An Independent Journal of British Birds and Birding

Tree and House Sparrows are easiest to separate by the head. This evidence-led guide explains juvenile Tree Sparrows and female and juvenile House Sparrows, while showing why size and habitat should remain supporting clues. It also covers the rare male Spanish Sparrow.

Merlin Sound ID can alert you to a bird before you recognise its call, but the name on the screen is only a suggestion. This practical guide explains how to check the recording, judge unusual results and avoid letting the app shape what you think you are seeing.

Stay in Wells, Cromer, Hunstanton or one of the smaller coastal villages, make Cley or Titchwell the anchor, then let autumn bird reports, wind and tide shape the rest of the weekend.

More than 30 Swifts gathered around an established nesting house, with young-looking birds repeatedly turning towards entrances and empty gaps. The close passes suggested prospecting, but also resembled the little-understood behaviour known as “banging”.

Lakenheath Fen was designed as an inland refuge for Bitterns on drained arable peat. Its reedbeds, Cranes and new 120-hectare rewetting project show both the power of habitat creation and the continuing management it requires.

Bug hotels can provide nesting sites for some cavity-nesting bees and wasps, but research has not established that they increase wild-bee populations. This article examines the Toronto bee-hotel study, the risks of poor design and why food plants, dead wood and varied habitat matter more.