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 • What's your favourite wetland and/or reedbed species?

Welcome

YOUR BIRDING MONTH • AUTUMN

FIVE BIRDS TO FIND IN AUTUMN • We have reached the curious ‘month’ which lasts more than a month, called ‘autumn’, which loosely covers the period of September and October and everything in between. Time to catch up with these autumn specials.

RARITY PREDICTOR • Every couple of fortnights we have a guess at what extremely rare birds could be turning up at this time of year. Here are three which could possibly appear this autumn.

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

Beyond Birdwatching • James Lowen has some autumn wildlife highlights for you to look out for

Weedon's World • Even when the birdwatching is a little bit slow, there is usually some other wildlife delight or two to enjoy

MAKEYOUR ☑ BIRDINGCOUNT

Clocking Cuckoos

Grumpy Old Birder • We can all do our little bit for global problems by ‘paying it forward’, writes Bo Beolens

Sign up to #My200BirdYear • Hopefully, you took some of our advice on how to add to your list in September, and in the October issue, there'll be more tips on species to target. For now, though, have a think about how you approach the #My200BirdYear challenge, and you'll set yourself up for a successful remainder to 2024, writes editor Matt Merritt

Rings the changes • 30-minute birder Amanda Tuke has a glimpse into the extraordinary world of bird ringers

Constantly surprising • Amanda finds out what makes the experience of ringing so special

Making a difference • Amanda talks to Lee Barber and Mark Grantham of the BTO's Ringing and Nest Recording team to hear how ringing has contributed to ornithology. The BTO has overseen the national ringing scheme since the 1937.

Dont't fear missing out • Birding is great for our mental health, including anxiety, writes Paul Brook. He's always recommending it to people and sharing how it has helped him, but can it also cause us to become stressed and anxious?

Some practical tips

Looking good at 60 • On its Diamond Anniversary, Mark Cocker takes a detailed look at the enduring appeal and wildlife achievements of Leighton Moss and Morecambe Bay RSPB

IDChallenge • This month's challenge is all about the identification of common water 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 water birds

GO BIRDING • 10 great sites for brilliant birdwatching

POORHOUSE WOOD • Make your own discoveries in an ample woodland idyll

CARRIFRAN • New planting has benefited birds – find out for yourself

BOLAM COUNTRY PARK • Parkland landscape, mixed woodland and lakeside walks

DODD WOOD • Woodland species overlooking Bassenthwaite Lake

NORTH CAVE WETLANDS • Lush, growing habitat with an ever-expanding bird list

ROSLISTON • Woodland birds on the edge of the Trent Valley

KESSINGLAND LEVEL • A bird-rich walk in coastal East Anglia

INKPEN HILL...