Bird by bird
No Comments »13th April, 2009; Category: Birders
There are many beautiful and fascinating birding blogs getting around these days. I cannot hope to keep up with them all.
Every now and then I come across one with a difference, a blog that is an unusual take on a common theme. Bird by Bird: sketching a bird a day, one at a time is one such blog. The author doesn’t take photos of birds like so many other bird bloggers. Instead, the birds are sketched, and the artwork is shown on the blog pages.
Beautiful.
Well worth a visit.
Birding is a dangerous hobby
I thoroughly enjoy going out birding.
Not only does it get me out looking at all of those wonderful birds we have here in Australia, it also gets me out there in the fresh air and gives me much needed exercise. Generally birding is a relaxing occupation.
Well – at least I thought it was a relaxing, safe and non-contact sport.
Until.
Until I read this newpaper article about a Dutch birder visiting India:
Elephant tramples Dutch Birder: The Telegraph, Kulkata, India.
Birders beware.
Bird brain podcast #1 with comedian Steve Abbott
No Comments »17th February, 2009; Category: Birders
Now for something completely different.
Australian radio network ABC has produced a series of podcasts about bird watching. The commentary is provided by comedian Steve Abbott (aka The Sandman) and is the first on 10 episodes.
To listen click here: Bird Brain episode 1
Here is the press release I received about the series:
STEVE ABBOTT’s BIRDBRAIN
A definitive list of other people’s bird sightings.
Steve Abbott, aka Sandman, returns to the ABC under the guise of Steve, a middle aged man, who feels lost and dishevelled in life. He comes to the conclusion he needs a hobby to occupy his less than satisfactory life.
Birdbrain, a 10 part podcast series exclusive to abc.net.au/local, will follow Steve as he takes on bird watching, after all he can already tell the difference between the Spotted and the Striated Pardalote.
Like many of us, there is a little bit of a bird watcher in Steve, but after researching a failed TV project several years ago he already has more knowledge than the average person, but less than real bird watchers.
Sadly, for a variety of reasons, Steve finds it hard to go the extra few yards and actually go bird watching very often, so he decides to create a bird list not only from his own sightings, but of other people’s.
Birdbrain is an excuse to talk to Birdwatchers about their lists and then cunningly relate their experiences to one man’s mid life crises, said Abbott.
Most people’s bird lists read more like a diary; where they saw a bird, what they were doing when they saw it; what characteristics this bird has; is it threatened or flourishing, and if so why.
The core of each podcast is Steve’s internal monologue or the diary of Steve’s life, punctuated by his recordings of bird sightings and other birdwatchers sightings. They all go together to form Steve’s list, which may cover every bird in Australia.
It’s a very simple idea that is partly a reflection on Steve’s life, partly about birds, partly about birdwatchers and it has a strong underlying environmental message – birds are a clear and quantifiable barometer for the health of our eco systems.
Other diversions include information on binoculars, footwear, where’s the best place to see particular birds and what to tell your partner when you can’t go to her sister’s birthday party because you have a once in a life time raptor field trip.
The first Birdbrain podcast will be available on Monday 16 February. To subscribe, downloaded or listen on demand go to at abc.net.au/local/podcasts.
Bird Word: Ornithology
Ornithology: the serious study of birds, the habits, life cycle, habitats and characteristics of birds, often involving keeping of detailed records and writing articles or books about birdlife.
I guess one could call me an amateur student of ornithology. I do take this hobby quite seriously at times, I have written many articles on this blog about birds, I certainly keep detailed records of my sightings and observations but I haven’t written any books about birds (yet). Nor do I make my living from studying birds.
Footnote:
It has been over six months since I had my last entry in this series of articles about words peculiar to this fascinating hobby of birding. I’ll try to get back to regular postings on this topic in the coming months. Meanwhile – check out the archives here and the Glossary of Bird Words here.
Below is a photo of me taken by my wife. I am pretending to be a serious student of ornithology.
Typical Pose of Husband
Birding in South Africa
Africa is one place I would love to go birding one day. Seeing all the animals would be wonderful also. Perhaps. Perhaps one day I will get there. I guess a large number of my readers would also love to go there for a visit to go birding. If you have already been there, share some of the highlights with my readers by leaving a comment or two.
Meanwhile, most of us will have to be content with seeing videos and reading books about the wonderful and exotic fauna of Africa – or we can regularly access Casper’s website called Birding in South Africa.
I’m jealous. Casper lives a short distance from the Kruger National Park!
Oh – and he offers free accommodation to all birders.
Now – where did I put my passport?