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:

Welcome

THE BIG QUESTION: WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE WILDFOWL SPECIES?

SPARROWHAWK

FIVE TO FIND IN JANUARY • It is a new year, a new start, time to take a fresh new look at birds and birding. Here are five January birds which would be a great kick-start to any year list. How many can you see this month?

RARITY PREDICTOR • Here are some of our ‘educated guess’ predictions for major rarities which could turn up during January

Shrike larders

Wind direction and photography (the take off)

Teal

WINTERING WADERS (PART ONE)

True tits • We have six species of resident tit in this country. That is not counting the Long-tailed Tit and the Bearded Tit, which are not in the same family (nor the rare vagrant Penduline Tit, which is also not a true tit).

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

Beyond Birdwatching • The first month of the year is one of contrasts, with some creatures hunkering down but others fervently active

Weedon’s World • Mike looks back on the best of the birds and other wildlife seen (and heard) close to his home during the past year

Mixed fortunes for birds • A new report has offered cause for cautious optimism for the future of some British bird species

GRUMPY OLD BIRDER • This month, Bo reveals the steps he has taken to try and make his garden a cat-free area

NEWS IN BRIEF

228 DAYS 9900 MILES 270 BIRDS... • Will Stephanie Perks’ and Sally Westwood’s seven-month motorhome odyssey round Iberia inspire you to hit the road for your #My200BirdYear challenge?

GOLDEN opportunity • Its links to British spy James Bond may be the stuff of legends, but the Goldeneye is a beautiful bird to be admired in its own right

GOLDENEYE

HOW TO AVOID ID CONFUSION...

Moorhen • Is this commonly-seen backwater species the most exciting ‘unexciting’ bird around? It certainly boasts some interesting characteristics…

FLAGSHIP enterprise • Titchwell is one of the UK’s most popular birding hotspots and it’s easy to see why...

Georgia on my mind... • It’s not a destination that immediately springs to mind for a birding trip, but a visit to Georgia will reward you with some fantastic sights

ID Challenge • Here are six displaying ducks. All you have to do is identify 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 winter ducks (and more) in the ‘field’

GO BIRDING • 10 GREAT SITES FOR BRILLIANT BIRDWATCHING

JURA • Birding by car along a bird-rich coastline

SWINDALE • A Lakeland valley with a wealth of birdlife

HACKFALL WOOD • Follow in the footsteps of artists and find great birds

YORTON • Woodland and farmland species plus possible owls

LLYN COED Y DINAS • An opportunistic creation of a nature reserve

FOTHERINGHAY • A historic setting for some surprising birding

KINGSBURY WATER PARK • A rich mix of wildfowl and migrants throughout the...