The Challenge of Bird Photography in the UK (Why You Need a Back-up Plan)

Bird photography in the UK can be a real challenge. Today I'm in Yorkshire, hoping to photograph coastal birds, but things don't go quite as planned. My back-up plan has to go into action, to take me from failure.. to success! There's no doubt about it - bird photography is challenging.

I'm on the Yorkshire coast using a Canon R6 with Canon EF lenses and a home made ground pod ('Frypod') What challenges do you face when photographing birds on a beach? Let me know in the Comments!

My equipment: If you purchase any of these items, that I use and recommend, through the Links Below I receive a small commission which is massively appreciated and it helps me to keep creating new videos.

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Equipment: Canon R6; Canon EF 400mm F/5.6 Lens; Canon EF 500mm F/4 Mark i Lens; Frypod

Music:

Jazz Me Blues by E's Jammy Jams

Quiet by The Mini Vandals

[DuckMisty]

That moment when you're photographing Sanderling on the water's edge and someone walks between you and the birds. Been there, done that. You have my empathy. Nice video, as always.

[StephenBrooks-em]

I’m glad I’m not the only one who blanks. I follow Dan I really enjoy his videos. Thanks for sharing your videos really helpful and informative.

[WildpixFPV]

Under your last video you asked what makes us come and click your videos. Had to think about it, it's this natural easy going way you take us along with you. No big fancy staged stuff like in many other Photography channels. I like the calm presentation and the way you explain stuff. Sharing experiences like this one here, like a neighbour ( hi from Germany xD ) telling a story!
I mostly go out with about 3 spots in my mind, so I have plan A, B and C. ;-)
And thanks for the more frequent uploads!

[danwillis_photography]

Really enjoyed this one mate and definitely shows the challenges faced by photographing birds at the coast.
Thanks for the shout out, I really appreciate it 👍🏻

[edwardchitty]

Wildlife and bird photography is hard work. Sometimes I find it hard to find thing to photograph in the uk. great video Paul.

[famo]

Thank you Paul for your sharing video
I enjoy all your videos

[antonoat]

We find on many beaches dogs running free tend to chase and scare off any birds! Unfortunately here in the UK we don't really have any wilderness areas, we've found many of the Scottish beaches are quieter!

[JohnCooper-jlnt]

Loved this video Paul especially the iron railing and colourful boats.

[RichardCookphotography]

Fun video as always Paul. Some great images. Well done👍

[SkylarkFields]

Another great video, showing that all is not always perfect when one goes out with the camera - very much like my own photography! I never really plan anything as always got dog and hubby along with me so my photography has to fit around them. It gets boring too as we seem to end up going to the same old places, out of necessity, unfortunately. I really like the images you got around the harbour - a very refreshing change of scene. Poor little turnstone though, but what a brave little soul. They don't think, 'I can't do this', like a human might - they just get on with it and manage as best they can. Nature is wonderful!

[ianwilsonwildlifephotography]

Great video Dan, proof there to always have a back up plan. It’s not easy photographing on a beach unless you get there really early and the tide is right.

[ChrisHunt]

Poor little bird with no feet. 😢😢😢 I loved your shots at the harbour. ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[Kellysher]

I like the Harbor shots. I find it interesting to photograph birds in man made environments. I call them my urban series. To me, it represents that nature is everywhere if we look for it. Rail yards, chain link fences, factory buildings, fence posts and poles. Sometimes I intentionally include these elements in the scene for some unique results. Hey, I do also shoot bird on a perch with a smooth background, but these urban shots can be quite fun too! Cheers!

[epoo]

Nice video, thank you! I’m planning to do more bird photography in the future and the “Frying pod” looks really useful, I may see if it works for me.

[mikebrownhill]

I feel your pain in the first half of the video. I've had this happen to me so many times. Coastal bird photography in the UK can be a frustrating experience. It's hard work at the best of times - walking miles with heavy gear and layers of waterproofing and insulating clothing, getting battered by the elements, putting your body into impossible positions, keeping yourself safe from the tide... but it's worth it IF you get a shot or two. Trouble is, there are many times when even the best planning fails for reasons outside your control - too many dogs around, birds are not showing that day or have found a spot where you can't reach, elements are not playing ball. I think I come home empty handed more often from coastal shoots than any other bird shoot. It's still great fun though and some of my favourite bird images are on the coast. These days, I do a lot of research before even going out - things like weather and tide around early morning and recent sightings at a location . When I get there, I sit for half an hour at the top of a beach and just watch through binoculars and/or a thermal camera to see what's around. It doesn't guarantee anything - the birds can still fly off for no good reason even with the best approach on my behalf - but I definitely get more success this way than by walking straight towards the first birds I see. It doesn't make any difference at all on a busy beach like the one you're on though - with so many people and dogs, it's a lottery...

[CamillaI]

Lovely beach but too many others enjoying the sand . Dan's spot looked great but accessibility a problem hence no one there . I think your choice was a fair compromise Paul. 👏

[geofffield]

My plan D would have been Flamborough or Bempton! You always see something there!

[simontemlett]

Plan B every time😀I live just up the road and Filey Brigg is the place to go. Make your way down the dodgy path onto the Brigg itself. I know you're not averse to lying in the odd rock pool or two but if you do, the birds literally come up to you (as Dan found when he visited). On your way into Filey you'll have driven past Filey Dams. A great little nature reserve and certainly something to add as a Plan D 👍

[garystone]

Some great tips in this one Paul.
I'm amazed how good the R6 and R6mk2 are.
The thought that you can ramp the ISO up beyond that of a dslr is remarkable.
Oh and have put a tether on my camera just in case it does come unattached from the lens.
Thanks for sharing your passion for wildlife photography 👍👌

[marcscott]

Great video, I was on that beach on that same day and it is annoying when people get in the way, I was just wondering has you come to Bridlington have you ever gone to the north side on the rocks, I was there last week and I managed to capture a few curlews there, I think it’s a great place to try and capture waders, thank you again for a great video..