How thermal imaging is changing the birding world
We speak to Mark Pearson, ornithologist, wildlife guide and environmental educator about how thermal imaging devices are changing the world of birding. Mark’s passion for birding began when he was a child, marvelling at migration on the Yorkshire coast. He has seen many changes in equipment during this time, with binoculars and ‘scopes becoming increasingly hitech and lightweight, but according to Mark, the introduction of thermal imaging products has been revolutionary.
“When I’m guiding, in the UK or abroad, I never leave home without my ZEISS DTI 4/35, with its hugely improved resolution, functionality and battery life. It’s been a game changer for all manner of challenging situations, whether that’s finding owls tucked away in thick foliage, or statuesque Eurasian Bitterns in colourmatched Phragmites. When I’m out birding for pleasure, it deftly removes so many challenging obstacles, whether straining to find a pipit crawling through grass, an immobile Jack Snipe by a muddy pool edge, or a warbler working through the canopy; and then, for observing nocturnal migration, it’s an unending thrill to observe the otherwise invisible journeys and adventures playing out above us in the inky ether.
“It’s revolutionised my surveying work, particularly when I’m mapping territories and productivity of especially cryptic species – not only do I save a lot of valuable time during those finite good weather days in the breeding season, using my thermal also greatly reduces disturbance levels even further, and my results are significantly more detailed and accurate – particularly gratifying when the data directly informs conservation measures.
“Whatever situation I find myself using it in, the real deciding factor is the practicality of my ZEISS imager – specifically its ergonomics, size and weight. If it were too clunky, hefty or heavy, it wouldn’t make the cut as an everyday part of my kit – but because it’s so light, small, and easy to use (in conjunction with the great optics), I no longer think twice about keeping it switched on and around my neck.” ■
❝ My ZEISS thermal imager is now an integral tool for every aspect of my birding life ❞