The moment Explorer Lynne spotted the Noisy Pitta at O’Reillys, she was hooked. That was a decade ago and now she’s a bit of a twitching expert who’s shared her best tips for matching your eyeballs to the best birdwatching binoculars for you.

 

Birdwatching is a fantastic way to connect with nature and is known to reduce stress and anxiety. It involves spotting, observing, identifying, recording, and appreciating the wildlife around us.

You can be as amateur or as serious as you like.

For people like me with a ‘busy brain’ it’s a way to slow down, to be still and quiet.

Birding is a form of mindfulness. There’s nothing better than watching a bird and its unique colours, patterns, and behaviour. You really are in the moment and quite transfixed – nothing else matters. It’s a lot like snorkelling in that way. Nothing to see but the beauty and fascination in front of your eyes – once you have a decent pair of binoculars that is!

Read more: Why Birdwatching Will Improve Your Next Adventure & How To Get Started

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Choosing the Right Binoculars for Bird Watching

Birding is a pretty inexpensive hobby…after you’ve secured your binoculars (birders call them ‘bins’) of choice.

You’ll need to think about:

Magnification & Lens Size

How much detail do you want to be able to see? Are you interested in making a quick spot from a distance, or do you want to focus on all the little details?

Price & Budget

Choose binoculars that match your needs without breaking the bank. The birds aren’t going anywhere and there are many great entry-level models.

Weight & Comfort

Pick a pair that fits your personal preference for size and ease of use.

Eye Relief

This feature is essential for glass wearers to avoid discomfort and scratching.

Range & Stability

Choose binoculars with a good range that you can hold steady for clearer views. Remember that all the stabilising features in the world can’t correct a shaking hand if the bins are too heavy for you. Buy what suits you, not what someone else has.

Waterproofing

When are you going to be using these? Are you likely to be outside in all weather? If rain causes you to pack up and scuttle home, don’t fork out for weatherproofing when you can just pop your pair in a bag instead.

 

What do birdwatching binoculars sizes mean?

Binoculars come in many different sizes: 8 x 25, 10 x 32, 10 x 50, and many more. You’ll notice that there are two numbers. Here’s what they mean.

Magnification

The first number is the magnification. This means that the object in the binoculars will be magnified eight or ten times what you’d otherwise see from where you’re standing.

Binoculars with higher magnification (10 power) can provide clearer views of our feathered friends, but make it a lot more difficult to locate birds in open sky or dense forest. It’s a bit easier to find birds with 8 power magnification. How crisp and clear do you want your view of each feather to be?

Lens

The second number refers to the size of the lens. Common sizes are 25mm, 32mm, 42mm, and 50mm. The higher the numbers the larger the binoculars will be (and the harder they’ll be to keep steady!).

Bigger lenses mean you’ll be holding heavier binoculars. While you’ll have a brighter image and a larger field of view, making it easier to find birds, heavier models are also harder to hold without shaking.

What should beginners aim for?

I recommend size 8 x 42 for beginners because it balances a good field of view with decent magnification, and they’re easier to hold still.

Ultimately the features that you choose require weighing up your priorities.

5 Best Birdwatching Binoculars

1. Tasco Offshore 12×25 Waterproof Binoculars

Where to buy? Snowys
Special features: Inbuilt glare protection
RRP: $159.95

The Tasco Offshore 12×25 Waterproof Binoculars are the binos of choice for anyone birding in watery habitats. Rubber O-rings stop water and fog from ruining your equipment, and with 12x magnification, you can sit comfy in your kayak watching birds well within range.

2. NOCS Provisions Standard Issue 10×25 Binoculars

Where to buy: Wild Earth
Special features: Compatible with glasses, waterproof, and fog-proof
RRP: $179.95

These Standard Issue NOCS Provisions binoculars offer a compact and lightweight design perfect for easy viewing and at a great price! Their high brightness and clarity make them ideal for spotting feathered friends and other outdoor adventures.

3. ATKA 8×42 Binoculars

Where to buy: Wild Earth
Special features: High-quality optics for bright and clear images
RRP: $268.95

The ATKA 8×42 binoculars provide a bright and clear image with a robust build. Nice and light, these bins have a good range for the price and are perfect for observing both wildlife and scenery.

4. Bushnell Engage X 10×42 Binoculars

Where to buy: Oz Binoculars
Special features: EXO barrier protects them from water and dust
RRP: $299.95

The Bushnell Engage binos feature an EXO barrier for superior protection against water and dust. You can mount them on a tripod, and they come with a whopping 20 year warranty. Wowzers.

5. NOCS Provisions Pro Issue 8×42 Waterproof Binoculars

Where to buy: Wild Earth
Special features: Ultra-wide field of view
RRP: $549.99

The Pro Issue NOCS Provision binoculars deliver exceptional brightness and clarity. The durable design is perfectly suited to conservation professionals right through to serious bird nerds or hobbyists who want the best equipment.

Tips For Choosing & Using Bird Watching Binoculars

  • Opt for binoculars with 8x or 10x magnification and an objective lens size between 42 and 50mm for optimal birdwatching
  • Check out top brands like Nikon, NOCS, Leica, Zeiss, GPO, Vortex, and Bushnell for high-quality bird watching binoculars
  • Look for binoculars with a wide field of view and good focus for spotting birds in different environments
  • Look for a pair with a ten-year warranty for the best value
  • Read reviews and talk to other bird watchers to find the best binoculars for your needs
  • Consider using scopes for viewing birds beyond the range of binoculars, such as shorebirds and waders

 

FAQs Best Birdwatching Binoculars

Where’s the best place to go birding?

Tough one. I’ve birded in many parts of Australia, Borneo, India, Sri Lanka, USA, Canada, South Africa, the UK, and Spain. My next adventure will be six weeks birdwatching in Costa Rica, one of the top birding locations in the world and top of my wish list.

What’s the difference between a birder and a twitcher?

A birder is someone who enjoys observing and identifying wild birds in their habitat.

A twitcher is a hardcore birder who travels long distances to see a rare bird to tick it off their list. They’ll probably refer to that list as their ‘life list’ – a record of all the birds a birder has seen in their lifetime.

How do I learn what bird I’m looking at?

There are several free apps Merlin Bird ID, Birdata, and eBird which can help you learn to identify one bird from the next. Most cities in Australia have local birdwatching groups and birders are a very helpful and encouraging bunch. You can also pick up birdwatching guides like this one from Woodslane Press: Compact Field Guide to Australian Birds (Enter ‘WAE15’ at checkout for 15% off if you want a copy!).

How many birds should I aim to learn to recognise as a beginner?

There are over 900 species of bird in Australia, so it’s easy to get overwhelmed when you’re starting out. Start small. It’s best to get used to the birds in your backyard to begin with. Identify the common ones and work up from there.

Other than binoculars, what else do I need to go birding?

Your bird field guide, sunscreen, insect repellent (Bushman’s – the yellow spray with the red lid), water, and a chair if you’re planning on being in one spot for a while.

What’s a good pair of birding binoculars for everyday use?

For everyday birding, I use Swarovski EL 10×42 (a big birthday present).

What’s a good pair of birdwatching binoculars to take hiking?

I use my 10×25 NOCS when I hike as they’re small and light. Though, I don’t think birding and hiking really go together. There’s nothing worse than constantly wanting to stop on the trail to watch a bird and everyone else tearing ahead. Birding tends to be slow and quiet, and we all need that from time to time.

More Places to Spot Feathered Friends

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