birdwatcher
nounUK /ˈbɜː(ɹ)dˌwɒtʃ.ə(ɹ)/
Etymology From bird + watcher.
1
Biology, Birdwatching, Natural sciences, Ornithology A person who observes or identifies wild birds in their natural environment.
- Alec Warner was gazing like a bird-watcher at Charmian, who plucked at the rug round her knees, waiting to tell her own story.1959, Muriel Spark, chapter 5, in Memento Mori, London: Macmillan:
- It seems these days that as much as bird-watchers need birds, the birds may need the bird-watchers.1983, Bill Oddie, Gone Birding, London: Methuen, page 95:
2
Slang A person who enjoys watching rocket launches.
- In fact, on this night, the birdwatching is over for everyone, for the firing is cancelled. Nobody notifies birdwatchers officially, of course, so the exodus is scattered and gradual.1957, Skyline, volumes 15-18, page 7:
- […] particularly those carrying astronauts, are the area's major drawing power, and each "advertised" shoot brings thousands of space age "birdwatchers".1961, Canadian Motorist, page 15: