One hobby; three paths
I have come back to birding in my middle age and come to an appreciation of the differences between different types of what is effectively the same activity. “Looking at birds” is not how most people describe their hobby that they have devoted time, effort, and plenty of money to, but is probably the most accurate description anyway. And that seems to cover it. For all our technological advances, all our online effort to learn and discover, at the practical end of the pastime, us birders look at birds. This week I have taken part in my three preferred ways of engaging with seeing birds. I have watched my local patch, recording and surveying the species I saw via various apps and sites; I have twitched (how I hate the word, but still find it apposite) a Collared Flycatcher; and I have spent time with friends walking in stunning locations I’ve never seen before and seeing a huge variety of wildlife as part of the walk. It’s only human to have a preference amongst t...