So, That's What It Was!

[Steve_G]

Bloody bird's been doing my head in for a few hours now. Kept glimpsing it, flying up onto the telegraph wires outside here. Obviously not one of my Swallows. Certainly not the Pied Wagtail ('Romani Chiriklo') who often joins them. Bit too plump and 'Bunting' looking ~ only I have precious few Buntings round here.

Just got the bin's on the little bugger. In lovely light, I had him 'On TV' ~ That clear and colourful: My beautiful, male Bully! Cock Bullfinch. What a treat for the eye he is!

Now, even as I typed that, something else popped up there and I was quick with the bin's; Spotted Flycatcher!

I've got it sussed now and keep my old Zeiss 'Deltrintem' 8x30's right here, on the work station. The old eyeballs are failing now. But, the birds never let me down

[Neil Rigby]

I keep a small telescope next to my desk.

It's a bit tricky for the close by birds but really good for watching the Skylarks I have in the field next door to my office.

They are showing really well.

[Steve_G]

Why a " small scope ", Neil? Most of a generation of Birders have now about concluded that a 'small' pair of bin's is the kit for 'catching that LBJ'. While the better the scope ye can get is the business for drinking in the finer details of what ever's out there ~ as in Out There .....

Bottom line, to my mind, is that ye can more tend to stick bin's to ye face and follow the birds movement fluidly as ye face can move. Scopes? I tended to find, at closer ranges, the face was more trying to follow the hands control of the scope.

Urrrgh! No good. Ye doing my head in here! LOL! This just can't be explained in sound bites.

Neil; Have ye never tried some of the smaller, lighter bin's at one of the shows / displays? The whole concept of the differences is just murder to express. Ye really need to SEE for yeself

[Neil Rigby]

I've had this small scope for years and thought it a good idea to keep it in the office.

You're spot on with the movements! I think you're right about small bins but we keep pairs of them all over the house and they're all I'm left with!

Maybe I'll treat myself!