Here's a list (which I will keep on updating) of more suggestions from the comment section: Join local birding/wildlife groups Use Ebird, Inaturalist & other similar websites Speak to local foresters/hunters Utilise OS Maps and look for old place names that refer to different species found there Speak to local farmers for access to their land Use Google Maps in satellite mode to view the habitat
Hi Marc Others have mentioned eBird. If you re not using it, it is also made by Cornell who make Merlin. eBird allows you to search by site or species and will show you a distribution of sightings throughout the year as well as tell you if it was sighted recently.
Thanks Sue 😊 unfortunately I can't take the credit for the garden... I was back visiting my parents, so it's all my mum's doing - i'll pass on the kind words though!
Great advice Marc. A lot of the stuff I already knew or had the books, social media is perhaps a better source than people might imagine - recently joined some local groups and discovered a little gem of a place that I had never considered, just a 30 minute drive away - lovely walk, not too long - thronging with all sorts of species from your usual suspects of tits and robins, but also Kingfishers that are practically guaranteed and not too concerned of getting close to - all manner of migratory birds AND quite a few water voles, also approachable. A couple to add to your list - Farmers - speak to them, ask nicely if you can walk their land, Google maps with satellite overlay (see the habitat)
All great tips Marc, especially “wear binoculars”. I tend to give a smile, a nod and a good morning/afternoon when passing a fellow enthusiast and I definitely get fewer interactions when my bins are in my bag instead of around my neck.
Very good advice, thank you! Joining a local birding group was indeed one of the best things I could do to learn about the best spots and also short-notice occurances of rare species in our area, sometimes down to the exact tree or pond shore. I'd like to add to use sighting portals such as Ebird, Waarneming, Ornitho etc. Some are specialised for birds, others include mammals, insects or even plants. Especially Ornitho here in Germany has been invaluable for me. If you now and then report your own sightings, they would grant access to their complete database which you could search by species or generic groups, time ranges, locations and so forth. Just yesterday it helped me find my first collared flycatcher, in a cemetery. (Which by the way was another one of your great tips, recently. :)
Another is to look for older placenames in combination with high resolution Ordnance Survey maps; and know the older country names for species. For example, an older name for the Lapwing is a "Tewit", so seeing something like "Tewit Field" may suggest it was a historic site for lapwing. In upland areas, rocky hill top sites called Hawkstones may suggest that they were the home of hawks in years gone by. Some species, such as badgers, may used the same underground homes for hundreds of years, so seeing a placename such as Brockton may sugest an old association with badgers. Sadly, modern placenames are more to do with sales and marketing ideas, than the species whose land they now occupy.
Yes it is quite a sad reality... I see areas like "Nightingale Lane" or "Cuckoo road" and know for a fact that those species haven't been seen there for years. Thank you for the suggestion 😊
Join your local wildlife groups & go along to the talks/meetings. You will get known & people will start to trust you & give up their knowledge. It's very important to not betray that trust as you have already mentioned. I have a lot of contacts in the local birding community that have given up time & knowledge to put me in the right place. It also works both ways & if you find a rarity, for example, it's good to report it to the relevant county recorder. Once you are known & proven trustworthy, it's amazing what info comes your way.
Such a good suggestion Rob, thank you. Once I manage to stop travelling so much for work, I'll be getting stuck in to actually doing some good in terms of research within the south west.
You may also consult inaturalist and contribute with the photos that may not make the cut. In Inaturalist there is no artistic requirement or judgement. You will be helping scientists with recording species and also interact with people who may be willing to share information.
New to your channel and I would like to make a suggestion. Could you do a video on book suggestions for what's the best books on birds of Britain and Europe. Also any chance you can do a video on owls and the Little Owl. Thanks
@@marchumphreyphotography Thank you, definitely like to see the habitat for each Owl and how many of each species of owl are left in the wild and best times to look and the best places. I live in Devon myself.
Here's a list (which I will keep on updating) of more suggestions from the comment section:
Join local birding/wildlife groups
Use Ebird, Inaturalist & other similar websites
Speak to local foresters/hunters
Utilise OS Maps and look for old place names that refer to different species found there
Speak to local farmers for access to their land
Use Google Maps in satellite mode to view the habitat
Hi Marc
Others have mentioned eBird. If you re not using it, it is also made by Cornell who make Merlin. eBird allows you to search by site or species and will show you a distribution of sightings throughout the year as well as tell you if it was sighted recently.
Thanks Mike, seems like eBird is a must!
Best book i ever bought from Andrew Marshal, even had is signed by him too :)
Ah brilliant! It's a great book
That was great Marc and defo picked up some tips from it so thanks. Definitely going to buy those books. 👍
Thanks Ian 😊 well worth it!
A very informative video Mark. Many thanks.
Thanks Maggie - I'm glad you enjoyed!
Good advice, loving your garden 👍
Thanks Sue 😊 unfortunately I can't take the credit for the garden... I was back visiting my parents, so it's all my mum's doing - i'll pass on the kind words though!
Great advice Marc. A lot of the stuff I already knew or had the books, social media is perhaps a better source than people might imagine - recently joined some local groups and discovered a little gem of a place that I had never considered, just a 30 minute drive away - lovely walk, not too long - thronging with all sorts of species from your usual suspects of tits and robins, but also Kingfishers that are practically guaranteed and not too concerned of getting close to - all manner of migratory birds AND quite a few water voles, also approachable. A couple to add to your list - Farmers - speak to them, ask nicely if you can walk their land, Google maps with satellite overlay (see the habitat)
Thanks for the comment! ah brilliant, thanks for the advice - shall be getting added on to the liist!
All great tips Marc, especially “wear binoculars”. I tend to give a smile, a nod and a good morning/afternoon when passing a fellow enthusiast and I definitely get fewer interactions when my bins are in my bag instead of around my neck.
Thanks Tim 😊 glad someone else has had the same experience as me!
Very good advice, thank you! Joining a local birding group was indeed one of the best things I could do to learn about the best spots and also short-notice occurances of rare species in our area, sometimes down to the exact tree or pond shore.
I'd like to add to use sighting portals such as Ebird, Waarneming, Ornitho etc. Some are specialised for birds, others include mammals, insects or even plants. Especially Ornitho here in Germany has been invaluable for me. If you now and then report your own sightings, they would grant access to their complete database which you could search by species or generic groups, time ranges, locations and so forth. Just yesterday it helped me find my first collared flycatcher, in a cemetery. (Which by the way was another one of your great tips, recently. :)
Great suggestions! As soon as I put the video out I realised I'd forgotten to include E-bird... but hadn't thought about any others, so thank you. 😊
Good information. Not sure of the rules there but in Ireland you need permission from the property owner to set up a trail cam.
Thanks James - I imagine it's the same here in the UK tbh...
Another is to look for older placenames in combination with high resolution Ordnance Survey maps; and know the older country names for species. For example, an older name for the Lapwing is a "Tewit", so seeing something like "Tewit Field" may suggest it was a historic site for lapwing. In upland areas, rocky hill top sites called Hawkstones may suggest that they were the home of hawks in years gone by. Some species, such as badgers, may used the same underground homes for hundreds of years, so seeing a placename such as Brockton may sugest an old association with badgers.
Sadly, modern placenames are more to do with sales and marketing ideas, than the species whose land they now occupy.
Yes it is quite a sad reality... I see areas like "Nightingale Lane" or "Cuckoo road" and know for a fact that those species haven't been seen there for years. Thank you for the suggestion 😊
Join your local wildlife groups & go along to the talks/meetings. You will get known & people will start to trust you & give up their knowledge. It's very important to not betray that trust as you have already mentioned. I have a lot of contacts in the local birding community that have given up time & knowledge to put me in the right place. It also works both ways & if you find a rarity, for example, it's good to report it to the relevant county recorder. Once you are known & proven trustworthy, it's amazing what info comes your way.
Such a good suggestion Rob, thank you. Once I manage to stop travelling so much for work, I'll be getting stuck in to actually doing some good in terms of research within the south west.
Brilliant information Mark
Thank you Dave 😊
You may also consult inaturalist and contribute with the photos that may not make the cut. In Inaturalist there is no artistic requirement or judgement. You will be helping scientists with recording species and also interact with people who may be willing to share information.
That's a great idea, thank you 😊
New to your channel and I would like to make a suggestion. Could you do a video on book suggestions for what's the best books on birds of Britain and Europe. Also any chance you can do a video on owls and the Little Owl. Thanks
thanks Matt - I'll certainly look at making videos on that! What sort of thing would you like to see on owls?
@@marchumphreyphotography Thank you, definitely like to see the habitat for each Owl and how many of each species of owl are left in the wild and best times to look and the best places. I live in Devon myself.
Some good advice there mate.
Is the WV one of ours?
Thanks mate, it is indeed!
I was wondering what the dirty looks were about, i never take bino's!!
😂😂😂
One more tip: you can also chatted with the foresters/hunters.....somtimes it works.
Ah that's a good idea! As long as the wildlife you want to photograph isn't the animals they're looking to shoot 😂
@@marchumphreyphotography Of course, take photos first.....🤣