Best gifts for naturalists this Christmas
Five top presents for the wildlife lover in your life
From the latest in hi-tech photography to a humble yet sophisticated bird call, here’s our selection for the wildlife enthusiast in your life.
Leatherman multi-tool
When it comes to multi-tools, Leatherman is the gold standard. The Oregon-based company has become synonymous with the great outdoors and this practical multi-tool combines some of its most sought-after features. There are pliers, scissors, screwdrivers, wire cutters and knives aplenty, and bottle and can openers too. Titanium handles and heavy-duty S30V steel for the blades mean that it is built to last as well as look good, and the anti-corrosion treatment will extend its life still further. The Charge + TTi will have the handy, outdoorsy type in your life heading straight for the woods, or at least the garage.
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Leatherman Charte + TTi multi-tool, £229.95; leatherman.co.uk
Noctivid binoculars by Leica
No naturalist’s stocking would be complete without a pair of binoculars, but the Leica Noctivid is no normal pair. Combining extremely sharp images and innovative design, Leica concentrates on what is really important: contrast, colour, ease of view and compactness. But despite their small stature you don’t need to be precious with them. As the Evening Standard notes: “They’re highly waterproof, made for hard use and look super stylish.”
Leica 10x42 Noctivid green binoculars, £2,350; selfridges.com
Sony a77 ii digital SLR camera
Voted the number one camera for wildlife photography by The Adventure Junkies website, Sony’s latest digital SLR has a sophisticated 79-point auto-focus system normally found only in professional cameras. Its 12 frames per second shooting speed makes it the perfect camera for those who regularly need to track fast-moving subjects. The camera’s built-in Wi-Fi with NFC also enables immediate wireless transfer of images to your smartphone, tablet or television.
Sony a77 ii digital SLR camera, £1,392.56; amazon.co.uk
Scottish Heather Honey by The Scottish Bee Company
The Scottish Bee Company was born out of a desire to save the humble bee and deliver premium honey at the same time. Its premium offering – the full-bodied, Highland heather honey – evokes a sense of Scotland’s unspoilt wilderness, not unlike the country’s finest single malt whiskies. The company’s bees gather nectar from the finest Scottish heather to create the rich, luxurious honey. The two-jar set comes with a sample of bee-friendly seeds ready to scatter, so you too can help sustain the UK’s bee population.
Scottish Heather Honey, £19 for two jar set; scottishbeecompany.co.uk
Bird call by Labour and Wait
Made in a small workshop in France, these beautiful, hand-crafted bird calls are a perfect example of what Labour and Wait do so well. Made from beech and finished with a warm polish, this call comes in a stylishly neat wooden box and imitates the familiar sound of a blackbird, making it the perfect gift for any aspiring twitcher.
Bird call – blackbird, £20; labourandwait.co.uk
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