Anatomy of a patch watcher

To be a successful patch worker you need...

Optimism - "That flock of Linnets could attract a Common Rosefinch"

Blind faith - "That flock of Linnets will, one day, attract a Common Rosefinch"

Determination - "If I check that flock of Linnets three times a day I will find a Common Rosefinch"

Imagination - "That sparrow-like bird with the Linnet flock could have been a Common Rosefinch"

Appreciation - "My goodness, doesn't that flock of Linnets (without a Common Rosefinch with them) look grand"

But it can all go wrong...

Envy - "That bastard down the road has had a Common Rosefinch in his Linnet flock and he only checks them twice a day"

Anger - "Why the bloody hell as every other Linnet flock within twenty miles got something in with them apart from my flock?"

Despair - "My life will never be complete until I find a Common Rosefinch in my Linnet flock. I'm a feeble, sad, lonely man and a crap birder to boot"

Defeat - "Sod this for a game of soldiers, I'm off to Dungeness. I hate Linnets"

Comments

Graham James said…
The first section of your post reminds me of someone we both know very well Steve!
16 September 2010 at 17:30
Simon Taylor said…
Reminds me of myself. I'll get Common Rosefinch on my patch one day.......
16 September 2010 at 21:50
DorsetDipper said…
I think the bottom line is you have to enjoy just being out at your local patch, and watching whatever birds are around. Anything unusual is a bonus.
16 September 2010 at 22:22
John Young said…
What about just blatent stringing. Jesus! it's a flock of Common Rosefinches with that Linnet. Then going home happy.
17 September 2010 at 20:07
Steve Gale said…
Graham: I don't know who you mean...:-)

Simon: Surely a birder from Kernow can do better than a Rosefinch. A yankee warbler at least!

DDipper: You are, as always, the voice of reason

John: I'd forgotten about stringing. maybe it is too painful an admission for me.
17 September 2010 at 20:17
seppy said…
No, stringy is what you label the fella who comes poaching onto your patch when your not looking, and claims a rosefinch in your flock of linnets that you've been watching all autumn!!

You've captured the many facets of patch birding very well!

And the password for leaving a comment was speaw, which is what you'd probably do when you finally hear about the rosefinch!
18 September 2010 at 21:25
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