The December issue of Birdwatch goes on sale tomorrow!

The December 2018 issue of Birdwatch goes on sale tomorrow [Thursday 22 November] and includes an in-depth look at the National Trust's association with shooting. The organisation is responsible for hundreds of acres of land and the wildlife that relies on it, and is conducts many examples of sterling conservation work. Why then, does it allow shooting to take place on its land?

Also in this month's issue, Rebecca Armstrong reveals the winner of the Birdwatch Artist of the Year 2018. The prestigious award was presented at a special ceremony at London's Mall Galleries and a selection of some of the short-listed artwork is unveiled. In a special feature, Ruth Tingay and Rob Sheldon delve deeper into the inexplicable decision by an environmental agency to cull Ravens, a move that sparked widespread outrage among conservationists.

Our photo ID guide for December focuses on Ferruginous Duck and its confusion species. There are many factors complicating the identification and status of this species in Britain and Ireland – rare, scarce, hybrid and escape – and Dominic Mitchell takes a close look at this infrequent visitor.

Pembrokeshire is the destination for our latest county guide. The Welsh county offers birders a wide range of habitats, with plentiful birding localities offering a long list of appealing target birds. David Saunders' tour of 'Little England beyond Wales' is sure to inspire you to plan a trip there in the coming weeks.

Free with this issue is a 2019 calendar featuring a selection of stunning images from Swarovski's Digiscoper of the Year competition. 

As well as this, there'll be all the rarities, scarcities and finders' reports, topical comment from columnists Mark Avery and Bill Oddie, a review of a new spotting scope and expert advice from our knowledgeable team.

You can buy the issue from newsagents or order online with FREE UK p&p.