Article on the use of recorded birdcalls

I agree with you Dale, it certainly is an individual decision.

Actually, I find it a little annoying that they use the term "Bird Watchers" in this article (as the group of people who use playback to draw rare/beautiful birds out).  Then go on to say; "Birdwatchers are ardent conservationists, and they want to minimize their impact while observing secretive birds, "..... - o.k., I've taken it a little out of context, but kinda seems like a contradition to me?  Although, I guess that depends on how someone defines Bird Watcher too.  

Continuous playback calls to specifically just see or photograph birds just for a list, defines a "Twitcher" to me, not a Birdwatcher. Twitcher is an overused word I think, but I often wonder if it's used with the true meaning in mind, or just out of habit?  Big difference between the two imo, and there are many modern definition variations on the word, but it all comes back to the relatively same thing:   A Twitcher may go to any lengths to see a bird, to tick the bird off a life list as quickly as possible, and doesn't generally just absorb themselves in the observation. Perhaps Twitcher would be a better title for that article.

For me, I can spend hours (if I had hours) observing a species I have seen/can see every day (yes, even without taking a photo ) & do my utmost to put the birds' welfare before my own.  Each to their own, but I can't help but correct anyone who refers to me as Twitcher - I much prefer Birdwatcher (although not as in this articles definition), Birder, Bird Admirer, Nature lover, Bird Nerd, even Crazy Bird Lady .  It's a bit of a bugbear for me, so probably a little off track now, but just my 2c worth.

Edited to add:  Got carried away rambling and meant to say, thanks for putting that up greviousbh 

For me the precautionary principle is paramount. Human impact on birds is inevitable, from the developer's bulldozer to the bird watcher quietly sitting, observing from a discrete distance. The trick is to minimise the impact. Hence I use Morcombe's bird app to identify birds rather than call them up.

I always thought a twitcher was someone who dashed hither & yon in order to tick as many bird identification boxes as possible, often in competition with others doing likewise & an activity which has the potential to be highly intrusive, especially when the competition is keen. Perhaps the word "twitcher" comes from the tiny pencil movements over the boxes on the identification sheets.

A bird watcher isn't necessarily a nature lover or conservationist, in my opinion. I'm aware of people who love watching birds but are quite unmotivated to do anything to prevent their spiralling towards extinction.

I agree with that Woko.  Two particular moments I can recall thinking I was doing everything right, discretely observing, and the birds "told" me otherwise that I was actually intruding.  You denfinitely need to try to retain an awareness beyond the obvious.

I like your definition of twitcher Woko, from the pencil movements etc, makes sense .  The term twitcher originated from "the nervous, twitchy behavior of well known British birdwatcher Howard Medhurst, who frequently traveled long distances on short notice to see rare birds".   So started out innocently enough but has "modernised", or regressed perhaps, in the last 60 or so years into something considered less positive by many different goups - just google the word & I'll make more sense.  Different strokes (no pun intended) for different folks, a minor bugbear for me as I understand it under todays, more frequently used, definition.  But meh, don't lose any sleep over it either. 

Very funny RubyE. My grandfather used to have one just like it, he used it for shooting birds and hunting other animals. Yes, he also used falcons to go hunting and dogs to retrieve ducks when going duck shooting.He used to own a huge amount of land in Europe and at the time that was exactly what the aristocracy did . The whistles are still used today, I still have my grandfather's . It's you that immitates the sound, my grandfather knew all the relevant sounds birds made. I use the whistle now to call my hunting dog, he is trained to respond to it.

Anyway, we have changed since,that is good, only few people haven't.

I hope you I misinterpreted your remark, and you really thought it was a joke? Otherwise I could get the impression that you had a go at me?

Well there you go then - I didn't realise it was the person who immitated the various noises via the whistle, that makes sense.  Sorry thick_knee -  I'm honestly lost as to which bit you possibly thought I was having a go at you about?   So just wondering so I can be more mindful of comments in future. And no, I wasn't having a go, a genuine question because I don't know anything about those whistles.

edited as original reply posted unfinished

Peter is right, in most circumstances playbacks can be better than pishing for the reason I provided before. Obviously, birds have several calls... most often a breeding call, an alarm call and a "general" call, and most apps (morcombe) have all variations of each bird. I think only the general calls should be used to entice a bird in as minimal harm is done when playing a bird's most common call, but the breeding and alarm calls are for you to listen to so you are aware of the calls when in the field.