Reviewed by David Chandler

£1,275

This is new from Zeiss, and Zeiss is changing. Earlier this year Zeiss signed an agreement with Palero, a German investment company, to “spin off the Hunting & Nature business into a new, independent company”, with Palero as the owner. The deal should be completed later this year.

The Conquest Apia 65, while not inexpensive, does not have a top end price. It is “designed by Zeiss, made in China” and is a “compact and lightweight spotting scope for detailed bird watching”. The Apia has a 65mm objective and a 20-50x eyepiece.

The build

The 1,350g Apia is 299mm long. In my hand, it felt quite weighty, perhaps because of its relatively compact form. For context, a significantly larger 88mm angled Kowa weighs 2,220g and an angled 65mm Vortex Razor HD weighs 1,575g. In use, carrying the Apia on a hefty tripod attached to an Opticron Tripac was not a problem. The Apia feels well made, is watertight and nitrogen-filled and has “non-slip armouring” and LotuTec® lens coating to help it shed water and muck – it’s designed to be more than a fair-weather tool.

The tripod plate has a hole for an anti-rotation pin (to stop your scope inadvertently unscrewing) and is Arca-Swiss compatible – on the right tripod head, you don’t need an attachment plate. The rotating collar works well and has eight click-stopped positions. A lens hood provides extra protection at the front end, 20mm more to be precise – ideally, I’d like a bit more, but that’s a minor niggle. The Apia is very well balanced – on an unlocked tripod head it doesn’t tip backwards or forwards.

I did struggle to get the bayonet eyepiece on – it needed more force than I was initially comfortable with. But once it’s on it’s on – this is not something you will do very often. The eyepiece lens is large and the twist-up eyecup moves quite stiffly but well – it has no click stops so that stiff motion is important. I used it with the eyecup fully extended and it stayed in position. The Apia is supplied with a tethered rubber eyepiece cover, a push-in rubber objective cover and a “throw lever”. More on that last one below. A stay-on-case is an extra – some scopes have one as part of the package.

Zooming and focusing

The zoom ring is two fingers wide and moves very smoothly with moderate resistance. This scope performs well throughout the zoom range – zooms haven’t always been this good. One accessory that is included is the throw lever. You slide this over the zoom ring, then tighten it. You then have a ‘paddle’ attached to the zoom mechanism, giving you another way to zoom. Zeiss say it gives you “effortless one-handed zoom and focus”. It’s a simple innovation that I didn’t know I needed. To be honest, I’m not sure I do need it, but it might be helpful to some, and you don’t have to attach it.

Focusing is via a wrap-around-the barrel, helical focuser. It’s two fingers wide and moves very smoothly, with quite heavy resistance. There’s no separate fine focuser so some focus resistance is a good thing. Focus precision is good, with a bit of extra care needed sometimes – with practice, less ‘extra care’ may be required. Full movement is about 1¼ turns, anti-clockwise to sharpen up the more distant Cranes; birding movement is about ¼ turn.

Viewing

On a bright, sunny day the image was clean, crisp and bright, towards the blue end of the spectrum rather than the yellow, perhaps. As I often do, I found a little edge softness, but nothing that bothered me. The view didn’t feel narrow, and, as usual, felt wider at the high end of the zoom. During my review time I struggled to find good conditions for very distant viewing – heat haze and wind made judging image sharpness difficult. But from very close to mid-range, sharpness was very good from 20x-50x. The resolution of very close leaf detail was excellent at 50x, and, still at 50x, I could see the ‘teeth’ on a Greylag’s bill about 30 metres away.

Brightness was very good. Zeiss say the Apia delivers “clear vision in low light with 87% light transmission”. At sunset, and 10 minutes later, with little cloud after a sunny day, the view was good, though focusing was tricky in close shade (that surprised me), and needed a bit of care in the open distance. Add another 10 minutes and it was hard to focus in the close shade, even at 20x. Remember, this is 20 minutes after sunset. The view was pretty good in the open distance, but, other than at low magnifications, care was needed with focusing.

ED glass and aspherical lenses are used to minimise colour-fringing say Zeiss. I’d say they do a very good job – I didn’t detect any, even on two flying Cranes. Close-focus is said to be no more than 3.5m. My tape measure said 2.99m – that’s very good and makes the Apia good for close-up insect watching. Yes it’s expensive, but the price isn’t sky-high. Image quality by day is very passable; care is needed in lower light. Focus wheel offers quite stiff resistance

Specs

Field of view (m@1.000m): 48-27

Close focus: ≤3.5m

Eye relief: 18-20mm

Weight: 1,350g

Size (height x width x length): 168x78x299mm

Supplied with: objective cover, tethered eyepiece cover, eyepiece and body caps, throw lever.

RRP: £1,275

Guarantee: 10yrs

Web: zeiss.co.uk

Verdict

A 65mm scope that isn’t too big or heavy, that performs well throughout its zoom range, with very good close-focus and very good colour-fringing correction. Its low light performance may not be the best, but unless you do a lot of low light viewing, that’s not a major issue. And it comes with a throw lever, giving you a new option for zoom control.

Mike found himself enjoying a familiar scene on a warm evening, when he was rudely awakened from his trance...

It was a lovely, warm, still, spring evening and gazing out over the mill-pond waters of Deeping Lakes LWT, I fell into a dream-like state. A Kingfisher to my left stared at the crystal waters for a sign of movement, while near it, a warbler – a Chiffchaff, perhaps – was fidgeting on the fenceline. To my right, I was aware of a Robin hopping up into a small tree as a pair of Little Grebes swam across my gaze, while a couple of terns patrolled up and down, and a distant swan lazily crossed the lake. A Cuckoo repeated its familiar call, accompanied by the constant ‘kik’ calls from an agitated Great Spotted Woodpecker, while a couple of Moorhens noisily did battle in reed-fringed edge of the water to my right.

I looked up to see our local celebrity ibises flying over the water, and near them a procession of Cormorants flew off to roost, followed by a group of herons. With the sun close to the horizon, the setting became serene and calm. Something bright caught my eye, the first Yellow Wagtail of spring, perhaps, and I was just about to give it more attention when the peace was rudely ruined by the whirring of helicopter blades, low above my head, shattering my reverie.

Suddenly woken from my gentle trance, I remembered where I was, and it was a long way from Deeping Lakes. I was in in the central lowlands, Sri Lanka, overlooking an ancient manmade lake (‘tank’) called Dunuvila Wewa, near Wasmamuwa. I had just arrived after a long drive from the hill country of the south (no driving by me, you understand – the Sri Lankan traffic seems insane, but everyone seems to understand the system, and the roads were remarkable peaceful!), and just settling in to a new set of conditions, a new set of birds. The hunting Kingfisher was the same glorious little species we have here, though it was soon joined by a much larger White-throated Kingfisher. The little warbler was actually a Plain Prinia, and the ‘Robin’ was a black male Indian Robin.

I have clearly spent too long at Deeping Lakes, this spring, and the familiarity of Little Grebes kicked started my mind drifting back there. But, a closer look revealed that these Little Grebes had yellow (not dark) eyes of the central and south Asian subspecies, and the terns were Whiskered Terns. Even the ‘swan’ was not what it seemed, but really a slow-swimming Spot-billed Pelican. What I imagined were the ‘kik’ calls of a woodpecker were actually the persistent, interminable and ubiquitous angry calls of the abundant little Indian Palm Squirrels, while the Cuckoo call was indeed a cuckoo, but the species was Asian Koel, and to say its ‘koel’ sounds like our Cuckoo is pushing it more than somewhat.

It is also pushing it to say the appalling racket of somewhat Moorhen-like White-breasted Waterhens in any way resembles even the angriest sounds of our Moorhens, but please allow for my hazy, detached state.

The ibises were not south Lincs’ famous trio rare Glossy Ibises, but a V of 100s of Black-necked Ibises (which look like sacred ibises) heading off to roost, and the ‘Cormorants’ were diminutive Little Cormorants, the herons Indian Pond Herons, skeins of them.

The bright yellow bird which caught my eye was not a wagtail, but a glorious Black-hooded Oriole, which flew up into a tall tree allowing the setting sun to reflect golden fire in its wonderful plumage.

And, in case you were wondering, the whirring helicopter blades which brought me to my senses, were the whooshing wings of Malabar Pied Hornbills gathering from the surrounding countryside to roost at the lakeside. First one bird almost made me duck with the unexpected loud sound from above; then another couple, followed by half a dozen more – all heading to tall tree overhanging the lake. Eventually, soon after the sun disappeared, a total of 40 or so of these massive toucan-like monsters came overhead and filled up the tree.

It was a wonderful experience watching the hornbills gather, and chatter and peck each other in pairs, before crossing the little bay in front of me to some more trees to settle for the night. In fact, that early evening by the lakeside had been a great, gentle introduction to the birds of the region, before the next day taking an early jeep safari out to Wasgamuwa National Park, where the overwhelming number of new birds had my head reeling. A little touch of the familiar before the rush of the strange.

We are back, once again, to the great month of May. The last of the winter visitors are nearly gone and the last of the summer migrants are arriving. And in this time of movement, just about anything can turn up. Here are five great birds to seek out during this month.

White Stork

The massive, striking, iconic White Stork is essentially a widespread breeder across southern and central Europe. Wandering birds from the continent will reach the UK every year. But there are also birds which escape captivity each year and an ever increasing number of roaming wild bred birds from re-introduction schemes in south-east England. Incidentally, the last ‘natural’ breeding of storks in the country was in 1416. As big as a Crane but with a huge red bill and largely white plumage, apart from black flight feathers, they can sometimes be seen soaring on ‘good raptor days’, or they are found walking rough damp fields, searching for food. Check for rings, but it is, in any case, up to you whether you ‘tick’ a White Stork in the UK.

Nightingale

Like this month’s Bird of the Month the Spotted Flycatcher, the Nightingale has a bit of a reputation as an LBJ. This is slightly unfair as, despite its general lack of distinctive markings, it is quite a handsome bird. It is intermediate in size between a Robin and a Song Thrush, with a full, rufous tail, almost as striking as a Redstart’s tail. Of course, this is largely academic, as Nightingales can be very tough to get a good look at, as they sing from deep within dense cover, rarely showing well. Don’t listen to those who tell you that the Nightingale is an overrated singer, by the way – it most definitely is not! A virtuoso male on fine form creates a song of rich tone, diversity and power, and is a delight on the ears. Though heard best at night, they will also sing on and off throughout the day.

Common Sandpiper

This underrated little wader is a moderately numerous breeding bird (at least for a wader) with about 15,000 nesting pairs, mostly in the north and west of the country. They nest alongside upland streams/rivers and lochs. It is quite a long tailed wader, constantly bobbing, with the tail extending notably beyond the wing tips, and it flies on distinctively bowed wings, low over the water. (note the dark rump, white wing-bar, and complex underwing pattern). On passage in April and May, they will turn up on the edges of gravel pits and the like, creeping along the edge to pick out flies and other invertebrates.

Cattle Egret

After breeding for the first time in the UK in 2008, Cattle Egrets have expanded their range somewhat. There are now possibly upwards of 100 pairs, mainly in southern England. In winter there are certainly hundreds if not thousands of individuals, with the largest flocks seen on the Somerset Levels – including nearly 700 recorded roosting at a single site. Mostly, these chunky, small egrets are largely white with perhaps a bit of pale orange feathering on the crown and perhaps on the back and breast. In full breeding condition, though, these colours become quite intense, and the crown develops a bit of an erectile crest, whit the bill and lores also become richly coloured. Look for birds looking at their finest, this month.

Montagu’s Harrier

The little Montagu’s Harrier was apparently lost as a breeding species a few years ago. But last year, at least one pair bred in the country. Whether they are going to breed or not is still a mystery, but individuals will be seen passing through during May. Females are ‘ring tails’ looking like Hen Harriers, but considerably smaller and slimmer, with fewer prominent primary fingers. Males are smaller than females, looking almost tern-like in flight, and are a darker, more barred grey than male Hen Harriers. Keep an eye out over any open country.

Advertorial

ZEISS launches new spotting scope billed as the perfect balance between optical quality, weight, portability and price

In the great expanse of space, the Goldilocks zone is the region around a star where temperatures are “just right” - neither too hot nor too cold - for liquid water to exist on a planet's surface and, therefore, potentially support life. This elusive sweet spot strikes the perfect balance, a happy medium between competing priorities.

Well, that Goldilocks zone is also exactly what the new ZEISS spotting scope is trying to achieve. The Conquest Apia 65 is aiming for a magic formula, an optimal sweet spot between the needs of a wildlife enthusiast: lightness, compactness, optical performance and price. Does it work? ZEISS is confident it does, billing the scope as ideal for those who “don’t want to carry significant weight, but still need a scope with great optics”.

Indeed, the well-respected brand – which was founded in 1846 in Jena, Germany, and now employs over 43,000 across 50 countries – elaborates that the ZEISS Conquest Apia 65 effectively “removes the trade-off between mobility and optical performance, at an unbelievable price”. Traditionally premium optical performance is often associated with heavier, larger and bulkier devices, forcing customers to choose between mobility and image quality - but not anymore.

With the Conquest Apia 65, you can have your cake and eat it - and all at a price point that won’t break the bank. This new product is, as ZEISS puts it, “perfect for birders who travel and ideal for the more price-conscious birder who wants to invest in their first premium scope”.

ZEISS are also launching the new ZEISS Digiscoping Smartphone Adaptor, a clever magnetic gadget designed to make smartphone digiscoping as simple, flexible and high-quality as possible. A separate eyepiece adapter allows for a rapid transition from observation to image or video capture – without time-consuming readjustments. It’s easy to switch between portrait, landscape or any other angle, and the adaptor is compatible with most smartphones and their protective cases. Overall the new ZEISS Digiscoping Smartphone Adaptor could be another game-changer.

Whether you’re heading out for a full day on the marsh, squeezing in an evening watch after work or heading on a trip-of-a-lifetime abroad, here’s everything you need to know about the two new products – and why you should consider buying them.

5 reasons to buy the new ZEISS Conquest Apia 65

1. Ultra-compact, genuinely lightweight performance

At just 1350g and 299mm in length, the ZEISS Conquest Apia 65 spotting scope strips away the bulk traditionally associated with premium optics. Thanks to the optimised lens arrangement and removeable eyepiece the device boasts a space-saving design, while the robust rubber coating provides a secure grip.

2. Premium optics that punch above the price

With 87% light transmission and ZEISS T* coating, this compact scope delivers bright, high-contrast images even in fading light. Add ED glass, aspherical elements, ZEISS FieldFlattener technology and the all-round HD optics concept, and you get impressive edge-to-edge sharpness.

3. Versatile 20–50x zoom for real-world viewing

The 20–50x magnification range strikes a sweet spot between wide-field scanning and tight detail work. Whether you’re picking out distant waders on an estuary or scanning ridgelines for movement, the Apia adapts quickly, offering both fast orientation and precise subject detail.

4. Ergonomics built for long days in the field

ZEISS has clearly prioritised usability here. A centrally positioned focus wheel, smooth zoom control and balanced weight distribution make extended viewing sessions more comfortable and intuitive. The long eye relief and adjustable (and removable) eyepiece further enhance ease of use.

5. Serious value in a premium package

At £1,275, the Apia 65 lands in a rare sweet spot - offering near high-end optical performance at a mid-range price. Early impressions highlight just how well it bridges the gap between entry-level compromises and top-tier costs, making it an appealing option for price-conscious birders.

3 reasons to buy the new ZEISS Digiscoping Smartphone Adaptor

1. Effortless, one-handed setup when it counts

The magnetic design allows you to attach or remove your phone in seconds, even with one hand - ideal when a bird suddenly appears and you need to react quickly. The ability to switch seamlessly between viewing and digiscoping makes it a natural extension of your scope, not a fiddly add-on.

2. Rock-solid stability for sharper results

Anyone who’s tried digiscoping knows stability is everything. ZEISS tackles this with a secure four-point clamping system and precision threads that keep your phone firmly in place. The result is a reliable, wobble-free connection that inspires confidence.

3. Designed for genuinely usable image quality

This adaptor isn’t just about holding your phone in place - it’s about getting the shot right. It ensures precise optical alignment for sharp, edge-to-edge images and videos with accurate, natural colours, while minimising light interference. Fine micro-adjustments help you keep everything level.

For more information, visit zeiss.ly/bw-apiascope

17-23 October, 2026

£1,999, single supplement £100, deposit £350

After the success of last year’s trip, we’re once again running a Bird Watching Readers’ Holiday to the magical Isles of Scilly, led by the experts at Oriole Birding.

BOOK NOW

Call: 0800 999 3036
www.oriolebirding.com

The Isles of Scilly are renowned the world over as a migration hotspot, and as one of the best places in the Western Palearctic to see species from ‘across the pond’. October has long been the traditional ‘Scilly Season’, but with less people visiting these days, there is a greater opportunity for finding our own good birds. Unlike many migration watchpoints, weather is less critical here for producing something of interest. Classic fast tracking Atlantic depressions might dump a Nearctic mega, but each year Scilly also receives a plethora of American shorebirds, too, such as annual Pectoral and Buff-breasted Sandpipers and American Golden Plover. Scarcities such as Dotterel, Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper often appear too, and we will be grilling any wader flocks for White-rumped, Semipalmated or Baird’s Sandpiper. Passerines are high on the agenda, with late movers and shakers such as Red-breasted Flycatcher, Yellow-browed and Pallas’s Warblers, Little Bunting and even Red-flanked Bluetail all possibilities. Firecrest and Barred Warbler are expected and of course some top American land birds can also reach Scilly – Northern Waterthrush, Red-eyed Vireo, Black and White, Yellow and Blackpoll Warblers being some of the more regular. Who knows what will make landfall during our visit? You can expect to see around 120 species.

Tour information

Tour Leader: Neil Glenn

Tour description: A lot of walking is required to get the most from your holiday. The terrain is mostly easy with much of the walking on roads, but a reasonable level of physical fitness is required. Expect some potentially long days in the field and several inter-island boat trips. We don't use vehicular transport so you will need to be able to walk 6-7 miles per day.

Group size: Eleven plus leader

What’s included: Six nights en suite accommodation on a B&B basis, evening meals, return flights and services of leaders. Pelagic boat trip also included.

What's not included: Transport to/from Penzance and any overnight stay that may be required, travel insurance, drinks and any items of a purely personal nature. Lunches are not included and will be sandwiches purchased each day from local shops. The various inter-island boat trips are not included, expect about £10 per person per trip.

What to bring: Binoculars, scope (optional), camera, clothing for all weathers, walking boots, small rucksack, alarm clock, seasickness pills and field guide.

BOOK NOW

Call: 0800 999 3036
www.oriolebirding.com

The Outer Hebrides, in conjunction with Heatherlea

Saturday 12 September-Saturday 19 September 2026

Saturday 19 September-Saturday 26 September 2026

£1,895pp, no single supplement

Bird the Highlands in peak migration time, including a two-night stay on the Outer Hebrides.

• Shearwaters, skuas and more as we cross ‘The Minch’ to Stornoway, Lewis.

• Black Grouse and Ptarmigan, sometimes on the same day!

• Raptors galore, with Golden and White-tailed Eagle, Hen Harrier and Merlin possible…and more!

• Rarities on the Hebrides

Join Heatherlea for a week of birding across Scotland, with two nights away in the Outer Hebrides – a real adventure to the underwatched and unforgettable island wilderness of Lewis and Harris! At this time of year seabird flocks are building in northern waters and southbound migration for a number of species is well underway all around the coastline, with a fabulous chance of excellent birds and cetaceans.

A busy birding week begins and ends at Heatherlea’s base in Nethy Bridge in the Highlands, where we’ll look for Black Grouse, Ptarmigan, Golden and White-tailed Eagle and Crested Tit. Crossbills should also be around in good numbers. There is a real possibility of rarities as we explore various coastlines – the ‘Outer Limits’ – on this unique and exciting holiday!

For a full itinerary, go to www.heatherlea.co.uk

Field Notes

Accommodation: Five nights at The Mountview Hotel, plus two nights over on the Outer Hebrides. All accommodation is ensuite.

Food: There is a choice of evening meal, and vegetarian, vegan and other diets are welcome. Breakfast may be chosen from a full Scottish menu. You don't need flasks for hot drinks.

Walking: Mostly light, although mountain walking for Ptarmigan is strenuous. The mountain day is optional.

Weather: Expect a wide variation in weather conditions. Blazing sunshine and rain are equally likely, and you will probably experience a bit of everything. Bring waterproofs, walking boots or shoes and warm clothing. Hat and gloves are essential for boat trips and exposed coastal locations.

Biting insects: Unlikely to be encountered this late in the season.

Group size: Maximum seven clients per guide.

Optics: Scopes will be useful, and you should bring binoculars. A camera would be useful, too!

What’s included in your holiday price

Five nights’ comfortable accommodation at The Mountview Hotel, VisitScotland rated 3 Star. All rooms are ensuite, with TV and hospitality tray. There is no single supplement, and guests are never expected to share. Single guests may be upgraded to double room accommodation at no extra charge.

Two nights’ comfortable ensuite accommodation on the Outer Hebrides.

Full Scottish breakfast, a substantial packed lunch, and a delicious dinner.

Six full days wildlife watching.

Guidance from a professional Group Leader/s.

All transport by comfortable minibus.

Ferry crossings to and from the Outer Hebrides. All estate access fees.

A checklist specifically prepared for your holiday to record your sightings and notes.

Courtesy bus service to and from transport in Aviemore.

What’s not included in your holiday price

Insurance, drinks and other items of a personal nature.

BOOK NOW

To book, call: 01479 821 248, or go to www.heatherlea.co.uk