Prime Day is the perfect time to stock up with birding gear for the big bird migration events, especially with World Migratory Bird Day 2024 on the horizon.
This year’s theme, “Protect Insects, Protect Birds,” highlights the vital role insects play in the lifecycle of many migratory birds while raising awareness of the alarming global decline in insect populations. For the first time, World Migratory Bird Day is emphasizing the critical role insects play in the lives of migratory birds while addressing concerns about declining insect populations. Insects serve as vital energy sources for many migratory bird species, not only during breeding seasons but also throughout their long journeys, significantly influencing the timing, duration, and overall success of migrations. As they travel, birds actively seek out insects in fields, forests, wetlands, and various other habitats during their stopovers. The timing of bird migration often aligns with peak insect abundance at these locations, providing essential nourishment for birds to replenish their energy reserves before continuing their journeys.
Prime Day is the perfect time to snag some incredible deals on birding gear and outdoor apparel. With the big fall migration just around the corner, you can get fully prepared to watch, photograph, and enjoy every moment.
Let’s dive into some of the top products you should grab while they’re on sale.
The Vortex Crossfire HD binoculars, featuring 10x magnification and 42mm objective lenses, are designed with select glass elements to deliver exceptional resolution, reduce chromatic aberration, and offer excellent color fidelity, edge-to-edge sharpness, and enhanced light transmission. Fully multi-coated lenses boost light transmission with anti-reflective coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces, while the roof prism design ensures durability and compactness. Adjustable eyecups provide comfort for users with or without glasses, and the center focus wheel and right eyepiece diopter offer precise focusing adjustments.
The rugged, rubber-armored body provides a non-slip grip and external protection, and these binoculars are tripod-adaptable for versatile use. Nitrogen purging and o-ring seals ensure water and fogproof performance in all environments, while the robust construction withstands impact. Backed by an unlimited, unconditional, lifetime VIP Warranty, the binoculars are fully transferable and cover repairs or replacement for damage or defects, excluding loss, theft, deliberate damage, or cosmetic issues that don’t affect performance.
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If you’re looking for high-performance optics that can endure tough conditions, the Vortex Optics Crossfire HD 10×42 Binoculars stands out for its image quality and durable build. The ruggedness, combined with clear, sharp visuals, makes it a perfect choice for birdwatchers exploring various terrains and weather during migration seasons.
Now 48% off at $119.99, originally priced at $229.99.
If you’re just starting to build your kit, the Celestron Nature DX 8×42 offers superb performance for the price, with lightweight construction and excellent close-focus capability. The binoculars are an excellent budget-friendly choice for beginners. Their fully multi-coated optics and BaK-4 prisms deliver sharp, bright views of birds, even in challenging lighting conditions. They’re lightweight, feature a close focus of 6.5 feet, and are waterproof and fog-proof, allowing users to enjoy birdwatching in any environment.
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For those just starting in birdwatching, these binoculars offer fantastic value for the price. They provide all the essential features needed for clear and enjoyable bird viewing without overwhelming you with a complex setup. These are great for local birding adventures and more intimate wildlife encounters.
Read the full review of this great binoculars – The Best Entry-level Binoculars: Celestron Nature DX 8×42 Full Review
Prime Big Deal: Now $119.69 (30% off, originally priced at $169.95).
For distant birdwatching or scanning large open spaces, a spotting scope is crucial. The Bushnell 20-60×65 Nitro Spotting Scope is a solid choice, offering excellent magnification and a weatherproof design. It’s perfect for those who need to track birds over long distances.
The Bushnell Trophy Xtreme 20-60x65mm Spotting Scope is ideal for birdwatchers who need to observe birds from long distances. Its multi-coated optics ensure bright, sharp images even at high magnifications. The spotting scope has an IPX7 waterproof rating, making it reliable in the field regardless of the weather. The adjustable zoom from 20x to 60x provides a wide range of versatility for tracking birds across large open spaces.
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This spotting scope is a fantastic choice for birders focused on long-range viewing, especially when trying to spot shorebirds, raptors, or waterfowl from a distance. Its ability to handle different weather conditions makes it a trusted companion during long birding sessions.
Prime Big Deal: $232.74 (36% off, originally priced at $360.99).
Another great option is the Electron Ultima 80 Angled Spotting Scope, which offers great optics and versatility for all-day birdwatching. The Celestron Ultima Angled Zoom Spotting Scope is the perfect all-around choice for outdoor enthusiasts, featuring an 80mm objective lens, a 20-60x zoom, and a 45° viewing angle for optimal nature observation and long-distance viewing. This versatile scope comes complete with essential accessories, including a soft carrying case, an extended tripod mounting plate, a zoom eyepiece with an integrated T-adapter for digiscoping, an eyepiece pouch, and a lens cloth. With multi-coated optics that enhance color, contrast, and brightness, you’ll enjoy sharper images even in low light. The large focus dial allows for quick and precise adjustments, ensuring razor-sharp focus on distant subjects. Backed by a Celestron Limited Lifetime Warranty and expert US-based tech support, you can buy with confidence from this trusted optics brand established in California since 1960.
Prime Big Deal: $188.39 (28% off, originally priced at $259.95).
If you’re into wildlife photography, now’s a great time to upgrade your camera. The Canon EOS R7 Mirrorless Camera is a top pick for bird photographers with its fast autofocus, high frame rate, and excellent image quality. It’s ideal for capturing birds in flight. The Canon EOS R7 4K digital camera offers high image quality with its 32.5-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, delivering powerful telephoto reach and fast continuous shooting paired with high-speed autofocus. Its advanced Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology features up to 651 AF zones, ensuring precise focus across nearly the entire frame, making it ideal for capturing sports, wildlife, and spontaneous moments.
With a high-speed mechanical shutter at 15 fps and an electronic shutter at 30 fps, the EOS R7 captures every split second of action. Additionally, its 5-axis In-body Image Stabilization (IBIS) system allows for shake-free images and video, even in low light. The camera excels in video recording, providing professional-grade 4K capabilities with quick autofocus and subject tracking. With over 30 minutes of recording time and an extra battery pack included, it’s perfect for vlogging on the go. Compact and lightweight, the EOS R7 is designed for comfortable handling, making it easy to take along on all your adventures.
The list price is $1,499.00, but you can purchase it for $1,274.00, saving you $225.00, which is a 15% discount.
Another great choice is the Nikon Z6 II Mirrorless Camera, which shoots in 4K and offers a fast burst mode for catching fast-moving birds. Experience mirrorless versatility like never before with the Nikon Z 6II, featuring a 24.5MP BSI sensor that excels in low light and delivers fast action performance at 14 FPS. This camera offers top-tier 4K UHD video capabilities, recording at 60p with full pixel readout, making it ideal for serious videographers seeking exceptional quality.
With improved autofocus performance, subject acquisition is faster and more precise, while the dual card slots (CFexpress/XQD + UHS-II SD) provide flexibility and security during important shoots, such as weddings and events. Designed for comfort and durability, the Z 6II ensures ease of use, and its compatibility with the new vertical battery grip enhances vertical shooting. Additionally, USB-C charging guarantees that you’ll never run low on power during live streams, video shoots, or time-lapses. The Z 6II is also compatible with a wide range of NIKKOR Z lenses and approximately 360 F-mount NIKKOR lenses using the FTZ mount adapter (sold separately).
The new price is $1,596.95, but you can purchase it for $1,422.00, saving $174.95, which is an 11% discount.
When it comes to photographing birds, a telephoto lens is key. The Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM Lens is a fantastic option for capturing distant subjects with sharpness and precision. This high-performance L-series versatile super-telephoto zoom RF lens is designed for exceptional photography with Canon full-frame mirrorless cameras, including the EOS RP, EOS R, EOS R5, and EOS R6. It features advanced optical image stabilization that offers up to 5 stops of shake correction, ensuring sharp images in various shooting conditions. The lens includes three stabilization modes—Standard, Panning, and During Exposure Only—providing creative versatility for different photographic styles. With high-speed, smooth, and quiet autofocus powered by Dual Nano USM technology, it guarantees precise focus on your subject. Additionally, its minimum focusing distance of 3.0 ft. (0.9 m) allows for close-up shots, enhancing your photographic possibilities.
Now available at a 7% discount for $2,699.00, down from the list price of $2,899.00.
For DSLR users, the Tamron SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 Lens offers excellent zoom range and portability for long days out in the field. The Tamron 150-600mm telephoto lens is designed for Nikon F (FX) mount cameras, offering exceptional versatility for wildlife and sports photography. Its new FLEX ZOOM LOCK mechanism allows users to lock the zoom ring at any position, enhancing control during shooting. With an optical construction of 21 elements in 13 groups and a fluorine coating, this lens provides outstanding image quality while resisting moisture. The lightweight tripod mount is compatible with Arca-Swiss-style quick-release plates, making it easy to set up for long shooting sessions. Additionally, the autofocus speed is significantly improved, providing faster and more responsive tracking of moving subjects.
The new price is $1,399.00, but you can get it for $964.95, saving $434.05, which is a 31% discount.
Staying steady is important for both photography and birdwatching, so grabbing a quality tripod like the Manfrotto Befree Advanced Tripod is a smart move. It’s lightweight and compact, perfect for carrying around while you’re tracking migration. The Manfrotto Advanced Travel Tripod kit is a lightweight and compact option, made from durable aluminum, weighing just 4.4 pounds. It supports a weight limit of 8.8 pounds and features a maximum height of 59.45 inches, with a minimum height of 15.75 inches for versatile shooting angles. The tripod is equipped with a QPL Travel lever for maximum stability and easy setup, along with a center ball head that includes three independent ergonomic controls for precise adjustments. Its side pull selector enables quick setup with both hands, and the unique premium design showcases its quality, being 100% made in Italy.
For a limited time, you can grab it for $133.18, which offers a 43% discount off the list price of $234.95.
Also, the Peak Design Capture Camera Clip V3 is great for keeping your camera easily accessible while you’re on the move. This camera mount is designed to securely hold DSLR, compact, and point-and-shoot cameras during various physical activities, ensuring quick access with a quick-release button that can withstand over 200 lbs of force. It easily attaches to any strap or belt up to 2.5 inches wide and 0.6 inches thick, making it versatile for different setups. Additionally, it is compatible with Peak Design adapter plates and kits, allowing you to carry lenses, GoPros, or binoculars. Plus, it comes with a lifetime warranty for guaranteed peace of mind.
Amazon’s Choice with over 100 units sold in the past month, priced at $74.95.
A reliable backpack is essential for carrying all your birding gear. The Lowepro Flipside BP 400 AW III Camera Backpack is designed specifically for photographers, with compartments for your camera, lenses, and spotting scope. The BP 400 AW III in Dark Grey is designed for photographers who need secure and efficient access to their gear. Its innovative back access panel allows you to lay the bag down and easily reach the entire pack, while the grab handle makes it simple to move the bag when needed. Built to withstand the elements, this bag features enhanced zippers, front molded EVA bumpers, and a front PU coating for maximum durability.
The new single-side access provides a secondary entry point for quick lens changes, ensuring you can adapt to any situation without delay. With a versatile divider layout, the bag accommodates mirrorless setups alongside non-photo items, a travel tripod, a 10″ tablet, and a 15″ laptop. To keep your gear organized, the front compartment includes pockets for small accessories like smartphones, cables, and notebooks, along with a removable padded interior top pocket for cords and chargers.
Now available at $164.00, reflecting a 19% discount from the list price of $202.95.
If you need something lighter, the BAGSMART Camera Bag Backpack is a great choice for shorter outings with plenty of space for photo gear. This camera backpack measures 11.8″L x 7″ W x 17″H and weighs just 2.3 lbs, featuring a main compartment for one DSLR camera with a 70-200mm lens attached, plus 3-4 additional standard lenses and gear. It includes a padded laptop compartment for up to a 15.6-inch laptop, along with four inner pockets and one hidden back pocket for memory cards and accessories. The right side has a stretch pocket with compression straps for a tripod.
Quick side access and double-way zippers allow for fast retrieval of your camera, while seven removable padded dividers provide customizable space for different gear sizes. Anti-theft zippers, thick foam padding, and water-resistant fabric with a rain cover protect your equipment from bumps and weather. Designed for comfort, it features padded shoulder straps, a padded back panel, and an adjustable chest strap, as well as a top handle and back luggage strap for easy transport, making it a perfect gift for photographers and outdoor enthusiasts.
The Prime Big Deal offers a price of $46.39, reflecting a 31% savings off the list price of $66.99.
As I reflect on World Migratory Bird Day 2024, it’s clear that this year’s focus on water is deeply connected to birdwatching. Water sources are essential stopovers for birds on their migratory journeys, and protecting these habitats ensures we can continue to enjoy the spectacle of migration for years to come. For me, getting high-quality birding gear—whether it’s binoculars, a spotting scope, or a camera—is not just about enjoying the moment but also supporting conservation efforts.
With Prime Day deals, it’s a great time to upgrade and be ready for migration season. The Vortex Optics Viper HD 10×42 offers stunning clarity for birdwatching, while the Canon EOS R7 Mirrorless Camera ensures you capture the perfect shot. Grab these deals, experience the beauty of migration firsthand, and make a contribution to conservation. Learn more about World Migratory Bird Day 2024.
Take advantage of these offers and help protect the habitats that birds rely on while enjoying one of nature’s most spectacular events.
Check out these Prime Day offers and be ready to enjoy the beauty of migration!
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