Just 2 more cents. I find it interesting that this thread has not mentioned
the name change from Birder's World to BirdWatching Magazine, especially
since Kenn Kaufman is a regular contributor, as well as David Allen Sibley
and Michigan's Julie Craves and others.
Here is a URL to a video relative to the name change:
http://www.birdwatchingdaily.com/en/The%20Magazine/Issue%20Preview/2011/02/I
ssue%20preview%20April%202011.aspx
It matters not to me. I am hooked on the silly feathered flappy things and
just want to learn as much as I can. At one time (I was younger), I think it
mattered that I not be known as a "bird watcher" - too unscientific - and I
embraced the term "birder". OK, so now maybe I "just" watch them. But I also
record them, and try to share my joy with others. So it goes. I have been
called many things, and I will certainly take either name over many of the
other things I have been called!
I saw the same thing in fishing. "What did you do last weekend?" "I fished a
bass tournament." "Oh, fishing - you should get some exercise." Well, until
anyone has been in a kidney-pounding low-slung boat flying across waves at
65 mph, then spent the rest of the day balancing while continually trashing
the water for a distant chance at a prize, they should not get down on
fishing as a passive sport. Yet (and yes!), I am a fisherman. And, yes! I am
also a bird-watcher!
While great and sufficient enjoyment can be had while being passive (I enjoy
and count my deck birds every day with my morning coffee), we are able to
take our passions as far as we are physically capable. I think here of the
BGBY birders for example. I can't do that now - nor can I handle a bass
tournament any more, but I applaud them!
- "Dr. Bob" in Michigan
-----Original Message-----
From: Ohio birds [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mike
Yough
Sent: Saturday, November 05, 2011 12:00 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [Ohio-birds] Fwd: [Ohio-birds] Birder vs. bird watcher
My two cents:
While what I do may be construed as "birdwatching" to Dan, I find that the
term is confusing to many of those whom I try to explain how I spend much
of my free time. "Birdwatching," to the general public, means something
that is generally a relatively passive activity (e.g., picking up a guide
book to note what comes to a feeder). Thus, use of the term can be
confusing. I prefer to use the term "birding" or "birder" as it, I feel,
better captures what I do--something that involves a great deal of
studying, planning, and time.
In sum, "birdwatcher" that implies passivity; "birder" implies activity.
Mike Yough
formerly Glen Echo/Columbus
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Dan Best <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Sat, Nov 5, 2011 at 10:45 AM
Subject: Re: [Ohio-birds] Birder vs. bird watcher
To: [log in to unmask]
Mary, et al:
My contention is that birding is more or less a sport in which
binoculars replace bullets.
It's fun, it can be competitive in a fun, light-hearted way or
ruthless as The Big Year portrayed, or immaturely selfish as when
listers won't share their findings.
Birding is at its best when sightings (species and numbers) are
reported to sources (E-bird, Cleveland Bird Calendar, Ohio Cardinal,
Ohio Ornithological Society, winter bird surveys, etc.) which results
in documentation which aids science which is in turn essential to bird
and wildlife conservation. Having become one of America's most
popular pastimes, it has been effectively used to document species
decline, range expansions, migration corridors, etc.
Birdwatching, although recognized as the predecessor to the relatively
modern phenomenon of birding, is watching birds at a greater length
than needed to identify and count.
The Ohio Breeding Bird Atlas is a prime example of a birdwatching
opportunity as it requires a greater degree of observation - namely
behavior - in order to determine the breeding status of a particular
bird. Observation of behavior, be it breeding, wintering, migratory
foraging, etc., reveal insights into the ecology of birds which
provides a greater depth of knowledge which is again, a contribution
to science and subsequently conservation on a different, if not higher
level.
Having said that, I am a proponent of birdwatching -- wildlife
watching in general - as the next level to aspire to, perhaps after
the listing desire becomes fulfilled locally. Graduating beyond the
superficiality of birding (again, none-the-less valuable if sightings
are reported to data repositories) to birdwatching not only provides
greater knowledge of individual species, but offers another level or
dimension of reward and satisfaction as the observer becomes more
acquainted with
individual species. Greater appreciation stands to foster active
advocation for conservation that, birders and birdwatchers alike, will
find as another threshold to cross.
Dan Best, Senior Naturalist - Geauga Park District
On Nov 5, 2011, at 9:45 AM, Mary wrote:
People tend to dislike labeling and labels and yet the do seem to
> have some
> meaning and people do use them.
> When watching The Big Year I was struck by the scene where Steve
> Martin's
> character says
> dismissively to someone "I'm not a bird watcher, I'm a birder" or
> something
> to that effect. Maybe
> he mentioned something about people who watch birds in their back
> yard, I
> don't remember exactly.
>
> I have noticed on some bulletin boards and on various bird lists,
> that if I
> post with pretty specific questions that
> don't relate to species, and quite clearly state somewhere within
> the post
> that I'm not a lister and don't have
> particular target birds, inevitably I get replies as if I am a
> lister 'this
> area is good for x, that area good for y:
> and the requests for other specific info go unaswered. Its as if the
> fact
> that someone who is asking the questions a
> serious enthusiast would ask couldn't possibly not be a lister as
> well.
>
> So after seeing the movie I started to wonder, am I a birder? I
> know I'm
> not a particularly serious one but I have considered myself
> part of the community for quite awhile. But perhaps I'm a bird
> watcher?
>
> Assuming there is no negative connotation to either definition -
> what is the
> difference?
> Listing? Venturing beyond the backyard? Membership in Audubon or
> bird
> clubs?
> Not a particularly important question and perhaps a bit devisive
> (not my
> intent) but something I've been pondering.
>
> Mary, Fairborn
>
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______________________________________________________________________
Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society.
Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list.
Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at
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Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list.
Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/.
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