Bill Thompson III shares some advice and tips on how to be an ethical birder and how to use proper birding etiquette whether far afield or in the backyard.
I live in the U.K. but all birders everywhere want to share their love of nature, 99% of us are more than willing to help the newcomer to our passion. I think especially so with younger people as they are the future, but the education has to start with the basics of respecting the environment and the creatures that live there.
27 year old birder, couldn't agree more. Started during lockdown as a keen novice asking a lot of (dumb) questions. 18 months later I'm still asking questions ('Caspian or Yellow legged' being the most asked!) but now regarded as someone who can pick out rarities and find new birding locations. No mega rarities but some very good county records, also rare breeding records etc. which hopefully goes some way to paying back my mentors and other helpers. Birding in my county is tough going (landlocked and way off major migration routes) which could have easily put me off. Local knowledge quickly unlocked a wealth of birding locations and new birds for me, and got me really hooked. From strangers at Spurn to locals at the gravel pits, I couldn't have asked for a more helpful bunch.
As far as private property. Try politely asking the owner if you can look at birds on their property. You'd be surprised how receptive people can be to that.
I visited new Zealand in 05, my dream was to see a brown kiwi in wild, many locals said go to Wellington zoo, I don't like zoos , they have switched the day/night cycle so the kiwis come out in day! Anyway 1 month later on Stewart island bumped into some local hunters, we had a great booze up , they had a huge piece of beef in a coldrum on open fire with onions and carrots for supper ...it was delicious, 1 guy said you really want to see a kiwi in wild? We walked 40mins half cut to this open area,! Then something hit my shin, then another on back of leg! Then again on leg! It was amazing watching this play out as males and females where trying to find or show off to get mate! I couldn't thank my drunk friend enough! Then more pot roast beef on returning, Just remembered on Cebu Philippines, I found a black shamba in alchoy forest because of a drunk taxi driver! , But that's another story 👍👍🙄
I once spent a lot of money on a Lindblad tour in Alaska to see puffins nesting and some idiot on the deck below was blathering on and on real loud with some fellow passenger about some bs about his job. Would have been nice to listen to those birds.
Great info and video. And what a joy to see the wonderful Bill Thompson again. You are missed Bill; RIP.
A good video to remind ourselves of the journey and not just the destination.
I live in the U.K. but all birders everywhere want to share their love of nature, 99% of us are more than willing to help the newcomer to our passion. I think especially so with younger people as they are the future, but the education has to start with the basics of respecting the environment and the creatures that live there.
27 year old birder, couldn't agree more.
Started during lockdown as a keen novice asking a lot of (dumb) questions. 18 months later I'm still asking questions ('Caspian or Yellow legged' being the most asked!) but now regarded as someone who can pick out rarities and find new birding locations. No mega rarities but some very good county records, also rare breeding records etc. which hopefully goes some way to paying back my mentors and other helpers. Birding in my county is tough going (landlocked and way off major migration routes) which could have easily put me off. Local knowledge quickly unlocked a wealth of birding locations and new birds for me, and got me really hooked. From strangers at Spurn to locals at the gravel pits, I couldn't have asked for a more helpful bunch.
As far as private property. Try politely asking the owner if you can look at birds on their property. You'd be surprised how receptive people can be to that.
I visited new Zealand in 05, my dream was to see a brown kiwi in wild, many locals said go to Wellington zoo, I don't like zoos , they have switched the day/night cycle so the kiwis come out in day!
Anyway 1 month later on Stewart island bumped into some local hunters, we had a great booze up , they had a huge piece of beef in a coldrum on open fire with onions and carrots for supper ...it was delicious, 1 guy said you really want to see a kiwi in wild?
We walked 40mins half cut to this open area,! Then something hit my shin, then another on back of leg! Then again on leg!
It was amazing watching this play out as males and females where trying to find or show off to get mate! I couldn't thank my drunk friend enough! Then more pot roast beef on returning,
Just remembered on Cebu Philippines, I found a black shamba in alchoy forest because of a drunk taxi driver! , But that's another story 👍👍🙄
I once spent a lot of money on a Lindblad tour in Alaska to see puffins nesting and some idiot on the deck below was blathering on and on real loud with some fellow passenger about some bs about his job. Would have been nice to listen to those birds.
nice work friend thanks for sharing
I love bird watching
Nice information about birding
Interesting video...
I live in Scotland where we say Fuck private property we have the right to roam
Beautiful bird 🐦
Even for an ivory billed woodpecker???
So nice
Hey dear I love it
RIP Bill
what happened?
An ivory Billed? I'll take the ticket
Bullshit!!! I'd jump the fence and run across the lawn of the White house for an Ivory billed woodpecker!
they live in monte sano state park alabama
LOL
Spotted one!
never apologize for trespassing, its a holy act.
LOL
It’s not trespassing if you bring along explosives for ‘sign maintenance’
Amazing video.. subscribing for more such birding videos
what 'no trespassing sign'
I love u from India❤❤
stay away from he use of drones
Birds!!!!🤘
And Dont bird naked. Trust me.
Seems like your not bird watching but trophy hunting
Thumbs down because of the constant music blocking speech.
Even for an ivory billed woodpecker???