EDITOR'S CHOICE
The very best new stories and exciting things for birders.
Trusted Ad Partner
Top Stories: Global Birdfair 2025 - A Must‑Attend “Festival of Nature” for Bird‑Watchers.com Readers
Mark your diaries folks, as from 11 to 13 July 2025, the shoreline of Rutland Water (Lyndon Top, Oakham, UK) will become the gathering spot of choice for bird-watchers worldwide - with the launch of another Global Birdfair, the “Glastonbury of Birdwatching”.
Here at Bird-Watchers.com, we've taken a good look at the set list, and here are a few pointers on why you should consider attending the fair...
👓 Full story >>
Here at Bird-Watchers.com, we've taken a good look at the set list, and here are a few pointers on why you should consider attending the fair...
👓 Full story >>
Top Stories: Bird Flu’s Devastating Toll on the UK’s Wild Birds
Over the past three years, avian influenza has emerged as a rapidly escalating threat to wild bird populations around the world. Here in the UK, we have witnessed significant levels of mortality in our internationally important breeding seabirds and wintering waterfowl, as well as impacts on vulnerable bird of prey populations.
The BTO, working with its publishing partner Taylor & Francis, has brought together a suite of scientific studies – that both document the spread and impact of the disease on wild birds and assess the effectiveness of management responses..
👓 Full story >>
The BTO, working with its publishing partner Taylor & Francis, has brought together a suite of scientific studies – that both document the spread and impact of the disease on wild birds and assess the effectiveness of management responses..
👓 Full story >>
Top Stories: Record Number of Nightjars Recorded on UK RSPB Nature Reserves
The UK’s RSPB nature reserves have witnessed a remarkable milestone in 2024 with the highest ever recorded number of Nightjars spotted - an incredible total of 211 birds.
This achievement reflects decades of dedicated conservation efforts by reserve teams, volunteers, and supporters working tirelessly to restore and protect heathland habitats, crucial for this Amber-listed species.
👓 Full story >>
This achievement reflects decades of dedicated conservation efforts by reserve teams, volunteers, and supporters working tirelessly to restore and protect heathland habitats, crucial for this Amber-listed species.
👓 Full story >>
Community Photo Gallery
Send us your bird photography and have your work displayed here in our community gallery.
Trusted Ad Partner
Latest GEAR REVIEWS
Here we bring you our opinion on the very best new equipment from the most respected brands for birders.
ZEISS
Conquest HDX 8x32 Binoculars
★★★★★★★★★ 9/10
|
swarovski optik
NL Pure 14x52 Binoculars
★★★★★★★★★★ 9.5/10
|
oPTISAN
LR ED 8x34 Binoculars
★★★★★★★★★ 9/10
|
Latest news, Features & Events
The latest news, features and events from around the birding tribes.
Trusted Ad Partner
migration: Tracking the Mysterious Journey of the Cuckoo - New Tech Sheds Light on a Troubling Decline
Once a familiar sound of springtime across the UK, the call of the Cuckoo is becoming alarmingly rare. Since 1995, we've lost more than a third of our breeding Cuckoos - and scientists are working urgently to uncover why.
At the heart of this effort is the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), whose researchers have spent over a decade closely tracking these remarkable birds. Since 2011, more than 130 Cuckoos from across the UK and Ireland have been fitted with satellite transmitters, allowing scientists to trace their awe-inspiring 16,000 km migratory journey to the Congo basin and back.
👓 Full story >>
At the heart of this effort is the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), whose researchers have spent over a decade closely tracking these remarkable birds. Since 2011, more than 130 Cuckoos from across the UK and Ireland have been fitted with satellite transmitters, allowing scientists to trace their awe-inspiring 16,000 km migratory journey to the Congo basin and back.
👓 Full story >>
Habitats: New Report Reveals Troubling Declines in UK’s Wintering Waterbirds
The UK plays a crucial role in supporting internationally significant numbers of wintering waterbirds. Vital monitoring programmes - the Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) and the Goose and Swan Monitoring Programme (GSMP), continue to provide the data needed to inform conservation policies for these species.
With contributions from over 3,800 dedicated volunteers, these surveys deliver an annual snapshot of bird populations across the UK’s coasts, estuaries, lakes, reservoirs, and rivers.
👓 Full story >>
With contributions from over 3,800 dedicated volunteers, these surveys deliver an annual snapshot of bird populations across the UK’s coasts, estuaries, lakes, reservoirs, and rivers.
👓 Full story >>
Review: ZEISS SFL 10x50 Binoculars Review – Compact Power for Serious Birders
The ZEISS SFL 10x50 binoculars are one of the newest contenders in the world of birdwatching optics. Aimed squarely at experienced birders, the brand hopes that these binos will appeal to birdwatchers seeking top-tier performance and great after-sales care.
James took them out for a full day of testing at RSPB Rye Meads, with weather and light conditions about as good as it gets for birding. Here’s how they held up...
👓 Full review >>
James took them out for a full day of testing at RSPB Rye Meads, with weather and light conditions about as good as it gets for birding. Here’s how they held up...
👓 Full review >>
nature Reserves: Record-breaking Oystercatchers found on England's East Coast
Conservationists are celebrating the remarkable discovery of two record-breaking Oystercatchers just weeks apart on England’s East Coast Wetlands. The sightings highlight the critical importance of these habitats for long-lived wading birds.
Volunteers from the Wash Wader Research Group (WWRG) identified the UK’s oldest known Oystercatcher - aged 41 years and 8 months - at RSPB Snettisham in Norfolk, surpassing the previous longevity record by three months.
👓 Full story >>
Volunteers from the Wash Wader Research Group (WWRG) identified the UK’s oldest known Oystercatcher - aged 41 years and 8 months - at RSPB Snettisham in Norfolk, surpassing the previous longevity record by three months.
👓 Full story >>
New Gear: ZEISS expands its SFL family of binoculars with the launch of 8x50, 10x50 and 12x50 models
ZEISS has introduced a new addition to its celebrated SFL (SmartFocus Lightweight) binocular range: the SFL 50. Designed with discerning nature lovers and serious birdwatchers in mind, this new series promises exceptional optical performance in a remarkably compact and lightweight form. The range includes 8x50, 10x50, and - for the first time - 12x50 models.
Through a refined optical design using slimmer lens elements and optimised spacing, ZEISS has produced a pair of binoculars that are both light and durable, thanks to a rugged magnesium housing.
👓 Full story >>
Through a refined optical design using slimmer lens elements and optimised spacing, ZEISS has produced a pair of binoculars that are both light and durable, thanks to a rugged magnesium housing.
👓 Full story >>
extinct: Scientists confirm the heartbreaking news of the extinction of a bird species from mainland Europe and the Mediterranean
Scientists have published an objective analysis that indicates the extinction of the Slender-billed Curlew, a migratory shorebird that bred in western Siberia and wintered in the Mediterranean.
This marks the first known extinction of a bird species from mainland Europe, North Africa and West Asia. Extensive efforts have been made for decades to find evidence of the Slender-billed Curlew across its breeding and non-breeding ranges, but all have proven unsuccessful.
Full story >>
This marks the first known extinction of a bird species from mainland Europe, North Africa and West Asia. Extensive efforts have been made for decades to find evidence of the Slender-billed Curlew across its breeding and non-breeding ranges, but all have proven unsuccessful.
Full story >>
Garden Birdwatch: Spruce up your old nest box or choose a good-quality new one after a wet and wild winter!
Our gardens and green spaces serve as ideal habitats for numerous familiar and beloved birds and while some individuals may find suitable nesting sites in planted areas or around buildings, there is still a significant shortage of desirable nesting locations, particularly in urban and suburban environments.
The loss of appropriate habitat, alterations in land use, the adoption of “tidier” gardens with fake grass, plants and other factors have adversely affected many of the UK’s breeding bird populations.
Full story >>
The loss of appropriate habitat, alterations in land use, the adoption of “tidier” gardens with fake grass, plants and other factors have adversely affected many of the UK’s breeding bird populations.
Full story >>
Nature Reserves: RSPB Wallasea Island to be expanded, bringing a major habitat restoration boost for water birds
One hundred hectares of new habitat will be created at RSPB Wallasea Island Reserve in Rochford, Essex, to support rare and threatened wildlife.
RSPB Wallasea is situated at the confluence of the Rivers Crouch and Roach. During high tides in winter, it can accommodate over half of the estuary’s waterbirds. Eleven species are found in nationally significant numbers, while four species are hosted in internationally important numbers, including wading birds such as Grey Plover.
👓 Full story >>
RSPB Wallasea is situated at the confluence of the Rivers Crouch and Roach. During high tides in winter, it can accommodate over half of the estuary’s waterbirds. Eleven species are found in nationally significant numbers, while four species are hosted in internationally important numbers, including wading birds such as Grey Plover.
👓 Full story >>
HABITATS: Five seabird species added to the UK Red List of highest conservation concern
Scientists reviewing the conservation status of the UK’s breeding seabird populations have revealed that five species have been added to the Red list of greatest conservation concern.
The UK remains an internationally important place for breeding seabirds. Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands support the majority of the global populations of breeding Manx Shearwater (96%), Northern Gannet (70%) and Great Skua (64-67%).
Full story >>
The UK remains an internationally important place for breeding seabirds. Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands support the majority of the global populations of breeding Manx Shearwater (96%), Northern Gannet (70%) and Great Skua (64-67%).
Full story >>
migration: TRACKING OF ARCTIC SKUA SHEDS NEW LIGHT ON EPIC MIGRATION
New research has shown how an endangered seabird, the Arctic Skua, is converging on specific stopping off points in the Atlantic Ocean while undertaking epic annual, migration journeys.
Migrating birds can face a wide range of challenges. Whether they are crossing seemingly endless deserts, flying over towering mountains or traversing vast open seas, these hardy globetrotters often need to navigate more than simply the landscape beneath them.
Full story >>
Migrating birds can face a wide range of challenges. Whether they are crossing seemingly endless deserts, flying over towering mountains or traversing vast open seas, these hardy globetrotters often need to navigate more than simply the landscape beneath them.
Full story >>