Nature Photographers Network
This is the preserved archive of the original Nature Photographers Network. The community continues at naturephotographers.network.
Forums · UKNP

Snow Buntings

Discussion

7 replies
Posted by Chris Lloyd on December 11, 2006 at 1:57 PM
Hi Everybody,

I was hoping to photograph Snow Buntings this winter and was wondering if anyone knows of any good sites in the Essex or Kent area?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks and Kind regards
Chris.
www.c-m-l.com :toast:
Posted by Mike Smith on December 12, 2006 at 4:01 AM
Walton on the Naze used to be a fairly reliable site to see them, but photography there is not the easiest of places. Keep an eye on the "birdlines" is probably your best bet. The south east is slightly out of their range, North Norfolk is better and holds several sites in the dunes

A couple of years ago a research student working in Norfolk was colour ringing and monitoring a small flock at Wells by Sea, to keep the flock in the area he used a sheet of old carpet and regular bird seed, the carpet keeps the seed visible amongst the shingle.......

if you track down a flock you could try something similar.
Posted by stuart scott on December 12, 2006 at 4:56 AM
I've seen quite a lot at Pegwell Bay in Kent area over the years. Probably the most successful being the south side of the Stour on Sandwich Flats.

ta
stu
Posted by PhilH on December 12, 2006 at 5:16 AM
Hi Chris,

As said the south east is not really a good place... Pegwell Bay and Dungeoness are two places I have heard of sightings, also Elmley has had the occasional sighting, personally I think you would be better travelling a bit further afield, perhaps to a known spot that lends itself to photography, I'm sure someone here will know of somewhere....

All the best

Phil
Posted by Chris Lloyd on December 12, 2006 at 8:54 AM
Thanks everybody. I should be in Walton on Naze around xmas so I will check it out. I will also some research into the other sites mentioned.

Cheers
Regards Chris. :toast:
Posted by SteveHL on December 12, 2006 at 12:22 PM
Hi Chris
There are usually some on the beach at Benacre Broad in Suffolk. It just up the road from Minsmere.
Kessingland is a good place which has them regularly in Jan.
Hope this helps
Regards
SteveHL
Posted by Chris Lloyd on December 12, 2006 at 4:39 PM
Cheers Steve, I will check it out. :toast: :toast: :toast:

Regards Chris
www.c-m-l.com
Posted by Pete Etheridge on December 14, 2006 at 10:47 AM
Not quite in Essex or Kent, but for anyone's information, the top of the cliffs at Coire an t'sneachda in the cairngorms attract huge flocks of snow buntings, who have learnt to beg food from climbers finishing their routes. Get some nice shots of them in the snow as well as plenty of ptarmigan and mountain hare.