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.

Getting Started In Bird Watching

Bird watching is a favourite hobby of many people, both young and old. If you are just getting started in the hobby, there are a few things you’ll want to buy to get started.

First and foremost you will want a good pair of binoculars. This is your ultimate piece of equipment for bird watching, and you will carry them with you everywhere. If you are going to splurge at all on any equipment, this is the place to do so.

Here at Sherwood Photographic we have many different high quality binoculars to choose from, all from the world’s leading manufacturers. Choose from brands like Acuter, Hawke, Leica, Olympus, Steiner, and Vortex.

You’ll find detailed descriptions of each product on our web site, and there is also a special section dedicated to choosing the correct pair of binoculars. So if you want bird watching binoculars, but you aren’t sure which type are appropriate, this guide can be a great help as you make your decision.

For bird watching, you will probably also want a good camera. Many people like to photograph the birds they see to add to a journal or album. You may also see other wildlife that you would like to photograph while you are out in nature.

It’s also important to have the right clothing, especially if you intend to go out in colder or wet weather. Choose some sturdy walking boots for hiking and  a waterproof coat. For more information about our bird watching products, visit the main web site.

Bringing Things Into Focus

Getting into birdwatching requires the ability to be able to use a pair of binoculars properly. Using a pair of binoculars is more than just putting them to your eyes and looking around. If you are new to this equipment, you will need to learn how to use the focus wheel and dioptre. The dioptre is also used to focus, but is there to compensate for the difference between your left and right eyes because they will not focus to the same degree. You need to be able to use both of these focuses in the right way in order to get the clearest image from your bird watching binoculars.

To get started with focusing your bird watching binoculars, you should first make sure that they are in right position for the width of your eyes. If they are too far apart or too close together you will have black edges infringing into what you see. When you look through the eye pieces, you should just see a perfect circle. Having got this right, look through them at something and use the central focus wheel to bring the image into focus.

Use the dioptre wheel to focus more finely on the object you’re looking at. To do this, you need to close each eye in turn and adjust the wheel until the image is clear. When you open both eyes again, the image should be perfectly clear through your binoculars. If not, continue to adjust slightly until it is.

How to Maintain Your Bird Watching Binoculars

Having spent the time and effort to choose a perfect pair of bird watching binoculars, you will want to do your utmost to make sure that they stay in tip top condition. Obviously this includes basic care such as always using the strap to wear them around your neck, to prevent damage should you drop them by accident, but also you should carry out regular cleaning and use other protective equipment.

Binoculars have special optics lenses which need to be cleaned regularly and with care. Cleaning them the wrong way can damage them by causing scratches which will then reduce the clarity of vision when you use them. You should clean the lenses using a very soft brush or even compressed air to remove any particles such as dirt or dust. Then use a lens tissue or cloth wet with special cleaning solution and wipe over the lenses gently. Use a dry part of the same cloth to dry them and then check for any smudges or smears.

When you buy your binoculars from us here at Sherwoods, they will come with a case and neck strap. Always use this case to store your binoculars when they are not in use, as it will prevent them from getting exposed to dirt and dust unnecessarily and avoid them getting scratched. We also sell various binocular accessories, including different types and lengths of straps and also the Lens Pen, which is ideal for cleaning your binocular lenses and is compact enough to carry around with you.