"Do it yourself" Nature Photography Holiday - Recommendations?

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rottingbadger

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James
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Hi everyone.

I'm looking to take a UK holiday next year that will all or in part try and allow me to visit some locations that will let me develop my skills as a nature photographer. Organised tours and holidays are very attractive, but they are a little out of my budget and I feel that right now I would do well just getting "out and about" and taking pictures as part of a holiday rather than going on one solely for that purpose.

So, I was wondering if any TPers have any good recommendations for locations they know and love for this type of snapping? A few guidelines might help here of course:

- Happy to hear about broad locations or regions. E.g. "Place X is a great hub to operate from, we loved it, must be at least 3-4 good nature reserves around there".
- Not picky on Flora and Fauna, anything goes. I just get pleasure out of a half-decent snap at the end of the day.
- I am very much a novice, and I appreciate animals aren't always easy to photograph. So any area that allows for structured shooting (RSPB reserves, wildlife centres etc) would be a plus.
- I'm based in Surrey, so the south east isn't ideal. But anywhere else is up for grabs.
- Likely to be holidaying in the summer months. And happy to drive around to get to places.

Any tips or suggestions are welcome, or if you know of a good website resource. Perhaps you regularly holiday in an area for the same reason, I'd love to hear your experiences.

James.
 
Pembrokeshire? You can spend a day on Skomer which is superb, take a boat trip around Grassholm for the gannets, the RSPB reserve on Ramsey Island, the Welsh Wildlife Centre for kingfishers and otter (from hides), there are whale and dolphin-watching trips from St Justinians and Cardigan, plus spectacular scenery.
 
I would also suggest Pembrokeshire, spent a very enjoyable week last June. Stayed just north of St Davids and the coast path contained some fabulous birds, Warblers, Stone Chats, White throats and a pair of Peregrines. As previously mentioned Skomer is fantastic a real experience.
 
Couple of suggestions.

1. You are not that far from

the South Downs which have interesting flora and fauna - http://www.sussex-southdowns-guide.com/south-downs-nature-reserves.html

and the RSPB reserve at Dungeness - http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/d/dungeness/index.aspx

2. Northern Scotland

If you were based somewhere between Inverness and Aviemore you would be within easy reach of the reserves at Insh Marshes and Loch Garten. It is not a long drive to the Black Isle where dolphins are seen regularly very close into shore (I think sometimes better sightings than you'll get from a boat). The Black Isle is also good for red kites.

If don't mind a long drive, a day trip to the west coast is possible from the Inverness area. From Gairloch (an area I know well), for example, there are wildlife trips into the Minch to see dolphins, porpoise and whales.

http://www.porpoise-gairloch.co.uk/
http://www.hebridean-whale-cruises.co.uk/

Don't know your set up but the bird reserves are going to need a big lens.

PM me if you want any info about Gairloch.

Dave
 
Some good tips so far, thanks all. Dungeness isn't that far, and its reminded me that the Barnes Wetlands centre is relatively close as well.
 
If you're after birds in particular, you'll need to do a bit of research into the month you plan to go. Seabird colonies are extremely seasonal (there's a decent 4 week window to get the best puffin shots before they head back to sea) and summer migrants get terribly secretive after breeding as the summer goes on. August is an infamously quiet month for birding until autumn migration gets back underway again. If I were to pick a month for a general bird photography trip, then I'd plump for June. 'Fraid I can't comment on mammals / insects - not my field!
 
How about SW Scotland? A great part of the UK and I rent out my private woodland hide at times for only £20 a day. You wont find a cheaper one in the UK and you wont find a better one for variety and close encounters with a host of species. Red Squirrels, Sparrowhawks, Jays and Great Spotted woodpecker are guarenteed plus a lot of other birds. Check my Flikr as most of these images are from my hide.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/46443141@N07/
 
Alan, some wonderful shots on your Flickr! That is my type of photography (I wish!)
 
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