Gear and the Birder

Gear and the Birderhave led to confusion for the consumer, but it has also
Just what are the essentials for the novice birder?led to increasing quality in optics.
Two essentials are a pair of binoculars and the fieldFor the beginner, lower magnifications (7x, 8x) are best
guide. This is true for backyard birders who largelyprimarily because they offer a greater field of view.
want to enjoy the birds that come to feeders orThe field of view is the linear feet viewable at 1000
birdbaths and for those adventurous souls who takeyards. The large field of view is especially important to
to the field. The field guide is an inexpensivethe novice birder in locating a bird. Higher magnifications
compliment to binoculars which require a bit morehelp with detail which the more experienced birder
consideration.may wish to enjoy.
The field guide—now, that might be a misnomerOther aspects of binoculars one should consider
for those around home birders. Really, this is ainclude the ease and quickness of focus, the amount
resource which helps one learn to identify the birds,of eye relief, weight, closeness of focus, and water
wherever they may be. The best guide is one that fitsand fog proofing. Some of these are self explanatory.
the individual birder’s needs and is easiest forHowever, eye relief is a term worth defining for
him to use. There is no secret formula. Onceviewers that must wear eyeglasses. Eye relief has to
you’ve found the one you like, keep it handydo with how far images are projected from the ocular
and use it often. At first, one should concentrate onlens to their focal point. Eyeglass wearers need 14-15
just trying to identify the family to which the bird mightmm, at minimum. Close focus may be a consideration
belong, blackbirds, orioles, finches, woodpeckers, wrensif one looks for butterflies as well as birds. A close
etc. Believe me, it is a significant and meaningful firstfocus of 4.5 to 5 ft is excellent. Water and fog
step; not a difficult one.proofing is better accomplished by the newer
A good pair of binoculars is essential to improvingtechnology, the roof prism, because focusing can be
one’s ability to identify. One can spend anyaccomplished internally.
amount of money on binoculars, but one should avoidThe novice will find that it takes only a couple of items
a cheap pair. We enjoy a time when there is muchto begin enjoying this pastime. Now, go grab a field
competition in the optics industry that there areguide and your binoculars and happy birding.
numerous models and types of binoculars. This may