Birdwatch Magazine

23 October, 2025

As we move into late autumn, a vagrant Desert Wheatear heralds the end of migration for many birders, but can provide a glimpse of the exotic on a gloomy day. Simon Papps takes a look at the species, including how British records have increased significantly in recent decades. It looks like we’re on for a good Common Crossbill winter. With so many subtle clines in terms of both features and calls, the Loxia genus pose a classification nightmare throughout the Holarctic. After four decades of studying these fascinating finches, Craig W Benkman summarises the latest findings. November is prime time for searching your local wildfowl flocks. The identification of Greater and Lesser Scaup is further complicated by an intermediate Nearctic form of the larger species, as Dan Owen discusses. Birding could be a much less enticing prospect in November weather without access to hides. David Callahan investigates their history and uncovers some of the more unusual examples from Britain and around the world. Last winter, birders on the Yorkshire and Norfolk coasts witnessed an unprecedented influx of Lesser White-fronted Geese from the reintroduced breeding population in Swedish Lapland. Sarah Nordlinder reveals the origins of these birds and how they found their way to England. September 2025 produced some huge stories across Britain and Ireland and we have exclusive reports of the Dorset Yellow-browed Bunting, Madeiran Storm Petrel extravaganza in the South-West Approaches and Pechora Pipit in Durham. It’s nice to dream of sunnier climes at this time of year. From Arabian specialities to stunning migration and some sought-after wintering species, Oman offers easy birding with endless highlights, as Jake Gearty discovered during a recent visit. A recent encounter with the Critically Endangered Helmeted Hornbill has left Paul Jepson wondering how enterprise, art and innovation could save the species. Also in this issue, Mike Alibone gets his hands on the new Hawke Vantage HD 8x34 and 8x42 binoculars. There’s also advice on bird photography, November patch memories and birding in the Netherlands, while our columnists discuss working out weather, mental health and the future of bird flu.