Anybody who reckons birdwatching is a pastime for older folks has obviously never become invested in the plight of a Southern masked weaver whose prospective mate keeps destroying his nests (seven times, at last count). They’ve also never seen the explosion of feathers and red mist that results from a Peregrine Falcon hitting its prey at high speed. Birdwatching can be pretty metal. And damp. Often, it’s damp.
One of the best bits of birdwatching as an activity is that much of the gear, with the exception of the guidebooks and apps, can be transferred to other pastimes with minimal extra outlay. Going on a game drive? Bring… most of this. But stay in the car and also, pack a camera. Whale watching? Just add sunblock. Spying on the neighbours? Actually… don’t do that one.
If you’re looking for an excellent entry point to the world of avian surveillance, lock your eyes on the selection of gadgets, devices, and apparel below.
Fujinon TS 12X28 Techno Stabi Binoculars
Stuff has spent time with this excellent pair of Fuji’s image-stabilised binoculars and you’ll leapfrog a large chunk of the ‘learning to use your gear’ experience by sticking a set into your backpack (see below). The 28mm objective lenses are typically Japanese, with excellent coatings and clarity being part of the package. They also offer a 12x zoom for getting up close and personal with your targets.
Usually, we’d recommend you grab a 7x or 8x zoom when starting out, since they’re easier to keep on target, but Fuji’s Techno Stabi line includes in-body image stabilisation that compensates for the sway that creeps into your hands when aiming at distant targets. This effect becomes more pronounced at higher magnification but here, that’s not an issue.
Buy it here | R11,000
Or Try These
Nikon Prostaff P7 8×42
This is the top of Nikon’s Prostaff range, offering high optical performance at an accessible price. The coatings are excellent, the body is water- and weather-proofed, and the magnification/objective combination makes the Prostaff P7 an excellent choice for anything from birdwatching to game drives to sporting events and astronomy.
Buy it here | R5,400
Svbony SV202 8×32 ED
Offering very similar performance to the equivalent size of Nikon’s Prostaff lineup, these compact binoculars feature extra-low dispersion (ED) glass for high-end visual clarity. You’ll skip out on chromatic aberration for a crystal-clear image of your target. Stuff used these for astronomy and they even perform very well at night.
Buy it here | R2,550
Swarovski AX Visio 10×32
Even birdwatching isn’t safe from the scourge of AI. Buy these and you’ll be ‘that guy’ hiding in the bushes and being quiet but you’ll also have an on-board database of birds that these bins will identify for you at the push of a button. They’re not perfect but the optics almost certainly are. At over 100 grand, they bloody well better be. Rest easy, they are.
Buy it here | from R110,000
Sasol eBirds Southern Africa
If you’re South African, you’re probably familiar with the Sasol bird book (see below). There’s an app version as well, which will function on your smartphone or tablet. Whether the ergonomics of sitting in damp vegetation and using a search function to identify that Taita falcon works for you is something only you can decide but it weighs less than the book version and lives in a device that you’re probably already carrying. The ability to listen to birdcalls to better aid your identification is a pleasant bonus but, as with the iconic tome, it’s also packed with all the target information you could possibly want.
Buy it here (Android, iOS) | from R380
Now add these
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa (5th ed.)
If you’re feeling a little old-school, you can sling this PVC-covered guidebook into your backpack. A stalwart of bookstores, gas stations, and hardware stores, as well as second-hand stores, the 5th edition includes more than 800 new illustrations and scannable codes that will let your device play the call emitted by your winged critter.
Buy it here | R390
Birding Log Book
There are loads of these books about. You could even use a basic rule-and-margin notebook if you want to but birding log books feature specific sections for relevant info. It’s possible you could just… remember your outings but that’s not how science works. A clear record of your airborne avian analysis will build your spotting skills faster than just… looking at stuff.
Buy it here | R350
Thule Alltrail Daypack
It takes two hands to operate even a stablised pair of binoculars effectively. Make sure you have something to sling your optics, books, and other bits and pieces into. This option from Thule is lightweight and breathable. It’s not overlarge, so you won’t be tempted to pack in a small chair and camp table. You can also stash more than just birdwatching gear if hydration is an issue for you (it should be). Thule supplies this Daypack with a rain cover as well, so you’ll keep everything protected in the event that the weather turns on you at short notice.
Buy it here | R2,300
Now add these
Zeiss Binocular Harness
The best place to keep your binoculars is around your neck. Unfortunately, this is also the worst place to keep them. A good harness will distribute the weight from your neck down to your back and shoulders. That means less fatigue, less shake, and no headache after tramping around looking for rare birds for an hour.
Buy it here | R885
Zeiss Lens Wipes
Optical gear doesn’t always stay clean. Ideally, you’d want to perform any cleaning at home, away from dirt and bugs and stuff, but if you absolutely must clean your lenses while out in the fields, Zeiss lens wipes are the best option we’ve found. Just ensure there’s no grit on the lens when wiping, or you may damage the coatings.
Buy it here | R75
Hoka Anacapa 2 Low Gore-Tex
If you want to watch the best birds, you’re going to have to put in some effort. By which we mean ‘walk’. A lot. Protect your feet with these trail shoes which are, frankly, the best in the business. Gore-Tex lets your feet breath, the engineered sole keeps you stable over varied terrain, and the leather sections help to shrug off the wet. Since many birds are best spotted closer to dawn and dusk, odds are you’ll spend ages striding through dew. The added bonus? If you’re just up for a regular old hike, these will cause the other trail-dwellers to geek out at your podiatry nous.
Buy it here | R3,200
Now add these
Columbia Landroamer II pants
Sure, it might feel a bit like you’re wearing a canvas tent but it’s an exceedingly well-engineered one. Ripstop canvas should repel branches and (some) thorns, the same material has waterproof properties, and should you pair these pants with the right gear, nobody will notice that you’re actually prepared for a minor apocalypse from the waist down.
Buy it here | R2,000
Under Armour Launch Jacket
With a pack on your back and binoculars on your neck, the last thing you need is an uncomfortable upper layer. The Launch jacket from Under Armour uses the brand’s UA Storm tech for waterproofing and its other smarts to maintain comfort and breathability. It’s also lightweight, wind-resistant, and includes reflective material in case you get lost.
Buy it here | R1,700
