Back Chat
A quick chat with… Rick & Elis Simpson founders of Wader Quest which raises money for Spoon-billed Sandpiper
Rick and Elis Simpson of Wader Quest answer our birding-related questions this month
THE BEST RESULTS CAME FROM GETTING THE YOUNGSTERS TO TAKE ‘OWNERSHIP’ OF THE BIRDS
What first sparked your interest in birdwatching, and when?
RICK: A drawing of [Northern] Lapwing in a bird book when I was very young, I just knew I had to see one. ELIS: Growing up in rural Brazil, I was surrounded by birds and found them fascinating and beautiful.
Who was your birdwatching inspiration or mentor?
RICK: So many, but in my early years it was my Young Ornithologists’ Club (YOC) local leader, Chris Kightley, who later founded Limosa Holidays. ELIS: The birds themselves and, grudgingly, latterly Rick.
Do you bird alone or with a friend?
We are joined at the hip so always bird together and rarely in groups.
Your dream bird to see?
RICK: Any wader I haven’t seen, but I have my sights on Great Thick-knee currently. ELIS: Inland Dotterel, missed it a couple of times, and it is such a handsome and unusual bird.
Your favourite birding spot?
Broome in Western Australia. Dramatic scenery, remoteness and thousands of amazing waders. It has it all.
Your classic birder’s lunch, grabbed from the petrol station shop?
If we are not on a health kick, deli2go toasted sandwich, banana milk drink and a chocolate bar of some kind.
Stilt Sandpiper or Black-winged Stilt?
Now you’re asking! Choose a favourite child! Unfair question. Oh go on then… Black-winged Stilt, such wonderful proportions and so elegant.
Favourite bird song or call?
RICK: Has to be the Lapwing in spring. ELIS: A bit obvious, but for me it’s the rippling trill of the declining Curlew, as though they are lamenting their impending demise.
Birdwatching’s biggest myth or misconception?
Numenius means New Moon. Surely it means Young Moon. A New Moon is all dark whereas a Young Moon is a crescent and therefore represents the Curlew’s classical bill shape better. Neos means new or young.
The best bird you’ve seen?
RICK: So many, but perhaps the Magellanic Plover because of its rarity, remoteness, subtle beauty and unusual natural history. ELIS: Ibisbill – the bird is exquisite and we saw it in such breathtaking surroundings – an almost spiritual experience.
How do we encourage young people to watch birds?
In Brazil, we carried out two projects with young people. One in a forest edge community and the other in a school. We found that the best results came from getting the youngsters to take ‘ownership’ of the birds, to feel empathy for them and care about their wellbeing. One boy told us he had become a guardian of the forest. Priceless.
Grey Phalarope or Red-necked Phalarope?
Again unfair, but the Red-necked may have the edge owing to the revelation that a Scottish bird wintered in the Pacific between Ecuador and the Galápagos, not in the Arabian Sea as you would expect. They are also delightfully dainty and hardly seem suited to a life on the ocean waves amid storms.
Identifying gulls – nightmare or a nice day out?
RICK: Only tried it once, in the company of Lars Jonsson… piece of cake. ELIS: Why would I look at gulls when I can watch waders?
One birding or conservation issue you feel strongly about?
The continued mistaken belief that the intertidal zone is a barren wasteland fit only for reclamation and development, when, in fact, it is a vibrant and varied ecosystem teeming with life both seen and unseen.
The bird that annoys you most?
The day a bird annoys us we’ll hang up our bins.
The bogey bird that still eludes you?
RICK: Slender-billed Curlew! Non-wader is Snow Finch, tried countless times in guaranteed spots. ELIS: Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe. Non-wader, Parrot Crossbill.
A place you’d love to bird?
Madagascar.
The bird book you’d never be without?
An Inspiration of Waders of course! Seriously though, our favourite, now a little old and tatty but still great, is Shorebirds: An Identification guide to Waders of the world.
Why do you love birdwatching, in three words?
RICK: Transcendental, audiovisual perfection. ELIS: Therapeutic, relaxing escape.
Advice for birders taking part in our My200birdyearchallenge?
Catch up with all the waders, they are a delight to watch and the regulars can add 33 species to your list; that’s 16% of your target right there. Then there are the regular rarities and vagrants to add, you could get 25% of your total just with waders!