| Gear and the Birder | | | | have 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 field | | | | For the beginner, lower magnifications (7x, 8x) are best |
| guide. This is true for backyard birders who largely | | | | primarily because they offer a greater field of view. |
| want to enjoy the birds that come to feeders or | | | | The field of view is the linear feet viewable at 1000 |
| birdbaths and for those adventurous souls who take | | | | yards. The large field of view is especially important to |
| to the field. The field guide is an inexpensive | | | | the novice birder in locating a bird. Higher magnifications |
| compliment to binoculars which require a bit more | | | | help with detail which the more experienced birder |
| consideration. | | | | may wish to enjoy. |
| The field guide—now, that might be a misnomer | | | | Other aspects of binoculars one should consider |
| for those around home birders. Really, this is a | | | | include 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 fits | | | | and fog proofing. Some of these are self explanatory. |
| the individual birder’s needs and is easiest for | | | | However, eye relief is a term worth defining for |
| him to use. There is no secret formula. Once | | | | viewers that must wear eyeglasses. Eye relief has to |
| you’ve found the one you like, keep it handy | | | | do with how far images are projected from the ocular |
| and use it often. At first, one should concentrate on | | | | lens to their focal point. Eyeglass wearers need 14-15 |
| just trying to identify the family to which the bird might | | | | mm, at minimum. Close focus may be a consideration |
| belong, blackbirds, orioles, finches, woodpeckers, wrens | | | | if one looks for butterflies as well as birds. A close |
| etc. Believe me, it is a significant and meaningful first | | | | focus 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 improving | | | | technology, the roof prism, because focusing can be |
| one’s ability to identify. One can spend any | | | | accomplished internally. |
| amount of money on binoculars, but one should avoid | | | | The novice will find that it takes only a couple of items |
| a cheap pair. We enjoy a time when there is much | | | | to begin enjoying this pastime. Now, go grab a field |
| competition in the optics industry that there are | | | | guide and your binoculars and happy birding. |
| numerous models and types of binoculars. This may | | | | |