Product Description

This work shows one man's quest to realise a boyhood dream and break a national record. It is an outrageously funny combination of travelogue, confessional, and major ornithological achievement! Sean Dooley seems like a well adjusted, functioning member of society...but beneath the respectable veneer he harbours a dark secret: he is a hard-core birdwatcher! Taking a year off to try and break the Australian record - Sean has to see more than 700 birds in 12 months. Travelling the length and breadth of the continent, he stops at nothing in search of this birdwatching Holy Grail, blowing his inheritance, his career, not to mention any chance he has of finding a girlfriend. Part confessional, part travelogue, this is a true story about obsession, seeking the meaning of life, and searching for the elusive Grey Falcon. "The Big Twitch" is inspiring, ridiculous, and outrageously funny.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #225811 in Books
• Published on: 2005-10-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

About the Author
Sean Dooley is a television comedy writer and stand-up comedian.

Customer Reviews

birding down under
A witty readable account of one man in a race to 700 birds in one year in Oz and also to find himself and give his life a little meaning. The best birding book I have read.

Thoroughly good read
I enjoyed this book immensely. It is well written, it is interesting, touching and genuinely funny. I have never been to Australia and haven't even heard of most of the birds mentioned in this book, however, this did not detract in any way from the pleasure I got from reading it.
The book is written both for birders and non-birders. Dooley discusses the beauty and character of the birds he sees without going into the minutae of their identification. As such birders will identify with the thrill of the chase of the birds and non-birders will enjoy the descriptions of the birds and their environments.
I guess most people buying this book will be birders and they will no doubt be amused at how similar the twitching scene is on the other side of the planet to here in Britain. I recommend this book whole-heartedly to both birders and non-birders alike.

An Inspiring Read
Sean Dooley has written a book which is not only a detailed description of how he broke the Australian record for the most number of birds seen in that country in a single year, but is also a lyrical and inspiring tribute to the passion he has for birds.
Dooley writes well - his story is humorous, moving and honest. He also seems to be very well informed about his subject, and it's full of interesting information about the wildlife and landscapes of Australia.
I was drawn to this book initially because I too am a birder, but there's enough humanity in there to keep any reader happy, even one with no interest in birds (but they might well become more interested after reading this).