And sometimes it happens the other way around......
Back in 1995 I was birding in Southern Queensland and stopped off at
Goondiwindi to check out the Botanic Gardens there. I could hear wrens
and was making my way along the paths 'squeaking' when out of the corner
of my eye I became aware that a work gang of long-term unemployed youths
had downed tools and was gazing in my direction. One of them came forward
and towering over me said "You a bird watcher???"
Having been heckled and abused by youths in suped up Kingswoods
earlier in the piece i resigned myself to being given a hard time.
The youth jerked his head in the direction of a gap in the hedge. "Can you
tell us what that duck is?"
Rather reluctantly I moved towards the gap in the hedge and one of the
other youths followed. I was now totally out of view from the road and
unable to run for help. Beyond the hedge was a pond with a solitary
australasian grebe swimming there. I told him what it was and fished out
'Slater' to show him the description and known range; then let him thumb
through the field guide. After a few minutes he handed the book back
without saying a word.
There's hope yet.
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