Spotlighting can be a useful way of seeing birds (and not just nocturnal
species). Round where I live (Cottles Bridge, Vic) apart from mammals -
brushtail, ringtail and sugar glider, we often see roosting birds. They
are harder to see as unlike mammals their eyes don't reflect.
My most memorable spotting was of a Grey Goshawk (White phase/morph) that
we observed for several minutes - basically until the spot faded. Best
view I have ever had of this species. And just down the track to the
house.
Of course, I should also mention spiders - their eyes gleam remarkably and
we often get interesting views.
As to technique, looking down the beam is often best as it allows better
tracking of reflections.
As to a light, you do need a powerful one, and more importantly one with a
focussed beam, not a wide spreading one. A pair of binocs is also
essential to home in on the eyes you see at a distance.
Cheers,
Damian
Birding-Aus is on the Web at
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