The countryside in… july

30-minute birder Amanda Tuke sees the benefits of being distracted by birds at home, and on the coast

ON THE LITTLE-KNOWN ISLE OF SHEPPEY, ELMLEY IS THE UK’S ONLY NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE WITH OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATION — OFFERING A QUIET RETREAT FOR BIRDERS

The geography of Batumi, Georgia, makes it one of the great destinations for observing mass migration of raptors, writes Mike Weedon

Grey Phalarope, Pelagic (Scilly), 31 August RICHARD STONIER ...

Being a big fan of tiny phalaropes, Mike couldn’t resist a visit (or two) to see one fairly locally, in early September

I HAVE written numerous pieces about mallard – this our most ubiquitous duck is a survivor. Mallard can be found almost everywhere, and I love them and never tire of watching them. They are underrated