Twitchers: A very British Obsession

Hi everybody

Just in case anyone missed this the first time, it is on BBC4 tonight between 7.30 and 8.30pm.

The Radio Times doesn't say it's a repeat, but I think it might be.

It's certainly an eye opener, if you aren't a Twitcher, and it might still be an eye opener even if you are!! :-))

Best wishes Chris

Click Here to see my photos

  • Woodpecker said:

    Hi everybody

    Just in case anyone missed this the first time, it is on BBC4 tonight between 7.30 and 8.30pm.

    The Radio Times doesn't say it's a repeat, but I think it might be.

    It's certainly an eye opener, if you aren't a Twitcher, and it might still be an eye opener even if you are!! :-))

    Just watching it now, you are right it is an eye opener!!!!

    Is that seriously what its like, hundreds of people turning up in the one place for a sighting ?

    Me being an anti social kinda soul just couldnae hack that lol

  •  

    Hi-

    I think the last scene said it all-   the guy couldnt remember (!!)  if he'd seen Grey phalarope or not. He was a lister not a twitcher.

    Listers just chase a  big list for the kudos/ because they have a collecting mentality

    Twitchers know what they are looking for, the best of them are top birders and ID experts. Most Twitchers watch their local patch and will watch birds because they enjoy birds. Listers won't go out unless it adds to their list.

    S

    For advice about Birding, Identification,field guides,  binoculars, scopes, tripods,  etc - put 'Birding Tips'   into the search box

  • A funny bunch indeed :-)

     Chris S.

    A very old Shropshire Lad.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous 22/02/2011 02:33 in reply to seymouraves

    Hiya S

    What is the difference ? scuse my hignorance :)

  • I don't understand the obsession! OK, I tend to pick up hobbies/obsessions easily (gardening, birds, motorsport, photography) but I usually stop at some sort of sane limits! I'm excited when I see a new type of bird in my garden, but to be honest I'd rather stay at home watching my common garden birds than driving 12 hours (how unsafe is that?!?) to look through the binoculars, say "Yup, got it" and go home! To me, the interest in birds lies in observing their behaviour, getting to know my own garden characters (and my own birds of course) rather than seeing something just once, however exotic.

    A closed mouth gathers no foot.

  • Woodpecker said:

    Hi everybody

    Just in case anyone missed this the first time, it is on BBC4 tonight between 7.30 and 8.30pm.

    The Radio Times doesn't say it's a repeat, but I think it might be.

    It's certainly an eye opener, if you aren't a Twitcher, and it might still be an eye opener even if you are!! :-))

    its repeated at 3am, sky+ FTW

     

  • Karen F said:

    I don't understand the obsession! OK, I tend to pick up hobbies/obsessions easily (gardening, birds, motorsport, photography) but I usually stop at some sort of sane limits! I'm excited when I see a new type of bird in my garden, but to be honest I'd rather stay at home watching my common garden birds than driving 12 hours (how unsafe is that?!?) to look through the binoculars, say "Yup, got it" and go home! To me, the interest in birds lies in observing their behaviour, getting to know my own garden characters (and my own birds of course) rather than seeing something just once, however exotic.

    I'm with you on this... I love seeing new birds but sometimes I find more exciting knowledge comes from my local environment... or the environment which I am travelling to for say, a holiday.. 

     

  • Oh Chris

    You are certainly a font of all knowledge on here, in so many ways. Where is your Good Egg???

    I'll try to catch this but I'm not sure if it will add to my desire to be any more than a bird watcher.

    Pip xx

  • I have to admit straying onto the' dark side' at one time in my life. I used to visit the Scilly Isles every Autumn just for the chance of increasing my 'life list'. In truth though, I was never comfortable with it, and got myself in a bit of trouble on one visit, when I accused some of the most obsessive of the Twitchers of having no regard whatsoever for the wellfare of the birds.

    The truth is that birds migrating from the north get blown off course and land on the Scillies to recover their stamina and build up strength to carry on. Unfortunately, what actually happens is that the poor bird gets chased around the island until they fly off or maybe die of exhaustion.

    Sorry if I have offended any Twitchers with my rant, I am sure this behaviour is restricted to a minority.

    There are 9000 species of bird on earth. Let's keep it that way.

  • Unknown said:

    Oh Chris

    You are certainly a font of all knowledge on here, in so many ways. Where is your Good Egg???

    I'll try to catch this but I'm not sure if it will add to my desire to be any more than a bird watcher.

    Pip xx

    Hi Pipit

    I think there are many people like me on here. :-)

    I watched it the last time it was aired, but it didn't add to my desire to be any more than a bird watcher.:-)

     

     

    Best wishes Chris

    Click Here to see my photos