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Allsopp and Murray Parks 5/9/2009

Sam and I joined ASCA today for a field trip to these two urban parks in hopes of spring migrants. Thunderstorms the night before made us hopeful but neither place was particularly birdy. Even so, I did manage to get two FOS birds: Blackburnian Warbler and Spotted Sandpiper (see picture below). Sam may have gotten more. We finished up four hours after starting.

Species seen or heard at Allsopp:

  • Blackburnian Warbler *
  • Northern Cardinal
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • Pine Warbler
  • Red-bellied Woodpecker
  • Carolina Chickadee
  • Red-eyed Vireo
  • White-eyed Vireo
  • Mississippi Kite
  • American Crow
  • European Starling
  • Summer Tanager
  • Green Heron
  • Black-throated Green Warbler
  • Mourning Dove
  • Chimney Swift
  • Eastern Phoebe
  • Chestnut-sided Warbler
  • American Redstart
  • Barn Swallow
  • Eastern Wood-Pewee
  • Great Blue Heron
  • Acadian Flycatcher
  • Magnolia Warbler
  • Common Grackle
  • American Robin
  • Swainson’s Thrush
  • Great Crested Flycatcher
  • Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
  • Eastern Bluebird

Species seen or heard at Murray:

  • Spotted Sandpiper *
  • Northern Mockingbird
  • Eastern Bluebird
  • Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
  • Red-winged Blackbird
  • Common Yellowthroat
  • Chimney Swift
  • Northern Cardinal
  • Yellow-breasted Chat
  • Purple Martin
  • Cliff Swallow
  • Barn Swallow
  • Baltimore Oriole
  • Red-eyed Vireo
  • American Crow
  • Fish Crow
  • Great Blue Heron
  • Orchard Oriole
  • White-throated Sparrow
  • Gray Catbird
  • White-eyed Vireo
  • Warbling Vireo
  • Eastern Phoebe
  • Northern Rough-winged Swallow
  • Eastern Kingbird
  • Green Heron

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Celestron Outland LX 10×42 Binoculars

Celestron LX 10x42 Binoculars
Celestron Outland LX 10x42 Binoculars

I bird a lot and relied on inexpensive (~$50) pair of 10×50 binoculars by Bushnell. I was happy with them until this spring when I did more and more close up work and found myself backing up more and more. I finally measured my minimum focus distance – 25 feet. This problem grew more annoying until I decided that I had to find a solution.

I asked around and heard recommendations for $400-$2300 binos which were almost certainly excellent choices but way out of my price range. I have small children. I found these Celestrons for 1/3 the price. There is also a non-LX Outland model for about $75 but they look significantly different and I decided to not risk being disappointed

I ordered them from Binoculars.com on Monday, used an inexpensive 2-day shipping option, and had them on Wednesday, three weeks ago tomorrow.  I started being impressed as soon as I took them out of the box. They are solid as if made from a single block of machined aluminum.  The right eye diopter holds its setting.  They are lightweight and the talk of waterproof appears to be true.  I spent 2 ½ hours in a drizzle last weekend looking for thrushes with no problem. I’ve taken them out on perhaps 12 outings so far and really like them.  They focus very close as promised though I haven’t measured the distance. Celestron warranties them for life, no questions asked. They say they will repair or replace them no matter what happens to them.

I can’t compare these Outland LXs to those other higher end brands, I’ve never used them, but I do think these are good solid performers and would recommend them to a friend.

Addendum: The review above was written in May 2009.  Around July 2010, I noticed that the two images were not aligned anymore so I sent them to Celestron for repair. The repair itself is free but they do charge $25 for shipping and handling to discourage people from routinely sending them in for cleaning (my speculation).  While they were gone, I ordered another pair as they have been replaced by a newer model.  I now have two pair of these, one nominally for my daughter.

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Allsopp and Knoop Parks 5/3/2009

After 3.69 inches of rain yesterday, there appeared to be a small window for today but it was small so I kept it local and kept it close to the car and went to Allsopp and Knoop Parks this morning. Between the two, I birded for 2.75 hours and about 2.6 miles. I got two FOS birds: Painted Bunting (one 1st year female) and Golden-winged Warbler.

Species seen or heard at Allsopp Park:

  • Mississippi Kite
  • Northern Mockingbird
  • Red-bellied Woodpecker
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • Eastern Phoebe
  • Red-eyed Vireo
  • Carolina Chickadee
  • Chestnut-sided Warbler
  • American Crow
  • Wood Thrush
  • Swainson’s Thrush
  • Summer Tanager
  • Acadian Flycatcher
  • American Robin
  • Northern Cardinal
  • Yellow-breasted Chat
  • Black-throated Green Warbler
  • Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Species seen or heard at Knoop Park:

  • Painted Bunting *
  • Golden-winged Warbler *
  • Mourning Dove
  • Eastern Bluebird
  • American Robin
  • European Starling
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Magnolia Warbler
  • Eastern Wood-Pewee
  • Northern Mockingbird
  • Blue Jay
  • Red-bellied Woodpecker
  • Northern Cardinal
  • Great Crested Flycatcher
  • Fish Crow
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • Carolina Wren
  • Brown-headed Cowbird
  • Scarlet Tanager
  • Wood Thrush
  • White-eyed Vireo
  • Barn Swallow
  • Gray Catbird
  • Indigo Bunting
  • Red-eyed Vireo
  • Canada Goose
  • White-throated Sparrow
  • House Finch

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