November ID tips: winter visitors in flight
Seen silhouetted in flight against a cloudy winter sky, Redwing, Song Thrush, Starling and even Waxwing can look surprisingly similar....
01/11/2012
Is that a female American Wigeon or a hybrid? American Golden Plover or the rarer Pacific? Some of birding's best-known ID experts provide the answers to these and many more identification conundrums.
Seen silhouetted in flight against a cloudy winter sky, Redwing, Song Thrush, Starling and even Waxwing can look surprisingly similar....
01/11/2012
In mid-autumn our familiar Common Snipe is joined by the very similar Jack Snipe. Find out how to separate these two well-camouflaged...
01/10/2012
Tree and Meadow Pipits are on the move at this time of year and can look surprisingly similar to each other and the much rarer Red-throated...
01/09/2012
At this time of year, Common Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Wood Warbler juveniles will begin moulting into adult plumage, causing possible...
01/08/2012
At this time of year juvenile birds will be taking their first flights from their nests. These youngsters lack the distinctive plumage of...
01/07/2012
Peregrine Falcon, Hobby and Red-footed Falcon are similar in size and can appear confusingly alike, especially in flight. Learn to separate...
01/06/2012
In summer plumage, these small waders can be confusable, with hopeful birders taking Sanderling and Common Sandpiper for Little Stint and...
01/05/2012
Two of our smallest raptors, Sparrowhawk and Merlin can be confused by the unwary. David Callahan's tips will help you avoid the pitfalls.
01/03/2012
Winter Rock and Water Pipits can be hard to separate, especially with the Scandinavian form of Rock muddying the waters. David Callahan...
01/02/2012
At close range, Goshawk is both unmistakeable and unforgettable. However, brief, distant views are the norm, and then separation from...
24/03/2011
While identifying adult large gulls is often relatively straightforward, young birds are always more of a challenge. Keith Vinicombe points...
11/03/2011
Keith Vinicombe tackles the long-standing confusion surrounding two declining species, Marsh and Willow Tits. Once regarded as the same...
16/02/2010