With naked eye, at 114 yards not much. Scanning, hoping, with 8X there's something there, not sure what zactly. Its definitely a bird. Based on overall color, rough size estimate, and past experience "suspect" it's the Bittern. 18X scope confirms. Lovely views, lots of details. Can see feet wrapped around cattail stalk swaying with wind. Can see bird stick its beak down into pond and extract a fish. Markings, colors clear enough. Fun to have had it and Green Heron sharing view one day. Green Heron when neck is extended and only partial views of that, have fooled me into confusing which is which in past. Going back to 8X, think I can see more, recognize a bit better. Is that real though?
My guess is yes. It’s easier to see what we know is there.
Green Heron is one of my favorites.
That's what I use for my own "rangefinding". Landmarks and locations are easily pinpointed in the city and hope the distances given are reasonably accurate (!).
From my office rooftop the ledge where the more easily observed of two pairs of peregrines regularly sit is just over 960m away, and with 10x or even 8x binoculars I can easily tell if they're there (maybe less so if they have their backs to me, and are tucked in a corner, and the light isn't good).
Patudo, Im seeing this above, a bit different from our last exchange on identifying birds at that distance. Here, I read you this way:
Google Maps says its 960 meters between places.
Peregrines are known, (somehow), to roost there.
You see birds there with your 8/10X binos.
You assume, believe, think, they are Peregrines (which they most likely are), cuz they're known to be there.
I don't think you are saying you see Peregrines, well enough at nearly 1000 meters without something for context to make the ID...
Are you?
Thinking about many conversations here at Birdforum, where distances like "FOV at 1000 whatevers" and other stuff is written, I had wanted to buy a rangefinder for some time. After yours and my exchange on this topic, and then Richard's described purchase I had to jump. Was thinking about our exchange when I wrote the question to Richard above. Here's a different version. Say multiple times, from one distance/angle of view, maybe via scope, we identify a Kestral sitting on a telephone pole top. Then we come back another time but from a slightly different location we spot a bird in almost that same place but cant quite make out the necessary details with binos only. Do we dare say it's a Kestral? Would you record it on your list (assuming you keep one) as a Kestral?
Sitting a few days after receiving rangefinder on a bench overlooking a bit of SF Bay, I ranged a couple towers a ways out, at about 1100 yards. There were birds closer in I had identified, a Surf Scoter, couple Scaup, unusual for this time of year at maybe 150 to 200 yards. With 10X binos I could see enough to make those identities. Looking at the towers though, with these birds in the foreground I thought, "Wow, not sure I can see a bird over there. It'll need to be a bigger species. Pretty skeptical Id be able to make an ID though."
