Bird Watching

Bird Watching is Britain’s best-selling birdwatching magazine. Each issue is packed with expert advice on when, where and how to see more birds, from common garden visitors to the most elusive rarities. There are features from some of British birdwatching’s best-known names, superbly illustrated by the work of the world’s best bird photographers, plus comprehensive coverage of all the latest sightings, guides to the best birdwatching sites, ID masterclasses, news and reviews of all the latest gear.

Bird Watching

Welcome

YOUR BIRDING MONTH • JANUARY

FIVE BIRDS TO FIND • A new year, a fresh start, the beginning of another #My200BirdYear challenge… January is an exciting month for birding. Here are five cracking birds for any list; see how many you can add to yours.

RARITY PREDICTOR • The first rarity predictor of the year sees us chancing our arm with a few choice ‘megas’ to look for this month.

Swans • There are three species of swan in the UK (plus a small population of Black Swans, an Australian species, roaming free and even breeding; a potential addition to The British List as a self-sustaining naturalised population?). Here are the key points to distinguish the white swans.

Beyond Birdwatching • There is still plenty of wildlife to find in deep winter, writes James Lowen

Weedon's World • After a fine trip to the Scottish Highlands, Mike returned desperate to see a particular bird on his local ‘patch’

Help track wintering owls • Birders can help gather vital information for the conservation of a secretive species

NEWS IN BRIEF

Grumpy Old Birder • Bo looks to 2024, and how curbing our own indulgences can help save the planet

Sign up to #My200BirdYear • As you read this, you’re probably either thinking about making the final additions to your 2023 list, or preparing to kick off a new challenge for 2024.If it’s the latter, and you’ve already completed #My200BirdYear at least once, here are a number of ways in which you can stretch your birdwatching abilities a bit further this time around…

Viva vis migging! • Despite sleep deprivation and a sore neck, 30-minute birder Amanda Tuke still finds watching visible migration addictive

Birders of a feather • Amanda introduces longtime vis migger Richard Hill, chair of the Sheffield Bird Study Group, to Sophie Godwin, a newbie based in Plymouth.

Must-read books on migration

A song for WINTER • For most of us, they’re the sound of spring, but Song Thrushes have a more complicated lifestyle than you think, writes Ian Parsons

Was that really A LIFER? • How can seeing a species for the first time be disappointing, or even annoying? Paul Brook remembers some red letter days that still trouble him…

Purple Sandpiper • This wave-dodging wader has one of nature’s neatest tricks up its sleeve, writes Dominic Couzens

IDChallenge • This month’s challenge is all about the identification of black-and-white birds

Answers & solutions • Check your answers against our explanations. Remember, there are no ‘trick’ birds or extreme rarities among these…

ID Tips & tricks • Here are a few extra tips to help you identify Winter auks

ARGYLL BALNAHARD BAY • Varied birding around a scenic island site

DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY CASTLE LOCH • Freshwater habitat with some woodland birding

NORTHUMBERLAND CRASTER • Mixed birding from woodland, hedgerows, crag and coast

CUMBRIA CROSSCANONBY • Winter raptors among the highlights of this historic route

ESSEX GLEN FABA • Wetland and reedbed birds in a suburban setting

GLAMORGAN OGMORE ESTUARY • Year-round interest with a mixture of habitats

KENT FOLKESTONE HARBOUR...