Gearing Up for Bird Watching

  • Try several kinds of binoculars before deciding what to buy. Binoculars ranging from 7x35 to 10x50 are ideal for bird-watching. Compact models are handy for carrying in your pocket. There are binoculars to suit most pockets; check your favorite camera or department store, outdoor equipment shop, discount outlet, or mail-order catalog.

  • For beginning birders, your best bet is 7x35 binoculars with coated lenses and central focusing. The 7 indicates the power of magnification; a bird will appear seven times closer. The 35 is the lens size in millimeters. A ratio of one to five or one to six between magnification power and lens size is generally considered best; the lens is large enough in relation to the magnification power to admit enough light for distinguishing colors in low light.

  • Coated lenses reduce glare and the halo effect common in uncoated lenses. Be sure to protect the coating with a special cleaning kit, available at camera stores.

  • Using binoculars efficiently takes practice. Try them first on a stationary object to learn to locate it and focus quickly; then practice with a moving object, such as a car, a plane, or a bird in your backyard. You’ll soon get the knack of keeping your eyes on the bird while raising the binoculars.

  • Many river companies carry high-powered spotting scopes that can be set up at camp for wildlife watching. These powerful scopes can make it easy to see birds at a great distance.

  • Take along a good guide, such as the National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America.

 
 
 
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