The countryside in… april

Karen Youngs encounters squabbling herons and glimpses an elusive predator on a waterside walk

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

The best rare birds seen all around Britain in August

Peak autumn has a treasure trove of non-feathered riches to discover, says James Lowen

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

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