Bird Watching

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 bird symbolises summer for you?

YOUR BIRDING MONTH • AUGUST

FIVE BIRDS TO FIND IN AUGUST • It may be the month of summer holidays in much of the country, but for birds, August is very much a time of return migration, with an autumnal feel. By the time of the Bank Holiday, late in the month, passage is starting to be in full swing. Here are five beautiful birds to enjoy.

Beyond Birdwatching • The high summer month of August is fabulous for insects, says James Lowen

Weedon’s World • Mike has been pondering the identification of individual birds, before drifting into insect-watching for the summer

Setting sights on Welsh raptors • New project aims to monitor breeding numbers of key species, explains Jon Carter

Grumpy Old Birder • Single-mindedness is the enemy of conservation, writes Bo Beolens…

Rovers return

Sign up to #My200BirdYear • August is a month of leisurely birding pleasures, writes David Callahan

Doing good? • 30-minute birder Amanda Tuke investigates the impact of feeding wild birds, and whether it’s a factor behind the decline of a woodland specialist

A conversation on CONSERVATION • Chris Packham is one of our most popular wildlife broadcasters – so popular, he has even been talked of as a potential successor to the great David Attenborough. Here, he talks birding for beginners, TV, Wild Justice and some pressing conservation problems. John Miles is asking the questions

How to be a Local Hero • For the time-strapped birder, the ‘mini-twitch’ is key to boosting your year list, explains Marc Abbott

Hitting new heights • Mountain birding in Taiwan puts our own uplands in perspective, writes Ruth Miller

ID Challenge • This month’s challenge is all about the identification of juvenile waders

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

GO BIRDING • 10 great sites for brilliant birdwatching

CROIG • Year-round interest on the island of eagles

COLDINGHAM • Sea cliffs, beaches, rocky shoreline and mixed woodlands

CORSEWALL POINT • A lighthouse makes a superb seawatching spot

SANDSCALE HAWS • Mixed habitats make for great all-round birding

BARBROOK RESERVOIR • Moorland specialists in the Peak District

FOSSE MEADOWS • Varied birding on a quiet, historic site

BERKHAMSTED COMMON • A downland and woodland walk on the Chilterns

DINTON PASTURES • Wildfowl, waders and more at former gravel pits

WITHYPOOL • Tranquil walk through woodland and water meadows

OSMINGTON MILLS • Spectacular sea views of the Isle of Portland

YOURVIEW • 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

Stock Dove • It might be the UK’s most overlooked bird, but it has plenty to recommend it, writes Dominic Couzens

Isles of Scilly in autumn • 18-24 October 2025 £1,799 per person, £75...