Shorebird Photography

                 I wrote this post a few months ago during spring migration, but I would think this advice still applies during the breeding season and fall migration.

With spring migration already here, what better way to celebrate than to go out searching for shorebirds? Since I live in Indiana, I love the exoticness and allure shorebirds bring during the short time before most make their journey to the high Arctic. During this time, they are beginning to exhibit their alternate or breeding plumage, which gives you an opportunity to take some great pictures. Depending on where you are in the country, your experience will vary in photographing shorebirds.

Finding Shorebirds

                Obviously before you start photographing shorebirds, you have to go searching for them. A good suggestion given to me before is to check the tides.  Visiting beaches at low tide (and without many beachgoers) will give you the best opportunity to find a variety of peeps and sandpipers. For those not near coastal regions, check drained waterfowl resting areas, flooded fields, and other similar places. Of course, these options will often rely on you bringing a spotting scope, as you may not be able to go onto the property, for legal or safety issues. Now if you’re able to get close to your quarry, we can move onto photography tips.

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Getting Down and Dirty

                Perspective can make all the difference in pictures. This is especially true when shorebirds are your subject. In North America, shorebird size ranges from the smallest least sandpiper to the largest long-billed curlew. Generally, when photographing shorebirds, you will want to get close to the ground as possible. The reason is two-fold:

1.      You will less look like a threat to them and be able to move in close

2.      You will have more intimate images with pleasing backgrounds, usually

Obviously, this will not work all of the time. Some will be skittish while others will be bold around people. In my experience, there is no clear pattern. Over spring break, I had the opportunity to visit Bunche Beach Preserve near Ft. Myers Florida to see a plethora of shorebirds. I was able to get within a few feet of the shorebirds there, and a couple even came up to me!

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Other Tips

                Don’t become frustrated if you’re unable to get good pictures on your first few tries. This takes practice and patience as well as a bit of luck. I also suggest using a makeshift blind, such as your vehicle, and letting the shorebirds come to you. Furthermore, if you’re unsure of where to go see shorebirds, consult a local birding guide for advice. He or she can tell you when and where to go during spring and fall migration and may even take you out to those places.

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How Close is TOO Close?

                This question always comes up for birders and photographers, alike. We all have been in that situation when we have flushed a bird, whether accidentally or purposely. There is nothing wrong with wanting to have a closer view, but when does that become an issue? The American Birding Association (ABA) wants people to enjoy birding but always stresses to consider a bird’s safety and welfare. We will briefly examine the ABA’s Code of Ethics¹ but focus on the first principle today.

                The beginning of the Code of Ethics lists “promote the welfare of birds and the environment” as their first principle. Four subsets of this principle explain a different consideration for birders and the list is as follows:

• Support the protection of important bird habitat.

• To avoid stressing birds or exposing them to danger, exercise restraint and caution during observation, photography, sound recording, and filming.

• Before the presence of a rare bird, evaluate the potential for disturbance to the bird, its surroundings, and other in the area, and proceed only if access can be controlled, disturbance can be minimized, and permission has been obtained from private land-owners. The sites of rare nesting birds should be divulged only to the proper conservation authorities.

• Stay on roads, trails, and paths where they exist; otherwise keep habitat disturbance to a minimum. 

While the first subset principle relates to supporting habitat conservation from birders and non-birders alike, the latter three specifically apply to those out birding on their own. Placing unnecessary stress on birds can alter their behaviors during breeding or migrating. Both require enormous caloric intakes, and the resulting physical stress from these activities determines a bird’s fate, depending on the amount of available resources, competition, and predation. When we step in and cause birds to react unnaturally through actively chasing down and/or repeatedly flushing or passively baiting and/or playing audio feedback, then these raise an issue.

Above all else, the sighting of rarities will fuel this issue’s complexity.  A rarity may be a bird from outside of its normal range or deemed as endangered, threatened, or of special concern. Depending on the rarity of the species, dozens to hundreds of birders may show up at a time, and a bird may provide poor to excellent views. For example, I was fortunate to view the same snowy owl twice at the Shelbyville Municipal Airport back in January. There was always a temptation to gain an even closer look, but is it worth the risk? Constant stress from people interrupts their resting and hunting opportunities and increases exposure to infection, especially from the fungal disease aspergillosis. Additionally, snowy owls choose open areas such as undisturbed beaches, sand dunes, rocky jetties, and airports, which may have restricted access to the public. For all of the allure a snowy owl generates, approaching one at close range may be both an unethical and unlawful choice.

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Recently, there have been several Facebook page discussions about sightings of long-eared owls at Prophetstown State Park. More than a few have been able to see one to three owls at a time, but there are those who question if photographers (or a private drone operator) were too close. At least one of the owls has changed roosting spots, prompting debate of whether or not to continue seeing them. Considering roosting long-eared owls are vulnerable to human disturbance, should we even report sensitive species? If that’s not possible, are there ways to minimize disturbance to those species on public property? What are your thoughts on this issue?

                Your birding experiences may be different from someone else’s as you may have a chance to have a close observation. There are methods to minimize disturbance while remaining relatively close, but I will save that for another time. Additionally, always remember to use common sense and ask for a landowner’s permission if a rarity is on their property. Trespassing is a serious issue not taken lightly. Lastly, if you see someone not following the ABA’s guidelines, then don’t be disrespectful or condescending but educate them. Help others gain an appreciation for what’s out there.

¹http://www.aba.org/about/abaethics.pdf

Back to Birding Basics

          Lately, I have been experiencing some setbacks when I am out birding. From time to time, one of the main issues I have is that I am too quick to judge a species based on a casual observation. I always bring the Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America with me to use as reference, but, often, what I am observing is gone as soon as I look away. Other times, if I see something from a distance without use of a scope, then I can only make my best guess. Having good optics and a camera are helpful tools, but what makes a difference involves understanding the basics of identification.

          Cornell’s Lab of Ornithology lists four keys to identification: size and shape, color pattern, behavior, and habitat.¹ Others may form their own opinions, but here is how I view each one:

1. Size and shape are the most important aspects of identification, but we have trouble discerning an object’s dimensions without a point of reference. Compare an unknown species to a bird you know that is of similar size and shape.
2. Color patterns will often distinguish one species from another rather easily but can be difficult to observe for anyone, especially when a bird is in its basic or nonbreeding plumage or seen in low-light conditions. Look at the overall coloration as well as any unusual markings.
3. Behavior is fundamental to knowing when and where birds will be the most active, which is what many beginners overlook in their observations. Study how a bird is moving, whether it is walking, hopping, running, swimming, gliding, or flying.
4. Habitat is useful to determine which species are common to your area. Examine geographic range maps, which alert you to when and where birds will migrate and the likelihood of a rarity appearing outside of its range.

          Having a good understanding of each key will save you both time and trouble, especially if you are communicating this information to someone else. As you gain experience, use of these keys will become second nature for you, but do not be discouraged if you make a mistake. If you are unsure of your identification, then ask! There are many knowledgeable people, who have been birding for decades, and would be more than happy to help you. Additionally, there are numerous field guides and online references out there, but some will prove to be better resources over others. Here are some of the books and websites that have been helpful for me:

Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America

Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America

National Geographic’s Field Guide to Birds of North America, 6^th Edition

WhatBird (whatbird.org)

Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s All About Birds (allaboutbirds.org)

          Remember to have patience, perseverance, and confidence because we all start somewhere. Without question, the best way to improve your birding skills is to get out there and enjoy!

¹ "Building Skills." All About Birds. Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 2011.