Simply stated, quality birding requires one simple level of assistance – a binocular – which is just as important at home as it is in the field. When you are at home, viewing birds outside a window as they visit your feeding station or birdbath, regardless of how close and how clear a view you have, it's always worth taking occasional closer looks with binoculars. We keep a pair of binoculars positioned within reach at a favorite seat to get a closer view as warranted or anytime you wish to zero in when a favorite bird appears – or when a rarer seasonal sighting inspires a closer look. Any binoculars will be helpful in your yard, or while sitting in your living room or office, but you can improve your backyard birding experiences with the right optics.
Choosing binoculars with a "lower magnification," a wide field of view, and a short close focus distance will serve you best when birds are outside your windows or in your yard. For the most part, these features are probably included in your regular birding binoculars. By lower magnification we mean a standard 8x model (rather than a 10x are higher magnification). As for the wide field of view, you will want nothing less than the standard view provided by 42mm diameter objective lenses – so a standard 8x42 binocular is great. "Compact" binoculars are not widely used by birders because they are a very poor compromise to an 8x42 model at home or in the field.
The close focus distance of binoculars can be especially important if you view birds at a feeding station near a favorite window. The close focus distance is the closest point you can focus with a given binocular model. These days most 8x42 binoculars allow you to focus on birds as near as 5 to 8 feet away. That said, most birds you focus on will be beyond the close focus range of your binoculars, but the close focus distance is worth keeping in mind. It is always exciting to see birds in close quarters, and it may give you new insights into variations in feather structure, colors, bill shape – and if you are lucky you might be able to see a specific detail that will distinguish an individual bird from others of its kind.
Birding at home can also provide a helpful opportunity to practice using binoculars, such as focusing quickly and instinctively to get a bird in view. This extra effort will definitely pay off when it enhances getting a quick focus on birds during everyday birding experiences. At home, we keep our binoculars pre-focused on our feeding station so it just a matter of fine tuning the focus when an interesting bird arrives. When observing birds from indoors, be aware that it is helpful to move slowly and carefully when reaching for binoculars or raising them to your eyes. Birds are often aware of any movements around them, and they may respond by taking flight. Another option is to wait for the bird to look away to make a slow movement to raise or lower your binoculars.
Some birders prefer to use one binocular for field birding and another binocular in the house rather than carrying one binocular back and forth. If you are interested in adding a second binocular to use at home, a model that you can keep within reach of your favorite chair, or at a desk or table where you have a clear view of your feeding station, and if you prefer not to spend too much for a second binocular, the good news is that the quality of economically priced binoculars is very impressive. Another option is to keep a second binocular in your briefcase, a backpack, or in a large purse so you have access to them at work and when you are on the go.
Every birder will have their own idea of how to organize their binoculars, however many you have on hand. But it should be clear that even when birds are close enough for enjoyable views, observing them and watching their behavior through binoculars is really the best way of watching birds anytime, anywhere. Enjoy all the birds that assemble outside your windows, near your patio, deck, or garden this summer and throughout the year.
Share your backyard birding experiences and photos with The Birding Wire at editorstbw2@gmail.com