Twitchers or Birders?

[wizzo]

I keep hearing references to birders or twitchers, with twitchers, I'm gathering, being regarded as more 'Nerdy' than 'birders'. Is there any difference or is it just a bit cooler to be a birder. No offence to either group

P.s....I think I regard myself as an enthusiastic beginner - Wizzo

[aeshna5]

Birders come in all guises- anyone with a serious interest in birds. Some never twitch, so a birder may not necesarily be a twitcher.

Twitchers are a genre of birder whose appetite is whetted by chasing rarities. Twitchers are often fine birders who may do surveys + generally knowledgeable about birds, though there are a small number that seem interested in just getting a new tick + don't do much else (+ never look for/find these birds)- these are the real train-spotters!

I have twitched in the past on a regular basis, but only recent twitch was the local Brown Shrike, because it was nearby + accessible. Wished I could have seen the Eastern Crowned Warbler last week.

But for me I enjoy birding at all levels- managing the garden for them + other wildlife, local patches, doing BTO survey work, leading bird/wildlife walks, out on coach trips + foreign travel to see them + other wildlife.

[david156]

I'm a birder who sometimes twitches if its a local rarity. As aeshna5 said, "Wished I could have seen the Eastern Crowned Warbler last week," but it was a little too far to tarvel.

Cheers David.

[Madelinew]

As I understand it, twitchers are more the list tickers of the birdwatching world. I class myself as more of a birder but am not immune to keeping lists.

[david156]

Originally Posted by Madelinew

As I understand it, twitchers are more the list tickers of the birdwatching world. I class myself as more of a birder but am not immune to keeping lists.

I like listing!!! But november is of to a bad start. We've had non stop rain since I got up!!!

[wizzo]

That clears that question up very nicely - thanks guys!!

[Adam Cheeseman]

I'm a birder but do go to the odd twitch occasionally. Brit List of 347 species.

Cheers,

Adam

[Jason Green]

Hi Wizzo et al,

I'm a birder more than twitcher. I enjoy all birds, but if there was a local rarity I suppose I'd have a look. I'm more an interested/genuinely caring insect twitcher - I recently popped down to Battersea Park to see 'NHM's mystery insect', and the Southern Green Shieldbug - successful on the first count

Originally Posted by Madelinew

As I understand it, twitchers are more the list tickers of the birdwatching world. I class myself as more of a birder but am not immune to keeping lists.

Ah. Just keeping a list of your sightings doesn't have to make you a partial twitcher. Twitchers have pre-defined lists as far as I am aware, and tick-off each rarity they travel to see. You form your own list I think which I'm sure contains Robin and Greenfinch as does mine, whereas a true Twitcher's wouldn't!

Am I right anyone?

Take care,

Jason

[simon taylor]

What ever happened to the phrases "Birdwatcher" or "Birdwatching"??

Isnt "Birder" another Yankee word that's crept into our vocabulary?

Yo ' all have a good now...

[Adam Cheeseman]

Originally Posted by simon taylor

What ever happened to the phrases "Birdwatcher" or "Birdwatching"??

Isnt "Birder" another Yankee word that's crept into our vocabulary?

Yo ' all have a good now...

Nope