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NAVIGATION
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So what is "Bird Ignoring"?
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I enjoy Bird Watching I have to say... but then I decided to go with a NEW hobby - ignoring birds! Not easy especially when they're right in front of you... but with a little practice you to can ignore the birds that you meet by simply 'blanking' them or pretending not to have seen - try it!
More info... When I go out Birdwatching, I often take my binoculars, 'scope, field guides for identification etc. etc. - well, you won't need any of those, unless you specifically want to know the bird you are trying to ignore... the trick then is to ID it before it notices you showing interest and then scarper... now it's cheating a bit, because going to that length to ID is hardly 'ignoring' now is it?
Best method - see a bird you recognise... look in the other direction and walk away... so this is better done when 'close up'.
I do however suggest you wear waterproof gear and sturdy footwear shoud the need be identified... no good going out ignoring birds if you're going to get soaked to the skin... you'll be laid up in bed with that terrible illness - "The Sniffles" or the dreaded "Hey, it's not just a cold this, you know!"
Some people want to take a camera to photograph the birds they've ignored - I can't stress how important it is NOT to do this... not only are you 'not ignoring' them, you'll have proof that you've done the opposite - woe betide you should any serious 'Bird Ignorers' see these!
Of course, this is all nonsense... just a bit of fun, but it's strange to see how it's taken off - I've received photos of people 'ignoring birds' whilst out and about and hear about the latest 'Iggies' that people have done - like Frankenstein, I think I maywell have created a monster!
So that's Bird Ignoring - try it for yourelf - If however, it's Birdwatching that you're into - then I've a forum for this - Click Here To View |
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Photos Of Birds For You To Ignore
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 Some birds will try anything for you not to ignore them - DON'T FALL FOR IT!
Here's a Bewick's Swan that's 'showing off' with a bit of acrobatics... it then went on to do a bit of tap-dancing before playing a ukelele - before I knew it, I was watching... and I couldn't add to my 'ignore' list!
Here's my dog Rosie... not only actively ignoring these ducks on the canal (Parbold, Lancashire, NW England) she's clearly enjoying doing so!
To her immediate right is my other dog Gina trying for a 'Double Whammy' - not only is she ignoring the ducks, she's ignoring me also, hence avoiding being in the photo.
Here's a Hawaiian Goose (or 'Nene') that was asleep; I waited FOR the b*gger to wake up, and when eyes did indeed flick open, I picked up my newspaper and pretended to read as an ignoring technique.
He was asleep for several hours, but I waited... and it was worth it!
Now look at this b*gger - going for the 'endearing' effect - British women of all ages will look at this photo and say 'aw, bless' (they do that with 'cute' animals and babies for some reason).
Don't be fooled... don't get involved - IGNORE!
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Bird Ignorers Of the World
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 This is Barry Seddon from Lancashire England, a semi-professional Bird Ignorer (or 'Bigger') and member of the B..B.I.S. (British Bird Ignoring Society).
Here he clearly demonstrates his trademark 'I'm NOT looking at you, and you know it!' technique to some ducks on the canal... the one pictured bottom left looks particularly miffed.
What's also impressive is the level of professionalism adopted by Barry re: people approaching - often, a Bigger will wait for passers by to... well, to pass by before doing his 'Bigging' - Barry has however had years of training and is unconcerned, despite the strange looks he often gets and comments such as "you daft s*d" from the general public.
"A word of caution about ignoring birds" warns Barry, "be careful not to get too close to the bird you're ignoring - I once did that with a Canada Goose... I turned away to 'snub' it and the b*gger bit my *rse!"
Wise words indeed Barry - and a handy tip for all budding Biggers!
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Bird Ignoring/Bird Avoiding - is there a difference?
There surely is... avoiding them is NOT part of Bird Ignoring... you are simply choosing to be where birds 'aren't' - therefore it's a totally different thing entirely and is often related to a phobia of birds or simply a severe dilike for them (for more information on this, contact N.A.B.A. - the National Association of Bird Avoiders).
Don't even think about doing this if you're a serious 'Ignorer' - just because your friend tells you he's seen a Reed Bunting, and you choose not to go along to ignore it - then you CANNOT add it to your 'Iggie' list.
You must go along, see the bird in question and THEN ignore it.
"I can't see the difference" you might say - well, put it this way...
Try crossing a road.
If there's a car coming and you avoid it - there's no problem.
Try ignoring it though - you'll soon see there's a difference!
Stick with Ignoring folks - avoid avoiding.
Mind you, don't get this mixed up with "Avoiding Bird Avoiding" - that's yet another hobby... we'll discuss that another time.
Help! I can't identify the bird I'm ignoring - what do I do?
Sadly... there's not much you can do in this situation other than find another bird.
If you have problems with identification, you're going to have to examine it more closely... look it up in a book etc. thus, you've done the opposite of 'ignoring' here by giving the bird your full attention.
I have a problem still in telling the difference between a Black-tailed Godwit and a Bar-tailed Godwit... no matter how much I try to be 'nonchalent' about it, I still can't do it and have to use binoculars and a book - so I usually just walk away and look for something that's easier to ignore... such as a Mute Swan or a Mallard.
It's frustrating, especially when you've a 'new' bird you want to add to your 'Iggie' list... I was frustrated the other week to notice (then quickly look away from) what was either a Marsh Tit or a Willow Tit... I hung around for a bit to listen out for its call (which would have given me it's I.D. easily - unless it was doing impersonations of whichever bird it wasn't) but it b*ggered off!
Not only was I disappointed, I was upset that it had chosen to ignore ME instead of vice-versa... I certainly didn't enjoy my evening mug of cocoa after that incident.
If in doubt - find something easy to I.D. and ignore, it'll save you from getting upset, and you'll enjoy your cocoa better!
Happy ignoring!
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Bird Ignorers of the WWW!
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Want to share information about the birds you've ignored with other Bird Ignorers (or 'Biggers') across the WWW?
YOU could be one of the first people to get involved in the craze that's soon to sweep the www (possibly).
All I want is the following:
1. Info. about the bird(s) you've ignored... any info.
2. Your first name (or pseudonym if preferred).
3. Hometown OR county/region AND country.
Please send to:
birdignoring@hotmail.com
Look forward to hearing from you!
Regards!
Neil |
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© Neil Baxter, 2009
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