Chronicles

Bird Brain by: Mike Lushington                                                                                                           This is going to be a new column. Back in the fall of last year, I wrote several articles of advice for readers who were becoming interested in birding. After a bit, I let it drop, intending to pick it up again this spring; however, with one thing and another, I hadn't gotten around to it. Recently, though, I was approached with the idea of starting up again. This time I suggested a larger scope, one that would allow me more flexibility if I were to attempt a weekly effort that may well run year round. So this is where it starts. Are you a bird watcher? a birder? a naturalist? an ornithologist? Sometimes we get caught up with labels, and some of us can be rather fussy about which of them we feel should apply to what we do. I can remember, years ago, when I was running a great deal that many of my running acquaintances would bristle with indignation should someone, obviously not part of the fraternity, suggest that we were "jogging." Jogging was for plodders; we were serious runners - at least in our own minds. Much the same bit of snobbery exists over the use of the term "bird watching". Somehow the expression "bird watching" conjures up images of little old men and women trooping about in all sorts of particularly unattractive, baggy clothing, loaded down with binoculars and cameras as they twitter away over some little "tweety-bird" high in a neighbouring tree. Of course, that really is a pretty accurate description of many of us, but, somehow, it takes away from the seriousness of our preoccupation. "Birding" now, is a fine word - even though the old English teacher in me faintly protests its use. However, it seems likely that it is here to stay; it does seem to have the gravitas that the other term does not, but hardly the formal seriousness of the scientific term "ornithologist". ("Naturalist" is a great and recognizable word, but perhaps too general in its application.) Whatever we may decided to call ourselves, we enjoy our pursuit and I hope, in the coming weeks and months, to share some of that enjoyment with you. At the same time, I would welcome suggestions from you for topics within the subject that you would like to see me address - please feel free to offer them at any time. And, with that, I consider this project launched; now, to see where it leads us.

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