Bird Recognition

[Kilala]

Hi people, I am trying to improve my bird recognition skills, from calls, visual, eggs, nests etc. I have studied Countryside Management but this is a real weak spot, I have bought CD's, numbed myt bum bird watching, yet I still cannot recognise the birds when I go out?  I have the same problem with plant spp I just can't seem to drum anything into my brain!! Any ideas / courses?

[Cetti]

It sounds like you are trying to learn too much too fast. Take just one area - bird recognition and calls. This alone takes years. I have 13 ID books and 12 tapes and cd's, but the only sure way is to be with someone who knows their stuff when you actually see a particular bird or hear a particularly difficult call.

 I'm convinced some birds go out of their way to be awkward. For instance there are the sub-songs which begin before spring - a sort of warming up before the real performance. The spring songs to attract a mate, the contact calls, the take-your-eyes-of-my-woman calls, and the Blackbird even throws in a going-to-bed call just for good measure. It's no wonder our brains turn to porrige.

Everyone is different but this is what has help me. Get a good video or DVD guide. Be careful, there is a lot of expensive rubbish about. My favourites are 'The Video(or DVD) Guide to Bird Identification' 200 species of British Birds in the proper category - waders, raptors etc all with a brilliant commentary by top birder Dave Gosney. This can be purchased on the BirdGuides website.Another must is Bill Oddie's Video Guide to British Birds. This can be bought at any RSPB reserve and probably online. Find a friendly reserve, sit down in a hide, preferably with a good pair of bins and a scope, watch, wait, and ask a lot of questions(quietly!)Birdy folk love to share their knowledge.

[shaneystar]

cetti has given a great answer .
I also rely on my good old Collins Gem guide to British birds and this is a great website

http://www.birdsofbritain.co.uk/

[burnhal]

and dont think you are being an idiot by not knowing- as Cetti says us birdy people love to share knowledge. Birds do their utmost to look nothing like their pictures- and do their utmost to remain hidden and you have to rely on sound, habitat etc and there really is no substitute for going out with someone who knows. Where's your nearest RSPB reserve? Oh- and once youve heard a Cettis its never forgotten!!

[Kilala]

I am shortly moving to Eastbourne, as I go to college in East Sussex.  When I was younger, I was considered dyslexic, until they realised theat I simply cannot learn things by rote- I still do not know my times tables!  This means that I end up barging at things like this at full pelt, hoping my determination will pull me through.  I just feel so silly.  I'll ID a bird, then two days later I have no clue as to what it is!  A Wren was nesting outside my bedroom window all summer- God they are loud!  It took me months to identify it!  I listened to various Cd's the whole way through!

Thanks for your help.  I just want to plug the knowledge into my brain!

[Robinia]

This is a lovely & helpful thread  - burnhal's words about birds not looking like their pictures made me smile.  I'm sure they have little extensions & hi-lights just to confuse people like me!  And as for the songs ...!