Subject: [Tweeters] Thoughts on pishing.
Date: Oct 4 08:40:34 2004
From: Roger - r_craik at shaw.ca


Nancy

To get the sound correct all you have to do is say the word "pish" and not
include any vocalization. The letter "i" needs the vocal cords to produce it's
sound hence Fred's instruction to drop it. Remember, no use of vocal cords. The
sound can be lengthened or shortenend as one feels and will usually draw in
small birds quite effectively. Will work on Swainson's Thrushes at certain
times of the year.

Roger Craik
Maple Ridge BC

Nancy wrote:

> Hello Tweets
> I have been reading this tread, but not as carefully as I could. (I have
> forgotten some of it) I read a few peoples descriptions of the sounds but
> have not been able to imitate them myself.
>
> Maybe someone could make a pishing cd or give a workshop in the spring? Or
> maybe there is one already on the market? I would love to know the sound
> that would bring out a Swainson's Thrush.
> Nancy,
> Renton
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Fred Bird" <fredbird at heliotropeseattle.com>
> To: <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
> Sent: Sunday, October 03, 2004 2:34 PM
> Subject: [Tweeters] Thoughts on pishing.
>
> Thoughts on pishing.
>
> First, on its effectiveness: in my experience it always works to some
> degree, but to a greater degree it works best with sparrows, chickadees and
> the like, particularly when there is a conglomeration of birds present. As
> an example, a week ago today (Sunday) near Moses Lake, a friend and I were
> barely able to get migrating, solitary and hungry warblers to pause even
> briefly, but nearby I heard a lot of house sparrow chatter in a thick bush.
> A quick burst of pishing before the bush brought over 50 (!) sparrows up to
> the top of the bush, and while the species was of little interest, their
> numbers and uniform response was hysterical.
>
> Second, my experience around the world, from New Zealand to Europe, mirrors
> what happens at home: pishing almost always works a little bit but is
> dramatically effective only occasionally. Perhaps if I could master pishing
> in the appropriate native accent, I might be more effective.
>
> Third, as to style: I use two forms -- plain pishing where the first "i" is
> not pronounced and a "chicking" sound made in the back and side of the
> mouth by abruptly releasing the tongue upwards.
>
> Finally, some thoughts on social sensibilities: using or explaining the
> term in public has never bothered me but I certainly avoid actually doing
> it within earshot of civilians for fear of public humiliation! Perhaps Burt
> and I should form a pishing support group...
>
> Amongst fellow clan members, however, anything goes. My best example of
> throwing social restraint to the wind occurred at the 1987 or '88 ABA
> convention in Duluth when at an evening dinner event I went up to then ABA
> president Larry Balch and asked him to ask the assembled crowd to pish
> collectively then and there, as 600 people pishing together at the same
> time had to set some kind of a world record, at least equal in significance
> to the dubious Guinness records, such as the world's longest hotdog or
> similar contrivance. Larry happily complied with my request (although I
> sometimes wished he hadn't used my name!) and the crowd chimed in
> enthusiastically.
>
> Fred Bird fredbird at heliotropeseattle.com
> 1249 NE 92nd Street
> Seattle, WA 98115
> Cell: 206-200-2514
> Home: 206-526-5671 FAX: 206-522-6557
> Work: 425-388-7021
> Work: fred.bird at co.snohomish.wa.us
> School: fredbird at u.washington.edu
> Home Web: www.heliotropeseattle.com/fredbird.htm
> Work Web: www.co.snohomish.wa.us
>
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