Birdwatch

Birdwatch magazine is the UK’s number one bird watching magazine for keen birders, featuring the latest rarity reports, ID guides, optics reviews and birding holidays, plus features and news from across the world.

Birdwatch

Editor’s Note

What’s in the digital edition?

High-flying kite

The only way is Essex! • When Simon Wood sensationally found a Northern Waterthrush in his garden, the bird was soon relocated in a nearby creek, sparking what will doubtless prove to be one of the biggest twitches of 2024.

Inishmore’s star-studded week • An incredible gathering of quality American rarities was found on a single island off the Co Galway coast during January.

A mega among the masses • A careful ID process by Andy Mears revealed a super-rare duck lurking among vast numbers of Somerset Levels wildfowl.

Winter warmers • Despite often cold or stormy weather, a selection of midwinter goodies – including some proper surprises – ensured that 2024 got off to a lively start.

Afrotropical action • Mega-rare rallids from sub-Saharan Africa were the main talking points as 2024 commenced, while a Spotless Starling in Poland came as a shock. Sam Viles reports on an entertaining month.

Make 2024 your best birding year with BIRDGUIDES FIRST FOR BIRD NEWS • Receive instant and reliable bird sightings seven days a week

Swift action • The creator of The Feather Speech, which won Campaign of the Year in the recent Birders’ Choice Awards, explains why we need to step up for our declining Common Swifts.

Lessons from the Big Garden Birdwatch • The RSPB’s long-standing study of our garden birds came and went again in January. What are its merits, and do certain elements of garden birding, such as providing food, need to change?

Photo of the Year 2023 • Following a public vote during January, the winner of the 18th annual Photo of the Year award has been decided. Take a look at the winning and highly commended images.

Future-proofing your list • David Callahan gets out his taxonomic crystal ball to define which new species might be added to or subtracted from the British list and asks: have we already reached ‘peak split’?

The island of opportunities • Situated in the English Channel, the Isle of Wight has produced some terrific rarities over the years, yet it is largely underwatched and its birding potential is surely far from fully realised. Steve Jones introduces the island.

Unravelling marine migration • Seabirds undertake some of the most impressive migrations on Earth, but their remote nature means these journeys can be challenging to research. BirdLife International’s Dr Joanne Morten explores how multiple species follow the same broad-scale oceanic movements and introduces six new Marine Flyways, which can be used as a conservation tool for this vulnerable group of birds.

Spring Rock and Water Pipits • Early spring is perhaps the best time to encounter either of these two similar species on your local patch. Josh Jones explains why, and offers tips on finding and identifying them.

Become a better birder with Birdwatch

Sandgrouse of the Western Palearctic • Among some of the region’s most beguiling and exotic species are the sandgrouse, six of which are resident and the seventh a rare vagrant. Ed Stubbs profiles these beautiful birds.

Looking smart • Marking a huge leap forward in the integration of optics with technology, Mike Alibone lifts the hood on the world’s first ‘smart’ binoculars.

Master of art

Super boots

Shutter mode

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Eurasian Siskin

The month of renewal

Early spring signs

On the brain

Time to nest

your letters & photos

In the next issue April

Wrong...