About Viking Optical Centres

Viking Optical Centres are the retail division of Viking Optical Ltd. We currently have 4 shops in the UK, Norwich, Glasgow (also our repair department), Edinburgh and our head office in Halesworth. If your new to us, our shops or the Viking brand then here is a bit of background about us and the organisations and projects we are involved with.

Viking Optical

Viking Optical Ltd commenced trading over 20 years ago and has grown steadily to become one of the leading independent optical equipment importers in the UK. In addition to selling binoculars and telescopes, we market magnifiers, low vision aids and meteorological and surveying equipment.

Viking Optical has a long history of co-operation with conservation bodies such as the RSPB and the Scottish Ornithologists Club. We are also one of the two main sponsors of the British Bird Watching Fair (Birdfair) which is held anually, each August, at Rutland Water in the UK. Viking Optical is also proud to have recently become a BirdLife Species Champion for the critically endangered Seychelles Paradise-flycatcher in order to help save it from extinction.

Much of the equipment featured in the following pages has been developed for watching wildlife but is also equally suited for a wide range of professional applications and many leisure pursuits such as horse racing, aircraft spotting and sailing.

Viking and the RSPB

The RSPB has chosen Viking Optical Ltd as its sole supplier of optical equipment. In addition to supplying a comprehensive range of optical equipment to RSPB shops, RSPB and Viking's positive working relationship brings additional benefits to both the Society and its supporters:

• Optical Field Days to help visitors choose the best equipment for their needs.

• Binoculars and telescopes for use in field teaching programmes.

• Optical equipment to support Birdlife International programmes worldwide and ‘ A Date With Nature' (formally 'Aren’t Birds Brilliant’) projects within the UK.

• Binoculars for hire by reserve visitors.

In addition to RSPB shops offering a full range of optical equipment from most major manufacturers, they also now offer their own RSPB branded range. These outstanding optics have been developed as a result of close co-operation by RSPB and Viking Optical staff. Although the instrument specifications were drawn up primarily for birdwatchers, they are all highly versatile and can be used for most other observation purposes too.

Viking and the Birdfair

Viking are pleased to continue its support as a major sponsor of Birdfair in 2010. If you have not yet been to Birdfair you are missing out. Birdfair is an amazing occasion if you are in to birds and wildlife and has a huge range of stands, activities and events. It is also a great opportunity to meet us in person. For more information, please visit the Birdfair website by clicking the banner above.

Described as the birdwatcher's Glastonbury, Birdfair encompasses the whole spectrum of the birdwatching industry whilst at the same time supporting global bird conservation. This is the event of the year if you're into birds and wildlife. There are hundreds of stands selling the latest products for wildlife enthusiasts. You'll find everything, from scopes to sculptures, binoculars to bird food, eGuides to eco-holidays! Every day Birdfair offers a packed programme of events. Three separate timetables boast a fantastic variety of lectures. The Events Marquee hosts quiz shows, question and answer sessions, exclusive book launches and family-based entertainment. The Birdfair Auction offers you the chance to bid for a whole host of lots, donated by Birdfair exhibitors, ranging from holidays, to artwork, to unique one-off experiences, with all the monies raised going directly to a BirdLife International conservation project.

Birdfair.tv

www.birdfair.tv - the official 'Live from Birdfair’ video website - was a brand new project in 2010 that Viking Optical stepped forward to sponsor. In 2011 year we teamed up once again with Birdfair, Digital Spring and BirdLife International to bring you exceptional broadcast coverage of the three days at Birdfair and exclusive additional content from before and after the event.

You can enjoy extended video coverage from the event including interviews with leading birders and conservationists, see spotlight artists creating their art, hear the views and experiences of visitors, explore what the exhibitors have on offer and review the fantastic selection of events and activities from this year’s Birdfair.

To experience all this and more go to - www.birdfair.tv

Viking and BirdLife International

Viking Optical is proud to have recently become a BirdLife Species Champion for the Critically Endangered Seychelles Paradise-flycatcher. Time is running out for the 192 bird species in the world recognised as Critically Endangered - the highest threat level on the IUCN Red List – and we share BirdLife’s vision that the loss of even one would diminish us all.

BirdLife Species Champions provide financial support and help promote targeted conservation actions that are coordinated under the auspices of the BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme. Our support as a Species Champion will help BirdLife increase vital conservation action for this species as well as helping many other globally threatened birds. You can learn more about the extraordinary Seychelles Paradise-flycatcher, the innovative conservation project we are supporting and the race against time to prevent the extinction of this incredible species here.