Number of birdwatchers in Australia

[David Stowe <>]

I find the point about people's upbringing interesting. I do agree  
that without the input from your parents you have less chance of  
knowing about nature etc but also think that in the end it is just  
something in one's personality.
I was brought up with an older sister and we always went camping for  
our holidays. Never stayed in motels or resorts - tents all the way!
I have always had a love for nature (which is also part of my  
Christian upbringing and the sense of wonder at God's creation - but  
i'm not trying to make a religious debate out of this!)
The interesting thing is that on all of our holidays my sister was  
more interested in reading a book inside the tent than going  
bushwalking or watching wildlife. She has never had any real interest  
in nature even with the same upbringing/exposure to it as me.
My love of nature first blossomed into landscape photography when out  
camping with friends.
I was always interested in wildlife but probably more mammals than  
birds.
I really started to get into birds when we went to visit my sister  
who lived in Darwin for a couple of years (and she never went to  
Kakadu in those 2 years!!!!!!) and my wife and i went to Kakadu.  
There were so many birds around that we bought a book to help ID them  
(Pizzey/Knight).
From there i decided that if i was going to birdwatch i was going to  
do it properly - so searched the internet for help etc.
I then found the Cumberland Bird Observers Club and Birds Australia  
and have never looked back!! Joining a club was fantastic as it  
helped me to learn so much more than i could by myself and also made  
it more social as well. People like Keith Brandwood have been  
incredibly powerful mentors and have taught me so much. I will  
forever be in their debt.
I now have a 2 month old daughter that i hope will at least have a  
love for creation/nature as well. One of her first birds at 4 weeks  
old was a Powerful Owl!!
Although she might have been asleep at the time - in fact people have  
said they can't even focus at that age so maybe Daddy is clutching at  
straws with that one!!
Cheers
Dave Stowe
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www.birding-aus.org
birding-aus.blogspot.com

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