Born and bred in Mid Wales, 'Birdman' Iolo Williams is a former RSPB warden who's now a popular televsion nature presenter. Here are his Top Tips for beginners:
1. Firstly, get a good bird identification guide which has all the British breeding birds and common migrants in it.
It's often a matter of personal preference, but there are several good books on the market now, so have a good look around.  2. Start with the birds in your garden and/or local park. Most of these will be quite common, but there won't be too many to confuse you. Make repeated visits until you get to know not only their basic shape and colours, but also take time to watch their behaviour.
Birdwatching in gardens can be great fun.
 3. A pair of binoculars will be essential, but there's no need to spend a fortune.
My first pair cost only £21 and lasted me almost twenty years! If you've got the money and are looking to do a lot of birdwatching, then Leica or Swarovski are among some of the best on the market, but they could set you back up to £600 to £700. A good idea is to shop around for a second hand pair as this could save you a small fortune.
4. Join a local birdwatching group. This is a good way to get out to some of the better birdwatching areas and to learn from more experienced birdwatchers. You could also join an organisation like the RSPB or BTO or subscribe to a birdwatching magazine.  5. Birdcalls often confuse beginners and experienced birdwatchers alike. Don't worry!
Start by learning the easy ones like chiffchaff and common birds like robin and blackbird. Then move on gradually to the more difficult species and soon you'll be surprised to realise that you know most of the birds in your area. Some people use CDs, but I've always spent time out in the field listening and watching.
6. We all make mistakes, so don't be afraid. Any birdwatcher who tells you that he can identify every bird correctly is a liar!  7. Most importantly of all - enjoy it. Birdwatch to the standard that you're happy with. I get more pleasure watching my local robins nest building than I would rushing 200 miles to see a rare migrant from America or Russia.
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your comments
C Maidment, Caldicot Gwent
Saw eagle owls on salsbury plain magnificant why do rspb want them culled? strange as they were native to england and I thought all birds were covered by rspb. Havent seen one in clifton goarge yet.
Wed Aug 27 09:27:26 2008
Derek Smith
Is there a connection with the increase in numbers of birds of prey and the decrease in song bird numbers, or will the rspb just give more propaganda about Farmers cutting hedges and cats being the problems?
Wed Aug 27 09:25:52 2008
Jimmy White
I remember seeing a programme, some time ago now, [i think it was "the natural world] about european eagle owls, breeding wild in britain [yorkshire, in this particular, programme ] if i remember right, they produced about 15 youngsters, over a period of a few years, have these youngsters, bred since then? if they have, or if there were any breeding pairs still around, could anyone advice me where I could view them, as these birds seem so magnificent, and beautiful to see.
Tue Aug 26 09:16:07 2008
Will Davies, Dunstable
The best place to go and watch Red Kite is where it all began back in 1984, which was in Tregaron at the old site of the local rubbish tip, but now it has moved a few miles to the south end of Cors Caron Nature Reserve and happens during the winter months between October-Easter and it absolutely FREE. Yes it is FREE, and the time it happens is around 2.00p.m. every day during this period. Also on Cors Caron during the winter you can have spectacular views of Hen Harriers coming into their roost in the evenings. This happens up the north end of the reserve near to Allt Ddu Farm out on the reserve. Up to 8-10 birds come to roost here. There is a new walk and hide opened up on the south east side of the Reserve, and of you are quiet and lucky enough you might get good views of Otters around the pools in that area.
Mon Jan 7 08:31:26 2008
James White
This is to answer a question asked to me [which i honestly couldn't answer ]but I always thought a bird of prey, a perigrine , only killed for food, my friend from lough in n ireland said he wittnessed a perigrine killing 11 lapwings in two hours whilst he was working on the beach?? I found this strange behaviour, for a perigrine , and hoped to get an answer from your forum [could it poss. have been an escapee??
Mon Dec 3 08:28:25 2007
James White
Nature reserve at Straiton, loanhead, wild life poster on the way in, very disappointed, why very little wildlife, very few songbirds which are advertised on the poster on the way in, where have they all gone [this used to be a haven for them] so very disappointed, any answers?
Mon Nov 19 13:27:37 2007
Jimmy White
Having fed wild birds in my garden all my life, taken a keen interest in nature, find these small songbirds, ie sparrows, linnets, finches etc etc even my, so called pet robin [a wild bird] I find these birds less annd less and witnessing a sparrowhawk killing them day by day, is very distressing [not that im against sparrow hawks, just their sheer number lately seem to have multiplied so much] I have put cd discs on a line, this seemed to have an effect at first but not anymore, anyone any ideas?
Mon Oct 22 08:08:35 2007
martyn shortman
You can see Red Kites being fed, take the road between Brecon and LLandovery at a place called Trecastle turn onto the road for Usk Reservoir. Once on this road follow it dont turn for res,after a couple of miles you will come to a pub on a junction. There is good food there plus he feeds the Red Kites i think around 1400
Wed Dec 6 09:33:32 2006
Richard from London
If you take the cliff walk from Llangranog towards Cwmtydu choughs are a common sight on the cliffs just outside Llangranog. For peregrines the cliffs south of Abereiddi offer a good vantage point, and if you are lucky enough to happen to pick the right day the gannets at Strumble Head are truly spectacular
Mon Oct 16 09:53:47 2006
Benjamin Wyatt, Neath
A friend of my Dad has told us that there is a place where we can watch Red Kites being fed. Can you tell me where this place is and where I can see Birds of Prey in their natural environment in Wales.You can see Red Kites being fed at Gigrin farm near Rhayader.
Mid Wales Web Team
Tue Jul 11 16:21:53 2006
Hattie from Somerset
I am thirteen and have just become interested in birdwatching. I am finding it very hard to get started in birdwatching. What do you suggest? Hopefully Hattie, you'll find Iolo's tips on this page useful. There's a lot of information too on the RSPB's website. Mid Wales Web Team
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Wed Dec 29 11:24:16 2004
Wyn James from Poppit Sands
Choughs also nest on the spectacular coastal walk from Poppit Sands to Ceibwr Bay - as do Peregrine Falcons as do many more birds. Perigrines perform fantastic aerial dislplays during courtship in the Spring - hurtling at each other in steep dives. Choughs also perform delightful displays as they roll and twist around each other.
A walk along this first section of the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path is a must if you're in the area.
Tue Oct 12 12:52:49 2004
Lyn Jenkins from Gwbert, Cardigan
Choughs are members of the crow family. They have red beaks and red legs and are quite rare. There are none in England, apart from the few that have returned to Cornwall. However, there were three pairs in the wild at Cardigan Island Coastal Farm Park in Gwbert, near Cardigan at the start of 2003.I am pleased to report that one pair has reared THREE youngsters this year. Choughs have a wonderful acrobatic flight pattern and the distintive " Cheow !" call.
Wed Oct 15 11:08:05 2003
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