dumbfoundry

Twitchers watch robin served rare

Birdwatchers from all over Britain who gathered in Grimsby to catch sight of a rare American robin were horrified to see her eaten by a passing sparrowhawk.

They were still setting up their cameras when the predator swooped down from a row of drab factories and warehouses on an industrial estate.

The young bird, from the southern US, "didn't really live to enjoy her moment of fame," a twitcher told the Guardian.

twitcher

Birding can be one of the quieter and more relaxed outdoor activities. However, some birders are keen rarity seekers and will travel long distances to see a new species to add to one of their "lists," e.g., life list, British list, etc. In Great Britain, these fanatical birders are commonly known by the light-hearted slang term of twitchers, presumably from the frenzy that descends on them when they receive news of a rare bird.

Also, presumably, because they are twits. (I wonder if there's a 'twatcher' variant?)

In any case, I have learned a word.

This entry was posted by eeksypeeksy on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 11:27 AM. You can skip to the end and leave a response.