Posted by Mark Green on October 27, 2009 at 7:33 AM
hi after some advice for doing some wading bird photos, I am going to be in wells next the sea for a long weekend, from the 4th of Nov.
Where and when is the best time/place to get pics of the knot.?
After watching autumn watch last friday, they were saying there is only a few days in the year when you can get them close enough for pictures.?? is this true.
I presume the hides at snettisham is is the place to go.
They are right re the times this happens. It happens on spring tides, and given a certain set of other things too like wind direction etc.,.
Also, the suitable tides are never in the middle of the day - always v.early, or v.late which is why early Autumn and Spring are the best times to go because of BST.
Best bet is to check the tide times for the weekend you'll be there (look up Hunstanton). You've missed the best Autumn tides though - from looking at the tides times, the high tides will be during darkness for the whole weekend (i.e., around 6am and 6pmish).
The hides are OK if you just want to view birds, but the beach and tide line is best for the odd Knot, Turnstone, Plover etc.,.. As the tide will be out most of the day, most birds will be far out on the mud-flats.
If you want solitary waders, try the beach at RSPB Titchwell instead - a shorter walk (and drive from Wells), and you're more likely get something. They just improved the hides there, and you might get the Starling roost too (80,000+ a week ago).
Snettisham is well worth a visit but be warned, it's a long walk from the cp.
HTH's
Graham
Posted by Rene de Heer on October 27, 2009 at 9:09 AM
Was at Snettisham amd Titchwell this weekend. SNettisham, birds are far out and as stated hides are good for looking but not for photographing. Actually didnt see that much.
Titchwell: very busy and i was amazed at the noise made in the hides by the many other birdwatchers. Also they are currently doing maintenance at Titchwell.
The beach at the end looks nice with many birds but i think you might end up in a fight with the many birdwatchers, if you want to get close to the birds............
Rene de Heer
Posted by Mark Green on October 27, 2009 at 9:18 AM
great thanks for the advice, where is the best place to go for the starlings ??
Mark
Posted by Rene de Heer on October 27, 2009 at 9:20 AM
For starlings Titchwell
Rene de Heer
Posted by Mike Smith on October 27, 2009 at 10:34 AM
Little known fact for Titchwell is the winter woodcock roost, no good photography wise but an interesting experience - most birders are blissfully unaware and have long gone home, but if you stand on the junction for the footpath to the "new" ie first reedbed hide/pool at late dusk the woodcock fly out of the reedbed roost into the "barn owl" field as darkness falls. Ties in with the starling experience as well. Last time I was there (quite a few years ago I must admit) I counted over 30 emerging woodcock
Rene
Hope you had a good trip
I think the old washed out pill box at the end of the track is fair game for photography, I've seen a few photogs and birders camped out there before now waiting for the tide to push the birds up the beach - it is also the best place for purple sand. there is usually an odd one there amongst the R. plovers
It is quiter further round the beach to the right especially passed the rusting old WWII Bren Gun carrier chassis - mixed waders on the tideline and a regular haunt for Snow Bunting later on in the winter in the dune slacks and in a good year there are shore lark there as well
Discussion
6 repliesWhere and when is the best time/place to get pics of the knot.?
After watching autumn watch last friday, they were saying there is only a few days in the year when you can get them close enough for pictures.?? is this true.
I presume the hides at snettisham is is the place to go.
Mark.G
They are right re the times this happens. It happens on spring tides, and given a certain set of other things too like wind direction etc.,.
Also, the suitable tides are never in the middle of the day - always v.early, or v.late which is why early Autumn and Spring are the best times to go because of BST.
Best bet is to check the tide times for the weekend you'll be there (look up Hunstanton). You've missed the best Autumn tides though - from looking at the tides times, the high tides will be during darkness for the whole weekend (i.e., around 6am and 6pmish).
The hides are OK if you just want to view birds, but the beach and tide line is best for the odd Knot, Turnstone, Plover etc.,.. As the tide will be out most of the day, most birds will be far out on the mud-flats.
If you want solitary waders, try the beach at RSPB Titchwell instead - a shorter walk (and drive from Wells), and you're more likely get something. They just improved the hides there, and you might get the Starling roost too (80,000+ a week ago).
Snettisham is well worth a visit but be warned, it's a long walk from the cp.
HTH's
Graham
Titchwell: very busy and i was amazed at the noise made in the hides by the many other birdwatchers. Also they are currently doing maintenance at Titchwell.
The beach at the end looks nice with many birds but i think you might end up in a fight with the many birdwatchers, if you want to get close to the birds............
Rene de Heer
Mark
Rene de Heer
Rene
Hope you had a good trip
I think the old washed out pill box at the end of the track is fair game for photography, I've seen a few photogs and birders camped out there before now waiting for the tide to push the birds up the beach - it is also the best place for purple sand. there is usually an odd one there amongst the R. plovers
It is quiter further round the beach to the right especially passed the rusting old WWII Bren Gun carrier chassis - mixed waders on the tideline and a regular haunt for Snow Bunting later on in the winter in the dune slacks and in a good year there are shore lark there as well
Mike
Skywatcher