Posted by Brian McGeough on November 28, 2006 at 5:15 AM
Hi all,
Hope you can help me out, Which of these would you go to given the choice, im not after a particular species just a good day out with some photo opportunities. Any info would be more than welcome.
Cheers
Brian
Posted by Pete Etheridge on November 28, 2006 at 5:47 AM
Hi Brian,
Personally I'd opt for Martin Mere, simply because it's quieter. Photographically I've taken more shots at Slimbridge, but this could just be down to the times of year that I've visited both reserves.
Sorry I can't be more help!
Posted by Brian McGeough on November 28, 2006 at 7:39 AM
Any more opinions?????????
Cheers
Brian
Posted by Paul Marshall on November 28, 2006 at 7:57 AM
Hi Brian,
I worked at Slimbridge for six years so am biased but I will try to be impartial!
Both site are ideal for all sorts of bird photography. Two main differences are the 'key' species. Martin Mere is brilliant for Whooper Swans and Pink-footed Geese. Slimbridge is good for Bewick's Swans and White-fronted Geese.
For the latter sites I say good rather than brilliant because both species are hit and miss. The numbers of both swans and geese wintering at Slimbridge is relatively low and the reserve large so birds aren't always close to hides. At Martin Mere there are always lots of Whooper Swans on show from the hides and thousands of Pink-footed Geese in the surrounding area.
Both sites offer great opportunities for general wildfowl species. Don't ignore the collection as wild birds feed amongst the captive birds (especially during cold weather) giving great photo opportunities. Just make sure you check they have two wings when taking the photographs! Even on birds with folded wings it is easy to tell a pinioned bird.
Martin Mere is usually quieter but for photography I would avoid weekends at both sites if possible. Both sites have numerous hides that allow photography in all directions so light is rarely an issue. One problem is the rather narrow width of a number of hide windows. These don't allow large lenses to be used easily but with a bit of investigation and watching flight lines of birds it us usually possible to stand outside hides and get great images.
One thing to bear in mind is that this autumn/winter has been incredibly mild. I was at Slimbridge over the weekend and there are very few swans present. It would be best to wait until the first cold snap (ideally with north/north-easterly winds) although given the long term forecast you might be waiting a long time! Having said that there were over 10,000 wildfowl and waders on view from one hide on Sunday, complete with hunting Peregrine – an awesome sight!
If you (or anybody else) would like more specific information on certain species or WWT sites then I’d be happy to help.
Discussion
4 repliesHope you can help me out, Which of these would you go to given the choice, im not after a particular species just a good day out with some photo opportunities. Any info would be more than welcome.
Cheers
Brian
Personally I'd opt for Martin Mere, simply because it's quieter. Photographically I've taken more shots at Slimbridge, but this could just be down to the times of year that I've visited both reserves.
Sorry I can't be more help!
Cheers
Brian
I worked at Slimbridge for six years so am biased but I will try to be impartial!
Both site are ideal for all sorts of bird photography. Two main differences are the 'key' species. Martin Mere is brilliant for Whooper Swans and Pink-footed Geese. Slimbridge is good for Bewick's Swans and White-fronted Geese.
For the latter sites I say good rather than brilliant because both species are hit and miss. The numbers of both swans and geese wintering at Slimbridge is relatively low and the reserve large so birds aren't always close to hides. At Martin Mere there are always lots of Whooper Swans on show from the hides and thousands of Pink-footed Geese in the surrounding area.
Both sites offer great opportunities for general wildfowl species. Don't ignore the collection as wild birds feed amongst the captive birds (especially during cold weather) giving great photo opportunities. Just make sure you check they have two wings when taking the photographs! Even on birds with folded wings it is easy to tell a pinioned bird.
Martin Mere is usually quieter but for photography I would avoid weekends at both sites if possible. Both sites have numerous hides that allow photography in all directions so light is rarely an issue. One problem is the rather narrow width of a number of hide windows. These don't allow large lenses to be used easily but with a bit of investigation and watching flight lines of birds it us usually possible to stand outside hides and get great images.
One thing to bear in mind is that this autumn/winter has been incredibly mild. I was at Slimbridge over the weekend and there are very few swans present. It would be best to wait until the first cold snap (ideally with north/north-easterly winds) although given the long term forecast you might be waiting a long time! Having said that there were over 10,000 wildfowl and waders on view from one hide on Sunday, complete with hunting Peregrine – an awesome sight!
If you (or anybody else) would like more specific information on certain species or WWT sites then I’d be happy to help.
Best wishes
Paul
Phillip.