Welcome aboard the game of County birding then Keith. From a decidly non-expert birder who not so very long ago couldn't tell the difference between a Nightingale and a Song Thrush. When you're out and about just ask birders you meet if you 'know them from the forum'. If they are my experience is they'll always be prepared to tell you what they know. Just say 'what's that over there?' or 'I think that's a...' Only on big national twitches have I found people swaggering about knowing it all and calling birds by stupid nicknames but actually knowing far less than you might imagine. Anyway Manchester Birding is not like that but it's only really where people check-in after being out and about. And btw there are huge numbers of guests who look but never sign up or take part which explains your views v replies ratio. Look at any thread and it will be the same.
Elite group? There is no elitism involved; isn't that the point of the past few posts
My mistake Ian, I didn't use that word to mean Elitism, I meant my name has been put amongst some highly respected birders there, and I didn't expect it that's all.
I must agree with Ian as regards Manchester birders in general, i got back into birding a few years ago and have found the site and the members very helpful, the members especially when met in the field people like Mike Passant, Charlie Owen, Tim Wilcox, Rob Creek, John Tymon, Keith Mills and many others have all been willing to share their knowledge and skills and pass on tips and id pointers etc, and to be honest out in the field is the best place to meet them, i have not actually met Ian but any e-mail, text or pm messages are always replied to with good solid information be the sender a novice or an experienced birder all are treated with due respect.
Regards
Bernard
Hi Keith, and thanks Bernard, I didn't expect to be mentioned in that Elite group, but I'm always happy to help anyone when in out birding or on the site as does everyone on here. Thanks Rob
Hi Keith
I must agree with Ian as regards Manchester birders in general, i got back into birding a few years ago and have found the site and the members very helpful, the members especially when met in the field people like Mike Passant, Charlie Owen, Tim Wilcox, Rob Creek, John Tymon, Keith Mills and many others have all been willing to share their knowledge and skills and pass on tips and id pointers etc, and to be honest out in the field is the best place to meet them, i have not actually met Ian but any e-mail, text or pm messages are always replied to with good solid information be the sender a novice or an experienced birder all are treated with due respect.
Regards
Bernard
I know what you mean Keith but you'll discover that Manchester Birding is quite unlike other forums in many (good in my view) ways. Help will always be available where needed but it's purposefully not much of a 'chat' forum by and large and is more about actual sightings and information. Consequently though, there's non of the 'nonsence' which seems to infiltrate (and indeed overwhelm) other forums and I seriously doubt there's another birding forum in the country which is moderated quite so closely. One thing is for sure though, there's no elitism on here, no experienced v inexperienced birders, it's just a case of this forum being 'different' from others in the way it goes about it's business; for starters, we use real names
Hi Ian
Thanks for the help with the bird ID's.
The sad face was more to do with being made to feel welcome by existing members to a forum site, nothing more.
My experiences on other sites is that new members are made to feel welcome and are likely to feel less intimidated by more experienced members and thus post more!
Just my observations and now put to bed
Rgds
Keith
Sorry Keith but seeing as your request was fulfilled practically immediately after posting on this forum (privately, but all birds identified nevertheless), is a sad emotion really necessary? Are more replies really better in this instance?
I use ISPOT as well. Its the second best site on the net (This being the first)
There are lots of folk on here who advise me but being able to put a pic on ISPOT generates an almost instant response. And your pics dont have to be to be perfect.
Hi Wilfy and welcome to the forum! I'm a novice birder but this site has been amazing since I joined! I'm sure there are loads of people on here who could ID some of your photos but I use the below site, which is excellent for identifying all sorts of nature. You have to register but it's definitely worth doing.
First post, so just saying hello. I've watched birds all my life and have recently taken to a bit of photography though not very good, so I will hopefully get some tips and help with bird id's on here.
I live not too far from Penny Flash and saw the kittiwake the other day.
Lastly, how do I post some pics for Id help that I have on my laptop? I can see the image button above but it is asking for a URL.
Rgds
Keith
