Birdwatching in United Kingdom
What is called birdwatching today started first in the late 1800’s in United Kingdom, and it is still going strong with many local Birdingpals in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
United Kingdom has some of the best conservation organizations in the world and many great places to observe birds from
pelagic in the north to the parks in London. More than 450 species of birds has been recorded and you will find many
knowledgeable Pals throughout this beautiful and historic country willing to help a visiting birder.
Local Birdingpal Contacts
|
Local Birdwatchers in England Please note that most Birdingpals are serious birdwatchers. It is a privilege to contact them, and your message should reflect it. A local Pal does not get paid, but should he/she offer to take you out birding, using their own vehicle, it would be courteous to pay for the fuel. A lunch and/or a small gift would also be appropriate, something as simple as a souvenir of your country, or a pin from your local birding club.
| Initial |
Last Name |
Area |
Available |
Language |
S
| Preddy
| Bristol, Avon
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| Based in central Bristol, 20+ years experience of British birding, 10+ years
elsewhere in Europe/Western Palearctic. Happy to provide information on birds and birding sites in South & West England and Wales, and to accompany visiting birders to sites in & around Bristol & neighbouring counties for general birding or to seek
out specific target birds. Weekends/evenings are best but weekdays possible at times. Diverse other wildlife interests. Also into birdsound recording, while my partner Martyn is into bird photography.
|
A
| Hughes
| Bristol, Avon
| Anytime
| English/some French | German/Spanish a little Thai
|
| A am a PhD student currently working on Bats in Thailand, but I have undertaken Bird surveys in many Countries.
|
R
| Foskett
| Bedford, Bedfordshire
| Weekend
| English
|
|
| Bedfordshire is one of England's smallest counties in England but is well served by a good number of active county birders with some good locations to bird. It probably wouldn't be the first choice to visit for a birder coming from overseas to the UK because the list is not that large but there is excellent information available on the internet for those that find themselves in its boundaries. The Bedfordshire Bird Club has been established for many years and has an excellent webite at http://www.bedsbirdclub.org.uk/ | The very latest news is posted on Bedfordshire's own birding Yahoo group at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bedsbirds/
R
| Hicks
| Bedford, Bedfordshire
| Anytime
|
C
| Scherber
| Ascot, Berkshire
| Anytime
|
A
| Camp
| Hungerford, West Berkshire
| Weekend
| English
|
|
| I am a keen amateur birdwatcher, who also takes part in the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) atlas survey work and bird ringing (Banding). My local area has a range of habitats including gravel pits, lowland marsh, reclaimed heath and rolling chalk downland. There are a good range of standard British birds including Red Kite which has become established over the last few years. The local Berkshire bird site has daily reports so that you can check whats happening. Its at http://www.berksbirds.co.uk/birdnews.asp if you want to take a look.
|
M
| A'Court
| High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
| Anytime
|
M
| Collard
| Gt Missenden, Bucksinghamshire
| Anytime
| English/German
|
|
| Happy to help anybody who is staying in the Chilterns and needs a few species; also advicee by email is available.
|
R
| Gritton
| Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
| Weekend
|
J
| Callaghan
| Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
| Anytime
|
M
| Slaymaker
| Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| I am an experienced birder, attempted photographer (digi-scoper), qualified ringer/bander based in Milton Keynes although often work contracts in other parts of the UK. My blog is www.mattslaymaker.co.uk.
|
J
| Hanlon
| Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| I live just south of Cambridge. The Cambridgeshire fens and the Brecks are all well within an hour's drive and the Norfolk coast is 1.5 - 2 hrs from me. I work 5 days a week and am happy to act as a guide on the remaining two - but note these 2 days are often midweek. My services are free except when I have to arrange leave from work (eg for a short holiday of a week or less) or change my days off! I have transport if needed in the form of a 4-seater car. I can't guarantee my availability but do e-mail me and I'll try to be flexible.
I have been birding 20+ years, have found a number of national (and local) rarities and have visited all corners of the British Isles. Some of my adventures are recorded in my book, UK500: Birding in the Fast Lane (Brambleby Books, 2006), in which I tell the tale of how I have managed to see 500 species in Britain & Ireland.
|
M
| Hows
| Cambridge/Norfolk, Cambridgeshire
| Weekend
| English/German
|
J
| Willis
| Norfolk, Cambridgeshire
| Anytime
| English
|
G
| Hamlett
| Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
| Anytime
|
B
| Bree
| St Helier, Jersey, Channel Isles
| Anytime
| French/English | Spanish/German Hebrew/Arabic Mandarin
C
| Wormwell
| Isle of Man, Channel Isles
| Anytime
|
F
| Hodgson
| Ramsey, Isle of Man, Channel Isles
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| Retired and living on Isle of Man with its glorious wildlife and varied habitats. Everything from Pelagic to high Moorlands is here. Regular sightings of 'Cornish' Chough, Peregrines, Hen Harriers etc., Happy to escort you or just guide you where you want to be. Only a small Island so no great travelling involved between sites.
|
T
| Earl
| St. Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Isles
| Weekend
|
H
| Cook
| Altrincham, Cheshire
| Weekend
|
K
| Connolly
| Chester, Cheshire
| Anytime
|
R
| Hargreaves
| Manchester, Cheshire
| Anytime
|
K
| Kannah
| Manchester, Cheshire
| Weekend
|
J
| Dolan
| Manchester, Cheshire
| Weekend
|
R
| Pocklington
| Manchester, Cheshire
| Weekend
| English
|
|
| I am a keen Ornithologist and am keen on most living things with 2 to 4 legs,any thing
else is bird food (but can be interesting,and nice to look at)! I live close to the Lake District National park, and South Lakeland is rich in wildlife. I also live close to nationally known Leighton Moss RSPB nature reserve,where which Bitterns, Marsh harrier and Bearded can be seen throughout the year especially in summer.
|
P
| Anderson
| Manchester, Peak District, Cheshire
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| The area around where I live is scenically attractive as well as being good for birds.
|
J
| McGowan
| Manchester/Lowton/Pennington Flat, Cheshire
| Anytime
|
G
| Littler
| Parkgate, Cheshire
| Anytime
| English | Some Spanish
|
| Retired seaman, interested birder. Live on coast close to salt marsh owned by RSPB.
My main interest is raptors.
|
B
| Rushton
| Runcorn, Cheshire
| Weekend
|
D
| Buchanan
| Warrington, Cheshire
| Anytime
| English | basic French
|
| I have been birding for 25 years and am a semi-retired doctor. I am an honorary
warden and Secretary/Treasurer of the Woolston Eyes Conservation Group. The Eyes is a Warrington wetland reserve. One of the best sites in our county, it is good for wintering wildfowl, breeding warblers and host 30% of the UK breeding population of Black-necked Grebe. The web site is www.woolstoneyes.co.uk. Look at articles for more information. I have experience of birding in many countries in Africa, The Americas and Asia/Pacific.
|
R
| Little
| Hartlepool, Cleveland
| Weekend
|
G
| Joynt
| Hartlepool, Cleveland
| Anytime
|
R
| Phillips
| Penzance, Cornwall
| Anytime
|
S
| Taylor
| Cornwall
| Weekend
| English
|
|
| I'm the voluntary warden for the CBWPS for Stithians Reservoir in Cornwall, UK. Although I'm not the most experienced birder around I am willing to give help and advice whenever possible. The reservoir is probably the premier inland birding site in Cornwall and produces rarities every year. There are 3 hides and a permissive path around the res that's approx a 5 mile circular walk. For any-one visiting I'm available most weekends and some evenings.
|
S
| Taylor
| Cornwall
| Weekend
| English
|
|
| I'm the voluntary warden for the CBWPS for Stithians Reservoir in Cornwall, UK. Although I'm not the most experienced birder around I am willing to give help and advice whenever possible. The reservoir is probably the premier inland birding site in Cornwall and produces rarities every year. There are 3 hides and a permissive path around the res that's approx a 5 mile circular walk. For any-one visiting I'm available most weekends and some evenings.
|
P
| Hayes
| Exeter, Devon
| Weekend
| English/French
|
P
| Quinn
| Exmouth, Devon
| Anytime
|
I
| McLean
| Seaton, Devon
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| I have been a birder for over twenty years and would be quite happy to show people around my corner of East Devon that includes a number of local bird reserves. One of these is in the process of being considerably enhanced. Seaton is situated at one end of the Jurassic coast and has wonderful scenic walks.
|
D
| Taylor
| Christchurch, Dorset
| Weekend
|
B
| Ford
| Portland, Dorset
| Anytime
|
C
| Wyeth
| Weymouth, Dorset
| Weekend
|
P
| Wood
| Basildon, Essex
| Weekend
| English
|
|
| I was born in Essex and have been interested in wildlife generally and birds specifically for as long as I can remember. Although I am an avid local patch watcher, although I did my fair share of UK twitching from 1983 until I left the UK in 1991. My main local patch focus was and is again East Tilbury (which is on the Thames estuary), although I also visit other local sites regularly, with less frequent visits to Rainham Marshes RSPB, Hanningfield Reservoir and Abberton Reservoir. I carry out the regular WeBS counts for East Tilbury. From May 1991 to June
2001 I lived in Johannesburg, South Africa. During those years I birded all over South Africa and also visited Botswana (twice), Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe on birding trips. I also spent much of my birding time on local patch watching in SA (at Marievale, a marsh near Johannesburg), but regularly visited Cape Town for pelagic trips throughout the year. In addition to my African birding experience, I have also birded in various European countries (France, Greece, Netherlands and Spain), Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and the USA.
|
R
| Graves
| Colchester, Essex
| Weekend
| English
|
|
| My local area is close to the coast and River Blackwater estuary in Essex. There are varied habitats but particularly marshes, mudflats, reservoirs, gravel pits and the like. The region is very well birded and good information on the latest local sightings is always available. Autumn, winter and spring are the best times but there are birds at any time. I have been birding for over 30 years and also have some knowledge of butterflies and mammals.
|
A
| Mullins
| Colchester, Essex
| Weekend
|
M
| Dean
| Ilford, Essex
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| I am very close to Epping Forest. RSPB member. 40mins by car to Rainham Marshes RSPB Reserve. Retired. Available most times.
|
N
| May
| Waltham Abbey, Essex
| Weekend
| English/some | French/German
|
| I live very close to the edge of London, and right next to the Lea Valley Park.
I have been birdwatching for 44 years - since I was 7! (though for much of the time not having a clue what I was looking at!).
RSPB member, and active in local Members' Group until its demise. I carry out voluntary duties for the Lea Valley Park and
RSPB (Bittern Info Point etc), and I carry out a monthly 'WeBs' count for a site in the Lea Valley. I am friendly with many other local birders, including others already registered as 'Birding Pals'. I am a teacher, so I would be available for all of the week during UK School Holidays.
|
C
| Downing
| Cardiff, South Glamorgan
| Anytime
|
M
| King
| Gloucester, Gloucestershire
| Weekend
|
G
| Kirk
| Stroud, Gloucestershire
| Weekend
| English
|
R
| Seargent
| Farnborough, Heathrow, Hampshire
| Weekend
|
I
| Calderwood
| Gosport, Hampshire
| Anytime
|
S
| Coney
| Hereford, Herefordshire
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| I am the County bird-recorder and co-author of Where to watch birds in the West Midlands. I have good experience of birding in the County and receive news of scarcer birds as they are found. I work as an ecologist, specialising in birds, bats and amphibians.
|
M
| Pullen
| Ledbury, Herefordshire
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| I know some good places in Ledbury and Hereford where you can find Spotted
Flycatcher, Cuckoo, Kingfisher, Yellowhammer etc.
|
J
| Thompson
| London, Hertfordshire
| Anytime
|
A
| Gardiner
| London, Hertfordshire
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| Hertfordshire is an inland county north of London, but it does have some good birding areas such as the Lea valley, Tring and Hilfiedl Park reservoirs. It is very close to three of the main airports serving the London area. I write a bi-monthly bulletin about recent sightings and I also handle the majority of the records sent in electronically, so I have a good idea as to what interesting birds are around.
|
M
| Braun
| London, Hertfordshire
| Anytime
|
M
| Dent
| London, Hertfordshire
| Weekend
|
B
| Sloan
| London, Hertfordshire
| Anytime
| English/Spanish
|
|
| Experienced birder and photographer who have traveled to many countries around the world. I will be happy to show you my favorite spots around London. "Generally a perfect birder with only a few serious flaws such as not drinking beer, still not accepting the digital world and an Irishman to boot" Knud Rasmussen, Birdingpal."
|
S
| Hyam
| London, Hertfordshire
| Anytime
|
N
| Schorbon
| London, Hertfordshire
| Weekend
|
D
| Gedge
| London, Hertfordshire
| Weekend
|
M
| Wurr
| London, Hertfordshire
| Weekend
|
A
| Madgwick
| London, Hertfordshire
| Weekend
| English
|
|
| I live in Leytonstone (East London) with easy access to Epping Forest (foot, mountain bike or car) and make regular visits to the Lea Valley Park and RSPB Rainham Marshes. As well as being regular birder, I am a keen "amateur" entomologist (specialising in Odonata).
|
L
| Wortley
| London, Hertfordshire
| Anytime
|
D
| McKenzie
| London(Inner), Hertfordshire
| Anytime
|
C
| Dheerasekara
| London, Crofton Gateway, Hertfordshire
| Anytime
|
C
| Lamsdell
| London, North Heathrow, Hertfordshire
| Weekend
|
R
| Unite
| London, North Heathrow, Hertfordshire
| Anytime
|
C
| Wilkinson
| London, South/East, Hertfordshire
| Weekend
|
D
| Lambert
| London, Walthamstow, Hertfordshire
| Anytime
|
J
| Forgham
| Norfolk/Suffolk, Hertfordshire
| Weekend
|
G
| Christie
| Kent
| Anytime
|
J
| Stedman
| Broadstairs, Kent
| Weekend
|
J
| Cantelo
| Canterbury, Kent
| Weekend
| English
|
|
| "Due to the variety of local habitats (Grove/Stodmarsh for marshland, Blean for woodland, oare for coastal wetland and Reculver/Sandwich for migrants) plus internationally well known sites like Dungeness nearby, Canterbury is a superb base for birding. I'm a teacher and long time birder who has managed to unite his professional training and personal interests as a part-time field teacher at Dungenss for the RSPB. I am also a member of the executive
committee of the KOS (Kent Ornithological Society)".
|
S
| Wood
| Faversham, Kent
| Anytime
|
A
| Lawson
| London, Kent
| Anytime
| English/German | Spanish/French
|
| I am a seasoned birdwatcher on a mission to show you the birds of Kent, London and south-east England. With a commitment and joy to showing you the birds of my local and not so local areas, I can use my
contacts and 30 years of birdwatching to make sure of a great day out. I can cater for all abilities, whether you like the
finer identification points or simply looking at a wide variety of birds. Please email me and I'll try and help.
|
E
| Hood
| Maidstone, Kent
| Weekend
| English/French
|
D
| Taylor
| Maidstone, Elmley/Cliffe NR, Kent
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| I moved to Kent in 1964 and have been involved with the Kent Ornithological
Society in a number of capacities ever since. I have written extensively about the birds of the county and I am at present working on the 5th edition of "Where to Watch Birds in Kent, Surrey and Sussex". I also had "Birding in Kent" published in
1996, which includes a chapter on one of my passions: studying the birds of a local patch. Kent is blessed with a number of
excellent RSPB & KWT Reserves, all within an hour or so of Maidstone.
|
R
| Bartlett
| Romney Marsh, Kent
| Anytime
| English/French
|
|
| I have a blog on www.ronsbirding.multiply.com with a guide to birding on Romney Marsh plus reports on overseas trips and one or two other bits. I am afraid that due to old age and health issues, I am unable to
take people out birding any more, but am pleased to give information on my local area.
|
G
| Segelbacher
| Kent
| Weekend
| English/German
|
|
| I bird South-East Kent.
|
P
| Forrest
| Sandwich, East Kent
| Anytime
|
N
| Riley
| Burnley, Lancashire
| Anytime
|
S
| Loeppky
| Carnforth, Lancashire
| Anytime
|
G
| Ziebart
| Darwin, Lancashire
| Weekend
|
N
| Winn
| Kirkby Lonsdale, Carnforth, Lancashire
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| I work as a freelance professional guide in both Svalbard and Scotland. My main interest is seabird ecology. However when at home I am more than willing to spend time FOC with quality like minded people up
in the hills of my home area of the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales. This area is great for northern upland birds and raptors.
My website is www.island-expeditions.co.uk.
|
J
| Finnan
| Leyland/Preston, Lancashire
| Weekend
|
S
| S
| Liverpool, Lancashire
| Anytime
|
J
| Dempsey
| Liverpool/Merseyside, Lancashire
| Anytime
|
I
| Howarth
| Liverpool/Merseyside, Lancashire
| Anytime
|
J
| Stannage
| Liverpool/Merseyside, Lancashire
| Weekend
| English
|
|
| I'm willing to help anyone who would like to bird Merseyside. I have been birding for 26 years and very good bird brain and love the twitching.
|
S
| Piner
| Preston, Lancashire
| Anytime
| English/French | Japanese
|
| A keen birder from Lancashire who has the field ability and endeavour to show you birds both locally and further afield.
|
S
| Lister
| Loughborough, Leicestershire
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| I am the county recorder for Leicestershire and Rutland, and have lived in the county for twenty years. Loughborough is not the best place for birding but is centrally located for exploring the county, and Rutland Water is only 25 miles away.
|
D
| March
| Leicester, Leicestershire
| Weekend
| English
|
|
| I do most of my bird watching in my home town of Leicester.
|
J
| Hague
| Leicester, Leicestershire
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| I'm the newsletter editor for LROS, the county society. Leicestershire isn't the best place for birds or birding, but we do have some good areas to watch and I'll be happy to show you around. I'm also interested
in most wildlife most especially butterfies and dragonflies. I may be availble on other days of the week so please email me and check.
|
K
| Reeves
| Leicestershire(Summer)
| Anytime
|
K
| Barrell
| Grimsby, Lincolnshire
| Anytime
|
D
| Lingard
| Lincoln, Lincolnshire
| Anytime
|
D
| Eades
| Lincoln, Lincolnshire
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| My life evolves around my love of birds, wildlife and photography. I am one of the administrators for the Lincolnshire Bird Club forum and provides the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust with many of his images.
|
D
| Johnson
| Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire
| Anytime
|
M
| Binns
| Southport, Merseyside
| Weekend
| English
|
S
| Jackson
| Stanwell, Middlesex
| Anytime
|
B
| York
| Birmingham, West Midlands
| Anytime
| English | GCSE French
|
| Retired (young 70) keen on Bird-watching anywhere. Have been a keen and all-round sportsman. Married and my wife shares my interests. although the West Midlands is not a terrific birding area,we do have some Reserves producing good birds,especially in passage periods.
|
C
| Smith
| Birmingham, West Midlands
| Anytime
|
O
| Jagana
| Birmingham/Bordon/Warwick, W Midlands
| Anytime
|
S
| Greer
| Coventry, West Midlands
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| RSPB/WWT member and amateur birder with own private feeding station in Warwickshire countryside, attracts Nuthatch, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Coal Tit, Marsh Tit, Willow Tit, plus more common species. Local reserve is Brandon Marsh and I'm a keen photographer.
|
C
| Williamson
| North to Birmingham, West Midlands
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| The West Midlands we are very well served by various nature reserves and Birding societies (some of which have there own reserves or are the 'caretaker' of reserves). My own website www.mygardenbirds.co.uk has links to several of the local clubs and reserves. Pleae have a look and you are welcome to use any of the data on my website. The 'jewel in the crown' for us here is a reserve belonging to Worcerstershire Wildlife Trust called the 'Christopher Cadbury Reserve' at Upton Warren. It is very accessable (with permit from the Trust) as it is only about 3kn from the motorway M5. At junction 5, Droitwich, you turn east and the reserve is near the sailing centre on your right. We have Avocet (recurvirostra avosetts) nesting and several other waders. It is always a magnet for birds migrating through as there are saline (salt) pools as well as freshwater.
|
C
| Watt
| Wolverhampton, West Midlands
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| Plenty of birds, good spots, a binocular superstore, and an experienced birder named Dr Anketell.
|
D
| Corless
| Great Yarmouth, East Anglia, Norfolk
| Anytime
|
K
| Reeves
| Hunstanton, Norfolk
| Anytime
|
R
| Haddow
| Melton Constable, North East, Norfolk
| Anytime
| English | some French
|
| North Norfolk has a wide range of diverse habitats (farmland, river valley, broad & coniferous woodland, heath, fresh & salt water marsh, beach & mudflats, with a very rich bird population, with autumn & spring migrations - making it arguably the premier UK bird watching area. I am a farm manager with an interest in bird watching.
|
G
| Bowen
| Norwich, Norfolk
| Weekend
|
C
| Lansdell
| Norwich, Norfolk
| Anytime
|
A
| Hale
| Swaffham, Norfolk
| Anytime
| English
|
N
| Osborne
| Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland
| Weekend
|
E
| Barnes
| Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland
| Anytime
|
A
| Jack
| Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland
| Weekend
|
B
| Bullough
| Northumberland
| Anytime
| English | some Spanish
|
| I live on the South Northumberland coast and I know the county very well, I like to photograph birds but would not class myself as a photographer, I publish my sightings via my blog which is regularly updated.
|
T
| Barker
| Kettering, Northamptonshire
| Weekend
|
L
| Brooks
| Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| I am retired so are available most days. I am secretary of Pleasley Pit Nature Study Group (www.PPNSG.com) which is about 100 strong and monitors, maintains and manages a former colliery waste tip for Derbyshire County Council. 160 birds, 25 species of butterflies and 19 species of dragonflies. The birding around the Mansfield area
reachs into the Moorlands of Derbyshire, ancient forest areas and general farmland areas, reasonably good birding but nothing major garenteed.
|
K
| Stevenson
| Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
| Anytime
|
D
| Whatson
| Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
| Weekend
|
M
| Smithson
| Worsop, Nottinghamshire
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| Live in a small village outside Worksop and boast a god couple of sites. I run disabledbirdrsassociation.co.uk website. I have been birding since the 70's and have a few birds accpted by he brc don't go out looking for rarities just go out birding.
|
S
| Alley
| Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire/Cotswolds
| Anytime
| English
|
C
| Needham
| Rutland Water, Rutland
| Anytime
|
L
| Phillips
| Bath, Somerset
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| I am male and watch birds mainly and other wildlife in the south west of Englang but would consider further afield. My favourite sites are the Somerset levels and the Dorset coast. I am married with 2 teenage children.
|
J
| Packer
| Berrow, Somerset
| Anytime
|
R
| Musgrove
| Bridgwater, Somerset
| Anytime
|
P
| Duffus
| Bristol, Somerset
| Weekend
|
J
| White
| Minehead, Somerset
| Anytime
|
A
| Crosswell
| Minehead, Somerset
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| I bird the Exmoor National Park.
|
S
| Gould
| Wells, Somerset
| Anytime
|
T
| Leach
| Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
| Anytime
|
T
| Bamber
| Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
| Anytime
| English/French | German/Japanese
S
| Smith
| Felixstowe, Suffolk
| Anytime
|
P
| Oldfield
| Felixstowe, Suffolk
| Weekend
|
P
| Whittaker
| Ipswich, Suffolk
| Anytime
|
G
| Mortimer
| Ipswich, Suffolk
| Anytime
|
G
| Grieco
| Ipswich, Suffolk
| Weekend
|
C
| Wilson
| Lowerstoft, Suffolk
| Anytime
|
P
| Gaffan
| Steeple Bumpstead, Suffolk
| Weekend
| English/French | German/Russian
S
| Naisby
| Tyne & Wear, Sunderland
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| I am a registered disabled senion citizen, but I endever to get out & about as much
as I can. I live only 30/40 mins drive from the wonderful Northumberland coast,(Holy Isle, Farne Isles. etc) which is where I spend as much time as possible.
|
C
| Wilson
| Camberley, Surrey
| Anytime
| English | limited Spanish
|
| Very close to the Thames Basin heaths holding the Dartford Warblers, Woodlarks and Nightjars which have European protection. Hobby, Firecrest and Tree Pipits are also found locally. We have local reservoirs and gravel pits with many species and easy access to the south coast. I edit a county bird report and am a member of the Berkshire and Surrey clubs giving me a great deal of local information on birds and sites. I charge nothing but many people buy me lunch and pay the petrol and sometimes make a small donation to a local club in return for a good day out.
|
K
| Betton
| Farnham, Surrey
| Weekend
|
J
| Coleman
| Guildford, Surrey
| Anytime
| English/French
|
D
| Campbell
| Sutton, Surrey
| Anytime
| English | a bit of French
|
| I can do weekends during most of the year and any day during school holidays. I have been birding for about 7 years and do a lot of birding around my local area, which I know very well. Local area is good for migrants such as Firecrest, Spotted Flycatcher, Wheatears, Chats etc. Beddington SF is the best local spot with waders,
passerines, gulls and all sorts of good stuff turning up regularly. Peregrines are resident and almost guaranteed. Resident Bullfinch, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Yellowhammer, Dartford Warbler, Woodlark and Woodcock at a few locations. Hobbies easy in the summer. Wintering Stonechats, Siskins, Lesser Redpolls etc. and large flocks of 1000+ Bramblings at one site in the winter. Waxwings during erruption years + much much more.
|
R
| Morris
| Thames Ditton/Hampton Crt, Surrey
| Weekend
| English/French | Arabic/Italian
S
| Walsh
| Brighton, East Sussex
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| I am not an ace birder, but I have been birding for many years and am both keen and interested. I do lnk into other birders in the area, so know what is about and the places to go in the area and would be delighted to show you around. There are many different habitats here so a days birding can produce a good variety of species.
|
C
| Seaton
| Bognor Regis, West Sussex
| Anytime
|
P
| Bowley
| Littlehampton/Pagham NR, W Sussex
| Anytime
|
A
| Gibb
| Redditch, Worcestershire
| Anytime
| English | some French
|
| I can find most of the special birds in the area south of Birmingham and also know
the interesting sites most of the way to the South Coast and into Wales. Just as an aside I'm pretty familiar with Scotland
too, in case you're on a two-centre visit!
|
J
| Chapman
| Worcester, Worcestershire/Hereford
| Anytime
|
P
| Dunn
| Filey, Yorkshire
| Anytime
|
R
| Rowe
| Goole, Yorkshire
| Anytime
|
P
| Bagguley
| Leeds, Yorkshire
| Anytime
|
M
| Blick
| Middlesbrough, Teesside, Yorkshire
| Anytime
| English/French
|
|
| I bird the North East coast of England, plus North Yorks Moors.
|
K
| Lain
| Yorkshire
| Anytime
|
P
| Cunningham
| Flamborough, East Yorkshire
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| Flamborough is one of the top coast sites in Britain. As well as good seawatching, rare passerines are annual for this top migrant spot and it`s great to finally have it on my doorstep. I expect Yellow Browed and Pallas`s Warbler in the garden at least. Local birds include Divers[Loons], Auks, Snow Bunting, Lapland Bunting and Twite.
|
S
| Elliott
| Pocklington, East Yorkshire
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| I am fully retired and am available to show your round the best birding spots in Yorkshire/Lincolnshire, but I am happy to go anywhere in the North of England. My phone numbers are 07722-956672 or 01759-303093.
|
A
| Whitehead
| York, North Yorkshire
| Weekend
|
G
| Watola
| York, North Yorkshire
| Weekend
| English
|
|
| A New Zealander ("kiwi") resident in Yorkshire for many years. Happy to show visiting birders around the finest county in England.
|
L
| Churton
| Sheffield, South Yorkshire
| Anytime
| English | French(School)
M
| Oxlade
| Sheffield, South Yorkshire
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| Sheffield is on the eastern edge of the Pennines. To the west, the moorland and fringes attract birds such as Pied Flycatcher, Wood Warbler, Redstart, Ring Ouzel, Dipper, Red Gouse, Buzzard, Goshawk, Raven, Peregrine, Whinchat, Stonechat. To the east are several lakes which attract various waders, duck and passerines associated with wetlands.
|
L
| Phipps
| Leeds, West Yorkshire
| Anytime
|
G
| Taylor
| Ossett, West Yorkshire
| Anytime
| English/French
|
|
| I am retired living close to RSPB reserves Blacktoft, Fairburn and Old Moor and happy to show fellow birders around.
|
| Local Birdwatchers in Northern Ireland Please note that most Birdingpals are serious birdwatchers. It is a privilege to contact them, and your message should reflect it. A local Pal does not get paid, but should he/she offer to take you out birding, using their own vehicle, it would be courteous to pay for the fuel. A lunch and/or a small gift would also be appropriate, something as simple as a souvenir of your country, or a pin from your local birding club.
T
| Davis
| Ballyclare, County Antrim
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| I am 54, been interested in birds since childhood, interested in bird conversation
and meeting other birders. I live in a country area (Kilbride) with a good variety of habitat (hills, woodlands, hedge farm
and, marshland etc.).
|
E
| Rolston
| Lisburn, Antrim
| Anytime
|
CG
| Wilkinson
| Lisburn, Antrim
| Weekend
| English | some French
|
| Birder for 40+ years. Nearest city is Belfast and wildlife areas of interest would
be, Strangford Lough, Belfast Lough, Antrim Plateau, Lough Foyle all within an hour of my house. Organise Yellowhammer & Tree Sparrow winter feeding. Barn Owl recorder for nine years. Can show Hen Harrier & Merlin in April. Extensive knowledge of where to birdwatch in Northern Ireland. Have sites for Peregrine, Long-eared Owl, Chough, Twite, Lesser Redpoll, Little Egret, Pale-bellied Brent, Wood Warbler, Garden Warbler and Skuas in September. Buff-breasted Sandpiper in Sept/Oct.
|
P
| McHaffie
| Belfast, Antrim
| Weekend
|
M
| Adamson
| Bangor, Belfast
| Anytime
| English
|
R
| Smith
| Londonderry
| Anytime
| English
|
| Local Birdwatchers in Scotland Please note that most Birdingpals are serious birdwatchers. It is a privilege to contact them, and your message should reflect it. A local Pal does not get paid, but should he/she offer to take you out birding, using their own vehicle, it would be courteous to pay for the fuel. A lunch and/or a small gift would also be appropriate, something as simple as a souvenir of your country, or a pin from your local birding club.
P
| Doyle
| Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire
| Anytime
| English/some Italian
|
|
| Ideally placed for Cairngorms National Park & Aberdeenshire coast, one of the best birding areas in Scotland.
|
J
| Hendrie
| Arbroath, Angus
| Anytime
|
G
| Smith
| Dumfries, Galloway
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| I am a volunteer for the RSPB and the SWT (Scottish Widlife Trust), and spend much of my time doing wildlife surveys for these organisations. Dumfries Galloway is great for Geese and Ducks during the winter and holds some good moorland and woodland species during the summer.
|
B
| McCurley
| Dundee, Angus
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| Bob McCurley is probably the best known Birder in Angus/Tayside being heavily involved in all aspects of Angus Birding/Natural History for more years than he cares to remember. Bob formed the Angus and Dundee Bird Club in 1997 (A.D.B.C.), membership has risen to 200 plus members in that time and Bob is the Current Chairman. The Club set up the First Seawatching Hide on the Angus coast, overlooking Lunan Bay affording great all year round viewing of Sea Birds in the Bay plus passage Autumn Sea Birds. In addition the club operates a Forest Hide/Bird feeding station giving great close up views of forest birds and great photographic opportunities. The club has its own Website at www.angusbirding.com and in 2003 forged a Twinning Alliance with the Denver Field Ornithologists, Colorado, U.S.A. Angus enjoys activities from 5 Local Natural History groups, viz, R.S.P.B. S.W.T. S.O.C. and the long established Dundee Naturalists Society specializing in Botany, fungi etc. In short all tastes are catered for in Angus!
|
M
| Howes
| East Ayrshire
| Anytime
|
J
| Ogilvie
| Brechin/Tayside
| Anytime
|
N
| Money
| Thurso, Caithness
| Anytime
|
D
| Rendell
| Conon Bridge/Ross-Shire/Moray Firth
| Anytime
|
C
| Baines
| Newton Stewart, Dumfries and Galloway
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| 60yr old male, married been birding 40yrs. I am Moderator of Dumfries and Galloway birding yahoo group, good general knowledge of the area and birding spots, keen to encourage an interest in birds. I live on Carsegowan Moss SWT and 3 miles from Wigtown bay NNR.
|
N
| Leighton
| Dunfermline, Fife
| Anytime
| English/French | Hindi/Latin
|
| I'm based just outside Perth in Scotland. I volunteer at the Royal Society
for the Protection of Birds at the Vane Farm reserve (Loch Leven National Nature Reserve) (see rspb.org.uk). Perthshire is OK for birding (Ospreys are a favourite) and there are good sites on the Fife coast, which can be excellent for migrants. My own skills are good but not excellent (can recognise most UK species by sight, and many common ones by call). I'm restricted to public transport, which is a nuisance in Fife, but could arrange to travel further afield, either by public transport or your
transport. I can and will head into remote areas to wild camp and go birding/botanise/hike. For those interested, I'm also familiar with most flowering plants, trees and mammals, and can ID the rest with a book.
|
B
| Alexander
| St Andrews, Fife
| Anytime
|
G
| Thompson
| Stornoway, Outer Hebrides
| Anytime
|
W
| Weld-Moore
| Fort William, Highland
| Anytime
|
J
| Armitage
| Isle of Islay
| English
|
|
| Retired, lifelong birder. Worked professionally in bird conservation. Voluntary Regn. Rep for British Trust for Ornithology so much involved in survey work. See http://islaybirder.blogspot.com/
|
J
| Hamilton
| Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides
| Weekend
|
S
| Bennett
| Edinburgh, Lothian
| Weekend
|
J
| Ryder
| Edinburgh, Lothian
| English
|
|
| Edinburgh has coastal, woodland and hill birds, especially good for over-wintering coastal species. The hills behind Edinburgh are easily accessed and hold species typical of that habitat. We have rivers, reservoirs and small lochs for freshwater ducks etc.
|
S
| Pinder
| Edinburgh, Lothian
| Weekend
|
M
| Meidlinger
| Edinburgh, Lothian
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| I am student at Edinburgh University and an enthusiastic birder. I do not have transport but am very willing to show visiting birders the local sites around Edinburgh City.
|
D
| Kelly
| Prestonpans, Lothian
| Weekend
|
A
| Miller
| Near Garvald, East Lothia
| Anytime
| English/some Gaelic | wee bit German
|
| East Lothian is a fantastic birding area. Tynningham Bay, Seabird Centre, SOC at Waterson House, Aberlady Bay etc. etc. etc.
|
J
| Shearer
| The Uists, Western Isles
| Anytime
|
| Local Birdwatchers in Wales Please note that most Birdingpals are serious birdwatchers. It is a privilege to contact them, and your message should reflect it. A local Pal does not get paid, but should he/she offer to take you out birding, using their own vehicle, it would be courteous to pay for the fuel. A lunch and/or a small gift would also be appropriate, something as simple as a souvenir of your country, or a pin from your local birding club.
G
| Dodd
| Barri/Vale of Glamorgan
| Weekend
|
H
| Oates
| Bargoed, Caerphilly
| Anytime
|
M
| Jenkins
| Pontypool, Gwent
| Anytime
| Welsh/English | German
H
| Davies
| Newport
| Weekend
|
E
| Wydenbach
| Swansea
| Anytime
|
H
| James
| Swansea
| Anytime
|
| Professional Guides
Initial
| Last Name
| Area
| Available
| Language
|
M
| Robinson
| Milnthorpe, Cumbria
| Anytime
| English
|
R
| Chittenden
| Norfolk/Suffolk, Hertfordshire
| Anytime
|
C
| Bradshaw
| Gillingham, South East England
| Anytime
|
G
| Wause
| Yorkshire
| Anytime
|
L
| Jenkinson
| Leeds, West Yorkshire
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| I have been a keen birder for the last 20 years and have worked for the local RSPB group in Leeds, West Yorkshire for the last 12 years. I live close to RSPB Fairburn Ings and the new RSPB St Aidan's
development in the Aire Valley. I am also close to the red kite release site at Harewood. I teach birdwatching at local
colleges and on a freelance basis and I enjoy experiencing birding from the point of view of people new to the hobby. I'm very much a UK birder although I do travel abroad from time to time. I love urban birding and watching how wildlife adapts to our
way of life and I also love finding new places to watch birds. Consequently, even though I spend a significant amount of time birding in my home county of West Yorkshire, my house if full of maps and site information for the whole of the UK. I offer services as a guide or tutor and I can help you plan a whole UK birdwatching holiday that you can enjoy without a guide, if you'd prefer.
|
D
| Woodhouse
| Argyll, Isle of Mull, Scotland
| Anytime
|
J
| Hastings
| Pt. Charlotte/Isle of Islay/Hebrides, Scotland
| Anytime
| Gaelic/English | French
S
| Reddick
| Aviemore/Cairngorms NP, Scotland
| Anytime
| English
|
W
| Manson
| Hartlepool, Scotland
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| At Quayzone we offer quality birding tours amid the spectacular scenery of the Scottish Highlands & Islands, one of Europe’s last true wildernesses. The Highlands offer unparalleled birding opportunities in the UK. From the high montane landscapes of the Cairngorms down to winding sea lochs and estuaries of the West Coast we’ll experience a large variety of bird life and Habitats in the most evocative of scenery. Being born and brought up in the region and with over 20 years birding experience we aim to give you the birding experience you seek from our extensive knowledge of sites and whereabouts of species that the visiting birding probably wouldn’t find. Full listings of our tours and prices can be found on our website. www.quayzone.com.
| |
Local Information
|
| Name | Description
|
| Royal Society for the Protection of Birds | Club |
|
| British Ornithologists' Union | Club |
|
| Leigh Ornithological Society | Club |
|
| Scottish Ornithologists' Club | Club |
|
| Angus and Dundee Bird Club, Scotland | Club |
|
| Essex Birdwatching Society | Club |
|
| Herts Bird Club | Club |
|
| Burbage Bird Club, Leicestershire | Club |
|
| Royal Air Force Ornithological Society | Club |
|
| York Ornithological Club | Club |
|
| South East Essex Royal Society | Club |
|
| West Midland Bird Club | Club |
|
| Pleasley Pit Nature Study Group | Club |
|
| Filey Brigg Ornithological Group | Observatory |
|
| Orford Ness National Nature Reserve | Observatory |
|
| UK birdwatching links | Latest Sights |
|
| Birding Hotspots around the world | England |
|
| Birding Hotspots around the world | Scotland |
|
| Birding Hotspots around the world | Wales |
|
| Birding UK | Birders Directory |
|
| The Isle of Man Birding Team | Sites |
|
| Mark Lawlor's Guernsey Bird News | Sites |
|
| Island of Foula | Sites |
|
| Mike King's The Gloster Birder | Sites |
|
| Clive ans Sheila's Urban garden, Black Country | Sites |
|
| Bob Bushell and Brian Thomas's Dean Birders | Sites |
|
| Simon Coombes's | Butterflies |
|
| Ian Kimber's | Moths |
|
| Avocet Bird Watching Cruises | Pelagic |
|
| Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia | United Kingdom |
|
| Local weather | Yahoo |
|
| Electronic maps | MapQuest |
|
| Find lowest prices for field guides, books, maps etc. | |
|
| Field guides recommended by Birdingpals | |
|
| Printable bird check list | |
|
| Trip Reports from United Kingdom |
Last update 30/06/2009