Wildlife Photography Set-up
I have been very fortunate in that I got to know someone who was kind enough to let me start exploring his land with the possibility of photographing the wildlife there. He is also passionate about wildlife, so it’s great to be able to share my images and progress with him.
It looks a bit bare from above during early spring.
Rather than rushing in with a camera straight away, I have spent a long time just watching what goes on there, trying to understand the place. This was simply achieved with binoculars, camera traps, and patience.
There isn’t too much going on in the set-up area in the way of plant life at the moment. It is mainly grass, nettles, and brambles, and whilst these do provide a habitat for insects and birds, it’s not very diverse. So we are focusing on trying diversify the plant life slightly with native species that will hopefully attract more insects and subsequently more birds.
Last year the area was surprisingly busy with dragonfly activity during the summer months and there was also plenty of activity from a few butterfly species. So I’m hopeful that with the careful introduction of wild flowers aimed at pollinators and birds, the biodiversity of the area can be increased with it becoming a stronghold for insects and birds.
It All Revolves Around The Feeders
The feeders with squirrel baffles attached. When food is out, it becomes a constant battle against the squirrels.
I have feeders up and there are regular visits from blue tits, great tits, long-tailed tits, robins and great spotted woodpeckers. The feeders have had to be squirrel-proofed using baffles and it’s a constant worry that the squirrels will get the better of my efforts and destroy everything!
Female great spotted woodpecker.
Long tailed tits and blue tits quickly became regulars.
Reflection Pool
I have also been working on a reflection pool for the site. I am currently on version four of the pool, and it’s still a big work in progress. The liner I used in version two was too thin and it got punctured by either a tawny owl or a sparrow hawk that both came in for bathing. I had a camera trap on the pool, so I know that these were the culprits. I then caused a leak in version three (thicker liner), so now it’s fibre glassed. Now that it holds water again, it will stay at its current configuration until next year, when if all goes to plan, it will be made considerably larger. Jays have used the pool for drinking, so it highlights the importance of water at the site. So for now, if it only serves as a source of water and bathing for the birds, that’s perfectly fine, especially if we get another hot summer.
The pool will do for now.
Nowhere near the quality of shot I want, more proof of concept than anything else.
Grass Snakes
There are grass snakes at the site too, so there will be a focus on helping them with extra places to sun bathe and hopefully lay eggs. I didn’t get a good look at a grass snake until a couple of weeks ago and I was stunned by how beautiful they are. So now I am researching all I can so that we can improve the habitat for them and hopefully I can get some nice shots of them.
This is my first ever picture of a grass snake. It’s simply a record shot, but it still shows how beautiful they are. I am now obsessed with them!
The main goals for the year are to manage the area to increase its biodiversity and to continue to develop the photography areas. I will document the progress here, and will include pictures of the site and of course, pictures of the wildlife there. There are other species on the site that I haven’t mentioned, but stay tuned and hopefully you will get to see them in the future.
Happy wildlife sightings!
