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 Notes

Bonus digital content!

Arctic auk draws crowds to Dorset

Shetland shocker! • Hazel Ulstad tells the remarkable tale of the rarest British bird of the autumn, which was a Western Palearctic first to boot.

Yank extravaganza and Arctic duck in Donegal • A stunning day of birding in Co Donegal saw Aaron Long connect with four Nearctic landbirds on Tory Island and then proceed to add a new species to the Irish list from the ferry home.

A swift relocation! • Mandy Gregory (MG) and Ray Maddison discuss a routine visit to Tophill Low NR that transformed into an unforgettable day when a White-throated Needletail appeared, while Ashley Saunders (AS) describes the bird’s remarkable relocation at Bempton Cliffs RSPB.

From dove dip to delight • Twelve years after dipping a Mourning Dove on Rum, Keith Pellow struck gold on his annual autumn trip to Scilly with an archipelago and English first.

Siberian Thrush stuns on Shetland • A thermal scan and 10 extraordinary seconds led to the discovery of one of Shetland’s most thrilling rarities of 2025 for Simon Nichols and his crew.

Rarity rush • Thrilling finds came from all directions in a month that produced plenty of excitement for twitchers, as Sam Viles discusses.

Vagrants galore! • Record-breaking influxes, national firsts and a multitude of megas ensured it was an October for the ages across the region, as Sam Viles reports.

DAVID CAMPBELL Of nightingales and neighbours • What happens when a rare bird lands in the wrong garden? Our columnist explores how a moment of tension became a lesson in understanding.

MARK AVERY Royal rumble • The desire of various wildlife charities to appoint a royal patron leaves our columnist slightly bemused given the various scandals over the years.

Bountiful borderland • With a constant stream of rarities on tap, Alan Tilmouth reflects on four decades of superb birding in his beloved home county of Northumberland.

Tree gull takes off • Recent years have seen a rise in the number of Bonaparte’s Gull records in Britain and Europe. Why might that be? Josh Jones investigates.

Rough-legged Hawk • Raptor enthusiast Jack Ashton-Booth looks in depth at how to separate juvenile Rough-legged Buzzards of Nearctic origin from the more familiar Palearctic birds.

Island of dreams • With wildfowl in abundance, spectacular raptors and much more, Dan Brown explains that winter birding on Islay has a lot to offer.

Where eagles fly again • Fifty years after the reintroduction started in earnest, Dave Sexton looks at how White-tailed Eagles are once again soaring in our skies.

Pittas: a love affair • Why do pittas capture the imagination of birders to such an extent? Chris Gooddie completed a mission to see all the world’s species in a year, so there is no better person to outline 10 reasons for their appeal.

This wonderful world • The rich and diverse array of artworks on show at this year’s The Natural Eye exhibition highlighted the elegant beauty of the natural world. Josh Jones reveals the winner of the 21st Birdwatch and SWAROVSKI OPTIK Artist of the Year award.

Bathtime bonanza • This month’s panel: Keith Betton, Chris Harbard, Rob Hume and Josh Jones

County avifauna impresses

Remote havens

Unique wildlife

Taking a pause • This month’s panel includes: Keith Betton, Kit Day, Chris Harbard, Matt Phelps and Amy Robjohns

Pros and cons of AI

Eurasian Wigeon

Handy skills

Prickly...