British Birds have a re-designed website up and running. Tried to post a link, I seemed to do it wrong and unsure whether posting a link on here is a potential issue, but look up British Birds magazine on a search engine if interested

-- Edited by dave broome on Tuesday 1st of September 2020 06:03:31 PM

Our cat's been banished to another chair tonight, it couldn't get on to my lap for the copy of BB glued to it. Got a few suspicious glances from t'other half. My expressions must have made her think I was looking at one of those 'gentleman's magazines' which I have heard people refer to.

I like Ian wait with eager anticipation for the current BB arrival. But, the only difference is i shall read it then probably forget everything. Up here in the far north we are struggling with the usually numerous Iceland and Glauc's, so the chances of unearthing the next first for Shetland are pretty remote to say the least. But it gives us something to do during the winter months. Just wish the paper was published 6 months ago.

cheers
jason

All I can say, is I am glad Zeiss are paying for my issue.

Bill, if you think your avatar looks like a 2w Caspian Gull then you desperately need to read the new paper. From the iris colour, greater covert pattern and amount of black in the bill, your bird is almost certainly a 3w or maybe even a 4w. An upperwing shot showing extent of the pale inner primary window would help confirm the age-ing. But a 2w? Pah!

The "n" in Manchester has now been changed to a "d" - hope that encourages you to call off the threat of legal action!!!

Cheers,

Bill.

-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Friday 5th of March 2010 04:31:32 PM

-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Friday 5th of March 2010 04:32:00 PM

Unlike Tom, my lazy arsed postman didn't get round to delivering my copy today, he's probably busy round the corner thumbing through those 41 pages and absorbing all those structural features. I shall be sleeping in the hall underneath the letter box tonight though so when he eventually posts it I will feel the full force of the mighty tome crash into my face and wake me up whereupon I will then lock myself away to enjoy it. Falling asleep after the first paragraph? Horses for courses Bill but it makes a damn sight better read than the life of a few Common Sands in my eyes

As for the avatar Bill, I'm currently checking with my lawyer to see if it breaches Manchester Birding brandname copyright law!



-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 5th of March 2010 04:21:16 PM

Just a mere 41 pages?....will probably be asleep before the end of the first paragraph

For those not subscribing to BB I have changed my avatar... so that all may see what a typical 2nd winter Caspian Gull looks like!

As for Iron Maiden on BBC4.... do we really need to see yet another documentary on Margaret Thatcher?

Cheers,

Bill.

-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Friday 5th of March 2010 04:11:21 PM

41 pages devoted to Caspian Gull ID in this month's issue. Arrived two hours ago. Still shaking with excitement as I hold it. I daren't read it for fear that the wave of joy might kill me. The 2w bird on the front cover alone is enough to bring a grown man to tears.

And with Iron Maiden on BBC4 tonight - surely the greatest day of all time?

Ian McKerchar wrote:

---

The birding 'journals' are very much a personal preference and dependant on what you get out of your birding and what it means to you. One mans monthly read is another's recyled paper bag fodder, so in the end you need to get hold of some copies of each and see what 'floats your boat'.

---

The above still holds true for me. I respect the work that went into the Common Sand article and there's no doubt of it's value but it's not my personal cup of tea The future Caspian Gull articles in preparation for BB look like my sort of read but I still find Birding World essential, especially for the more identification minded

BB is always good reading, I think. By contrast, Birding World is getting to be just a series of lists.

Yes, Bill, a cracking good paper on Common Sandpiper - just what British Birds needs more of.

The Eskimo Curlew article by Tim Melling is also worth reading. It's incredible to think how a relatively few "sportsmen" with shotguns can send a species to the verge of extinction.

Steve

An excellent paper in this month's (2/10) issue of British Birds on "The Population Biology of Common Sandpipers in Britain". I thoroughly enjoyed reading and learning about the findings of long-term studies of two separate breeding populations of Common Sandpipers in the Peak District and in the Scottish Borders. Lots of interesting facts and figures but also plenty of unanswered questions and whilst I feel really fortunate that for the past few years I have been able to regularly watch at quite close quarters what is one of my favourite birds of the summer months in GM, reading an article like this does make you realise how little we still know about a species that is fairly common to our recording area. Another point which comes to mind when reading a paper like this is of the incredible skill, dedication and effort of the observers and surveyors - in this instance, going back over three decades of study. Sobering to think that our knowledge would be even less full, if it wasn't for the truly valuable efforts of all those involved.

This type of article, to my mind anyway, is what makes the cost of a subscription to BB worth the money.

Cheers,

Bill.

I have to say, despite it being a nice little article, nothing within it is groundbreaking.

This link is another equally nice piece of work on the pair:

http://www.worcesterbirding.co.uk/49.html

The white mark on the bill of Marsh Tit was something I didn't know about before, Bill. On the photos in the article it was quite obvious.

A really excellent and thought provoking article in this months (Nov '09) BB on the "Separation of Willow and Marsh Tit in Britain; a review". For anyone interested in these two particular species it is a must read. This article seems to suggest that these two species, already difficult to ID in the field, might be even more challenging than we previously thought, given that some of the supposedly diagnostic features for either species might not be as reliable as previously thought. Once again, vocalisations "ride to the rescue" as the main criteria for successful ID, along with a combination of several physical features.

There are a series of sound files (to accompany the sonograms in the printed article) on the BB website, which might be of interest. These can be found at http://www.britishbirds.co.uk/sounds.htm

This in my opinion is the type of journalism where BB really excels itself.

Anyone who wishes to have my copy of this months publication, when I am done with it - just let me know.

Cheers,

Bill.

-- Edited by Bill Myerscough on Wednesday 11th of November 2009 08:18:28 AM

Just sent off for a free years sub. to BB which came with my new bins. Might just be a bit "techie" for me, but as free no sweat.

The birding 'journals' are very much a personal preference and dependant on what you get out of your birding and what it means to you. One mans monthly read is another's recyled paper bag fodder, so in the end you need to get hold of some copies of each and see what 'floats your boat'.

Riggers is right though, the article on the website goes some way to explaining where each journal is coming from

Personally, I wouldn't read anything else but BB and if I had to choose between that, Birding World and Bird Study, BB would win hands down every time.

Thanks Mark. Now really confused My mate gets Bird Watching, and yesterday I got Birdwatch, which I quite like. Might see if the local shop can get a copy of each of the other two to get the feel.

Anyone else got any comments please?

Geoff, look on the website under articles and identification. Ian did a write up which should point you in the right direction. Personally, i prefer birding world.

Is this Mag. worth subscribing to, or is it for "experts" and I am better of with either of the "peasants" mags? I could have a free year if I sign up for the year after.

Geoff

-- Edited by Geoff Walton on Saturday 19th of September 2009 07:16:10 PM