Birdwatching is all about details, but getting close enough to a bird to see its intricate features is difficult without an optical aid. With spring migration right around the corner, now is an ideal time to add new observing options to your collection of birding gear.  

  Alpen’s proven MagnaView binocular series has a range of models designed to deliver day in and day out for birders, outdoor enthusiasts, nature lovers and stargazers. Right now, select porro prism models in the series are 25% off.  

  Available in range of magnifications and apertures, each MagnaView model features fully coated optics and impressive apertures that provide great views even in low-light conditions.

  MagnaView binoculars also offer long eye relief for a comfortable viewing experience for eyeglass wearers, an ergonomic grip, fold-down or twist-up eyecups, eyepiece rain guards and rubber armoring for protection and durability. They come with carrying cases and wide neckstraps.

  Over a period of four days beginning Feb. 14th, tens of thousands of birdwatchers and nature lovers will grab their binoculars and notepads and head outside to take part in the 23rd Annual Great Backyard Bird Count.

  This international event, which will take place February 14th-17th, is an online citizen-science project that was launched in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society. It is designed to provide real time data on the global bird population.

  During the 2019 count, which drew more than 220,000 participants, 6,699 different species were identified. The top ten birds, which are all common in North America, included the Northern Cardinal, the Dark-Eyed Junco, the Downy Woodpecker and the Mourning Dove. For more information on participating in the event visit birdcount.org.

 WIth the ability to bring in stunning levels of detail, a spotting scope can be the perfect companion for birding or nature watching. Alpen offers several lines of spotting scopes that cover a range of apertures, magnifications and features.

  The newest addition to the family is the Wings 20-60x80 spotting scope, which generates brilliant images full of crisp details by combining an impressive 80mm aperture with fully multi-coated optics and a premium prism with dielectric coatings. This scope has a built-in zoom eyepiece angled at a comfortable 45°, a dual focus system that allows for both coarse and fine adjustments, a tripod thread and twist-up eyecups. It is waterproof and purged with nitrogen to prevent distracting internal fogging.