Birdwatching Dot Com is about wild birds and the sport of birding. It's for everyone who's interested in bird watching and enjoying nature.

REVIEW by MICHAEL & DIANE

Top Binocular Review Update
March, 2017
Since our 2015 Titans review of the top Leica, Swarovski, and Zeiss binoculars, all three manufacturers have brought out new models.

Michael and Diane Porter do a hands-on, side-by-side comparison and report on the 2016 Swarovski EL with FieldPro Package, the 2016 black Zeiss SF, and the completely new-in-2017 Leica Noctivid.
See the whole article.

Spotting Scopes Review
Zeiss Conquest Gavia vs Vortex Razor

A hands-on review
Zeiss and Vortex have each released a fine new scope in the high-moderate price range: the new Vortex Razor HD 27-60x85 and the new Zeiss Conquest Gavia 30-60x85.

Michael & Diane Porter do a hands-on, side-by-side comparison and report.

BIRD BRAIN FOR THE MAC

BIRD BRAIN 7.1  
World Birding Database for the Mac

New version Bird Brain 7.1 is now available!
You can download a FREE TRIAL.

Bird Brain is a birding database for Macintosh computers.

Use Bird Brain to record your sightings and keep your life list, photos, QuickTime movies, notes, and other files.

Enter any amount of information with each record.

Bird Brain makes all kinds of life lists. It creates checklists and target lists for 200 nations and any US state or Canadian province. Nearly any bird report you can want, Bird Brain will create.

We can do a custom import of your AviSys data to Bird Brain for $20.

Read more about Bird Brain...    

Buy Bird Brain

GUEST PHOTO
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher by Steve Hall

Photo copyright 2017 Steve Hall

See full image

On his trip to Ohio's Magee Marsh, in May, 2017, Steve Hall wa pretty amazed at all the gorgeous birds he saw. He reports that he did not "touch up" the color on this Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher that he photographed on May 10. This is just how blue it was.

To see a larger picture, click here.

Thank you, Steve, for permission to share your beautiful photo with visitors to Birdwatching Dot Com.

See past guest photos

 THIS MORNING OUTSIDE
with Diane

Tucking himself up into the shadows of a tree, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird rests. Soon he will try again to win the momentary affection of a female hummer.

Wait. What? The underside of his bill is RED? It can't be! I'm shaking my head. Am I dreaming?

Why is the bill red?

Want more?

To see more episodes of This Morning Outside with Diane, click the picture matrix.

LATEST NEW INFO ON TRIPODS

TRIPOD KITS 2017

There's a bewildering number of tripods and heads. So we studied and tested them. Here are the best solutions for birders.

They range from affordable aluminum to top-line Gitzo carbon fiber. Each matched to the right head. Something for every price range.

  BINOCULAR FAVORITES

Our Binocular Faves
Michael and Diane's personal picks in binoculars, from the least expensive good binoculars to the ultimate in high-end optics. Many come with free shipping.

  GREAT GIFTS FOR BIRDERS

Gifts for birdwatchers. Many specials and closeouts on great binoculars.

Our pick of the best high-quality bargain spotting scope. Feeders and birdbaths for a backyard bird oasis.

OTHER OPTICS REVIEWS

Affordable 8x42 Binoculars
Report on birding binoculars — $200 to $300
Read how the judges rated each affordable binocular. And how to audition a binocular for yourself.
See whole article

Pocket Binocular Reviews
Feb. 2017 Birdwatching Dot Com exclusive
Here are links to our reviews of compact binoculars of a variety of prices, and an overview of what a birder hopes to find in a good pocket binocular.
See our review.

Swarovski CL Pocket
Swarovski's new pocket binocular is good enough to use as a birder's full-time binocular. See Michael and Diane's hands-on review.

Best-of-the-best Bins Review
May, 2012 Bird Watcher's Digest
We review high-end binoculars in the 8x42 size class, selling for $600 and up. Review includes bargain 2nd-tier binoculars by Zeiss, Swarovski, and Leica. See our review.

  BIRDING STARTER KIT

Here are the essentials for a successful start in bird watching. We offer several Birdwatching Starter Kits at a range of prices.

A great favorite is the Better Birdwatching Starter Kit, with a Shrike binocular, a field guide to help you identify the birds you see, and our own DVD, How to Start Watching Birds.