Wildlife Reviews
The review section features independent reviews of the latest wildlife books, optics, outdoor clothing, gadgets and accessories for the wildlife enthusiast.
Regatta Rivington Mens Wellington Review
![Wearing the Regatta Rivington Wellington Boots](https://irelandswildlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Regatta-Rivington-Mens-Boots-scaled-768x576.jpg)
Pros: Great all-round wellington boot that’s comfortable and functional. Adjustable girth via quick-release buckle is convenient and effective. Roomy enough for decent welly socks. Heavy duty, grippy soles great when you venture off-road. Cons: Neoprene lining a bit on the thin side, which feels less “premium” than other boots in….
Sofirn IF25A LED Torch Review
![The scary Anduril UI flowchart](https://irelandswildlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Anduril-User-Interface-768x1135.jpg)
Pros: Super bright and compact. Massive versatility in light output and functions. Extremely lightweight and portable for a light this powerful. Great battery life. USB C in body charging for the included 21700 Lithium Ion battery. Cons: Heats up quickly at highest output level (built in thermoregulation safety feature kicks….
Book Review: Field Guide to the Dragonflies of Britain and Europe
![Field Guide to the Dragonflies of Britain and Europe](https://irelandswildlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Field-Guide-to-the-Dragonflies-of-Britain-and-Europe.jpg)
The Odonata, dragonflies and damselflies, is one of our most fascinating groups of insects. As adults, they’re comparatively large and highly active, which makes them one of the most noticeable and easiest insect groups to watch. From spring, through summer into autumn, dragonflies and damselflies are on my radar whenever….
Vanguard VEO ED 10×42 Binocular Review
![](https://irelandswildlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Vanguard-VEO-ED-10x42-1-scaled-768x576.jpg)
Pros: Excellent entry level ED binocular that ticks a lot of the right boxes for birders and wildlife enthusiasts. Lightweight, with reasonable field of view for a 10x binocular, the VEO ED delivers sharp high-contrast images. Great blend of high-end features at a very reasonable price point. Cons: Focus is….
Sofirn SP40 Headlamp Review
![](https://irelandswildlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Sofirn-SP40-768x682.jpg)
Pros: Convenient, lightweight and robust headlight with four very useful brightness levels. 1,200 Lumen “Turbo” mode ludicrously bright. Convenient recharging via micro-USB. 3000mAh 18650 battery included. Magnetic base makes for a convenient and versatile work-light when detached from the head-strap. Wide beam pattern ideal for headlamp and use and general….
Fenix PD35 v2.0 LED Torch/Flashlight Review
![](https://irelandswildlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMG_20200728_090820-scaled-768x576.jpg)
Pros: Fantastically bright, versatile and compact every-day-carry torch/flashlight that’s built to last. Eco mode of 3 lumen great for low-level task lighting and can provide an insane 430 hours (almost 18 days) of continuous light on a single battery. Battery charge level indicator is a handy addition. Rechargeable 18650 batteries….
RSPB ID Spotlight Series: Birds
![RSPB ID Spotlight Series Review](https://irelandswildlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/RSPB-ID-Spotlight-Series-Garden-Birds-Cover.jpg)
Nothing beats a good field-guide when you’re trying to identify a bird you don’t recognise (or a field-guide app perhaps these days). But sometimes a traditional field-guide can feel unwieldy and a little cumbersome, especially for beginners who just need a quick reference to a particular group of birds. Enter….
Kite SP65 17-50x Spotting Scope Review
![](https://irelandswildlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/kite-sp-65-96494-02.jpg)
Pros: Detailed, bright image for a smaller scope, which stays sharp right to the edge of the field of view. Dual focus knobs make for quick and accurate focusing at any magnification. Robust aluminium body is lightweight yet feels as if it’s made to last. Compact contemporary design. Unusual 17-50x….
New wildlife ID tech announced by Swarovski Optik
![](https://irelandswildlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/dG002-768x512.jpg)
Swarovski Optik, one of the upper-echelon brands for birding and wildlife optics, is branching out into the tech world with the release of in intriguing new piece of high-tech kit. The new dG (Digital Guide) pairs cutting-edge optics with digital camera technology, integrated WiFi and automated digital identification apps for….
Hawke Frontier HDX 8×32 Binocular Review
![Hawke Frontier HDX 8x32 Highly Recommended by Ireland's Wildlife](https://irelandswildlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Frontier-HDX-Highly-Recommended-768x750.png)
Pros: Outstanding build quality, excellent optics and superb ergonomics in a very affordable package. Image is crisp, bright and clear in the centre of the field, with plenty of detail and good contrast. Cons: Softening around the field edges is noticeable when panning with a moving subject or scanning a….