HOW TO BE A BIRDER

NO MATTER where you are or what you are doing, look closely at every bird you see.

BUY binoculars and carry them with you everywhere (but forget about the case and the lens caps).

KEEP a bird book to hand in your home.

NEVER wear your hood up or your hat over your ears so that you can always listen for birds.

DOWNLOAD a birdsong app such as Chirp! on your phone and start to learn what birds sound like.

TALK to other birders. They are proud of their knowledge and will be happy to share it.

TAKE time to sit still in a wild place.

KEEP a supermarket plastic carrier bag in your pocket so you can sit anywhere you like.

REMEMBER that the film you have in your mind is never out of focus. Great birds stay in the memory.

KNOW the difference between birders and twitchers. The latter hunt rarities. They are the football fans who never miss a match. But there are plenty of others who follow football.