Windswept headlands on the western seaboard of Ireland have a magical feel, and are generally underwatched. The Mullet peninsula in Co Mayo is no exception and autumn should offer divers, wildfowl, seabirds, waders and migrants, as well as a great chance of finding your own rarity.

Itinerary by Dave Suddaby

St Abb’s Head has perhaps the most accessible cliffs on the east coast of Britain, allowing excellent views of a range of seabirds across steep gullies. During spring and autumn it can also attract large numbers of migrants.

Itinerary by Ray Murray

Spring migration at Selsey Bill is an eagerly awaited event. On days when favourable winds occur (generally from the south-to-east quarter) a flood of up-Channel sea passage may take place, while the arrival of incoming migrants can provide good views of many species in their splendid summer plumages. Occasionally a larger fall may be recorded – or an overshooting rarity.

Itinerary by Owen Mitchell

Wader migration is well underway and various passerines are on the move. August is the best month for the greatest variety of seabird passage off Cornwall, sometimes involving large numbers of Cory’s Shearwaters. There is a chance of a rarity turning up from Europe on south-easterly winds and by the end of the month the first Atlantic gale may have deposited an American wader.

Itinerary by Paul Semmens

Teesside is one of the national hot-spots for wader passage, and July is a good month for a visit, with a chance of rarities. The Cleveland List includes 53 species of wader!

Itinerary by Ted Parker

Strumble Head, since it was ‘discovered’ in the 1960s, has proved to be the premier autumn seawatching site on the coast of Wales, if not the entire west coast of Britain. As well as seabirds, Harbour Porpoises and other cetaceans are seen frequently, and Grey Seals breed in the area.

Itinerary by David Saunders

After the quiet late summer months, now is the time migration really starts to swing into action at Spurn. In September the birding can be very rewarding and the weather is usually fine. There will be many waders to see and hopefully some good arrivals of landbird migrants too.

Itinerary by Garry Taylor

Good numbers of wintering wildfowl and waders, with a chance of a diver, rare grebe or seaduck. Supporting cast of Ring-billed Gull, raptors, gulls and woodland birds.

Itinerary by Paul Baker

During the winter months the Slamannan Plateau hosts the largest flock of wintering Taiga Bean Geese in Britain – last winter close to 300 birds were present. Greylag and Pink-footed Geese also winter in the area, while the nearby Forth Estuary has good wintering populations of ducks and waders.

Itinerary by Angus Maciver

Shannon Airport Lagoon offers exciting wader watching for beginners as well as the more experienced birder. This jewel on the west coast of Ireland has become a magnet for transatlantic waders.

Itinerary by John Murphy

This is a great time of year for gulls, wildfowl and waders, and with spring knocking on the door there is potential for much more besides.

Itinerary by Mashuq Ahmed

Pendle Hill is one of the most reliable sites for spring passage Dotterel in north-west England. The best time to visit is late April and early May.

Itinerary by Tony Cooper

Surrounded by coal-mining villages, Old Moor is a wildlife oasis in the heart of Yorkshire’s industrial landscape and has particularly good facilities for those with young children. The site is nationally important for Tree Sparrow and European Golden Plover, holds good numbers of winter waders and wildfowl and often attracts scarce winter visitors.

Itinerary by Paul Pightling

In May the Farne Islands and Coquet Island, Northumberland’s true offshore islands, teem with breeding seabirds, among which is Roseate Tern, Britain’s rarest.

Itinerary by Tom Cadwallender

An opportunity to see a number of breeding birds which are scarce or rare in Britain.

Itinerary by David Walker

Good reasons to visit North Uist in May include the likelihood of seeing Corncrake, Snowy Owl and other Outer Hebrides specialities, impressive seabird passage, especially skuas, and the chance of vagrants.

Itinerary by Ken Shaw

This unique island offers spectacular maritime scenery, affording close views of breeding birds and migrants.

Itinerary by Peter Donnelly

The area holds a wide variety of species throughout the year and a visit to any or all of these sites, combined with a drive along the North Wirral coast and/or the Mersey Estuary, makes for an excellent weekend’s birding.

Itinerary by Frank Duff

The site provides good birding throughout the year, and in late summer and autumn the passage can be excellent, with a good variety of waders and wildfowl as well as the odd rarity. The centre has excellent facilities with panoramic views across the Burry Inlet and Gower Peninsula.

Itinerary by Nigel Williams

Poole Harbour is of national importance for several wildfowl and wader species, and one of its best-kept secrets is the tidal creek at Middlebere.

Itinerary by James Lidster