Birdwatch Magazine November 2023 Back Issue

IN THIS ISSUE

What an incredible, rarity-filled autumn it’s been so far! Don’t miss the multitude of exclusive finders’ accounts to September’s rarest birds, including Magnolia and Canada Warblers, in this issue.
With two different Empidonax flycatchers seen in Britain this autumn, Cin-Ty Lee and Andrew Birch’s timely article discussing these notoriously similar vagrants offers plenty of background information to the family.
Further ID conundrums are answered in our guide to plover watching, which discusses how to find scarcities among your local European Golden Plover and Northern Lapwing flocks.
It’s amazing to look back and see how birders’ kit has diversified from the days of Porro-prism binoculars and draw-tube telescopes – nowadays our pockets are awash with all sorts of gadgets. Mike Alibone looks in depth at how our equipment has changed over the decades and made birding a more fulfilling hobby.
Non-native species polarise opinion among birders – yet whether we like them or not, many are here to stay. Sam Viles provides a comprehensive summary of the current state of play regarding tickable introduced birds across the Western Palearctic.
Also in this issue, Lloyd Scott of CABS provides a full summary of the charity’s fight against illegal bird slaughter across the Mediterranean, as well as detailing how to get involved in or support its work.
Additionally, Ed Stubbs delves in to the world of football, looking at the many fascinating bird-inspired nicknames which have become associated with various clubs, while local expert Paul Morton profiles his beloved Poole Harbour in Dorset, which is well known as one of the best birding areas in the southern Britain.
There are reviews of Canon’s new ‘big white’ telephoto lens and a travel tripod, while our experts offer advice on the best light conditions for photography, building a garden pond and vis-migging targets.