Among the American birding couples I'm studying there appears to be a divide
(as there is often when I guide). Some do come to socialise as well as bird
while others are just after that new species.
The partners of serious birders are generally not so serious about birds.
In my study, couples often travel together on international trips. Then
both modify their behaviour to fit in with the other.
One problem that I've witnessed (and which was mentioned by some
respondents) was guides who concentrate on serious birders in the group
(generally a minority among Americans), leaving the majority to their own
devices. Generally in those circumstances more serious spouses will stay
behind with their partners. One consequence of this was that couples were
abandoned tour operators and going off on their own or sometimes
(particularly when overseas), with a local guide.
This change in behaviour had dire consequences for bird tour operators, some
of which are now trying to attract a wider audience, with, so I hear,
varying success.
Denise
On 12/7/13 8:59 AM, "Dave Torr" <> wrote:
> For many people birding is a social activity - I am president of a small
> club and I would say well over 50% come more for social interaction than
> for birds. But it is rarely a problem - the serious birders quickly move
> away from the less serious ones, who tend to be happy of they see a few
> birds and catch up with their friends. And if I want to do really serious
> birding I go by myself or with a few equally dedicated mates
>
> On 12 July 2013 08:57, Tony Russell <> wrote:
>
>> Whenever I go out birding with a talkative group I always find myself
>> becoming impatient with their chatter and move out ahead of them. Their
>> chatting is often nothing to do with birds or birding, just social, family
>> or kitchen table stuff. No amount of shushing seems to have any effect - I
>> often wonder why they have bothered coming out because they tend to miss
>> lots of birds anyway even if they do quiet down briefly, the birds having
>> moved on. Such chatting should be reserved for bird call time.
>>
>> Grumpy old Tony.
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From:
>> On Behalf Of Alan
>> Gillanders
>> Sent: Thursday, 11 July 2013 3:54 PM
>> To: Allan Richardson; Philip Veerman
>> Cc:
>> Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Chatting while bird watching in a group
>>
>> G'day Allan,
>> I have a Golden Bowerbird which responds positively to my voice
>> (sometimes).
>>
>> I do not feed this bird or offer him any enticements. One time when I
>> approached the bower there was a group already there who informed me that
>> the bird was not around. I new better as I had heard him quietly doing his
>> not very good Crimson Rosella imitations. I got everyone set up around the
>> bower at a distance which would not upset the bird and spoke loudly, "Good
>> morning handsome." He came down to a nearby sapling before heading over to
>> his favourite perch from which to watch his bower. All had good looks.
>>
>> On reflection it might have been, "G'day Stupid." It is not only this bird
>> which is somewhat disturbed.
>>
>> Regards,
>> Alan
>>
>>
>> Alan's Wildlife Tours
>> 2 Mather Road
>> Yungaburra 4884
>>
>> Phone 07 4095 3784
>> Mobile 0408 953 786
>> http://www.alanswildlifetours.com.au/
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Allan Richardson
>> Sent: Thursday, July 11, 2013 4:02 PM
>> To: Philip Veerman
>> Cc:
>> Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Chatting while bird watching in a group
>>
>> Hi Phil,
>>
>> I reckon the chatting would mean your list for the day would be lower, not
>> because of flushing birds (unless someone is unduly loud), but because of
>> missing birds while your mind isn't on the job at hand.
>>
>> Nevertheless - birds do have a way of being obvious sometimes when folk are
>> relaxed.
>>
>> Allan Richardson
>> Morisset NSW
>>
>> On 11/07/2013, at 3:17 PM, Philip Veerman wrote:
>>
>>> Peter wrote: "I'm also wondering if making voice notes ever spooks
>> birds."
>>> That struck me as amusing. Mainly because my formative birding years
>>> were as a young teenager with the BOCA in the early 1970s. I recall
>>> many loud chatterings among excited people looking at birds. Amusing
>>> chat of people talking not just amongst but to themselves. Social
>>> groups are still like that. Surely Peter has also been with a group of
>>> birders looking at birds and discussing what it is - or discussing the
>>> weather or football or anything else. And been able to see the
>>> reaction. Then again it is hard to know if people talking is what
>>> would make a bird move away. Yes of course for some birds quietness
>>> helps but I doubt that one person discretely talking into a machine
>>> held a few cm from their face is a problem.
>>>
>>> But thanks to Peter for adding a subject line........
>>>
>>> Philip
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----From:
>>>
>>> On Behalf Of Peter
>>> Shute
>>> Sent: Thursday, 11 July 2013 3:35 AM To: Carl Clifford Cc:
>>> <> Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Recorders for
>>> note taking - was (no subject)
>>>
>>>
>>> Has anyone tried these small recorders in the wind? It would be
>>> disappointing if you couldn't hear your notes later because of wind
>>> rumble.
>>>
>>> I'm also wondering if making voice notes ever spooks birds.
>>>
>>> Peter Shute
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>
>>>
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