On April 4, 2016 I started this blog as a fun diversion to practice my writing and it has grown and lead me to so much more in that time. I missed the birthday of Stormbirds.blog by several days, however, I’m making up for it by posting now.
Last year has been by far the biggest for the blog and I’m grateful for the interactions I’ve had with the community. In 2019 I launched an accompanying Twitter account and that’s lead to even more connections across many aspects of the community.
As always, my goal with Stormbirds has been to write about something that I’m very passionate about. Flight has been top of mind for me since I was very young and flight simulation is a hobby is an accessible way to experience the wide breadth of that experience. From helicopters to general aviation aircraft to warbirds and the pioneering aircraft from the first years of flight, this is a hobby that offers such a wide variety of experience.
While I do put a lot of time into Stormbirds, I’ve tried to keep this primarily a hobby and so that means my commitment waxes and wanes at times. There have been times where other priorities have dominated my time and writing has taken a back seat. Other times, like now where we’re all locked in our houses, writing is a comfort and something I’m more than happy to do.
In the coming days and weeks I have plans to unveil some new projects that both connect back to my writing here but also take my creative drive in some new directions. I think they will be fun and I think they will enhance the experience here on the blog. Stay tuned for those soon!
Thank you all for your readership, your thoughtful comments, and for being a great community. It makes it all worthwhile!
Stormbirds 
Happy Birthday Shamrock! The flight sim community is better off having dedicated and enthusiastic people like you and we are very grateful for your wonderful work. Thanks again!
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Thanks Robert for your kind words!
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Happy Birthday Shamrock, I love your unbiased, honest and detailed reviews and other content. Stormbirds is my go to blog for informative flight sim based content. All the best for the future and thanks for the hard work
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Happy Birthday 🙂 It is always a pleasure to read your contributions and thoughts 🙂
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Appreciate that! Thanks Bigalrico!
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Congratulations on this milestone, Shamrock! You’re doing a bang-up job with this Blog and I wish you many more years of success and clear skies ahead. 🙂
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Thanks Fighter Guy! Appreciate the kind words!
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Yours are always interesting articles, very well done so far!
It’s also surprising you can keep pace with the news and especially keep writing with the same enthusiasm, many people who try tend to burn out.
Happy anniversary and thanks for what you are doing!
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Thanks Mischiew! You’re one of the top commenters on here and always bring a welcome perspective!
Sometimes the pace is too much and I do miss things. But I write when I can and I feel like that’s probably enough. Appreciate the kind words!
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Happy Birthday! And it’s my nephew’s birthday as well, so there ya go.
You have a great site and the articles are always good fun. You write with an informed and lighthearted touch, and are always positive, makes for very comfortable reading. Visiting the site is a pleasure. I’ve seen “Stormbirds” mentioned on two Youtube flightsim channels; they were both referring to something you posted, so you’re definitely making a name for yourself.
Looking forward to your new projects.
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Thanks CanadaOne! Your comments here and on the IL-2 forums are always most welcome too. Glad to have you here and thank you!
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Great Blog. My onestop for everything Il-2 GB and DCS. Happy Anniversary and easter weekend. Stay healthy!
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Thanks you Desertfox44! Doing my best to stay healthy these days!
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Stormbirds has become part of my daily routine for seeking out a good read. Also, I just want to say that I love the layout and visual appeal of the site. Don’t ever change it! 😛
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Thanks John Lynn Beck! I have actually contemplated changing the theme a few times but I haven’t done it yet. It does work fairly well doesn’t it. I will likely be making some tweaks to the brand this year a bit… Good to freshen things up without reinventing the wheel 🙂
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John is right. The layout of the site is really good. Big headers, easy to know what’s happening, and nice graphics alongside. And with a click you get the story inside. I’d say it again, the site is… comfortable. I think that’s great.
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Heh, I know what you mean. I think the layout just works so very well for the subject matter. It is very visual; Couple that with the fact there’s no end to the number of beautiful, eye-catching shots you can get from flight sims now-a-days, and they just go together hand-in-glove. It’s also fairly unique. As far as I recall, Stormbirds is the only site I visit with this kind of tiled layout for it’s stories, and I just love it.
I’m sure a branding update wouldn’t hurt, though. A snazzy new logo or something would be rad. 🙂
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Though I’m more of a photographer, I have branched out into graphic design a few times and I just bought myself Affinity Designer to get back into things and update the logo a bit.
A few tweaks here and there to make as time goes on!
Appreciate how much the current theme is resonating. It probably won’t want to shift away from it given how much it’s liked 🙂
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Happy Birthday and thank you for a very well done blog.
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Thanks Pollux! Appreciate it!
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Congrats ! thanks and happy birthday
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Many thanks for the kind words Chroma99!
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You are still here after 4yrs because you are that good. Your writing is informative with a general positive tone. Thanks for your hard work.
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Appreciate the comments John Holmes! Many thanks!
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Happy Anniversary Stormbirds! As others have said, I frequent here daily and look forward to your articles. Great Job.
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Happy Birthday, Shamrock!
Your side has truly turned into a place where flight sim enthusiastics like myself can tune in on a daily base.
Your articles are always very informative and well put.
And don’t worry if you can’t always keep the pace due to real life interferences. Having fun with doing something is one of the most important things in life. Don’t let yourself become burned out.
In conclusion, please keep up the great work! You have every reason to be proud about Stormbirds!
Well done and carry on!
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Happy Anniversary! Really enjoy the articles and the support you provide the community. Very well done and thanks!
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Been following the blog for the last few years. It’s been essential reading on break at work, couldn’t be happier with your work, Shamrock. Thank you for what you do, you he’ll bring a level of enthusiasm and professionalism to the hobby.
Stay safe, Happy Easter, God bless!
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Sham: Congrats for your fantastic blog, keep the good work! Happy Easter for you and all the fellow simmers.
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Happy BD – one of my few go to sites
Thanks for all the work behind the scenes
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Been visiting this site on a daily basis for at least the past few months. Really high quality stuff.
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Congratulations!
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Congratulations Shamrock on another year covered. You rock at the journalism thing. Keep on keeping on!
Here’s to another four years, may they be as full of glorious releases, technological marvels and awesome stories as the previous four.
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Congrats Shamrock ! And thanks a lot for all your beautiful work !!
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Congrats! I am reading your site almost daily and like your writing.
I hope you will also do some reviews of user-made campaigns and other content in the future.
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Congratulations. We at GR have loved all your content and look forward to seeing your new projects evolve.
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This page is my number 1 book mark on my web browser.
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Really enjoy the site! It’s on a very short list of sites I check daily. Congratulations on 4 years!
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Happy birthday! Like everyone else, I visit this several times a day and it is hands-down the best flight1s blog out there.
Thanks, Shamrock for the invaluable and entertaining service that you provide for us all
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Thanks Blue 5! Appreciate it and great to hear!
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