[postie]

This is the thing i learnt last week. Until last week i would call myself a bird glancer than a watcher,i would pick up the bins occasionally as i take the dog a walk,but last week i went out every day for a few hours just birdwatching and have i had a great time.some of the birds will have been their before but i have not taken the time or care to look hard,check markings take notes look the bird up in the bird guide.Here are some of the birds i have seen for me the first time some you may think how has he not seen one of those before but as i say i have been glancing.Bar-tailed Godwit,RedShank,Turnstones,Yellow Wagtail,Curlew,Wheatears and a real bonus a Red-backed Shrike and with me living on the coast thousands of gulls but they are a nightmare to identify at the momment.Today i took the wife to the hospital and instead of going in with her i took my bins down to the end of the road and another first for me Long-tailed tits i have really got the bug.My next thing i want is a scope i know nothing about them so any advice will be welcome bareing in mind i will be watching land and sea birds,cash wise will be somwhere in the region of £700.
Thanks
Postie

[MSA]

Look in your local camera and optical shops for secondhand scopes, or try ebay, small ads etc! My scope cost £350 - a newish Kowa, with a few scratches on casing, but as it now has a stay-on case you can't see this and optically it's perfect. There's also a "for sale" section on this website, of course....
Personally, unless you do a lot of long-distance watching (estuaries or similar) I'd concentrate on getting the best bins you can for starters.

[breffni]

You might want to consider the Celestron Ultima 80 ED, a newer chinese made scope that is getting some good reviews (see http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=39116) - i had a chance to check one out myself a few days ago and it compared well to my leica. It also looked pretty robust BUT it is not waterproof. For secondhand scopes ace optics in bath (http://www.acecameras.co.uk) have a good reputation and are helpful on the phone...

[Terry O'Nolley]

Originally Posted by postie

Today i took the wife to the hospital and instead of going in with her i took my bins down to the end of the road and another first for me Long-tailed tits i have really got the bug.

You have the bug indeed! I hope your wife wasn't suffering an emergency at the time!