Protocol in public hide.

[Chas]

I have been passionate and interested in wildlife for as long as I can remember........about 52 years, I am 57. I do not claim to be an expert in anything but after a lifetime of taking note you do learn quite a lot. I have to say that I always try to avoid the twitching experience where there is usually a crowd which to me is totally alien to the quiet wildlife experience. I really can not abide what used to be called the green wellie brigade so I normally keep well away.
Late last year I did "crack" and with some trepidation made a visit to Bowling Green Marsh hide in Topsham Devon as there had been reports of a few birds that I quite fancied having a look at. When I had been there for 10 minutes or so I engaged in conversation about the various birds in front of the hide, the couple there with me were interested but knew nothing about ID so I was trying to help. After a while we were joined by a another couple armed with the Green Wellies and all the gear who prompty said "Would you shut up talking, I am trying to watch the birds" I was horified and promptly left followed by the couple, So what is the protocol was he in the right, was I wrong to speak, or was he the pretentious ignorant xxxxxxx that I think he was. Incidentally there was absolutely no disturbance to the birds who were very relaxed and restful as you would expect. Oh, and I havn't been back since!!!!

[naturelover]

Hi chas welcome to the site,if you want my opinion he was just a misrable human ( cant use bad words on here )but you know what i mean,have fun on here anyway.

[mh68]

Mindless chatter, or speaking so loudly to disturb the birds is one thing, but helping someone in the way you were, and quietly too, seems perfectly acceptable to me. Sadly some people seem to think they own the hide, I would have left too, so totally with you on this.

Mark H

[NickCantle]

I'd have done the same thing too. I'd have probably uttered some choice words on my way out too

[diapasonbill]

Hi Chas, and everone else,

I am no expert at bird ID and one of the things I love is the number of people who are willing to talk and advise if you are unsure what you can see (or hear) when in a hide.
So please do not let someone like that put you off helping others.

Bill.

[Dan Salter]

I agree with the others. As you have told us you were talking 'birds' and helping others with id then as far as im concerned that is fine, it helps me sometimes and i have also helped others...but...had you been harping on loudly about trevors new house extension or your sons new job in insurance i would also have told you to shut up .....probably.
I think there is a certain etiquette (spelling?) and sometimes people in hides have no clue and can be irritating...but if your talking 'birds' and at a sensible level then i think its fine? infact a little bit of banter or chat , say if a friend just arrived in the hide then thats ok too as long as you dont waffle on for hours.
p.s...i own green wellies?...infact everything i wear tends to be green these days. ha ha

[willing to learn]

Originally Posted by Chas

or was he the pretentious ignorant xxxxxxx that I think he was.

Spot on, Some folks just got no manners or respect for others, Well done for not getting into a slanging match.
Regards
Colin

[gfilmsuk]

Hi Chas
You did the right thing by walking out, I think I would have done the same.
Oh by the way, I'm leaving my 'greens' at home from now on.
Dave

[LoveT]

Quote:

After a while we were joined by a another couple armed with the Green Wellies and all the gear who prompty said "Would you shut up talking, I am trying to watch the birds".

Odd - I thought you used your eyes to watch the birds, not your ears

I'm not surprised you were horrified - I would have been too.

On the other hand (or am I being snobby?), my pet hate are those 'people' who visit places such as the Hawk Conservancy (one of my favourite haunts) and proceed to wander round the entire site with their mobile phone glued to their ear, talking loudly and totally ignoring the birds they pass on their way. They then look most annoyed because they have to turn the thing off while a display is in progress. Why do they bother going in the first place?

Ok - I'm off my soapbox now!

Thea

[demicav]

I would have acted as if they weren't there and carried on . You weren't disturbing the birds and were helping with ID. Some people are just so pathetic. Welcome to WAB by the way.