Travelling to see a rare bird--twitching as it is now widely known--has become an increasingly popular pursuit during the last decade. A nationwide telephone grapevine can spread the news of a rarity within hours. If the species is one which few observers have seen in Britain, as many as a thousand or more may visit the site within a matter of days. Even a lesser rarity, such as a Bluethroat Luscinia svecica or an Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina, may attract a hundred or more, especially if it occurs in a 'quiet' period for rarities, or in a popular birdwatching area. The growth of twitching has forced improving organisation and a more responsible approach among its participants, with the result that, in the last year or two, the number of instances of significant disturbance or harm to bird habitat or people at rare-bird venues has been relatively very small. During 1981, one highly publicised exception involved the River Warbler Locustella fluviatilis at Roydon, Norfolk. During the few days of its stay, over 1,000 observers visited the site (which was on a public footpath), some of whom--in their efforts to see, film or photograph the bird, or trap it for ringing--trampled an area of rye, variously estimated between 200 and 400 square metres. Five nests of Pheasants Phasianus colchicus and Grey Partridges Perdix perdix in the hedge bordering the footpath were deserted. 

Volume: 
Issue 7
Start Page: 
301
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