Wildlife Watch - Reed Bed Birds
Amateur Photographer|June 24,2017

Three common birds frequent the reed beds of Britain. You’ll need to look, and listen, to shoot them properly.

Paul Hobson
Wildlife Watch - Reed Bed Birds

THREE birds are characteristic of reed beds in spring and summer. The reed warbler is mainly centred in the south and east of the UK, but is largely absent from Scotland. Sedge warblers and reed buntings are far more widely distributed. All three are initially easier to recognise and find by their songs, so it pays to learn them before you set out.

Habitat

Reed beds were once one of our most endangered habitats, drained for hundreds of years and reduced to wildlife-poor farmland. Luckily, active creation and extension of reed beds is a high priority for many conservation groups. Most large reed beds are in lowland areas and are often well-known nature reserves, so finding them is not difficult.

All three are insect feeders and similarly sized, roughly the size of a sparrow. The warblers are sleek bodied and brownish, with the sedge warbler having a distinctive pale eye stripe. Reed buntings are dumpier and eat seeds as well as insects. The males have a black bib, while the females are more streaky brown in plumage.

Shooting advice

Be patient

この記事は Amateur Photographer の June 24,2017 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

この記事は Amateur Photographer の June 24,2017 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHERのその他の記事すべて表示
140 years of change
Amateur Photographer

140 years of change

AP has become the world’s oldest surviving consumer photo magazine because we have moved with the times, says Nigel Atherton

time-read
2 分  |
September 24, 2024
Preserving history in platinum
Amateur Photographer

Preserving history in platinum

A deep dive into the meticulous art of platinum printing, and the collaboration between the Royal Geographical Society and Salto Ulbeek. Mike Crawford explores how they brought historical photographs to life with enduring beauty and precision

time-read
7 分  |
September 24, 2024
Life in the past lane
Amateur Photographer

Life in the past lane

What was life like for an amateur photographer in 1884? John Wade takes a trip back in time

time-read
3 分  |
September 24, 2024
Choice cuts
Amateur Photographer

Choice cuts

How many trillions of photographs must have been taken in the past 140 years? Amy Davies asked some of our regular contributors for their favourites....a difficult task, to say the least

time-read
4 分  |
September 24, 2024
How good a camera can you buy for just £140?
Amateur Photographer

How good a camera can you buy for just £140?

Three members of the AP team see what they can find for the money

time-read
5 分  |
September 24, 2024
Round Five: The Best of the Rest
Amateur Photographer

Round Five: The Best of the Rest

The APOY judges choose their favourite images that didn’t make the top ten of our Landscapes category

time-read
3 分  |
September 24, 2024
Amateur Photographer of the Year
Amateur Photographer

Amateur Photographer of the Year

Here are the top ten images uploaded to Photocrowd from Round Five, Landscapes, with comments by the AP team and our guest judge

time-read
4 分  |
September 24, 2024
FILM STARS A lifetime of landmarks
Amateur Photographer

FILM STARS A lifetime of landmarks

Cameras that hit the headlines between then and now. John Wade is your guide

time-read
10+ 分  |
September 24, 2024
140 years of Amateur Photographer
Amateur Photographer

140 years of Amateur Photographer

As AP celebrates its 140th birthday next month, Nigel Atherton looks back at its glorious past

time-read
8 分  |
September 24, 2024
John Wade considers...World War II: Home Front 1940, by A.J O'Brien
Amateur Photographer

John Wade considers...World War II: Home Front 1940, by A.J O'Brien

Say the word 'Wall's' to those of a certain age and two things spring to mind: sausages and ice cream.

time-read
2 分  |
September 10, 2024