So you think you'll throw a sickie? I read a letter recently from someone who had twitched the Western Reef Egret, and they seemed surprised that anyone would drive overnight to see a bird (such dedication!). The fact is that twitching is not what it was in the last century, for many reasons, not least of which is the numbers of participants. At one time most twitchers were pretty hard core (a birding term for dedicated or enthusiastic, I believe it's also used in other contexts), one of the reasons being that most birders were known to each other (or Lee at least). To twitch was to be part of the "scene" and it was fun, for most people. There were those to whom it caused distress, depression, or even divorce, but thankfully most enjoyed the camaraderie and competitive nature of the chase. It couldn't continue, since people began throwing money at it, which of course alienated many, or it led to an interest in foreign travel, which meant seeing far more species ...
