Woodland bird photography.

[redwing210]

For the last few weeks have been trying to get photos of woodland birds in
my local country park with no luck. How do you or the pros get these shots, my main problem is getting close to the birds and/or not spooking them.

Cheers
redwing

[Brocker]

Hi Redwing,
I am fairly new to wildlife photography myself. A good camera and lens probably help a lot but on balance I think it is more about the way you move, what you wear and your patience. I always wear muted clothing in green or browns, sometimes camo clothing, depending on what I am photographing. A good knowledge of where the birds are and then settle down and wait. No sudden movements etc. You could also try a handful of meal worms away in front. That will bring in the tits and the robins. . It a long and drawn out process but once you have that one great shot you will be back again and again. Good luck

[Ollie]

Can't say as I spend much time in woods but when I have been I have found that the best way is to find a spot that you think the birds are most likely to frequent and then stand still. It's surprising how near the birds will come to you. I can still remember a couple of years ago being on the edge of a wood when I heard Long-tailed Tits calling. I stood very still and they came within feet of me, could almost have reached out and touched them.

I find this type of approach works quite well even if not in a wood. Of course you have to be patient and there is a chance the birds won't show at all but I have had more success this way than by constantly walking around.
Roger

[Words]

Got to agree with Ollie here. The best way is to wait for them to come to you. The other problem in woodland is getting enough light (well actually getting enough shutter speed).

[Mick Johnson]

Hi redwing, I'm new here but I do a lot of bird photography so I can maybe give you a few idea's.


I normally use a hide of some sort but don't really go in public parks but stick to local farmland. I have never asked a farmer if I can go on his land to do something and been refused. Doing this guarantees you're on your own.

I have a 3ft square home made portable canvas hide, a 3ft square wooden hide for the garden and I also have one I put on the edge of a quarry about 3 years ago to photograph Buzzards etc.

I suppose if I was attempting to do what you are I would still want to cover myself with something, maybe a smock. I've seen some last week in 'Yeomans' for about £20, I think. They were 'ex army' and made from what looked like waterproof camo material. Just slips over your head and has a hood and I would say they looked big enough to get a tripod under as well but I'm not sure without trying one.

Still can't beat a hide though as you can at least move about in it without being seen.

Another problem I could see with 'going into the woods' as you say is light, or lack of it. For bird photography you really want good light and there's no better light than sunlight, something you might find a lack of if the woods are pretty dense.

Mick........

[JeffH]

As others have said, the best tactic is to find a suitable spot and wait for the birds to come to you - needs lots of patience though

A hide (best bet) or some form of camouflage also helps.

If there's a small pond in your local woods that's often a good spot as many birds will come to drink there, and if you put out some food as well that will improve your chances considerably.

Good Luck

Jeff

[Mike B]

A hide, food and patience are the main ingredients to success.

[DaiTheDragon]

Even in woodland you can usually find an area where sunlight gets through. I have differant locations for the morning and afternoon so as the sun is always behind me. So find a clearing in the woods and sit against a tree with a camo net just thrown over you.
If you can't put feeders out get some peanuts and lodge them in the cracks of the bark, get some fat ball mixture and fill some crack in with that and put some food on the floor.
It's a waiting game and some you win some you lose.

Dai

[redwing210]

Thanks for the info everyone. A few people have said try farms for photography there are not that many near me, however I will try them...can't help feeling sceptical about their response!

Cheers
redwing

[ron1863]

Ollie's advice is excellent and I often get good results that way. I also use a lightweight camouflage net that I use to cover me, leaving just the lens sticking out.