Wild Kites and Eagles - Photography

Wild Kites and Eagles Workshop

Event Description:

This workshop in the heart of the Hampshire countryside offers fantastic opportunities to photograph wild Red Kites and a superb range of other raptors that are present at the collection. The day will start the day with the opportunity to photograph a range of species such as Barn Owl, Little Owl, Kestrel and Bald Eagle perched in natural surroundings. We will then move to a woodland area to capture images of Spectacled Owl, Tawny Owl, Milky (or Verreaux's) Eagle Owl.

After lunch, we will witness a fantastic display of Kites and Eagles with superb opportunities to test and improve your ability to capture images of birds in flight. Griffon Vulture, African Fish Eagle and Bald Eagle will fly around us, and the highlight will be a flock of diving and soaring Black Kites filling the skies.

This will be followed by the opportunity to get close-up and personal with many of the species featured in the display such as vultures, kites and eagles. Our falconer will then fly several species of birds over the meadow and perhaps through trees. Although the range of species that will be flown can not be confirmed until the day, it is likely to include the amazing Milky Eagle Owl, Barn Owl and African Harrier-hawk (Gymogene).

After a short break for refreshments will follow (although the opportunity may be taken to view a further display incorporating the magnificent Andean Condor) before we move on to our dedicated hide to witness the arrival of the local, wild Red Kites and Grey Herons swooping in for the food placed in front of the hide.

Itnerary:

• 9:30: Arrival
• 9:45: Tea/Coffee
• 10:00: Photography session 1 (mostly perching birds)
• 13:00: Lunch provided in education centre
• 14:00: Eagle
• 14:30: Private flying in flower meadow
• 15:30: Tea/coffee break
• 16:00: Wild Kite
• 17:00: Close.

Requirements

What to Bring:

• You will be outside for a much of the day so you should be dressed to suit the season and weather
• We suggest you have a water-proof coat in case of rain.
• You are welcome to bring whatever photographic equipment you believe may be suitable. There is some walking involved but you will never be more than 15 minutes from the education room, our base for the day.
• A SLR camera together with standard, wide angle and telephoto lens would be ideal. However the itinerary ensures non-SLR users are able to get good opportunities. We will be permitted to cross safety barriers under strict guidance and hence very long telephoto lenses are not essential. A zoom lens covering the range up to 300mm will be ample for most situations and shorter focal length lenses will be suitable for close-ups of texture or even eyes! However the itinerary ensures non-SLR users are able to get good opportunities.
• For film users we recommend ISO 100 or 200 film in normal conditions, although ISO400 may be useful in poor lighting conditions.
• Fill in flash might be useful in some conditions e.g. where the subject is backlit.
• A tripod or monopod may be useful for use with long focal length lenses.
• We have access to a supply of spare film, batteries and cleaning materials if required.
• Make sure your batteries are charged and ready for action before you arrive but we can access power points for digital camera charging will be available throughout the day.