Durante el avistamiento vimos una bandada con los prismáticos.

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Breakdown of Durante el avistamiento vimos una bandada con los prismáticos.

• con: with
• ver: to see
• durante: during

Questions & Answers about Durante el avistamiento vimos una bandada con los prismáticos.

Why is durante used here instead of mientras?

Durante means during and is followed by a noun phrase, here el avistamiento.

• durante el avistamiento = during the sighting / during the observation

By contrast, mientras usually introduces a clause with a verb:

• mientras observábamos = while we were observing

So durante is correct because what follows is a noun phrase, not a full clause.

Why does it say el avistamiento and not just avistamiento?

In Spanish, abstract or event nouns often appear with the definite article where English might omit it.

So:

• durante el avistamiento sounds natural
• durante avistamiento sounds incomplete or unnatural

The article el helps present avistamiento as a specific event or activity already understood in the context.

What exactly is avistamiento?

Avistamiento is a noun from avistar, meaning to sight or to spot, especially at a distance.

Depending on context, it can mean:

• a sighting
• an observation session
• a spotting event

In nature or birdwatching contexts, avistamiento is very common, as in:

• avistamiento de aves = birdwatching / bird sighting
• avistamiento de ballenas = whale watching

So it sounds quite natural in a wildlife or observation context.