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 • MAY

FIVE BIRDS TO FIND IN MAY • May is arguably the peak birding period in the UK. It is a time when many patch birders are unwilling to venture far from their local area for fear of missing the ‘big one’. Here are five birds which would be a great find on any ‘patch’, this month.

RARITY PREDICTOR

Baby Coot, Moorhen and Water Rail • These gallinules and the little rail have precocial young, which immediately leave the nest with outsized feet on strong legs, and covered in fluff, able to feed from themselves, but also attended to by their parents. Here is how to identify them easily.

Beyond Birdwatching • May brings an invertebrate bonanza, says James Lowen

Weedon’s World • As spring progresses Mike provides an update on the exciting birdy goings on, in his local area

Join us to watch spring migration • We're offering our Members the chance to be guided around some of the superb sites that Mike Weedon writes about in his popular column

NEWS IN BRIEF

Grumpy Old Birden • Bo's about to migrate, but he needs your help to get to grips with even more nature

Sign up to #My 200 Bird Year • After April's mad rush of arriving summer visitors, May's more of a time for tracking down some more select migrants, as well as filling in any obvious gaps for the year so far. Follow these tips, and by the end of the month your list should be looking more than healthy

Time to clean up our act • We'll always have Moorhens, won't we? 30-minute birder Amanda Tuke investigates the impact of river pollution on urban birdlife

The risks to birds

All change for ADAPTABLE OWLS • The rain in Spain - or lack of it - could be why an urban species here is a countryside specialist abroad, and vice versa, writes Ian Parsons

Dances with eagles • Hamza Yassin won BBC's Strictly Come Dancing in 2022, but it's as a wildlife cameraman, especially exploring the west of Scotland, that he really made his name, writes John Miles

Wild GOOSE CHASE! • Watching winter wildfowl before they head back north is always a memorable experience, writes Ruth Miller

ID Challenge • This month's challenge is all about the identification of birds in silhouette

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 Birds of prey

GO BIRDING • 10 great sites for brilliant birdwatching

ABERDEENSHIRE LOCH OF SKENE • A wide variety of habitats with birds to match

CUMBRIA KIRKBY THORE • Wetland and farmland birds on a scenic floodplain

WEST YORKSHIRE YORKSHIRE SCULPTURE PARK • Combine birding with a bit of culture!

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE SHERWOOD FOREST RSPB • Varied birding in the footsteps of a folk hero

NORFOLK SCULTHORPE MOOR • Wetland birds plus possible rarities at the Hawk and Owl Trust

HERTFORDSHIRE SHERRARDSPARK WOOD • Well managed woodland can turn up birding surprises

SOMERSET STEART • A feast of wildfowl and waders on the rim of Bridgwater Bay

SOMERSET BOSSINGTON & SELWORTHY • Moorland, woodland and coastal...