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Oh dear, I'm afraid both sets of complaints (Ian's and Mark's)
arise from pursuing an activity that invites mutual comparisons, but is quite
without rules.
As a total non-twitcher, I understand that situations such as
the following can frequently arise, involving Bob Guide and Bill
Twitch:
a) Bill (indicating grey blob): What's
that?
Bob: That's a Lesser Whitewing
Bill: Oh good.
b) Bill (indicating grey blob): What's that?
Bob: That's a Lesser Whitewing. See the white
wing?
Bill: Oh yes, I do, I do.
c) Bill (one evening): Not much of a day. Only saw
grey blobs.
Bob: Those grey blobs were Lesser Whitewings.
Bill: Were they? jolly good!
d) Bill (one evening): Not much of a day. Didn't see
anything new.
Bob: Don't you remember that chirruping noise when we got out of the
car? That was a Lesser Whitewing.
Bill: Was it, by Jove. That's great!
As I understand the sport, it is entirely a matter for Bill in each case
whether he ticks the Lesser Whitewing.
---- Original Message -----
From:
To:
Cc:
Sent: Monday, May 30, 2005 11:13 AM
Subject: [canberrabirds] I'm getting
twitchy
G?day Ian,
Having just read the AvIAN Whimsy
in the June Gang-gang, I have come over all twitchy (again). Where can I get a
copy of this fine book, it sounds like a ?good!!? read? I have heard stories
of (usually) American birdwatchers(?)/twitchers out on seabird trips who tick
off fleeting greyish shapes seen at about 1½ kilometres, sometimes without the
aid of binos or a scope, because someone says it was a Xyz Shearwater,
then on to the next small grey blob skimming across the waves at some equally
impossible distance??.
Ah well, time to get ready for my
trip to New Caledonia to go
?????umm ??.errrr, ?? dare I say it??????..twitching ??.
Your?s from ticking
heaven?
Mark
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