This month's guest blog contributor is the talented wildlife photographer, videographer and RSPB Oa reserve warden, @naturenortheast.bsky.social Tap the link below to read about David's insights into the special wildlife he encounters on the wild isle of Islay: www.opticron.co.uk/news-reviews...

🙌We're accepting entries for our January 2026 header photo of the month for Facebook and Bluesky! 👉They must be taken on our nature reserves. Please make sure to tell us what it is, where you took it & don't forget your name. 👏Please send to [email protected] by the 20th December

Calling all #nature lovers! 🐦🌳Sign up to the #Birds in Greenspaces newsletter for updates on this project that starts next spring, and see our FREE Resource Pack with bird ID guides and activities to warm you up this winter at www.bto.org/greenspaces Nuthatch by @willrose.bsky.social

It’s that time…Big Garden Birdwatch is BACK! 😍🙌 The birds are ready. We’re ready. Are you? Sign up is open now…go go go! www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happen... #BigGardenBirdwatch

Are you looking to buy binoculars or a scope as a Christmas present but need some advice? ❄️🎄🎁 Our optics specialists will be available at the following Wildlife Trust locations this weekend: 13/12 Potteric Carr @yorkswildlife.bsky.social 14/12 College Lake @bbowt.bsky.social #BirdingGear

The new Opticron Tripac would make a great Christmas gift 🎁 Designed to transport a tripod and photographic or optical equipment without dismantling, the Tripac is both functional and comfortable, allowing you to keep your hands free to pick up your binoculars at a moments notice 🔭

The @opticron.bsky.social Tripac is fast becoming our best selling tripod carrier. And we have quite a few to choose from! Featuring padded straps for comfort and multiple compartments. Available in black, brown or green. ⬇️ www.birders-store.co.uk/opticron-tri... #BirdingGear #ChristmasGiftIdeas

Next week you can find us at the following locations - we've got plenty of Christmas gift ideas for fellow birdwatchers and wildlife lovers 🎁🔭 5/12 Walthamstow Wetlands @ldnwildlifetrust.bsky.social 6/12 Brandon Marsh @warwickshirewt.bsky.social 6/12 Wild Chesil @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social

Constructed from lightweight yet, durable polycarbonate and alloy, the Opticron MM4 60 Travelscope weighs about the same as pair of 42mm binoculars and can even be used without a support for crystal clear flat-field observation at magnifications below 20x 🔭 www.opticron.co.uk/our-products...

Throughout autumn, hills on the west coast of Scotland echo with the sound of Red Deer stags roaring during their breeding season 🦌 📷 @rebeccaonthewing.bsky.social #RedDeer #WildlifePhotography #ScottishWildlife

The new Opticron Natura WA ED binoculars have fast become a firm favourite ✨ Weighing less than 750g, they feel comfortable and lightweight yet, robust in the hand - a midsize binocular perfect for prolonged use in the field that delivers a bright, wide field of view with stunning clarity.

Are you searching for an 80mm scope that's both compact and affordable? 🔭 Take a look at the Opticron MM3 80 GA ED - a fieldscope designed to offer the best possible performance in the smallest package at the most affordable price ✨ www.opticron.co.uk/our-products/fieldscopes/mm3-fieldscopes

Seabird Photography Competition Judges' Under-18 Winner Announcement!📢🌟 We're delighted to announce that the judges' under-18 winner of our Scottish Seabird Photography Competition is Anwen Whitehead, with this incredibly sharp and detailed image of a razorbill on the Isle of May.

Seabird Photography Competition Judges' Winner Announcement!📢🌟 We're delighted to announce that the judges' overall winner of our Scottish Seabird Photography Competition is Iain Donnachie, with this incredible, artistic image of common guillemots on the Isle of May.

Come along to one of our upcoming Try & Buy events with @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social to shop a range of optics & accessories. We may have that perfect Christmas gift you've been searching for! 🎄 21/11 @bbowt.bsky.social 28/11 @wildlifebcn.org 29/11 @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

It's giveaway time! 🎁 We've got three 2026 Scottish Wildlife calendars up for grabs by photographer @rebeccaonthewing.bsky.social To find out how to enter, make sure you subscribe to our newsletter before 4pm tomorrow at the link below 👇 www.opticron.co.uk/newsletter

Enjoy nature to the full. With the superb all new @opticron.bsky.social Natura WA ED 8x42 and 10x42 #binoculars. Offering a wide field of view, these are the best mid-range binoculars from #Opticron we have seen. In stock online and instore 🔽 www.birders-store.co.uk/opticron-nat... #BirdingGear

Once close to local extinction in the UK, Red Kites are now a popular site in many parts of Wales, Scotland and England thanks to one of the most successful raptor reintroduction programmes 🦅 📷 Charlotte O'Shea

Supplied with a detachable harness and carry strap, the new Opticron binocular case is a durable, high quality accessory that offers protection and comfort when carrying your binoculars. Available now in black, green and brown: www.opticron.co.uk/our-products/cases/binocular-case-and-harness

Looking for a gift for a special nature lover in your life? 🎁 Why not come along to one of our Try & Buy events this week to see our range of binoculars, scopes & accessories and get some friendly, helpful advice from one our optics experts! @warwickshirewt.bsky.social @yorkswildlife.bsky.social

November is the peak month for wintering Woodcock arrivals. Unfortunately, Woodcock are prone to colliding with buildings during their noctural migration. If you find a dead or injured bird, please report it via the BirdTrack App, or email [email protected]. 📷 Woodcock by Liz Cutting / BTO

The new @opticron.bsky.social Tripac Tripod Harness & Accessory Pack is here. With padded straps for comfort and multiple compartments to carry a phone, water bottle, books etc, the Tripac is ideal for carrying lots of gear while on the move! ⬇️ www.birders-store.co.uk/opticron-tri... #BirdingGear

Enjoy £100 Cash Back on the superb @opticron.bsky.social Aurora BGA VHD 8x42 and 10x42 #binoculars. 👇 www.birders-store.co.uk/opticron-aur... #BirdingGear #CashBack

Huge thanks to @opticron.bsky.social for repairing this poorly scope for free, donated by one of our generous customers. It'll be donated to a worthy cause through our #Optics4Conservation scheme run in conjunction with our friends at Asian Adventures in #India #wildlife #conservation #education

Come rain or shine don’t let the weather stop you getting outdoors this autumn 🌧️🍂 Equipped with a pleasingly wide field of view, high-quality optical system and durable rubber armour, the new Natura WA ED binoculars are perfect for prolonged use during those darker hours and gloomier days!

Are you looking to invest in some binoculars to bring you closer to nature this autumn? Why not come along to one of our Try & Buy events this month! 🍂🍄 04/10 Rye Harbour Discovery Centre @sussexwildlife.bsky.social 10/10 Thatcham Nature Discovery Centre @bbowt.bsky.social

When it comes to confident bird ID, it's all about the details 🪶 If you're looking for an upgrade from your first binoculars and want to elevate your birdwatching experience, consider the Explorer WA ED-R: www.opticron.co.uk/our-products/binoculars/explorer-wa-ed-r-binoculars #BirdingGear

Gannets can take up to five years to get their full adult plumage. As chicks, they’re covered in fine downy feathers. Renowned for their strong mating bonds and good parenting, Gannets share responsibilities and take turns to fish and care for their single chick 🐟 📷 @rebeccaonthewing.bsky.social

Interested in trying out some new optics? Come along to one of our Try & Buy events this week! 17/09 Summer Leys @wildlifebcn.org 18/09 Brandon Marsh @warwickshirewt.bsky.social 19/09 Potteric Carr @yorkswildlife.bsky.social 21/09 College Lake @bbowt.bsky.social #BirdingGear

Who's ready for autumn adventures? Golden sunrises, crisp leaves underfoot, thrushes feasting on berries, waders & wildfowl congregating in masses... what's not to love! 🍂

Fun-sized as their name suggests, Small Coppers are a distinctive orange-red butterfly. They favour sunny grassland habitats, where they can often be seen flitting around the yellow flowers of Common Ragwort. 📷 @rebeccaonthewing.bsky.social #SmallCopper #SaveButterflies #ButterflyConservation

The Natura WP PC - a durable, high quality compact binocular that offers a serious alternative to larger optics ✨ ▪️Japanese design ▪️Fully multi-coated optical system ▪️Twin hinge body ▪️Ultra compact Available in 8x25 and 10x25 with a 10 year guarantee. #BirdingGear

We've got two exciting events coming up this week! 10/09 High Tide Event at Gibraltar Point with @lincswildlife.bsky.social 12/09-14/09 Migfest at Spurn Bird Observatory @spurnbirdobs.bsky.social See you there! #UKBirding

Claim £100 cashback when you buy a new Aurora BGA VHD 8x42 or 10x42! Shop now: www.opticron.co.uk/our-products/binoculars/aurora-bga-vhd-binoculars Offer ends 31.12.2025 and is subject to availability. #BirdingGear

Hands up if you're going to this year's Migfest 🙌 From the 12th to the 14th of September we'll be at Spurn with a selection of binoculars, scopes and accessories for you to try and buy, including the new Natura WA ED binoculars! @spurnbirdobs.bsky.social @btobirds.bsky.social #Migfest2025

Opticron travelscopes are the #1 choice for thousands of users the world over, offering a practical solution when you need to keep your kit lightweight and compact to fit in your luggage but don't want to miss out on quality, long-range observation while overseas ✈️ www.opticron.co.uk/our-products...

If you see a flick of black and red amongst long grass on a sunny day, it might be a Six-spot Burnet Moth! These striking insects are often mistaken for butterflies and can be seen in grassland habitats containing Thistles and Ragwort from mid-June to late August. #MothsMatter #Six-spotBurnet

Our Scottish Seabird Photography Competition closes at 10am this Friday (29 August)! With @opticron.bsky.social vouchers and a free space on a 2026 Bass Rock Landing Trip up for grabs, you won't want to miss this one... Enter now: www.seabird.org/scottish-sea...

Don't forget to enter your best seabird photographs to the Scottish Seabird Centre's Photography Competition before Friday the 29th for a chance to win fantastic prizes, including a landing trip to Bass Rock and £500 worth of Opticron vouchers 🌊 Find out more 👉 www.seabird.org/scottish-sea...

With long tail streamers that have given them the nickname “sea swallows”, Common Terns can often be seen diving for fish. Their noisy squawking contrasts with their elegant plumage and slender wings. 📷 @rebeccaonthewing.bsky.social #CommonTern #Wildlife #WildlifePhotography

Have you done your #BigButterflyCount? 🦋 If not, don't worry, there's still time to join in this weekend! Spend 15 minutes outdoors recording what you see, this can be in your garden, local park or any outdoor space 🌳 Find out more 👉 @savebutterflies.bsky.social 📷 @rebeccaonthewing.bsky.social

Experience nature on your family adventures with the Savanna R PC Oasis 🌿🦋🌼🥾 Features include: ●Slim, dual hinge design for smaller hands & faces ●Fully multi-coated optics for class-leading light transmission ●Textured rubber armour & nitrogen waterproof ●Lightweight polycarbonate & alloy body

Our seabird photography competition closes on the 29th of August! With £500 worth of Opticron vouchers, a Bass Rock landing trip, and more up for grabs, you won't want to miss the deadline⌛ Enter now: www.seabird.org/scottish-sea...

Although they may look like gulls at first sight, Fulmars are actually related to Albatrosses. They have a peculiar tubed nose that can extract salt from seawater, enabling them to drink it. 📷 @rebeccaonthewing.bsky.social #Fulmar #Seabirds #Wildlife #WildlifePhotography

Looking to buy a new binocular? Come along to one of this month's events to try out different models including the new Natura WA ED 🌿 02/08 Rye Harbour Discovery Centre @sussexwildlife.bsky.social 15/08 Thatcham Nature Discovery Centre @bbowt.bsky.social 30/08 The Welsh Birdwatching Optics Show

Available in 8x42 (£329) and 10x42 (£339), the new Opticron Natura WA ED binoculars are an exciting choice for anyone seeking a mid-range binocular priced under £350 that deliver a top quality viewing experience. www.opticron.co.uk/our-products... #BirdingGear

Thank you to everyone who came along to our Guided Nature Walk with @theearlybirder.bsky.social at this year's @globalbirdfair.bsky.social Despite the heat, there were many highlights such as Osprey, Mandarin Duck, Common Tern, Reed Bunting, Common Blue & Scarlet Tiger🦋 🌿🦆 #GlobalBirdfair2025

The Opticron Discovery SP 7x28 are designed with children and adults in mind, making them the perfect choice for your family trips this summer! 🪶Minimum IPD of 52mm for smaller faces 🪶Nitrogen waterproof & durable 🪶Lightweight & compact, weighing just 380g 🪶£69 with a 5 year guarantee #BirdingGear

A fan favourite among birdwatchers, Puffins are a summer highlight around the British coastline. These tiny seabirds nest in burrows on the cliffs, returning from fishing trips with a mouthful of Sandeels for their hungry chicks. by @rebeccaonthewing.bsky.social #UKBirding #Puffins #Wildlife

Enjoy nature to the full. With the superb all new @opticron.bsky.social Natura WA ED 8x42 and 10x42 #binoculars. These are the best mid-range binoculars from #Opticron we have seen. Now in stock online and instore. ⬇️ www.birders-store.co.uk/opticron-nat... #BirdingGear