Bird Watching is Britain’s best-selling birdwatching magazine. Each issue is packed with expert advice on when, where and how to see more birds, from common garden visitors to the most elusive rarities. There are features from some of British birdwatching’s best-known names, superbly illustrated by the work of the world’s best bird photographers, plus comprehensive coverage of all the latest sightings, guides to the best birdwatching sites, ID masterclasses, news and reviews of all the latest gear.
Welcome
Bird Watching • What British bird does your favourite display?
YOUR BIRDING MONTH • APRIL
FIVE BIRDS TO FIND IN APRIL • April takes March’s tentative buds of spring and starts to blossom, with waves of newly arrived summer migrants, and passage terns, chats and so on. It is a magical month when it is possible to really make strides into a year list…
Beyond Birdwatching • April shifts up a gear for wildlife-watchers, writes James Lowen…
Weedon's World • There’s always something good going on at Mike’s newly adopted ‘patch’. So, he dare not miss a morning visit
PUBLIC AREAS Birds in green spaces • Human-made urban and suburban spaces are to be monitored closely, writes Jon Carter
Head for the hills
Grumpy Old Birder • Encouraging biodiversity needs a long-term approach, writes Bo Beolens…
Sign up to #My200BirdYear • Now is the time to start venturing out to watch birds pair up and face off, while keeping a close eye on those species that are just passing through, says David Callahan
The nature of our cities • 30-minute birder Amanda Tuke explains the enduring appeal of urban birdwatching
Hope for the future • Can translocation help the Black Grouse bounce back? John Miles investigates
If it quacks like a Peregrine… • Do field guides need to keep up with advances in avian DNA analysis? Adrian Brockless tackles the great debate
Familiar faces in foreign places • South Africa’s iconic Kruger National Park isn’t all about the Big Five, writes Ruth Miller…
ID Challenge • This month’s challenge is all about the identification of reddish birds
Answers & solutions • Check your answers against our explanations. Remember, there are no ‘trick’ birds or extreme rarities among these…
ID Tips & tricks • Here are a few extra tips to help you identify waders with reddish breeding plumage
GO BIRDING • 10 great sites for brilliant birdwatching
CEAPABHAL • Seabirds, waders and eagles in a spectacular setting
ST MARY’S LOCH • Mixed birding with the chance of an eagle sighting
CRAG LOUGH • Upland birds and varied winter wildfowl
HARWOOD BECK • Lekking Black Grouse on a scenic route in the hills
WORLD’S END • See iconic species from the comfort of your car
KELLING QUAG • An overlooked slice of coastal Norfolk
HIGH BRIDGE • Look for wildfowl and waders around gravel workings
KETTON QUARRY NR • Mixed interest includes birds, wildflowers and reptiles
BLACK PARK • A bird-rich country park on the outskirts of the capital
SHADOXHURST • A Wealden wood walk in Nightingale country
YOUR VIEW • PHOTOS, LETTERS, TWEETS, QUESTIONS – HAVE YOUR SAY
Your Questions • Send all your birding questions to birdwatching@bauermedia.co.uk and our experts will give you the answers
Bird Watching
Great Northern Diver • Whatever you choose to call them, these glorious birds are utterly memorable, writes Dominic Couzens…
Portugal in late spring • 31 May to 7 June 2026 €2,390pp, single supplement €390
A WORLD Apart • Soaring seabirds and riches of finches (both vampiric and otherwise!) made for the ultimate...