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Travel + Leisure
17-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
The Best Binoculars for Birders, With Picks for Every Trip and Budget
After years living in South Africa and spending my weekends exploring the country's magnificent game reserves, I turned to birding as something to do when other wildlife were scarce. In the decade since, I've realized that it's one of those rare hobbies whose reward vastly outweighs the effort and cost involved. Wherever you are in the world, there are almost always birds to spot and enjoy and the only investment required is a good pair of binoculars. For this reason, I'm now a self-confessed bird nerd who, when given the choice between a raptor and a rhino, is always more likely to be focusing on the creature with feathers. There are binoculars for all budgets and specifications, but the best magnification, objective lens diameter, field of view, close focus range, and size for you depends on your budget, the species you're most interested in, whether you typically bird on foot or from a hide or vehicle, and the type of habitat you most often find yourself in. To help you narrow down your options, our travel experts tested a wide range of binoculars while birding to give you the inside view. We used the tripod-adaptable Celestron TrailSeeker 8x42 ED Binoculars for hours of birding in national parks across Oregon and were impressed with their 8x magnification. A 42-millimeter objective lens diameter lets in plenty of light while also facilitating a generous 8.1-degree field of view. Effectively, this meant we could easily find and track flying birds as they moved across the landscape, using the conveniently placed focus wheel to sharpen the image as our subject got closer or further away. The binoculars use extra-low dispersion (ED) lenses made from a special glass designed to minimize chromatic aberration for high-contrast, high-resolution colors that are true to what you'd see with the naked eye. The difference between ED and non-ED glass is especially noticeable at dawn and dusk, when many bird species are most active. In the bright Oregon sunshine, the binoculars' fully multi-coated, anti-reflective lenses helped to maximize light transmission and eliminate glare so that we could view birds at a considerable distance with very little detail loss. In terms of durability, these binoculars survived being thrown repeatedly into a backpack with no signs of wear and tear. The body is made from lightweight magnesium alloy with a rubber coating for impact resistance, while the interior is filled with nitrogen to prevent fogging when moving between cool and warm environments. They're also fully waterproof. The Details: 1.5 pounds | 8.1-degree field of view | 6.5-foot close focus | 17.2 millimeter eye relief | 8x magnification | 42-millimeter objective lens diameter Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon $260 at Amazon $293 at The Athlon Optics 8x42 Midas UHD Binoculars combine 8x magnification with the 42-millimeter objective lens diameter and wider field of view often considered ideal for bird watching. They also boast ED glass and fully multi-coated lenses for a clearer, sharper image defined by the accuracy of its colors; while dielectric prism coatings maximize light transmission for increased contrast, color fidelity, and glare reduction. We were particularly impressed with the binoculars' precise focal range, which was easily adjusted as birds moved closer or further away. While there is some very minor distortion at the edge of the field of view, it's virtually unnoticeable unless you're focusing on it. With the eyecups twisted so that they were flush against our face, we were able to use the binoculars in full sun without any light leaking in and causing glare; equally, image quality remained consistent in the low light of late afternoon. The binoculars are compact, light, and great for hiking. They're also waterproof, argon purged for fog protection, and come with a tripod mount for alleviating fatigue when focusing for long periods on a nest site or other fixed point. The Details: 1.45 pounds | 8.1-degree field of view | 6.5-foot close focus | 17.2-millimeter eye relief | 8x magnification | 42-millimeter objective lens diameter Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon $189 at Amazon View on Competitively priced, perfectly packable, and lightweight enough to hold up to your eyes or carry around your neck for extended periods of time without getting fatigued, the Opticron Oregon 4 PC Oasis 8x42 Binoculars are an excellent choice for the casual birder. They combine 8x magnification with all the clarity of a BAK4 prism with fully multi-coated lenses for maximum light transmission and minimum glare. We found the image to be sharp and bright with no noticeable distortion, even on a sunset birding session in low light conditions. The focus wheel is ideally placed for making precise adjustments with one hand. Once focused, we were able to view birds on our feeder in minute detail. One thing to note—the field of view is slightly narrower than that of other options, making these binos best for environments that require minimal searching or tracking. They are sturdily made with a waterproof body, slip- and impact-resistant rubber coating, and nitrogen purged interiors for fog-free viewing in all climates. Twistable eyecups and a tripod adapter complete the list of features. The Details: 1.5 pounds | 7-degree field of view | 7.5-foot close focus | 22-millimeter eye relief | 8x magnification | 42-millimeter objective lens diameter Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon The Pentax Binoculars AD are great for those planning a backpacking expedition, thru-hiking adventure, or any other kind of trip that requires you to prioritize lightweight equipment. Measuring just 4.3 x 4.1 inches, they are less than half the weight of our top pick and can easily be carried in hand or around the neck for extended periods of time. You won't be sacrificing any magnification, although the 25-millimeter objective lens makes for a much smaller field of view (5.5 degrees). We found that this made it tricky to locate and track birds on the move. And while we were impressed with the binoculars' ability to capture details on distant subjects, the 9.8-foot close focus limit means they're not as useful for viewing birds at close quarters. However, a BAK4 prism and fully multi-coated, phase corrected lens make for a sharp, glare-free image with good contrast and color accuracy. We were able to focus easily and found the picture just as good on bright and overcast days. Nitrogen-purged waterproofing provides all-weather durability. The Details: 10.5 ounces | 5.5-degree field of view | 9.8-foot close focus | 21-millimeter eye relief | 8x magnification | 25-millimeter objective lens diameter Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon $449 at Amazon View on Backed by a 10 year warranty, the Kowa BDII42-8XD Binoculars are designed for adventures and built to last. Expect a lightweight, yet durable magnesium alloy body and rubber armor that feels both ultra-protective and comfortably soft to the touch. The binoculars are waterproof and nitrogen filled, and we found that they stayed completely clear in humid weather and in close proximity to the water. The sturdy, slightly weighty build helped us to brace the binoculars and keep them steady, but did cause some fatigue after long periods of use. In terms of performance, the binoculars offer 8X magnification and an impressively wide 8.2-degree field of view that allows you to locate birds quickly. They can also focus down to 5.9 feet for viewing birds on a feeder or smaller insects and flora in exquisite detail. ED lenses allow for fantastic image quality with no discernible blurring or distortion. We tested them in a range of light conditions with similar results. We especially liked how the fully multi-coated lenses prevented glare even while birding from a boat in full midday sunshine. The Details: 1.4 pounds | 8.2-degree field of view | 5.9-foot close focus | 17-millimeter eye relief | 8x magnification | 42-millimeter objective lens diameter Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon If you're looking for a pair of binoculars that can stand up to the elements, look no further than the Zeiss Terra ED 8x42s. Rated for temperatures between 5 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, they're equally at home in tundra or desert while nitrogen purging protects against fogging in birding destinations with high humidity. Best of all, a hydrophobic multi-coating reinforced with glass fibers makes these binoculars waterproof up to 100 meters, meaning you could swim with them around your neck and they should still function perfectly afterward. They offer 8x magnification and ED glass for enhanced light transmission. We found the image clear and crisp all the way to the edges of the field of view and were impressed that there was no glare even when using the binoculars to scan for waterbirds on the Colorado River in bright sunshine. The intuitively placed, easy-to-operate focus wheel was a highlight, allowing us to make minute adjustments quickly. We also appreciated the 5.3-foot close focus, which meant we were able to get an incredibly detailed view of a tanager at close range. The Details: 1.6 pounds | 5.3-foot close focus | 8x magnification | 42-millimeter objective lens diameter Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon Ideally priced for beginners, the Nocs Provision Field Issue 10x32 Binoculars are compact and lightweight enough at just over one pound that we never felt shaky or fatigued using them. They'll also last well past your introduction to birding, with a textured rubber housing for maximum grip and protection, and a waterproof rating to a depth of up to three feet. A BAK4 prism with fully multi-coated lenses provides excellent light transmission, contrast, and color accuracy. We also found the oversized focus wheel easy to adjust one-handed while spotting. We liked the crisp view and loved that we were able to see individual feathers on distant birds thanks to the 10x magnification. We tested these binoculars alongside the Nocs Provisions Field Issue 8x32 Binoculars and preferred the former's higher magnification; however, some may find the wider field of view offered by the latter preferable for scanning large areas. Additionally, the 8x32s have a higher relative brightness and may be a better pick for birding at dawn and dusk. Both come in a range of quirky colors and are protected by a "No Matter What" lifetime warranty. The Details: 1 pound | 6-degree field of view | 9.3-foot close focus | 16.8-millimeter eye relief | 10x magnification | 32-millimeter objective lens diameter Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon The Hontry 10x25 Compact Binoculars are a budget pick, so you won't have to worry about your kids breaking them or losing interest in birding. On the other hand, with a BAK4 prism and fully multi-coated lenses, they are effective enough to last into the next stage of the hobby if your children develop a passion for it. We were pleased with the sharpness of the image, which was undistorted and showed enough detail that we were able to see the veins on leaves and individual feathers in an owl's nest. With 10x magnification and a 25-millimeter objective lens diameter, the field of view is relatively narrow (6.5 degrees). But, the small lens size also makes the binoculars super compact and lightweight at just 9.6 ounces, making them comfortable for kids to hold. Ours were able to use them for extended periods without their arms getting tired, although our seven year old did need a little help reaching and using the focus wheel. Finally, the binos feel sturdy with a textured, non-slip grip and feature a carry case to help kids take care of them. The Details: 9.6 ounces | 6.5-degree field of view | 10-millimeter eye relief | 10x magnification | 25-millimeter objective lens diameter Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure
Globe and Mail
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Globe and Mail
Birding is the most exciting scavenger hunt nature has to offer
First Person is a daily personal piece submitted by readers. Have a story to tell? See our guidelines at I have Steve Martin, Jack Black and Owen Wilson to thank for my love of birding. The three of them acted together in The Big Year, a 2011 comedy drama that flew surprisingly under the radar considering the star power attached. Martin, Black and Wilson are cast as three obsessive birders, all competing to see the highest number of species in a calendar year in North America. I saw the film in high school and was immediately intrigued by how they identified birds from just a glance or a few notes of birdsong. I was always a kid who liked being outside, having spent a lot of time hiking and camping while growing up. I had a basic interest in birds and could tell a cardinal from a chickadee, a red-tailed hawk from a turkey vulture. But this was something entirely different – almost a gamification of birding. My mom and two aunts also watched the movie, and we began our own 'big year,' communicating our sightings through a private Facebook group, and keeping a shared Excel sheet to track our individual bird counts. Over the next year, I learned more about birds than I ever knew there was to learn. Ontario has hundreds of species, many of which were viewable on a short walk from my house. Others required travelling farther to see. I grew up in Mississauga and started frequenting the parks along the lakeshore, where I found grebes, loons and diving ducks. First Person: In search of the scarlet tanager: birding has brought me closer to Dad My family and I often birded together, spending days or entire weekends in nature with our binoculars (or 'bins,' as birders call them) in hand. We travelled to Point Pelee National Park and Rondeau Provincial Park to see the spring influx of warblers – a group of brightly coloured birds in yellows, blues and reds that weigh half an ounce and fly back from Central America each year. One of my aunts, who lives near Algonquin Provincial Park, took us there in search of chestnut-backed chickadees, the elusive spruce grouse, and Canada jays, who associate people with food and will swoop down if you call for them. By the end of the year, we had so much fun that we decided to do it again. Our lists grew with our knowledge, and this time around we were able to identify many birds by sight, and even some by sound. We joined Discord groups and discovered birding communities across the province, mostly made up of retirees and passionate science students. We knew where to go – or who to ask – to find certain birds. It's like realizing a scavenger hunt has been sitting there waiting for you, and there's hundreds of dazzling clues to be found in the forest. Birding opens the door to the diversity that exists in the natural world. Most of these birds are fundamentally the same, made up of hollow bones, wings and talons. And yet, they've found seemingly endless ways to survive through specialized wings, migration routes and feeding patterns. There are birds that eat tiny crustaceans and others that feast on tree sap. Burrowing owls live underground in holes dug by other animals, while vireos weave bark fibres and grass to build orb-shaped nests. The loggerhead shrike, a songbird, will hunt small birds and mammals and skewer its prey on barbed wire (or anything pointy, really). The red knot, a bird only a little bigger than a robin, flies up to 30,000 kilometres each year during its two trips from South America where it winters, to the Canadian Arctic where they nest and hatch their chicks. First Person: Am I still a birdwatcher if I don't care about what they are called? At the end of The Big Year, Martin and Black's characters lose to Wilson, whose ruthless strategies ultimately lead him to victory. He's willing to do anything to be the best birder – including abandoning his wife during fertility treatments to look for a snowy owl – and this eventually costs him his marriage. Martin and Black, meanwhile, are pulled away from their birding journeys by the occasional sacrifices required for the people you care about. Martin's character takes a few days off to meet a new grandbaby, and Black does the same to care for his aging father. As for me, nearly a decade after I first saw the movie, I'm no longer in what I consider my 'big year' era. I don't keep rigorous lists or fixate on my yearly total the way I did in my first few years of birding. Much like Jack Black at the end of the film, I still go birding through forests, wetlands and urban parks on the weekends. More often than not, I keep a pair of binoculars in my car just in case I spot something spectacular. But I don't worry so much about counting them any more. Instead, I focus on the aspects of birding that I truly love: the way it pushes me to get outdoors more, travel to gorgeous parts of Ontario I wouldn't normally see, and remember that patience reaps rewards. Most of all, I love the optimism inherent in birding. Beauty is all around us, and you never know what you might find unless you pick up a pair of binoculars and look. Caelan Beard lives in Brantford, Ont.
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Travel + Leisure
01-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
These Are the Best Times to Go on a Safari, According to a Top Travel Advisor
Safaris have a reputation: thrilling, scenic—and often wildly expensive. This is especially true if you're looking for intimate camp experiences led by expert guides. But, as someone who's been planning safaris in Africa for over 30 years, here's an insider tip: The best time to go might be during the off-season, or the 'secret seasons.' Twice a year—in March and April (sometimes referred to as the Emerald Season) and again in November (referred to as the Amber Season)—safari destinations across Africa become less populated as the rains return and the crowds disappear. This is when you can find great deals financially, without compromising your experience. Tourists on a safari drive watching the Emerald Season, the rains return, transforming the bush into a lush, green paradise. This is an exceptional time to go birding, as migrant birds from the Northern Hemisphere are still present in Africa. Many species even develop vibrant plumage in preparation for breeding season. Game viewing, while more challenging due to thicker vegetation, is always rewarding this time of year. You'll find fewer vehicles, and animals may seem more relaxed, having been happily fed over the past months with plenty of food and water. Photographers will appreciate the rich textures, dramatic skies, and striking contrasts of animals against vivid green backdrops. This is also the best time to engage more deeply with cultural experiences. For example, you can visit Botswana's indigenous San people and learn how they survive off the land during this season of abundance, or what they call the "happy time." Camps like Nxamaseri Island Lodge can also take visitors to observe traditional rituals or visit Tsodilo Hills for ancient San rock art. A lioness stalking a herd of Amber Season is the fire-hued finale to the dry season. After many months without rain, the terrain transforms into golden grasslands with hazy sunsets and trees tinged with burnt orange and crimson. Expect to see dynamic predator-prey action as the big cats capitalize on the concentration of thirsty, vulnerable animals. It's also calving season for antelope; many delay giving birth until the rains arrive, ensuring fresh, nutrient-rich grass is available to nourish them as they tend to their newborns. While it's hot, the arrival of the late November rains helps to settle the dust and cool the air. With sparse foliage, visibility is excellent. Showers arrive in quick, dramatic storms, refreshing the landscape and turning the sky into a canvas of moody clouds, vivid rainbows, and golden light. A luxurious interior room of a safari camp. One of the biggest perks of these secret seasons? Top camps suddenly become more affordable. During peak months, staying at a premier safari lodge can get pricey. But in off-peak periods, many lodges have reduced rates, exclusive deals, and other exciting offers. For example, supplements for solo travelers are frequently waived, and with lower occupancy rates at lodges, guests are often treated to a private guide at no additional cost. At the Duba Plains Camp in Botswana, for instance, four nights for two guests costs $13,800 in March, but $33,800 from June through October. And at the Somalisa Camp in Zimbabwe, off-peak visitors get two free nights on a nine-night itinerary when booking through select partners like Explore Inc. On top of big savings, traveling at off-peak times can provide travelers with a more peaceful, intimate experience. You are more likely to have intimate experiences, like watching a leopard descend from a tree or elephants drinking at dusk, without the smell of several other diesel engines or the sound of camera shutters from a crowd. If you're looking for exceptional wildlife, dramatic skies, better rates, and fewer crowds, the secret seasons deliver. It's not about compromising—t's about seeing Africa when it exudes a quieter kind of magic. The grass might be taller and the forecast a little less predictable, but it's all worth it for a safari that's personal, immersive, and just a bit more wild. Cherri Briggs is a member of Travel + Leisure's A-List and specializes in Botswana and Rwanda trips. You can create a tailor-made itinerary with Briggs by contacting her at [email protected] .
The Guardian
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
How to become a birder: 10 easy ways to start this life-changing hobby
I'm assured this is a big deal: on the far side of a field in Thetford, separated from me by a gate, there is a stone-curlew. Jon Carter, from the British Trust for Ornithology, patiently directs my binoculars up, down and past patches of grass until my gaze lands on an austere-looking, long-legged brown bird. 'Quite a rare bird,' Carter says, pleased. 'Very much a bird of the Breckland.' As a very beginner birder, I'll have to take his word for that. My interest was sparked early this summer when a friend introduced me to Merlin Bird ID. Developed at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, New York, the app records birdsong and uses artificial intelligence to identify particular species – like Shazam for birds. Merlin has added a new dimension to my walks, sharpening my awareness of wildlife I'd ordinarily have tuned out. I can now identify one bird by song alone (the chiffchaff – it helpfully says its name). Having surged through the pandemic, birding may be taking off once more. Merlin has recently been shouted out on the ultra-cool NTS radio station and on Instagram by Sarah Jessica Parker, while The Residence, the recent Netflix whodunnit from Shonda Rhimes' production company, features a birdwatching detective. Birding not only gets you outdoors and moving, but engages you in nature; both benefit mental and physical health. A 2022 study found that everyday encounters with birdlife were associated with lasting improvements in mental wellbeing. Even simply hearing birdsong can be restorative. But how do you go from noticing birds to becoming a full-blown birder? Carter and other experts took me under their wings. Carter is leading me through the BTO's Nunnery Lakes reserve, just south of Thetford in Norfolk. Sixty species of birds breed here between March and August, and more stop over. In just 20 minutes, we spot a dozen or so, including a charming family of great crested grebes. Many birders practise 'patch birding', focusing their entire practice on just the one area, Carter tells me: 'It's quite addictive.' He discovered birding aged 11, when his family moved close to the RSPB's Leighton Moss nature reserve in coastal Lancashire. 'Suddenly, birds became the absolute focus.' But even urban areas teem with birdlife. Nadeem Perera, an RSPB ambassador and co-founder of the birding community Flock Together, got hooked after spotting a green woodpecker in a suburban London cemetery. 'I couldn't get over how strikingly beautiful this bird was, and moreover, that it was on my doorstep,' he says. At the time, Perera was 15 and had just dropped out of school. He was feeling hopeless and disengaged. The woodpecker represented hope and possibility. 'All I knew was that being exposed to birds in their natural environments made me feel good – so I kept on going.' Fifteen years later, Perera can confidently identify most birdsong in London. With more than 600 bird species recorded in the UK, Carter suggests starting with those you're most likely to encounter locally. A field guide such as Collins Bird Guide is the best way to familiarise yourself with different types of birds and helpful vocabulary. By learning a little about the taxonomies – and what distinguishes, say, a passerine (perching bird) from a petrel (seabird) – 'you very quickly learn how to describe the birds you see,' Carter says. But don't feel pressure to become an expert, he adds. 'People can just enjoy being in nature because it's valid and valuable.' Amy Tan, the bestselling author of The Joy Luck Club, became a 'back yard birder' in 2016, following Donald Trump's election. 'It was so depressing – I needed to find beauty again in the world,' she says. At the time, Tan was 64. Birding brought her calm and a refreshed perspective, 'getting distracting and distressing elements out of my head so I could continue with my day'. Soon she became 'obsessed' with birds; at one point, she even stored live mealworms in her fridge. In her book The Backyard Bird Chronicles (a US bestseller, to be published in the UK in August), Tan captures her visitors with whimsical descriptions and drawings. She can now identify more than 70 species – but that knowledge came gradually, she says. 'If you take on too much at once, it's overwhelming, and then you just don't want to do it any more.' Naming birds 'does not have to be a criteria' to enjoy them, she adds. 'It's a very democratic hobby, or passion – or obsession.' Technology can be a gateway to green spaces, as demonstrated by my experience with Merlin Bird ID. It's useful for engaging young people in particular in the natural world, Carter agrees – and perhaps more realistic than urging them to leave their phones at home. The Collins Bird Guide is also available as an app for on-the-go referral (though most birders seem to use the app alongside the hard copy, since the book is easier to browse). Carter also recommends the BTO's free app BirdTrack, which allows users to record their sightings, review those of others, and contribute to research. Some people prefer eBird, which, like Merlin, comes from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Though apps can augment birders' experience in the field, they can also distract from it. Carter says Merlin is best used in addition to your own instincts and identifications, rather than as a replacement – not least because 'it's not 100% accurate'. And by immediately reaching for the app to ID a bird sighting or song, you also risk skipping over steps that would make that knowledge stick or feel earned. I have now started using Merlin only after making my best guess as to what species I'm hearing. I am usually wrong (unless it's a chiffchaff) – but I feel as if I'm training my ear. Birding requires patience, which is at odds with our on-demand culture, Perera points out. That's 'one of the great things' about it – but it can be a tough adjustment. 'This isn't Netflix. There's every chance that you will see nothing. Then you realise: 'Oh, wow, the world actually doesn't happen on my terms,'' he says. 'It humbles your ego a little bit. But it makes you very appreciative of those magical moments when you do see the bird that you're after.' Birding is a widely accessible, even generally free pastime – 'but if you want to do it to a certain standard, you need to buy a pair of binoculars,' Carter says. As a one-off expense, it's worth putting in the time to find a pair that suits your purposes (and ideally try before you buy). Magnification is not the only consideration, Carter says; some have a brighter picture, but might be less sharp. Weight and size are also important. 'It's about finding ones that feel right in your hand.' Premium-brand 'bins', such as Leica and Zeiss, go for more than £1,000. (An AI-assisted pair made by Swarovski – yes, like the crystal – will set you back £3,695.) Budget models have come a long way, but Carter warns against scrimping: 'You're not going to get anything under £150 or £200 that's even really useful. But once you've got it, you're done.' Think of it as an investment, echoes Sam Walker of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) charity. 'You don't have to spend thousands, but it's really key. Even if it's just a small pair of field binoculars, they're going to set you up for decades into the future.' He suggests buying top brands secondhand, available at a fifth or even a tenth of the price of new. Walker's own binoculars and telescope are probably more than 10 years old, 'but it's still great-quality glass'. Birding is often a solitary pursuit, but it doesn't have to be. 'It's a more social hobby than you'd think,' says Walker. He got into birding six years ago when he started working at the WWT, and says the best way to learn is by going out with people with more experience. 'It's much easier to identify birds and retain information, because you've got others there to bounce ideas off. I'm always really keen to not be sat in a bird hide, on my own, in the dark.' Nature reserves and organisations such as the BTO and the RSPB put on birding walks, talks, training courses and events. Joining a local bird club is also a great way to meet like-minded people. Birding may still be dominated by older, white men – but that is changing. The BTO and RSPB both have youth wings, while groups such as Birds & the Belles and Birding for All are working to make the pastime more inclusive. Perera and Ollie Olanipekun co-founded Flock Together in 2020, as a 'birdwatching club for Black and brown people'. Five years on, it holds monthly birdwatching walks and has chapters in Tokyo, Toronto and New York. 'Don't let anybody intimidate you, or make you feel as though you don't belong,' says Perera, who is of Sri Lankan and Jamaican heritage. 'They're just scared that you're going to be better at it than them.' Birders love to log their sightings: the most common records are 'year lists', covering the calendar year, and 'life lists' that include everything. Walker's 2025 list is currently at 130 species, sighted around his Gloucestershire home – but he knows birders with life lists tallying 600-plus. 'You can imagine the amount of time and money that they've spent travelling around.' Many birdwatchers will go to great lengths to secure rare spots. 'It just adds a little bit of magic sparkle to your birding year, and builds up that life list as well.' But even patch-birders, focused on their local area, can get a bit obsessive about trying to catch 'em all, Walker admits. 'People get worried about going away on holiday.' While some structure or system can support your developing hobby, Carter discourages being too focused on outcomes. 'I've seen quite a few young people get into the rarity, list-building thing.' Earlier this month, a Pallas's reed bunting was spotted on Fair Isle in the Shetlands – only the fifth sighting recorded since 1976. Though the bird itself is small and unshowy, excitement levels were high: 'A mostly monochrome masterpiece, this was the stuff of birding legend,' wrote the Rare Bird Alert newsletter. Carter recalls: 'straight away, people were trying to figure out if they could get charter flights, whether there were any boats running …' He advises slowing down. 'Take your time; learn to really love birds.' Tan decries some birdwatchers' elitism, and dismissal of common species. 'They'll call a starling or sparrow a 'junk bird'; I think that's horrible.' She approaches birding as a practice of observation, and even mindfulness. 'You can start noticing what a bird is doing – these ordinary behaviours that we don't always pay attention to.' Tan also studies the pecking order playing out at her feeders. 'Trying to decipher the relationships – that's part of the fun,' she says. Drawing each bird pushes her to focus on easily missed details such as bill shape or foot colour, and 'the way that each individual bird is actually constructed'. Keeping a journal or a diary (as The Backyard Bird Chronicles began) helps 'anchor' her practice, Tan says. 'It's a good brain exercise, if you're a writer, but also just for remembering the things that made your life so meaningful and joyful.' Once you're familiar with your patch and its regulars, you can start attuning yourself to seasonal variations. Many migratory birds arrive in the UK during the spring, staying for the summer and leaving just as winter visitors are descending. The time of day and the weather affect sightings, too. Birdlife is typically most active at dawn and dusk. While rain can worsen visibility and make some species less active, it enlivens others and causes them to fly closer to the ground, making them easier to spot. Strong onshore winds can blow seabirds towards the coast from open water, and cause migratory species from North America, Europe or Asia to make a pit stop on British shores. Just a short drive or train ride can transport you to a different habitat hosting unfamiliar species, Walker says. 'Even in London, you can get out to heathland or down to the coast.' The eBird and BirdTrack apps, alerting on recent sightings and particular hotspots, can give you a sense of what to look for – but in general, Walker says, 'being out and always birding is the best place to be'. As well as offering an escape from screens, work and day-to-day stresses, birding can deepen your investment in nature. You might notice the changing climate in your area, or get involved in local efforts to protect green spaces. 'It connects you to it, so you care about it, and you're concerned when someone wants to fill in your local pond or build a road through woodland,' says Carter. You can contribute to science and conservation efforts by logging sightings on BirdTrack, adding to a national database of 'what's where and when'. The BTO also conducts regular projects and surveys – of wetland birds, breeding birds or garden birds – involving thousands of volunteers each year. Even beginners can play a part, says Carter. 'Every record is of some value: if you identify only half the birds you saw, that half is still really useful. You don't have to be an expert in telling one weird wader apart from another weird wader – there are always people who are good at that.' The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan is published in the UK by Corsair (£20) on 7 August
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Gahanna teen wins national honor from American Birding Association
GAHANNA, Ohio (WCMH) — A central Ohio teenager has received the nation's top honor for his outstanding efforts in the world of birding. Killian Sullivan, a 13-year-old from Gahanna, earned the prestigious American Birding Association's 2025 Young Birder of the Year award. According to the ABA's website, Sullivan won the 10- to 13-year-old age category for his work in the Young Birder of the Year Mentoring Program. He received gold in the modules of conservation and community leadership and writing and a silver in illustration. Sullivan credits spotting a large black and blue songbird called a Steller's Jay at Lake Tahoe with sparking his passion for birding. He also praises his parents, Brandon and Heidi Sullivan and mentors James Muller and Ben Warner, for helping him develop his initial interest into becoming a young leader in the field. 'From the moment I saw that Steller's Jay in California, I have had incredible support,' said Sullivan. 'Because of [my parents' and mentors'] guidance and inspiration, I have been able to learn and enjoy this amazing passion. Often, I wonder if that single bird would have sparked 700 more without their lessons and encouragement.' The teen's love of travel, adventure and rock climbing has helped him thrive in the ornithology community. He has published articles in magazines, given talks at birding festivals and has been a guide for the Biggest Week in American Birding. In Columbus, he teaches a series of birding workshops for Grange Insurance Audubon Center. 'I entered ABA's Young Birder of the Year Program because I wanted to give back to the birding community,' said Sullivan. 'As a result, I wanted to create a series of resources to make birding more accessible to those just finding this beautiful adventure.' Out of the hundreds of birds he has observed in the 49 states and six Canadian provinces he has visited, Sullivan's favorite bird, the Carolina Wren, can be found in his own Ohio backyard. Other key places he likes to search for new species include southeast Arizona, New Jersey's Cape May and any pelagic, or birding by boat. Sullivan's notable skills include the ability to recognize nearly a thousand species of birds by their field marks and hundreds by their calls and songs. He has currently seen 678 species and is working on becoming the youngest person to see 700 birds in the ABA region, which includes the U.S. and Canada. Birding has inspired him to conduct research, restore habitats, create digital art and learn photography. Recently, Sullivan was filmed by MacGillivray Freeman Films for an IMAX movie that traces nature through the seasons in Ohio. Sullivan's work can be found at The American Birding Association's Young Birder of the Year Mentoring Program was created to guide and encourage birders between the ages of 10 and 18. Central to the program is providing expert advice that helps develop the skills and talents of young birders. The program, which began in 1998, has a track record of advancing the careers of up-and-coming leaders in the birding and ornithological communities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
