All about birdwatching

Birdwatching is a hobby you can enjoy almost anywhere – after all, you’ll find birds of every shape and size almost everywhere. All you need are your ears and your eyes. A pair of binoculars also comes in very handy: they bring the bird really close, so you can identify it properly.

Where are the best places to spot birds?

You can go birdwatching anywhere: in your back garden, in a park, from your own balcony or in a beautiful nature reserve. Many nature reserves even have special bird hides, where you can watch birds without being seen.

Binoculars for birdwatchers

Our range includes the best binoculars for birdwatchers. Below, we list a selection of them.

Tips for choosing the right binoculars

There are many different binoculars suitable for birdwatching, so it helps to know what to look out for. For example, you can choose between binoculars with 10x or 8x magnification. With 10x magnification you get extra close to the bird. The downside is that you need a steady hand, otherwise the image will shake. In general, 8x magnification is perfectly sufficient for birdwatching. Choosing between 8x and 10x is therefore a matter of personal preference, and it’s best to try them out for yourself.

Twilight performance

Where and when you go birdwatching are important factors when choosing binoculars. Do you often head out early to catch the early birds? Then choose binoculars with a twilight factor above 18. Also bear in mind that a forest is often darker than an open field, so adjust the twilight factor you need accordingly.

Here’s how to calculate the twilight factor: multiply the objective lens diameter by the magnification and take the square root of the result. For example, 8x40 binoculars have a twilight factor of 17.9.

Weight of the binoculars

The weight of your binoculars matters most if you plan to carry them around a lot. If you mainly use them from a bird hide or at home, a heavier model is no problem. For birdwatchers on the move, lighter binoculars are much more comfortable. It’s well worth taking this into account.

Buy cheap, buy twice?

Binoculars come in various price ranges, but if you want really high-quality binoculars, prices rise quickly. Keep in mind, though, that binoculars will probably last for years, making them a worthwhile investment. Binocular brands such as Swarovski and Leica use excellent optics, giving you a bright, true-to-life image. That can also mean less eye strain – and that’s definitely worth something.