National Go Birding Day is an annual holiday for celebrating all things bird watching. Taking place on the last Saturday in April, National Go Birding day is a great way to introduce new bird watchers to the experience. In this article we will discuss what bird watching is, essential equipment, pros and cons of additional accessories and how products like MAGVIEW® can enhance your bird watching journey.
What is bird watching?
Bird watchers, birders and twitchers are some of the names associated with the practice of viewing birds in their environment. Whether you take notes about appearance, behavior, nesting, habitat, species or are just out to enjoy the peace of nature and view some wildlife, all of these practices fall under the umbrella that is bird watching.
Essential birding gear.
Technically speaking bird watching does not require any gear, but certain items like magnified optics greatly enhance the experience. There are many types of magnified optics than can be used for successful birdwatching, but we will break them down into two main styles, binoculars and spotting scopes. Many birders choose to use binoculars instead of a spotting scope because binoculars tend to be more comfortable and easy to use. Most spotting scopes not only have high power zoom range which is not often needed for birding, but they are also much larger, heavier and require a tripod.
Optics technology is constantly evolving and we now live in a time where entry level optics may be as good as or better than top of the line optics from 20 or 30 years ago. This is good news for novice bird watchers looking to purchase a first pair of binoculars. A good pair of binoculars are a great starting point for any aspiring birder and there are many options available. Binoculars range in power or size but a good starting point would be something in the 8 to 10 power range, and objective lens size that fits your size and weight expectations.
When evaluating features of binoculars, it all boils down to finding a pair that are the power and size you prefer that fit your budget. Being able to try before you buy should drive much of the decision making process. If possible, compare binoculars outside where you can actually view nature rather than inside a store under very bright lighting conditions.
Pros and cons of additional accessories.
If you like to use binoculars and be able to stay mobile you may want to consider a binocular harness system. The benefits of a binocular harness compared to a strap are increased comfort (especially if you use heavy binoculars), optics protection and security. Many binocular harness systems available place the optics in a padded pouch that fits on the chest. The pouch provides great protection for both the lenses and body of binoculars when not in use. They also attach to the harness via a tether to make sure the optics cannot be dropped on the ground or lost. One con of a binocular harness is that it wraps around your body, so the optics are not as easily removed as a strap. Also if you need to change any clothing layers, the harness needs to be removed.
A tripod can certainly be beneficial when viewing stationary targets like a bird feeder, or wetland area. A tripod is also a much more stable platform when trying to capture photos or video rather than handheld optics. The trade off is that tripods are another piece of gear to carry, and some are very heavy. If weight is a concern, look for lightweight carbon fiber options. Mounting optics also reduces the overall range of motion for viewing an area because they are fixed. Be sure to choose a tripod head that can handle the weight of your optics, is smooth in its operation, and provides a good range of motion.
MAGVIEW enhances the experience.
Digiscoping products like MAGVIEW enhance your birding experience by allowing you to quickly and easily take photos or videos. The ability to capture the moment aids in documentation of bird species viewed and gives you the ability to share the experience with friends and family. Taking photos of birds viewed is also a great way for beginners to be able to cross-reference field guides, or share photos with more experienced birders that can help identify species.
Since binoculars are the most popular optics used in birding, the MAGVIEW B1 phone adaptor is a good place to start. The MAGVIEW B1 attaches to your binoculars eye cup and utilizes magnets and a thin stainless steel place to attach a phone so the camera easily aligns with the optic. The best way to capture photos and video using any of the MAGVIEW digiscoping products is by using the MAGVIEW app. Available at no charge for iPhone and Android users, the MAGVIEW app aids in phone alignment, locks on the correct camera lens and makes brightness adjustments quick and easy. If you are new to bird watching, take some time to get outdoors on National Go Birding Day, and for those experienced birders, take someone new and show them the ropes.
