Whitethroat

Every year during April I try to get out as much as possible in the early mornings to explore many of the excellent local nature reserves in Sheffield.

Yellow bunting

My main aim is to photograph spring birds as they either start their breeding season by bursting into song, or when they return from the sunny weather of Africa. My approach is very simple - a 7D on a 500 lens, often with a 1.4 converter. I do take a tripod but more often than not end up handholding. Each year is different.

Whinchat

The weather this year has been quite good but many of my intended target species such as tree pipit proved very elusive and I never saw one that was not at the top of a massive tree. Other situations were quite challenging too, particularly the pied fly in woodland.

Pied flycatcher

However over the month I have had great fun and produced a series of images I am happy with. I intended to run the project right into May but on the way home one morning I found a fox earth with 5 cubs, far too good an opportunity to miss, so the last 2 weeks have been devoted entirely to this bar a trip to Scotland to work with badgers in bluebells.    

Chiffchaff

Long-tailed tit

Willow warbler

Redstart

Whitethroat

Whinchat

Yellow bunting