Here's part 2 of a spiffing "article" about "Birdmanship" .... if you haven't read the first bit, just go one post back ........ Having arrived in the field, suitably attired, the sport may begin. Don't forget a notebook and pencil for writing out shopping or Christmas lists, since occasional jottings always look impressive. In a group, stay close to the expert, saying as little as possible, and when attention is drawn to some distant unidentified bird look intently in the opposite direction until the expert has pronounced judgement .... at which point a casual glance and an agreeable grunt will serve well. It is not really advisable to look for anything yourself for the experts use their ears more than their eyes, and you may be asked what you're looking at, which may be tricky if you don't know. Deafness or an enigmatic "ah-hah" may help until someone comes up with a name, but if it's not the expert the game could be up. Bird calls are a considerable challenge, for a " what was that?" can really put you on the spot. The reply " which one?" may give you a breather of a Percy Edwards act, and then an " I've never heard anything like that" may be the solution and will also allow you to indulge in the luxury of a truthful statement. Unless you are reasonably knowledgeable conversation should be avoided altogether. Always try to find someone who knows less than you, if such a thing is possible, and keep the comments general, such as " poor passage last year" or " I've no time for twitchers." On the subject of twitchers the birdman will find them easy to be "one up" on; bearing in mind that they are unquestionably inferior to the ticker, boredom will soon drive them away when you use such terms as CBC, moult studies, reverse migration and tertials. To prolong the contest, however, and beat them at their own game, the following techniques may be useful: firstly, there is the Rose ploy, for which I am indebted to the secretary of BAWLS, which consists of replying to comments about rarities to with a " yes, they are nice aren't they" , and you need not disclose that your statement is based only on having looked at the handbook illustrations. Another useful reply to questions such as " did you see the Little Bunting last month?" is the cunning " No, I was away" and they won't realise that you mean "away down the high street shopping" . At the end of the day you can congratulate yourself on quite an achievement, but don't give up the game when other beginners talk about the birds that, due to the demands of birdmanship, you missed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Well, plenty of top advice there, but if you think any cunning ruses have been left out, tell me about them ( [email protected])(or as a comment) and I will firmly keep them to myself ! Mystery Question ... what do you think BAWLS actually stands for ? And do you know what " the target bird" was ? And as for that snap at the top .... I was there ! Here's a terrific blast of a song from top French band Dolly .... " Tous des Stars"
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AuthorThat's the author up there ... I was young and sprightly then. Archives
October 2022
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