I haven't been following this string all along so if any of this has been
covered I apologise.
In regard to whether people with better hearing and eyesight are better
birders, and I am sure it would certainly help, two of the best birders I have
known, especially with bird calls both had serious hearing problems, One, who
has to the bird worlds everlasting loss unfortunately passed away, particularly
later in life could only hear bird calls with a hearing aid. His ability to
pick a bird by the most minute bit of a call to me was uncanny. The other, a
man in his 50s, not only has hearing problems but also his sight is not good
and needs to wear quite heavy glasses. He is also an exceptional birder and
great with calls.
I think the ability to retain and recall the call is the most important part of
the equation. I have good hearing but my poor excuse for a memory just doesn't
retain the call in my head unless I am hearing it on a daily basis. So that
ability to hear a call and compare it to something heard before and then bring
up that earlier call's label is the secret. To me anyway.
Another thing that I have always wondered is if people with musical backgrounds
or a close affinity with music were better at recognising calls than others?
Kind Regards
Bob
-----Original Message-----
From:
On Behalf Of Peter Shute
Sent: Monday, 6 December 2010 4:20 PM
To: ;
Cc:
Subject: Hearing birds
It would be interesting to know how many "gun" birders (I've always thought
that was an odd term to use) have better than average hearing and eyesight, or
did when they started. I'm sure there's much more to it than that, (e.g.
dedication and lots of practice), but it must surely help.
Peter Shute
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