Each fall season for the past few years, hawk counters at the Florida Keys Hawkwatch have broken their own world record for the most Peregrine Falcons tallied at a single migration monitoring site in a season. Recent Peregrine Falcons totals @ FKH 2012 – 3,836 Peregrine Falcons tallied 2013 – 4,010 Peregrine Falcons tallied […]
Read MoreArticles by: Leica Nature Observation Blog
Flocking to Rutland from around the globe
The Leica team is catching its breath after a great few days at this year’s Birdfair, which took place at the Rutland Water Nature Reserve from 21st to 23rd August. It was a busy few days: we unveiled a fantastic new product; launched a special offer on spotting scope package; […]
Read MoreSplit or Get Off the Pot: Genetics and the AOU vs. Reality?
„Surely one of the core virtues of birding is its independent, even anarchic spirit“ (Gordon, 2015). The North American Classification Committee (NACC) of the American Ornithologists’ Union (AOU) comprises appointed members who pass judgment and make determinations on species limits, English names, and related issues for the birds of North […]
Read MoreKeeping up with Noah Strycker
When we last touched base with Noah he was enjoying scenery, birds and wildlife with Jennie Duberstein one of our Leica Birding Crew at famed California Gulch, in southeast Arizona (May 24, 2015). By that days end, Noah had already tallied an amazing 2625 bird species, in countless locales in 2015 alone. He […]
Read MoreMigration Magic in the Land of Milk and Honey-buzzards
May 3, 2015. I stand at my station in the Eilat Mountains, overlooking the Gulf of Aqaba, at the north end of the Red Sea. Stretching away to southwest, the mountains of Israel seamlessly give way to the mountains of Egypt, the boundary only recognizable thanks to the hand of […]
Read MoreTravis is traveling to Antarctica
Leica contributor Oliver Vogler took a trip to Antarctica. He was accompanied by Travis the traveling trinovid. We interviewed Oliver to learn more about their adventures at the south pole. Leica Sport Optics: How come you travelled to Antarctica and why was Travis with you? Oliver: We frequently accompany the tour operator […]
Read MoreHow Leica’s “RED DOT” got me my 522nd species in California
Author & artist Keith Hansen knows a thing or two about the birds of California, read below how a Leica logo helped him see an amazing bird! Whatever title you give it, that red dot connected me to a wonderful, rare and bewitchingly ghoulish treat from the southland. I first became aware of […]
Read MoreTelling the story – documenting a worldwide big year!
Noah Strycker has posted the totals from day 118 of his 365 day quest to see 5,000 birds worldwide. He has 2320 bird species and counting, having birded Antarctica, then up through South America, and just now polishing of Central America, moving to Mexico in the next days and then on […]
Read MoreChampions of the Flyway 2015
The Mediterranean is a danger zone for millions of migratory birds that pass the region on their travels to and from Africa — twice every year. Malta is an infamous example of the hazards these birds face by hunters and poachers, but the island of Cyprus is a hotspot for […]
Read MoreNew: Leica Introduces the Ultravid HD-Plus 50 at IWA 2015
Yesterday marked the last day of IWA Outdoor Classics 2015 in Nuremburg, Germany. IWA is one of the world’s leading exhibitions for outdoor and hunting equipment in the world. Over the weekend, Leica Sport Optics introduced a range of new products for naturalists, the highlight being the Ultravid HD-Plus 50. With the […]
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