I've seen the future of birding

I spent a bit of time watching the TV coverage of the Masters golf over the weekend. It got me thinking...

There was a gallery that followed the golfers around the course (invariably the largest crowds gravitated towards that serial grouch Tiger Woods). They shared with them every swing that was taken, jointly pontificated over every shot choice and analised the surface of the green before every putt. Vicarious golfing if ever there was. Now, what if birding became a spectator sport?

Imagine the gallery following a top lister, all being asked for hush as he (it will invariably be a he), approaches the coastal headland and turns to his caddy for a choice of binocualr or telescope. The caddy polishes the lenses and hands him a Swarovski 10x42 EL - the top lister obviously feels that he doesn't need the power of a big hitter, like a telescope. He surveys the growth ahead of him and crouches down alongside a hedgerow. The crowd keep quiet, watching his facial expression for a clue as to what might happen next. After a couple of suspense-filled minutes his eyes dart left and right, there's a murmur in the crowd, he's onto something! In one swift action the binoculars come up to his eyes, he springs up, the crowd rise with him at the same time as a smart Orphean Warbler sits on top of a nearby bush. The crowd erupts, the lister punches the air along to calls from the throng such as 'On the list!', 'You the man!' and 'Hot Optics!' As he walks to the next habitat, the gallery trailing in his wake, he surveys the water ahead of him, turns to his caddy and selects a telescope. This will need some serious power.

At the end of his round he will hand in his list for scrutiny - a panel of recorders will be sitting in a hut to verify his claims. As far fetched as this might be, I reckon that there might be a market for this kind of entertainment... you heard it here first.

Comments

Andrew Cunningham said…
And the heated discussion by the TV pundits after the reserve warden comes out to admonish the rookie birder for time wasting.
18 April 2013 at 20:00
Jerry said…
Recon if Richard, Oosertuis-Millington claims to have nabbed a Short-toed Eagle on the 18th - the panel of recorders led by head judge Lee Evans, will undoubtedly reject it.
18 April 2013 at 20:35
Gibster said…
My friend and I had a thought whilst trolling the lanes of Scilly one autumn. We were both on a Big Year (I managed 314, not too shabby but hardly top drawer) and agreed that when we retire (rich and famous, obviously) we would do THE Big Year, fully documented with camera crew and helicopters and endless cash. We'd probably pimp ourselves to Channel 4 and be on a few radio stations too. Our lists would be flawlessly documented for the world to see.

Then he buggered off to Oz and I discovered Pan-species Listing. Ho hum... :D
18 April 2013 at 21:25
Steve Gale said…
Very topical Andrew - I think we might be seeing quite a bit more from that particular Chinese golfer
19 April 2013 at 09:21
Steve Gale said…
Officialdom, in any form, will always upset somebody Jerry
19 April 2013 at 09:22
Steve Gale said…
A birder that then found pan-listing... that sounds disturbingly familiar Seth...
19 April 2013 at 09:23
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