Where to go?

[RuthGlover]

This weekend I am going to Leicester, attending a birthday party on Saturday night. I am planning to make a weekend of it, so any suggestions where to go in order to photograph or observe some decent wildlife in the area (or anywhere between there and Durham)?

Thanks in advance.

Ruth

[JoulesH]

Rutland Water, - visitor centres and hides, or Watermead Country Park, just N of Leicester, also hides there. Bradgate Park, between Leics and Loughborough (lots of people and more touristy but good if you want to get some pix of parkland deer), or Beacon Hill. Burrough on the Hill. (the last 3 are all country parks with great views too). Belvoir Woods (footpath access only, but again, great views!). Grantham (disused) canal, anywhere in the Vale of Belvoir, eg Harby, Plungar area.

[RuthGlover]

Fantastic - thanks very much.

Ruth

[Maverick47]

Exactly my thoughts, Rutland Water (Nesting Ospreys) Bradgate Park for close ups of Fallow Deer

[RuthGlover]

OK, next question...

I like taking photos, but Im not too good at it. How can I get some decent shots of the birds at,say, Rutland Water? Are there suitable hides at suitable distances from the birds? I have a 500mm lens plus a x2 converter, but I have been told I need to get closer to the subject - how can I do that? In my experience, birds fly away if you get too close, except at the park where they come looking for food! Any suggestions where to put myself if I dont use the hides provided?

[Maverick47]

Yes there are hides a Rutland, this is probably your best bet as most nature reserves are managed so that people can't get close to the waters edge other than to use the hides, this stops disturbance of the wildlife.

A hide is exactly that, it hides you from the wildlife

The trick is also not to stick arms (and long lenses) through the viewing hatch's as this defeats the object, it's surprising how many people do this, normally whilst making lots of noise

[JoulesH]

Did you get any decent shots Ruth? Where did you end up?

[RuthGlover]

Thanks for asking.

We did get to Rutland Water, but it was very quiet. There was a couple of garganeys but they were so far out we couldnt photograph them at all, but saw them through the spotting scope. I think we were there too late in the day really - didnt get there till lunch time. So nice day out, but no decent pics.