Exploring Nature: Gifts for Birders

With Christmas almost here, what are some last-minute gift ideas for the birders on your list? I have a few suggestions.

For starters, purchase an all-expenses paid trip for that person (and maybe yourself) to Asa Wright Lodge in Trinidad. You’ll see 40 life birds before breakfast, sitting on their wonderful veranda. Call 800-426-7781 for more information.

Or perhaps a book about the man who cares for the ravens at the Tower of London. Legend has it England will prosper as long as the ravens prosper, so he has a heavy responsibility. The book is “My Life with Ravens at the Tower of London” by Christopher Skaife. You can probably find it on Amazon.

A pair of binoculars could also be a nice gift. I personally make do with a Zeiss Victory model 8x32, a Bushnell Elite 8x43 and a compact Voyager 8x25, which I carry in my shirt pocket. Celestron’s Nature DX, an 8x32 model, is recommended for older kids as well as adults.

For helpful information on choosing a binocular, visit Audubon.org/binoculars. Try to find a model that is waterproof, fog-proof and not too heavy. Few things are more aggravating than binoculars that feel like a heavy brick hanging from your neck.

Best wishes for a very merry holiday; may your new year be filled with avian delights – happy birding.