It was about 4 years ago when I first came up with the bright idea of venturing out with a pair of binoculars to look for new birds. I figured that with a little effort, I might be able to find birds that were different from what I was seeing at my feeders. It turned out to be one of the best ideas I ever had. I have to laugh at myself now. Do you know that I was actually naive enough to think that there were probably very few people doing the same thing. I knew that ornithologists and banders existed. What I did not realize, was that there were a lot of people out there birding for no other reason than that they enjoyed it. A little research on the Internet, quickly brought me to the realization that this was a big time hobby.Over the next couple of years, I also came to the realization that there were a lot of very skilled birders around. It amazes me that so many people put so much of their time and effort in to becoming better birders. Many birders started very young. I'm sorry I missed the boat on that one.
Over the years I've met lots of birders of various skill levels. The vast majority were enthusiastic in sharing their knowledge, and giving encouragement to beginning birders. Like everything else in life, their are always exceptions to the rule.
There are some elite birders, that I refer to as "The Birders Of Prey." These are the birders who can detect weakness and uncertainty in less experienced birders. They wait for a moment when someone makes a mistake, and then.........Pow!-like a bird of prey, they move in for the kill.
It is not good enough for them to just point out that someone has made a mistake in identifying a bird or in following proper birding procedure (according to their law).They also take the opportunity to humiliate the poor soul who was made the mistake. Unfortunately, this might result in discouraging a new birder from further pursuing their new found hobby.
I've seen a few of these Birders Of Prey In Action. I am dumbfounded by the pure arrogance and blatant disregard for other's feelings that they can display. If it were up to them, only the privileged few would have the right to be birders. Perhaps in a strange way, it's just another example of survival in the natural world. Some people feel they need to prey upon others to survive.
It's interesting to note, that other birders will mob the Birder Of Prey if they witness an attack on the victim,-just as birds do.
Obviously, this is all greatly exaggerated. I guess my point is, if you have a negative experience of this type, don't let it discourage you. If you witness a birder who has just had their wings clipped, give them some encouragement.
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23 comments:
A real encouraging post! I think all birders who have been in this situation can easily relate.
I have no respect for someone out to criticize. How can we promote birding by turning people off?
To me, birding is about sharing and receiving knowledge to enjoy and protect birds.
I'm glad you found the post to be encouraging. I don't want to dwell on the negative,but I did feel the need to do a post on this topic.
I had this experience on a birding forum Larry, and so I know exactly what you mean. Birders of Prey is an excellent, accurate term sadly. I've never understood what joy it brings to belittle or embarrass someone who is trying to learn. I'd like for them to explain to me the treatment of choice for necrotizing fasciitis. :c)
Jayne-I had to copy and paste that term.-Flesh-eating Bacteria!
Uh oh. I haven't met a Birder of Prey. I haven't even met another birder! I will next week... wish me luck.
If I meet someone like you describe, I'll just keep this thought in the back of my mind:
"5% of the world population are
a--holes". They are everywhere.
Mary-usually you come across them on forums more so than field trips, and they aren't very common.-So don't worry yourself, and have a good time!
haha... that made me chuckle and brought some faces to mind... hee hee.
I'm glad you had a chuckle over it.Maybe you have a post on the topic that you'd like to share.
I love your term--Birders of Prey. Unfortunately they exist everywhere. Not just among birders but anywhere people need to puff up themselves by being better than someone else.
Jayne is funny too bringing up necrotizing fascitis. We should all remember we have things we're exceptional good at and exceptionally awful at!
Hi Larry,
This post made me angry--not at you, but at the people who inspired it.
Here's a somewhat unrelated story.... When I used to work Saturdays at a yarn shop, the owners (knitting snobs) told me that I shouldn't be helping people who came into the store with knitting questions on their "K-Mart yarn" projects. Why, I asked. Because they didn't buy their yarn here, was the response. That's just wrong, I told myself, and continued to help these ladies (most of them seniors on limited budgets).
The parallel is whether it's birding or knitting, shouldn't we do whatever we can to help someone enjoy the hobby more?? Is it so hard for people to be nice anymore?
As with everyone else, I agree that this is a great post and very well written! We (us birders) all make mistakes and I mean we ALL do!! I do understand the importance of being accurate but their is also the place to or a way to help educate with the mistake without making the birder feel band!
Sarala-That's true-When you are in the early stages as a birder,you definitely expose yourself as a target to those who want to take advantage of your lack of knowledge.
Ruthiej-that's true-the basice principles apply to more than just birding.
Monarch-Glad you like the post.-I'd like to see a gallery of your bad photos some time.the ones you post are always so darn good!
Yeah, me too. I want to see bloopers from Monarch.
This is a wonderful post Larry. I've never been hit by a Birder of Prey but like you said, I have seen their actions on birder forums. I feel very comfortable in our blogging community sticking my neck out on id's. I've been corrected gently (and gratefully!) and always encouraged. We have a fabulous group of bird bloggers here!
I'm glad I've never been hit by ones of these BoPs. I'm lucky, I think, to have found only genuinely nice people on my birding travels (I use that term loosely!). But that's why I started my blog, because I wanted to be able to document my fledgling efforts at learning birds and stuff--I would rather celebrate naivete, revel in the innocence of it, you know? Now when I go back and look at some of my first posts, I laugh my head off at myself!
I think these predators you describe don't have a sense of humor about themselves or anything else. But like Mary said, 5% of the world: a-holes. I guess everyone makes his or her own unique contribution....
Great post!
Lynne-I've seen situations come up on some of the forums.You've got to attempt identifications to learn, although photos can some times be deceiving with tricky i.d.'s.
dzugman-hopefully you never do come across those types.-I don't think they're all too common.
I just joined a local birding forum with some reservations. So far, I have received encouraging comments. I have been a little reluctant to join in with groups of birders for the reasons you mention. So far, I have ventured out alone or with a family member only.
Ruth-I would encourage you to try a group bird walk.-You would probably really enjoy it, and you would probably meet some really nice people to bird with.
I knew nothing of serious birders until I moved to Texas. Southern Texas is a populat destination, and we were in the heart of it. Businesses catered to them, and I read stories about people hiking with radios and binoculars as they tried to add birds to their life list.
btw, I am happy to say that I have received nothing but encouragement from the people I have met, even though I do not know much at all about birds beyond my yard...
dana-Yes-A lot of birders take trips to Texas.Other birders are mostly very encouraging.
Great post! Haven't had this happen yet to me as there a few of us around my home town. Great discussion with so many comments.
j. Karl clampit-Glad you enjoyed it!-thanks.
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