Birdwatch - April 2025

Spring is here and the April issue of Birdwatch is packed full of content to help you get the best from your birding this month. A classic species to be on the lookout for in the coming weeks is Ring Ouzel, and our latest ID field notes article offers tips on where, when and how to search for this elusive but highly desirable migrant.

Also in this issue, we take a closer look at European Serin’s status in Britain. A few decades ago, this charming little finch looked set to become the next coloniser on these shores, but it never quite happened and the species remains a scarce visitor. Why is this? Ed Stubbs explores in detail.

Fifteen years ago, White-billed Diver was almost unheard of in north-east Scotland. Yet a fortuitous encounter in spring 2011 proved the catalyst to one of the most dramatic revelations witnessed in British birding this century. Nowadays, the species is expected in the Moray Firth in spring and Paul Baxter charts the events that have led to this remarkable change in status.

Staying in Scotland, we visit the Isle of May Bird Observatory in this edition. Reserve manager David Steel introduces the island, the observatory’s history and work, and its special breeding and migratory birds, such as Puffin and Red-spotted Bluethroat.

Once a Scottish breeder, Great Auk has now been missing from Britain for two centuries – and the last surviving birds in Iceland were tragically killed in the name of science in 1844. In conjunction with the release of his fascinating new book about the species, Tim Birkhead discusses the life and times of this icon of extinction.

The arrival of House Bunting in Iberia marks the latest chapter in the colonisation of southern Europe by African species. Ernest Garcia looks in detail at the latest situation. Meanwhile, Keith Betton reports back from a recent birding trip to Saudi Arabia, where he was fortunate enough to encounter a number of hard-to-see regional endemics.

Furthermore, our newly revamped Expert Advice section offers tips on photography, patch birding, wildlife gardening and birding in Spain, while we review a recently released trailcam from ZEISS and our columnists discuss travelling to see birds, a forthcoming bird atlas and conservation on Scilly.
 

Jewel of the Forth
Reserve manager David Steel introduces the history and work of the Isle of May Bird Observatory, plus the island’s birdlife.

New loon rising
Paul Baxter charts the extraordinary story of a previously unknown Scottish hot-spot for White-billed Diver.

The nearly bird
Ed Stubbs takes a look at the breeding history of European Serin in Britain.

A tragic demise
The total destruction of the once-abundant Great Auk has left a disturbing legacy, as Tim Birkhead details in his new book.

Field ID notes: Ring Ouzel
Josh Jones offers tips on where and when to look for this dashing thrush during spring migration.

Moving house?
Ernest Garcia examines the recent spread of House Bunting into Iberia.

Arabian delights
Keith Betton spent time exploring Saudi Arabia and was rewarded with a wonderful cast of rare regional birds.