Nature Photography in Europe

Hello Everyone,

I'm leaving for Europe in a week. First stop Croatia, then Italy. I'm interested to know of any 'must see' wildlife or birding spots in either of those countries or elsewhere in Europe. My plans are entirely open ended and I plan to structure my trip around photography so any hints or suggestions are are greatly appreciated. After Italy I'm thinking of just doing a big loop; head west through France to Spain/Portugal (maybe down to Morocco), then N through France to the UK, Ireland, then E through Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, then S through Poland, Ukraine, then perhaps Turkey.

Are there any places that are thriving for the fall bird migration?

Thank you all for your time,

-Ronan Donovan

Be sure to make a stop in Austria, there are some wonderful landscape oppertunities there.

I can only tell you a little about Norway Ronan. That is if you happen to go there. Let me know and I'll give you some pointers on what to see and where to go.

you itinerary reads like you wanna spend a year in Europe... Why you skip Austria?
If you come to Austria visit the Lake Neusiedl (Neusiedler See) National Park (eastern Austria near Vienna) - a birders paradise. Also great: National Park Hohe Tauern - the Alps largest National Park. take up the toll road to Glockner and see marmots, ibex and much more.
Croatia - Plitvice Lakes
Spain - Donana NP (Andalucia), Parque Natural Monfrague (just incredible place to photograph all kinds of vultures!)
France - Camargue among others.
etcetc... there are far too many options....
Georg

Georg put it right. There are just too many places. So you'll need to give us more precisely your interests. And a week inhere is faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar to short. As for autumn bird migration, I would look at Bosphor ( Turkey) and Gibraltar, as most of migration to Africa passes this two places. But on the other hand I'm quite out of bird photography lately. I would suggest you to post question regarding autumn migration over on local UKNPN forum.

Cheers,
Marko

Hi Ronan, if you want bird-migration you should stop by Falsterbo in southern Sweden (just ½ hour from Copenhagen (via bridge). That is the best birdmigration place in Northern Europe. From late August to midst October there are just loads of migrating raptors (up to 17 species in a day). On windy days photo-opportunities can be great. Also they have loads of resting shorebirds and passerines.

Cheers, Helge

In Italy, check out the region called tuscany. I don't know about birds there it, is is just beautiful landscape. However, it is a very manmade landscape there, but beautiful nevertheless.
Austria has some very nice offerings - as far as birds are concerned - I repeat what georg sain - eastern austria. I had to do military service there for a month - "protecting" the austrian border. I had lots of time watching the birds instead of watching the "evil intruders" from the east...