Life listing

[Joe stockwell]

Now considering im only 17 and i do't travel around that much im quite happy with my eropean life total so far 184! now im pleased with that as i dont travel to see rare birds or go on birding holidays, i have sixteen new species to try and see this year and i hope im going to crack the 200! with a trip to the alps in august i should manage it!

[Colin Key]

Well done Joe, I am sure that with your forthcoming trip to the Alps you should certainly crack the 200 mark, if not 250.

Although I am closer to the "other end" of my birding career (but not quite on the heap just yet!) I have never been on a birding holiday (I hate "organised" entertainment) nor did I chase rare birds around the country when I lived in the UK. I did most of my birding in Kent and E Sussex and only went to twitch a rarity if it was within reasonable distance. I have never been to the Scilly Isles although I must admit I was sorely tempted, but more for the entertainment (large group of manic birders = circus) than the birds.

My best birding mate has been to every continent except Antarctica and has a life list of several thousand. He pays vast sums of money to local guides to get him the birds. I often pull his leg about his "posh foreign birds", especially when he has just called a feral pigeon a Peregrine (something I have to admit I have done myself!).

He wants me to go to South America with him this year, and to Ecuador in particular; I've told him I don't want to be half of a geriatric "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" team (I presume you have seen the film).

Good luck for the future,

Colin :smile:

[Brian S]

Joe

Don't be put off by the old codger Colin. :laugh:

There is nothing wrong with having seen lots of birds, or with using guides when you feel you need to. Certainly, there is a great sense of achievement when finding your own birds, especially new species, and in doing so learning more. However, you can also learn from others (why do children go to school?), so it is nothing to shy away from - you might say as a leader of trips abroad I would say that!

Where in the Alps are you going? I have been many times and might be able to give you some help before you go...

Brian S

[Colin Key]

Didn't intend to undermine your, errr, "business interests" here Brian :ohdear:. Just saw Joe's post and thought he deserved a bit of encouragement; to be honest, I am (as a retired academic) more interested in enthusing other potential birders (young and old) than seeing new birds for myself, as well as working for conservation to "put a little bit back in".

Now, just how much are you going to charge Joe for this help prior to his visit to the Alps? :laugh::laugh::laugh:

Colin:wink:

[Bobolink44]

Hi Joe, well done, sounds like you're plugging away steadily towards 200. But no hurry, you've got a whole listing career ahead of you. Take time to smell the roses and enjoy the birds and scenery on the way. Good thing about being in to listing is that it does force you to look at lists of species of birds (the gaps on your list), pull out the reference books to see what they look like and where you can find them. Internet is now a great resource for that and has made listing a bit more accessible to all.

[Joe stockwell]

i am going to a place called meribel 1 1/2 hours south of aneccy last time i went i had twenty new birds, my main ambition on this holiday is to find a alipine accentor and maybe a few shrikes as i have never seen one.

[henerz1]

Hey Joe. My (non-birding) brother went to Meribel a couple of years ago and sickened me upon his return with cracking pics of White-winged Snowfinch and Alpine Accentor! You should have a great time and good luck with finding the lifers.
Henerz.

[butor2003]

Joe,

I live not far from Annecy so if you need any help as regards good spots PM me. The Col de la Colombière is very good for all these alpine species and Alpine Accentor is usually to be seen. The Col is the wrong side of Annecy to Meribel but maybe something cam be worked out.

Mike

[Joe stockwell]

having a good year so far with a very large lifer total this year with now a 234 euro list

butor i have been to the annecy area before and geneva for a day, didnt really see a lot when i went (wasnt really concentraiting family holday) so want to really do it hard this year will pm you some details of dates and area if you could give me some details of what i may see that would be fantastic