Category 30-Minute Birder
No place like home
In my November column for Bird Watching Magazine, I track down Glossy Ibis, and what stunning birds they are. I also resolve to stop looking at birds turning up near home, when I’m on holiday elsewhere.
Choughs over the white cliffs of Dover
In the special Autumn issue of Bird Watching Magazine I have the pleasure of meeting Kent’s recent arrivals. And what a delight they are.
Pride of Newcastle
As summer comes to an end and the excitement of autumn birding begins, my trip to Newcastle back in March seems an age away. In my September column, I tell the story of welcoming one of the coolest urban birds – Kittiwakes – back to their most inland breeding site on and around the Tyne […]
Doing good?
Yes, this is going to be controversial. In the August issue of Bird Watching Magazine, I explore the impact of feeding wild birds… and in particular the available evidence tying indiscriminate bird feeding to the decline of Marsh and Willow Tits. I’m afraid it’s not looking good.
The eyes have it
On a hot June day like today, it’s to remember just how icy-cold Berlin was back in February on the day when my Goshawk dream came true. And then a couple of weeks later I finally saw my first British Goshawk, down the road in Surrey.
Let’s raise our binoculars
What a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the birders we’ve known and loved.
Sounds amazing…
I’ve been itching to have a go at nocturnal sound recording, so I sorted out some tech, worked out where to install it, and then this is what happened…
Noisy Neighbours
So there l was last June, having a quiet coffee in the back garden, when some new neighbours moved in. & oh boy were they noisy… So for my column in the Feb 2025 issue of Bird Watching Magazine, I just had to write about my wonderful summer of Hobby-watching.
Amazing Aberdeen!
After a birding trip to Aberdeen, it’s gone straight to the top of my list for the best cities to birdwatch in the British Isles. Have a read here to find out why. (NB. The caption on the main photo should read Citrine Wagtail rather than Citrine Warbler)
Hot stuff!
It’s true you don’t need much equipment for birding – a decent pair of binoculars is enough for most people – but when I was loaned a couple of thermal monoculars to try out for my November column, a previously unseen world was revealed.
The Urban Naturalist 