Grumpy Old Birder

Birding This article first appeared in Birdwatching Magazine February 2018 Like my childhood self I am in awe of the vast blueness of sky over the summer reed-bed. Is this ineffable depth, breadth and beauty God? Unknowable and visceral, my … Continue reading → The post GOB 100 – Birding appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Tree Huggers & Tree Muggers This article first appeared in Birdwatching Magazine January 2018 Who could resist running one’s hand along the skin-smooth bark of a beech tree or hugging a hornbeam? Can anyone doubt the primal pleasure of hearing … Continue reading → The post GOB 99 – Tree Huggers & Tree Muggers appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Garden Cities This article first appeared in Birdwatching Magazine November 2017 I watched the World Athletics Championships Marathon wending its way through the historic streets of the City of London and was struck by two things over and above my … Continue reading → The post GOB 97 – Garden Cities appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Tales of the Unexpected This article first appeared in Birdwatching Magazine Autumn 2017 Outside a summer gale is rocking every bush in my tiny garden… this seems to be an inevitable consequence of sweeping the patio and clearing all the … Continue reading → The post GOB 96 – Tales of the Unexpected appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Tales of the Riverbank This article first appeared in Birdwatching Magazine October 2017 Boxing is brutal with many more losers than winners. One might argue it saves tearaway teenagers from a life of crime, but, in a progressive society it … Continue reading → The post GOB – 95 Tales of the Riverbank appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Crop Rotation This article first appeared in Birdwatching Magazine September 2017 Half a century ago, a Malaysian friend told me of his dream. He wanted to write, but first needed to earn enough money to buy a small plot of … Continue reading → The post GOB 94 – Crop Rotation appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Rubbish Party This article first appeared in Birdwatching Magazine August 2017 The ‘Rubbish Party’ won a council seat somewhere in Scotland in the last council elections. If you think this appellation is an unprecedented admission of political ineptitude, let me … Continue reading → The post GOB 93 – Rubbish Party appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Old Gits & Spoilt Brats This article first appeared in Birdwatching Magazine July 2017 Rant Warning! Why on earth would you be bothered about disability access to nature reserves? It’s obviously not much of a problem as just about every … Continue reading → The post GOB 92 – Old Gits & Spoilt Brats appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Birding Doldrums This article first appeared in Birdwatching Magazine June 2017 Picture this, everyone around you is just getting into their shorts and sandals, beaming with bonhomie and generally frolicking in the sunshine and you stare out at the blue … Continue reading → The post GOB 91 – Birding Doldrums appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Snap Happy Birders  This article first appeared in Birdwatching Magazine May 2017   The photo revolution took off when we no longer needed to buy film. When I was given my birthday ‘box brownie’ it took me about two months … Continue reading → The post GOB 90 – Snap Happy Birders appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Nature Study This article first appeared in Birdwatching Magazine April 2017 The question I see asked on local birding forums, more than any other, is ‘how do I get the kids interested in birding?’ Some may take to birding like … Continue reading → The post GOB 89 – Nature Study appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Mindfulness (This article first appeared in the March 2017 edition of ‘Birdwatching’ magazine) Mindfulness seems to be the buzzword of the last year or so… it’s a therapeutic technique, the idea being that you achieve a desired mental state by … Continue reading → The post GOB 88 – Mindfulness appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Waxwing Winter Wonders (This article first appeared in the February 2017 edition of ‘Birdwatching’ magazine) This winter waxwings were far enough south for me to see some on an outing that took just forty-five minutes, including thirty minutes watching time! … Continue reading → The post GOB 87 – Waxwing Winter Wonders appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Bogies & Bugs (This article first appeared in the January 2017 edition of ‘Birdwatching’ magazine) Do you have a bogie bird? One that, despite not being rare you keep failing to connect with, especially after passing someone saying its ‘showing … Continue reading → The post GOB 86 – Bogies & Bugs appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Women’s Work (This article first appeared in the December 2016 edition of ‘Birdwatching’ magazine) In the 1970’s TV sitcom ‘I didn’t know you cared’ Uncle Mort says that women are made for the fripperies of life, like DIY and carrying … Continue reading → The post GOB 85 – Women’s Work appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Call me 50 (per)cent (This article first appeared in the November 2016 edition of ‘Birdwatching’ magazine) Somewhere between 65% and 70% of this sceptre isle’s land is used for agriculture. 57% of agriculture is ‘rough pasture’ and another 24% is … Continue reading → The post GOB 84 – Call me 50 (per)cent appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Eat The Rich (This article first appeared in the November 2016 edition of ‘Birdwatching’ magazine) Jonathan Swift of Gulliver fame wrote his famous tract A Modest Proposal for Preventing the Children of Poor People From Being a Burthen to Their Parents … Continue reading → The post GOB 83 – Eat The Rich appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Brave Kiwis (This article first appeared in the October 2016 edition of ‘Birdwatching’ magazine) I remember the first time I visited my parents after they emigrated to New Zealand; as we started our descent into Auckland the pilot came on … Continue reading → The post GOB 82 – Brave Kiwis appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Rio & Reality (This article first appeared in the September 2016 edition of ‘Birdwatching’ magazine) Do you remember the Rio dictum ‘Think Global, Act Local’? How about NIMBY – ‘Not In My Back Yard’? Not everyone does. My local Green … Continue reading → The post GOB 81 – Rio & Reality appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Organics (This article first appeared in the August 2016 edition of ‘Birdwatching’ magazine) My food bill has risen and I’m glad! We recently decided to change what we eat. I’m still a non-meat eater married to a carnivore and we … Continue reading → The post GOB 80 – Organics appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Birding 101 (This article first appeared in the July 2016 edition of ‘Birdwatching’ magazine) How enamoured are you of today’s birding scene? Do you relish the technological advantages today’s birders have or miss the old ‘anything about mate?’ days? Like … Continue reading → The post GOB 79 – Birding 101 appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Plan Ahead (This article first appeared in the June 2016 edition of ‘Birdwatching’ magazine) In 1872 President Ulysses S. Grant created the world’s first National Park, Yellowstone. Between 1905 and 1909, several European countries also established them, more as symbols of … Continue reading → The post GOB 78 – Plan Ahead appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Fings Ain’t What They Used To Be (This article first appeared in the May 2016 edition of ‘Birdwatching’ magazine) The thing about ageing is that you tend to look backward at things with more than a hint of roseate tern … Continue reading → The post GOB 77 – Fings Ain’t What They Used To Be appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Good Things Come In Less Packaging (This article first appeared in the April 2016 edition of ‘Birdwatching’ magazine) Today I bought what I thought was an ordinary box of tissues at the supermarket. I’m an old-fashioned red-spotted handkerchief man really, … Continue reading → The post GOB 76 – Good Things Come In Less Packaging appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Clear Fell (This article first appeared in the March 2016 edition of ‘Birdwatching’ magazine) Regular readers will know how genuine my affection is for undisciplined dog walkers. They will also know how I believe that our over-romanticised idea of the … Continue reading → The post GOB 75 – Clear Fell appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

The Little Lady Will Have A Sherry (This article first appeared in the February 2016 edition of ‘Birdwatching’ magazine) Have I banged on lately about sexism in birding? It’s still as prevalent as feral pigeons in Trafalgar Square. It doesn’t … Continue reading → The post GOB 74 – The Little Lady Will Have A Sherry appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Missed Opportunities (This article first appeared in the January 2016 edition of ‘Birdwatching’ magazine) I’ve eaten Chicken Kiev in Kiev; bought Moroccan leather in Marrakesh and sat listening to the Beach Boys sing Californian Girls in Long Beach with a … Continue reading → The post GOB 73 – Missed Opportunities appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Blackcaps & Spadgers (This article first appeared in the December 2015 edition of ‘Birdwatching’ magazine) Not so long ago I told you the tale of my overwintering Blackcaps… well it turns out I will not have been alone. Blackcaps are … Continue reading → The post GOB 72 – Blackcaps & Spadgers appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

I wandered lonely as a cloud… (This article first appeared in the October 2015 edition of ‘Birdwatching’ magazine) I blame Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Hardy, Brontë, Burns & Tolkein, Turner, Landseer & Constable. Between them they have led us to believe in … Continue reading → The post GOB 71 – I wandered lonely as a cloud… appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Sound Advice (This article first appeared in the November 2015 edition of ‘Birdwatching’ magazine) I suffer from progressive hearing loss; I am profoundly deaf in one ear, and get periods of complete deafness in the other. I share this not … Continue reading → The post GOB 70 – Sound Advice appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Swift Justice  (This article first appeared in the Autumn 2015 edition of ‘Birdwatching’ magazine) Six swifts sped past my office window distracting me from my keyboard slavery. The screen’s hypnotic grasp eluded, I nipped downstairs for some fresh air and … Continue reading → The post GOB 69 – Swift Justice appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

What will they think of next…. (This article first appeared in the September 2015 edition of ‘Birdwatching’ magazine) “I’m not sure, I didn’t look to see if there is anything about”… was my reply to Hawkeye as we drove towards … Continue reading → The post GOB 68 – What will they think of next…. appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Road Rage (This article first appeared in the August 2015 edition of ‘Birdwatching’ magazine) I was asked to speak at the Scottish Bird Fair – or to give it its proper title ‘Scotland’s Big Nature Festival’, and knowing that there … Continue reading → The post GOB 67 – Road Rage appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Vintage Birds… (This article first appeared in the July 2015 edition of ‘Birdwatching’ magazine) Waiting while Hawkeye found more ways to spend my ‘hard earned’ in ‘George’ at Asda my eye’s corner spied the Herring Gulls on the grass verge … Continue reading → The post GOB 66 – Vintage Birds appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Blackcap… (This article first appeared in the June 2015 edition of ‘Birdwatching’ magazine) There is something immensely charming about a Blackcap. Their Jet black or red-brown bonnet setting off the subtle grey throat and belly and washed out olive wings, … Continue reading → The post GOB 65 – Blackcap… appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Listing to one side… (This article first appeared in the May 2015 edition of Birdwatching Magazine) Somewhere wreathed in mist and hidden by a time vortex is the schism that divided those who need to note their observations and those … Continue reading → The post GOB 64 – Listing to one side… appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Hands up who like fluffy kittens? (This article first appeared in the April 2015 edition of Birdwatching magazine) Hands up who likes furry pets, penguins and Puffins. OK. Now, hands up who likes starlings, snakes and spiders. A few generations … Continue reading → The post GOB 63 – Hands up who like fluffy kittens? appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Let’s Shake On It (This article first appeared in the February 2015 Edition of Birdwatching) Popular myth would have it that we used to be a nation of ladies gentlemen… our word was our bond. The great and good had … Continue reading → The post GOB 61 – Let’s Shake On It appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

What have you done today to make you feel proud? (This article first appeared in the January Edition of Birdwatching) So asked Heather Small on her album ‘Proud’. Two things led to me asking myself, and you, that question. The … Continue reading → The post GOB 60 – What have you done today to make you feel proud? appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Go Ahead… Make My Day (This article first appeared in the January 2015 edition of Birdwatching magazine) I was lying in bed counting diving Gannets. (When you get to my age sleep is like a birding tour, every day you … Continue reading → The post GOB 59 – Go Ahead… Make My Day appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Shoes, Ships & Sealing Wax… (This article first appeared in the December 2014 edition of Birdwatching magazine) Birding has gone all hi-tech lately, with apps and software, anti-shake bins and pictures taken through your scope by mobile phones, but have … Continue reading → The post GOB 58 – Shoes, Ships & Sealing Wax… appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Jollies, Junkets, Freebies & Fam Trips (This article first appeared in the November 2014 edition of Birdwatching magazine) It astounds me that those who have get more, and those who haven’t often get that taken away! Stars attending galas leave … Continue reading → The post GOB 57 – Jollies, Junkets, Freebies & Fam Trips appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Record Breakers (This article first appeared in the October 2014 edition of Birdwatching) When an old mate of mine got his newly retired dad into birding some of the birds he saw were a surprise. Before he ticked Swallow he … Continue reading → The post GOB 56 – Record Breakers appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Gone Fishing (This article first appeared in the September 2014 edition of Birdwatching) I enjoy watching boxing. I feel that brute force and athleticism combine, creating choreography no less fascinating than the ‘beautiful’ game we English get so over in a World … Continue reading → The post GOB 55 – Gone Fishing appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Nature’s Wonderland (This article first appeared in the August 2014 edition of ‘Birdwatching’) Which is Britain’s largest nature reserve? Is it in Wales, or Scotland or perhaps East Anglia? Look out of your window…yes folks, there it is! Our gardens … Continue reading → The post GOB 54 – Nature’s Wonderland appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Do Bears Sit in the Woods? (This article first appeared in the July 2014 edition of ‘Birdwatching’) If, like me, you grew up in 1950s England you will probably have a love/hate relationship with the French. The French have been … Continue reading → The post GOB 53 – Do Bears Sit in the Woods? appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Curious Beaks  (This article first appeared in the June 2014 edition of ‘Birdwatching’) There must be many ageing birders who use their mind’s eye to travel back to their birding roots. They say that, once you are past thirty you … Continue reading → The post GOB 52 – Curious Beaks appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Columbus Red Wobbler  (This article first appeared in the May 2014 edition of ‘Birdwatching’) Arching my eyebrows I concentrated as my guide cupped hand to ear and repeated: “Columbus Red Wobbler” I shook my head again when he pointed to … Continue reading → The post GOB 51 – Columbus Red Wobbler appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

The Truth About Cats & Dogs (This article first appeared in the April 2014 edition of ‘Birdwatching’) It is time we started to tell the truth about cats and dogs and how they impact on wildlife. For far too long … Continue reading → The post GOB 50 – The Truth About Cats & Dogs appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Give me my Raptor today… II (This article first appeared in the March 2014 edition of ‘Birdwatching’) Mrs Grumpy and I are fans of Van Morrison and whenever we sing along to ‘Give me my rapture today…” we change rapture … Continue reading → The post GOB 49 – Give me my Raptor today… II appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.

Rose-coloured Binoculars (This article first appeared in the February 2014 edition of ‘Birdwatching’) I’m waiting for the perfect winter raptor day to dawn bright blue, crisp and frosty – a clear day when I can see far across flat fields. … Continue reading → The post GOB 48 – Rose-coloured Binoculars appeared first on Grumpy Old Birder.