now the title... well, it's 'tongue in cheek' - I'm aware that a lot of people think Birders come complete with anorak and tartan flask (neither of which I own I'm glad to say) - hence, the title is to lure those types of folk in, and before they know it - WALLOP - they've been converted - sneaky eh?

Anyhow - this is my interpretation of what makes a such a great hobby fun!

There's lots of books and info. about Birdwatching out there, but nothing written by me... in order to redress the balance (not that it needed redressing, dressing or undressing particularly - perhaps 'changing its shirt' maybe) I have decided to inflict the following on you.

So sit back...

Relax... and

WAKE UP!!!

Ahem... don't relax too much - I've not even BEGUN to bore you yet with...

Birdwatching - an ideal hobby for people that like birds... if you can't stand the blighters then it's definitely not for you - go and find something else to do - in fact, why are you even reading this?

Anyhow, we'll assume you WANT to watch 'em - how does one begin to do this?

Firstly, get your own birds to watch and make life easy for yourself!

"So how is that possible?" you ask - and no, I'm not referring to 'cage and aviary' birds here, that's something I have no interest in - I like seeing wild birds 'being wild', so - how to do it?

Simple - get them to come to you!

No - I don't mean invite them into your house to watch a DVD and eat a pizza... instead, feed the birds in your garden or back yard... or even a window box/sill.

We've a bird table, and feeders etc. etc. which is all well and good - but you can start out with bits of bread firstly (as a temporary measure), and then move on to buying bird food which is far better for them!

Bird food isn't all that expensive (unless you go for the 'posh stuff' from exclusive companies) and is available practically everywhere (most supermarkets/stores sell food and feeders etc.) - much of the food available is 'all year round' food, so no worries - most of the proper brands have info. on the packets as to when to feed and what birds the food will attract.

Hopefully now you'll have a few 'visitors' coming to your garden... that is birds I refer to and NOT cats... now I love cats, but the last thing I want is some slinky beggar of a feline hunting in my garden... this isn't 'Sylvester & Tweety', so there's no japes to be had - 'shoo' the cats off if they come (that's by shouting 'shoo' don't you know) and try to keep them out in the first place... unless you have a cat living with you (as my mother does) then alas, it might not be a good idea to encourage birds to come - you'll have to go to them... hey, there's always the local park - so panic ye not!

Right... so assuming you're 'cat free' and the birds are coming, you might want to invest in a bird table/feeders etc. etc. - that way, you'll attract birds that aren't 'ground feeders' and are more at home feeding higher up (which the ground isn't - it's always at 'ground level' for some reason)... and then you may say: "I want a bath now" as I did.

No - not for me - I shower twice a year whether I need to or not thank you - no, I mean a 'birdbath'

But hold on... save a few pennies here... do you really need a 'designer bird bath'?

Sure - they look great, but if you want something practical and inexpensive - get yourself a 'plant pot holder' made from terracotta - cheap... durable... has a rough surface that prevent birds from slipping - mine was from 'Tesco' and cost £1.50... I put a large flat pebble in it for the smaller birds to sit on and chill out, and it's used by the birds that visit (particularly Blackbirds) - so it works!

Right... now you're sorted - you've got 'your own' birds to watch - but what the HELL are they?

Is that a Sparrow?

Why is that one a different colour?

Is that a Blue Tit or a Great Tit?

Why is that one carrying a ladder - oops, sorry - it's the window cleaner!

Now we can't all know everything... but we can learn as much as possible if something interests us; but if like me you couldn't tell the difference between a Dunnock and a House Sparrow (other than they're spelt differently) how do you find more info?

Simple... buy a decent 'field guide'... there are books on British Birds, British & European Birds, Garden Birds etc. etc. (including field guides particular to your part of the world) - have a look at your local bookshop for a decent one - but DON'T BUY ONE just yet... you may be able to save a few quid by looking on 'Amazon' where you can get a secondhand book for a lot less... that is, unless the new one is 'a steal' (and by that I mean 'bargain price' - I'm not encouraging you to go for 'five fingered discount' otherwise known as theft!).

Also, nip into your local charity shop on the offchance... you never know (hopefully some b*gger will find it 'boring' and get shut of the books - hard to believe, but it CAN happen... occasionally).

So now you've got birds... a book/books to identify... but you're STILL not sure at what you're looking at because you can't get close enough to identify the markings (and the inconsiderate beggars fly off when try to get near).

Now what do you do?

Squint... or better still - consider getting something to make the birds appear closer...

Does such a piece of apparatus exist?

Yep - praise the noble Lord Binoculars for his wonderful invention!

But consider this... you get binoculars, then you're getting into 'serious birding'... if you're happy just to listen and casually observe your visiting chums (and there's nothing wrong with that) then turn your computer off and go do just that - happy viewing.

Still with me?

Oh dear... it seems you've got the 'birding bug' as I have... and as far as I know, there's no known cure (other than to watch the film 'The Birds' as a form of 'aversion therapy)!

But no... you're hooked - what the HELL can you do about it? Is there a crisis line?

Alas no... but don't worry... I'll talk you through it... you won't be able to stop, but at least you'll know how to cope with it all!

Before we end this chapter - in case you don't know - this is what a bird looks like...


This one's a Blackbird... a good name, because it is indeed a bird that is black... you can get brown ones too (the females) and they are also called 'Blackbirds' - not 'Brownbirds'.

Confused?

You will be - keep reading!

Until the next chapter - happy birding!


 

Chapter Three - "An Excellent Adventure!"



Okay... so now you're ready to go outside of your own familiar environment... have you got a clean handkerchief? Is your mobile charged up? Have you got money in case of...

In case of what?

Who knows - but here's what I take with me each time -

Binoculars.

'Pocket-sized' field guides (I have two... one with illustrations, the other with photos, and I refer to both).

Pen and paper (for documenting what's been seen, and to make notes for birds I want to identify later).

Now those are essentials for me... I'll not go on about 'stout walking shoes' and 'good waterproof clothing' etc. etc. - common sense will dictate that - but I also do suggest that a bottle of water is taken to prevent dehydration... or even a flask of tea if you're adventurous!

Okay... so you're all set... but where to go?

In fact... I'll tell you what - LEAVE the binoculars at home for now - seriously... go somewhere you'll not need them for the first time - the local park, or canal/pond/lake/river.

So why've you left the binoculars at home?

Because for the first time out (we'll call it a 'trial run') you'll be looking at birds that'll be relatively close to you, so you won't need binoculars... even if you only see a few birds (or a limited number of species), you're bound to see something... if it's the park, it'll probably be Blackbirds mainly... if you ait and are quiet long enough there may also be Wood Pigeons, Collared Doves, Chaffinches etc. - all relatively easy to identify with your field guide.

Even easier will be where there's a pond/canal or the like... you're highly likely to see ducks (usually Mallards), Mute Swans, Canada Geese and... erm...

"That little black bird that's on the water... is it a Coot or a Moorhen?"

Have a look at the colouration and consult your field guide - as easy as that? Usually!

The best thing about wildfowl of these types is that they seem 'less jittery' than other types of bird and therefore you can get relatively close for idenification - so what's the point of getting your binoculars in order to see a Mallard that's quacking like billyo only a few yards away?

Hey... and have you noticed... whilst you've been looking at these birds, there've been some others flying overhead? And you can hear at lot of birdsong of different varieties coming from the trees and shrubs?

And now you wish you'd brought your binoculars...and you want to identify the birdsongs?

Well... that's EXACTLY what happened to me... it's a creepy feeling that let's you know that you're getting hooked... and I have to be honest here and say that walks will NEVER be the same again... you'll be looking at things flapping, and hearing twitterings wherever you go... and this is te best thing for me about birdwatching... even a walk through town can be an experience because you can see and hear birds that you never noticed before!

And... the next time when you're out and have the binoculars with you, you'll more than likely see a U.F.O. (an 'Unidentified Feathered Object') that is, a bird you're not sure of... so what do you do?

Either:

a. Leaf through the field guide frantically looking up what you think you've seen... and then looking back... and then looking at the bird again... and then looking back and then... heck it's flown away!

or

b. Make a mental note of what you can see... even say it out loud if it helps... the colouration (and particularly WHICH parts are coloured... don't worry about being too scientific here... 'top of head' or 'across the wings' etc. will suffice), size and shape of beak (is it a 'big triangle thing' or 'thin and pointy' etc.) - even make a note of the noise it makes... say it out as you hear it, and write down an interpretation... you'll be surprised at how accurate this can be even of it seems silly!

Hmm... I think I prefer 'b.' myself - what do you reckon?

Anyhow... there you are... that's basically it from me on how to 'start' birdwatching... it's an ongoing learning process... and I'm enjoying learning... but who else can you get advice from?

Easy - other birdwatcher either 'in the real world', or if you don't know any, you can get in touch with people on forums across the internet.

Like this one!

All the best, and happy birding!


"Excuse me... could you tell me, am I a Coot or a Moorhen?"


"Here... ain't you been reading this? You heard the man... LOOK IT UP in yer book!"





Neil

Chapter Four - "T'Which I Explain About Twitching"



So... you're a Birder... you look at birds, and you like 'em (hopefully)... you've books on them AND you are able to go out with binoculars without feeling like a spy, a pervert or even worse - a NERD!

But now you want to try something else and you decide to try 'Extreme Birding' - no... that's not Birding whilst bungee jumping or parachuting (although it does sound like fun) - I am of course referring to 'Twitching'.

I decided to try this quite recently and I reckon I can now officially class myself as a 'Twitcher'... unless there are some 'Proper Twitchers' out there who say that I'm not, then I'm saying I am one - so there!

So What the heck's a 'Twitcher'?

Well, you might think it's someone who's had far too much coffee - I certainly twitch and find I can't keep still after about six or seven cups of the stuff - but that's not what I'm refering to... no, a 'Twitcher' is someone who'll travel miles to see a rare bird... he (or she - let's not be sexist here) is the Indiana Jones of the Birding world... although generally without bullwhip, fedora, sidekick, mysterious artefacts, being chased by Nazis...

Okay, NOTHING like Indiana Jones - but certainly an adventurer I reckon - to fire off to some distant location to see a bird that may very well have beggared off by the time they get there... well, that takes determination and a lot of petrol in my book - so it has to be applauded!

So where does the term 'Twitcher' come from?

Apparently, the term twitcher began in the 1950s and was used to used to describe the nervous behaviour of Howard Medhurst, a British birdwatcher - it's used to depict the physical symptoms displayed when one is excited... a bit like kids waiting for Santa I expect, although we don't refer to them as twitchers... we just tell them "go to sleep - or Santa won't come" - they then have to miss out on spotting the chap - which is completely opposite to what Birding and Twitching's all about!

Anyhow - I digress...

The term 'Twitcher' is often a name given to people who enjoy 'birdwatching', and it's often used incorrectly to describe a 'Birdwatcher' or a 'Birder' (the latter term sounds better doesn't it?) Not all Birders are Twitchers, but certainly all Twitchers are Birders - I don't think that you can 'Twitch' for any other species... if you can, let me know!

Anyhow... so I've been 'twitching' - how far did I travel and what did I see?

Well, not too far - in fact only a few miles away from where I live.

Wigan Flashes, and in particular 'Scotsman's Flash' - an area local to me (well, it saves on petrol for a start).

I'd found info. from an internet birdwatching forum that reported a Red-throated Diver which had been present for a few days - now that's a rare bird for this part of the country (Lancashire, England)!

So I got all my essential equipment ready... 'scope (telescope) and tripod, bins (binoculars), field guide and two dogs (the last bit hardly a 'Birding Essential' but they enjoy the walk, so I thought to take 'em).

When we got there, there were already a few folk looking at this bird, unfortunately I couldn't see it as it had gone across to the other side of the flash (lake)... plus the sunlight was shining (as sunlight often does) on the area where it had last been seen, so I decided to move to another location (as did other people - very wise).

A bit further on, one chap there with his 'scope (who I'd spoke with previously), so I asked him if he'd spotted it again - he pointed it out to me - and it was quite close to where we were - probably only about 10 metres away (which was very kind of it, as it meant 'finding it' with my 'scope was much easier).


"Yes... I'm the Red-throated Diver in question... photographed by the author WITHOUT my permission I have to say. What? Why haven't I got a red throat? Why... this is my winter outfit I'll have you know!"

Excellent stuff and a great feeling to have seen a rare bird - I'd never seen one before, and don't know if I'll see one again so I'm pretty chuffed with this!

When I carried on walking, I got chatting with one lady and her father, she enquired if there was a rare bird in the area as she'd seen a number of people out and about with all their birding paraphernalia - I told her as to what we'd all been looking at and showed her the bird in my field guide - she thanked me for telling her and showing her the book... I thought after as to how weird it must be to see an invasion of people with 'scopes and the like... in fact, I rarely take the 'scope there, but usually take my bins with me.

So there you have it... it may not sound all that exciting unless this is something you're 'into' - but it hadn't been a bad day for me I have to say... especially seeing that I was coughing and sneezing and generally feeling sorry for myself - so it's brightened up my day!

As for my next Twitch?

Well, let's hope the next bird I hear about is also local - I don't want to pay for the petrol!



Neil. 

Chapter Five - "I've Seen A Kingfisher - Can I Stop Birdwatching Now?"



Well... I've seen one at last!

Not that I hadn't seen any before, but since developing an interest in Birdwatching these critters had eluded me until quite recently!

I'd seen them on videos and DVDs... and in books and photos, so I know what wonderfully attractive little birds they are... but previously in 'real life' I'd only ever seen them as a flash of colour moving at speed along the canals and river where I live.

So, more and more I said to myself "I've GOT to see a Kingfisher" - and that was a goal I set myself (as apparently a lot of 'Newbie' Birders do)... this by no means meant that I wasn't looking at any other bird, but I was often deliberately in 'Kingfisher Territory' to see if I could see one.

I went to many local areas where people told me that I could definitely see this bird... alas, the Kingfisher and I kept missing one another (we never booked an appointment) - maybe someone had spilled the beans and said I was on my way, thus forewarned, the bird had the chance to 'beggar off sharpish' - this evident when people would say such as:

"It's a pity you weren't here about ten minutes ago... there was one sat right on that pole over there..."

I put it down to missed opportunity and bad luck - simple as that... either that or they'd all got 'phones and were texting one another with such as: FLY AWAY B4 E GETS ERE, anyhow I decided to NOT focus on looking for them.

Anyhow, one day whilst at Martin Mere (Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust reserve) I was in one of the hides with bins and 'scope when a chap said:

"Oh look - the Kingfisher's back" in the same nonchalent way one would would say "Oh, the kettle's just boiled".

I enquired as to where the bird in question was... gladly got the location information from him and was glued!

There was the Kingfisher - sword-like beak... tiny and compact with the most vivid colours... and as I had my bins, I got the chance to see it close up...

But only briefly - it must've been there for just over a minute before it flew upstream... but again later for a few brief moments it returned.

Now, I'm really pleased about this... if I was a 'list ticker' I'd have given that a 'tick' and it would be 'one less to ID and record' - but I'm not into that... I do keep a little book of the birds I've 'spotted', but that's basically my 'birding diary' and it's something to look at whenever I like to remind me of the wonderful birds I've seen (whether 'common' or not - it's all good).

So - now I've seen the Kingfisher... the bird practically everyone wants to see - ambition achieved.

So what now?

Give up birding and go onto a new hobby?

Certainly not... I think there's an attraction to saying you've seen something that others have not:

"Do you know - I've never seen a Kingfisher?" is a remark I've often heard... well I have - and then I saw two together on another day... and then ANOTHER one - good grief, they're like buses! You wait ages for one... and then they all turn up at once .

Anyhow I have to say as a relative 'Newbie', seeing one is like finding a rare jewel...

But I thought the same the first time I saw a Great Spotted Woodpecker... and a Goldfinch... they LOOK like they should be 'rare' because of their beauty... and even though 'common' that certainly doesn't make them any less attractive.

So no... I'm not going to stop... and I'll continue to have my eyes and ears open for the sights and sounds of ANY and EVERY bird... and who cares if it's the billionth Robin I see - it's a wonderful sight to me - and I don't think that'll ever change!

So that's it - Birdwatching - I hope it has been interesting, or at least it's took your mind off doing the washing up ("Thanks for reminding me!" they all say).

Before I end this chapter, I'd like to say a big thank you.

Who to?

Well, believe it or not - a Grey Wagtail.



I'll explain...

I generally take my two dogs out on the same route for our morning walk, and also go there at other times in the day - this is along the River Douglas and through some woods quite close to where I live (Wigan, Northwest England) .

I usually take my binoculars with me too, although I don't often use them - I've a reason you see - I'm looking for a specific bird - the Grey Wagtail.

This was the first bird that I actually 'spotted' yet did not know what it was until I came home and checked a book - and I'm always on the lookout for the bird that 'got me into' birding.

I have seen him since - and he is a 'he' because I've had a proper good 'gawp' through the bins at this fellow in order to identify... I've also seen a female, and some juveniles too and can't express how chuffed I am to see this collection of curious, tail bobbing wee critters as they hop about on the stones and bank of the river where the water runs fastest.

I haven't seen any of them recently... I'm not daft, I'm aware that I may be going at the wrong times - we never got together and arranged times and dates, so alas it's been 'pot luck' - but I'm always on the lookout - because not only do I want to see them again, I want to say an 'unspoken thank you' to them all, and especially to the wee chap who started it all off....

Thank you for 'standing out' and being so bright with your piccalilli coloured markings... I'm colourblind and some colours basically escape me - but certainly not this glorious colour - to me it's brighter than any jewel!

I also want to say -

Thank you for making me say "what ARE you?" and wanting to learn more about all birds - although 36 and it's a 'new interest' I find it to be a useful distraction, a way of increaing my observation skills and above all, a joy to take an interest in such wonderful creaures. I'm learning more (through various books, DVDs, audio recordings) and observing more (with the aid of bins and scope), and am pleased to call myself a 'birder' or 'observer' as to being merely a 'bystander' who's oblivious to all the activity going on around me.

Without wishing to sound flippant, if this is what it feels like to 'get religion' then I can surely dig it - because although my life has been pretty good so far, I actually feel that there's a little bit extra that's been added to my soul - and that has certainly made me happier!

And all thanks to just one little bird who caught my eye!




Neil.

Chapter Six - "Bird Ignoring!"



What the heck?

Well... I've told you all I know about Birdwatching and to be honest that's EASY - you look at a bird, you say "Ah hah - I've seen you" and then jot it down in your little book - a doddle!

So let's 'step it up' a bit with the latest craze I'm promoting - better than Birdwatching and that's Bird Ignoring!

When I go out Birdwatching, I often take my binoculars, 'scope, field guides for identification etc. etc. - well, you won't need any of those, unless you specifically want to know the bird you are trying to ignore... the trick then is to ID it before it notices you showing interest and then scarper... now it's cheating a bit, because going to that length to ID is hardly 'ignoring' now is it?

Best method - see a bird you recognise... look in the other direction and walk away... so this is better to be one 'close up'.

I do however suggest you wear waterproof gear and sturdy footwear shoud the need be identified... no good going out ignoring birds if you're going to get soaked to the skin... you'll be laid up in bed with that terrible illness - "The Sniffles" or the dreaded "Hey, it's not just a cold this, you know!"

Some people want to take a camera to photograph the birds they've ignored - I can't stress how important it is NOT to do this... not only are you 'not ignoring' them, you'll have proof that you've done the opposite - woe betide you should any serious Bird Ignorers (or 'Biggers' as they're known as) see these!

Here's a couple of examples of Bird Ignoring 'done out in the field'.


This is Barry Seddon from Lancashire England, a semi-professional Bird Ignorer (or 'Bigger') and member of the B..B.I.S. (British Bird Ignoring Society).

Here he clearly demonstrates his trademark "I'm NOT looking at you, and you know it!" technique to some ducks on the canal... the one pictured bottom left looks particularly miffed.

What's also impressive is the level of professionalism adopted by Barry re: people approaching - often, a Bigger will wait for passers by to... well, to pass by before doing his 'Bigging' - Barry has however had years of training and is unconcerned, despite the strange looks he often gets and comments such as "you daft s*d" from the general public.

"A word of caution about ignoring birds" warns Barry, "be careful not to get too close to the bird you're ignoring - I once did that with a Canada Goose... I turned away to 'snub' it and the b*gger bit my *rse!"

Wise words indeed Barry - and a handy tip for all budding Biggers!




Here's my dog Rosie... not only actively ignoring these ducks on the canal (Parbold, Lancashire, NW England) she's clearly enjoying doing so!

To her immediate right is my other dog Gina trying for a 'Double Whammy' - not only is she ignoring the ducks, she's ignoring me also, hence avoiding being in the photo - great technique!



Before you go out and try this for yourself, here's a few questions posed to me by Beginner Biggers... read and learn.


"Help - I can't identify the bird I'm ignoring - what do I do?"

Sadly... there's not much you can do in this situation other than find another bird.

If you have problems with identification, you're going to have to examine it more closely... look it up in a book etc. thus, you've done the opposite of 'ignoring' here by giving the bird your full attention.

I have a problem still in telling the difference between a Black-tailed Godwit and a Bar-tailed Godwit... no matter how much I try to be 'nonchalent' about it, I still can't do it and have to use binoculars and a book - so I usually just walk away and look for something that's easier to ignore... such as a Mute Swan or a Mallard.

It's frustrating, especially when you've a 'new' bird you want to add to your 'Iggie' list... I was frustrated the other week to notice (then quickly look away from) what was either a Marsh Tit or a Willow Tit... I hung around for a bit to listen out for its call (which would have given me it's I.D. easily - unless it was doing impersonations of whichever bird it wasn't) but it b*ggered off!

Not only was I disappointed, I was upset that it had chosen to ignore ME instead of vice-versa... I certainly didn't enjoy my evening mug of cocoa after that incident.

If in doubt - find something easy to I.D. and ignore, it'll save you from getting upset, and you'll enjoy your cocoa better!


"Bird Ignoring/Bird Avoiding - is there a difference?"

There surely is... avoiding them is NOT part of Bird Ignoring... you are simply choosing to be where birds 'aren't' - therefore it's a totally different thing entirely and is often related to a phobia of birds or simply a severe dilike for them (for more information on this, contact N.A.B.A. - the National Association of Bird Avoiders).

Don't even think about doing this if you're a serious 'Ignorer' - just because your friend tells you he's seen a Reed Bunting, and you choose not to go along to ignore it - then you CANNOT add it to your 'Iggie' list.

You must go along, see the bird in question and THEN ignore it.

"I can't see the difference" you might say - well, put it this way...

Try crossing a road.

If there's a car coming and you avoid it - there's no problem.

Try ignoring it though - you'll soon see there's a difference!

Stick with Ignoring folks - avoid avoiding.

Mind you, don't get this mixed up with Avoiding Bird Avoiding - that's yet another hobby!


"I've heard that some Biggers are also into 'Twigging' - what is that?"

Well, it's a combination of 'twitching' and Bird Ignoring.

'Twitching' - now what's that?

Here's a definition:

Twitching is a British term, meaning "the observation of a previously located rare bird". In North America, this is often called chasing.

The goal of twitching is often to accumulate species on one's lists. Some birders engage in competition with one another to accumulate the longest species list. The act of the pursuit itself is referred to as a "twitch" or a "chase". A rare bird that stays put long enough for people to see it is called "twitchable" or "chaseable".

Twitching is highly developed among birders in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark, Ireland, Finland and Sweden. The smaller regional size of these countries make it possible to quickly travel inside their borders with relative ease. The most popular twitches in the UK have drawn large crowds, such as a group of approximately 5,000 people who came to view a Golden-winged Warbler in Kent.

Yep - that's 'Twitching' - b*ggering off at the drop of a hat to see a rarity... and it's similar with 'Twigging'... it's all a bit too hectic for me and I'm happy to stick with Bird Ignoring (a.k.a. 'Bigging').

Yep - 'Twigging' involves driving off to where there's a known 'Twitch' going on and then deliberately ignoring the rare bird once located... it takes a brave soul to ignore a bird amongst all these Twitchers, many of whom frown upon this activity!

I know quite a few Biggers who are also Twiggers, but I'm happy to avoid Twigging - my life's busy enough thanks!


So there you are... Bird Ignoring - if you're sick of Birdwatching and want to try something different - then go for it!

One last thing... it's not always easy to ignore birds, but stick with it it can be rewarding - have a look at this photo.



Some birds will try anything for you not to ignore them - DON'T FALL FOR IT!

Here's a Bewick's Swan that's 'showing off' with a bit of acrobatics... it then went on to do a bit of tap-dancing before playing a ukelele - before I knew it, I was watching... and I couldn't add to my 'ignore' list!

So watch out for that - birds are devious!

All the best and Happy Ignoring everyone!



Neil.