Sunday 11 May 2014

Last Walk with the Swarovski Bins

So my time with the Swarovski Binoculars has come to an end however I want to share my final experience with them...

A walk at my local patch...

My home is located in some beautiful British countryside in the heart of Cheshire. It is a stunning walk through the farmland and woodland and alongside the River Weaver, so I couldn't wait to use the binoculars out on my patch.


Before you even start the walk you have to cross a bridge over a railway line. The banks of the train line are covered in Bramble and Nettles, making great homes for both Lesser and Common White Throat. The view wasn't brilliant due to the bad weather; however the quality of the picture through the bins was brilliantly clear and I managed to pick out all the stunning features of the Common White Throat.

As we continued into the fields of my patch, we started to see some Corvids emerging from the freshly planted maze fields, most of which were Jackdaws, Carrion Crows and a few Magpies; but one of the birds was huge. Only noticing it when it took to the air I realised it was a Raven flushing all the Starlings which were also feeding with the other Corvids. 

So, so far a brilliant start even though the weather wasn't on our sides, seeing and hearing lots of different birds. I am almost onto the second part of talking to you about my walk, but first there is one other species of bird I haven't told you about which also (like the White Throats) breed on my patch.

This bird is in fact the spectacular Buzzard, probably the most frequent bird of prey we see here, but a bird I could never get tired of seeing and especially hearing. That haunting call they do to each other makes me feel so alive and alert. Unfortunately today there was no light which meant we couldn't see all the gorgeous feather colouration, but I still got great close up views through the Swarovskis.


Now, my second part of my walk brings me into a large mixed woodland, alongside the fields I have just been talking to you about.

This wood is home to lots of different species of bird (and other wildlife) and as you probably know most of those species are currently breeding. I observe this area very closely and it is always handy when you have a pair of binoculars with you, as it gives you a better view of the bird and how it's behaving, without getting too close and disturbing them.

I am doing a bit of nest recording in this wood (it is private so I am lucky to have permission to do conservation work and enjoy all the beautiful wildlife here) and along our path we were seeing that most of the adult birds are gathering food, which suggests most of the birds now have chicks . 

Most of the more recognisable bird nests I am currently observing include Blue Tit, Great Tit, Black Bird, Great Spotted Woodpecker, and a Dunnock. These birds are also ones I like to watch and enjoy along the walk.  I am never in any hurry to search out rarities, but what I have found is that if you enjoy watching the common species, every now and then a rarity will find you.


My favorite bird to observe at the moment in the woods has to be the Great Spotted Woodpecker, a common bird breeding here. Like the last couple of years I have found the nest of the Great Spotted Woodpecker, this year right by the side of my feeding station, just before we start the main walk through the wood.


Of course we can't forget all the other birds we saw along the walk, including the lovely Tree creeper a usual suspect we see hanging about near the feeders. The chattering Long Tailed Tits (my favorite of the tit family) often join us on our walk, flitting from tree to tree above our heads. 

So my last walk with the Swarovski Binoculars has been a massive success, with 26 species of bird recorded just today. They have traveled everywhere with me including to Norfolk and back. 


My last day with the Swarovski bins was spent as I think it should be; on my local patch making the most of all the amazing wildlife right on my doorstep.

Thank you so much A Focus on Nature and Swarovski for the opportunity to see that bit further. It will be hard letting the bins go, but they are now heading off to Ewan Miles on the Isle of Mull. I can't wait to see what he records with them.


18 comments:

  1. Another good piece Findlay. I felt as though I was on the walk too. Amazing diversity where you live. Embankments etc are excellent for wildlife - hence predators also.

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  2. really great for you to be able to try them out and give them feedback on your sightings. :)

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  3. An enjoyable walk with you Findlay on your local patch.
    A good selection of birds too.

    Maybe Swarovski will let you have a pair on a permanent basis.

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    1. I agree. If Swarovski read this blog. Please lend Findlay another pair of your excellent bins. He is an amazing young birder and deserves lots of encouragement. Exceptional ability and interest.

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    2. I'm with Keith and Anne on this one. I can't think of a more deserving person than Findlay Wilde!! Come on Swarovski - think of the exposure you'll get via this young man in years to come!

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    3. Note to Swarovski....I can't think of a more deserving person to be the recipient of Swarovski's world famous generosity than this brilliant young wildlife ambassador. Go on... you know it makes sense!

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  4. So what was the very best/most unusual/weirdest behaviour sighting you had through your swazzas?

    Cheers

    DaveyMan

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    1. It was definitely the displaying Stone Curlews in Norfolk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTq4imqqE-M

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  5. You've got a wonderful selection of birds on your patch Findlay and without doubt it would be much easier for you to keep an eye on them if you had a pair of those wonderful Swarovski bins on a permanent basis...wouldn't it?...[;o)

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  6. A wonderful post Findlay... now I wonder what you may ask Santa for later this year Mmmmm?

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  7. Nice post - good to see you made good use of the bins. I got a shocking pair of Russian bins and a 10th birthday present and was still using them years later - it was only when I got a decent pair I realised how bad they were!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  8. What a great post! I love the little blue tit with the worm, and that little bird in the last shot is adorable!

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  9. Wonderful post about birds I know nothing about. Thanks for sharing.

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  10. Hi Finlay I very much agree with the comments of Anne, Keith, Richard and Trevor, Swarovski's PR and Marketing departments should see.that GIVING you these bins, will benefit them greatly over MANY, MANY years in the further. You are a wonderful career ahead of you. This post is BRILLIANTLY written, you take us along with you through your eyes and photographs and I thank you for that. Send Head Quarters this link Finlay.

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  11. What you say about watching common birds increases your chances of a surprise sighting is true. Looks like you were just in time for lunch with that one cutie. Nice shots and selection of birds.

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  12. hello I want to buy a Crystal Jewelry found here seems pretty good, do not know to pick the help of everyone to the point.
    swarovski-charms

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  13. So my time with the Swarovski Binoculars has come to an end ... iswarovskibinoculars.blogspot.com

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