AUTUMNGUIDE

Picture perfect:
TOP TIPS FOR WINTER GARDEN
BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY
David Tipling Photo Library / Alamy*
More and more birdwatchers are taking photographs of birds. In this modern digital age, photography in general
is so much easier, so much cheaper and frankly so much better than it used to be in the bad old days. And, in
some ways, the best place to start bird photography is at home. In your own garden, you can control the
environment, the background, even to an extent what birds appear, and it can all be within reach of a nice hot
cup of tea. Here are some tips on photographing garden birds in autumn and winter.
Vince Burton / Alamy Stock Photo
Coal Tit
1
Put out feeders
and perches
Garden birds are essentially woodland birds and
many can be tempted by food and water. By
putting out food and water, you can lure birds
within range. But photographs of birds on feeders
or at artificial drinking sites can look artificial. So, it
is a good idea to place nice looking perches
(mossy branches are a favourite) near the feeders,
but with the feeders out of shot. Similarly,
drinking pools can be ‘disguised’ with some logs
or leaves to look more attractive and realistic.
Experiment with different perches in different
positions so that the birds’ favoured routes to and
from the feeders are exploited.
birdwatching.co.uk 21