With spring migration just around the corner now might be the perfect time to stake out a new bit of country. In times past you might have dug out that old OS map, scanned the coastline for interesting features, promontories or valleys or tried to make sense of the contours. Inland birders might have scanned for lakes or river courses in an attempt to build up a birds-eye view of the surrounding land. But nothing could beat getting into the field and checking the lie of the land for real; that is, until now. Well almost. Anquet maps, from Anquet Technology Limited, with superb 3D imaging provide birders with yet another tool to improve the chances of finding that rare bird first.

The easy to use mapping software includes high definition aerial photography and 3D landscaping that enables you to literally fly over Anquet's stunning virtual landscape. Taking the controls you can vary your height, your direction, your speed - choose to be a high flying wader looking for pools of water, or a wind-blown warbler looking for the perfect valley.

But just how good is this software for birders? Well we got hold of a review copy for West Cornwall and put it through its paces.

Included in the software is a 1:25,000 Ordnance Survey map. Basic controls, through the use of the mouse, allow you to move around the map; the toolbar provides a zoom facility; the status bar provides continuous OS grid references and height data. A find facility allows you to search by place name or alternatively by grid reference. Designed to serve the rambling market there are various features to support route mapping including information on distances between two points (flat and hidden length); route profile and maximum and minimum heights. The software provides a print facility.

OS view of Mill Bay (Nanjizal)

The software also includes aerial photography for the whole area. This is where the product really starts to deliver value to the birder. The high definition photography allows you to separate fields from marsh from woodland - to get a birds-eye view of what the land below actually looks like to a tired migrant. The only minor quibble was some whispy cloud covering a very minor part of some of the coastline - perhaps to be expected in Cornwall. But otherwise, a great way to quickly scan a new area for potential sites.

aerial view of Drift Reservoir

Now you're ready to try the virtual landscape and experience a stunning flight along the coastline, through valleys and over moors. Taking the keyboard controls you have all the aerial agility of a Cornish Gyr !

Three-dimensional contour map of Cape Cornwall and Kenidjack Valley

virtual view from sea looking over the Cape and into Kenidjack Valley

For those looking to find new vagrant traps (admittedly unlikely in West Cornwall given its coverage) this could be a great new tool, helping to pinpoint natural features that draw migrants in. But even if you know every field and valley in West Cornwall this software still has much to offer - quite simply you'll just want to enjoy the virtual experience of reliving those great birding days from the birds view.

Virtual view from sea looking towards Lands End and round to Sennen

Anquet maps are not cheap. The West Cornwall 1:25,000 map retails at £100. But then how much do you spend chasing someone else's find ? For more information, visit the Anquet website.