Wishlist
Essential gear to spend your hard-earned cash on this month
Birding-related goodies include Christmas cards, shirts and shoes
RSPB BIRDS OF PREY 2019 CALENDAR, £10
A 30.5cm x 30.5cm calendar, that is even bigger, of course, once it’s opened and hanging. With one photo per month and another on the cover, if you see all of these next year you should be pleased with yourself. And when you get to December… well, there’s no traditional Robin to enjoy, but there is some red, with a kite. UK made and FSC certified. There’s a special offer – buy two large 2019 calendars for £17. shopping.rspb.org.uk
ALPKIT FIRN DOWN JACKET, £99
A lightweight, water-repellent, toasty jacket that packs small, won’t break the bank and is loaded with ‘ethically-sourced duck down’ to keep you cosy. You can wear it as an outer layer, or as a mid-layer for extra warmth during some frosty birding. With elasticated cuffs, zip-up hand pockets and internal pocket, and a drawcord hem. Available for men and women – S-XXL in ‘reef’, ‘rocket’, and ‘steel’ for men, 8-14/16 (depending on colour), in ‘reef’, ‘steel’ and ‘tomato’ for women. alpkit.com
OBOZ SAPPHIRE LOW WALKING SHOE FOR WOMEN, £120
They say this is designed from the ground up, which seems reasonable for a walking shoe. The Sapphire Low is made for female feet – after checking out “the anatomical and biomechanical differences of women’s feet, ankles and legs”. It aims to be both fashionable and off-road ready. Made of supple, nubuck leather with an “easy-flexing” midsole, “highly supportive” insole, and a waterproof, breathable membrane. Sizes 3.5-8.5 in charcoal/beach glass and chestnut/hydro. obozfootwear.com
BTO MIXED SET OF 20 CHRISTMAS CARDS, £12
Buy these Christmas cards and you’ll be supporting the BTO. There are five cards of each of four designs by two of your favourite artists and photographers. Assuming that Steve Cale and David Tipling are among your favourites that is. Steve’s cards feature a snowy Crested Tit scene, and a snowy Tawny Owl scene. It is Christmas after all. The stars of David’s cards are a Reed Bunting, and a male Bearded Tit. 150x150mm. bto.org/shop
CRAGHOPPERS WOMEN’S WINTER TREKKING PANTS, £50
These leggings were made for winter walking. They are stretchy, have extra insulation and some very clever ‘thermal control fabric’ which absorbs your heat and then spreads it around – now that sounds good. Craghoppers say they are ‘streamlined’ – which, clearly, is essential for winter birding. In a charcoal print design with three zipped pockets. 190g. 91% polyester, 9% elastane. Sizes 8-20. Guaranteed for life. craghoppers.com
PATAGONIA MEN’S LONGSLEEVED RECYCLED WOOL SHIRT, £110
This winter warmer is recycled, recycled, recycled – 60% recycled wool, 30% recycled polyester and 10% recycled nylon that is. So it comes with some good credentials. It also comes with two chest pockets with flaps, a pleated back, and twill-lined cuffs and collar. 451g. Available in forge grey and two plaid designs – kastonos brown and navy blue. S-XXL. eu.patagonia.com
BEE BRICK, £22.99
Make life a bit easier for solitary bees with one (or more) of these bricks. Each brick has tens of holes of different sizes to entice those bees. The holes don’t go all the way through. These holy(!) bricks are 75% recycled and Cornish-made using China Clay waste material. Place somewhere sunny, south-facing, at least a metre up, with clear access and close to some good bee plants. In white grey, dark grey, yellow or red. 215x105x65mm. 2.9kg. nhbs.com
COCOON AIR CORE PILLOW HYPERLIGHT, £28.95
Trying to escape the cold and go somewhere warmer? One of these might make the travelling more bearable. This inflatable travel pillow folds down to just 11 x 6.5cm and weighs a mere 77g. Inflated, it’s 28 x 38cm. The bit you blow up is under some synthetic filling and the outer is ‘very soft 7 denier nylon’. Handwash when it needs freshening up. Black/dark blue. firstascent.co.uk
MAC IN A SAC UNISEX OVERTROUSERS, £20
Overtrousers can make quite a difference to your birding comfort, keeping out the wind as well as the rain. This inexpensive offering from Mac in a Sac is breathable and lightweight, and, no surprise given the name, packs away into its own sac. They have taped seams to help keep the wet stuff out, adjustable leg tabs and an elasticated waist. Any colour you like as long as it’s navy. XS-XXXL. countryinnovation.com