Posted by Ian Schofield on February 15, 2009 at 5:54 PM
Hi Guys
As you can tell from the username I'm from Manchester but I'm living in SW London.
I'm looking for Bird photographers in the London / South UK areas to maybe go out shooting with an find new spots. So far I've only ventured to the WWT at Barnes & Arundel aswell as Richmond Park. I'm quite interested in Woodland birds so any hints or pointers on locations within 2 hours drive would be ideal. I'm interested to hear about using camo netting / hides and if they work or not?
my wildlife pics can be found a www.iesphotography.co.uk/Wildlife
Posted by szekiat chan on February 15, 2009 at 5:59 PM
hi ian, welcome to the area. I'm based in wimbledon. Richmond is good for deer and perhaps kestrel in the autumn season but that's about it. Otherwise its too spread out for proper birding. In addition, i believe its against the law to use a hide and feeders within the park (others can correct me on this). I tend to shoot more in lee valley park which is in herts/essex. Its very good for bitterns. Chilterns are also a short drive away if u want kites. The rest of london is a bit hit and miss for me to be honest.
Posted by Ian Schofield on February 15, 2009 at 6:09 PM
Hi szekiat thanks for the quick reply
I think I know your name from somewhere maybe Canon forums were you selling some kit recently? I am in East Putney so very close by.
I guessed travelling was needed and thats no problem. I was looking at some spots in Dorking, maybe over to Rainham Marshes. I'm looking forward to further replies.
Cheers
Ian
Posted by Simon Litten on February 15, 2009 at 6:24 PM
I used to live in surrey (I'm now in norfolk - very different!) and used Bushey Park as my regular haunt. It has a good selection of birds - kestral, green and gs woodpecker, kingfisher, treecreeper, nuthatch, parakeet, little owl, a long used tawny owl roost, heron, cormarant, a variety of ducks and geese, meadow pippets, skylarks...and all in a fairly small area. Also great for red and fallow deer. Found out after I left that there's water vole there as well! Worth checking out.
Simon
Posted by szekiat chan on February 15, 2009 at 6:47 PM
ian, i've done rainham a couple of times and its a right nightmare as the range is at the extremes of 800mm most days. Birder's dream, photographer's nightmare most days. That said, it is good for some migrants every now and then. I wouldn't count on it as a regular spot. That and its miles from u! Never tried dorking despite traveling that way for work some days but i've also done sevenoaks in kent which is quite good at times.
Posted by Kev Bullock on February 15, 2009 at 6:49 PM
Hi,
I live in NW Kent/SE London, probably my most common haunts are Stodmarsh/Grove Ferry down in Kent, Sevenoaks Nature Reserve, Knowle Park Sevenoaks, Cliffe Pools and Oare Marshes, Capel Point, Harty Ferry and Elmley Marshes on the Isle of Sheppey. I've also tried but with little success Northward Hill & Blean Woods.
I've had some success at Wisley RHS - although expensive to visit if you are not a member, but found it to be good for some birds as they are used to human traffic and quite approachable.
I've been to Richmond Park for specifics - Deer, Kestrel and Little Owl, but not a great fan of Barnes WWT (not good opening hours), despite passing on the train to work almost every day.
Other places on my explore list are Pagham Harbour, Thursley Common (driven past too many times).
I know some use various places along the North Kent coast for Coastal birds and waders.
Never used portable hides, some places are not keen on you setting up hides, so I just use existing hides if available, sometimes the car if suitable or alot of patience and little success!
A friend has been over to Rainham - he didn't think much of it for photography. Must go and check it out myself one day.
Going somewhat further afield, A couple of my favs are Lake Radipole/Lodmoor and Arne in Dorset, often call into these when I'm down that way and always seem to get something.
Cheers
Kev
Posted by Ian Schofield on February 16, 2009 at 3:42 AM
Simon / Kev / szekiat
Thanks for that, sounds like Rainham may not be worth it.
Whats the best spot in Bushey Park? I gather its best to pick a spot and wait? Do you guys use any camo nettting? I have a camo jacket and trousers to try and blend in a bit if theres no hide to get in.
I think for starters I'm looking for woodland birds like Woodpeckers, Owls, Nuthatch.
Managed to get a treecreeper and wren in Richmond Park over the weekend.
I'd be shooting on a 300mm F2.8 with a x2 to give you some idea of how close I can get.
Cheers
Ian
Posted by Graham Goddard on February 16, 2009 at 4:12 AM
I live within 10 minutes drive from RSPB Rainham, and I have to say that I have had some pretty reasonable results there, although as has been mentioned, it can be hit and miss. This year for instance, I have had Penduline and Bearded Tit within 15 feet on the reed mace. And although I've not been quick enough, Water Rail literally right at my feet under the broadwalks.
In spring and summer I've had Cuckoo, Little Grebe and various Warblers within a few feet, plus Reed Bunting and posing Stonechat too. Kingfisher are resident and Water Vole if it's quiet enough.
On the seawall, there are also Dartford Warbler resident, although I've not tried to capture those yet.
The feeders also attact quite a few species.
When you first arrive, the site can appear daunting - basically, it's a 2 mile circular walk - but take your time and talk to the wardens before you go out - they will tell you the best spots.
I've had my best results by just standing in a spot and waiting rather than marching round as a lot do and missing everything. Check out the RSPB site for Rainham - there is a Warden called Howard Vaugh, and he keeps the latest sightings updated very well.
Check out my Flickr site too - most of the species mentioned above were taken @ Rainham .....
Hi,I reccomend hayling island-for waders and herons,
heat near Camberley-Dartford warbler and Tree Pipit,if you want Red Kite-High Wycombe is good area
Marek
Posted by Simon Litten on February 16, 2009 at 5:25 AM
Hi Ian
Send me your email address and I'll email you a map of Bushy Park with the best places highlighted.
Simon
Posted by Rene de Heer on February 16, 2009 at 8:28 AM
Hi i live in Hampton almost opposite the entrance to Bushy park, feel free to email me,
Rene de Heer
Posted by Ian Schofield on February 16, 2009 at 9:20 AM
Cheers guys all noted and Rene/Simon emails sent via the forum function.
I think High Wycombe for the Kites is something I will do saw a few near Henley I think aswell.
I'm interested in how people actually set up once on site, park yourself next to a tree, do you play bird calls to attract birds, camo?
Queen Mary Reservoirs (public and restricted access) - A lot of scrub land and I believe it has a resident ringing station, or at least did, which tells you something.
Kempton Park (Private and restricted access) – Majority of the Woodland, Scrub and Meadow species occur. In the autumn when migration is on, it used to have a large Swallow/Martin night roost. House Martins nest on the pumping station. Water Rail are also present in reasonable numbers, Kingfishers are frequent visitors.
Bushy & Regents Park have been covered.
The other sites/locations have also been covered.
Kempton and Queen Mary, are on the West London “green” corridor and as such anything can turn up, and does.
Most of the larger reserves have hides, particularly the RSPB and Wetland centres, but invariably these are aimed at bird watchers. Little, if any, photography can be done from a car and unless you have access to private land, which has a secure perimeter, then I would advise against hide work, the parks don’t allow it, and elsewhere your liable to have it go missing. So basically, its down to some lateral thinking and plain old stalking/fieldcraft.
Posted by Ian Schofield on February 16, 2009 at 5:50 PM
Thanks Ray all noted, I think Bushy Park is my next stop then onwards from there. If anyones up for a trek anywhere let me know as can share a ride/fuel, credit crunch and all that!
If you are working the Woodland Gardens, Bushy Park, the terrain lends itself to low level shooting.
You asked about bird calls, well don’t ever admit to using them, if you ever do, as many frown on their use, and if you don’t know what you are doing you can do a lot of damage. Besides, talking from experience, you really won’t want the flack.
If you want to look into it, then you can’t go far wrong by getting hold of some of the hunting media that is sold in the states. I have some of them, the quality isn’t all that, but they get the message across. I happen to have some very strange calls, for example, fish splashing, frogs croaking, Mice/Rabbits in distress, these in theory bring out the Herons/Bittern, Owls and Foxes, so I’m told.
If you want some recommendations as to specific recording let me know, and I’ll be able to point you in the right direction.
If you do go to Bushy and need some company, let me know, as I do need to recce it again, plus I only live quite literally, 10 minutes away.
Posted by Ian Schofield on February 17, 2009 at 7:43 AM
Excellent more great info Ray.
I think I may try and venture out this Saturday morning.
Ian
Posted by szekiat chan on February 17, 2009 at 12:26 PM
Hmm... if the weather turns out to be fine, i'll be at bushy too!
Discussion
17 repliesAs you can tell from the username I'm from Manchester but I'm living in SW London.
I'm looking for Bird photographers in the London / South UK areas to maybe go out shooting with an find new spots. So far I've only ventured to the WWT at Barnes & Arundel aswell as Richmond Park. I'm quite interested in Woodland birds so any hints or pointers on locations within 2 hours drive would be ideal. I'm interested to hear about using camo netting / hides and if they work or not?
my wildlife pics can be found a www.iesphotography.co.uk/Wildlife
I think I know your name from somewhere maybe Canon forums were you selling some kit recently? I am in East Putney so very close by.
I guessed travelling was needed and thats no problem. I was looking at some spots in Dorking, maybe over to Rainham Marshes. I'm looking forward to further replies.
Cheers
Ian
Simon
I live in NW Kent/SE London, probably my most common haunts are Stodmarsh/Grove Ferry down in Kent, Sevenoaks Nature Reserve, Knowle Park Sevenoaks, Cliffe Pools and Oare Marshes, Capel Point, Harty Ferry and Elmley Marshes on the Isle of Sheppey. I've also tried but with little success Northward Hill & Blean Woods.
I've had some success at Wisley RHS - although expensive to visit if you are not a member, but found it to be good for some birds as they are used to human traffic and quite approachable.
I've been to Richmond Park for specifics - Deer, Kestrel and Little Owl, but not a great fan of Barnes WWT (not good opening hours), despite passing on the train to work almost every day.
Other places on my explore list are Pagham Harbour, Thursley Common (driven past too many times).
I know some use various places along the North Kent coast for Coastal birds and waders.
Never used portable hides, some places are not keen on you setting up hides, so I just use existing hides if available, sometimes the car if suitable or alot of patience and little success!
A friend has been over to Rainham - he didn't think much of it for photography. Must go and check it out myself one day.
Going somewhat further afield, A couple of my favs are Lake Radipole/Lodmoor and Arne in Dorset, often call into these when I'm down that way and always seem to get something.
Cheers
Kev
Thanks for that, sounds like Rainham may not be worth it.
Whats the best spot in Bushey Park? I gather its best to pick a spot and wait? Do you guys use any camo nettting? I have a camo jacket and trousers to try and blend in a bit if theres no hide to get in.
I think for starters I'm looking for woodland birds like Woodpeckers, Owls, Nuthatch.
Managed to get a treecreeper and wren in Richmond Park over the weekend.
I'd be shooting on a 300mm F2.8 with a x2 to give you some idea of how close I can get.
Cheers
Ian
In spring and summer I've had Cuckoo, Little Grebe and various Warblers within a few feet, plus Reed Bunting and posing Stonechat too. Kingfisher are resident and Water Vole if it's quiet enough.
On the seawall, there are also Dartford Warbler resident, although I've not tried to capture those yet.
The feeders also attact quite a few species.
When you first arrive, the site can appear daunting - basically, it's a 2 mile circular walk - but take your time and talk to the wardens before you go out - they will tell you the best spots.
I've had my best results by just standing in a spot and waiting rather than marching round as a lot do and missing everything. Check out the RSPB site for Rainham - there is a Warden called Howard Vaugh, and he keeps the latest sightings updated very well.
Check out my Flickr site too - most of the species mentioned above were taken @ Rainham .....
heat near Camberley-Dartford warbler and Tree Pipit,if you want Red Kite-High Wycombe is good area
Marek
Send me your email address and I'll email you a map of Bushy Park with the best places highlighted.
Simon
Rene de Heer
I think High Wycombe for the Kites is something I will do saw a few near Henley I think aswell.
I'm interested in how people actually set up once on site, park yourself next to a tree, do you play bird calls to attract birds, camo?
Cheers
Ian
Fleet – Dartford Warbler & Stonechat
Wraysbury & Kempton Park – Little Ringed Plover
Windsor Great Park – G.C. Grebe
Regents Park & Kempton Park – Heronries
Shepperton – Kingfisher
Queen Mary Reservoirs (public and restricted access) - A lot of scrub land and I believe it has a resident ringing station, or at least did, which tells you something.
Kempton Park (Private and restricted access) – Majority of the Woodland, Scrub and Meadow species occur. In the autumn when migration is on, it used to have a large Swallow/Martin night roost. House Martins nest on the pumping station. Water Rail are also present in reasonable numbers, Kingfishers are frequent visitors.
Bushy & Regents Park have been covered.
The other sites/locations have also been covered.
Kempton and Queen Mary, are on the West London “green” corridor and as such anything can turn up, and does.
Most of the larger reserves have hides, particularly the RSPB and Wetland centres, but invariably these are aimed at bird watchers. Little, if any, photography can be done from a car and unless you have access to private land, which has a secure perimeter, then I would advise against hide work, the parks don’t allow it, and elsewhere your liable to have it go missing. So basically, its down to some lateral thinking and plain old stalking/fieldcraft.
Missed a few things.
If you are working the Woodland Gardens, Bushy Park, the terrain lends itself to low level shooting.
You asked about bird calls, well don’t ever admit to using them, if you ever do, as many frown on their use, and if you don’t know what you are doing you can do a lot of damage. Besides, talking from experience, you really won’t want the flack.
If you want to look into it, then you can’t go far wrong by getting hold of some of the hunting media that is sold in the states. I have some of them, the quality isn’t all that, but they get the message across. I happen to have some very strange calls, for example, fish splashing, frogs croaking, Mice/Rabbits in distress, these in theory bring out the Herons/Bittern, Owls and Foxes, so I’m told.
If you want some recommendations as to specific recording let me know, and I’ll be able to point you in the right direction.
If you do go to Bushy and need some company, let me know, as I do need to recce it again, plus I only live quite literally, 10 minutes away.
I think I may try and venture out this Saturday morning.
Ian