Posted by szekiat chan on October 7, 2008 at 5:35 AM
Hi, i've been shooting the stonechats in richmond park and notice that the area near pen ponds is home to at least 3 or 4 pairs of kestrels. However, i've had no luck in getting anywhere close to getting a good shot of them on a perch to date. Having studied them for a few weeks now, there seems to be no fixed pattern as to where they will perch and so i have no way of setting up a bag hide and waiting. Approaching via vehicle is impossible for obvious reasons. I'm wondering if anyone has had any luck in approaching these birds and if you could share some tips. I've had shots of kestrels on fence posts and thought having one on a tree might be a good change
Posted by Elliott Neep on October 7, 2008 at 5:49 AM
Unfortunately, the kestrels at Richmond are just like any other 'completely wild' kestrel. The 3-4 pairs are probably this years broods coming together to pick off the last remaining grasshoppers, mice and voles - as they do on Hampstead Heath (my local patch). But on Hampstead Heath, the kestrels are very approachable as they seem to have got used to passing human traffic. You can walk directly underneath them within 5-6m and they do not fly away (not sure why this isn't the case at Richmond). Sorry I can't offer any further advice for Richmond. You won't be able to set a hide up - the Royal Parks Constabulary will be all over you!
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