Photograghing Magpies

[Crested Newt]

I have a lot of Magpies in the local area since you are all great do you have any tips?

[Maple]

I’ve found Magpies to be very timid and one of those birds that quickly raise the alarm to any pending danger, so they’re not always easy to get close to and maybe you will need to let them get close to you, or practice your stalking skills. Their black and white contrasting plumage can also make it tricky from a photographic point of view to get an even exposure.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Crested Newt

I have a lot of Magpies in the local area since you are all great do you have any tips?

you can bring them closer to you by ratling a box of matches - this resembles their call sufficiently that males will come to investigate - an old gamekeepers trick

also as maple mentioned exposure will be tricky so if possible shoot in raw format - if you have to shoot jpeg err on the side of slight under exposure as this can be rectified in photoshop where blown highlights cannot - and use your cameras histogram (if you have one) to check for over exposure.

[Alan Seymour]

I photographed a couple on Monday, I was sat in a hide, they where after nuts from a feeder, but before they came to the feeder they sat in a tree to make sure it was safe. I also nailed one in flight last year. Photos can be seen on my web site ALAN SEYMOUR NATURAL HISTORY PHOTOGRAPHY
Alan Seymour.

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by eeyore

you can bring them closer to you by ratling a box of matches - this resembles their call sufficiently that males will come to investigate - an old gamekeepers trick

wow this is an amazing top tip, I had no idea!! I'll try it at the weekend

[mrs fish]

I took this yesterday, he/she looked cold, the pic is not very well focused.

[V6GTO]

Hi LISA!

Martin.

[nightshade]

Yes the matchbox trick works,so does a few peanuts in the shell
they rattle when the maggie picks them up which can hold their
interest and a few twigs, straw, to make a nest then put a hens
egg in it (near their favourite spot) my local ones come down for
rabbits feet which they mistake for dead mice.Water is good also

[smartie]

I've got one that comes to the bird table, but it spends a lot of time casing the joint before leaving the security of the hedge. If I move a muscle in the conservatory it flies off. So no picture yet.

[nightshade]

I used to sit in my garage right at the furthest end
and leave the back door open.The maggies would sit
around for a while then disappear 10 minutes would
pass then if I so much as moved a muscle they would
KAK-KAK in triumph and fly off,20 minutes seemed to be
the limit of patience for both parties if the reward was
worthwhile and they would then come down in turn still
watching while one ate,covering my hands and face,
gloves and a face net gave improved results