The Oxfam bookshop in Cholton has a good range of second hand books for beginners on birding and bird identification. at least 10/15 books there today.

Would be perfect for a newcomer to the art of birding!

Louise (or any other tyro birder),

it isn't clear where you live but if near enough to Stockport then I can recommend the Stockport Birdwatching Societies outdoor meetings programme available on this website (but here is a LINK there's a word document linked from that webpage.

The next outdoor trip (for example) is Clumber Park & Idle Valley in miod February. All levels of birders on the trip and most of the more "expert" are pleased to share their knowledge.

booked it too, Judith.

Thanks for the info re the WEA course. I've booked myself on it even though I'm away for the last two sessions

Cheers Tony, I am a RSPB member with a Manchester postcode, shame its a Saturday though I normally can only get out during the week but I might be able to manage it.

I'm leading a trip to Pennington Flash on 18th Feb with Manchester RSPB Group if you want to come along.

PM me for details or you should be getting a newsletter in the next few weeks if you are a RSPB member with a Manchester postcode.

Yep, guided walks are a good way of picking things up. They also often take place at RSPB Conwy in North Wales.

Alternatively, meeting up with local birders and doing some local patch birding has got to be one of the best ways to get to know your birds thoroughly. There will eternally be things to learn and pick up but that is one of the joys of birding.

Henry.

just noticed a problem, it starts 30th March, on holiday for 2 weeks beginning of April, but I guess there wont be one on Good Friday, so maybe I woulds only miss one.

That looks very interesting Martyn

I find the best way to learn is by doing. Try listening to calls as much as (or even more than) just looking for birds. When you hear a call or song that you don't recognise try to locate where it is coming from and identify the culprit, over time you'll remember each call and song. I know it probably sounds like I'm stating the obvious, but you'd be surprised how often you hear birds you wouldn't otherwise have seen. A good idea for learning the flight calls of finches etc is to go to Spurn Bird Observatory in April and spend some time with the experienced birders counting migrating birds flying overhead (VisMig), these birds are often only identifiable by their flight calls, so you'll soon pick up a lot of the regular bird's calls. Hope this helps.

I had a look at the groups link, most seem to be meetings as opposed to field trips.

Thanks for the advice. I'll have a look at the RSPB meetings and clubs.

There's a WEA course in Sale starting in March which costs £62 for 10 weeks which I'm thinking of attending - it includes some fieldtrips I believe. Details are here.

And I believe there is a well-established birding class run by Peter Baron (I think) at the library in Prestwich which also includes fieldtrips.

The RSPB at Leighton Moss do quite a lot of guided walks in the area on a regular basis - details are here.

-- Edited by Martyn Jones on Friday 27th of January 2012 04:01:52 PM

I'm slowly getting some calls but even after four years back into birding I'm rubbish at calls too :)

As for seeing stuff I found going to places where it was "easy" to see more common birds to start with worked for me and then when I got my eye in a bit I found it easier to bird in "difficult" spots. As an example at Leighton there are loads of birds fairly easily seen and plenty of people around to help when you're not sure. A site that can be a bit more tricky like Moore can still be OK as you can start with the common gull species and waterfowl on the pools and the woodland birds on the feeders and then branch further afield into the woodland and grassland as you get your eye in!

If you try and identify stuff and are struggling most people will help if asked. Good luck!

Louise/Judith

Give some consideration to joining one of the local societies or RSPB groups that operate in the area. Details can be found on the "Clubs, Societies and Recording Groups" page on the main website. Lots of people with varying experience assisting each other.

Thanks to those who have replied/ pmed me.

Hi Louise. I'm rubbish too! I live in Sale and would be happy to go out sometime. I'm retired so free most days

ive also sent you a p.m

I really am rubbish at seeing birds, I dont even recognise calls. I try to get out most days when the weather is reasonable, is there anyone who fancies giving me a few pointers.
I am hoping to make Leighton Moss again too, as well as my regular haunts of Pennington and Worsley.
So if anyone feels like coming along and giving me some pointers send me a message. I am happy to drive.

Thanks.

Sent you a pm Louise


-- Edited by David Winnard on Thursday 26th of January 2012 06:18:05 PM