tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post4321197192387490082..comments2024-03-29T08:37:59.411+00:00Comments on Not Quite Scilly: Avoiding the Definite ArticleGavin Haighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17242398421328525578noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-24066397879360784382022-02-15T23:54:05.316+00:002022-02-15T23:54:05.316+00:00Actually, Tim, I am not usually an angry man. I...Actually, Tim, I am not usually an angry man. I'm too old and I've experienced too much (personal loss etc) for that. With age comes a certain perspective. I also, usually, avoid online political debates. I always recall Paul Simon's lines from his 60s' song The Boxer: "A man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest."<br /><br />I do apologise for the personal tone of my post. I sincerely didn't mean to come across as abusive/insulting to you as an individual. But you are someone who bangs this particular drum loudly and publicly.<br /><br />Please re-read the last paragraph of your reply to me. You suggest that I believe I have "no obligation" to act responsibly. I'm sorry, but I resent that. And my point was that if my and your carbon footprints over the past 30 years were compared, I'd bet my house that mine would be lower. Yet I don't grab the online megaphone and tell young birders that they can't enjoy the world that I did.<br /><br />I actually think that we're on the same side. Certainly, I think we should all do what we can to save the planet for future generations. I have two children who are in their 20s, and God knows I fear for the world they are going to inherit. I just get annoyed by a certain kind of personal self-righteousness when politicians and big business etc pay nothing but hypocritical lip-service to the big issues.<br /><br />Malcolm<br />MalRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13677360591428468754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-71571357513251881232022-02-15T22:56:02.841+00:002022-02-15T22:56:02.841+00:00Well Malcolm, you're an angry man for sure.
I...Well Malcolm, you're an angry man for sure.<br /><br />I stopped flying 15 years ago, a couple of years after I started teaching climate change as part of the science curriculum. Prior to that I birded abroad once a year, often staying for lengthy periods, such as two years in Indonesia and a year in Greece. During these periods abroad, I didn't even drive and lived a low impact lifestyle. I suspect my carbon footprint during these years was actually far, far lower than that of someone in UK chasing rarities. It does, of course, suit people to push the idea that I was on a plane every other month. Your post is full of such errors.<br /><br />I live in East Norfolk.<br />Birding abroad isn't much of a help in terms of finding birds.<br />I have suppressed some birds, but a look at my TG42 past record posts will show just how many birds we have found here and others have enjoyed. A few in sensitive locations have been kept quiet as people simply can't behave and we are not going to lose access or cause locals problems just to placate those who care little for us or our neighbours.<br /><br />Yes, many activities are carbon heavy. They too will have to change. Football and music are starting to address these issues. We can't point to others and complain that they are worse so we can carry on doing what we like. That argument isn't used anywhere else.<br /><br />Let's face it, you know that what I say about carbon emissions and climate change is correct. It's just physics and chemistry at the end of the day. It makes you angry because you know that keeping the planet habitable means we will all have change. I have been proactive and done that.<br /><br />You can be abusive about me and distort reality as much as you like. The reality we face will be there every morning that you wake up. You can either do done thing about or say "fuck it, my enjoyment cones first". Do what you like, but own it and be honest.<br /><br />Things are changing because change is inevitable. There is no alternative.<br /><br />Or at least give me a good reason why you believe YOU have no obligation to act responsibly, especially if you're going to insult me for the changes I gave made and the desire I have to see the planet remain habitable.<br /><br />Tim Allwoodnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-41431211388334776142022-02-15T22:36:12.241+00:002022-02-15T22:36:12.241+00:00I wasn't going to comment on this post, but re...I wasn't going to comment on this post, but really, people like Tim Allwood need to start wearing dog-collars to show they are so much more holy than the rest of us. And just so this doesn't come across as sour grapes, I am 61 years old, have been birding since 1974 and have never left Europe in pursuit of my hobby<br /><br />Can I ask the Rev Allwood which countries he has visited in the past before he saw the light. I am absolutely certain he is a better birder than me, and one reason for that is that he spent his youth travelling the world watching birds. So guess what, now when something rare turns up on his North Norfolk patch (no barren inner-city desert for him), he can identify it (and surpress it) because he's seen dozens of them in their natural habitat. And somehow, strangely, that gives him the right to stop young birders from travelling to see these same birds, just as he did.<br /><br />A few weeks ago, I read a story on the BBC about West Ham Utd chartering a private plane to fly back ONE of their players who had been been playing in a tournament in the Caribbean. Another story reported that the golfer Rory McIlroy had flown from the Middle East to Florida alone in a private plane after a tournament. I'm sorry, but this self-righteous breast-beating by certain members of the birding community won't mean anything (apart from elevating themselves to sainthood in their own minds) until there is a serious global commitment to tackle the issues that face us.<br /><br />There is more self-righteous bullshit talked about this subject than anything else. The Formula One circus, anyone? Tennis? Golf? International football tournaments? The people who beat this birding drum are always those who have already filled their boots. Funny that, isn't it?<br /><br />Malcolm<br />MalRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13677360591428468754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-49556359960590353122022-02-15T14:15:12.537+00:002022-02-15T14:15:12.537+00:00Thanks for those two links Stew. I've just rea...Thanks for those two links Stew. I've just read them both, and yes, exactly the same sentiments.Gavin Haighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17242398421328525578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-59012325202033735782022-02-15T10:32:06.371+00:002022-02-15T10:32:06.371+00:00You know I agree Gavin. Driving long distances jus...You know I agree Gavin. Driving long distances just to see a bird while thinking we are conservationists, nature lovers and the like provokes a large amount of cognitive dissonance that has to be rationalised if the behaviour is to continue.<br /><br />I see frequent criticism of many other behaviours that damage the natural world but when it comes to our own carbon emissions it appears to be different. There are many justifications but deep down I suspect 90% know the situation is more than a little uncomfortable.<br /><br />We don't have to stop travelling to see birds but there are only so many car miles we can do before we go beyond our personal limits for emission levels that keep us below 2 degs etc - a level that in itself will be hugely destructive. And as people who profess to others that we should care for the natural world, it is simply no longer possible to say one thing while acting differently. <br /><br />This leads us to some very difficult decisions. We either decide to reduce our mileage as much as possible or we carry on and pretend to ourselves that for some reason it's okay for us to continue our emissions. <br /><br />Yes, some places are not as good as others for birding and without travelling, 'rare' birds will generally not be seen. That is the harsh reality now. Do people go after the "the" or stay local? Do they keep emitting and chasing rarities? Do they decide seeing the rarities is more important? Or do they make the difficult choice and greatly reduce their emissions for the sake of a liveable planet? <br /><br />As things worsen, it will become more and more antisocial to "waste" carbon like this. I really hope people can act altruistically and can begin encouraging others to do so too. <br /><br />Horribly awkward for keen birders and it will take courage, self-sacrifice and willpower to act for the good of the planet and those who will otherwise suffer as a result of our continued profligate emissions. <br /><br />Tim Allwoodnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-17836884259968485302022-02-15T09:52:33.804+00:002022-02-15T09:52:33.804+00:00Very true, Ben. And your approach is very similar ...Very true, Ben. And your approach is very similar to mine. Took me a good few years to get there though... Gavin Haighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17242398421328525578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-6548966089619717232022-02-15T09:47:10.206+00:002022-02-15T09:47:10.206+00:00I suspect this blog is like a specialist magazine....I suspect this blog is like a specialist magazine. There are only so many topics in its repertoire, so expect it to revisit them often. 😄Gavin Haighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17242398421328525578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-28491960481275376632022-02-15T09:43:29.860+00:002022-02-15T09:43:29.860+00:00What an experience! Yes, I feel similarly. I can t...What an experience! Yes, I feel similarly. I can think of a few birds I have revisited several times because they are just so enjoyable, so special. And as you say, the memories live long...Gavin Haighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17242398421328525578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-92216200348262108372022-02-15T09:37:58.685+00:002022-02-15T09:37:58.685+00:00If it was local or on the Axe, yes, definitely. Fu...If it was local or on the Axe, yes, definitely. Further afield though...probably not. I didn't even bother to twitch a Ross's Gull in Weymouth a while back. Enjoyed all the terrific photos though!Gavin Haighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17242398421328525578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-91705999155406193842022-02-15T09:02:57.843+00:002022-02-15T09:02:57.843+00:00To twitch or not to twitch, that is a question tha...To twitch or not to twitch, that is a question that rankles deep within you Gav. You have blogged about it so often yet, here we are again. <br /><br />Or is it the grammatical use of the definite article? Picking up on internet grammar is truly a lost cause. Having said that, I noted many years ago that country folk from my home range on the Mendips, tended to talk like that. "I saw the fox up over the quarry", would be uttered. Even as a youngster, I realised there would probably have been more than one. <br /><br /><br /><br />Dave Burrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08259482046178828401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-72636743060120965182022-02-15T09:01:19.866+00:002022-02-15T09:01:19.866+00:00oh and here, I repeat myself quite often...
https...oh and here, I repeat myself quite often...<br /><br />https://boulmerbirder.blogspot.com/2016/04/birders-and-birders.htmlStewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01985665182124985194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-54144205193167002992022-02-15T08:58:36.470+00:002022-02-15T08:58:36.470+00:00Going for 'the'! We always talk about it. ...Going for 'the'! We always talk about it. I blogged it here... :) https://boulmerbirder.blogspot.com/2018/02/going-for-the.htmlStewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01985665182124985194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-50381177229811520832022-02-15T07:37:14.416+00:002022-02-15T07:37:14.416+00:00I too get much more satisfaction from finding my o...I too get much more satisfaction from finding my own birds locally. If I had to choose between finding (for example) a Cattle Egret on my patch or driving across Somerset to see a rare duck, the Cattle Egret would win every time. I guess we are all different and there are lots of ways to enjoy birds. Ben Crabbnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-66658117484050844782022-02-15T01:47:49.472+00:002022-02-15T01:47:49.472+00:00But some things are worth seeing seeing again and ...But some things are worth seeing seeing again and again such as "Another visit to _the_ Goshawk site" and the memories stay with you for life. <br /><br />When, at a young age, I progressed from seeing birds to watching them I found a male Red Backed Shrike at my school (then my local patch in the middle of town about a quarter mile from home) during the summer holiday. I returned to watch it every day and could sit in the open within a few child paces of it.<br /><br />Then it was an exotic looking bird in my bird book. At the time (1970 ish) I did not realise how rare the bird was and it is now only one tick amongst many on my life list, some with their own memories.<br /><br />But I did know then how special the experience was and now I know how unique. That bird in the summer sun will never be forgotten.Paulnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-824385241230348874.post-43578911368442571682022-02-14T23:42:14.259+00:002022-02-14T23:42:14.259+00:00Rest assured Gav, should 'The' Pallas'...Rest assured Gav, should 'The' Pallas's Gull appear within range, I'll expect you to put on your best twitching boots.<br />I might consider the same should it be in full breeding plumage, no more than twenty miles away and not raining.<br />Richttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02714117508358025668noreply@blogger.com