h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Birdwatching for Beginners - A3376280
Author: slightlyfoxed - U975283

I'm submitting this as not only is it about an increasingly popular pastime, but I classify myself as a 'beginner', and perhaps others thinking of taking up birdwatching may find it useful.

I like this entry. There's an appealing sense of enthusiasm in it.

My immediate comment is that the title needs a bit of a change, to refer to birdwatching in Britain. Birdwatching in my part of the world is a bit different, and it takes a lot less effort - there are sulphur-crested cockatoos outside my window as I type, clowning about on the phone lines and making an incredible racket. Watching them is easy; *not* seeing them would be more remarkable.

Second - this would be easier to read with spaces between the paragraphs - I can't remember the GuideML tags offhand, but I'm sure someone will be along in a minute with that bit of information...

I may be back later, after a second read.

Ivan.

to be the one to tell you this, but there is already an Edited Entry on Birdwatching A471205 which covers beginners. Only one Entry on a given subject is accepted.

Emmily

OOps thought I'd posted the respone but must have forgot to 'post message'.

I had a look at the other entry, and felt it didn't really give the flavour, so to speak of the interest from the absolute beginner's point of view. As I am just a little further up from that level myself, I thought I might be able to provide a more 'rounded' idea of what it really is like to be at that very early stage, thinking about getting into the hobby.

However, if such is the case, then I shall withdraw.

It might be worth waiting to see if someone more experienced than me at Peer Review issues posts, they may suggest a 'different angle' on a birdwatching type of entry.

Are there many birdwatching Researchers? Might be worth starting a Birdwatching Club (I havent checked that there isn't one) share experiences. Just a suggestion.

Emmily

Hmm, we have quite a difficult problem here, slightlyfoxed. While your entry is technically on a different subject, there is a lot of content overlap between it and the one already in the Edited Guide. I can see three possible solutions to this problem:

: Do more work on your entry, making it considerably more detailed and in depth. Include more general information and consider:
- the appropriateness of different types of binoculars. Try to include the info within the entry, rather than refering to magazines and local bird clubs.
- cameras
- how to encourage birds in the garden. Not everyone using h2g2 has the ability, for whatever reason, to go out and birdwatch. Consider: what types of seed to put down, where to place nest boxes, where to hang nut feeders etc.
- the pros/cons of paying to join the RSBP. I had a child's subscription this in the early 90s, and never used it; there must be some drawbacks. How much is it, and how do you join? Examine how committed a twitcher should be before they pay to join. Link to the RSPB website.
- where can you go in the UK to birdwatch (eg. Slimbridge).
- discuss available publications and TV (BBC!) programmes.
- link to some relevant places on h2g2 and BBCi, such as: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/animals/birds/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/mid/sites/wildlife/pages/iolo_birdwatching_tips.shtml
The Editors and experienced Researchers will like this. If your entry appears to be well incorporatated with other BBCi/h2g2 content, it'll be more likely to 'earn' its place in the Guide.
- Change the title, as Ivan suggested!

: Go to the UpdateForum and propose incorporating your information into the already existing birdwatching entry. I'll help you with this, if necessary.

: Go to the existing birdwatching entry (A471205) and post your information in the conversation forum at the bottom. This is a perfectly valid way to contribute to the Edited Guide. Indeed, it enhances it a great deal.

Keep working on this. It's going to be a valuable addition to the guide, no matter what happens

Thanks Rocket Man - I shall look into some of your suggestions and work on one or two - I am, right now trying to get the entry out of P.R.

If you need a hand with anything, just say.

If you're trying to remove the entry from Peer Review, go to the main Peer Review page and click on the 'X' or the word 'Remove' (depends on the skin that you're using) next to the entry's name on the list.

Whoops - I pressed 'delete' before seeing your advice - is there anyway of getting it back. I've tried looking at 'cancelled entries' and 'deleted entries' but can't see it listed.

It doesn't matter if not

Try going to this page: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/brunel/MA975283?show=25&type=3

It should list your cancelled entries. Find the entry on birdwatching, and click the little 'X' next to it on the list. This should restore it.



If the above link doesn't work: go to your space, find the list of your entries, click 'Show more of My Guide entries', the click 'Show Cancelled Guide Entries'.

Yip, Yip, , ,