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 • We ask this month's contributors: “What's the best bird you've ever spotted during your Christmas holidays?”

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR 2023? • #My200BirdYear challenge

YOUR BIRDING MONTH • DECEMBER

FIVE TO FIND IN DECEMBER • From the start of December, there are 31 short days left to finish off the year list or just to enjoy the wonderful birds that 2022 still has to deliver! Here are five to liven up any winter's day.

RARITY PREDICTOR

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

Beyond Birdwatching • Long nights offer ample time for wildlife-oriented exploration, James Lowen reckons.

Weedon's World • Mike has been birding in Estonia and experienced an amazing encounter with some extraordinary wildlife

New hope at Wild Ken Hill • An inaugural ‘gathering’ at the Norfolk site familiar from Springwatch promised a brighter future, writes John Miles

NEWS IN BRIEF

Grumpy Old Birder • This month, our man Bo says thank goodness for small miracles…

How city cemeteries provide space for birds to thrive • Completing the #My200BirdYear challenge is all about finding opportunities to enjoy birding, and green space, wherever you are - Ellen Bird takes a look at a less than obvious, but very rich habitat…

Call for volunteers

Tractor birdwatching • Thirty-minute-birder Amanda Tuke finds out how three farmers are supporting farmland birds alongside producing food…

Family conservation

The farming future…

Tune in to TREECREEPERS • Finding this cryptically marked creature depends on using your ears and eyes, like another bird

Round the world ROBINS • The Robin is a traditional avian symbol of the Christmas season. However, there are several other kinds of ‘robin’ around the world that can compete for attention at this time of year, writes David Callahan

Pheasant • Here since Norman times, the Pheasant is a bird which is going nowhere fast, rarely even leaving its home area for a wander.

IDChallenge • This month's reader challenge is all about identifying diving 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 diving birds

GO BIRDING • 10 great sites for brilliant birdwatching

GLENGORM

GARLIESTON

PRESTWICK CARR

CARR VALE NR

TEIFI ESTUARY

THORNEY DYKE

HATHERN

THE LODGE RSPB

PULPIT HILL

MOLLAND

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

Reader Shots • Send your snaps to birdwatching@bauermedia.co.uk to be in with a chance of seeing your photo in print. All images should be high resolution JPEG files.

Your Questions • Send all your birding questions to birdwatching@bauermedia.co.uk and our experts will give you the answers

Little and LARGE • A trip to the Scottish Highlands can mean encountering both extremes of the avian size spectrum

Somerset Spring Birding Bonanza • 3-night package 25-28 APRIL 2023, 3-6 MAY 2023, 10-13...