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 Letter

What’s in the digital edition?

THE LONELY CRANE

Newlyn strikes again • Martin Elliott added another superb gull find to his collection when he discovered a smart Azores Gull at Newlyn Harbour. Here he discusses the bird and looks at the broader identification picture of this form.

Harlequin in the Hebs! • Scotland’s epic run of this mega seaduck continued with an exciting discovery on Barra.

A two-teal month • Both England and Wales scored Baikal Teal in January, as the species undergoes a status change in north-west Europe.

Wildfowl and the West Country • A strong line-up of rare duck and a selection of popular wintering goodies in the South-West meant 2023 got off to a flier, writes Sam Viles.

Southern sensations • The incredible run of sub-Saharan vagrants continued in 2023, with a stunning Dwarf Bittern record in France and an Allen’s Gallinule in Italy. Sam Viles rounds up the action.

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Taking birding to school • Bringing birding and the various skills it requires to the classroom would be a stroke of genius, suggests our columnist.

What happened to winter? • With spring on the horizon, our Editor reflects on the winter that was – or, more accurately from a birding perspective, wasn’t.

Searching for the aphid woodpecker • Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is becoming trickier to see in Britain, even in areas that once held flourishing populations. Species experts Ken and Linda Smith – who run the Woodpecker Network – profile the current status of this charming bird and give tips on how to find them this spring.

Understanding eggshells • Birds’ eggs come in a huge variety of sizes and with an even more diverse array of colours and patterns. Dr Steven Portugal looks at how these patterns are formed and the reasons they have evolved in this way, and also explores the role of other factors such as shell thickness and structure, some of which are only just being understood.

Northern Goshawk and Eurasian Sparrowhawk • The majestic Northern Goshawk has increased significantly in Britain in recent years and early spring is the best time to see them – but what factors are most important to bear in mind when seeking birds out? The other British Accipiter, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, is easily separable when seen well, although distant soaring birds or fast-moving individuals can sometimes make the identification process tricky. Ed Stubbs provides some tips on finding goshawks and identifying both species.

Exploring avian art • Just how do you go about illustrating birds effectively? Talented artist Miles Cluff discusses the process and offers some tips on how to get started yourself.

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Going low for waders • The BTO’s Teresa Frost outlines the importance of Low Tide Counts for accurately assessing populations of estuary birds, as illustrated by the results of this vitally important study which is entering its third decade.

Voyage of discovery • Seabird expert Bob Flood ventured to the Pacific to experience one of the world’s ultimate pelagics, sailing from Hawaii to Fiji via Kiritimati and the Phoenix Islands in search of some of the world’s rarest and least-known tubenoses.

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