Its been a few years but after quite a gap I have received a copy of the Birdwatchers Yearbook, and I had forgotten what a brilliant little book it is. With the wealth of info out there on the internet, and the ease with which you can create a checklist on your Mac/PC or even using an app on your phone or table...
Yes, I know we still have a week and a half left of 2016; - but the chances are that a Siberian Thrush will probably not be found in Heaton Park (not before year end at least). My nomination this year must be Audenshaw's fine Kentish Plover, a fitting reward for years of dedicated coverage by finder Rob Add...
12.15 on River Mersey below Mersey Bank football pitches, east of Parkway bridge. 2 males in mid river, diving and moving downstream. Identified from p.42/43 of Collins birdguide.Also witnessed by a dog walker who said she had seen them before. Definitely not goldeneye which I have seen on the Me...
Just a quick post to let everyone know our Christmas Opening Hours here at Focalpoint Optics over Christmas 2016 and New Year 2016/17. I will be taking holiday during this period so it will be mainly Yvonne that is here, suffice to say that you are in very capable hands. Our days are normal winter openin...
Can anyone recommend a good book for Fungi please? I've heard mixed reports and reviews on the Collins guide which would seem the obvious choice. Just wondering if there are any others as quite often whilst out birding, I like to identify fungi too. Cheers. -- Edited by Phil Owen on Wednesday 14th of De...
Hi this whole open area east of Walshaw incorporating the area around Bolholt and Parkers Lodges is about to be taken out of the Greenbelt to allow its development for housing etc. In the centre is the Site of Biological Importance which contains the disused parts of the nursery (it may all be disused n...
I came across a post (by Fran Bonier) on the Birding Armenia Club Facebook page asking for help with urban bird records for a project in a university in Canada. One of the cities from which information is requested is Manchester. If anyone's interested, the post is here: https://www.facebook.com/g...
Take 2! I'm looking at buying either Scopac Plus or Visionary Viewpack as my back is complaining toting a scope around dangling off one shoulder - even with my Mighty Midget. Any advice on which is the best option?
At last the delivery of the Mulepacks, for carrying your tripod with your scope attached, have arrived. They are of the same design as the original ones but we are assured that they are sturdier, with stronger thread & better sewn seams. There has been no price rise so RRP is £62 (discount for Forum...
I've recently bought a Vanguard Endeavour HD scope and would like to use it for digiscoping. However my camera is a Fuji X-E2 with a XF 18-55mm lens and Vanguard say that the scope and lens aren't compatible with each other. Can anyone recommend an adaptor?
We are having another of our popular In-Store Days in December this year, this time featuring Opticron equipment. So if you were intrigued by my post regarding the UTA (adapter to double the power of bins & scopes) then pop along to try it out. Chris Galvin, top birder and Opticron expert will be on...
We have just taken in on commission sale a nice pair of 8x32 Swarovski EL binoculars. These are the original ELs pre-Swarovision and come with strap, rainguard and carry case. This model had a 30 year warranty, so there is probably at least half of this left valid. They are on at a fantastic low price of o...
We have taken in on commission a Swarovski DCB A Universal Digiscoping Adapter. This is in as new condition, has the quick release plate and in addition there is a Slide Rail which normally would have to be purchased seperately. This is the adapter that fits the ATS/STS or ATM/STM Scopes and is the swin...
On Hobson moor today and saw a Cuckoo for the first time.
Also on display were 2 Sparrow Hawks, a Buzzard on the ground being worried by a couple of Rooks and great views of a Kestral from above.
There was also a Curlew, 4 Lapwing, a pair of Stone Chat, a pair of Wheatear, several Swift, several Swallow...
I visited this site yesterday afternoon. I spent an hour or so mooching around the LNR where the birds were as I expected and included; Jay Pheasant Coal Tit Long Tailed Tit Great Tit Blackbird Wren Robin A half hour or so on the moss 19 Canada Geese 5 Mallard 1 Song Thrush 4 Mistle Thrush 5 Starling 1 Grey H...
for sale a sigma 120- 400mm f4.5-5.6 apo dg os canon eos fit. the lens is in excellent condition with good glass throughout it comes with front lens cap rear lens cap original sigma soft carry case original box and manual. I bought the lens from wilkinsons cameras as a used item in august 2015 for £400.00...
For Sale Barr and Stroud 'Sahara' Scope. Retirement from the hobby means that it is to be sold. It is just the scope (body) minus tripod. It's a good scope for what it is. *£45.00* PM me if interested.
This is a chance to get your hands on the latest model from Zeiss, a fabulous binocular and in my opinion equal, if not better, than the best out there A customer has had to get rid of these because of weight and downsize to 8x30 CLs, a massive weight drop, and so these are available after having only been u...
As I'm out & about here all the time thought I'd better share what I see from my doorstep........
11.50am 3 sparrowhawks, Stockport Road/Grosvenor St,- one appeared to have entered the local pair's patch triggering alot of calling, and soaring from the male. Watched for over 5 minutes until t...
I'm thinking of getting a new tripod which combines light weight for comfortable portability in the field with sturdiness and adaptability and which is also capable of supporting a large scope. Currently I have 2 - a Velban Sherpa but the wrong kind and essentially for photography with a handle-ope...
Available now on Kindle The Birds Of Salford Docklands book details the status all 131 bird species recorded on the area of the old Salford Docks (the Mark Addy Bridge to the Centenary Bridge) from 1980 to the present day Big thanks to all the local birders, especially Nick Hilton, Steven Burke, Gerry...
Just seen that the West Pennine Moors have been designated as a SSSI. I know its been on the cards for a while, but its great that it is finally happening. Landowners can still object, and Natural England may choose not to confirm the designation, but it all seems rather positive up to now.
Early November Calamorro Mountain Black Redstarts are abundant on the mountain, with Stonechats in the scrub areas close to the motorway, whilst on boulders on the steep slopes, were two pairs of Black Wheatears. A single Dartford Warbler was also in the scrub near the motorway. The castle at Fueng...
Posted on Dee Estuary Birding is the news that the small pond off Gilroy Road near West Kirby that has held 5% of the UK population of Black-tailed Godwits at high tide has been vandalised by the Council who have drained it. After nine years of respect to the birds by the locals it has been drained by the Co...
I have recently added to my 'Birding Toolkit' as I like to call it with the new Opticron Universal Telescope Adapter (UTA). This is a small 2x magnifying tube ('monocular') that can be attached to Binoculars or Telescopes to double the power of the magnification. I tried it out with my Swarovski SLC 8x...
Hi All, The RSPB is looking for passionate people to help them Save Nature. We're looking for people who are happy talking to a wide range of audiences at a variety of events with the aim of inspiring them to support the RSPB through membership. All training is provided and previous experience is not al...
