Can anyone recommend Birds of Prey Photography Experience Near (ish) to Chesterfield, Derbyshire?

snerkler

snerkler

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Sorry, I guess this has been asked numerous times before, but I'm looking at doing a BOP photography experience, particularly Owls, but don't want to travel the country to get there. I saw a good one in Gloucestershire but ideally I'd like something a bit closer. I know these shoots will be staged but I would like it to look as natural as possible.

So far I've found this site which offers one course at Cusworth Hall Doncaster, and another in Sherwood Forrest East Mids. Has anyone got any experience of these?

https://www.goingdigital.co.uk/photography-workshops/birds-of-prey-action-courses


I know there's one in North Yorkshire somewhere but I can't remember the name, can anyone enlighten me please?

This is the one in Gloucestershire, looking at the example photos at the bottom these are exactly the kinds of shots I would like to achieve.
http://www.barnowl.co.uk/page12.asp


Any help/advice appreciated (y)
 
There are 3 situated around Thirsk if that's where you mean. Not visited any of them so cannot comment on whether suitable for you.
Hopefully someone else will drop by to enlighten. I used to go to the one near Settle, but unfortunately that has closed, Blakemere is in
Cheshire, and I have been there several times in the past, (to fly, not photography) and they do photo shoots if I remember correctly, bit to far for you tho!
 
wontolla said:
There are 3 situated around Thirsk if that's where you mean. Not visited any of them so cannot comment on whether suitable for you.
Hopefully someone else will drop by to enlighten. I used to go to the one near Settle, but unfortunately that has closed, Blakemere is in
Cheshire, and I have been there several times in the past, (to fly, not photography) and they do photo shoots if I remember correctly, bit to far for you tho!
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Thanks, Cheshire's not too far I don't think. I've just seen another in Cheshire actually, Gauntlet Bird of Prey Centre.
 
Yeh, forgot about that one, looks ideal as its just of the M6. Not been myself but one to visit in the future!
 
I realise I'm going against your wishes, but can really recommend the Barn Owl centre nr Gloucester, whilst the birds are trained, Vince doesn't use jesses on them, so they look more natural, particularly when in flight and saves the hassle of having to clone them out in post, which isn't always successful.

Its a 5 hour or so experience which for £80 is good value and you'll be with about 15 - 20 max other photographers on site, no other visitors are there on photo days.

Chesterfields about 2hr 15 mins from Gloucester, I go to Nottingham regularly and its a fairly easy run, M1 / A42 / M42 / M5
 
We went to Gauntlet a few years ago.
Prices have gone up a bit since then, but the website seems to show a much more developed set up.
We went for a full day (inc lunch) and I was on to my second card by the end. They do(did) a session out in their field with birds on sets. Then some flying of the small birds. After lunch we went into their studio with backdrops and perches set up in front of lights etc. Then back out for a session with the big birds flying. We did quite a lot during the day and it was probably worth the cost.

A word of warning....I posted a pic from there on here. I wasn't, and am still not, a regular in the bird section and got flayed alive. Pic was better than a lot of the so called experts took and they didn't like having their noses put out of joint by a stranger. They are a funny lot in there!

I wouldn't mind a return trip one day.
 
chrism8 said:
I realise I'm going against your wishes, but can really recommend the Barn Owl centre nr Gloucester, whilst the birds are trained, Vince doesn't use jesses on them, so they look more natural, particularly when in flight and saves the hassle of having to clone them out in post, which isn't always successful.

Its a 5 hour or so experience which for £80 is good value and you'll be with about 15 - 20 max other photographers on site, no other visitors are there on photo days.

Chesterfields about 2hr 15 mins from Gloucester, I go to Nottingham regularly and its a fairly easy run, M1 / A42 / M42 / M5
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I guess I could make a weekend of it and go to the Cotswolds after ;) 2hrs 15mins isn't that bad I guess, but I think the days are Friday only so that means rush hours traffic :runaway: I like the idea of no jesses though.

mickledore said:
We went to Gauntlet a few years ago.
Prices have gone up a bit since then, but the website seems to show a much more developed set up.
We went for a full day (inc lunch) and I was on to my second card by the end. They do(did) a session out in their field with birds on sets. Then some flying of the small birds. After lunch we went into their studio with backdrops and perches set up in front of lights etc. Then back out for a session with the big birds flying. We did quite a lot during the day and it was probably worth the cost.

A word of warning....I posted a pic from there on here. I wasn't, and am still not, a regular in the bird section and got flayed alive. Pic was better than a lot of the so called experts took and they didn't like having their noses put out of joint by a stranger. They are a funny lot in there!

I wouldn't mind a return trip one day.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info. That's funny, why were you flayed?
 
best for displays and the largest rapter centre we have been to. but never asked about handling. As it is an international centre there are we found the largest collection of birds.anywhere

umfS15E.jpg


watch video below


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=um2gnn3cCkg
 
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Yes, the Glos Barn Owl centre is Fridays only, 11am till 4pm, early start on the way down and brekkie on route once on the M5, then either stay over and look at the Cotswolds, plenty of opportunities or a steady drive back but be prepared for traffic approaching the M42 and then J24 - J26 of the M1
 
mickledore said:
Only threatened with a ban for posting the pic:eek:
Click to expand...

No Frank, see my post above. He was joking and put a :D to indicate such

Cobra said:
Had it been posted in Nature wild and free, however,
I would have had to suspend his membership :D
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Now it was 5 years ago FFS, can we please put it to bed!
 
I'm over it.
I didn't bring it up.

(But it stopped me posting pics for critique - in any section:dummy::dummy::dummy:)
 
OP not done anything like this,but if you should pop down for glos maybe factor in Bastford Arberetum as well,they fly BOP there might be fun and the place is magical you'ld need to look into though I don't know whether this might suit your need,just a add in if you travel
 
Stuart Philpott said:
OP not done anything like this,but if you should pop down for glos maybe factor in Bastford Arberetum as well,they fly BOP there might be fun and the place is magical you'ld need to look into though I don't know whether this might suit your need,just a add in if you travel
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Thanks, will look into it.
 
Quick update on this. My wife bought me a photography day at the Owl Sanctuary in Gloucestershire so am very much looking forward to that. Just need to wait for them to release some new dates (y)
 
not sure if this is to far but the falconry centre attached to Chester cathedral is superb
https://chestercathedral.com/falconry-nature-gardens/falconry-f-a-q/
and for only a fiver a day is well worth visiting as you can also pop in and out all day ,send the wife shopping 3 minutes to the shops ,pop out for a mcdonalds if you take the kids 5 minute walk time . they have regular displays at 2p.m but also private displays for other people which you can just watch ,the tame black vulture is a comedian to comes and goes as it wants .
 
snerkler said:
Thanks, there doesn't appear to be a dedicated photography day though just a handling day where you can take the odd photo?
Click to expand...

Correct, if you travelled that far, much better to go to the Barn Owl Centre in Gloucester (as mentioned above) where you will get a tailor-made photography experience.
IIRC Alan Hewitt does some owl workshops up in Yorkshire as well.
 
the black fox said:
not sure if this is to far but the falconry centre attached to Chester cathedral is superb
https://chestercathedral.com/falconry-nature-gardens/falconry-f-a-q/
and for only a fiver a day is well worth visiting as you can also pop in and out all day ,send the wife shopping 3 minutes to the shops ,pop out for a mcdonalds if you take the kids 5 minute walk time . they have regular displays at 2p.m but also private displays for other people which you can just watch ,the tame black vulture is a comedian to comes and goes as it wants .
Click to expand...
Thanks, it's a bit closer but as I mentioned earlier my wife's bought me vouchers for the one in Gloucestershire now so I'll be going there when they release new dates (y)
 
snerkler said:
Thanks, it's a bit closer but as I mentioned earlier my wife's bought me vouchers for the one in Gloucestershire now so I'll be going there when they release new dates (y)
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No problem Chester is open daily
 
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