Binocular Workshop at Stafford Lake

Binoculars are the single most essential tool for observing birds and nature. Nothing else comes close. But poor quality optics or a few basic mistakes in their use can greatly diminish the potential rewards.

• How should you adjust your binoculars for the difference between your two eyes? How should you adjust them if you’re wearing glasses?
• How can you tell if your binoculars are functioning properly or need repair? Have you ever compared them to a really good pair to get a sense of their quality?
• If you’re in the market for new binoculars, what should you look for? What do the numbers mean in an “8×42” binocular? Is bigger better? Is higher power better?

This is where we can help.

Join guest expert Mike Freiberg from Nikon Sports Optics and Jack from Wild Birds Unlimited for this seminar on choosing and using binoculars to watch birds and nature at Novato’s Stafford Lake. We’ll start with an interactive presentation from Mike on binocular basics, giving you the knowledge to use your optics most effectively or choose a new pair. Attendees will have the opportunity to try out a wide range of Nikon binoculars and get personalized advice from Mike and the team from Wild Birds Unlimited while enjoying a spring morning at idyllic Stafford Lake.

We’ll be enjoying the birds even during our stationary portion of the event, with both waterbirds on and around the lake and a number of interesting spring migrant songbirds easily viewed around our seminar area, notably Bullock’s orioles and western kingbirds. For the second hour of our session, we’ll enjoy a short bird walk in the park as we look for a wider variety of species, allowing participants more time to try out different binoculars in real life conditions and ask further questions as we go along.

Space is limited to allow for personalized attention and hands-on time with a variety of binoculars. If you wish to attend, please select your number of attendees and click “Confirm RSVP” above.

Details and Tips: 

• Stafford Lake normally has a summer parking fee of $10, but the first Saturday of each month is the free access Measure A day. That’s this day!
• If you already have binoculars, definitely bring them to compare with the latest and greatest, and to get personalized tips, evaluation, and advice from the experts.
• Note that pets are not allowed in the park. Restrooms are available at the meeting location, where we will be for the first hour or so of the event.
• If you’d like to start thinking about some of those questions we raised above, check out our article on How to Use Binoculars. But if that’s too much info to absorb, join the seminar and we’ll simplify and focus on your questions!
• If you’d like to learn more about the birds we might encounter, check out our park profile of Stafford Lake.

Location: Stafford Lake is located on the northwestern outskirts of Novato, as you head west out of town on Novato Blvd. If you are coming from Highway 101, take the Atherton/San Marin exit and head west on San Marin Dr. for about three miles. Turn right on Novato Blvd at the four-way stop after San Marin High School. Stafford Lake has a well-signed entrance and turn lane on the left hand side two-and-a-half miles from that intersection. After passing the entry kiosk (free on the first Saturday of each month), turn left and proceed to the end of the parking lot. We’ll be meeting at this left end of the parking area, shaded by bird-laden oaks, but with convenient proximity to lake views and restrooms.

Header photo: Stafford Lake by Noondueler on summitpost.org