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

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What’s in the digital edition?

THE SIBERIAN SONGSTER

First for Britain … in Powys! • Martyn Owen became part of a very special group when he found Britain’s first Black-winged Kite – and in one of the most unlikely parts of the country to boot.

Stunner at Seaford! • Nick Pope’s wildest patch dreams came true when he discovered a monstrously rare North American sparrow.

A welcome tern • Britain’s first Forster’s Tern since 2016 – and only the second in more than two decades – was originally found in Somerset, before reappearing in Dorset.

The find of a lifetime • The discovery of Britain’s first Grey-headed Lapwing in Northumberland turned out to involve two different finders, Gary Woodburn and Richard Lowe, who tell the epic tale here.

Black-crowned and black-winged • Britain’s first Black-winged Kite may have been the headline rarity, but an excellent April also produced an extraordinary influx of Black-crowned Night Herons. Sam Viles reports.

Magnificent spring • Two Pallas’s Sandgrouse in Finland and a Magnificent Frigatebird in Cape Verde were among the major finds that were made during an exciting April across the region, reports Sam Viles.

Go to Global Birdfair FOR FREE • 14, 15 and 16 July 2023 Rutland Showground, Oakham

From dusk till dawn • Is the start or the end of the day a more enjoyable time to be out in the field? Our columnist deliberates first-and last-light birding.

Colin it a day • Recent news that Britain’s most famous Common Cuckoo failed to return to a Surrey heath this spring has left a big hole to fill. This month’s guest columnist bids farewell to a legend.

Scarcely spotted flycatcher • Why is a once-common summer migrant becoming so hard to find? Catrin Eden profiles the stark decline of the UK’s Spotted Flycatcher population.

Monitoring our rarest breeders • The Rare Breeding Birds Panel (RBBP) is responsible for tracking the fortunes of some of the UK’s most sensitive species. Dr Mark Eaton profiles the organisation and explains how you can contribute your sightings.

Vagrant swifts • Large midsummer gatherings of Common Swift can sometimes pay dividends for the diligent searcher, with a number of rarer swift species possible at this time of year. Jacob Spinks gives the lowdown on what to look for and how to increase your chances of success.

Gateway to Europe • With only 32 km of water separating South Foreland and Calais, the south-east Kent coast is ideally positioned to pick up migrants journeying to and from the Continent. Jamie Partridge profiles the area and its illustrious track record for producing top birds.

Becoming number one • Having recently powered past the 900-species mark, Pierre-André Crochet is a trailblazer of Western Palearctic birding and listing. But how did the journey begin – and what comes next? Josh Jones sat down for a chat with the region’s top lister.

Turkeys and temples • The Yucatán Peninsula in south-east Mexico offers an astounding wealth of birding riches, from desirable endemics and localised specialities, to an abundance of wintering North American passerines, often to be enjoyed alongside spectacular Maya ruins. Ed Stubbs reports on a recent visit.

Seeing the light • Now one of the lightest binoculars in its class, Hawke’s upgraded 32-mm Vantage is designed to deliver. Mike Alibone puts it to the test.

THIS MONTH’S EXPERT PANEL

World of Wings app for iOS and Android

Top field guide rebooted

The biggest year

Yearning for...