You may ask what the 'Five Thousand ' is, well since the new Shop and Visitor Centre at RSPB Conwy opened on the 21st October 2006 the Optics Department (you know, those nice people that sell binoculars, telescopes and accessories) are fast approaching the sale of their 5000th item.

To celebrate we have decided to give away a pair of RSPB 8 x 40 ASW Binoculars worth £116 completely free to the lucky buyer of the 5000th item, no matter what that item may be, from a £2.99 cleaning cloth to a quality scope at over £2500!

So what do you need to do to be in with a chance to win these great binoculars? Just call into the reserve over the next few weeks and make a purchase from the Optics Department, it's as easy as that!
Need some advice about binoculars, telescopes and accessories? Just call in and see us before you buy, and don't forget that we can give you that vital hands-on use under practical conditions, plus the support of knowledgeable and friendly staff. We have had lots of new introductions right across our range this year, so if you're looking for performance or value for money or the best of both then we have something for you.

For 2010 there are lots of things to look forward to with the introduction of the new Swarovski EL binoculars; these long awaited updates are nearly here along with their hefty price tags, it's enough to make your plastic go limp! More demos on the reserve along with more visits and support from our supplier, Viking Optical, to do Digiscoping and other specific demos. With other items still in the pipeline it's set to be an exciting year

Lastly just a few thank yous to all the people that have supported us over the past year, to Viking Optical for their support and the generous donation of the RSPB 8 x 40 ASW binoculars for the buyer of the 5000 item, don't forget to come in and make your purchase, and of course to you our customers who have made it a great 2009, the biggest thank you!

Its half past three in the afternoon, the light is failing fast and it's pouring with rain. I can hear the Dippers on the stream outside as they move upstream to roost, Grey Wagtails are perched on the telephone wires and one of the Wrens is picking over our log pile, but I'm still looking for some inspiration for the latest blog!

So what is happening? Well quite a lot really. To start with we have received the RSPB's new Tripod 1 and support system including a bench clamp with head, clamp (to convert Tripod 1's centre column to bench clamp) and a fitted Tripod bag. The pan and tilt head has been designed especially for the birder - the Tripod 2 is similar but made from carbon fibre.

The new Viking MD and ED ranges of binocular are now in the shop, The MDs are available in 6.5 x 32, 8 x 32, 8 x 42 and 10 x 42. With a close focusing ability of just one meter they are an excellent binocular for the all round wildlife watcher, the 6.5 x 32 has been introduced especially for the lover of smaller wildlife e.g. butterflies, dragonflies and flowers etc. I don't often make recommendations because we all have different preferences, but I have found these to be very sharp, easy to use and are stable in high winds. Try out a pair of these new 6.5 x 32 MD's, you may well be surprised!

The open bridge ED's are Vikings new high-end binocular offering a very realistic three dimensional image with excellent contrast and neutral coloration with Extra Low Dispersion glass and a magnesium chassis; these high tech binoculars are worthy of serious consideration.

New introductions to come are the RSPB's compact 8 x 32 HD around the end of November, superb performance in a compact hi-tech body, this model will be a serious contender in the quality 8 x 32 market.

Still to come is RSPB Conwy's Christmas Fair on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th November 2009 with lots to do, along with Stuart from our binocular and scope supplier Viking who will be here to talk to customers and demonstrate the range we carry. We will have selected binoculars from Zeiss, the stunning new Leica APO-Televid scope with 25-50 Zoom Eyepiece and Leica Binoculars, and a Swarovski ATM 80HD scope with the new 25-50x Zoom Eyepiece.

Don't worry if you can't make it to the Christmas Fair as we will be having an Optics Demo weekend over Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th December. Or you can book your own one hour demonstration by ringing 01492 584091, we are just off the A55 at Llandudno Junction J18, LL31 9XZ.

Hope to see you soon!
Chris.

Hello, my name is Paul Martin and I have been an RSPB volunteer for just over a year now. Most of the year has been spent at the Conwy RSPB reserve as a guide in the hide on a Sunday, and through this summer at the Glaslyn Osprey project near Porthmadog one day a week. I can only say I wish I had done it years ago, it has been fantastic! The wildlife 'moments' have just been superb from seeing a Water Rail from six feet away; a male Osprey flying overhead with a fish for his family, to cheeky stoats in the car park; and grass banks covered in striking six spot burnet moths.

The less obvious joy of volunteering though is the people, from the ever enthusiastic and knowledgeable RSPB staff to the ever eager-to-learn and passionate visitors. I have always been around wildlife and it is always a joy to be around, but teaching others about it and seeing their amazement as you show them something new is just priceless. I can watch wildlife anytime but volunteering gives me a chance to pass on my knowledge and passion for wildlife to others and that is why, a year on, I am still doing it and am still as keen now as on my first day at Conwy where it all started.
In August 2008 I was welcomed to RSPB Conwy as a volunteer guide in the hide, just in time to see the last Reed Warblers before their migration to Africa and all the ducks in rather confusing eclipse plumage. The following months saw stunning close up views of Kingfishers, Water Rail and Snipe to name a few. As winter approached the winter migrants began to arrive, Black-Tailed Godwit, Curlew Sandpiper, Goldeneye, Pochard, Wigeon, Firecrest and a very smart Eastern Chiffchaff, again to name but a few. At this time all the ducks are very smart in their new breeding plumage. Into Spring and the arrival of the Summer migrants which I had just missed in August, Sedge Warbler, Sand Martin, Common Sandpiper and a mass of activity during the breeding season. Shortly after, I also began volunteering at the Glaslyn RSPB Osprey project both at the viewing site and the protection site. Fantastic views of these superb birds of prey followed as well as sightings of Redstart, Pied Flycatcher and that cheeky stoat in the car park! The journey there has given me sightings of Red Kites and Hen Harriers on a regular basis too. That brings me to the present, with three fledged Ospreys for the second year about to begin their migration to Africa and the summer migrants leaving Conwy for the same destination, completing a fantastic year for me of birds, wildlife and meeting some great people.

So if you're thinking of volunteering for the RSPB, for whatever reason, my advice is: Do it, you won't regret it! Sure, you don't get paid but it makes you richer in so many other ways. As someone said to me the other day, you get a warm feeling inside knowing that you are doing something good and even making a difference. Reason enough on its own I think!

Well first things first, congratulations to the Field Teaching Team as they have just become the first in Wales to achieve the 'Learning outside the Classroom' Quality Badge. It shows the Field Teaching teams exceptional standards and acts as a guarantee to schools that RSPB Conwy is a safe, value for money, efficient and competent organisation that delivers exactly what it says! It is a fantastic achievement of which you can read more below from Charlie, our Lead Field Teacher.

Flying Dinosaurs - perhaps not quite, but the dragonflies of today (Odonata) are very close relatives to Protodonata that flew over Carboniferous forests some 300 million years ago then they had wingspans up to 70cm! These amazing almost machine-like flying insects have been present on and around the reserve over the past few weeks.

One of the species noted has been the Emperor Dragonfly, Anax imperator. A large dragonfly, the male is unmistakable, a powerful flier it moves with purpose and is one of the few dragonflies that will hover around to observe the observer, so sometimes it's a case of just who is watching who? Its abdominal length is approx 50 to 60mm long with a hind wing 45 to 50mm, it's a large dragonfly and can be quite clearly heard as it flies close by. The male has green-blue eyes, green thorax and blue abdomen that curves down slightly, the colour of the abdomen does change compared to the temperature and the warmer the day the bluer the abdomen - the cooler, the greener. Midday is a good time to watch dragonflies, as the day warms up they get more active but they can be seen for shorter periods at either ends of the day.

Further dragonfly species seen include Broad-bodied Chaser and Common Hawker both around the new dipping pool. Damselflies seen around Bridge Pool have been Common Blue Damselfly, along with Blue-tailed Damselfly and an Emerald Damselfly. A male Banded Demoiselle was seen around the main gate with a female around Bridge Pool.

We have also received the RSPB's new Digiscoping kits starting from £379 for an AG60 scope body with a 26x fixed eyepiece, camera adaptor and Rollei's excellent X-8 compact camera, call in and give it a try!

RSPB Conwy may not be 20 years old yet but what is here can take you back millennia. So for some of the best education you could wish for, the latest hi-tech optics or just good old fashioned service call in for a visit, just watch out for flying dinosaurs!

We are just off the A55 at J18, follow the brown signs with the avocet on, LL31 9XZ for sat nav. Give us a call on 01492 584091, we will be pleased to help.

Last Thursday, I woke with a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. Icy fingers of fear wound themselves around my heart and squeezed tightly. My breathing was shallow and rapid as I got in the car, and faced the inevitable. Today was the day when the education department at RSPB Conwy was to face its sternest critic - the assessor charged with the task of deciding whether or not our teaching met the rigorous standards of the Department for Children, Schools and the Family. If we did, we would be awarded the "Quality Badge", which signifies to schools and parents that RSPB Conwy meets specific guidelines for learning and safety.

The sun, and the exceptionally lovely school who were at the Reserve that day, shone brightly. The wildlife obliged by putting in a sterling performance, displaying ducks and numerous newts popping up at appropriate intervals as if specially trained or programmed. I began to relax. The two teachers who were under the microscope that day did their usual, fantastically competent job, interpreting what the children were seeing, guiding their thoughts and gently leading them into discoveries and a whole new world of wildlife.

The assessor liked what he saw. So far, so good. Then came the paperwork - evidence had to be produced covering every single element of our operation, from risk assessments and learning outcomes, to insurance cover and staff qualifications. There were a few points where I was quaking inside, unsure of my responses - had I done enough? Were all the papers in order? How could I prove that we offer value for money? That we take sustainability issues seriously? That we review and analyse all the feedback we receive?

After three hours, the ordeal was over. The assessor announced we had passed! Relief, joy, tea and lemon cake all all round. The quality of both the teaching and of the Health and Safety procedures were pronounced to be outstanding. Our badge was handed over, and with it, the confidence that, although we had always known that we do a good job, now there was evidence to prove it to the rest of the known world!

A couple of days later, a batch of letters arrived. We've just read them in the office now, in between answering emails, doing budget spreadsheets and ordering printer ink and Sellotape.

With those letters came an endorsement from a few more of our assessors. Not the ones with official name badges or a host of letters after their names. Not the ones sent by the DCSF or the Health and Safety Executive. These assessors may be small, but their opinion of us matters just as much. I would like to quote from their summaries of the day they spent with us.

"I loved it when we went pond dipping. That was my fantastic moment. My favourite bird/fish is a blue tit. I bought a squidgy goo with a bug in it. Yours sincerely, Molly"

"Thank you for letting us come to the RSPB. I really enjoyed it. I had a fantastic time. I got lots of shells they were ineresting. I now look after animals like my cat Jackey. Yours sincerely, Charlotte"

" I had a lovely time at the RSPB. I learnt all about little insects and birds. I found nothink but it was a good walk. Thank you for that day. Yours sincerely, Zena"

Jacob had a nice time. His favourite thing was looking for minibeasts. His best minibeasts were woodlice. He drew pictures for us of 12 previously undiscovered woodlice - the Golin, the Filon, the Dig, the Bulldog, the Spider, the Litchwicher, the Prince, the Veger, the Water, the Snake, the Snow and the Country Woodlouse were all illustrated in great detail and yes, every one was different. The Golin was the biggest and the Filon had an orange tail, for example.

The last word, however, must go to Adam.

"I had a fantastic time. My favourite thing was ponddiping because I was with Byron. We worked as a team and found lots of creatures in the pond. I learnt that birds from all over the world come to you. I bought from the shop a telescope and a balancing eagle. I had the best day of my life. From Adam"

Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe our sternest critics are not the guys with clipboards, a big official title, and an ID badge swinging round their necks. I think the people who really tell it like it is are the small ones. The ones who will let you know - in no uncertain terms - exactly what they think. We are all really pleased and proud to have been awarded the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge - but I'm thinking too that I may have the little pencil sketch of the Litchwicher Woodlouse made into a badge too - our very own accreditation which means Jacob, Adam, Molly, Byron, Charlotte, Zena and all their class think we're pretty ok, too.

Last Thursday, I woke with a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. Icy fingers of fear wound themselves around my heart and squeezed tightly. My breathing was shallow and rapid as I got in the car, and faced the inevitable. Today was the day when the education department at RSPB Conwy was to face its sternest critic - the assessor charged with the task of deciding whether or not our teaching met the rigorous standards of the Department for Children, Schools and the Family. If we did, we would be awarded the "Quality Badge", which signifies to schools and parents that RSPB Conwy meets specific guidelines for learning and safety.

The sun, and the exceptionally lovely school who were at the Reserve that day, shone brightly. The wildlife obliged by putting in a sterling performance, displaying ducks and numerous newts popping up at appropriate intervals as if specially trained or programmed. I began to relax. The two teachers who were under the microscope that day did their usual, fantastically competent job, interpreting what the children were seeing, guiding their thoughts and gently leading them into discoveries and a whole new world of wildlife.

The assessor liked what he saw. So far, so good. Then came the paperwork - evidence had to be produced covering every single element of our operation, from risk assessments and learning outcomes, to insurance cover and staff qualifications. There were a few points where I was quaking inside, unsure of my responses - had I done enough? Were all the papers in order? How could I prove that we offer value for money? That we take sustainability issues seriously? That we review and analyse all the feedback we receive?

After three hours, the ordeal was over. The assessor announced we had passed! Relief, joy, tea and lemon cake all all round. The quality of both the teaching and of the Health and Safety procedures were pronounced to be outstanding. Our badge was handed over, and with it, the confidence that, although we had always known that we do a good job, now there was evidence to prove it to the rest of the known world!

A couple of days later, a batch of letters arrived. We've just read them in the office now, in between answering emails, doing budget spreadsheets and ordering printer ink and Sellotape.

With those letters came an endorsement from a few more of our assessors. Not the ones with official name badges or a host of letters after their names. Not the ones sent by the DCSF or the Health and Safety Executive. These assessors may be small, but their opinion of us matters just as much. I would like to quote from their summaries of the day they spent with us.

"I loved it when we went pond dipping. That was my fantastic moment. My favourite bird/fish is a blue tit. I bought a squidgy goo with a bug in it. Yours sincerely, Molly"

"Thank you for letting us come to the RSPB. I really enjoyed it. I had a fantastic time. I got lots of shells they were ineresting. I now look after animals like my cat Jackey. Yours sincerely, Charlotte"

" I had a lovely time at the RSPB. I learnt all about little insects and birds. I found nothink but it was a good walk. Thank you for that day. Yours sincerely, Zena"

Jacob had a nice time. His favourite thing was looking for minibeasts. His best minibeasts were woodlice. He drew pictures for us of 12 previously undiscovered woodlice - the Golin, the Filon, the Dig, the Bulldog, the Spider, the Litchwicher, the Prince, the Veger, the Water, the Snake, the Snow and the Country Woodlouse were all illustrated in great detail and yes, every one was different. The Golin was the biggest and the Filon had an orange tail, for example.

The last word, however, must go to Adam.

"I had a fantastic time. My favourite thing was ponddiping because I was with Byron. We worked as a team and found lots of creatures in the pond. I learnt that birds from all over the world come to you. I bought from the shop a telescope and a balancing eagle. I had the best day of my life. From Adam"

Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe our sternest critics are not the guys with clipboards, a big official title, and an ID badge swinging round their necks. I think the people who really tell it like it is are the small ones. The ones who will let you know - in no uncertain terms - exactly what they think. We are all really pleased and proud to have been awarded the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge - but I'm thinking too that I may have the little pencil sketch of the Litchwicher Woodlouse made into a badge too - our very own accreditation which means Jacob, Adam, Molly, Byron, Charlotte, Zena and all their class think we're pretty ok, too.

Well the light nights are here at last, and at the time of writing Avocets, our insignia bird have come and gone three times since mid March and the end of May, and the RSPB Skinny Dippers range of toiletries have been launched.

Photo by A. Foster

During June, July and August there will be evening guided walks, led by our volunteers Ken and Eldyne. Taking place on Wednesday evenings, meeting at the Lapwing gate at 7.00pm, these walks are a great opportunity to visit the reserve at a quieter time of day and are free - even better considering the state of finances at the moment! Don't forget your binoculars and suitable clothing for the evening.

Skinny Dippers, the new range of eco friendly toiletries, is on our shelves now. Exclusive to the RSPB and made in the UK, you can now wash for wildlife, smell wonderful and support our conservation work, as 100% of profits from the new range go straight back into our conservation work. Skinny Dippers contain no palm oil, parabans or phosphates and are not tested on animals. With prices starting from just £3.50 a great treat for yourself or someone special without costing the earth.

The breeding season is well underway with this seasons young being seen around the reserve. The reserve is buzzing with activity and the recent warm sunny weather, at the time of writing, all adds to the atmosphere when you visit.

Even though the winter is over don't forget to feed your garden birds as they still require lots of calories during this busy season, good quality foods high in oils and fats that can be obtained from sunflower hearts and suet based feeds are ideal. Take care about feeding loose whole peanuts as they could choke chicks and fledglings, feed these only from a nut feeder so that whole nuts cannot be removed.

Don't forget your binoculars when you are out and about as it is the best and busiest time of year for watching wildlife in general. Make sure they are clean and the strap is secure and in good condition. If you are thinking about new binoculars or a scope call in and see us, we offer great service, stock and demo facilities. You can book your own 1 hour demo - call us on 01492 584091.

We are open every day 9.30 until 5.00 and if you fancy a coffee or light snack our coffee shop has stunning views over the reserve, up the Conwy Valley and down to Conwy, open daily 10.00 till 4.30 during spring and summer.

Come and visit RSPB Conwy you can be sure of a warm welcome and a great day out, signposted from J18 on the A55 Expressway we are easy to get to, just follow the brown RSPB signs with the Avocet on.

..... well, now I have caught your attention, these are just a few of the events I have witnessed on the RSPB's Conwy reserve, a little of which I will tell you about later.

Having always had an overall interest in nature and also at one time being a passionate monochrome photographer, an interest in top quality optical equipment, both photographic and observational developed. Now some thirty years on, I am fortunate enough to work for the RSPB.

So what do I do? I work in the shop and visitor centre at RSPB Conwy as a retail assistant, with a particular interest in the binocular and telescope ranges we offer to our visitors. As part of my retail role I guide our visitors in the choice of their new binoculars and telescopes amongst other retail work.

As we all have different eyes, hands, personal preferences and viewing habits, your choice of new binoculars etc. will be very personal to you. It is not just about buying the most expensive, or the pair that a friend recommended, as they may well have very different criteria from you.

Our aim is to guide and support you in choosing the most appropriate binoculars or telescope, by listening and offering hands-on demos under practical viewing conditions, not just across the road from the door of a dealer. Our 'No Hard Sell' policy and the chance to take your time, means you'll make the right choice.

We are always looking at improving our service and now offer a one hour demonstration service with the dedicated support of one of our knowledgeable and friendly staff. You can book your own demonstration by phoning 01492 584091.

So, as spring moves on and new plant growth along with this years young brings new life to the reserve, it is a fascinating time, watching Bee Orchids sprout and diligent parents tend and defend their young. The opposite, on a bright spring morning - the not so pleasant view of an unfortunate, squealing bank vole being snatched from the grass and swallowed whole head first by a marauding Heron.

In the warm evening light a pair of beautiful Great Crested Grebes were seen performing their head shaking dance, part of their mating ritual, reflecting in the mirror-flat surface of the water. Two Robins, one of our most familiar birds, seen fighting ferociously over territory close to Tal y Fan hide, regardless of early morning visitors passing close by.

The first three of these vivid events and many more brought closer by my trusty binoculars, the fourth while out testing the new RSPB 8 x 42 HD binocular. Was I impressed? Very much so. I recommend trying a pair of the HD's the next time you visit the reserve, the right binoculars can add so much to the experience.

Life and death, sex and violence it's all out on the reserve, what will you see on your next visit?

Throughout Wales, this spring and summer our team of People Engagement Officers will be out showing people some wonderful wildlife spectacles under the banner of our Date with Nature events.

Our Date with Nature events kick off on 21 March with BBC 'One Show' wildlife presenter Mike Dilger leading our first dawn walk to see a black grouse lek of the season. There are still spaces left to see this comical and noisy mating ritual in Denbighshire so get booking! (029 2035 3008).

From the end of March we will be showcasing the only pair of breeding Ospreys in Wales at Pont Croesor, near Porthmadog. The latest updates on the pair will be posted to our website for you to follow through the season. At time of writing, we've got everything crossed that they are winging their way back from Africa to wow us again with their fish-catching prowess!

The only chough nest-cam in the UK will be beaming live images of our pair that have nested in 'Chough Cavern' at Llechwedd Slate Caverns, a very popular tourist destination in its own right, in Blaenau Ffestiniog. For the last two years, we have been privileged to witness the pair raise six chicks. A new edition this year is a microphone that will bring the noisy family even closer to visitors.

Our award winning cruises round Puffin Island on the catamaran Cerismar Two, will make up another of the events in north Wales, with six days worth of trips during May, June & July waiting for your bookings! (029 2035 3008).

Further down the country, we will be showing the wonderful red kites at Forestry Commission Wales' Bwlch Nant-yr-Arian site near Ponterwyd. Fed at 3pm daily, up to 100 can be seen swirling above your head before swooping down to pick up meat on the other side of the picturesque lake.

Finally, at time of writing, the peregrines have returned to Cardiff City Hall Clock Tower and have been tidying the nest. A great sign that we can show these - the fastest animal on the planet - to visitors to National Museum Cardiff by way of the nest cam and also in the flesh from our stand on City Hall Lawn.

A Date with Nature will open up a completely new arena for us to get people closer to nature and enable us to offer visitors a memorable experience while generating support for our conservation work.

Come and join us, and marvel at the wonder of Wales' wildlife!

Click here for further information:

http://www.rspb.org.uk/brilliant

With banks crashing all around our ears, interest rates going up, all the supermarkets offering cheap, cut-price, bargain, discount and value food to keep body if not soul together, pensions plummeting and high falutin' government officials stating that we are due nothing but misery in the future, it's easy to forget about the things that really matter. The continual forecasts of doom and gloom are, at the moment, threatening to overshadow everything that we normally hold dear and important.

Now, I'm not going to deny the fact that money - some money - is important, and quite a few unlucky souls are going to have lost a lot of their hard-earned cash, but, given a reasonable level of income, there's an awful lot more in this world which contributes to our happiness and sense of well-being.

There's a Jamie Cullum track, "I'm glad there is you" which includes the lyrics "In this world of overrated pleasures and underrated treasures, I'm glad there is you" (It's probably a cover version, although I'm far too young to remember who sang the original...) Well, I think it's time to decide what is an overrated pleasure, and what is an underrated treasure - what are the small things in life that we take so much for granted, but would sorely feel the lack of, were they to disappear? For me, those include a decent cup of tea, chocolate, Marmite, the Mamma Mia soundtrack, "The X Factor" and watching birds on the multitude of feeders in my garden.

I remember somebody once describing a bird feeder as "the thinking person's television". It's true. All the dramas of life, love and the daily struggle for survival are played out on that little tube of steel, wire and perspex - squabbling chaffinches, nervous little coal tits, robins fiercely defending their territories and the blink of an eye flash past of a sparrowhawk, hell bent on murder - or is it just lunch? The occasional woodpecker or jay puts in a guest appearance. I have two goldfinches called Phil and Grant, because their bullying ways constantly remind me of the Mitchell brothers from Eastenders.

Feeding the birds is compulsive. For me, it is both addiction and therapy. Addiction, because it is something I have to do, every day, morning and evening, rain or shine. When I get home, I feed the birds before I have fed myself, my cat or my partner. Therapy, because there is a soothing peacefulness about watching the comings and goings, the turning of a world almost oblivious to our own. A balm for the soul, an antidote to our overwrought existence.

Feed The Birds Day took place at the end of October. This annual RSPB event takes place all over the UK, as a reminder to everyone how important it is to keep feeding the birds, especially through the cold winter months. Thousands of people took part, in guided walks, demonstrations, and by buying, making and putting out food. Small fingers were actively engaged in the time-honoured ritual of bird-cake making, or cutting up old plastic bottles to make recycled feeders. But feeding the birds isn't just a day...it's for life. Nip along to RSPB Conwy, just off Junction 18 of the A55, and get hold of some seed and a feeder. Watch the blue tits munch. And, just for a while, forget the credit crunch.