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

Bird Watching • What's your favourite marshland or wetland species?

YOUR BIRDING MONTH • JULY

FIVE BIRDS TO FIND IN JULY • Though the hot days of summer are traditionally a quieter period of the birding calendar, the month sees the start of return passage for some birds, and there are always great birds to enjoy, like these five.

RARITY PREDICTOR

UK OWL BREEDING POULATIONS (PAIRS)

Wagtails • There are three common and widespread wagtails in the UK: the ubiquitous Pied Wagtail of school playgrounds and supermarket car parks, the Yellow Wagtail of agricultural land, found round the feet of cattle, and the Grey Wagtail of fast-flowing streams. They can all turn up away from these habitats, though! Males are illustrated.

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

Beyond Birdwatching • As birds start to lay low, post-breeding, July is a great time to broaden your horizons, writes James Lowen

Weedon's World • In case you were wondering whether Mike managed to add 30 species to his year list during April, here is the story…

Readers enjoy a big day out • Four keen birdwatchers helped us explore a few of our favourite local sites, writes editor Matt Merritt

NEWS IN BRIEF

Grumpy Old Birder • Has Bo fallen under Merlin's spell? You know better than to think that…

Sign up to #My200BirdYear • We're pretty much halfway through the year, but if you've come to #My200BirdYear late, don't despair – there's still plenty of time to complete the challenge. Follow these tips, and you'll make up lost ground in no time.

Taking the rough with the smooth • 30-minute birder Amanda Tuke investigates what golf courses have to offer birds, and birders

Building links

A drive for birding • Birders tell Amanda about their birding experiences on golf courses in the British Isles…

Marvellous marshland • Restoration of this wetland habitat has hugely benefited two iconic species, but they're not its only attractions,

THE MARSHES IN SPRING

Meet the patron saint of CONSERVATION • Editor Matt Merritt revisits a site that saw the UK's first bird protection laws, and which helped fire up his own love of birdwatching

WHERE TO STAY

BIRDING BAMBURGH

Day out ON THE DEE • This sometimes overlooked estuary always produces the goods for birders, writes Ruth Miller

IDChallenge • This month's challenge is all about the identification of gamebirds

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 gamebirds

GO BIRDING • 10 great sites for brilliant birdwatching

ORONSAY RSPB

CRAIGIEBURN FOREST

WEYBOURNE

GRACE DIEU WOOD

VALE OF EWYAS

TOTTERNHOE KNOLLS

SYDENHAM HILL WOOD LWT

OLDDEAN COMMON

FRESHWATER

WATCOMBE

Reader Shots

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

PICS FROM OUR FACEBOOK GROUP

Harrier conundrum

Your Questions • Send all your...