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.

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 BIRD TO SEE ON CHRISTMAS DAY?

TREE SPARROW

FIVE TO FIND IN DECEMBER • December is here and what better excuse for getting away from Slade, Mariah Carey, Wizzard and Cliff Richard on loop, than going out to add just a few more birds to the 2019 year list. Here are five which may help finish the year in style.

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...

Woodpecker feathers

WINTERING WARBLERS IN NUMBERS

Give birds space

Dartford Warbler

Pigeons and doves • Though arguably not the most showy and crowd-pleasing group of birds, the UK’s resident pigeons and doves (the words are largely interchangeable) are all what you could call handsome, if not devastatingly pretty. The prettiest is the Turtle Dove, but those are summer visitors, and not part of this month’s story…

UK TIDES DECEMBER

Beyond Birdwatching • Our shortest month is one of contrasts, says James Lowen, with some creatures hunkering down but others fervently active

Weedon’s World • The ho, ho, Happy Christmas season is upon us, and Mike would like to offer his appreciation for some unsung heroes

Dove heroes! • Thousands of pounds have been raised to help our Turtle Doves

GRUMPY OLD BIRDER • Here, Bo Beolens reflects on the glorious birding of yesteryear…

NEWS IN BRIEF

Wonderful Wren • It’s a joy to have the UK’s most common breeding bird visit your property – just try to keep it away from the kitchen…

CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS

Fantastic FORESTS • To mark the Forestry Commission’s 100th birthday this year, here’s a selection of great UK forests to head for on your next birding trip…

MORE ABOUT FORESTRY COMMISSION

Go wild in the COUNTRY • Discovering a patch of Devon where nature is being allowed to take control

Barn Owl Trust involvement

OTHER SPECIES

Snow Bunting • How this winter delight adapts to a cold and harsh environment for survival is a fascinating tale

Love Thy neighbour • They may divide opinion, but there are many reasons why we should be grateful for the much-maligned Herring Gull

Has a little bird told you what to buy for Christmas yet?

WINTER BIRDS TO WATCH FOR

ID Challenge • Here are six birds which are associated with coniferous woodland. Can you name them?

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 coniferous woodland birds (and more) in the field

GO BIRDING • 10 GREAT SITES FOR BRILLIANT BIRDWATCHING

ROTHIEMURCHUS • A wide variety of wildlife and birds to be enjoyed here

SOUTH TYNE TRAIL • Varied birding along a great fishing river

SNETTISHAM RSPB • Prepare to be stunned by wader ‘spectaculars’

HICK’S LODGE • Relaxed birding around a former opencast mine

WOODGATE VALLEY CP • Plenty for the whole...