Thanks Brian for the blog re the terns. Called in to LCyd for an hour or so this afternoon -and in for a treat - still 1 Arctic and 1 Common tern there at about 4.15, and 2 yellow wagtails (both male I think)on the bank to the left of the hide. Also 2 oystercatcher, Shellduck, female blackcap and good views of a reed warbler singing in the reeds in front of the hide, as well as the usual birds. A good number of swallows and sand martins too. Looked hard for the Mediterranean gulls mentioned on the sheet but couldn't spot them.
On a different note - please can anyone give me any advice re what to think about when choosing a new tripod for a scope? Have had a Velbon CX 640 tripod for some years now, since first having a scope, but find it is not very stable and I get a lot of 'wobble/shake' if it is extended upwards to any height or if there is a breeze. Also, I guess the fact that much of it is plastic may make it less robust. Would welcome any advice as to what to look for in an upgrade ( have been promised one as a birthday present, but don't really know the pros and cons eg aluminium/carbon fibre etc.) I'm sure individual preferences will vary but feel sure that many bloggers will have much more expertise in this field than I have. Thanks.
Notable Recent Sightings
| 17/11 | Firecrest | 2, Castle Caereinion |
| 07/11 | Barnacle Goose | 1 among Canada Geese, Llyn Coed-y-Dinas |
| 07/11 | Hawfinch | a few, Lake Vyrnwy, also Bramblings |
| 01/11 | Short-eared Owl | 1, Cefn Coch Wind-farm |
| 01/11 | Great Grey Shrike | Gregynog |
| 28/10 | Great Grey Shrike | Lake Vyrnwy, also 1 on 30th at Eunant |
| 25/09 | Gannet | 1 juv grounded near Caersws |
| 07/09 | Nightjar | 1, photographed near Pontrobert |
| 17/07 | Quail | RSPB Lake Vyrnwy, also heard 20/06 and 08/07 |
| 24/04 | Long-eared Owl | 2, RSPB Lake Vyrnwy |
| 16/04 | Purple Heron | 1, Cors Dyfi |
| 05/03 | Firecrest | 1, Lake Vyrnwy |
| 05/03 | Short-eared Owl | 1, Lake Vyrnwy |
| 14/01 | Pink-footed Goose | 1, Dolydd Hafren |
| 03/01 | Waxwing | 20, Meifod; also 5 Welshpool by canal on 01/01. Last: 6 Bwlch-y-Garreg 17/03 |
| 23/12 | Waxwing | Newtown College, first arrivals 04/12, 47 on 23/12, 67 on 01/01, 30 on 04/02 |
| 09/12 | Cattle Egret | 1 roosting with 8 Great Egrets and some Little Egrets, Llyn Coed-y-Dinas |
| 02/12 | Waxwing | 21 Guilsfield, 12 Montgomery, 1 Welshpool, and 1 on 01/12 Llanfyllin |
| 16/11 | Dotterel | 3, just west of Dyfnant Forest on RSPB land |
| 16/11 | Great Grey Shrike | 1, on edge of Dyfnant Forest on RSPB land, last reported 19/01 |
| 15/11 | Waxwing | 25 or 30, just west of Lake Vyrnwy along the Dinas Mawddwy road |
| 08/11 | Great Northern Diver | A juvenile was found near Anchor, rescued and released |
| 30/10 | Black Redstart | 1 in garden at Hendomen, near Montgomery |
| 06/10 | Hawfinch | 5 in treetops at Powis Castle, by main car-park |
| 04/10 | Cattle Egret | Dolydd Hafren, a flock of c.30 |
| 29/09 | Red-flanked Bluetail | Dyfnant Forest: a county first |
| 23/09 | Manx Shearwater | 1st year bird grounded in Llanfyllin; released at coast |
| 03/09 | Cattle Egret | 10 at Cors Dyfi, rising to 32 on 05/09 |
| 01/06 | Turnstone | 1 at Caersws with Little Ringed Plovers |
| 03/05 | Wood Sandpiper | 1 at Dolydd Hafren |
| 18/04 | BLACK-WINGED KITE | 1 video-ed at Glan Mule, near Kerry: a likely FIRST for UK |
| 07/04 | Black Redstart | Female on Carno roof |
| 07/04 | Little Ringed Plover | Llandinam Gravels |
| 25/03 | Osprey | Female 5F 'Seren' arrived back at Llyn Clywedog |
| 25/03 | Pied Flycatcher | An early migrant near Llanfechain |
| 22/03 | Hen Harrier | Female in flight near Berriew |
| 15/03 | Sand Martin | 5, Dolydd Hafren |
| 15/03 | Golden Plover | c.50, Heldre Hill, Long Mountain, nr Welshpool |
| 05/03 | Whooper Swan | 1, between Caerhowel (Montgomery) and The Gaer, with Mute Swans |
| 05/03 | Pink-footed Goose | 1, Caersws, with Canada Goose flock |
| 05/03 | Jack Snipe | 2, Caersws |
| 05/03 | Hawfinch | 24, Powis Castle, feeding behind orchard |
| 28/02 | Pink-footed Goose | c.25, flying north over Welshpool |
| 26/02 | Merlin | 1 male, chasing Meadow Pipit, Long Mountain near Welshpool |
| 26/02 | Pintail | 3, Llyn Coed-y-Dinas, 1 since 14 Feb |
| 14/02 | Hawfinch | 1, Powis Castle car-park, very vocal |
| 23/01 | Jack Snipe | 1, Moel-y-Garth near Guilsfield |
| 17/01 | Brambling | 80, in beeches at Pen-y-Waen near Cefn Coch with Chaffinches |
| 07/01 | Hawfinch | 2, bathing in puddle, Cwm Lane, Castle Caereinion |
See Sightings Archive for older records |
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Hi Sue. You're right re the wobbling bit - tripods are one of those things where the more you pay the more stable the construction. A good solid aluminium tripod would do the job as would carbon although carbon, while lighter, are a lot more expensive. Things to consider - what height do you want the tripod to operate at, do you want to be able to take the centre column out and use with a hide clamp, is weight an issue, what weight do you want it to support (though with a scope that shouldn't be an issue in that market) what head do you want to use with it (head choice is as important as the tripod)? Personally I wouldn't look beyond either Manfrotto or Gitzo but really it's down to how much you have to spend - ideally find someone who has a decent range and go and try (Focus Optics are always good but a bit of a trek given they're over Coventry way).
ReplyDeleteAluminium - make sure you go for a tubular construction, more robust but slightly heavier than carbon but give good stability, pretty bombproof material
Carbon - very light and stable but expensive, more subject to knocks and chips than aluminium so need a bit more care or protection
Final point - to help stability in wind etc hang a weight (small rucksack, bean bag etc) from the centre column
Hope this helps ... a bit!
Thanks so much Mark. It is good of you to have given the time and thought to a really useful series of tips and advice. I can now think about the right things - especially what type of head to use (my Velbon is obviously a pretty basic model, and came complete with head - it was a surprise present many years ago so I hadn't realised that the head and tripod come separately).
DeleteI think we can incorporate a visit to Focus Optics with a trip to our daughter in the East of England, so will now be able to try some tripods out bearing your comments in mind. Guess tubular alumininum would be a safer bet for me - I need something pretty bombproof!
Thanks again - you've been a great help.
No problem Sue - had a Manfrotto aluminium pod for a while as you know but moved over to a Gitzo carbon - nothing wrong with the Manfrotto other than it didn't go high enough for me. Most tripods don't but this Gitzo does which has made a hell of a difference. In terms of stability though no difference between them. The real decision I think is over the kind of head you need for a scope, the range is vast and at the end of the day it comes down to personal preference - hence spend a bit of time trying them out. Focus is very good for that.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mark - you must be constantly 'on the Blog'to have replied so quickly! have just checked out the Focus Optics website - looks great, and good to know they encourage customers to take their time so that personal preferences can be realised. Hope to get there within the next few weeks. Looking forward to a head that suits me!!!
DeleteJust nipped in for lunch so your reply was well timed - back behind the camera now as have got first redpoll in garden since we moved
ReplyDeleteMW
Thanks again for all the help Mark - I absolutely LOVE your first pic of the redpoll.Glad they've now arrived in your garden.
DeleteCheers Sue - will get better though! Just need the Yellowhammer to come seek us out - was only 200 yards or so up the hill from the back hedge so everything crossed
DeleteI recently purchased the Opticron pro birdwatchers tripod together with 701 Manfrotto pan head (2 way) OK it was a reccomended combination for my scope but I am pleased with it. I use a company online called `Sherwoods` but it is worth looking at a `price checker` site to maybe get the best deal.
ReplyDeleteRegards
Trevor Rogers
Thanks Trevor - it's really useful getting first hand experience. Will follow your advice, and check prices.
DeleteAll the best
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