{"id":39720,"date":"2020-10-23T14:41:38","date_gmt":"2020-10-23T04:11:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/?p=39720"},"modified":"2023-04-18T09:50:59","modified_gmt":"2023-04-18T00:20:59","slug":"best-gear-for-spotting-birds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/best-gear-for-spotting-birds\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Gear for Spotting Birds"},"content":{"rendered":"

I mostly got into the outdoors through trail running<\/a> \u2013 but while I\u2019m not the fastest runner going around, it didn\u2019t leave me as much time as I\u2019d like to appreciate nature as I huffed and puffed along the trails. More recently, I\u2019ve channeled my love of both photography and the outdoors into wildlife photography, with a particular focus on birds.<\/p>\n

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You don’t need to be a photographer to appreciate the Diamond Firetail Finch.<\/em><\/p>\n

It turns out that what seemed like a fairly straight-forward transition required both a bit more thought and equipment than I originally considered. Here are some of the things that have come in handy for me along the way.<\/p>\n

First of all \u2013 as I\u2019m not just into spotting<\/em> birds but photographing them too \u2013 it\u2019s fair to say that learning to use the camera equipment has been a slippery slope. My lenses have become both progressively longer, and more expensive \u2013 but I\u2019ll save the camera talk for another day, and instead give you an insight into what else I take with me on my adventures.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A good comfortable pair of boots are the most important part of your gear.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

A great pair of boots will take you far.<\/h2>\n

Coming from a trail running background, I never really understood why hiking boots<\/a> were so great. Wouldn\u2019t my trail runners do just fine? Well, I quickly discovered that the extra protection and support come in super handy when you\u2019re covering the sort of ground I do.<\/p>\n

I took a punt on the Merrell Moab<\/a> boots and could not be happier. I\u2019ve travelled who knows how many miles in these things \u2013 both across Australia in all kinds of conditions, and through the jungles of Java and Cambodia. Cold, hot, wet, dry, they\u2019ve been amazing. If you\u2019re going to be standing around for long periods as well as hiking, comfy boots (and socks<\/a>!) are a must and these get the two big thumbs up from me. And my feet.<\/p>\n

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My gaiters changed my life. Image: Sea to Summit<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

My gaiters changed my life.<\/h2>\n

I also happen to have a bit of a phobia of snakes. Yes, I know there\u2019s probably a higher chance of being struck by lightning than bitten by a snake \u2013 but I\u2019m still super sketchy on narrow trails in warm weather. I\u2019m happy to say that my Sea to Summit Quagmire Gaiters<\/a> have been truly life-changing\u2026 and I\u2019m not exaggerating. They\u2019ve completely transformed my enjoyment out on the trails.<\/p>\n

They\u2019re even more important when you consider that bird-spotting requires keeping as quiet as possible and looking up\u2026 which is the exact opposite of what\u2019s recommended to avoid snakes<\/a>. So, boots and gaiters really do make my bird-nerding far safer and more enjoyable.<\/p>\n

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Wearing long pants means I can comfortably lie down to get a good angle on my shots.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Pants. With pockets.<\/h2>\n

I\u2019m not overly keen to put this to the test, but I\u2019m told that pants of even a standard thickness (about two millimetres) can prevent a snake bite<\/a> as well \u2013 not to mention scrapes, scratches, and various other bug bites. Regardless of how hot or humid it is, a good pair of long hiking pants is on my list \u2013 better yet with extra pockets for batteries<\/a>, memory cards, lens cleaners, and other bits and pieces. <\/p>\n

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Wearing my camo gear is no fashion statement, but it works for better bird spotting.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Camo (it’s not a fashion statement, but it works)<\/h2>\n

Although I started off with standard, neutral-coloured clothing, I\u2019ve gravitated towards camouflage gear as I\u2019ve grown keener to snap better shots. If you don\u2019t want people to look at you funny, this isn\u2019t necessarily something I recommend \u2013 but in particular circumstances, it has certainly helped me snap some shots that I otherwise wouldn\u2019t have managed to.<\/p>\n

I also wear merino<\/a> because, when you’re standing still and waiting to capture that perfect shot, it’s easy to become cold. In winter or chilly conditions, layers of merino insulate far more effectively than any other fibre \u2013 so I pile them on.
They’re good on the flip side too. When it’s hot, or you’re wearing the same clothes for a few days at a time, natural fibres like merino help you keep stink-free!<\/p>\n

Cover Up!<\/h2>\n

It sounds obvious, but a decent hat<\/a> for sun protection is also right up there on my list. In cooler weather, I\u2019ll opt for the warmth of a Buff, or neck gaiter<\/a> \u2013 and as much as I love some of the brightly coloured ones, neutral colours are the way to go for birding. While I\u2019ll always go for sun shelter provided by natural shade, sometimes there is none \u2013 and we\u2019re all aware of the issues around spending long periods of time in the sun. Cover up, people!<\/p>\n

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A decent water bottle keeps you hydrated and refreshed. Image: Grayl<\/em><\/div>\n
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Keep Your Cool<\/h2>\n

Speaking of the heat, there\u2019s nothing better than a nice, cold drink when you\u2019re out and about for long periods of time \u2013 and a decent drink bottle<\/a> makes that much more enjoyable. I\u2019ve always kept it pretty simple with a regular flask, like a Camelbak \u2013 but these days, I quite like some of the insulated bottles that keep my drink cool well into the day. <\/p>\n

Binoculars, to get up close and personal<\/h2>\n

My eyes aren\u2019t what they used to be \u2013 so when I\u2019m not peering through my camera viewfinder, I\u2019ve got an old pair of field binoculars<\/a> to help me spot and identify birds at long range. My pair is quite heavy and bulky, so I\u2019ve got my eyes on a more lightweight pair. The specifications vary a little, so it really depends on where you\u2019ll be and at what distance you need to spot things. On a recent tour, I used a pretty fancy pair that I later found out was about $4,000 to buy! Needless to say, I didn\u2019t get a pair of those (\u2026yet). For most people, a regular pair will do the trick just fine.<\/p>\n

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I pack all my gear into dry sacks when I go birding in my kayak. Image: Sea to Summit<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Staying dry (even when it\u2019s not raining)<\/h2>\n

Another must-have for me is a couple of dry sacks<\/a> for equipment \u2013 \u201cjust in case\u201d. It\u2019s obvious to protect gear from the rain \u2013 but even on a hot day, I put valuable equipment like batteries and memory cards in dry sacks. This protects them from any perspiration within my pockets or even my backpack.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a bit like insurance! I always hope I don\u2019t need them, but they\u2019re there if something goes wrong. Plus, sometimes I go birding in my kayak \u2013 so I heavily rely on my dry sacks to protect everything when I\u2019m out on the water. <\/p>\n

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Super light but able to hold up to 130kg, the Pegasus is a great chair to take on the trails.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Take a Seat<\/h2>\n
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Standing around or crouching beneath bushes is all well and good…but if I’m planning a long day out in the field, I’ll pack my hiking chair<\/a>. As I’m carrying everything with me while I’m on the trails, I keep my chair lightweight and easy to carry \u2013 but it still has to be comfy!<\/p>\n

A comfortable backpack, for all my bits and pieces<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Oh, yeah \u2013 it goes without saying that a backpack<\/a> for all your bits and pieces is pretty handy too. There are all sorts of brands and styles out there \u2013 but I\u2019m personally using an Osprey day pack, which has been pretty perfect for what I need. Not too big, not too small, and easy access to the various compartments if I need to grab something fast. The last thing I want is to finally spot the bird I\u2019ve been after, then miss the shot. <\/p>\n

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Learning how to find and identify native birds, like this male Scarlet Robin, is very satisfying.<\/em><\/p>\n

So \u2013 whether you\u2019re out on the road for days at a time or more of a dabbler doing a few hours here and there, those are some of the items I take with me. If it\u2019s something you\u2019ve never tried before, there are all sorts of resources<\/a> and information online about how to both find and identify the birds you see to help you on your way.<\/p>\n

Just be warned \u2013 you can go from being a perfectly regular member of society on one day, to hiding behind bushes in full camouflage, trying to spot a Crested Shrike Tit or another feathered friend. It\u2019s a slippery slope. <\/p>\n

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Have you ever gone birding, or are there other kinds of wildlife you love to spot?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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