Build other birding skills

From increasing your confidence when counting large flocks to understanding how weather influences migration, there are many ways you can add to your birding skill set.

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Developing bird survey skills

Joining a bird survey can be a great way of developing your skills and contributing vital data to our conservation efforts. Learn how to bridge the gap between birdwatching and biological recording.

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Seawatching: getting started

With decent optics and good advice, seawatching can be thrilling - particularly during peak migration, when thousands of birds are flying along our coastline.

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Counting large flocks with confidence

Increase your confidence counting large flocks, a key survey skill which gives us vital information about our bird populations.

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Recording age and sex in flocks of birds

Recording age and sex ratios in flocks provides valuable information about breeding success and survival. Here are the skills you need.

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How to monitor and record nests

Monitoring and recording nests is rewarding and provides valuable data about our birds. Learn how to begin.

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Collecting evidence of breeding

What, why and how should you record when you notice evidence that birds are breeding?

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Identifying unfamiliar or unusual birds

Learn how to identify unfamiliar or unusual species, and why it pays to prepare for the unexpected…

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Witnessing migration: ‘vismig’

If you know when and where to look and listen, experiencing visible bird migration or ‘vismig’ can be a spectacular experience.

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Witnessing nocturnal migration: ‘nocmig’

Nocturnal migration, or ‘nocmig’, can be hugely exciting. Learn how to tune in to the birds flying over at night.

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Bird identification: timing matters

Timing is an often-overlooked clue that will increase your chances of finding certain species, and provides powerful supporting evidence for (or against) a confident ID.

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