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

Bonus digital content!

Fish hawk flying high

Patience pays off • After months of suspicion, Aidan G Kelly’s persistence with two young scoter in western Ireland paid dividends when he was able to identify the birds as White-winged.

Mauritanian magic • The West African country enjoyed an exceptional March, as a run of Western Palearctic megas were found.

The wandering Bufflehead • A fine drake toured Ireland and Scotland this winter, allowing plenty of birders to connect with it.

A month of surprises • Unexpected appearances from Golden Pheasant and Ruddy Duck provided listing moot points, while the Myrtle Warbler broke a record and early spring migrants arrived. Sam Viles reports.

Reed-iscovered • A prolific month across the region saw a remarkable reappearance of Reed Cormorant in Egypt, while Mauritania boasted a wealth of goodies and a Lesser Moorhen made it to France. Sam Viles reports.

The Flaco theory • After an escaped Eurasian Eagle-Owl won the hearts of New Yorkers, our columnist wonders how such popular support can be garnered for far less glamorous – but truly threatened – species.

It’s not all in the name • The bird-renaming discussion has triggered plenty of strong opinion across the world – but, our columnist asks, is it that big a deal?

Birds all at sea • Ship assistance is looked down upon by many birders as an unnatural phenomenon that devalues the arrival of some rare birds. But, as Sam Viles argues, perhaps it is time that we gave greater attention to this fascinating and complex process, and learned to accept it as part of a modern world.

The springtime show-offs • Driven by the prospect of attracting a mate and breeding, birds perform an extraordinary range of displays in spring. Sarah Harris looks at some of the weird and wonderful courtships that can be seen on UK shores.

Inland patch paradise • Situated in the heart of England, Belvide Reservoir is a haven for the landlocked birder. Steve Nuttall profiles his beloved patch, a place that has forged a reputation as one of the premier inland birding sites in the entire country.

Field ID notes Marsh terns • With their aerial acrobatics and crisp plumages, three tern species of the genus Chlidonias are always popular with birders. Josh Jones takes a closer look at their appearance and habits.

Texel: bird island • Although full of birds throughout the year, it is spring when Texel, the largest of the Dutch Wadden Islands, really comes alive. Marc Guyt is your guide around this avian paradise.

The river of warblers • Warblers, living emblems of migration, rarity and beauty, always capture something special in the hearts of birders worldwide. Ian Davies tells the story of the greatest known warbler spectacle on Earth.

Holding steady • Providing a significantly higher level of magnification, Opticron’s latest image-stabilised binocular is designed to deliver more detail. Mike Alibone assesses its potential.

Nesting neighbours

Reconnect with nature

About terns

The big year cycle

Nesting habits

Prime vs zoom

Grasshopper Warbler

Northern Lapwing

Making the most of May

Spring’s peak month

Dawning songs

Poop scoop

Extraordinary raptor wars

Bhutan

your letters & photos

Birdwatch world of birds • Check out our carefully selected tours to Finland, Herzegovina, remote Amazonian Brazil, India, Spitsbergen and a rarity-filled autumn break in the...