Dress Code on Reserves

[fabal]

I have read with interest a lot of the comments about loud clothes and noise when observing wildlife. Especialy birds. I can't call myself a bird watcher, although my wife and I go to a lot of wildlife parks, to have a walk, and I do quite a lot of wildlife photography. We go to one spot at Pilling in Lancashire every Friday to feed the birds. Mainly ducks! When the ducks have eaten there fill, they retreat back to the lake, and the Wrens, Robins, Wagtails etc come to finish the crumbs. Now to the point of this post. When we arrive, their isn't a bird in sight! I honk the car horn a couple of times, and all the birds appear out of nowhere! The first to appear are the small ones who watch from nearby bushes and trees, and then all the ducks come. The loud horn has no effect on any of the birds at all, just the opposite. The more I honk, the more birds come!

[Adam Cheeseman]

Originally Posted by fabal

I have read with interest a lot of the comments about loud clothes and noise when observing wildlife. Especialy birds. I can't call myself a bird watcher, although my wife and I go to a lot of wildlife parks, to have a walk, and I do quite a lot of wildlife photography. We go to one spot at Pilling in Lancashire every Friday to feed the birds. Mainly ducks! When the ducks have eaten there fill, they retreat back to the lake, and the Wrens, Robins, Wagtails etc come to finish the crumbs. Now to the point of this post. When we arrive, their isn't a bird in sight! I honk the car horn a couple of times, and all the birds appear out of nowhere! The first to appear are the small ones who watch from nearby bushes and trees, and then all the ducks come. The loud horn has no effect on any of the birds at all, just the opposite. The more I honk, the more birds come!

In places, such as you have described, they have become used to associating human activity in a certain place with being fed, and as such don't see these humans as a physical threat and so are more accepting and less wary of human presence and noise. Bit like pigeons in a town square, gulls along a seaside promenade etc.

[bobbarber]

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

In places, such as you have described, they have become used to associating human activity in a certain place with being fed, and as such don't see these humans as a physical threat and so are more accepting and less wary of human presence and noise. Bit like pigeons in a town square, gulls along a seaside promenade etc.

Could it also be a `conditioned reflex` like Pavlovs` dog ..Bob

[Blackdog]

Originally Posted by dunlin

you never know these days, could be a zz top fan

Nah. No beard...

If you think that one's weird have a look at some of the others on the site it came from
http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/

[PMG]

Originally Posted by PMG

Hahahaha couldn't stop myself from poking fun - mainly at myself Yes I got the twite (but there were a few twits too!) It was a couple of years ago before I had any primes so the twite need 'creeping' up on army-style again

On that particular day there was 24 chaps on mountain bikes dressed as Father Christmas and one Elvis All doing a charity ride round the Pennine high moorland reservoirs .............

Pauline

Thought I might come across this while sorting out last years images!!

Pauline

[Veracocha]

Just read most of this thread and before long I thought I was on a golf forum. Some pretty snobby opinions If I might say; the sort you find in the clubhouse at the the Belfry on members day. Seems someone finds fault whether you sport dayglo or Realtree. I value a fellow birder by the knowledge and enthusiasm offered, not by their appearance.

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by Veracocha

Just read most of this thread and before long I thought I was on a golf forum. Some pretty snobby opinions If I might say; the sort you find in the clubhouse at the the Belfry on members day. Seems someone finds fault whether you sport dayglo or Realtree. I value a fellow birder by the knowledge and enthusiasm offered, not by their appearance.

Good post Veracocha and reflective opinion of the majority of WAB members I'd imagine.

[Vectisbirder]

Originally Posted by Susie

BTW, I wonder how much birders think about what they smell like before they go out?

Oi, I have a shower every day!

No, I know what you mean, strong-smelling perfumes, aftershaves and deodorants are enough to drive most people away, let alone wildlife. I don't think birds have a strong sense of smell, but mammals do and one whiff of artificial scents and they're gone.

I don't have a problem with people wearing bright colours but I do with people making excessive noise. I think excessive noise will do far more to drive things off than a purple parker or red jacket. Even if excessive noise doesn't annoy birds it annoys me!

[Meta menardi]

Tweed.

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by Meta menardi

Tweed.

'Obsession' would be more appropriate for birders surely