Definitely lighter! That probably means it wouldn’t be great for an exposed sea watch, but it’s fine for general birding and a pleasure to use.

“Last night, as Hurricane Helene was making landfall in Florida as a powerful Category 4 storm, radar spotted a mass in the eye of the storm that experts say is likely birds and perhaps also insects.” #Ornithologywww.vox.com/down-to-eart...

Weather radar showed a strange blue mass in the eye of Hurricane Helene. What was it?

As Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region, birds were stuck inside its eye, where the wind is calmer. The tropical storm could disrupt fall bird migration.

The #BirdingGear@stevedudley.bsky.socialwww.trekitt.co.uk@birdersstore.bsky.social

I got one of these after my 1980s vintage tripod wore out a few years ago. It’s a decent tripod and I’m very happy with it. As someone who *isn’t* a gear nut I’m interested in Steve’s ( @stevedudley.bsky.social ) comments about using a different head as the fitted one is competent but no more.

Plymouth Sound - I’m briefly back home! Quite a surprise for it to fly overhead like that 😮 Whimbrels and Sandwich Terns on the old patch last night. Reminds me how hard we have to work for birds in Shropshire. And every corner shop sells proper pasties instead of Grimster’s rat coffins!

Back indoors now (it’s been a Red-throated Diver, adult Mediterranean Gull sort of day on the coast!) and checked: the Country Store is part of the Charlie’s empire. They also sell “hunting bows”… 😡 www.coedydinas.co.uk/country-store/

I thought it was all part of the same empire. Whatever, the boots are under the same roof as the slingshots so I won't use them. Bought a pair of Aigles in an independent store out of county yesterday so that task has been completed now 🙂

For Continuous Sound Recording whilst birding I currently use a Zoom F1 recorder (clips on belt), and EM172 'clippy' lav mic attached to baseball cap (cable up back, inside jacket). It's then generally pointing up/same direction I'm facing and good for flyovers and grounded migrants #BirdingGear

It’s been a great start on the Birding Gear Feed. We’ve covered birding jackets, replacement rubber tripod feet, birding wellies, kids binoculars and more! You can tell us about our fave gear or ask for advice by tagging your post #BirdingGear#birdingScotland#UKbirding#birding

SDstevedudley.bsky.socialSep 23, 2024 3:58pm

I've long been a gear geek - optics, tripods, clothing - I'm obsessed with it all. I've helped design optics, jackets and more and I love to share and hear others' views on their birding gear. So, I've set up this Feed, Birding Gear, for just that. Tag your posts #BirdingGear to contribute!

Thanks, Nick, that’s great advice. I didn’t know about McNett Aquasure, either. I’m no athlete but I try to walk at least three miles every day and, for comfort and practicality, my routes require robust, waterproof footwear for eight or nine months a year. Hopefully the Aigles will deliver!