Has the Big Garden Birdwatch Inspired You?

Earlier this year, thousands of nature lovers across the UK took part in the biggest wildlife survey in the world, the Big Garden Birdwatch from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB.)

Participation involved counting the creatures in a garden or park for just one hour – and then telling the organisation what you had seen. The idea is to record the highest number of each bird spotted at the same time.

The charity asked bird lovers to survey feathered friends present in their area, all over the country. Last year, some 600,000 people nationwide took part, counting over nine million birds between them.

The aim of the survey, now in its 34th year, is to help scientists learn which species of birds are thriving and which are in decline, and how different varieties are doing in different parts of the country.

For example, information gathered over the last decade indicates that mistle thrushes are spotted in fewer than 50% the number of gardens they were noticed in just 10 years ago.

Separate information for a study last year by volunteer ornithologists for the RSPB and the British Trust for Ornithology found that the number of nesting birds in Britain had fallen from 210 million in 1966 to 166 million in 2012.

Spring into action

And if this project or the Big Garden Birdwatch inspired you to grab a pair of bird watching binoculars, perhaps before numbers fall still further, spring is a great time to do just that as wildlife emerges from the chill of winter with noise and flamboyance.

And, with the lighter spring days, plumage, patterns and markings look brighter, allowing species to be more easily identified. At this time of year, many male birds in particular are showing their most vivid colours while songbirds are competing to sing the loudest in a bid to attract a mate for the breeding season ahead.

It’s a great time for other wildlife too, from insects like bumblebees and butterflies to frogs and hares.

How Sherwoods Photographic Can Help

To get the most from your birdwatching, you need the best equipment. At Sherwood Photographic, we’re leading optical specialists for binoculars and
telescopes and can offer extensive advice on using these items.

Established 70 years ago last year, we’re still very much a family firm and have a wealth of expertise and knowledge in our specialist area, and supply a range of premium quality products from the world’s leading manufacturers as well as a variety of unusual and intriguing gifts and gadgets.

We have a showroom in rural Warwickshire, and we’re open six days a week, but shop online in a time and at a place to suit you and we can generally get your order to you the next day.

Buying from our showroom? Give us a call first to check we have the product in stock before setting off.

Learn more from our website and contact us with any queries about our products. Or why not find us on Facebook?

Choose the right bird watching binoculars this Christmas

Christmas is a time for giving, and with the big day rapidly approaching you need to make sure you’ve got everyone ticked off the list. If you’ve got a bird watcher in your life you can’t go wrong by giving them a new pair of binoculars, but of course, it’s never as simple as it first appears. You need to choose wisely to ensure the recipient’s eyes light up on Christmas morning, so just how can you go about doing that? Here are a few top tips to help you out:

•    Magnification is key. When focusing on a single object, which the recipient generally will be in this case (they might be watching a bird in flight or roosting, for example), magnification is incredibly important and can make all the difference to the overall performance.

•    Consider the field of view. A wide field of view may not be as important in bird watching as the magnification, but you still need to make sure you’re getting a quality pair that can offer a decent view.

•    Consider the objective lens diameter, light transmission and exit pupil measurement. These features will be important if the user is planning on doing a spot of bird watching in low light conditions such as sunrise or sunset, with them working in combination to improve brightness and clarity.

•    Does the recipient wear glasses? This will often have an effect on the style you eventually go for, and you’ll need to check the eye relief—the distance the eye can be from the eyepiece whilst still having the full field of view—with someone that wears glasses needing an eye relief of more than 14mm (or 17mm if they wear thick pairs).

•    Consider the size and weight. If the binoculars will be carried around for long distances you’ll need to make sure you’re getting a fairly light, portable pair, although remember that compact options will have smaller objective lens and exit pupil measurements which means they won’t perform quite so well in low light conditions.

•    Quality and price. These will of course be major considerations, and whilst you don’t want to spend a fortune you need to make sure you’re getting a quality pair that’s built to last. That’s why careful research will always be important, so why not take a look around?

Find the bird watching equipment you’re after

Here at Sherwoods we’ve got all the products you could need to ensure you find the right gift, covering everything from scopes to night vision to give the bird watcher in your life exactly what they’re looking for. We can offer help and advice to ensure you choose wisely and with great prices you won’t have to spend a fortune, and because we only stock the best products from leading manufacturers you can be confident in getting a quality result. Choosing the right bird watching binoculars can be easier than you think, and with a bit of time and attention (and some help from the experts) you’ll find the perfect gift this Christmas.

Seeing the countryside in a whole new light through binoculars

Lots of people come to the UK from all over the world to see its towns and stunning countryside, but because you live here all the time, you might take the sights and sounds around you for granted. This is only natural.

However, there’s a simple way to completely change your perspective. By going on trips with your binoculars you can see attractions that would otherwise completely escape your attention. Few things beat spending a day in the open air taking in the nature and scenery around you. If you’re lucky, you can even soak up some sun in the process.

Packing for staycations

It seems a rising number of Britons are making the choice to remain in Britain for their holidays. If you’re planning to do this, make sure you pack your binoculars. Whether you’re looking at the impressive array of bird life on offer, are surveying the sea from the shore or simply want to get a closer look at the general sights around you, you’ll find plenty to keep you amused.

Rather than just travelling through areas of beauty, you’re bound to make more of an effort to stop and appreciate them if you have binoculars with you. They can really help make nature come alive and give you a newfound appreciation for what the countryside has to offer.

You’re not alone

If you’re planning to pack your bird watching binoculars and set off on a break in the UK, you’re not alone. According to research conducted by Jungle Formula, one in five Britons has never been on a foreign holiday, the Daily Mail reports. Meanwhile, of those who have, half wish they had stayed in the UK.

A number of issues were found to put people off jetting off overseas. Language barriers and concerns about dealing with immigration were both cited as potential problems. Meanwhile, falling ill while abroad and experiencing lengthy travel times were also identified as difficulties.

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Responding to the findings, a spokesman for Jungle Formula said: “There was a time when people felt they hadn’t been on holiday unless they had been on a plane. But it seems that more people than ever are content to stay in the UK.

“The recession has also had an effect, with people having to tighten their belts and stop splashing out on luxuries like a foreign holiday.”

Choosing the right binoculars

If you’re keen to get your hands on some binoculars for a British staycation, you’ve come to the right place. Here at Sherwoods we offer a whole range of these items and might have the perfect ones for you.

Just take a look around our website to see our full collection. We also offer a range of other products that you might be interested in. For example, if you long to gaze further into the night sky, why not take a look at the superb telescopes we sell? Buying items from us couldn’t be quicker or simpler and it could open up a whole new world of possibilities.

Choosing Binoculars for the RSPB’s Summer Wildlife Survey

Following the great success of the Big Garden Birdwatch held earlier this year, the RSPB is inviting people across the country to take part in this summer’s wildlife survey, ‘Make Your Nature Count’, to find out what creatures can be found in the nation’s gardens. Last year, 80,000 people took part in the survey and this year the RSPB is hoping that even more people will get involved.

To contribute to the survey, you simply need to record the birds you see in your garden or local park in one hour on one day between June 2nd and 10th, as well as any other creatures that visit your garden during that hour. The information gathered will help to create a picture of the changes that are going on in gardens across the UK and should help nature experts find ways to respond in order to conserve the nation’s wildlife.

For seasoned twitchers, the ‘Make Your Nature Count’ survey is a great excuse to get their trusty binoculars out and spend time observing birds that fly in and out of their own gardens, rather than travelling to far-flung places for a rare-sighting. Amateurs, meanwhile, may find that the survey is a good way of brushing up on their bird observation and identification skills, and for people who have never bird watched before, the survey offers a great introduction to a past time in which almost three million adults engage in in the UK each year. Many children are also likely to enjoy counting the different birds they see and may even get bitten by the bird watching bug as a result.

Whatever your skill level, it is imperative that you choose suitable optical equipment if you are to get the most out of your bird watching experience. Of course, to take part in the RSPB’s survey, you do not need any special equipment and are free to bird watch using your naked eye but you might find that your observation is enhanced by the use of a pair of bird watching binoculars.

There is a wide range of binoculars, or ‘bins’ as many birdwatchers call them, on the market nowadays, so choosing your first pair can be a little daunting. For those unfamiliar with binoculars, it can be difficult to know what you are looking for.

Binocular Basics

All binoculars have a power range, which is denoted by two numbers with a cross between them – 8×30, for example. The first number denotes the number of times an object will be magnified and the second number is the width of the largest lens in millimetres.

Due to their portability, compact and pocket binoculars are a popular choice for first time consumers. Although they are likely to have a smaller objective lens, they are easy to carry around and can be affordable yet advanced these days.

If you are a keen and adventurous bird watcher and wish to observe the habits of your garden visitors after dark, you may be interested in investing in a pair of night vision binoculars.

Bird Watching for All

Bird watching is a pastime that is increasing in popularity all the time. Whilst it may seem like a more antiquated hobby than some, in reality it is now actually more popular than ever before. However, this means that, whilst it is going to be easier to find clubs or societies to be a part of, the actual ability for many people to find a prime spot from which to watch birds, without encroaching on other people’s patches, may not always be easy.

The first thing to do, should you wish to take up bird watching, or even if you are fed up with the increasing crowds gathering in the very best spots, is simply to look at getting the very best bird watching binoculars. The better the binoculars you use, the more likely you are to be able to find a good vantage point from wherever you happen to be, getting a better focus on the birds in question without having to be quite so near.

The other important thing for those just starting bird watching to remember, is that bird watching is for everyone. By getting too close to the birds, you are possibly going to scare them off or sully their natural habitat, whilst disregarding the accepted etiquette could lead to anger amongst other bird watchers and ruin the experience for everyone. Therefore, it is wise to learn the etiquette of not only ornithologists and twitchers in general, but also to understand each and every area you visit in advance to make sure you are not going to be making any mistakes.

The right bird watching binoculars will be integral for any would-be twitcher. However, it not just the right binoculars that will improve your experience; instead, understanding the best approach to bird watching will also be extremely important for everyone concerned.

Be prepared for a new season of bird watching

The days are getting longer, the nights are shorter and the sunshine keeps us company for much longer than we’ve become accustomed to. Spring is most definitely in the air, and that can only mean one thing—it’s time to start preparing for a brand new season of bird watching.

It’s the time of year when nature starts to wake up, filling the air with birdsong and the scent of flowers in bloom, and if you want to make sure you don’t miss a second of all that frivolity it’s essential you’ve got your trusty bird watching binoculars ready and waiting. You never know when you might need them—a simple stroll through the countryside could present you with a wealth of bird watching opportunities, and even driving past a hedgerow could bring something new into focus. You never know what you might find at this time of year and that’s half the fun of it, so having a pair of binoculars or two dotted around the place is essential.

You might want to keep a basic pair in your car for those spontaneous bird watching opportunities, but for true aficionados nothing can beat a pair of top-quality bird watching binoculars. If you’re heading off on a bird watching expedition then you’ll need something a cut above the norm, and instead of simple binoculars you might want a bird watching scope—the choice is yours and comes down to a combination of preference and your level of bird watching dedication, but no matter what you need make sure to take a look around and you’ll find just what you’re after to ensure you’re totally prepared for the season ahead.

Gifts For Nature Lovers

Whether you are shopping for a birthday, graduation, or even a retirement, if you are looking for something nice to give to the nature lover in your life, why not consider a pair of high quality bird watching binoculars?

Here at Sherwood Photographic we offer a great range of high quality binoculars that are ideal for bird watching and other nature activities like camping and hiking.

If you aren’t sure where to begin, why not take a look at our “Binocular Basics” section to get familiar with the different type we offer? This guide will help you to choose the binoculars that are best for what you have in mind.

We carry products from the best name brands in binoculars and telescopes, including Bresser, Hawke, Nikon, Steiner, Yukon, and many more. We also sell marine binoculars and night vision binoculars which can be ideal for certain activities like wildlife spotting and fishing or canoeing and kayaking.

You can also find a host of other wildlife and outdoor related products on our websites such as bird boxes and houses for mammals, animal tracking kits, bird feed and more.

So if you’re shopping for a nature lover, whatever the occasion, you can’t go wrong when you shop here at Sherwood.

To see our full range of products, visit the home page. If you need assistance ordering or have a question about any products, feel free to get in touch by emailing us at: Info@Sherwoods-Photo.com.