Survey (pls cast your vote)

Hehe.. I'm in the same boat as you Ted! Been wanting to join bird clubs here but they're mostly retirees! That's why they have weekday birding trips too.

But mostly they go saturdays and sometimes have 2-3 days stay in popular birding sites.

Darn it! I just went past the median!

LOL Bob.
I'm not trying to profile folks, trying to discriminate.

Actually I admire how the seniors and retirees make use of their leisurley time.
Some folks even with canes, can walk miles of trails.
They try to get fit, while doing what they enjoy most.

Like what Ed said, they talk a lot. Sometimes they even disturb the group looking for birds, or distracting enough not to clearly ID the bird calls. But they're always on topic, it's always about the birds.

BUT, they are very knowledgable (from years of experience perhaps). They know a lot, and they pass information to younger people.

For those who hasn't done it yet, please do.
It's interesting how the results are turning, there seems to be a trend now.

Jonathan And Ted, when these talkative retirees die, it is like burning a huge library. Join the bird-club. You said they bring binos and books and record finds... they are the best birders. Learn from them. Don't let great learning and company slip by. Such great men and women may never come your way again. One or two of them will inspire you in greater heights.

I'm a product of mentoring. It is the other way around. My mentor is young and rich and you'd say ridiculously weird for finding time to go out with a grandma. For the past 10 years, I have been butterfly watching at least once or twice a year whenever he comes around to butterfly watch. At the age of 50, I have climbed Mt. Apo, Mt. Kanlaon, Mt. Isarog, Mt. Kitanglad, Sierra Madre, reached islands... because somebody did not mind. For the past ten years, I have shared to thousands on how to care for the Philippine habitat - from what I learned in the wild. I could have chosen just to play majong, window shop, watch TV or rock in a chair and wait for the days to pass by. The pictures in PBP show how much fun grandmothers (Ixi and I are the same batch) have with swell young guys as Neon, Ding, Adri, JP, Martin (you can't imagine me riding with these car racers, but Martin even picked me up!). He, he- those not mentioned, obvious ba? Seniors na. I only raise my eyebrows when most members call me telyds and Ixi, not Ate Ixi- just because she has tatoos on her back? But I love her, everybody does because she always brings yummy breakfast that extends to lunch.

Now Ted, don't miss the great company.

telyd

Very nice LaLyds ... oops, TeLyds pala. ;D
Actually I always join the trips, whenever my schedule permits.
I choose the area that's close where I live, don't want to be away from the family for an extended period.

Yes, all of us have a bird field guide and binoculars, some meticulously record "every" bird they saw for the day, some have small cameras. Nice guys really. I just don't feel like socializing to some when there are birds I'm trying to shoot.

Thanks for your thoughts.

There are a lot of retirees in our local bird club, too. I am 38 years old and I am sometimes the youngest by a fair way on our walks. That's no bad thing though, as they are great people and more interesting than a lot of folks my own age. They are aso very knowledgeable people, too.

Just turned 29 this year and started 'birding' a few weeks ago.