RECENTLY I’ve treated myself to a new spotting scope for the birdwatching. In the past, I used a draw-tube Optolyth scope, which gave excellent views, but it seems to have succumbed to misting through moisture gaining access. Apparently this is an inevitable problem with the old draw-tube scopes. I also had a relatively cheap and cheerful Nikon spotting scope, though I contrived to damage its tripod stand some time ago. I then tended just to sling it over my shoulder in its case when I went out and, if something was too far away for identification with the binoculars, I would hand-hold the scope. Not ideal for a steady view as you might imagine.
Matters came to a head when Paul Heathcote told me) that had been seen further up the Northumberland coast. It was a long way from its normal home in the Far East. Not as handsome as our own lapwing, it seemed: my reference book unflatteringly described it as “a large, heavily built lapwing with conspicuously bicoloured bill and long bright yellow legs, but rather plain grey and brown plumage”. Nevertheless, I decided it was worth adding to my list of sightings, so my wife and I set off to see if we could catch up with it.
