Do rare birds excite you?

[Jason Claxton]

Yes and no for me on this one,I used to do a lot of twitching around the country but found that going after birds that other people had found got a bit dull,if I find a rare bird on my patch, that is still definitely exciting for me,although birds like the Nuthatch can excite me if they are in my garden as well.

[Tringa]

I agree with the general view here.

Have to admit if there was a rarity close I would probably go and see it, but it would have to very close.

Heard a story years ago of a few birders from southern England who planned a trip to the Western Isles. The day after arriving in the Isles they heard a rarity had been spotted close to their home location, so they abandoned the trip and headed home.

As has been said, everyone to their own, but I can't understand doing something like that. To me any wildlife watching is about absorbing the whole experience eg landscape, weather, not just ticking off a new species.

Dave

[pammosley]

I enjoy whatever I`m watching. I get alot of pleasure watching everyday birds on the feeders etc. Early this year we went to a local site, it was obvious something was going on as there were loads of birders hanging around the carpark gazing around. We took no notice, apart from saying I wonder what they are looking for, & had a great day watching the wildfowl & local birds. It turns out they were there for the Waxwings, that apparently didn`t show that day. If we are around & about & something special appears that`s great, but I wouldn`t go chasing around after anything. Tomorrow we are off to Martin Mere, hope to see Tree Sparrow & Marsh Harrier, both would be great to see

[ChrisR]

Like a few people here, it would be exciting to see something unusual but I don't think I would travel far to see it and I certainly wouldn't stand in a queue or join a ruck of twitchers just to see it.

Birds are OK ... but they're not like the real thing ... now, a rare fly under the microscope ... *that's* exciting!

[Davy Crockett]

Yes is my answer I’ve been birding for at least 50 years and find it not as important on my agenda as it used to be. Although I’m still very active in conservation, bird protection and promoting birding. I would, turn out for a rarity these days were as in the past I wouldn't. My horizons have broadened over the last few years to wildflowers, fungi and insects. The main stimulation being other WABers who post some terrific pics and are willing to advise and share their knowledge. Thanks to all, especially PGM, Gracie and many others.

[Goatboy]

I do get a thrill from seeing a bird I've never seen before, but don't particularly care how rare it is.

On the few occasions I have been to look at a 'twitchable' bird, TBH I've always found the pressure and desperate clamour to spot/ photograph the bird completely off putting.

One of my favourite wildlife sites is seeing a field full of Wigeon grazing away on grass shoots. I can watch that for hours. Sometimes I will go out on the park and watch Starlings go about there business. They have so much character. There are an awful lot of birders out their who don't actually seem to watch birds. Nothing against that, if ticking off lists is your thing then fine, good luck to you. But not really for me.

[rangersarah2]

Originally Posted by FUDGEY

Great post, I don't get the type of birders you describe to me they are the teainspotting type, but each to their own and they do no harm (except stereotype us normal birders )

Sadly, some twitchers do a lot of harm. They damage habitats, and some travel such a distance that they use excessive amounts of fuel and other resources to get to the sites and there was a case locally where they scared the flippin' bird to death.

That said, a lot of you would travel small distances, which I don't have a problem with at all. I get a thrill when I see any bird of prey, so it was great when three ospreys visited the reserve last year.

We have an ornithologist who does reports for us. I have only seen him smile twice - once with the ospreys, and once with a flock of waxwings. Give me a good old robin any day!

[david156]

I went on a small twitch recently to see the pied wheatear at Horsey Gap.

It wasn't really anything spectacular and the only reason I went was I was 2 miles away at hickling broad in a hide just sitting peacefully and dreaming! If I hadn't been there at that moment I wouldn't have driven to see it before dark and work would have stopped me the following day. I wouldn't have lost sleep over not seeing it!!!

[epops]

A few years ago i used to go all over the place to see rare birds but now i have to say they dont really do it for me id much rather stick to my own little patch with the local birds and wildlife if summat special turns up its good if not still good.

[Sherlock]

Great to see most birds though I am not a bird of prey fan.

I enjoy seeing a Dunnock or a House Sparrow up close more than a rarer bird (for me) in the distance.