Birder's cup of tea code

As birders, we all like a nice cup of tea, don't we. Warming after a hard day's graft in the field, or a social imbibing in a cafe on a birding trip. But we all like our tea in differing ways, none more so than its strength or how much milk we take. This can be problematical and lead to disappointment.

My recent Dungeness visit introduced me to a foolproof way for birders to get the perfect cup of tea to suit themselves - especially if it is to be made by another birder. This was devised by Ray Turley and refined by Mark Hollingworth. Simply put, when asked how you would like your tea, you answer by selecting a warbler on the British list, whose upperpart plumage matches the colour of your perfect cuppa.

So, a weak milky tea will be knowns as 'A Desert Warbler', whilst a strong cuppa could be called a 'Cetti's'. I personally go for a 'Reed Warbler'.

It has been known for shit-hot birders to order a 'Syke's' only to send it back because the strength and colour was more 'Booted'.

Comments

Tony Brown said…
I too go for a 'Reed Warbler, although in the mornings, I like a large mug - the 'Great Reed Warbler'
27 January 2014 at 13:01
Steve Gale said…
Tony, I wish I'd thought of that - brilliant observation!
27 January 2014 at 17:32
Paul Trodd said…
The other week the Bard of Greatstone served me up a cup of `Clamorous Reed Warbler`, no doubt a shade of acrocephalus the old boy was familiar with from his time in foreign parts; it was a bit like `Great Reed Warbler` but with an oily sheen, acceptable, but an acquired taste I felt. However, what you don`t want is a cup of `Richard`s Pipit`, complete with streaky floaters, that normally means the milk is rancid...
27 January 2014 at 18:20
Unknown said…
Excellent system! Thrushes could be adopted for coffee. Blackbird is the obvious one for no milk.
27 January 2014 at 18:31
Stewart said…
Ah I'm a Glaucous Gull juv meself Steve...
27 January 2014 at 19:00
Steve Gale said…
Thanks for the comments chaps. It is obvious that we might be limiting ourselves if we just stick to warblers.
28 January 2014 at 08:14
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