There have been many jokes about the notion that all you need to start bird watching is a field guide and binoculars, the joke being that many bird watchers wind up with thousands of dollars of extra equipment, from scopes to cameras, to a full library of bird books. I have been no exception, although I will forcefully argue that you don't even need a bird guide or binoculars to start bird watching. You just need a change of focus.
But this section isn't about philosophy, it's about gear. Hard core American consumerism. I've listed below the items that I've used extensively during 2004 with comments about how helpful or unhelpful they've been.
Panasonic IC Recorder (RR-US006) - about $200
This is easily the best and most reliable gadget I purchased for the year. It is incredibly small and lightweight (similar to a pen) and also durable (I've dropped it many times to no effect). I have used it for all of the following purposes:
- Recording my sightings. This is far easier than writing them down and much easier to find after the fact. Each sighting is recorded as a separate sound file, so there is no having to fast forward or rewind later. Every sighting is automatically time/date stamped as well. I can easily record field notes with each sighting. Although I did not purchase voice recognition software, I suspect that one could use this software to translate the recordings and automatically load them into a database after the fact.
- Recording general observations. The recorder allows for up to 396 recordings in four different channels.
- Recording bird sounds. This is a tremendous feature that has helped me be sure of a sighting well after the fact. When a good picture is out of the question (or even useless as with Tropical/Couch's Kingbird), having a voice recording makes all the difference. It is also great for capturing unfamiliar vocalizations for help in tracking them down after the fact.
- Recording directions and other info. In the field, I am often without pen and paper. If someone has a good tip for a bird with detailed instructions, I can simply record them as they speak. This is good for directions, confirmation numbers for hotels and cars, recordings on rare bird alerts and bird boxes, telephone numbers, etc.
- Playing bird sounds. I rarely use tapes in the field, but if I want, I can record a bird call onto the records and then play it back at a reasonable volume to attract a bird or elicit a response.
- Checking the time. Yes, the recorder doubles as a watch.
Nikon Coolpix 4300 Digital Camera - about $400
This has been a great tool in the field with my only complaint being that is a little too fragile for the abuse I subject it to. The Nikkor zoom lens is external and the zooming mechanism is prone to breaking when the camera is dropped or even shaken too hard (during a rough climb for instance).
I use the camera primarily through my Nikon Field Scope and I have been able to take some very satisfactory pictures. The subject has to cooperate significantly to get a good picture as it takes a while to focus the scope, focus the camera, play with various settings, etc. I've also been able to take pictures straight on and through my binoculars. I leave the camera on the highest resolution settings so that I can zoom in on pictures of far away subjects without losing too much clarity.
Nikon Field Scope - about $700 including car mount and tripod
My field scope has been mostly reliable, expecially given the severe beating I give it on a routine basis. The cheap Manfrotto tripod that came with it (via Eagle Optics) is literrally on its last leg (two of the three will no longer collapse properly). I have a car window mount that is very useful on driving routes (i.e. around the Davis Mountains).
Having a smaller (60 mm) and lighter scope has been a big plus given all of the air travel I have undertaken. I can load the scope (wrapped in a rain jacket) and the collapsed tripod into my clothes duffel and avoid checking baggage.