New Scientist recommends this extreme birdwatching documentary
Quentin, in a photo taken by his brother Owen
Owen Reiser
Timothy Revell
Editor, London
“This is my older brother Quentin. And last year he was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of early birding.”
It’s Owen, I’m speaking Listers: An Overview of Extreme Birding – and it might be my favorite documentary of the year. It was directed by Quentin (pictured), appearing most often in front of the camera, and Owen, most often narrating behind it.
In 2024, the two men set out to spot as many bird species as possible – what birders call a “big year.” It’s unclear why they did it, and yet it never feels like a joke as the two men engage in the culture of competitive birding.
The documentary is often hilarious, but also profound, exploring the relationships we form with nature, competition and technology. It’s wonderfully shot and edited, mixing a home movie style with sharp shots taken from David Attenborough’s playbook.
Surprisingly, Listers is free on YouTube. Whether you’ve caught the virus or not, it’s worth the trip.
Topics:
