Seán

@xeno-canto.bsky.social

@ollie333.bsky.social @dmennill.bsky.social @nicolasmathevon.bsky.social

#bioacoustics

FYI I’m using the larger Opticron MM4 60 with the CF beefree

…for me. It’s available in carbon fibre or aluminium. If you can stretch the budget there a CF model on eBay for £180. Otherwise, the aluminium goes for about £50-60. 2/2

Hi Mac, tbh I don’t know anything about the Vanguard tripod. I can recommend a lightweight tripod to go with your lightweight scope, though. The Manfrotto Befree Live comes with a video head. Although it’s not a fluid head (‘fluidity’ achieved via resistance from a tightened nut) it works well…1/2

…size/price, e.g. Opticron MM4 77. Or you could get one of the more expensive but optically superior and more lightweight options (vs Opticron): Swarovski ATC/STC; Kowa TSN-55; Vortex Razor HD. I definitely agree with trying in person buying secondhand. There is so very rarely any downside. END 9/9

…concerned; you will appreciate a scope like the Opticron or similar for a good few years, if not a lifetime, before you try one of the flagship scopes and/or money is burning a hole in your pocket, pushing you to upgrade. There are other options! You could opt for something with an in-between… 8/n

…goal is specifically to pick out scarce/rare species then you will want to prioritise optical quality over other factors. Just want to be able to confidently ID most species at moderate distances where you struggle with bins? Ignorance is bliss as far as the larger, more expensive scopes are… 7/n

…for identifying ‘common’ species, but a better scope really makes picking out the often very subtle ID features of scarce/rare species a bit easier. I wouldn’t say it’s a ‘night and day’ difference, but depending on your level of experience it may be obviously beneficial to upgrade. If your… 6/n

…talk optical quality. When I compared my Opticron with a Swarovski ATX system, the upgrade in quality when scoping distant waders was obvious and enough to make me realise the limitations of my current setup, even with the 65 mm ATX objective. For most of my needs, the Opticron suits me well… 5/n

…by all means get the biggest objective lens you can afford (best optical quality will most likely be a Swarovski, Kowa, Leica, Zeiss - but don’t disregard others; try them out) with a an equally excellent tripod and you will be very happy with it, I’m sure. That’s size and weight covered. Let’s…4/n

…setup now weighs more than double at 4.9 kg. A system like that is going to be more challenging to transport (may need bigger bag). It’s still absolutely doable to carry around but will be less comfortable for anyone. If you are mostly driving to your birding spots and carrying short distances… 3/n

…BeeFree Live carbon fibre tripod, so weighs a combined 2.1 kg. That is the same weight of my much sturdier Manfrotto MT055CXPRO3 Carbon Fibre Tripod without a tripod head. Add in a Manfrotto MVH500AH fluid head (0.9 kg) and a high-end 85 mm scope like the Swarovski ATX system (1.9 kg) and your… 2/n

I recommend a compact and lightweight setup to maximise use; it’s only useful if you have it on you. I do lots of birding by foot, far away from transport, and I’m normally carrying my scope and tripod, either over my shoulder or strapped to my bag. It’s an Opticron MM4 60 GA ED with a Manfrotto…1/n

As a starter, see Steve’s review of the Vortex Razor here: bsky.app/profile/stev...

I use the Opticron MM4 60 GA ED and I’m very happy with it. I haven’t compared side by side with others with similar size, features and price but have the impression that it punches above its weight for the price.

Hi Sue. What kind of situations do you think you will use it in? Sea-watching, scanning estuaries/waterbodies, raptor watching, etc. And do you have a budget in mind? How much would you prioritise portability? In my view it’s going to be a trade off between cost, optical quality, and portability.

maps.app.goo.gl/LYNktzppNKCV...

Cheers Thomas. I thought as much! And I already have Manfrotto fluid head so I’m halfway there.

Love this set-up. Can you share more details on the dual mounting solution, please? #birdinggear

Seconded

United tax is a thing, though! Where have you read that incoming players have said that?

The market is expensive. Both Cunha and Mbuemo are are couple years older, but compare their output and fees with Madueke (Arsenal), Elanga (Newcastle), Pedro (Chelsea) and Kudus (Tottenham). We’ve paid ~£10m more for ~double the output. It sounds a lot but in context it isn’t, really.

£23.88 for 1 year is an introductory offer for new customers only. After the first year it’s £79.99 per year.

You might also consider one of the older versions of the Sony RX10 secondhand, if you can push the budget a little closer to £600.

Good point! I should have mentioned, this is one of the great things about @chirpity-nocmig.bsky.social: it automatically pulls up reference calls from xeno-canto for each species detected, so you can do side-by-side comparison within the app.

All classifiers have their shortcomings, for sure, but the time saving can be significant. If you haven’t tried it yet, I recommend @chirpity-nocmig.bsky.social.

Nice graph! Are you automating the ID process at all? e.g. Chirpity/BTO Acoustic Pipeline?

All of the ecological consultancies I’ve worked for and read the reports of are still using lower case vernacular names and it annoys me to no end.

They do this mat that should help prevent legs sinking into soft ground, but I’ve not tried it yet — www.decathlon.co.uk/p/stability-...