I began my visits to the Trust in April of 2007 as a way of expanding my photographic subject matter, previously it had been pictures of friends and family and the occasional Air Display. Little did I realise that I would be come gripped by a passion for a different type of aerial display - a bit quieter, but just as exciting!

The first action photo received from John.

The Trust offers a myriad of photographic opportunities for both static and flying shots of birds, and it’s a job to know where to start. In my case it was with the flying demonstrations, each of the three throughout the day is different and it’s a chance to get close to birds that few people would even see in the wild, let alone have the opportunity to photograph.

Barn Owls, Falcons, Woodland Owls, Hawks, Eagles, Vultures, Kites. All take their place in the flying line up, and twist and turn sometimes just a few feet from you. A truly stunning display of the Natural World’s beauty.

"But how to photograph them", I hear you say. Well, here are a few of my thoughts on the subject based on my experiences over the last few months.

You can take pictures of birds with the simplest of camera right up to the most expensive. For pictures of birds around the park and of those who have perched on a fence in front of you, a compact camera is quite adequate. It's small, quick to use, and can focus on birds very close to you.

If you are after birds flying it can be more of a challenge, as the birds are liable to be further away and moving faster, and a longer lens is needed. You are more likely to meet with success if you are able to use an SLR type of camera. In general terms this means a camera where you can change the lenses for ones of different focal length.

The cameras come in both film versions (not as common new now but there are many second hand ones available) or the more modern digital ones. No film is required in the digital type of cameras, and the images are downloaded straight to your computer or printed direct from the camera.

John's winning entry as judged by Chris Packham.

Digital is the way I take my pictures as, although the camera is quite expensive to begin with, your running costs are fairly minimal as there is no film to purchase and process. I have found that I take more shots with digital as I am not worried about the cost of film and processing.

There is no easy way to take birds in flight pictures, it's just practice, and more practice. A lens of focal length of 300mm or longer is really needed, together with a fast shutter speed of less than 1/1000th of a second if you want the wings to appear sharp.

You need to practice following the bird in the viewfinder and panning with their movements, trying to keep the bird in the viewfinder all the time. It is difficult but with practice you can get some great photos. Become a member at the Trust, then you can visit as often as you want and hone those photographic skills.

Technical details of photographs.
Lanner Falcon Charlie Brown was taken at 12:20pm on 1st April 2007, using Canon EOS-1D Mark II N at 400mm, 1/2000s at f5.6, ISO400.
Lark Fly-by was taken at 2:15pm on 27th July 2007, using Canon EOS-1D Mark II N at 500mm, 1/5000s at f4, ISO800.