Birding Magazines - Which one?

Xurek · #1 (**permalink**) 08-05-2011, 06:36 PM

Good evening all, hope you've had a good weekend.

I have a few questions / would like some opinions on Bird magazines.

I have just come to the end of a 6 month subscription with Birdwatch magazine. There was some good stuff in there but overall it's not really for me. I know this might seem a strange thing to say about a "bird watching" magazine but it just seemed to be all about rare visitors and getting ticks.

I am after a more balanced magazine. I would like articles on bird biology / ecology / conservation etc. more SCIENCE!

My interest is in everything birds not just making lists of birds. I do enjoy the bird reports, rarities, ID tips etc. but not just that.

There are two that I am debating trying. British Birds and Bird Watching. I already receive the RSPB and BTO magazines.

My questions are what magazine out of these two do you prefer? Which one do you think might suit me better and are there any other magazines that you would recommend that I am not aware of?

Thanks for your time.

Xurek

aeshna5 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-05-2011, 06:51 PM

If you want more science + in detail stuff then look at British Birds. Definitely not a twitcher's mag though there is a summary of rarity sightings for the previous month. Birding World is more for twitchers but I just love those stunning photos + there are good cutting edge ID features, but feel this isn't for you.

Birdwatching is a good magazine but one which is probably more for those relatively new to the hobby.

david156 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-05-2011, 07:05 PM

Would agree with aeshna5.
When I was young and had just started birding, i got Bird Watching magazine which I found to be more user friendly for the beginner. Now I get both Birdwatch and Bird Watching free of charge (ex display copies normally a month or two out of date!) and to be honest, I would't buy either! Normally one or two articles are ok and the odd id feature can be helpful but I can't justify their cost.

RKB · #4 (**permalink**) 08-05-2011, 07:17 PM

British Birds is definitely the one for you.

Have a look at British Wildlife too, if you have wider interests (BW covers birds, mammals, insects, fungi, plants, habitats, everything).

Also consider paying a bit more membership fee for BTO's Bird Study, which is a pure science journal.

Xurek · #5 (**permalink**) 08-05-2011, 07:32 PM

Thanks for all the quick replies everyone. British Birds is looking to be the one I think. I guess the best way to describe what I am looking for is science with a bit of twitcher thrown in for good measure

@RBK - I already subscribe to British Wildlife - absolutely love it

Didn't think of the BTO Bird Study, thanks for the suggestion.

aeshna5 · #6 (**permalink**) 09-05-2011, 04:32 AM

Yes if I could buy only 1 publication it would be British Wildlife as it covers everything + I'm interested in lots of groups as a general naturalist. My trouble is finding time to read everything I do get!

Hobjob · #7 (**permalink**) 09-05-2011, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aeshna5

Yes if I could buy only 1 publication it would be British Wildlife as it covers everything + I'm interested in lots of groups as a general naturalist. My trouble is finding time to read everything I do get!

Time is the issue, totally agree.
By the time I have not got through all the magazines from Nat Trust, RSPB, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Butterfly conservation, WWT, cecidology ..... etc., I have no time, and certainly no brain, left for any more.

And then there is WAB etc..

Gill Catton · #8 (**permalink**) 09-05-2011, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aeshna5

Yes if I could buy only 1 publication it would be British Wildlife as it covers everything + I'm interested in lots of groups as a general naturalist. My trouble is finding time to read everything I do get!

I totally agree too!! I rarely get through most of the magazine sent me but I always read 'bird study' journal and I always hang on to British Wildlife to read at some point.

Xurek · #9 (**permalink**) 09-05-2011, 03:08 PM

Just out of interest what all publications do you guys receive regularly?

aeshna5 · #10 (**permalink**) 09-05-2011, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xurek

Just out of interest what all publications do you guys receive regularly?

I've lapsed a couple of the plant societies I belonged to but I get the mags from RSPB, BTO, WWT, London Wildlife Trust, London Natural History Society, Botanical Society of BI, Butterfly Conservation + British Dragonfly Society.

In addition I have subscriptions to British Wildlife, Atropos, Birdwatch, British Birds, Birding World + BBC Wildlife.

Always seriously behind with reading especially as we haven't had any wet days for ages (our weekend rain was overnight!).