Basic equipment?

Rainbowmum · #1 (**permalink**) 24-11-2006, 10:38 PM

If you were talking to a complete beginner who wanted to go out and learn about nature and explore what items would be on your basic kit? Preferably on a budget!
Louise xx

wildone · #2 (**permalink**) 24-11-2006, 11:07 PM

A decent hand lens possibly a 10x. It is amazing what one can discover with one of those. Insects and spiders can have close inspections. Have a look at flowers with one, also the back of leaves to see the pores etc. If the interest is there then a binocular for watching birds even those in the garden. After that it depends on what interests the persons especially but I would suggest books should be fairly high on the list.

Ptarmigan · #3 (**permalink**) 24-11-2006, 11:30 PM

A good identification book can begin to unravel the mysteries.

aeshna5 · #4 (**permalink**) 25-11-2006, 06:51 AM

I agree a good hand lens is essential for looking closely at plants + bugs, binoculars for birding (though I find them useful for looking at plants/insects at distance that aren't too accessible), a notebook + decent fieldguides. If you're into insects a basic net + beating tray would be useful for seeing many insects you'll otherwise miss.

Most important thing, which costs nothing, is bags of enthusiasm + an eye for detail. What youngsters lack in experience is often compensated by sharp eyes/ears.

If you're asking for youngsters Nick Baker has produced at least a couple of excellent books that would provide heaps of inspiration for anyone with an interest in the living world around them.

Jane_Russell · #5 (**permalink**) 25-11-2006, 07:18 AM

Comfortable, safe footwear and clothing!

Jane

nightshade · #6 (**permalink**) 25-11-2006, 08:22 AM

A capacious weatherproof bag (can double as a seat!) pots and sample bags a good notebook, digital compact camera,handlense 10x-20mm dia., pooter,latex disposable gloves good area map and a search plan!

Little Firewall · #7 (**permalink**) 25-11-2006, 09:22 AM

Please excuse my ignorance but what in the world is a 'pooter'.

(It is not even in the MS Word dictionary!)

Alan · #8 (**permalink**) 25-11-2006, 09:55 AM

Do your homework on the area to be explored first. This may give you an idea of the things you may see, which will help you decide on which field guides to take out – if any.

For the first trip just take binoculars, notebook, map and maybe a camera. You can add other items for a later trip if you see something you may like to concentrate on. It’s no good taking everything until you know an area better.

Then you can add field guides, magnifying glasses (better for kids) or hand-lenses, collecting gear etc.

After a while you may find that your interest tends to lean towards certain groups such as birds, flowers or insects. Or even certain habitats such as woodlands or heathland etc. You can then refine your equipment to suit.

Of course you could be unlucky like me and be interested in everything which drives you mad lol..

The Nick Baker books seem interesting for beginners, and I think there's one called 'The New Amature Naturalist' that looks good.

Alan

ps: a pooter is a small transparent cylinder with with a couple of rubber tubes on it that you suck small insects up with. A bit like a vacuume - you have to do the sucking though!