BUILDING SKILLS
32 Birdwatch•August 2017 http://www.birdguides.com/birdwatch
Autumn is arguably the most exciting
time to be out in the eld. Our summer
visitors are in the full ow of migration,
while wintering birds and those just
passing through are also moving
en masse through Britain.S
pecial birds will come from all points of the compass.
Yellow-browed Warbler is an eastern gem, often
accompanied by rarer species such as Pallas’s or
Dusky Warblers. Commoner fare will include thousands
of Redwings and Fieldfares, and perhaps the fi rst hints of
what might become a ‘Waxwing winter’.
American birds will also show up, whether they be
the semi-regular Ring-billed Gulls and Bu -breasted
Sandpipers, or something far rarer. Many birders will be
haunting remote headlands and islands to the west in the
hope of fi nding one of these exotic visitors.
From the north come our wintering wildfowl and waders,
bringing the awesome spectacle of goose fl ocks from
Greenland, Iceland and Russia and huge shifting fl ocks of
Knot and Dunlin, almost matching Starling murmurations
in their near-psychic uniform changes of direction over
mudfl ats and beaches.
We’ll even get a few species from the south, with British
coasts featuring on the circular migration of truly pelagic
seabirds such as Sooty Shearwater. Such dispersal can also
bring a rarity to within sight of birders’ scopes.
Get involved with this ever-changing season by following
our 10 tips to get you out in the fi eld and experience the
excitement for yourself. Let us know if you take part in
any of our challenges via Twitter or Facebook, using the
hashtag #AugumnChallenge, or by emailing editorial@
birdwatch.co.uk. ■10 WAYS TO
IMPROVE
YOUR
BIRDING
MICHAEL MAGGS (COMMONS.WIKIMEDIA.ORG)1710 p032-035 autumn challenge FIN.indd 32 15/09/2017 09:34