Woodland bird photography.

[wizzo]

I agree with the above comments also. I know from my expeiriences when fishing that some birds like Robins will even take mggots and mealworms out of your hand. Add a fast, good quality lens (I would try and avoid flash) and Bob's yer uncle!

[JeffH]

I'd say the three main ingredients for success with woodland birds are:-

1. Set up a feeding station - perhaps near a small pond, pool or even just a puddle where the birds might also come to drink - but not using feeders or anything looking unnatural . Just a few nuts, seeds, etc scattered over some rotting logs or similar. You may have to do this for several days to get the birds used to it.

2. Get yourself some camo clothing (or better still a hide) and set yourself up nearby.

3. Be patient and prepared to wait for several hours

Hope that helps

Jeff


PS. Sorry! I've just realised this is a very old thread and that I posted the same advice nearly 2 years ago!! Still, it's nice to be consistent (even when you don't know it )

[DrNickBurton]

Actually it's a great thread - I've just been reading through it, and I'm glad you revived it!

It's pretty much made me decide to get a hide. I went out this morning just before dawn and took pictures in my local churchyard for a couple of hours. It's amazing how much activity there is at this time of day.

[cosmicma]

some great advice in this thread for the potential bird photographer

if you don't have a hide or similar i have found that a lot of birds take no notice of cars
step out of the car and there gone but stay in the car wind the window down and your off
it's suprising how close you can get in a car

so where can you drive to and photograph out the window ?
well..
a good place to start is a carpark or some lonely layby ( bear with me ) if you can find a carpark thats a little out of the way at the edge of your local nature spot find the ideal place to park and start leaving food the birds will come
they get used to traffic and people which allows you to get very close

i have done this for the last 3 years or so on a local nature spot car park there is a bit of a cafe at the other end of the car park which is an added bonus because wheres there's food there's wildlife it's just a case of attracting it to your feeding spot
now there must be at least 15 to 20 different spieces coming into the bush i have been feeding including tree creepers , jays , the odd woodpecker ( rarely ) , collard doves and all the usual type of tit's and finches

i set a branch or log up in a clear patch for the photographs and have been getting very satisfactory results

if you care to look here you can make your own mind up
Pictures by cosmicma - Photobucket
more or less all the photo's have been taken there apart from a couple of exceptions the waxwing being one of em ( shame )