Bird nesting shots

maninsuitcase

maninsuitcase

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Chris
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I have a blackbird nesting in the hedge outside my kitchen side window, about 1m from the glass.

I have taken few shots but as it's always pretty dark in the side alley I am struggling for light.

Will I be okay using flash or not?

Must admit I did use it for a few last week, before it occurred to me I might be scaring the bird and stopped. Still there now though so can't have been too bothered but I'd rather be sure.

I am not constantly taking shots, as it's clear the bird can see me when I climb up on the counter, and I am trying not to disturb the nest, so would it be best just to call it a day on this one?

Feel free to call me an idiot as I should have asked first :bang:
 
It will certainly disturb the bird, not a good idea if it has young as it may desert the nest, or leave the young unattended, open to predators or weather. I personally would not take shots myself. Others may differ.
 
Cuddy said:
It will certainly disturb the bird, not a good idea if it has young as it may desert the nest, or leave the young unattended, open to predators or weather. I personally would not take shots myself. Others may differ.
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Got to agree with Cuddy. Also ask yourself would the images be worth it. IMHO images of nesting birds belong to yesterday. Can't you just enjoy watching the goings on;)
 
maninsuitcase said:
Will call it a day then and be content with watching occasionally.

Feel so stupid for it now.
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No need to feel stupid though.
You came on here asking for advice over using flash on a nesting site.
The advice was not to do it & to leave the nesting bird in peace.
You have taken this advice & acted on it.
Sound more like the actions of a mature person rather than a stupid person, to me.:thumbs:
 
I agree with Charlie, you are acting responsibly, and no need to feel stupid.

regards brian.
 
Interesting to hear your views on flash as I too worry about the inappropriate use on animals and birds. I was at a couple of country shows recently and was concerned at the number of spectators using flash near showjumpers and also very concerned about flash being used near raptors at falconry displays.

I did ask about he poor owls as I thought daylight was probably bad enough but the owner said they were used to it and it didn't bother them. Not convinced!
 
Good to see you've chosen not to do it.

On the issue generally, it depends on how bothered you are about the subject's welfare I suppose. I consider it a similar assault on their senses as firing a gun - only the effect is visual, not aural. Hence I wouldn't use a flash set up.

Owls should certainly NOT be subjected to it (in the dark, anyway)... http://photo.net/learn/nature/owlflash
 
My experiences recently have proven that nesting birds can be quite tolerant of human activity. Three weeks ago, while in the garden, I spotted a wren with a beakful of grubs. Wondering where the nest was I stopped and watched - and was amazed when I saw that the nest was less than 2m from the back door. Not only is there a lot of human and dog traffic, in and out all day, but the nest was against a fence - the top of which we'd had an electrician running external mains cabling the previous week, during which period the wrens must have been incubating the eggs.

Last week, as I was going out to fill the feeders, I saw some movement at the nest. There was one of the young clambering out - close enough for me to reach out and touch it. As I stood there a parent flew in and started coaxing it to the top of the fence, then went down to the nest for the next one. At that point I decided that if they weren't bothered by me standing next to the nest they're certainly not going to be bothered by me standing further away with a big lens -

Wren%20Fledge-1.jpg


The whole family moved to a large bush nearby. I still see some of the fledglings getting fed a week later. And once, one evening, I saw the whole family pop into one of the roosting pouches next to the one they used as a nest.
 
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A flash of light is *probably* of less concern to a bird than the curtains being opened on a nearby window
 
On the subject of nesting birds, I would just leave them be as much as possible, it is hard enough for them without us hindering them.

On the subject of flash, I used to be very anti flash on wildlife, I still am to a certain degree, only using it if I have to. But, whilst taking some kingfisher shots, last year or maybe even longer can`t remember, the bird was sat not six feet from me and I took maybe twenty shots of it with flash, it did not fly away and did not seem bothered. Make of that what you will.
 
Roadkill_6mm said:
Apparently not......only applies to S.1 Birds - which the blackbird isnt (I dont think!)

ATB

Neil
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Neil, I'm afraid that the law covers all wild birds,sched 1 or otherwise.For further clarification you could always ring the RSPB in Sandy, Bedfordshire on 01767 680551.
 
mex said:
Neil, I'm afraid that the law covers all wild birds,sched 1 or otherwise.For further clarification you could always ring the RSPB in Sandy, Bedfordshire on 01767 680551.
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Or read this - PDF - that seems to agree with Neil.
 
hollis_f said:
Or read this - PDF - that seems to agree with Neil.[/QUOTE

I think the second paragraph of the document sums things up quite nicely,don't you? I also tried to ring the numbers shown on the document,but they are no longer in use,do you know how old the document is by any chance?
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had a quick scan at the RSPB site and got this from the FAQ page -


Is it okay to photograph birds at their nests?
When taking photographs, the welfare of birds must always come first. Schedule 1 breeding birds are protected by law, which means you need a licence to photograph them at or near the nest. Please check the schedules list in the link before you take any photographs.

If your bird is not legally protected, please still consider whether you really need to photograph it at its nest. You will always cause some disturbance to the bird, which may result in it deserting the nest. You might also draw attention to the nest, which will make the birds more vulnerable to predators.
 
Well the chicks hatched over the weekend, looks like there's about 3 or 4 but hard to see because of the ivy they are nesting in.

Update:
Disaster, the local cat found the nest. I highly doubt it was me highlighting the nest as I only look in the day and even then through the window. There was a hell of a banging on the window, I guess the parent trying to defend then I saw the cat. Shooed him off but too late for at least 1 chick.

Seen him eyeing up the rabbits so will have to make sure I am not leave the shed open any more.

2nd Update:
Looks like 2 chicks survived the attack and so did a parent.
 
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