It’s not uncommon to be asked about the equipment that is used for viewing wildlife, or the field guides used. Below is a list of the equipment i use for each activity.
Bird Watching
Minox 8 x 42 BL BR
Binoculars
A lightweight, but decent quality pair of binoculars, with a good field of view and pretty sharp image
Opticron 8 X 25 VEGA Binoculars
I use these primarily when I’m out walking. They’re small enough and light enough that you can easily attach the case to your belt. Not bad image from them, too.
A good travelscope, at a reasonable price. I use this a lot, and it’s particularly useful when walking uphill to my WeBS count each month! Beats a full scope, particularly when coupled with my cheap monopod!
Viking M-Pod
I got this one from RSPB Vane Farm… a simple, cheap monopod, for use with the travelscope.
Books
Collins Bird Guide
- Mullarney, Svensson, Zetterstrom & Grant
Arguably the best book for birds in Britain and Europe, though can be a bit advanced for a novice
RSPB Pocket Birds
- Jonathon Elphick, John Woodward
A good choice when starting out. Doesn’t have the range that the Collins book does, or the detail, but it’s a nice, simple field guide.
Invertebrates
Bee watcher’s Kit
I got this from Watkins and Doncaster, when i took an interest in Bumblebees. Comprised of 1 x Four-fold net, 5x Medium collection tubs, 5x small collection tubs, 1 10x magnifaction hand lens. An incredibly versatile kit, which i use for catching bees, butterflies, moths, damselflies and dragonflies!
Pond Dipping Kit
I have two kits, and strictly speaking they belong to SWT, in the sense that i have to give them to SWT if i ever stop volunteering for them. Each kit comprises of 1 net (200mm net, 1.5m wooden handle, professional), 4 2x magnifaction collecting pots, 1 large tray, 1 dividing tray, 1 large pipette, 1 plastic spoon, 1 small brush and 1 water container. These things cost a fortune (£60 each!). If you want to get a cheap pond dipping kit, get the ones offered by Alana Ecology – much cheaper, though the net isn’t particularly good quality.
Moth Trap
I have built my own moth trap, using some pretty simple materials. It’s proving quite effective, and is more or less ideal for those on a budget. You can see it, and how to make it HERE.
Books
British Insects: A Photographic Guide to Every Common Species (Collins Complete Guide)
- Michael Chinery
Good book, and covers most of the common insects. For specific fields you’d be better off with a less generic guide. Photographs rather than illustrations which is not my preference
Pocket Guide to the Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland
- Richard Lewington
If you want to study butterflies, you want to get this book. Simple as that, really.
Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Great Britain and Ireland
- Steve Brooks, Richard Lewington
An absolutely ideal guide to Dragonflies and Damselflies. It’s brilliant
Concise Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland
- Townsend, Waring, Lewington
An excellent field guide to moths, though the descriptions are not as good as those in the full Field Guide. Much easier to use in the field, though.
Field Guide to the Bumblebees of Great Britain and Ireland
- Mike Edwards, Martin Jenner
Covers all of the Bumblebees, though seems a little confusing at first. Good book, though.
Freshwater Life (Collins Pocket Guide)
- Malcolm Greenhalgh, Denise Ovenden
Quite a good guide, but doesn’t cover as many species as I would like, and the descriptions area bit limited.
Plants
Wild Flowers by Colour: The Easy Way to Flower Identification
- Marjorie Blamey
A really basic guide to plants, and a bit disorganised. Can normally point you in the right direction for the species, though, so gets the thumbs up overall
The Wild Flower Key (Revised Edition) – How to identify wild plants, trees and shrubs in Britain and Ireland
- Francis Rose
This is one of the most highly recommended books for wild flowers, but beware – much as it might claim to be for anyone, novices will struggle with this. I found it easier to narrow it down using the Blamey book, and then use this one to confirm the species.
And that’s it, folks. That’s what i use when I’m out in the field – though not all at once. I don’t think I’d be able to carry my pack! I normally set a target group for the trip (Birds, Butterflies, Moths, etc) and just take the equipment i need for that group.
