1 Why do most members post here not in the Photo Critique Galleries?
2 I have looked with envy at the wonderful images of Black Grouse taken at the Leking sites. Are any of these sites open to the public or is it a case of find a lek, get a licence and set up your own hide. I know there are Photo hides in Finland but as I live in Scotland something more local would be great.
3. I know I said 2 but - are there any Scottish workshops, if intersted I could set something up with a dolphin watching boat trip from stonehaven (OK the catch is the reaserchers need lots of fin shots for ID)PM me if intersted
1) I suppose it is because most of us are in the UK and value the opinion of UK residents more because they know our shooting conditions, also we only have so much time. That said I would encourage more participation in the Photo Critique Galleries.
2) As nearly all Leks are on private grounds, it's more a case of
a) find a site, whether by scouting or advice.
b) get to know the keeper and seek their permission,
c) then set up your hide
if you miss out b) you possibly will not have a hide for long
N.B. It is worth noting that UKNP does not really like specific locations to be published on the forum as we don't know what 'interest groups' read this public forum. It's sad but not everybody has the welfare of the animal as their number one priorty.
3) There are no Scottish workshops at the moment as I think we have only 4 people who post from Scotland. However 4 is a good group and the dolphin idea is good so if you would like to publicise this as seperate thread please do so with the relevant details but its hard to PM you if you don't have an operational email link
Re 2 I take it the 'get a licence from SNH bit still stands'
3 Very Good point, although Andy managed to do it so there must be a way, anyway I will make it easier. Oh and Andy sorry that I have not replied, I will do it now.
Photographing a Schedual 1 species at a breeding site.
Quoting Niall Riddell (admittedly a long time ago in a discussion on Corncrakes!!)
'Several discussions have been held on the topic of licensing and what constitutes disturbance in the past particularly relating to Dartford warblers. It should be noted that a male calling constitutes "breeding" and therefore photography of calling males strictly speaking requires a licence.'
Any clarification would be apprciated, mind you I will still need to find an out of the way lek, get permission and buy a hide, so a quick response will not be needed, maybe a project for 2009!!
Thank
Ian
Posted by Mike Smith on February 5, 2008 at 11:48 AM
The Nature Conservation (Scotland Act 2004 updated the old 1981 act with an extended provision ;
“(5A) Subject to the provisions of this Part, any person who intentionally or recklessly disturbs any wild bird included in Schedule 1 which leks while it is doing so shall be guilty of an offence."
Scottish law therefore includes Leks as a place where you can be guilty of willfully disturbing birds - ie greater protection than E&W law which only covers wilfull disturbance at the nest. I haven't checked whether Caper and Blackcock are Scottish schedule 1, but I should imagine they both are?
You don't need a license to photograph Black Grouse. There are only particular species which are on the protected lists that you need a 'license to disturb'. I haven't got the links to hand so do a search on google on 'Schedule 1' and you should find the full lists - there'll be a list somewhere on Natural England's site, and also one somewhere on the RSPB site too. Not sure if there're any lists on SNH's site.
Posted by Mike Smith on February 5, 2008 at 12:40 PM
Yup, agree with Nick, now found the Schedule 1 update, only lecking bird is the Caper in Scotland.
Whats more of interest is with the Capa is, I am reasonably sure, that it is illegal to even knowingly be at a lek, bird or no bird present. i.e. the lek is protected.
Re Capa, seams very reasonable, they are having a really bad time, maybe the only photographic option is a 1200mm canon with tc at the Loch Garten Osprey centre.
4 years ago a rouge male was terrorising a camp site that I regularly visit, no chichen or person saw safe untill Easter when numbers of visitors forced it to move on Guess when I first visited that year
Discussion
9 repliesStill trying to find my way around the site.
1 Why do most members post here not in the Photo Critique Galleries?
2 I have looked with envy at the wonderful images of Black Grouse taken at the Leking sites. Are any of these sites open to the public or is it a case of find a lek, get a licence and set up your own hide. I know there are Photo hides in Finland but as I live in Scotland something more local would be great.
3. I know I said 2 but - are there any Scottish workshops, if intersted I could set something up with a dolphin watching boat trip from stonehaven (OK the catch is the reaserchers need lots of fin shots for ID)PM me if intersted
I look foward to many discussions in the future.
All the best
Ian Hay
1) I suppose it is because most of us are in the UK and value the opinion of UK residents more because they know our shooting conditions, also we only have so much time. That said I would encourage more participation in the Photo Critique Galleries.
2) As nearly all Leks are on private grounds, it's more a case of
a) find a site, whether by scouting or advice.
b) get to know the keeper and seek their permission,
c) then set up your hide
if you miss out b) you possibly will not have a hide for long
N.B. It is worth noting that UKNP does not really like specific locations to be published on the forum as we don't know what 'interest groups' read this public forum. It's sad but not everybody has the welfare of the animal as their number one priorty.
3) There are no Scottish workshops at the moment as I think we have only 4 people who post from Scotland. However 4 is a good group and the dolphin idea is good so if you would like to publicise this as seperate thread please do so with the relevant details but its hard to PM you if you don't have an operational email link
T
Thanks for the reply
Re 2 I take it the 'get a licence from SNH bit still stands'
3 Very Good point, although Andy managed to do it so there must be a way, anyway I will make it easier. Oh and Andy sorry that I have not replied, I will do it now.
All the best
Ian Hay
A license for what exactly?
T
Photographing a Schedual 1 species at a breeding site.
Quoting Niall Riddell (admittedly a long time ago in a discussion on Corncrakes!!)
'Several discussions have been held on the topic of licensing and what constitutes disturbance in the past particularly relating to Dartford warblers. It should be noted that a male calling constitutes "breeding" and therefore photography of calling males strictly speaking requires a licence.'
Any clarification would be apprciated, mind you I will still need to find an out of the way lek, get permission and buy a hide, so a quick response will not be needed, maybe a project for 2009!!
Thank
Ian
“(5A) Subject to the provisions of this Part, any person who intentionally or recklessly disturbs any wild bird included in Schedule 1 which leks while it is doing so shall be guilty of an offence."
Scottish law therefore includes Leks as a place where you can be guilty of willfully disturbing birds - ie greater protection than E&W law which only covers wilfull disturbance at the nest. I haven't checked whether Caper and Blackcock are Scottish schedule 1, but I should imagine they both are?
You don't need a license to photograph Black Grouse. There are only particular species which are on the protected lists that you need a 'license to disturb'. I haven't got the links to hand so do a search on google on 'Schedule 1' and you should find the full lists - there'll be a list somewhere on Natural England's site, and also one somewhere on the RSPB site too. Not sure if there're any lists on SNH's site.
Whats more of interest is with the Capa is, I am reasonably sure, that it is illegal to even knowingly be at a lek, bird or no bird present. i.e. the lek is protected.
NE site
Will find SNH's later..
T
thanks for the help.
Re Capa, seams very reasonable, they are having a really bad time, maybe the only photographic option is a 1200mm canon with tc at the Loch Garten Osprey centre.
4 years ago a rouge male was terrorising a camp site that I regularly visit, no chichen or person saw safe untill Easter when numbers of visitors forced it to move on Guess when I first visited that year
Again thanks
Ian Hay