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.

Welcome

BIRDING QUESTION • We ask this month’s contributors: What’s the most memorable rarity you’ve seen in the UK?

…and the Bird Watching team’s answers

YOUR BIRDING MONTH • SEPTEMBER

FIVE TO FIND IN SEPTEMBER • Now, things are really starting to kick off on the migration front. If you thought August was exciting, brace yourself for the first real deluge of migration in September. And see if you can connect with these five birds.

RARITY PREDICTOR

Four skuas

UK TIDES SEPTEMBER • The times below are for high tide, when waders and wildfowl will be pushed closer to dry land…

Beyond Birdwatching • James Lowen wonders whether September’s wildlife marks the end of summer or the start of autumn.

Weedon’s World • Like with last year’s Lammergeier, Mike is prepared to travel from home to see really big, rare birds... like an albatross!

NEWSWIRE • ALL THE BIGGEST BIRD NEWS & EVENTS

GRUMPY OLD BIRDER • This month, Bo takes time out to appreciate a music festival in his own back garden…

NEWS IN BRIEF

Park SOUNDS • Urban parks can be rewarding for birding when you haven’t much time. Thirty-minute birder Amanda Tuke discovers that it takes a bit of confidence and it pays to practise your song and call recognition skills before you go

HOW TO GET STARTED

Amanda’s tips for getting started with developing bird-listening skills…

Park life

The kids are alright • Iona Chisholm ensured her children made an enjoyable connection with the bird life in their back garden. Why not try her projects for yourselves?

Memory MAESTRO • Despite the rather derogatory term ‘bird brain’, in recent decades we’ve realised that many species of birds display signs of a well-developed intelligence

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: MARSH TIT v WILLOW TIT

Go wild for NATURE • There’s been a lot of media talk lately regarding the changes needed in the countryside to benefit all forms of wildlife, but the term ‘rewilding’ seems to have taken centre stage. So what exactly does it mean?

The wider spread of The White-tailed Eagle • These once-extinct ‘flying barn doors’ are causing quite the spectacle on the Isle of Mull, a White-tailed Eagle hotspot

For the love of art • Musician Darren Hayman has been painting birds during lockdown. He talked to us about what got him started…

ID Challenge • This month’s challenge features flying seabirds. How many can you identify?

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

ID Tips & tricks • Here are a few extra tips to help you to identify flying seabirds

GO BIRDING • 10 GREAT SITES FOR BRILLIANT BIRDWATCHING

PRACTICAL INFO

PRACTICAL INFO

PRACTICAL INFO

PRACTICAL INFO

PRACTICAL INFO

PRACTICAL INFO

PRACTICAL INFO

PRACTICAL INFO

PRACTICAL INFO

PRACTICAL INFO

Reader Shots

YOURVIEW

PICS FROM OUR FACEBOOK GROUP

Your Questions

Whinchat • Birds of a feather flock together, we’re always told, but this smart upland insect-snaffler likes to go its own way

WHINCHAT BY...