Bird Watching - The New Rock and Roll

[Goatboy]

Bird watching has always had a bit of a stigma.

The stereotypical image of the anorak wearing nerd, equipped with flask and NHS glasses, whilst not usually accurate, is certainly entrenched in the minds of most non-birders.

Just ask any non-birder to describe a bird watcher and, if they're honest, they'll rank us alongside trainspotters and stamp collectors in the league of cool. No offence to any practitioners of those pastimes, I'm sure you guys are similarly misrepresented.

The fact is, it just isn't cool to watch birds. However that might be about to change. Ornithology may be on the verge of becoming accepted by the masses, possibly even (dare I say it) fashionable.

There is a definite trend of media celebrities and rock stars admitting to there secret interest in all things birds.

Whilst there has always been a handful of famous people who've enjoyed birding over the years, names such as Jimmy Carter, Agatha Christie and Fidel Castro are hardly likely to inspire the younger generations to follow in their footsteps.

So who are the new trend setters leading this zeitgeist?

Well firstly there's Jeremy Clarkson. Admittedly not everyone's cup of tea but nevertheless a very popular figure.

Not convinced? How about Guy Garvey? Lead singer of Mercury Award winning band Elbow. Possibly THE coolest band in the UK at the moment.

Garvey is sometimes joined on his trips by Jimi Goodwin, vocalist and bass player of the band Doves.

Of course Bill Bailey's new TV series has outed Radio 1 DJ Alex Zane and comedian Jeff Green as being long-time birders.

Two other comedians, Rory McGrath and Alex Horne have even written books on the subject.

Throw into the mix Daryl Hannah, Mick Jagger, Sean Bean and Jarvis Cocker and you start to worry if the rest of us will even be able to fit into our local hides, so crammed with A-list celebrities.

So to all my fellow birders, I say embrace your new coolness and cast aside your anoraks (how long before Tommy Hillfiger releases a 'twitchers range').

This is our time.

[david156]

so after more than 20 years i will finally be doing something trendy

Bet late than never

David

[Monkey Orchid]

Originally Posted by Goatboy

Bird watching has always had a bit of a stigma.

The stereotypical image of the anorak wearing nerd, equipped with flask and NHS glasses, whilst not usually accurate, is certainly entrenched in the minds of most non-birders.

Just ask any non-birder to describe a bird watcher and, if they're honest, they'll rank us alongside trainspotters and stamp collectors in the league of cool.

As Eddie Izzard once observed, the cutting edge of being cool, hip and groovy is very close to looking like a d**khead. It's a fine line and so easy to cross over onto the wrong side.

I'm personally not that bothered who else birdwatches or gets into nature, as long as they don't interfere with my enjoyment of it. I would draw the line at having to share a bird hide with Jeremy Clarkson though.

[Goatboy]

Originally Posted by Monkey Orchid

As Eddie Izzard once observed, the cutting edge of being cool, hip and groovy is very close to looking like a d**khead. It's a fine line and so easy to cross over onto the wrong side.

I'm personally not that bothered who else birdwatches or gets into nature, as long as they don't interfere with my enjoyment of it. I would draw the line at having to share a bird hide with Jeremy Clarkson though.

I agree on a personal level, never really been bothered what others think about me. But if birding has a more accepted image it could attract more younger people and thats something I do feel passionate about

[Stinky Bob]

I can just imagine Clarkson in a hide, if he wasn't getting results he would probably shoot something and photograph that or put superglue on a branch

[Doggle Avaddit]

Originally Posted by Stinky Bob

I can just imagine Clarkson in a hide, if he wasn't getting results he would probably shoot something and photograph that or put superglue on a branch

I realised some time ago that there is a single word in the English language that sums up Jeremy Clarkson so perfectly, it can only have been specifically invented for him by a Deity.

Ars*.

[thebeard]

Originally Posted by Stinky Bob

I can just imagine Clarkson in a hide, if he wasn't getting results he would probably shoot something and photograph that or put superglue on a branch

or blow something up

[darrenm]

has a birder for well over 30 years i dont mind who becomes one or not nor do i care if it becomes 'trendy' The more people who care the better it is for the birds and wildlife in general and hopefully it's a win win situation and beats the hell out of apathy....... i still enjoy watching Top Gear and can see through the 'bash the Enviromentalist' rise the cast often get up to