Take a look at 
   http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/6149998.stm
for a British view of birders.  There are plenty of comments too,
my favorites including the commenter who debated a birder on
chasing rare species: "The blank expression on his face told 
me that cooling my porridge was a better use for my breath."
Another found that "Twitching is harmless and keeps them out of 
harms way".  I agree with that!
   The local connection?  One of the commenters is from DC.
                   
Jim

Jim Felley
Smithsonian Institution