One thing that I have found interesting this year is that the ruby-throated hummingbirds are migrating farther west into areas of central Texas.  It will be fun to see exactly how far west they will venture.

In early spring, a fascinating event to watch is the ruby-throated hummingbirds migration route around the Allegheny Mountains.  You will notice the vacant areas in southwestern Virginia, eastern West Virginia, north-central Pennsylvania and western Maryland as they seem to avoid the Allegheny Mountains.  It usually takes a week or two for them to fill in this region.  See if you notice this happening this year.

Here are two interesting facts about the ruby-throated hummingbird that you can use to impress everyone at your next party:
1.  The hummingbird’s heart rate can get up to 1260 beats per minute.
2.  The hummingbird has the largest brain, percentage wise in relationship to total body weight-4.2% of all birds

Keep an eye out for your first ruby-throated hummingbird this spring.  Your hummingbird feeder should be out and ready.  They will soon be reaching your area if they haven’t already.  The ruby-throated hummingbirds will appreciate the nourishment after their long trip from Mexico or Panama.

Visit my other posts for more information on Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Spring 2010 North American Migration and Prepare Your Hummingbird Feeder For The Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Technorati Tags: 2010 hummingbird migration, bird feeder, Bird Feeders, Birds, hummingbird, Hummingbird Feeder, hummingbird migration, hummingbirds, ruby-throated hummingbird, ruby-throated hummingbirds, Your Bird Feeder

There are many details of the hummingbird migration that are not known.  Relatively few are banded each year and even fewer are recaptured to provide some information of that bird’s activity. Until the technology will allow very small, lightweight transmitters it is unlikely that enough data can be collected to fill in the unknowns.

What is known is that the ruby-throated hummingbirds that spend their winter in southern Mexico or western Panama have begun their northward migration.  To successfully migrate the birds must double their weight to fuel the long journey ahead. Some of the birds will be migrating up to 2500 miles including a 500 mile, 20 hour trip across the Gulf of Mexico. Some ruby-throated hummingbirds will choose the longer, but less difficult, trip along Eastern Mexico into Texas and then migrate up the United States from there.

The males begin the migration first with the females following approximately a week and a half behind. Their migration is spread over two or three months.

After they arrive in Eastern Texas or southern Florida they travel as far north as Nova Scotia, Labrador, New Brunswick or as far west as Minnesota into Manitoba , Saskatchewan and  Alberta.  They may move up to 20 miles per day, depending on the weather and availability of insects and plant nectar. There is evidence that an individual hummingbird will take the same migration route and return to the same place each year.

You can watch the migration and report the first sighting at your bird feeder here: http://www.hummingbirds.net/map.html

Technorati Tags: Birds, hummingbird, Hummingbird Feeder, hummingbird migration, hummingbirds, ruby-throated hummingbird, ruby-throated hummingbirds, Your Bird Feeder

A good binocular harness system eliminates the annoyances that you have been dealing with when bird watching and hiking. The harness will hold the bird watching binoculars securely against your body eliminating any swinging or twisting. A good harness will protect your binoculars from any damage that may be caused from swinging into trees or other hard surfaces. And, no more missing those fast moving birds, because your binoculars are in a waiting position for you to grab and aim. This enables you to see many more birds while hiking and bird watching. Another important benefit of the harness is that your binoculars will be held in place while you are using your camera to photograph birds.

The binocular harness takes the weight of the binoculars off your neck. It distributes it evenly to your back and shoulders. Imagine hiking and birdwatching without the binoculars rubbing your neck all day. Your day will be a walk in the park.

The harness can be easily adjusted and used for people of any weight and height. The level of tightness of your binocular harness can be modified to suit your movement. You will move more comfortably, more freely and more quickly, which will make your day more enjoyable.

A binocular harness system will keep your binoculars safe and will keep you more comfortable. Choose the best binocular harness system available because your equipment is valuable and should be protected.

Technorati Tags: binocular harness, binocular harness system, bird watcher, bird watching, Bird Watching Binoculars, Birds, Photographing Birds

Your Nikon 7430 Monarch 8×42 binoculars will allow you to see all the colorful birds that stop by your bird feeder. You will really be able to see the feathers, eyes, beaks and wings. Click the link to order your Nikon 7430 Monarch 8×42 binoculars.

Technorati Tags: bird watching, Bird Watching Binoculars, Birds, monarch binoculars, Nikon 7430 Monarch 8x42 All-terrain binoculars, nikon 8x42 monarch atb binoculars, nikon binocular, nikon monarch 8x42 atb binoculars, nikon monarch 8x42 binocular, nikon monarch atb, nikon monarch binocular, nikon monarch binoculars 8x42, watching birds, Your Bird Feeder

View the beautiful birds at sunset with your Nikon 7430 Monarch 8×42 All-Terrain Binoculars. Be able to watch them up close as they hunt for food and glide through the air. Click the link to get your pair of  Nikon 7430 Monarch 8×42 All-Terrain Binoculars.

Technorati Tags: bird watching, Bird Watching Binoculars, Birds, monarch binoculars, Nikon 7430 Monarch 8x42 All-terrain binoculars, nikon 8x42 monarch atb binoculars, nikon binocular, nikon monarch 8x42 atb binoculars, nikon monarch 8x42 binocular, nikon monarch atb, nikon monarch binocular, nikon monarch binoculars 8x42, watching birds, Your Bird Feeder

Use your Nikon 7430 Monarch 8×42 All-Terrain Binoculars to get a close-up view of the birds at your wild bird feeder or take your bird watching binoculars out on the trail to view  nature in all its beauty.  You’ll be amazed at all the details you will see. Click to purchase the Nikon 7430 Monarch 8×42 All-Terrain Binoculars.

Technorati Tags: bird watching, Bird Watching Binoculars, Birds, monarch binoculars, Nikon 7430 Monarch 8x42 All-terrain binoculars, nikon 8x42 monarch atb binoculars, nikon binocular, nikon monarch 8x42 atb binoculars, nikon monarch 8x42 binocular, nikon monarch atb, nikon monarch binocular, nikon monarch binoculars 8x42, watching birds, Your Bird Feeder

Don’t forget to take your Nikon 7430 Monarch 8×42 All-Terrain Binoculars to the beach. Use your bird watching binoculars to get a close-up look at the birds while enjoying the beach. To order your pair click here:  Nikon 7430 Monarch 8×42 All-Terrain Binoculars.

Technorati Tags: bird watching, Bird Watching Binoculars, Birds, monarch binoculars, Nikon 7430 Monarch 8x42 All-terrain binoculars, nikon 8x42 monarch atb binoculars, nikon binocular, nikon monarch 8x42 atb binoculars, nikon monarch 8x42 binocular, nikon monarch atb, nikon monarch binocular, nikon monarch binoculars 8x42, watching birds

Nikon 7430 Monarch 8x42mm All-Terrain Binoculars

In my last post I reviewed three quality and yet affordable ($200-$500) 8x42mm binoculars. I reviewed the Leupold Pinnacles 54504 8×42 binoculars, the Nikon 7430 Monarch 8×42 All-Terrain binoculars and the Eagle Optics Ranger SRT 8×42 binoculars. This post will explain why I recommended the Nikon 7430 Monarch 8×42 All-Terrain binoculars.

After comparing the three binoculars I found that the Nikon 7430 Monarch 8×42 All-Terrains are lightweight and I can easily carry them all day while bird watching on the trails. My hands comfortably wrapped around the body of the binoculars and they felt very good in my hands.

Even though the center focus wheel on the three binoculars is similar I give a slight edge to the Nikon 7430 Monarch 8×42 All-Terrains. I feel that it is quicker and easier to fine tune the image with the Nikon binoculars.

The precision-aligned optics of the Nikon 7430 Monarch 8×42 All-Terrain binoculars is evident in the clarity of the image. You can clearly see the feather details and markings of the birds which makes identification easy.

The Nikon 7430 Monarch 8 x 42 mm All-terrain binoculars and Eagle Optics Ranger SRT 8 x 42 mm binoculars have warranties that cover damage to the binoculars (even if it’s your fault). Let’s face it, when we are out in the elements anything can happen. The warranty on the Leupold Pinnacles 8 x 42 mm binoculars 54504 covers defects in materials and workmanship under normal use. It does not cover damage from misuse.

All three had a nice eye relief but the Nikon 7430 Monarch 8 x 42 mm All-terrain binoculars had a slight advantage over the other binoculars. I highly recommend the Nikons for eyeglass wearers.

The chief complaint of the original Nikon 7430 Monarch 8 x 42 mm All-terrain binoculars was that the lens caps were not attached (easy to lose) and cheaply made. That problem has been addressed and is no longer an issue.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology did a review of many different binoculars. There were 27 in the mid price range ($200-500) and they said that the Nikon 7430 Monarch 8 x 42 mm All-terrain binoculars were “clearly the top-rated of any mid-priced, full-power birding binoculars. These lightweight, waterproof, and very comfortable binoculars focus down to 6 feet and offer an image and feel that surpasses many models costing two or three times more. Only in a direct comparison with the top-priced binoculars could our reviewers discern the narrower, slightly duller image, which was not quite sharp at the edges. But with a street price well under $300, the Monarchs are a steal.”

Pete Dunne wrote a review in Birder’s World in which he recommends the Nikon Monarch: “There are others in this price range that are comparable, but for some reason, after an hour of testing and comparing, this is the glass buyers walk up to the counter with.”

I recommend the Nikon 7430 Monarch 8 x 42 mm All-terrain binoculars for their overall quality and affordability. This binocular can easily compete with higher priced ones.

The NIKON 7294 Monarch III 8×42 mm Binoculars are now available. Click to read my review of the Nikon 7294 Monarch III 8×42 Binoculars.

NIKON 7294 Monarch III 8x42 Binoculars

For more information about the Nikon 7430 Monarch 8 x 42 mm All-terrain binoculars click the link below:

http://www.yourbirdfeeder.com/RecommendsAmazonNikonMonarch

Check my post Easy Steps to Choosing the Right Bird Watching Binoculars for helpful ideas on selecting binoculars.

Technorati Tags: bird watching, Bird Watching Binoculars, Birds, Eagle Optics Ranger SRT 8x42 binoculars, Leupold Pinnacles 54504 8x42 binoculars, monarch binoculars, NIKON 7294 Monarch III 8×42 mm Binoculars, Nikon 7430 Monarch 8x42 All-terrain binoculars, nikon 8x42 monarch atb binoculars, nikon binocular, nikon monarch 8x42 atb binoculars, nikon monarch 8x42 binocular, nikon monarch atb, nikon monarch binocular, nikon monarch binoculars 8x42, watching birds, Your Bird Feeder

The main components of bird watching binoculars are the following: the eyepieces (the end that goes up to the eye), the objective lens (the larger end of the glasses), the prisms (the glass inside the binoculars that receives the light) and the focus wheel (usually between the eyepieces).

Bird watching binoculars come with many different numbers attached to them. But, what do all these numbers (i.e. 7×35, 8×42, 10×50) mean? It’s not as complicated as it sounds. The first number (i.e. 7, 8, 10) in the group of numbers is the magnification. All that means is the objects that you are viewing through your bird watching binoculars will be 7x closer, 8x closer, or 10x closer. The choice is yours. For example, you have a pair of 8×42 bird watching binoculars and a bird is perched in a tree 80 feet away. The object will appear 8 times closer (80/8=10ft.). So, it will look like the object is only 10 ft. away from you. Picking the right magnification depends on the way that you will be using your binoculars for birding, but remember that the higher the magnification the steadier you need to hold the binoculars.

The second number attached to that group of numbers on your bird watching binoculars is the objective lens diameter. The objective lens is the far lens or larger lens on the binoculars. The objective lens diameter is the size in millimeters (i.e. 35, 42, 50) of the lens. This just simply means that a larger objective lens will let more light into the binoculars. The more light that enters the objective lens, the better the details and the brighter the image. If you are planning to use your bird watching binoculars more towards dusk or in the dark then the 50mm lens will be a better choice.

Bird watching binoculars have one of two types of prism designs. The two types are porro and roof prism systems. The porro prism system has a z-shaped optic path. What does this mean to you? Bird watching binoculars employing this system are bigger, bulkier and heavier, probably not a choice if you do alot of walking and hiking to watch birds. On the other hand, a couple of advantages of the porro prism is that they will have a wider field of view and they will cost less.

The roof prism system uses prisms that overlap closely, resulting in a slimmer and more compact shape. This makes the roof prism binoculars more lightweight. The drawback with the roof prism is that the field of view will be narrower and they are a more expensive bird watching binocular.

Another very important feature to consider when purchasing bird watching binoculars is the ease of focusing the binoculars. With birds constantly in motion, look for a pair of bird watching binoculars that has a quick and sharp focus wheel. Look for the focus mechanism on the binoculars to focus from far to close in one or less revolution. You want your binoculars to feel comfortable in your hands.

Remember, it is an individual preference and you should buy the best bird watching binoculars that you can afford.

Click The Three Models You Need To Check Out to see a review of binoculars that I recommend.

Technorati Tags: bird feeder, Bird Feeders, Bird Watching Binoculars, Birds, watching birds, Your Bird Feeder

First, what type of birds are likely to be in the area?  This can vary by season. During the migration months you may have visitors early in the season and then again as they migrate back to their winter feeding grounds. You will also have the birds that are year round residents. You will soon get to know them.

Next, determine the type of food that the birds you want to draw are most likely to eat. Finches and sparrows eat seeds and grain.  Hummingbirds sip on nectar.  Tanagers eat fruit, while blue birds and woodpeckers will dine on insects. Seed mixes, hummingbird nectar, dehydrated fruit and insect products can all be purchased.

Now it’s time to select your bird feeder.  Chose a feeder that will hold the suitable food.  There are feeders that are designed to hold large or small seeds, some that will hold a syrupy nectar and others that have a small cage to hold a suet cake.  Other factors to consider when purchasing the ideal bird feeder is the size, the ease of filling, and the ability to keep it clean. Plastic bird feeders are generally better than wood ones because bacteria and mold can form more easily on wood bird feeders.

Equally important, is the placement of your bird feeder. Never place it too close to buildings to prevent birds from flying into the windows. You may need to prevent squirrels from getting free meals at your feeder. There are devices available to eliminate this problem. Large birds need to have a landing area close to the bird feeder.  Bird houses nearby increase the probability of birds using your feeder.

And finally, you need to determine your feeding strategy. Will you be feeding all year round or just during the winter? Do you plan on feeding daily? Knowing the answers to these questions will help you decide exactly what bird feeder you need.

Bird feeders can provide year round entertainment. You will be pleasantly surprised by the variety of birds that will be visiting your bird feeder.   So when welcoming birds to your yard remember it takes more thought than just throwing some seeds in a bird feeder.

Technorati Tags: bird feeder, Bird Feeders, Birds, hummingbirds, Your Bird Feeder