Stalking Wildlife

[Royalist]

Can anybody give any tips please on the best way to go about this. My interest is photography.
Yesterday I spent two hours in what I thought was a likely and a remote woodland spot. I was in a depression sitting comfortably with the wind on my face and my back against a tree and camera ready on tripod with a 400mmm lens ready to go.
I have camouflage gear being made for me at present and also for camera and tripod. This will include a visor which will allow 180º vision. My head and shoulder profile will disappear.
Two hours is a long time without moving, but obviously longer is needed.
Any advice please?

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi

did you go there before you went with your camera to see if anything actually visited that area? If there is nothing to attract them in front of your camera you could be sat there for days.
Check out where they feed, where birds perch, bathe , sing etc. They are all creatures of habit and when you know these areas you can stake them out knowing that eventually they will appear. Try setting up a feeding station in the wood to get the birds used to travelling to that area.

Just some quick off the top of my head ideas, good luck,

neil

[coasty]

Originally Posted by wildlifesnapper

Hi

did you go there before you went with your camera to see if anything actually visited that area? If there is nothing to attract them in front of your camera you could be sat there for days.
Check out where they feed, where birds perch, bathe , sing etc. They are all creatures of habit and when you know these areas you can stake them out knowing that eventually they will appear. Try setting up a feeding station in the wood to get the birds used to travelling to that area.

Just some quick off the top of my head ideas, good luck,

neil

Agree with all of that. I would say spend some time wandering around in your chosen woods. Look for tracks and signs Unless you are out at dawn or in the night tracks of mammals are the most likely thing you will see. As for Birds you need to get a clear idea of what you are hoping to see. Perhaps bait areas. Hope you get some results but do some research of the area first....

[mh68]

Coasty`s spot on as regards mammals. Fortunately for us, they leave plenty of visual clues as to their activities. It takes a while to work things out though, to the point where you can predict where to set up to be in with a chance of a pic or two.
A more mobile approach would probably be better until you begin to work out the more productive spots which are worth setting up in and waiting.Sounds like youre well aware of the benefits of camo/dull clothing and wind direction, so the only other advice I would offer is to use your ears as well as your eyes when out stalking,its amazing how often you`ll hear an animal long before you see it if youre concentrating and the conditions are right...

Mark H

[Royalist]

Originally Posted by wildlifesnapper

Hi

did you go there before you went with your camera to see if anything actually visited that area? If there is nothing to attract them in front of your camera you could be sat there for days.
Check out where they feed, where birds perch, bathe , sing etc. They are all creatures of habit and when you know these areas you can stake them out knowing that eventually they will appear. Try setting up a feeding station in the wood to get the birds used to travelling to that area.

Just some quick off the top of my head ideas, good luck,

neil

Thanks Neil,
Splendid ideas, a great help.
Setting up feeding stations; did you mean the hanging feeders that people hang in their garden, including me, or did you mean just sprinkle seed on the ground in likely areas? I am investing in some peanuts which appear to have a fairly wide appeal.
Having now spent two hours there quietly sitting, watching, listening and sniffing, I have noted some areas nearby where there is bird activity for example, although very little. I also saw a vague tunnelling of the undergrowth in one place which led back into a darker area that could well have concealed a Badgers sett maybe. They like peanuts I think.
I was told by a dog walker, that he had seen a hind on the track in front of him and I saw round hoof prints in the soil with horseshoe imprints also.
I learnt from my underwater days, that if I remained stationary and scarcely breathing for a while, fish activity quickly returned to normal. More so than on terra firma.
Again many thanks.
Roy

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi Roy

the only problem with hanging feeders is that they will attract the attention of other people. If there is and old tree stump or fence post etc. you could place food on there. You can always attract them to this and place something more photogenic next to the stump/post for the birds to land on and wait their turn to feed and you to photograph

neil

[Gill Catton]

What time of day are you visiting? Dawn is obviously best but dusk can be good too.
Oh and don't wash the scent of shower gel or deoderant may be quite obvious to woodland mammals.

[Royalist]

Thanks for your advice Gill,
I have taken many of my best pics in the past at dawn, but now I like my bed too much.
Are you telling me to go dirty??
Seriously, I will be guided by your suggestions.
I like your pics. I too have a recent "Cricket" and some "Damselflies" doing naughty things, but I have not yet got to grips with how to upload pics to this forum.
Thanks again.
Roy

[muldonach]

Originally Posted by Royalist

Thanks for your advice Gill,
Are you telling me to go dirty??
Roy

It is irrelevant - to any scent sensitive animal the human body scent (washed, unwashed or pure soap washed) stands out like rotten eggs to us. give yourself a good scrub and make sure that you approach your intended observation area up the wind as you have already indicated.

As others have said dawn is the best time to be out and about and perhaps a more mobile approach initially may pay dividends. However I would not overdo the mobility - walk little and look much is a good adage. if you are walking then a set of light camo gloves for your hands are worthwhile and keep all hand and head movements nice and slow.

Regards
mac

[screwfix1982]

use a specific set of clothing i.e camoflage for stalking and wash in clean water only, fabric detergents and conditioners leave crystaline residue in the fabric which nocturnal sighted animals such as Rabbits will pick up on like a beacon, through there vision it shines like david bowies lycra!

if you can see animals from a distance that you want to photograph. plan a route to the point where u want to photograph them from. the route should use as much cover available, take indirect courses which keep you out of line of sight with the animal. when you are in sight of the animal, travel slowly and quietly keeping as low as possibe and never take your eyes of of them, travel whilst they are feeding or distracted, if they lift there heads to look around or they are startled, freeze imediatly and dont move until they appear at ease again or resume feeding. its hard to do at first but as you practice you will find you can get closer and closer.

i suggest practicing even when your just walking without the camera. If you see an animal, stalk it just for the practice. and remember that you can also ruin the stalk by spooking other animals such as a herd of cattle or a bird you didnt see. spook one animal and you spook them all. be aware of everything around you.

[JW]

One of the best investments I made for finding mammals is a book on tracks, trails and signs. May set you back a few quid but a least you'll know what to expect to see. It'll save a lot of wasted hours.

Listening to birds will give you a good idea that something is in the area. To get an idea of what to listen for wait until a cat comes near your garden, the song birds will make very distinctive calls. They'll do the same for any other potential predator.

As a bit of an aside, a mate of mine who used to be in the Army said that they didn't wash for three days prior to any covert activity. I'm sure that I also read about a photographer who used to store his cam kit with dry leaves from the local woods. Don't know how effective that would be.

[deer boy]

Originally Posted by JW

One of the best investments I made for finding mammals is a book on tracks, trails and signs. May set you back a few quid but a least you'll know what to expect to see. It'll save a lot of wasted hours.

Why spend money when u can use Tracks and signs images needed.

[Royalist]

Thank you Muldonach, Deer Boy, JW and Screwfix1982 for your advice. It is all very useful and I shall follow it except where there is conflicting advice of course.
I have ordered the Hamlyn Pocket Guide to Animals Tracks, Trails and Signs from ebay, but will also keep a close eye on the Tracks & Signs, Images Wanted section.
Now I am off into the woods for a recce, but many hours after dawn.
Thanks to you all
Roy