One of the rich joys of birding is that there are birds everywhere, including gardens and parks. Just get out and walk around, there’s no need to be quiet or furtive. Become familiar with your feather

SVEN-ERIK ARNDT/ARTERRA/UNIVERSAL/GETTY ● There was a mallard duck ...

Britain’s seabird colonies are among the most spectacular in the world and you can experience them from the sea or land. Read on to find out where you can enjoy these incredible wildlife encounters

(Lionsgate, in cinemas from 23 January)

Avian plumage doesn’t simply enable flight–this miracle of Nature provides birds with protection, shape and colour and remains a highly desirable fashion accoutrement for us, too, finds Charles Harris

David Cromack was deputy editor of Bird Watching ’s launch issue in 1986, and later edited the magazine for 18 years. In the first of a two-part feature, he explains how the magazine came about…