Ravens and Fieldfares - Techniques

Matt_IOM · #1 (**permalink**) 05-01-2009, 06:55 PM

Ravens and Fieldfares are a couple of subjects I would love to get some shots of. I know exactly where to go to find them near where I live, however the area they cover is quite large and I think I will need to set up and maybe feed certain foods for a few days beforehand to get them returning to a similar spot to give me the best chance to get some photos. I have spoken with a couple of people who have given me some ideas, however I thought I'd ask here to see if anyone has had any success with these birds. So...

For Ravens, I have found out that quite often if you know where the birds tend to frequent (each time I drive past a certain spot here, you can almost guarantee seeing at least one) a good way of getting them in front of you is to take some carrion (suggestion was an animal which has been killed on the road) and placing it where you want the Ravens to go. Then it's a case of setting up in the hide and waiting for them to come to you. Anyone any advice on this or had any success with this?

For Fieldfares, I think it might take a bit more than just placing some food out once and hoping to get the birds to feed. I think it would need the same spot feeding daily for a week or so, then feed the area on the day you go out to take the photos and, again, set up within range and wait for them to come to you. I understand chopped apples are an excellent food for attracting Fieldfares (Blackbirds certainly devour them!). Again, has anyone ever tried this or have any advice on this subject?

Thanks!
Matt.

Gill Catton · #2 (**permalink**) 05-01-2009, 07:04 PM

not sure of British Ravens might be different but have juat read a book about ravens written by someone who is spending his lifetime studying them all around the world and he has come to the conclusion that it is impossible to sneak up on a raven and yes he uses a hide remembering to hide yourself from the skies above too. He uses a carcass but sometimes the ravens suss something is a bit odd and won't ever turn up, also if you scare them even once with a noise or a movement, they may be so spooked that they may not return.
He used to go into the hides before dawn so no birds saw him arrive.

The easier solution if you want a close up may be to photograph a captive ones oooh or I thinking they may turn up amongst the buzzards and red kites at Gilgrin farm, some falconers have them now and it might be worth checking local wildlife sanctuaries etc

ChrisJB · #3 (**permalink**) 05-01-2009, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt_IOM

Ravens and Fieldfares are a couple of subjects I would love to get some shots of. I know exactly where to go to find them near where I live, however the area they cover is quite large and I think I will need to set up and maybe feed certain foods for a few days beforehand to get them returning to a similar spot to give me the best chance to get some photos. I have spoken with a couple of people who have given me some ideas, however I thought I'd ask here to see if anyone has had any success with these birds. So...

For Ravens, I have found out that quite often if you know where the birds tend to frequent (each time I drive past a certain spot here, you can almost guarantee seeing at least one) a good way of getting them in front of you is to take some carrion (suggestion was an animal which has been killed on the road) and placing it where you want the Ravens to go. Then it's a case of setting up in the hide and waiting for them to come to you. Anyone any advice on this or had any success with this?

For Fieldfares, I think it might take a bit more than just placing some food out once and hoping to get the birds to feed. I think it would need the same spot feeding daily for a week or so, then feed the area on the day you go out to take the photos and, again, set up within range and wait for them to come to you. I understand chopped apples are an excellent food for attracting Fieldfares (Blackbirds certainly devour them!). Again, has anyone ever tried this or have any advice on this subject?

Thanks!
Matt.

Howdy Matt. Whilst I don't do photography, the other day I was at Martin Mere WWT reserve in Lancs. In the countryside surrounding the reserve (so you don't have to pay!) there were loads of Fieldfare just by the roadsides looking for food on the frozen pasture. They were very confiding indeed and I wondered if the cold conditions of late made them somewhat bolder.
Of course, this is of no use to you if you don't live anywhere near NW England.

Regards, Chris

willing to learn · #4 (**permalink**) 05-01-2009, 07:33 PM

Ravens should not be to hard to photograph, first find a area where they are resident, watch from a far try to establish fly paths feeding grounds and roost. Build a hide after your recon, place some food, Day old chicks are good. Bright, spotted easy, and they like them. You might need to tie the food down as they might just nip down and carry it off. If their about you will need a mate to follow you in the hide. And the leave as otherwise they will know you are about. When your mate leaves it will fool them into thinking you have left. I would feed for a few days let them get confident before you venture into the hide.
Regards
Colin

MeadsMan · #5 (**permalink**) 31-01-2009, 08:13 PM

Sure I heard somewhere that members of the Crow family can count into double figures,or was that a myth ? It would not surprise me if they can.

RobinP · #6 (**permalink**) 31-01-2009, 10:08 PM

What, out loud?

Gill Catton · #7 (**permalink**) 01-02-2009, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeadsMan

Sure I heard somewhere that members of the Crow family can count into double figures,or was that a myth ? It would not surprise me if they can.

pigeons can so it wouldn't suprise me if ravens can too but two in one out hide thing does work...... Perhaps that involves more brain work than purely counting.