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

…and the Bird Watching team’s answers

YOUR BIRDING MONTH

FIVE TO FIND IN OCTOBER • Now we come to the absolute peak of the birding year (although late April and May could claim to wear that crown, and perhaps so could September). October is a great month for birding. And here are a smattering of great birds that, with a little effort, you could well see this month. Good luck.

RARITY PREDICTOR

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

Beyond Birdwatching • It pays to search widely for natural highlights in October, says James Lowen.

Weedon’s World • As late summer faded into autumn, so the local birding got the better of Mike, forcing him to try to find some good birds.

Disease affecting finch numbers • Garden gatherings may be behind the increase in finch mortality in the UK. How can we help?

Grumpy Old Birder • This month, Bo tries desperately to enjoy ‘birdlessness’ but he’s just not in the mood…

NEWS IN BRIEF

Get involved with #My200BirdYear

Albatross quest • After 40 years of frustration and failure, STEPHEN MOSS made one last, valiant attempt to see an albatross in the UK. But did he succeed?

Work hard, BIRD HARD • Thirty-minute-birder Amanda Tuke hears how five hard-working bird scientists spend their leisure time.

Seeing RED • The fascinating life of Fieldfares and Redwings, their love of berries, and the berries’ need for them…

Britain’s BEST BIRDING ROAD? • The north of England’s main east-west road, linking the Humber with the Mersey, is close to a surprising array of great birding sites

IDChallenge • This month’s reader challenge is all about the identification of finches

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 Finches

10 GREAT SITES FOR BRILLIANT BIRDWATCHING

Reader Shots

YOUR VIEW • PHOTOS, LETTER, TWEETS, QUESTIONS – HAVE YOUR SAY

PICS FROM OUR FACEBOOK GROUP

Your Questions

Too many birds… • …spoil the day? It might sound silly, but when you have too many great birds in one location, it can sometimes be too much to cope with!

Woodpigeon • A familar bird that can be taken for granted, but there are many reasons to love these plump beauties…

Starting SPECTACTULARS! • THE BEST HOLIDAY OFFERS & TRAVEL REPORTS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

MULL IN WINTER • This Scottish birding paradise is packed to the rafters in summer, but is empty out of season – is that about to change?

Guides to include…

Get 2023 off to a GREAT START • Everyone wants to enjoy bird-filled holidays, and these exciting and rewarding tours are also great fun!

Great Kiskadee • This lovely, lively character, common in many parts of the Americas, is as brave and boisterous as it it beautiful.

Seeing in black and white • Stripping out the colours from a photograph removes a lot of the beauty from natural shots, right? Wrong!

GEARFINDER • The best optics and outdoor products tried &...