First-timer looking for advice

["paulmcnelis" paulmcnelis]

Hello everyone!

I am looking to get into recording nature sounds from buzzing bees and 
crickets to babbling brooks, rain and so much more! I want to put music 
to my recordings and many other ideas...

My budget is preferrably $500 but $1000 is possible including recorder 
and microphone.

What I would like to know first is if the Zoom H2 or FR2-LE is the way 
to go? Second, do the built-in microphones of these recorders do an 
excellent job or am I going to want to purchase a separate microphone? 
If so, which microphone(s) are a possibility?

I would like to record in stereo I guess, i think it's possible with 
these 2 recorders right?

I also own a Sony MDR-7506 foldable headphones - are they good for 
monitoring the above 2 recorders while I am recording?

Any other advice you can offer I would greatly appreciate it, thank you!

Paul