Bird-Watchers.com

15/12/2024

🌬️ Winter in Britain offers a unique opportunity to experience the charm of garden birds. 🐦‍⬛

While the colder months might seem barren, they are, in fact, alive with the flutter and song of hardy birds that bring colour and vitality to your frosty gardens and outdoor spaces.

Whether you’re a total beginner at birdwatching or just starting to get the hang of it, these handy tips and tricks will make you a pro in no time. You’ll be amazed at how much you can learn about our feathered friends right from the comfort of your own garden. So, grab your binoculars and let’s dive into the wonderful world of British wildlife!

Read our feature: https://www.bird-watchers.com/5-top-tips-to-help-you-successfully-watch-british-garden-birds-this-winter-with-optisan-optics.html

📸 Beth Jnr / Unsplash

Winter in Britain offers a unique opportunity to experience the charm of garden birds. While the colder months might seem barren, they are, in fact, alive with the flutter and song of hardy birds that bring colour and vitality to your frosty gardens and o

07/12/2024

💔 Scientists from the RSPB, BirdLife International (UK), Naturalis Biodiversity Center and Natural History Museum, London 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. 😢

Read the full story: https://www.bird-watchers.com/scientists-confirm-the-heartbreaking-news-of-the-extinction-of-a-bird-species-from-mainland-europe-and-the-mediterranean.html

📸 Slender-billed Curlew, Morocco. By Chris Gomersall

06/12/2024

🎙 A cohort of Cuckoos, fitted with satellite tags by researchers at the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), have now made their way from UK breeding sites to tropical Africa where they will spend the winter months. 🌍 ✅

​Tracked by both the scientists, and thousands of fascinated members of public via an online map depicting their real-time movements, the Cuckoos have provided extraordinary insights into their peripatetic ways.

Read the full story here: https://www.bird-watchers.com/migration-cuckoo-class-of-24-makes-it-safely-back-to-africa.html

📸 Cuckoo by Sarah Kelman/BTO

06/12/2024

🦎 Ancient reptile species with unique teeth 🦷 incoming… 👇

27/11/2024

Have your say and vote for your favourite image to win the Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award. 🏆

Wildlife and nature photography lovers from around the globe are invited to have their say and vote for their favourite image to win the Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award. 🏆

The amazing images vary from a determined honey badger attempting to catch a spikey meal to a beluga whale exfoliating its skin. The 25 striking images offer a powerful insight into the remarkable beauty of nature as well as the critical challenges facing wildlife today. The shortlisted photographs were chosen from 59,228 entries from 117 countries and territories, in addition to the 100 winning images announced earlier this year, by the Natural History Museum, London, and an international judging panel.

Full story: https://www.wildlife-watchers.com/time-to-cast-your-vote-as-25-images-compete-for-the-wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-peoples-choice-award.html

📸 © Jess Findlay, Wildlife Photographer of the Year

15/11/2024

As 2024 draws to a close, James thought it would be a good idea to give you a head start on your 2025 birding adventures with a 'Top 10 List' of some of the most beautiful and diverse nature reserves to visit in the UK. 📋 🐦‍⬛

From coastal bird sanctuaries to lush woodland reserves, the UK has diverse natural areas that become even more breathtaking with a reliable optic companion. Have a browse through James' list and see how many reserves you can tick off next year. ✅

Read more: https://www.bird-watchers.com/the-10-best-uk-nature-reserves-to-go-birdwatching-in-2025.html

13/11/2024

👨‍🔬 Alex recently took a deep dive into the Kowa BDII-XD 8x42 binoculars, exploring their features, performance, and suitability for both novice and seasoned birders.

​Japanese manufacturer, has become world-renowned for their premium spotting scope optics and design, but it's their affordable XD binocular range which doesn't seem to get the credit it deserves when it comes to being a contender for the affordable 'mid-range' binoculars title.

Here are his thoughts on the 8x42's...

Read more: https://www.bird-watchers.com/birdwatching-gear-review-kowa-bdii-xd-8x42-wide-angle-binoculars.html

06/11/2024

🎙 Rare breeding birds are continuing to colonise Britain and call it home, with 14 colonists and reintroduced species establishing new populations in the UK since the RBBP began reporting in 1973.

Full story: https://www.bird-watchers.com/rare-breeding-birds-continue-to-colonise-britain-and-call-it-home.html

📸 Black-winged Stilt by Neil Calbrade / BTO

28/10/2024

🧑‍🔬 🎙️ Scientists have today confirmed that four UK shorebird species have seen significant declines in numbers and, as a result, these species have moved to higher threat categories on the global IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Most of these species journey to the UK in winter from colder climes, making use of the shoreline and estuaries to rest and feed on nutrient-rich food ahead of their migration back to their northern breeding grounds in spring.

The latest IUCN Red List update for birds globally, by Birdlife International, shows that the following UK shorebird species that have moved to higher threat categories: https://www.bird-watchers.com/decline-of-migratory-shorebird-species-highlights-the-need-to-protect-uk-shorelines.html

25/10/2024

For those thinking about thermal imagers to watch wildlife as we enter those long, dark nights ahead. Leica Camera have a new one to consider. 👍

25/10/2024

A wonderful read if you get 3 spare minutes… 🙌

09/10/2024

What. A. Photo. 😲 📸

Incredible work, Shane. 👏

Selected from a record-breaking 59,228 entries from 117 countries and territories, the winners of the Natural History Museum's prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition were revealed at an awards ceremony in South Kensington last night.

Canadian Marine Conservation Photojournalist, Shane Gross, was awarded Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2024 for his image ‘The Swarm of Life’, a breathtaking photograph that shines a light on the magical underwater world of western toad tadpoles. ᯡ 🐸

Full story and gallery of images can be found here: 🔗 https://www.wildlife-watchers.com/the-swarm-of-life-by-shane-gross-wins-wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-2024.html



📸 © Shane Gross, Wildlife Photographer of the Year

02/10/2024

Intensive birding sessions require equipment that goes above and beyond the call of duty. When choosing a partner for the job, you'll most likely look at your ability, knowledge and budget to ascertain whether to go premium or not.

​If you are going down the premium route, then like many a famous sports team dynasty, or a film franchise for the ages SWAROVSKI OPTIK Birding has defined an era in birdwatching with their ATX / STX and BTX family - and here's why...

Full story: 🔗 👉 https://www.bird-watchers.com/intensive-birding-sessions-swarovski-optik-atx-stx-btx-family.html

01/10/2024

🎙 For birders of all-levels, and especially those who are perhaps more experienced and pro-active with their hobby - binoculars need to be more than just observing tools. They need to be robust, light, precise and durable in all weathers.

Recognising there is a need for precision, clarity, comfort and durability, ZEISS has released their latest innovation: the Conquest HDX Binoculars. Built to improve the experience of seasoned birdwatchers, the Conquest HDX brings together cutting-edge technology and expert craftsmanship to deliver superior optical performance in the field.

Read our new feature here 👉 https://www.bird-watchers.com/new-zeiss-conquest-hdx-binoculars-promise-to-be-the-ultimate-all-rounder-for-experienced-birders.html

25/09/2024

🎙 For the first time, a full breeding survey of Redshank has been carried out along areas of the east coast wetlands, with results showing the Humber and North Norfolk alone hold 5% of the entire UK population, which totals over 1,000 breeding pairs.

The wading bird has undergone dramatic declines across the UK, with the most recent research showing a 53% loss of the breeding population on saltmarshes. The new data will therefore provide the vital baseline required for conservationists to take action and help secure their future in the UK.

Full story: 🔗 https://www.bird-watchers.com/the-humber-and-north-norfolk-holds-most-of-the-uks-redshank-population-according-to-new-study.html

📸 Redshank in breeding plumage by Andy Hay

19/09/2024

🧑‍🔬 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. 📋

A study published in the journal, British Birds, sees the addition of Leach’s Storm-petrel, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Arctic Tern and Great Skua to this unenviable list. They join Kittiwake, Herring Gull, Roseate Tern, Arctic Skua and Puffin.

Read the full story: 👉 🔗 https://www.bird-watchers.com/five-seabird-species-added-to-the-uk-red-list.html

📸 Atlantic puffin with fish, Skomer Island. By Katie Nethercoat

16/09/2024

🎙 For casual birdwatchers in the UK, the right optics can transform a day out in nature into a vivid, unforgettable experience. 🐦‍⬛

As one of the leading brands in precision sport optics, Optisan has steadily gained popularity among UK birders for its commitment to delivering high-quality, affordable optics without compromising on performance.

In our new 'Brand Watch' feature series, we explore all you need to know about them 👉 🔗

For casual birdwatchers in the UK, the right optics can transform a day out in nature into a vivid, unforgettable experience. As one of the leading brands in precision sport optics, Optisan has steadily gained popularity among UK birders.

13/09/2024

Amazing…

🎙 Step into the future of the natural world with the Natural History Museum, London newest exhibit. Visions of Nature is an immersive experience that allows visitors to experience how the world looks in 2125 to see how human actions have shaped our planet.

The experience is powered by Microsoft mixed reality headsets and imagined and co-produced by SAOLA Studio, a creative studio specialising in building augmented reality experiences for cultural institutions, with the latest science and research from Museum scientists informing the narrative.

Visions of Nature: A mixed reality experience opens in October 2024.

Full story and ticket info here...
🔗 https://www.wildlife-watchers.com/nhm-london-invites-you-to-see-what-the-future-of-planet-earth-will-look-like-in-2125-through-immersive-experience.html

📸 🦀 Visions of Nature crab story © Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London and SAOLA Studio