insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 12 - February 2016 | Page 19

BIRDWATCHING

MINERAL COLLECTING
Collecting is a great hobby – human beings are natural collectors, so it really
does fulfil a need that many of us have. Choosing to collect minerals is fun
because it’s more than simply collecting something pretty to look at (although
there is that too); it’s the thrill of the hunt, the science behind the minerals,
building the collection to something you’re proud of. The only downside to
collecting minerals is that your collection could soon start spilling out of
the display cabinet and make itself at home in other rooms around the
house too!
Take a look at Rocks & Minerals: The Definitive Visual Guide by Ronald
Bonewitz (RRP £15). This book will teach you how to identify over 450
different rocks, gems, crystals, and minerals, as well as detailing the history
behind them.

Birdwatching (or birding) is, simply put, the hobby of looking at birds. But
there is more to it than that. It’s also about identifying the birds, understanding
their habitats, and learning more about them. Whether you prefer using
manmade ‘hides’ to spot the birds or you like to walk through the countryside
and search for them, there is a place for you.