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.
MEET THE TEAM
OUR CONTRIBUTORS
GET IN TOUCH: • Bird Watching, Media House, Lynch Wood, Peterborough PE2 6EA
Welcome
THE BIG QUESTION: WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE ‘BRITISH’ BIRD SEEN ABROAD?
KESTREL
FIVE TO FIND IN NOVEMBER • After the frantic months of September and October, things start to calm down a little, bird-wise, in November. There are still birds on the move, and we are on the cusp of a truly wintery avifauna. Here are five birds to see this month, before the days get too cold and short.
RARITY PREDICTOR • Each month, we take a free hit of a guess at what very rare birds may occur in the UK during the given month. Like these three...
Evidence of Crossbills
DABBLING DUCKS IN NUMBERS
Make notes
Shelduck
Winter buntings
UK TIDES NOVEMBER
Beyond Birdwatching • Make the most of November before the nights fully draw in
Weedon’s World • Ospreys (plural) have featured heavily in Mike’s recent birding
UK nature continues to decline • A new report provides woeful reading about the state of UK wildlife
GRUMPY OLD BIRDER • Bo says it’s a case of ‘nifty grades of shade’ if we want to help save our planet…
Two ‘wits to view! • Long-legged and long-billed, godwits are characteristic birds of our shoreline and estuary habitats in the winter months, Bar-tailed, or Black-tailed, or both, these are waders to enjoy
SPECIES FACTFILE
WHERE TO SEE_
Birding goals • How one man has used Bird Watching’s fun and flexible challenge to raise cash for charity
More ways to HELP BIRDS • Last month, we looked at practical ways you can help the birds in your garden. Here, we offer even more suggestions for how you can benefit them away from the home...
10 calls to action • There are a number of ways you can kickstart helping birds. How many of these ‘best practices’ do you already do?
And finally.… ..
THE BIRDWATCHER’S YEARBOOK turns...40 • The much-loved annual publication is celebrating its 40th birthday. How has this venerable institution – and the world around it – changed in that time?
Starling • Murmurations are marvelled at by millions of people every year – but there is so much more to Starlings than just a wonder of nature
Optimistic Birdwatching • An outing to take a group of ladies birdwatching for the first time proved a real joy for Ruth and her partner Alan
ID Challenge • Birds of prey are among the most tricky birds to identify. Can you name these seven?
Answers & solutions • Compare your answers with our answers and reasoning below. How well did you do, this month?
ID Tips & tricks • Here are a few extra tips to help you identify winter raptors (and more) in the field
Peru, a true paradise of birds
GO BIRDING • 10 GREAT SITES FOR BRILLIANT BIRDWATCHING
UIG • Find some great wildlife while waiting for the ferry
SITE GUIDE
KEY POINTS
MOINE MHOR NNR • Waders, raptors and the chance of goose flocks
KEY POINTS
SITE GUIDE
HAUXLEY NR • Coast, wetland, woodland and farmland make for a great birding spot
SITE GUIDE
KEY POINTS
DUNDRUM INNER BAY SOUTH •...