Skomer and its near neighbour Skokholm are among the finest islands in Europe for breeding seabirds and host the major Puffin colonies in south-west Britain.

Itinerary by David Saunders

November is an excellent time to catch up with returning winter wildfowl and raptors, as well as offering a good chance to spot the elusive resident Common Cranes, or even a lingering rare passerine.  

Itinerary by Ed Parnell

This pleasant circular walk of about three miles overlooks reedbeds and wet pasture and passes through scrub and woodland, with hides at convenient intervals and several loops and detours to add variety. In addition to the expected summer visitors, a small passage of waders towards the end of the month can bring a premature taste of autumn. 

Itinerary by John Cantelo 

Close to Bristol, this popular site attracts a wide range of waterfowl, waders, gulls and terns at all seasons, but autumn is one of the very best times to visit.

Itinerary by Keith Vinicombe 

The Felixstowe peninsula, with Landguard at one end and Felixstowe Ferry at the other, is a prime east coast location for autumn migrants and often hosts an unexpected oddity. A September visit should produce migrants departing the country after the breeding season or passing through on their way south.

Itinerary by Nigel Odin

Only 6 km off the Hampshire coast, the island encompasses virtually all the habitats that there are on the mainland, but on a smaller scale and much closer together. In addition to 45 km of designated Heritage Coast, owned mostly by the National Trust, there is an RSPB reserve at Brading Marsh and an internationally important nature reserve at Newtown, while the estuaries between Newport and Cowes and at Yarmouth, Newtown, Wootton and Bembridge are all good birding locations.

Itinerary by Derek Hale

Stornoway, the main settlement on Lewis, boasts a wider range of habitats than any other part of the island. Increasing numbers of birders visit in late winter and early spring, but it remains underwatched in autumn.

Itinerary by Tristan ap Rheinallt

In summer, this is the best place in Britain to get close views of Red-necked Phalarope. Other breeding waders put on a good show too, as do skuas and a range of other seabirds.

Itinerary by Kevin Osborn

All of England’s lowland heath specialities are present in this prime patch of habitat, alongside woodland birds such as Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Common Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher. The two ponds and a reedbed provide added interest.

Itinerary by Dave Smith

Situated off the coast of Co Antrim, Rathlin Island has the most important seabird colony in Northern Ireland and is a wonderful place for a summer visit.

Itinerary by George Gordon

A superb south coast headland for spring migrants and seawatching, with the prime heath of Studland a stone’s throw away.

Itinerary by Marianne Taylor

A great range of wetland and reedbed birds, including rarities like Savi’s Warbler and Common Crane, and Britain’s most spectacular butterfly, the Swallowtail.

Itinerary by Phil Benstead

Glorious scenery and a wealth of upland, woodland, marshland and riparian species.

Itinerary by Arfon Williams

For the sheer variety of birds to be seen from October through to March and April. A range of habitats supports large numbers of geese, ducks, swans, waders, a good selection of passerines and regular raptors. About 250 species have been recorded here, the highest total for a single site in Ireland.

Itinerary by Eugene Archer

In the run-up to Christmas the wet grassland habitats along the River Yare host a significant wintering flock of Taiga Bean Geese, as well as large numbers of wintering ducks and other waterfowl. The additional habitats at nearby Strumpshaw Fen hold other interesting species and add depth to the day list.

Itinerary by Phil Benstead

The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust’s flagship reserve at Slimbridge attracts large numbers of wintering swans and geese.

Itinerary by Martin McGill

The Island in mid-winter is home to 40,000 Barnacle Geese and nearly 10,000 Greenland White-fronted Geese – by far the largest concentrations of either species in Britain. Other wildfowl and waders abound, while the island also holds the great majority of Scotland’s Choughs.

Itinerary by Malcolm Ogilvie

Late autumn migrants, large gatherings of winter wildfowl and productive gull roosts, with Glaucous Gull and Iceland Gull regular from early December. Chance of a scarce visitor, such as a diver, rarer grebe or seaduck.

Itinerary by Alan Dean

Late autumn and early winter birding at its best, with a selection of local specialities and scarce wintering species.

Itinerary by James Lidster