Where’s the joy of birdwatching gone?

How disappointing Bird Watching has become totally obsessed with promoting your #My200birdyear. In the February issue, no fewer than 14 pages were devoted to it, and should we forget, the logo cropped up elsewhere. What has happened to extolling the true spirit and sheer joy of watching birds, preferably in one’s local area, rather than actively encouraging people to career round the country clocking up hundreds of miles, apparently oblivious of their carbon footprint, merely to tick off a bird fleetingly seen, or merely heard? Walking my local patch, I overheard an example of this mindless behaviour from a group of the big lensed brigade: “A Firecrest’s showing well back there in the woods – did you see it?” “No, won’t bother, saw one last week.” How very sad that birdwatching has become reduced to ticking boxes. I have subscribed to Bird Watching for many years, but if it fails to live up to its title, and continues to fill its pages with endless articles exalting My200birdyear instead of focusing on articles inspiring a genuine love of birds that I have become used to enjoying, I for one will think carefully before renewing my subscription. Kit Connor, Kingston, Devon

Ed: My200birdyear was conceived as a way to encourage people to get off their sofa and out into the field, to enjoy watching birds. It is not about listing as an end in itself, but rather is supposed to be a fun idea to help people to embrace the spirit and joy of birdwatching.