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!

Egrets, we have a few

Bempton does it again! • An elusive warbler on the East Yorkshire coast was eventually nailed as the first live Pale-legged Leaf Warbler to be seen in Britain. Andy Hood and Trev Charlton take up the story.

Across land and Tenness-sea • A week on Fair Isle resulted in a momentous discovery for Rob Hughes and Nina O’Hanlon.

Double whammy! • Fleeting glimpses of an interesting harrier ultimately led to the confirmation of two male Northern Harriers in south-east Ireland, as Cian Cardiff reports.

All eyes east • It was a terrific month for Eurasian migrants from start to finish, with some big arrivals of common species as well as a few mega rarities, as Sam Viles explains.

Off to a flier • The first half of autumn produced terrific rarities from all points of the compass – several of which were appreciated by large crowds, as Sam Viles reports.

Be in the know first with BirdGuides • This autumn, be the first to hear about all major breaking bird sightings. Notifications are available on ANY device and come complete with on-site instructions and maps, 365 days a year, 16 hours a day, for the birds that matter most.

Internet birding: the past, present and future • Our columnist reflects on the ever-changing online birding world, remembering simpler times and wondering what the future holds.

Hear, hear • It has occurred to our columnist that his hearing might not be what it used to be – and it’s time to do something about it.

The race to 600 • The landscape of competitive British and Irish listing has come a long way since the 1980s. Richard Bonser reflects on how times have changed.

A tale of deceit • The Hastings Rarities scandal remains Britain’s most infamous case of ornithological fraud. David Campbell revisits and reflects on this extraordinary affair.

Flying high • Bearded Vulture once soared across southern European mountain ranges but declined rapidly during the last century. David Callahan visits the latest reintroduction project in Spain to see how this impressive bird is making a comeback.

‘Vis-mig’ passerines • The visible-migration season may well have properly commenced in September, but it can run for weeks and the late autumn period is a great time to watch the skies. Arjun Dutta takes a look at several similarly shaped, medium-sized passerines that occur at this time of year.

An accidental paradise • Exceptional rainfall in winter 2023-24 led to a historical washland flooding in the Lincolnshire fens for the first time since 1947, in turn providing incredible local birding opportunities for Josh Jones.

Great expansion • The westward spread of Great Spotted Woodpecker has been unstoppable in recent years. Dick Coombes reflects on a welcome addition to Ireland’s avifauna.

Birds of the Neotropics • The recently rebranded Neotropical Birding and Conservation (formerly the Neotropical Bird Club) has turned 30. Chair Mike Dawson discusses its aims and work, as well as how you can get involved.

We’ve scoped out the best deal • Now’s the time to sign up to Birdwatch!

Brilliant Birdfair • The author, broadcaster and lifelong birder responds to Mark Avery about whether or not Global Birdfair is going in the right direction.

EXPERT REVIEWS

Top performer • Mirrorless cameras have greatly improved the possibilities for bird photography and Nikon’s leading model is no exception, as Kit Day found out.

A real buzz

Stable mates •...