A Final Rant

At this time of year we always think of our good friend, Mike, with whom I used to travel on foreign trips, especially as his last Christmas and New Year was spent with us. One of his many great attributes was that he didn't like controversy, if he didn't agree with an identification he wouldn't argue, until it could be confirmed by use of photos, books etc. For this reason we never argued or fell out on our trips together, and he often said that the best years of his life were those when he was able to go abroad. 

Like Mike, I don't like controversy, although I will argue as Ann will testify, but I normally don't like to write anything controversial. However, this is my last blog this year, and I have something I want to get off my chest before the new year. I am sick and tired of seeing letters in magazines, or hearing or reading in support of the view that birding should not involve transport, especially by air, since that adds to carbon emissions. I am fully in favour of people doing what they can to "help", but the fact is that it is largely out of our hands, and the more we travel, the more birding, and thus conservation, will become a good thing in countries that really don't have much say in what goes on. I have many "friends" on FB from such countries, when I began birding it was unheard of to get a local guide, or hear anyone speak about reducing the logging. Children, especially, are being taught the value of the natural world and that it is not an endless resource. 

So why are birders constant scapegoats for anyone who wants to take the curmudgeon's view of the world? I'm supposed to do that at my age, but instead I'm still enjoying birding. Constant criticism is made of Birdfair and travel companies, but the fact is many travel companies donate a lot of money to conservation, as does Birdfair itself. I am seeing so much light pollution at present, and constant TV adverts (post Xmas) for package holidays involving fat unhealthy looking people who are going to have "the time of their lives", if they can resist spending their money on unecessary technology or other "normal" interests. If we all stopped birding and travelling tomorrow, it wouldn't make a scrap of difference to climate change, the flights would still go, maybe with a few less passengers, but the fact is airlines make their money from business and first class, a few birders are of no consequence to them. And when these people get to where they are going, how much of their wealth goes in to the local economy? Precious little, because most of the big hotels are owned by international conglomerates, who employ staff at the lowest rates possible. 

Everyone has a right to their own choices and opinions, and the way they go birding, but if you don't like it, just be like Mike and keep quiet.

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