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 • DECEMBER

FIVE BIRDS TO FIND • The days are short, the nights are long, the weather is cold and Christmas shopping is partly on your mind. But there are still no real excuses for not going out birdwatching. You may even have a chance to boost the old year list one last time! Here are some seasonal treats to consider.

RARITY PREDICTOR

Winter grouse (males) • All our grouse are resident (i.e. non-migratory) birds, toughing out the worst our winter weather can throw at them. Here are some male grouse braving the snow and cold.

Beyond Birdwatching • Winter’s here, but there’s still plenty of wildlife to look for, writes James Lowen

Weedon's World • In mid-October, the right and proper thing to do in the Peterborough area is to look for Rock Pipits

Help observatory hit its target • A rare damselfly, and birds of course, will benefit from a planned land purchase, writes Bo Beolens

NEWS IN BRIEF

Grumpy Old Birder • We need to talk about water, and quickly, says Bo Beolens

Sign up to #My200BirdYear • This month is your last chance to reach the 200 species mark for 2023, so follow these tips to get yourself over the finishing line…

Seawatching for starters • Thirty-minute Birder Amanda Tuke discovers that autumn seawatching takes some preparation and practice

What caused the PERFECT STORM? • We experienced an unprecedented invasion of North American passerines this autumn, but what was behind it?

A home for WILDLIFEWATCHERS • It’s been the base for many a Bird Watching reader’s holiday. John Miles looks at The Grant Arms, and the birds to see there

6 OF THE BEST SPECIES TO LOOK FOR WHILE STAYING AT THE GRANT ARMS…

DOMINIC COUZENS ON THE… Tree Sparrow • They might look a little like their relatives, but that’s where the similarities end, writes Dominic Couzens

IDChallenge • This month’s challenge is all about the identification of beach and shore 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 Seaside birds

HIGHLAND ABERNETHY FOREST • Explore superb, genuine Caledonian pine forest

CARLINGWARK LOCH • Wetland birding in dry-footed comfort!

CUMBRIA BUTTERMERE • Discover a changing Lakeland habitat and its birds

NORTH YORKSHIRE SKIPWITH COMMON • Lowland heath and woodland with many paths to explore

STAFFORDSHIRE BURSTON • Explore a diverse mix of river, canal and farmland

GREATER LONDON WALTHAMSTOW WETLANDS • A fast-developing reserve in the midst of the capital

WEST SUSSEX AMBERLEY WILD BROOKS • A winter walk through the Arun Valley

DORSET LANGTON HERRING • A winter walk in the shadow of Chesil Beach

DEVON SEATON WETLANDS • Marshland, lagoon, reedbeds and River Axe estuary

CORNWALL FALMOUTH • Woodland, gardens, cliffs, beaches and a brackish lagoon

Reader Shots

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

PICS FROM OUR FACEBOOK...