the learning curve

[Rogerb]

this season has for me been a big surprise I have learnt so much about the birds we keep some good a lot bad but I hope it will stand me in good sted for next year what I have learnt this season is that observation is the key to success , see a problem sort it or its to late , this is just my view on our hobby I learn somthig new everyday :grin: thank you all out there for your posts and advice it helps us all :-D MR B

[Diane]

I agree - observation is vital. I must say that I often say to OH -" I'm just going to check the birds" and I can be found an hour later just standing stock still watching them. Don't know where the time goes? It's easier to spot an off colour bird if you've spent hours watching them when they are fit and well.

I find it impossible to walk past the bird room door without looking in on them. Off I head, down the garden to the compost heap, intending to throw potato peelings away, and my feet just turn all by themselves into the birdroom.

[kenny]

hi diane
i am exactly the same,go to open the door stand inside for an hour,getting warmer go to open the windows stand inside for an hour go to the aviary to put some cress in for the other birds go into the bird room for an hour my wife always says"what do you find to do in there" and i cant answer really as i am usually not doing anything .just watching the birds as you say when you know every inch of them when they are well you can easily spot an ill bird

ken

[laurab]

When I get home from work I get changed then I feed and check up on the birds. It is a great way to unwind at the end of the day........then I hear "Mum! When's tea ready?"

Tea over, glass of wine in hand, sit on garden bench and watch the birds before they go to bed....heaven ;-)

[Waxbillman]

i think we are all in the same boat then, i am terrible for going in the shed and not coming back, i'm allus getting into trouble,, especially as when i'm out there, i usually get a load of phone calls to do with birds and that,
there nowt i like better than been in the main shed with the radio on, just checking up on things
Matthew

[PAUL HEARN]

Hi Roger,

The greatest thing about the hobby of birdkeeping is that you learn something new from your own observations and those of others whether you are in your 1st year in the hobby or your 50th.:-D

Enjoy keeping on learning mate.

Paul.;)

[Strawblady2000]

This is SOOOO true! And, I'm glad you are all the same way! I thought I was a nut for doing it.

Ya know, I used to think I was lucky for not having sick birds or any major issues. It is only until I survived my first breeding season that I really learned about the ups and downs. I realized that if nothing bad or no crisis comes up, one never really learns anything about ALL that it takes to keep and breed them.

I will say that this year has been a plethora of ups and downs...I've learned SO much! I still "panic" at finding a sick or injured bird...and am still challenged on a daily basis. But, I guess if things were monotonous as birdkeepers, we'd never learn anything new.

Being at home with the kids now is a challenge...and I'm surprised I havent lost all my hair!!! I dart to the bird room every chance I get...even if it is only for 2 minutes...to take a breather. Fortunately, my birdroom is in the house by the kids' bedroooms...so I sit in a chair I placed in the corner of their room with a small spyglass and observe.

Everything from observing behavior to checking poo colors...it's gotta be done!

Laura...sitting in the garden with a glass of wine watching birds DOES sound like a little piece of heaven!