There’s more to the art of bird watching than you might have thought. The most important consideration is a good set of binoculars that have sharp focus and good magnification. A good set of binoculars can make the difference in a pleasant bird watching experience and a very frustrating experience. There are some things that you need to consider before purchasing binoculars for bird watching.

Buy binoculars with high magnification power. This will enable you to view birds from a distance, not disturbing their nesting or habitat. If your binoculars are not powerful enough and you have to get in too closely it is likely that the birds will fly away.

Binoculars are marked with two numbers. The first number indicates the amount of magnification the binoculars offer. This number tells you how much more magnification, above your regular eyesight that the binocular will provide. The second number indicates how much light is allowed to filter into a binoculars’ prism.

When the second number is lower, visibility may be influenced by light. For example if the second number is a thirty, you will have less light, meaning a 40 would give you better light and a sharper image.

It’s probably not a good idea to run out and by a 10x magnification unless you are already a professional or experienced bird watcher. The higher the magnification the heaver the lens and therefore the heavier the binoculars will be. It is better to begin with a 7x or 8x. This will allow you to get a feel for bird watching, with clarity, but without spending the extra money on higher powered binoculars.

There are a few more important tips before you buy bird watching binoculars. First, to compare binoculars. Get a feel for the binoculars, their weight, clarification, and focus. You should buy the pair with which you are most comfortable. It is also important for individuals who use spectacles should find scopes that have a minimum of 15 mm of eye relief with a foldable eye piece. Another factor, often overlooked when buying binoculars is the exit lens. Check the balance, weather proofing, design, the focus and coating to ensure that if you end up in less than optimal bird watching weather the day is not shot by a pair of cheap binoculars through which you couldn’t even see your hand before your face.